Chapter 12: I Love You

Moving down the stairs quickly, she pulled her hair back into a high ponytail and looked at the time, licking her lips as she fixed her summer dress. Applying lip-gloss, she went into the kitchen, grabbing her glass of smoothie and took a sip, licking her lips. Looking at the clock, she chewed her lip and looked around. Where was Damon? Shrugging softly, the brunette walked out of the kitchen and sat on the couch, taking another sip of her smoothie. Today, they were going to speak about her mom and dad's will. She was freaking out, she had no idea what to expect.

Hearing a knock on the door, she jumped and pressed her hand to her chest. That must be them. Getting up, she placed her glass down and walked over to the door as she pulled it open and smiled softly, seeing a woman who looked to be in her 30's, long brown hair, wearing a dress with black pumps.

"Aria Montgomery?" Smiling softly, Aria stepped aside nodding and watched as the woman walked in. Letting out a breath, she closed the door over, "I'm Layla."
"Could I get you a drink or anything?" Layla looked at her, giving her a smile and shook her head as she took a seat.
"We will get the Will sorted so you can relax and be at ease." Laughing, she followed her and sat opposite her as she picked up her glass, sipping her smoothie.
"Sorry, I've just...I'm not really-" She chewed her lip as Layla smiled.
"It's okay. So, I understand your not yet 18?" Raising an eyebrow, she watched the brunette shake her head and set her glass down as she played with her fingers.

"No...but I'm staying with a...uh gurdian." She licked her lips, hiding a grin and rubbed her hands together.
"Okay then." Pulling the file out of her bag, she opened it up and began reading and frowned softly.
"What? What is it?" Aria raised an eyebrow, chewing her lip.
"It says...that your dad gave everything over to a...Camille Wild..?" Layla looked up as Aria went wide-eyed.
"Camille...Wild?" The woman he was with? He was seeing her behind mom's back and now he gave EVERYTHING to her? WHAT?
"He also...gave her priority of you." Pressing her hand to her chest, she swallowed, shaking her head.
"No, no...this isn't right. That isn't right. He wouldn't do that."
"Well he did honey. It's right here."

Aria sat on the couch, nursing a glass of bourbon as tears glazed in her eyes. It couldn't be true could it? Would her dad really leave everything and HER to a stranger who she never met? Camille Wild. Uh. This would make her day. She was now in charge of her? Shaking her head, she took a gulp of the bourbon and leaned her head back. Could the day get any worse?

The door opened as Damon strolled in with a grin on his face and looked around, spotting Aria on the couch, looking her over. Closing the door over quietly, he walked towards Aria.

"Wow...if I had known you'd looked like that today, I would have stayed in bed this morning." Smirking, he sat opposite her and frowned, seeing her state, "Aria?"
"What was he thinking?" She whispered, swirling the amber liquid around the glass as she took a shaky breath.
"What are you talking about?" Frowning, he watched her and leaned forward, "What's happened?"
"The woman, Layla was here. Reading out my parents Will." The brunette responded with a hard swallow.

"What did it say?" Raising an eyebrow, he presses his hands together.
"He...signed EVERYTHING...my house, the money put away for me when I turn 18...all over to Camille Wild. The woman that he was fooling around with." Aria told him, anger in her eyes.

"What? He did WHAT?" Damon's eyes lit fire as he looked at Aria in confusion.
"That's not even the worse part...he EVEN gave her...priority over me." Looking at him, she knocked back the rest of the bourbon.
"O...of you? What does that mean?" Moving off the couch, he walked around the table and kneeled in front of her, leaning his hands on either side of her legs.

"That she has control over me. Whatever she wants me to do, I do. Just what I need." Rubbing her temples, she licked her lips and shook her head.
"What are you going to do?" His blue eyes shined with concern as he stroked her hair back from her face.
"Follow this stupid path and see where it takes me. Everything happens for a reason right?"

Walking to the bar, she wiped it down, making sure there were no finger marks or anything, before moving onto the first table. Licking her lips, she looked up and watched everyone laughing and talking in the booth at the back. Caroline, Elena, Damon and Stefan. For the last hour, they'd been talking about...stuff that shouldn't be repeated. Smiling softly, she wiped the table down and hummed softly.

"Aria Montgomery?" Looking up, a big grin spread across her face.
"Jason!" Dropping her cloth, she ran over and jumped into his arms, hugging him tight, laughing, "Oh my god, I can't believe its you."
"Long time no see stranger. Still short I see." Giving her a squeeze, her set her down, winking as she shook her head, rolling her eyes.
"NO, you are just getting taller. God, what are you doing here?" Walking over, she lifted the cloth again and walked over to the bar.

"I asked Spencer where you were. She'd told me your parents moved. I'm sorry to hear about them Aria." He gave her a sympathetic look as she nodded softly.
"Its okay Jason. I'm getting there. I'm just happy to see a familiar face. Are they still... alking about Ali?" Licking her lips, she moved behind the bar, pouring two cokes and gave one to him.

"Believe it or not. Yes. No one seems to know another topic to talk about." Taking a seat on the stool, he sighed, "We miss you back at Rosewood and your pink stripe of hair."
"Oh yeah, I bet you do! As you can see...all a natural no colour. No stripes of any shape or form." Grinning, she crossed her arms and blew her hair out of her face.
"So I can see. Still as beautiful as I remember." He winked as she rolled her eyes, tutting.

"Taken and happy, thank you." She told him, giving him a look as she looked over his shoulder, seeing everyone watching them. Great. An audience and a 'HAPPY' Damon.
"Well I'm gonna be staying in time for a while, we'll catch up, alright?" He gave her a pat on the shoulder, walking out as she sighed, leaning her head on the bar.

"Well, I'm guessing YOU have to be Aria Montgomery." Looking up, she glared, her eyes set in a blaze of fire.
"Oh, if it isn't my dad's left over trash. Camille right? I didn't quite catch it last time you were sucking his face off." Storming around the bar, she walked over, cleaning down the tables.

"Honey, now now. That's no way to speak to your NEW mother is it?" Smiling sweetly, she tilted her head.
"I would rather...eat a dozen of poisonous ants, than let YOU be my new mother. You are NOTHING to me." Giving her a look, she smiled sweetly in return as she turned around, "All right?"
"If you want your money when your 18, you'll do as I say and you'll be sure to remember that." Aria swallowed a lump and let out a breath and slowly turned back to her.

"Excuse me?" Crossing her arms, she watched a grin on the blonde's face.
"Great, now that I have your attention. Kelly!" Aria watched a little barbie blonde walked in, a smirk on her face as she texted on her blackberry.
"Yes mom?" Looking up, she gave Aria a look and looked at her mom.
"This is Aria Montgomery."
"Ah...so I see." Looking her up and down, Aria scowled at her, clenching her fists.

"What do you want? The sooner I can get rid of you, the sooner I'll be happier."
"Oh, fantastic. I'm glad you are on board." Smirking, she looked at Kelly, "My sweet daughter wants to be a...SUPERSTAR. Poor girl hasn't got a lung that could hold though, but YOU have."
"No I haven't." The brunette told her, rubbing her arm.
"So, that isn't your guitar there...on stage? Signed by you yourself, ?"
"No, it...is not."
"Did you want your money Aria. Did you want to go to college?" Raising an eyebrow, she watched Aria sigh and nod softly.

"Yes."
"Then you'll write a song for her, alright? You will also record it."
"She can't sing to save her life...and it doesn't look like it either. It won't be pulled off."
"Oh YES. It will. Have a good day Aria. That song by the end of this week, alright?"

Grinning, she kissed her head and walked out as Kelly gave Aria a look and walked out, following her mother. Aria shook her head in disbelief. Unbelievable. Oh, they were getting a piece of her mind. Going over to the stage, she picked up the guitar, ready to smash it, until she felt a pair of arms tightening around her waist.

"No you don't. Calm down...breathe, alright?" Damon breathed into her hair, holding her close.
"Y...your right...sorry." Aria responded, letting out a small breath as she leaned back into his embrace, feeling herself relax as she placed the guitar back down and turned in his arms.
"What are you going to do?" Raising an eyebrow, he looked down at her.
"I'm gonna write the song and sing it for that blonde bitch...and then...hope for a happy ending."

Lying on the bed, Damon stared at the ceiling, many thoughts running through his head as he licked the surface of his lips. Hearing the shower turn off, he looked up as he seen Aria walking towards the bed wrapped in a towel as she was towel drying her hair. Sitting up, he looked at her, chewing his lip.

"Who's Jason?" His blue eyes shined from the light.
"An old friend...from Rosewood." She replied softly, sitting on the edge of the bed as she looked at him, continuing to towel dry her hair.
"Do...should," Sighing, he raised an eyebrow, "Should I be worried about this guy?"
"What? No! Of course not!" Aria told him, shaking her head as she gave him a look.
"Are you sure? Because you two seemed...awfully...cuddly...close...Oh Aria...Oh Jason." His eyes hit the ceiling as he huffed, crossing his arms in frustration.

"Damon, are you jealous?" Grinning softly, she crawled onto the bed, kissing his cheek softly and raised an eyebrow.
"No. Damon Salvatore does NOT get jealous." He told her, not looking at her as she pressed kisses to his lips.
"You're a liar. Look at me." Aria told him, stroking her fingers through his hair.
"I am looking at you." Damon replied with a slight whine as she laughed, pressing her hand to his cheek as she turned his head.

"NOW you are. Damon...its you okay...I," Letting out a breath, she stroked her thumb over his cheek, "I love YOU okay. I am in love with you."
"Y...you are?" Raising an eyebrow, he looked into her eyes, feeling happy as she gave him a nod.
"Yes. 100 % truthul." Aria told him, leaning close as she brushed her lips over his, "It's only you I want. No one could change that."
"God Aria, I love you...so much." Gripping her hips, he tugged her close so she fell on top of him, causing her to shriek and laugh.
"Damon, behave!" She told him, kissing him as he cupped her face, kissing her back.
"I'll behave the day I die." Winking at her, he kissed her neck as she giggled, tilting her head.
"Then the day you die, I am going to be extremely bored."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed!

Shauna
xxx