Chapter 20
Bonnie and Meredith had both phoned Elena worried when she didn't arrive at school but were equally surprised when they heard the sparkling joy in Elena's voice and finally heard her laughing freely as they gossiped over the phone. She didn't mention Damon, though she knew Matt would eventually complain too them about Damon coming around to her house. The next morning she woke up relaxed like her body was floating freely. She ate her breakfast; with Aunt Judith and Robert for once she didn't have any arguments. Her brother, Jeremy had been away in a boarding school for two months now; he was trying to get clean, as ever since their parents died he had resorted to drugs as an escape. Elena wished Damon would be at school today, but he didn't have to do any tests because he only started school. Elena arrived at school, later than the last time she went their, so she wouldn't be alone in the parking lot with Matt, but she realised when she walked into the empty school grounds she arrived a bit too late. Elena rushed inside and made her way to the hall, where her test would start any minute now. She opened the doors and hundreds of heads turned to look in her direction, "Elena Gilbert, you're late, find your seat and begin" Mr Tanner looked at her sternly. She looked around to see the only empty seat was beside Matt, "Just my luck" Elena muttered under her breath. She tried not to look at him but she could feel his gaze piercing through her skin, she put all her concentration into her test even though her made kept wandering to thoughts about Damon, the small holes in her neck tickled from below her light, skin-coloured scarf. Elena was starting to panic she couldn't understand these questions, she had tried to revise the night before but she was too distracted, if she failed this paper she would have to repeat the school year, the thought was making her even more nervous. Her legs were shaking with nerves and frustration as she tried to remember names of famous authors and poets, that's when the lights started to flicker. It caught everyone's attention; they all looked upwards side-tracked. It went back to normal for a second and Mr Tanner bellowed, "Everyone focus" he looked bored, he would probably rather be in his history class torturing innocent minds. The other teachers tried to get the students to focus but all there efforts were ruined as the lights failed completely, all that was left was the dim glow that streamed through the windows. A few teachers left to get someone to fix the lights, Elena was slightly relived hoping that the exam would be cancelled but there was something eerie about the hall, it was deafeningly quiet. The exit doors flung open but there was no one outside, the wind wasn't even strong enough to have blown it open. Chatter erupted from all sides of the hall, everyone looking tension-filled and stiff. Matt looked over at Elena again this time she looked back and regretted it when she seen the grief-stricken look on his face, she knew it was her that put that look there but she didn't know how to take it off. He knew that there relationship was dead; she just hoped he wouldn't try resuscitate it. A shrilling sound echoed through the school, "Everyone remain calm, it's just the fire alarm, stand up and depart through the exit doors in a orderly fashion" Mr Tanner said looking relieved himself. Everyone ignored his orders and ran as fast as they could towards the opened doors. Elena paused for a second; it wasn't a coincidence the fire doors mysteriously opened only seconds before the alarm went off. Matt was looking at her now, waiting for her to walk out, "Are you coming, or do you want to burn?" Elena was surprised at the way he was talking to her, his usual politeness had faded, he was pissed off, but he still waited to walk her out of the school… she hadn't time to ponder over this, people were shoving there way past, she followed Matt out nearly getting trampled on as she left. The school was in chaos as students screamed and panicked; Elena looked around and spotted a gleaming red car that screamed attention. While Matt weaved his way through the crowds, Elena detoured to the left in the direction of the car, she ran over to it before Matt had time to look behind him and see that she was missing. The passenger side door opened, being pushed open by a pale hand, before she reached it. Elena jumped in feeling comforted by the soft leather seats that engulfed her. She looked up at Damon, glad he was back earlier than he said he was going to be but her eyes didn't met his dark, compelling eyes they found only pure, bright green ones, Stefan…