Almost a week passed before i left my room. The following morning after Damon left, i felt so hung-over i couldn't even move. I haven't wanted to go anywhere else since. I didn't want to run into him and have it be awkward. Sierra had been attending her classes nonstop, and had only stopped by once. I told her i was ill and I'd talk to her as soon as i felt better. That was 5 days ago. The only person I've seen properly is Daniel. He came around at least once every day to keep me filled in on the gossip and whatnot. He had been passing on messages to the rest of the pack too, telling them i was fine i was just having some time to myself. Today he showed with a new Iphone. I had told him that id lost mine in the field on the way here, so he went and bought me a new one. I was grateful to finally be able to catch up on the news and social stuff. The news had been reporting that they now suspect Sierra and i dead, and that it was now a recovery mission. Not only had i missed my own party that i hosted, i had missed another VS fashion show, and probably several movie offers. Being here has made me forget that I'm basically a celebrity, and I've begun to feel normal again. No paparazzi, no constant phone calls... its been nice. Not as nice as Damon shirtless... Daniel smacks me on the arm. 'Hello? Are you even listening?'. I'm jolted out of my daydream 'Yeah, i am. I heard every word.' I lie. He smiles at me. 'Good. So, the guys are really worried now, Stefan hasn't stopped talking about you...' I sigh. 'I bet he hasn't...' I feel bad for ignoring him. Hed came around to my room after the third day of not hearing from me, and i had ignored him then too. Daniel looks at me sadly. 'I think you should come back out and join the real world. This ball will be great for you!' his face brightens when he finishes talking. He has been telling me about this annual ball all morning. Apparently its tradition, and its the first year Aria has been in charge of it all. 'You dont understand Daniel. It's just not a good idea that i go...' 'As if you dont want to though...' he cuts me off. 'Of course i want to; i haven't been to a proper ball since the early 1800s' 'Then come!' he grasps my arm and shakes it a little. I shake my head. 'Maybe. Ill think about it.' 'At least come out of here. Go and see Sierra.' He suggests to me. 'She is fine. She's probably made a bunch of new friends by now.' 'She's actually been with Stefan a lot...' I glare at him. 'She has?' She really does like him. He frowns at me 'why does it seem like you care?' he asks suspiciously. 'No! I don't care at all... they can do whatever they want. I'm happy for her.' I say as genuinely as i can. I don't like anyone. I don't need anyone... Someone knocks on my door, and i quickly glance at Daniel before hopping off the bed to answer it. Its Stefan. He smiles at me. 'Hey stranger. What's been going on with you?' I smile back, actually glad to see him. 'Stefan hey. Sorry, I've just been a bit under the weather...' Suddenly his arms are around me in a huge hug. I giggle. He finally lets go and walks into my room. He gives Daniel a little wave before turning back to me 'So you're okay now then?' he asks. 'Yeah, I'm heaps better.' I lie. 'I just... had trouble keeping the animal blood down, it kept me sick for a few days but I'm used to it now.' 'Really? Id totally forgotten to ask about that...' Daniel says. 'Yep. I'm officially a vegetarian.' I laugh, trying to sounds convincing. Stefans smile widens. 'Great, so you're not leaving?' 'I'm not going anywhere.' 'Oh that's great!' Stefan says excitedly. He seems extra energized today, and i wonder what's going on with him. He looks at Daniel. 'Can you give us a minute?' he asks him. Daniel nods, winking at me before heading towards the door. 'I'll come find you later.' He says before he closes the doors behind him. I look back at Stefan. 'What's up?' His face changes as he moves closer to me. 'So, i dont know if Daniel told you about the Ball tomorrow evening...' 'Yeah he did. It sounds lovely; i haven't been to one in almost 200 years.' I smile. 'Well, i was wondering if you would like to accompany me to it?' he smiles brightly. It catches me off guard. 'Oh, Stefan, i dont think I'm going to go.' 'Why not?' he frowns. 'You said yourself it sounds great, and you haven't been to one in ages, so what's stopping you?' The fact that i drank from your brother and i dont want to see him... 'I just... i dont think itll be a good idea. Damon will be there, and whenever he's around...' Stefan grabs my hands and interrupts. 'Don't worry about him. He'll be too busy with the professors to bother you. I wont let him hurt you.' My heart flutters. Its so nice having someone genuinely care for you, and want to protect you. I shake my head. 'I cant, Stefan. Besides, you should be taking Sierra.' I pull my hands out of his. His expression changes, he's confused. 'Why would i take Sierra?' I raise my brows at him. 'Are you that blind Stefan? She likes you! She has since she saw you in the mall the other week.' I stifle a laugh. 'Really? But I've been hanging out with her these past few days and...' He pauses. 'Oh. Oh. It makes sense now...' I laugh. 'You really couldn't tell?' 'well, i can now...' He laughs along with me. 'Seriously, take Sierra. I know how much she'd love to go with you.' 'I dont want to take her though; i want to take you.' I look up at him. His face looks sad, and i start to feel guilty. I'm sick of this guilty feeling, its not an emotion that should be in my brain... 'Okay, ill go...' The smile comes back to his face. 'But just dont expect me to schmooze any professors.' 'I won't, i promise. You should ask Aria to borrow a dress, I'm sure she wouldn't mind.' I dont really want to talk to her, but then i remember the baby... 'Yeah, you know what, i think i might go and do that right now' i smile at him. We both walk out of my room and down the corridor. I stop when i get to Arias office. 'Ill see you later.' Stefan calls as he heads down the stairs. I knock on the door. Its silent for a moment, before it swings open. 'Miss Deveroux. Come in.' She says quietly before walking back into her office. She's carrying a small bundle of pink blanket in her arms. 'I'm sorry, i didn't mean to interrupt...' 'She holds up her hand to stop me. 'You didn't.' Shes carrying her baby. My heart begins to melt. 'Um, is this your daughter I've been told about?' She nods, walking over to me. She gently moves the blanket away from her face, and i see the most beautiful child I've ever seen. Her pale skin seems to shine, and she has golden hair like her mum. She looks so peaceful sleeping the way she is. My heart grows. 'She's absolutely gorgeous.' I say, beginning to feel clucky. 'She is. She's a blessing.' Aria says, gently rocking Gia in her arms. 'But, how is it even possible?' Aria takes a seat at her desk. 'Its very hard to explain. I had only been a vampire for a short while, i didn't understand it myself.' 'Stefan told me you're a descendant from your goddess or something?' She nods. 'I am. Apparently my blood line grants me gifts no other vampire possesses. It allows me to function as a vampire, but not technically be dead. Its the easiest way to put it...' 'So, this isn't just a one off? You could have more children if you wanted?' I'm astounded. I cried for days when i realised id never had a baby of my own. Its hurt me for 635 years. 'I wont be having more. But i could.' She says simply. 'how is that even possible?' 'Unfortunately, i cant say. Otherwise every vampire in the world would be having children.' I shake my head. 'Its incredible. I cant even process it.' I pause. 'Where is her dad?' 'He goes interstate occasionally. He heads a council that governs the other vampiric colleges in the country.' 'Really? I didn't know there was more...' its true. I didn't. That's why i wanted to go here so badly. 'Yes there is. Anyway, are you here for something?' I clear my throat. 'Oh yes, actually. Um, i was wondering if you might have a gown i could borrow for the Ball tomorrow night? I wouldn't ask unless i was desperate...' i ask politely as i can. I haven't even checked my wardrobe for a dress. 'I might be able to loan you one. You must bring it back in perfect condition however.' I look at her. 'Of course. I've worn many a dress over my years remember, dresses that puff out a meter from your feet...' i laugh. She doesn't find me as funny as i find myself. 'Anyway, thank you. I appreciate that.' 'Who are you going with?' She asks me curiously, a hint of a smile on her lips. 'Uh, Stefan. He asked me to go with him.' She nods, completely smiling now. 'Ah, the nice Salvatore brother; good choice.' I frown at her. 'Choice? I haven't made any choice. I don't need to choose between either of them; i don't want them...' I start getting defensive. She chuckles. 'Miss Deveroux, you are not the first woman to walk through these doors and get up in arms when the Salvatore brothers' names are mentioned; You're just the only one they've both shown even a remote amount of interest in.' I stare at her. 'That's not true, even if it was, i dont need a man in my life to distract me.' 'That's what i told myself. Look where i am now, because i let myself be open-minded.' She looks down at the bundle of beauty in her arms, smiling. 'Ill drop a dress to your room later today.' She says, without taking her eyes off Gia. 'Thanks.' I head out of the office and down through the lobby to the East courtyard. I need to scout out my surroundings more. I walk along the row of classrooms and past crowds of students gathered around lockers. Suddenly i reach a gate. Its just like a miniature version of the front gate. I open it, giving it a hard push as the hinges are rusty. In the middle of the tiny courtyard, is a marble fountain. Its 3 tiers high, and in immaculate condition. This must be fountain Stefan was telling me about... I walk over to it, running my fingers over the smooth stone. It's beautiful; it must be old. The courtyard is surrounded entirely by the walls of other buildings. Each wall is covered high in bright green vines with little purple flowers on them. Its so quiet; the only sounds are those of nature. 'I could sit here for hours...' i say to myself, admiring what's around me. I notice a small golden plaque mounted on one of the walls. The vines have been cleared so it can be seen. I walk over to it. In memory of our Goddess Isabella No matter where you wander May your journey be wonderful

I smile. Its sweet that they believe so strongly that this woman was the sole creator of Vampirism. I reach to pick a flower off the vines, when it burns through the skin of my fingers.

'Shit!" i cry out, releasing it instantly. Vervain?

'Its a new breed.' I spin around quickly. Sierra stands before me.

'God, Sierra, you cant sneak up on me like that; you know how i feel about that.' I place my hand on my heart, trying to slow its pace.

'Sorry. Apparently the last headmistress started to grow it before she died.'

I frown at her. 'How do you know all this?'

'Stefan told me.'

I nod. Of course he did...

She seems angry. 'What's wrong?' i ask her.

'Well, besides the fact that you disappeared for a week and told me you were sick which you clearly weren't, nothing is wrong' she folds her arms.

I roll my eyes. 'Sierra, enough. I've had a lot on my plate okay? i haven't been able to adjust like you have...'

'Why, because you have all the warriors falling at your feet and you don't know what to do with yourself?'

I raise my brows in surprise. 'Sassy. Its got nothing to do with them, that's not even true...'

'Yes, Eleanor it is true. You have them bending over backwards for you, and you've completely ditched me since we arrived. Of course I've adjusted better; I've had to go off and make new friends because unlike you, friends dont just come up and pick me because I'm a model.'

I'm shocked. I can feel my blood begin to boil. I take a deep breath. 'Sierra, you're over reacting yet again...' i press my fingertips to my temples. '...I haven't fed since i left the city...' a little lie, but who cares. '... i was attacked, almost drained of blood, i can't stomach animal blood and I'm forbidden to have human blood. You'll always have me as your friend Sierra. If that's all you've got to worry about, youve got it pretty damn easy...'

She snorts at me. 'You're too busy with your boyfriends to care about me. I've stuck by your side for twenty years, and the instant a man comes along you shove me aside.'

'Oh my god Sierra! Are you even listening to yourself? I made you, do you think I'd still be with you after twenty years if i didn't care?' i raise my voice.

She stands the in silence, angry but with tears in her eyes. This has to be about Stefan...

'Is all this because Stefan asked me to the ball? Its just a stupid dance...'

'He asked you to the ball?' She asks in astonishment. Shit.

I sigh. 'Look just dont even worry...'

'Of course he asked you to the Ball! Its not like id been trying for weeks to get him to give me a chance or anything, because you always get what you want...' She spits at me.

'You're acting like a god damn child Sierra; maybe that's why you weren't invited. What are you, twelve? This isn't fucking Cinderella okay!' I decide in that moment I'm not dealing with this right now, and i leave Sierra by herself in the courtyard. I head back to my room, not stopping for anyone or anything.

I spent the rest of my day in my room. Sierra is so prone to overreacting; i cant keep up. I was sitting on the couch when i heard a knock at my door. I stood up and walked over to it.

Aria stands in front of me with a large dress bag in her hand. I smile.

'Wow thanks to much.' I say gratefully as she hands it to me.

'You haven't seen it yet, but i think its the only one thatll fit.'

'I'm sure itll be perfect. I really appreciate this.' I grin. She nods simply as i turn to hang the dress in my wardrobe.

'Eleanor, Stefan is one of the finest students here. He has been through more than you can ever imagine, so has Damon i suppose. He's like a brother, or even a son to me. Do not hurt him.'

I stare at her as i place the dress in the cupboard. 'What makes you think i would hurt him? I wouldn't.'

'Good. Make sure you dont.' She turns and walks away. That was weird... I pull down the zip on the dress bag just enough so i can see the colour; i want it to be a surprise. I see glittery red material poke through and i smile before quickly closing the bag again. Good choice. I quickly close my bedroom doors and head for the shower; itll clear my head and make me relax. I strip down and let the water flow over my head. I stand there for a moment, trying to process what Aria had said.
I dont know why she thinks i would hurt Stefan. Honestly, i probably wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone; except for maybe Damon. I'm generally not for violence; I've seen how things end when one is too quick to turn to violence before anything else. Stefan has been good to me; i have no reason to hurt him. I start to wonder if she was talking about emotionally, rather than physically...

Surely he doesn't want me...
Sierra does, but i dont...
I dont think...

I decide that tonight I've got to stop things from going further with Stefan. Its only going to end badly between all of us, especially Sierra. Even though she just had a go at me, i still dont want to hurt her. Besides, maybe Stefan would be good for her; teach her something and make her adjust her attitude. I want to see them both happy.

I turn off the shower and step out, wrapping a towel around me. I quickly throw some clothes on and get into bed. I dont know how early it is, but i know i am tried. I let myself drift off.