My phone begins to buzz on my nightstand, dragging me kicking and screaming out of my sleep. I lazily reach out for it and read the message i had received.

*You're supposed be attending classes here you know. Aria told me to remind you. She's scheduled a class for you to teach in a couple of days. BTW, its late afternoon now you've slept all day you lazy thing; and the Ball starts at 7. I'm bringing Sierra, she wanted to come. Stefan asked for you too – D*

Daniel should be my own personal alarm clock. I skip over the bit about teaching, deciding there's no way in hell thats going to happen. I quickly type a reply.

*Sierra and i had a tiff. She didn't like the fact Stefan asked me to go with him. We wont be talking tonight. As for the ball, ill be there in time; dont worry. Tell Stefan ill meet him there*

I dont need to cause anymore drama by arriving with him too. Daniel told me the other day that its being held in the dining hall, just around to corner from the boys common room; I'm sure i can find it myself. I look at the time, deciding its probably time to get ready. I wonder what Sierra is going to wear...

I start to feel bad. Normally we would help each other out with parties and things, and for her to be off doing her own thing feels strange. I finally get out of my bed and head to the wardrobe, pulling out the dress bag Aria gave me yesterday. I unzip it fully this time, and my breath is blown away.

The red dress glitters in the light. In flows to the floor, with a long split up the side. The straps adorned with silver jewels and beads. I notice how long the straps are and I turn it over to see an extremely low backline. It's stunning; classy yet sexy. I wonder where Aria has worn this to. I quickly pull it on and stand in front of the mirror.

I cant help but grin. I feel beautiful. I've never worn anything so spectacular, not even to a premiere or party. This dress is truly one of a kind. I spin around, admiring how perfectly the dress fits. I never realised how similar in size Aria and i were. I slip on a pair of silver heels i find in the wardrobe as well. I love how everything in here is just perfect, its so coincidental...

I quickly head into my bathroom and style my hair, praying it does what i need it to. I spray my hair to the side, hoping the elegant curls will match my dress. I finish my look with some bright red lipstick and a bit of mascara.

'Damn, girl' i tell my reflection, happy with the finished product. I head back out and pick my phone up off the nightstand; its 6.45pm already. I quickly toss my phone on my bed, deciding to leave it at home, when there's a knock on my door. I readjust my dress before i open it.

Stefan looks at me, his eyes drifting over my shoulders and my dress all the way to the floor. He says nothing, just looking at me. I smile, his suit fits him perfectly; even though he looks like a penguin.

'Stefan...' I say, making him drag his eyes off me.

'You look unbelievable Eleanor.' He says. If i could blush, i know i would be. He's so sweet...

'Thank you. I told Daniel to tell you that id meet you there...'

'He did, but i told him that was nonsense. Besides, i have something id like to give you...' He says as he reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket. He pulls out a silver pendant and chain and unclips the clasp. 'This is something I've had for a while now, and i thought it would go with your dress.' He lifts the necklace, and i turn so he can put it on. I look down at it as he fastens the clasp again. It has several ruby red stones on the front and a hinge on the side. Its a locket.

'Stefan this is beautiful. How did you know it would match?' i ask, turning back to face him. He grins.

'I asked the Headmistress this morning.'

I laugh. 'Wow. Stefan this is lovely, but i cant keep it...'

'If that's what you decide that's fine. Just wear it for tonight.'

'Thank you. That's really sweet.' My heart swells. The pendant looks rather old, but in great condition. I run my fingers over the metal. This man is genuinely caring and kind... maybe you should give him a chance...

'Ready?' he asks, offering me his arm. Too late to worry about drama now...

'Sure.'

He escorts me all the way to the ballroom. Several staff members in the lobby stopped to look at me, but i didn't care. I feel like a million dollars. We make it to the dining hall and Stefan opens the door for me. The room is huge. Teachers and students are everywhere, with waiters and waitressing slipping in between groups of people offering drinks. There is an orchestra in one corner of the room playing classical music.

'It really is like a proper ball...' I say to myself as i look around the room. I cant believe how many people are here. Several couples are dancing just in front of the band, waltzing around. The room is full of noise with people talking and laughing, the music and glasses chinking together.

'This one of the most important events of the year for us here.' Stefan says as places my hand around his arm again. I smile.

'They've done well. Modern, yet traditional.'

'Make sure you tell Aria that, she's been stressing over this for a while now.'

Stefan guides me further into the room. People stare at us, whispering as we pass. I try my best to ignore them. He takes a glass from a waiter and hands it to me before taking one for himself, and i smile my thanks. I've never seen many of these people here before, and i realise some of them must be the teachers I've never met.

'Would you like to meet some people?' he asks me.

I guess i dont have a choice... 'Sure.'

Reluctantly, Stefan brings me over to a group of grey haired men, who grin widely when they see me. I recognise one of them is Professor Thatcher as he extends his hand towards me.

'Miss Deveroux! Wonderful to see you again, I've missed you from my classes...' he says as i lightly shake his hand.

'I know, I'm sorry, its just after the incident I've had some trouble adjusting...'

Another grey haired man places his arm on my shoulder. 'Oh yes, we were informed of that. I do hope youre okay.' He says to me. I fake a smile.

'Yes of course. I'm fine now.' I look towards Stefan hoping he will save me.

He smiles. 'Eleanor, this is Professor McGavin. He teaches History.'

'Lovely to meet you, Eleanor. I hope to see you in my classes next week; your input would be valuable to the rest of the students.' McGavin smiles at me. I really dont want to talk to people anymore...

'I look forward to contributing' I lie.

Stefan whisks me away from their group before introducing me to the other men there. I whisper my thanks just before i down my glass of wine.

He laughs 'Not a fan?'

I shake my head. 'No, i mean, i love events like this, I'm just not used to being around so many people...' I say as i look around me. That's when i see her.

Sierra walks arm in arm with Daniel, her flowing white gown following along behind her. With hints of gold scattered around her, she looks like an angel; no, a goddess. She looks stunning and i cant help but smile. She's really put in a lot of effort. Where did she get that dress...?

'Is that Sierra?' Stefan asks me.

'Yeah. That's her.' I confirm to him. He smiles.

'It doesn't even look like her, she looks so different.'

I watch her smile and shake hands with some ladies, smiling like shes having the time of her life. I feel proud for a moment, knowing I'm the reason she can act properly around people.

'She really does.' I respond. She looks good. Daniel does too, wearing the whitest of white suits and a light blue tie.

Sierra looks at me, her face hardening for a moment as she looks at my dress, before she arrogantly turns her head and walks away with Daniel in tow. My proud feeling suddenly disappears. I know what she's playing at...

'What's going on with you two anyway?' Stefan asks. I look up at him.

'We had a bit of an argument. She'll get over it soon. Can you get me another glass of wine please?' I ask, handing him my empty glass.

'Sure...'

As he heads off in one direction, i quickly make off in the other, weaving in and out of the people to where Sierra is standing. She's talking to more people, when i interrupt her.

'Can i talk to you for a moment please?' I ask her sternly, making it known that I'm mad.

She fakes a smile. 'No, I'm in the middle of something...' she says simply, before turning back to the guests' she's talking to. I look around quickly for Daniel but he's nowhere in sight. I tug on her arm, dragging her along behind me. 'I wouldn't ask unless it was important Sierra.'

She struggles against me as i drag her out of the main room and outside into a courtyard. Its rather large, with rose bushes everywhere.

She breaks free. 'What the hell are you doing?' she snaps. i glare at her, stepping closer in case people are around.

'I know exactly what youre doing. This isn't a game okay, this is my life now; our lives. Its not a competition as to who can get the guy...'

She snorts. 'I'm not doing anything, I've simply dressed up to attend a party.'

I roll my eyes. 'Sierra, you wouldn't have wanted to come if you didn't know Stefan had asked me. Your jealousy is out of control...'

'It just so happened that i did want to attend, and that Daniel was kind enough to invite me. It has nothing to do with Stefan.' A smirk tugs at her lips and i feel my anger begin to boil over.

'Bullshit Sierra, grow up! I am not trying to intentionally screw you over okay, despite what you think. I've told you this before, there's nothing going on between Stefan and I. If you want him go and freaking take him!' i shout, trying as hard as i can to control my anger.

She stands there silent. I rub my head. 'Do you understand how stupid this is? We are not teenage girls. Why do you not understand what I'm telling you.' I take a deep breath.

'It doesn't matter how much i like him Eleanor, because he will always want you.' She says quietly.

'Oh for gods' sake, Sierra, that's so...'

'Its true! Have you heard how he talks about you?' she says, her voice breaking. Her eyes begin to fill. I stare at her. This whole thing has already gone too far...

I take her hand. 'Do not cry, it will stain your dress.' Bloody tears aren't easy to clean. 'You need to stop worrying about what people think of me, and think about yourself. Nothing is going to happen unless you go out and work for it. If you had given up every time someone said something about me instead of you, can you imagine where your life would be at right now; where both our lives would be?'

She sniffles. 'Yeah. But...'

'No buts.'

'I know you like him though.' She interrupts me. 'You dont like admitting it because you think it makes you weak, but you do. I know it, Daniel knows it...'

I think about this for a moment; how ridiculous this all is, fighting over a guy. But what if she's right? What if i do have feelings for him, and I'm ignoring them because i want to keep my reputation? I stand there in silence with her, just looking at her. All i want is for her to be happy, its all I've ever wanted. Yet this is making her miserable.

'You cant put off what you feel either, just because you want me to be happy Eleanor.' She says, wiping a finger underneath her eye. Its like she read my mind.

My brain is working overtime, trying to process what is happening and trying to regain control of my feelings. No i dont like Stefan. He's sweet and caring like a brother. A hot brother... that has kind of being hitting on me since i arrived... that gave me a necklace...

I like Stefan.

I look at Sierra as a single red tear leaks down her cheek.

'Sierra, i would never act on anything, i know how you feel...'

'That's just it though. Its not how you feel its how he feels about you. I cant change that.'

I shake my head. 'Try. When he realises I'm not putting in any effort he'll move on.'

She wipes her faces and walks away. 'Sierra!' i call after her but she doesn't stop. She disappears back into the hall.

I have no idea how I'm supposed to fix this.

'Yo! Eleanor!' Someone calls out from behind me. I turn to see Marco walking towards me past the extensive plantation of roses. I smile.

'Hey Marco, what are you doing out here?' i laugh, noticing the wobble in his walk. He waves a clear bottle in his hand at me.

'Needed something stronger to get through this night'

I genuinely laugh at him as he gives me a hug. He smells like alcohol; and nothing but. I look at the bottle in his hand.

'Have you had this all to yourself?' i say as i rip the bottle from his hand. He frowns.

'Well... yeah... but its okay because i can handle it. Its hardly anything...'

I frown at him, trying to hide my smile and be serious. 'You're drunk. Go home.' I say as i grab his arm and try to bring him back inside. He pulls back and snatches the bottle back.

'Nah nah nah, i just need to give this back to its rightful owner.' He turns and heads off back in the direction he came. I run in front of him to block his way, almost in hysterics.

'Marco, its empty, there's no point giving it back.' I say in between bursts of laughter.

'Damon told me i had to give it back.'

I stop laughing. 'Damon? He gave this to you?' i begin to feel angry again. Of course Damon would share his forbidden supply of alcohol...

Marco nods. I sigh at him. 'Okay, let's go find him and give it back.' I take the bottle from his hand and push him towards the building. I quickly toss the bottle into a nearby bush, and catch up to him to guide him. I am going to have words with him...

I manage to get Marco inside in one piece. His wobbles have gotten worse, but I want to keep laughing. I lean him against a wall and tell him to wait as I manage to track down a waiter and ask him to get water. Alcohol affects vampires the same way as humans, and we try and reduce the affects the same way too: water. Once Marco has his glass, i leave him be. Louis or Roman would find him soon enough. I knew he'd be fine. I search around the room in hopes to find Damon so i could give him a thorough talking to.

When i spot him, he is standing in a corner by himself, drink in hand. I frown as i purposely walk over to him. He sees me coming and tries to walk off, but i run in front of him.

'Don't even think about it.' I snap.

He rolls his eyes. 'What do you want, Barbie Satan?' he says taking another sip of his wine.

I take a deep breath. I dont like his choice of nickname... 'Okay, for starters: Barbie Satan? Really...?' He doesn't reply so i continue. '...Secondly, I cant believe you would give Marco a whole bottle of vodka to himself! Are you out of your mind? He's over there...'

Damon cuts me off mid sentence when he grabs my elbow and drags me away. Now i know how Sierra felt...

'Keep your voice down.' He whispers angrily.

'Why? Since when you do you care about getting into trouble?' I shake my arm out of his grip.

'Look, he was stressing about tonight, he doesn't do well i crowds; so i lent it to him. I specifically told him not to drink the whole lot...'

'Yeah well he did. I found I'm in that courtyard with the flowers, extremely drunk nearly falling over his own feet!' I say loudly, still trying to stay hushed.

'That is not my problem. He'll be fine. But he owes me a new bottle.' He swallows the last of the wine in his glass before placing it on a passing waiters' tray.

'I cant imagine alcohol is allowed on the premises, Damon.' He shrugs. Suddenly he walks around me and heads back into the other room. I turn around.

'Damon!' I dont have time to say anything else as i see Stefan walking towards me. He looks out into the other room just before he reaches me.

'What did he want?' He asks sternly.

I shake my head. 'Nothing, it was nothing.' I look into the other room to see him talking to Aria. She's wearing a black floor length gown with lace long sleeves. I admire it for a moment before Stefan gets back my attention.

'So, Sierra is over with Marco. He's really drunk.'

'Wait, she is?' I'm puzzled, but he nods.

I sigh. 'Marco will be fine in a day or two.'

'You've seen him?' he asks

'Yeah, i brought him inside from the garden.'

Stefan shakes his head. 'It doesn't surprise me really.' He chuckles and i fake half a laugh. We stand there for moment in silence. I feel the awkwardness in the air. When i look up at him, he's smiling at me; a genuine, beautiful smile that makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside. My heart quickens, even though i wish it wouldn't.

'They're about to start the traditional dances, normally the headmistress and Damon will start it off; its just tradition. Will you dance with me afterwards?' he asks. My heart flutters.

'Sure' i smile. I take his arm again and he leads me back into the main hall. Around the designated dance area, all the guests are crowding around talking to one another. Stefan and i work our way to the front of the crowd so we can see.

'What dance do they do?' I ask Stefan above the noise.

He looks down at me. 'I don't know what it's called, some sort of Victorian waltz thing modernized somewhat...' He shrugs as he laughs a little and I nod. Chances are i know it then...

'...That's just their starting dance though. The pick a partner each and complete the dance, then they put on normal classical music for everyone to join in on. We dont have to do it.' Thank god.

A man takes a microphone and walks into the middle of the floor. The people around me stop talking.

'Good evening Headmistress, Warriors, Staff and special attendee students...' he begins. He must be another teacher i haven't met.

'...Welcome to our first annual ball hosted by our new Headmistress!' He says enthusiastically. Everyone claps, so i join in too.

'We will begin how we usually do, with the traditional starting dances our headmistress and our chief warrior, Damon Salvatore.'

The crowd begins clapping again as Aria and Damon step on to the floor. The both greet each other with a bow and curtsy. They really do like formalities...They turn away from each other and Aria walks over to one side of the room and pulls a man onto the floor with her. He has tan hair and a strong build. I've never seen him before, but he looks young.

'That's Jackson, Arias Husband.' Stefan whispers in my ear. He must've just got back from interstate. I watch them smile brightly at each other before the music begins and they start to twirl around on the floor.

I hadn't noticed that Damon was heading our way, the smirk on his face revealed what he was about to do.

I shoot him a warning look, hoping he will turn away but he doesn't. He stands in front of me and extends his hand towards me.

'Damon, dont...' Stefan says sternly before Damon has a chance to say anything.

Damon grins at me 'You know just how bad of manners it is to turn down an invitation to dance.' He states. I feel mortified. I dont want to do this. But he is right, in Victorian times you would be called an adulterer if you turned down a man to dance. It was seen as the worst of worst manners a lady could present.

I feel the stares of the people around me almost burning into my skin. I look at Damon, hoping he will see the look on my face and stop.

'Eleanor.' He says, raising his brows at me. I take a deep breath as i place my hand in his, and he leads me onto the floor. I glare at him as we begin in the basic waltz position.

'If you hand moves anywhere other than my waist, i will slaughter you right here and now, got me?' I warn him as pulls me closer to him. He laughs before we begin to waltz across the floor. My face feels like it is on fire from embarrassment, and i avert my eyes from his. He doesn't do the same, staring at me as we continue to move across the floor. I have no idea what I'm doing!

When i finally look up, he is still staring at me. 'Of all the women in this room you could've chosen, you picked me out of spite.'

He snorts. 'Well, it pissed Stefan off, didn't it? So i guess i achieved my goal...' he says as we begin to spin as we waltz. As i turn, i try to get a glimpse of Stefans face, but i don't stay in the one place long enough.

'I dont know what beef you've got with him, but leave me out of it. I have enough problems of my own to deal with.' I say, just before he spins me outwards away from him, then pulls me back in. It catches me off guard, but i follow along; heaps of people are watching after all.

'If you knew even half of the beef Eleanor, maybe you'd understand...'

I look up at him, his face harsh and angry.

'What happened with you two?' I ask him, lowering my voice just enough for him to hear.

He shakes his head. 'It wouldn't matter; i know you have a soft spot for him.'

I frown. 'Why does everyone keep saying that? He's just nice to me; he hasn't tried to kill me...'

'He also hasn't tried to save your life.' He interrupts me. I stare at him.

'What's your point Damon? Do you want me to forgive you, is that why you picked me?' I say, getting frustrated.

He laughs. 'Everyone knows my reputation for being the bad brother. Maybe I'm not as harsh as you think i am. Maybe Stefan isn't as nice as you think he is either.'

'Prove it Damon. Then maybe my opinion of you will change...'

He doesn't say anything back; we just keep dancing across the room. My feet have minds of their own; i don't even have to concentrate anymore. We keep waltzing, gliding effortlessly across the floor.

I don't get the sense of aggressiveness while I'm dancing with him. I feel remarkably at ease and comfortable. He hasn't raised his voice once. Maybe he just genuinely wants to dance with me. Imagine that, Damon Salvatore, enjoying dancing...

The tempo of the music quickens, and i know it must be about to finish. Damon spins me around, and i have to focus on his face to stop from getting dizzy. Those blue eyes...

Suddenly, I'm thrown backwards into a dip. Damons hand slips around the back of my neck to hold me from the ground, while the other grips the skin of my thigh where my dress is split; holding my leg bent at the knee in the air against him. My heart quickens from the unexpectedness of it. That's when i notice his face.

His eyes are black; the veins in his face hard. His mouth is ajar, his fangs extended. I'm held there for what seems like forever, just staring into the eternal blue of his eyes. His face is only inches away from mine. My heart pounds, adrenaline rushing through me as it did when he attacked me in the woods the other week. Yet i don't feel afraid. I feel... safe... happy...

That's not the H word you were looking for...

I'm snapped out of my delicious daydream when I'm pulled back upwards. He reaches for the pendant at my neck, but my brain wont let me process it yet.

'Where did you get this?' he asks, his face softens but his fangs stay exposed.

I cant take my eyes off of his. 'Stefan gave it to me.' I say breathlessly. What is happening...?

I hear a growl deep within his throat before he takes his hands of me all together. My body screams, wanting him to stay holding me.

'Unbelievable' he growls, before disappearing from in front of me. Suddenly there are people surrounding me; the other dances have begun, but Damon is nowhere to be seen. I look around, frantically trying to find him. Trying to get out of the crowd, i run through the people. I get to the edge when i see the entrance doors to the hall shut, and i know Damon has left. I gather my dress from the floor in my hands and run after him.

I need to find out what the hell just happened...