CHAPTER 2 (it's really 1 but let's go ahead and call it 2)
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of something hard hitting my window. I turned towards it to see the largest crow I've ever seen knocking its head against the glass. At first, I was a bit scared. Blame it on the flesh-eating, feathery little fuckers in that third Resident Evil movie. I even considered running it through with one of my adored knifes. But I thought better of it. Normally, when woken up abruptly, you don't tend to think much through.
I took a few calming breaths and then brushed it off. All the while I could hear the annoying knocking sound. I shooed the bird and turned my back on it. Then, I slipped out of the flimsy, worn t-shirt I still use as PJs and walked over to the bathroom for a nice shower. About 20 minutes later, I pulled back the shower curtain to step out and grab my towel when I saw the same effing crow perched on the towel hanger. I don't know how I managed to keep that scream in. I tried waving my hand at it. It didn't budge.
I was beginning to ponder how the hell it had gotten in when I realised I was still stark naked. I didn't know why it bothered me to be naked in front of a bird but I couldn't help thinking it was a very perverted winged bastard. Tentatively, I stretched out my arm towards the towel and slowly pulled it towards me. The bird didn't move. So I wrapped the towel safely around myself and moved swiftly across the room towards the door and opened it. Then, I moved again, and opened the bathroom window. Then, I grabbed the hand towel and cracked it like a whip. This feathery "little" fucker didn't even blink.
I was just about to scream for help when Elena walked into the room, already dressed for school.
"Well, you're up ear-" she didn't even finish the phrase before she saw the crow a few meters away from me. "How did that get in here?" I had no idea why she was so frightened.
"That's exactly what I wanted to know." Elena looked at it. Straight in the eye.
"Get out. Now." the crow merely cocked its head as if challenging her to do something. Elena turned to me. "Where do you keep your sais?" I huffed.
"One, its Sai, not sais. Two, it's a bird. Can't we just shoo it?" Elena glared. "I'm not going to kill a bird!" I finished.
"This thing's not just a bird, it's a... menace!" at this, the bird ruffled its feathers and let out what sounded like a laugh. But then again, that wasn't possible. Right? Elena grabbed my arm and pushed me out of the bathroom, not before whispering something to the crow.
"Stay away from her or I'm telling Stefan!" or that's what it sounded like.
"Did you just talk to the bird?" She shrugged.
"It was more like cursing at it." The same "laughing" sound came from the bird but it finally leapt of the hanger and flew over to my open bedroom window. Weird. I didn't remember opening the window. There it cawed and flew out. 'That is one strange bird.' I thought. Elena sighed, looking out the window.
"Don't ever let it in again."
"I didn't!" I said. "One minute it was knocking its head against the window and the next I saw it as I came out of the shower stall! That is one perverted bird..." Elena turned to look at me.
"You mean it saw you..."
"Naked?" I asked. "Yeah." The look of horror on her face was beyond comprehension. But, at this point, I was beginning to get used to the utter weirdness which seemed to have befallen Mystic Falls. I mean, I felt strange but what could a bird find so interesting in a naked girl? "What's the deal with that bird anyway?" I said.
"It has been known to... bite." I laughed.
"Birds don't bite. They can't. You need teeth to bite." Elena glared at me in annoyance.
"You know what I mean, smartass." I nodded. "Anyway, as I was saying, you're up early." I looked at the clock. It was 7.50 am.
"Does that mean you're late?" Elena's eyes widened at she realised the time.
"Oh my God, I'm late!" she dashed out of the room as she was screaming this. "I'll see you after school!"
"Remember to tell the girls we're going out after school!" I yelled back. I heard a faint "okay" as the house door shut. I shook my head and turned to dress.
After throwing on some snug workout pants, a sports bra, a long-sleeved T and my favourite trainers, I went down for some much needed breakfast. Once in the kitchen, I found a note taped to the fridge: 'Self-service kitchen. You know where everything is. I won't be back till 9 pm so you can order something for dinner if you want.'
"Thanks Jenna." I said out loud. Some pancakes sounded good. And then, hi-ho, hi-ho off to the forest I go.
I had been walking for an hour now and the light was perfect. I took out my camera and started with a few snap-shots of my green surroundings. I dropped my back-pack by the roots of a tree and started wandering a little for something good for a close up. I could hear running water. A few trees later I found a small stream. Perfect. I took a few pictures. A couple hours passed and I suddenly remembered that I had a double workout session pending. I pulled out my sai and their leg holders. Strapping them around my thighs I grabbed the bag and climbed as high as I could on the tree beside me. Once sure it was safe from any wandering strangers, I left for my impending workout.
I looked at my watch and timed it for a 30 minute jog. Running always made me feel free, it gave me a boost to keep fighting. And fighting was exactly what I had in mind. I finished the jog and returned to "my" tree, getting my bag down on the ground again and started warming up. Sit-ups, push-ups, stretching, the works. Then, I stood up and pulled out my sai. I spent the next couple hours going over all the moves, kicks and jabs I'd ever learned. As you might have noticed, I was not into too healthy eating, so any exercise I could get was always welcome. By the end of the third hour I had already sweated through the t-shirt and so I had simply pulled it off.
As the light tilted, I headed back to my bag and pulled out the towel and water bottle I had packed. Then came the sandwich, apple, coke and chocolate I had brought as lunch. See what I meant about healthy eating? I looked at my watch, it was well nearing 3 o'clock already.
I heard a foot crunching the fallen leaves somewhere behind me. The noise stopped me inches away from my first bite. I dropped the apple back into the bag and felt my right leg for my knife and pulled it out. Then I turned and stood as fast as I could.
"Has no one told you that it's dangerous to walk alone in the forest?" standing there, leaning calmly against a tree, was Damon Salvatore. The man was a vision: black boots, snugly fitting jeans, tight black t-shirt and leather jacket. I turned back to my bag in an attempt to collect myself, putting away my sai, and continuing to dry myself off.
"Yes. But I have a penchant for all things banned." I heard his chuckle as if he was just over my shoulder. I turned again. He wasn't farther than a couple of feet away. I couldn't understand how I hadn't heard him move.
"That's a dangerous thing to say to a guy you barely know." I suppressed a shiver.
"Depends on the guy." I turned back around to grab my apple. Finally sinking my teeth into the juicy fruit I let out a sigh of content.
"Hungry?" I nodded and swallowed.
"Yes, and it's particularly good. But I have a feeling that the last thing you want to talk about is food." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him leaning against "my" tree.
"You're right. I was pleasantly surprised when I bumped into you last night. I've never seen you around before." I snorted softly.
"One, I'm pretty sure I crashed into you. Sorry. Two, I haven't been around for years." He smiled.
"Don't apologise. I'm not sorry you did. So you're new in town?" I half-nodded half-shrugged, taking another bite of my apple. "Where do you come from?"
"New York. My dad works in the Greek embassy there."
"So you're Greek. Interesting."
"Half-Greek. My dearest mother's... well, my mother's family is gypsy, but they've lived in Peru for a while now."
"Clearly a fine mix." I smirked at him. The guy clearly knew his way around women.
"So, where do you come from, Mr. Salvatore?" he lifted his eyebrows.
"You know who I am."
"I do."
"I'm afraid I'm at a disadvantage. I'm yet to hear what name would make such a sight justice." 'Sweetie, keep talking old-fashioned to me with that voice and those eyes and you can call me Lassie for all I care...'
"I'm not sure I should tell you. Elena's already warned me against you." 'Why do I have to flirt with the guy I've already been warned against?' I thought, leaning back against the tree beside him. Then I realised he might be simply playing with me since he was right next to me when my mother screamed my name on the phone last night
Damon chuckled. He leaned down to my ear.
"I thought you said you had a penchant for all things banned..." he whispered softly. I couldn't help closing my eyes at the feeling, nor the shiver that ran down my spine. He pulled back and looked at me.
"So what if I like to play with fire?" I asked.
"There's nothing wrong with that. Danger is the best way to live." I chuckled.
"Maybe not necessarily danger, but it is the thrill of the moment which makes you feel alive." He smiled at me again. Then, his smile turned to a smirk.
"And what is it that thrills you, Miss Natchios?" I smirked. Knew it.
"So you did hear my adorable mother screaming my name to the entire world over the phone last night." He smirked. "And I haven't known a good thrill in a while. I was good while I was running away from my mother but now that that's accomplished... I don't know... to be honest I feel kind of lost..."
Damon looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. Those blue eyes I have loved from the very first looked deep into mine, as if he was trying to understand me with one single look. I looked into his, for a moment desperate to have something to hold on to. To know that I wasn't the only one who felt as lost. I had never told any one that I was feeling lost. So why was I telling him?
The answer seemed to flash in his eyes a moment later. It was there for less than a blink, but it was there: he was feeling as lost as I was. I don't think I've ever felt a connection as strong with anybody. Suddenly, the moment was cut short and the bubble was burst as a crow cawed over head and came to stand on Damon's shoulder. This wasn't the one from my bathroom. This one was of a more normal size. But it still made me jump.
"Don't worry. This guy's been following me around since I got to Mystic Falls." He said calmly.
"Yeah, well, I have one that was watching me shower earlier this morning. Only that one was huge." He smirked.
"Lucky bird." I snorted softly, yet good-humouredly, rolling my eyes. "Crows are widely misunderstood. Everybody thinks that, because of their dark colour and bad reputation, they're bad omens. But they're not that bad. They're even... appealing. If one likes black." I smiled. Turns out Mr. Bad Boy could be cute as a button. Fancy that.
"I guess they're not that bad. But I have to admit I'm more of a cat person." He nodded. Suddenly, my phone rang.
"Yeah?"
"Hey! Where do you want to meet?" it was Elena. I had completely forgotten I was supposed to meet up with her.
"Oh! Hi. Um..."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? Where are you?"
"I.." I looked at Damon. He was staring at me with an interest that bordered on tenderness. He lifted his hand and put it over the speaker.
"Tell her you're on your way. To tell you where to meet." He whispered. I nodded.
"No, I haven't forgotten, you just caught me a little off guard. Tell me where to meet you and I'll be there in 30. Roundabout. I still have to shower."
"Again?"
"Hey! I had a bit of a workout session! Do you want me driving around town all sweaty? Yuck!"
Elena laughed and gave me an address to a new coffee shop and we said our goodbyes. I turned to Damon.
"I'm so sorry. I totally forgot about that." I said dropping to a crouch to put everything back in my bag. Turning to him I was about to say good bye when he stretched out his hand to help me up.
"You want me to help you with that bag? It's not safe in the woods, you know. Take it from me."
"If you insist."
In a few minutes, we finished our silent walk. I don't think I've ever felt this comfortable with someone. Upon reaching the house, I fished out my keys and walked over to the door.
"You want to come in?" I asked over my shoulder as I walked in.
"Sure. But I thought you were going to shower."
"I am. But I don't take that long and it would be rude of me to leave you out like that."
Damon chuckled and went up to my room with me. I grabbed some underwear and went in to shower. Over the next 10 minutes we kept talking, or rather shouting, over the sound of the water. We talked about everything and anything. My mom, his life, my future and some of his past. As I walked out, wearing my underwear and bathrobe, I found him lying on my bed, shoes and jacket off, looking through the pictures I had taken this morning. Yum.
"These are really good." I smiled and carried on searching for something to wear.
"Ok. Jeans." I murmured, pulling a pair out of my closet. "Off-the-shoulder shirt..." and out of the drawer came one with burgundy flowers and a brown and green pattern. "Matching scarf." I finished. Pulling on the jeans under the bathrobe and discarding it to pull on the T-shirt I went over to my closet for some boots, socks in hand.
"I like your style. Very bohemian." I chuckled.
"That's the idea." Suddenly, I felt him right behind me, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on my shoulder. I fought off the shiver, while trying to decide what shoes to wear. "Can I finish getting dressed?" he chuckled letting go off me.
A few minutes later, teeth brushed, hair slightly damp and a little make up on, we walked out of the house and walked over to my car. My baby, a blood red SUV. I took off the alarm and Damon held the door open for me. I threw my purse on the back seat and turned around.
"How gentlemanly of you, Mr. Salvatore." I commented with a smirk.
"I try." Then I thought of something. Amazing really, considering the fact that, right now, I was trapped between him and the inner side of the car door.
"You need a ride?" Damon smirked, coming closer. There was barely an inch between us.
"Desperately." I smiled deviously.
"I meant if you needed to get anywhere, smartass." he chuckled and his warm breath hit my exposed clavicle. I shivered slightly, and was about to say something else when I felt my phone buzzing in the front pocket of my jeans. By now, Damon could feel it too. He sighed.
"Go. Pretend you got lost or something. If you say you were with me she'll never let you out again." he said, half joking, half serious. I laughed a bit.
"A) she's not my mom. She can't tell me what to do or who to see. Hell, my own mother can't do that. B) Are you worried she'll never let me out again?" I asked him coyly with a small pout. Damon smiled.
"A) good for you. B) Yes. I am worried. I don't recall feeling this comfortable with anyone in a very long time." I nearly melted at the look in his eyes. He obviously wasn't used to opening up to people. But he had been completely honest with me.
"You may not recall it, but I just know I've never felt this at ease before. So don't worry. You'll be my dirty little secret." I finished with a small smirk. He smiled again.
"Looking forward to it." He stated, backing off a few steps so I could get into my car. I laughed out loud and turned on the engine, closing the door. He tapped on my window and I lowered it. "Do I at least get a phone number?" I laughed and we exchanged phone numbers.
"Well, then, until some other time, Mr. Salvatore." He leaned in through the window and gave me a small kiss on the very corner of my mouth.
"Goodbye, Miss Natchios." 'Goddess I love that sweet, sexy voice.'
I couldn't recall ever feeling this giddy. By the time I got to the cafe, Elena was super worried, Bonnie was super happy, and Caroline was super excited. But then again, she always is.
"Where the hell were you?!" Elena nearly screamed, strangling me with a hug.
"I was out in the forest. I lost track of time, that's all." She looked at me suspiciously.
"So, you didn't meet up with anyone, or anything?" 'Thank Goddess I'm a decent actress.' I thought at that moment.
"No. It was just me, my camera and the trees. And what ever little animal scurries across the aforementioned trees at this time of the day." Elena let it go. I guess she was just happy enough that I was there and safe.
After that, Bonnie and Caroline hugged the living daylights out of me and it went pretty much the same as last night. Catching up, girl-talk, you know, the usual. What have you been doing? Where have you been? OMG I can't believe it. When I told then I'd finally broken free there was a stereo-like 'good for you!' squeal. It was fun. Like the good ol' days. I missed it here.
It wasn't until a few hours, later, the cafe was getting ready to close for the night, and we were saying our goodbyes, since the ladies had school the next day that I felt my phone buzz with a new message. I pulled it out. It was from Damon.
'Did she give you a hard time?' I smiled, walking over to my car. Elena would be leaving in hers. I quickly pulled out the Bluetooth earpiece and made the call. Safer than driving while texting.
"Good evening Miss Natchios." I smiled.
"Good evening Mr. Salvatore."
"So, did your dearest friend give you a hard time?" I laughed.
"Nope. Although I have to admit she was a bit suspicious. She even asked if I had met up with anyone or anything."
"And your answer was...?"
"Oh, of course I told her I had met you and we had fallen in love and we had had hot, passionate sex in the middle of the woods." I said sarcastically. Damon laughed.
"Wouldn't you want to." I laughed, while thinking how true that was.
"You seem to have a very high opinion of yourself, Mr. Salvatore."
"I do. I'm hot, not my fault. But are you going to keep calling me Mr. Salvatore? It makes me feel old!" he whined.
"Hmm... I'll make you a deal. I'll stop calling you Mr. Salvatore the day we have hot passionate sex."
"Even if it isn't in the middle of the woods?" I chuckled.
"Somehow I don't think that would be too comfortable." he chuckled.
"Deal." I could nearly hear the smirk spreading across his gorgeous face.
"Knew you wouldn't resist." He laughed.
"What are you doing tonight?" that caught me slightly off guard. I was on my way back to Elena's house, but I could always call and say I'd be late.
"Nothing."
"Would you like to do something?"
"Ok."
"What?"
"No idea." I said.
"Fancy a chance to stop calling me Mr. Salvatore?" I laughed.
"What kind of girl do you take me for?" I answered mockingly. He huffed.
"Where are you?"
"Few blocks away from Elena's house."
"Alright. Meet me at the Mystic Grill. We'll figure something out." I grinned.
"Deal. See you in a few." And now, to tell Elena I wouldn't be coming home tonight. LOL.
"Why aren't you coming straight back?" it was easy to know what was going through her mind at the moment. Sure, she was walked worried about me. But that was all she could do.
"Because I'm going out."
"You are being evasive. Who are you going out with?"
"What makes you think I'm going out with someone?"
"You can't be going out alone!?"
"Why not? Try it. You go out and get yourself a date while out! It's fun!" I threw back at her with a slight sarcasm.
"You never do that. Admit it. You're going to meet with Damon Salvatore." I groaned.
"Elena, I love you. But if you don't trust me, that's just not my problem. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. And even if I can't, that's something I'll have to deal with. Not you. Now go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. Remember to tell Jenna not to freak out and that I'll be home late." With that, I ended the call. I had been perfectly serious about what I had told her. I was ready to cope with my own responsibilities, I didn't need anybody worrying exaggeratedly about me, and what ever happened to me, at my own risk, was my problem. Not everybody else's.
By the time I got to the Mystic Grill, it was already emptying. It was, after all, a Monday night. I went in, craning my neck to find Damon.
"Looking for me?" said an unknown voice behind me. I turned to see a dark haired, dark eyed guy. He had a football shirt on and looked every inch the high school jock. Not my type. To name a couple of reasons: too young, hence too immature AND obviously too egocentric to breathe around.
"Doubt it." I said and turned back to the task at hand. Unfortunately, this guy stubborn and more than likely a bit drunk for he grabbed my shoulder and tried to turn me back to him.
"Hey. I'm Tyler Lockwood. Can I buy you a drink?" He stated who he was as though I was supposed to bow to him or something. I mean, sure, he was the mayor's son, I know that surname very well. But I was the daughter of the chargé d'affaires of the Greek Embassy in the US of A. If we're talking rank here, I was way out of his league. I can only imagine the bored look on my face.
"Hi. I don't care who you are. And no, you can't buy me a drink." This obviously pissed him off, but I can't really say that wasn't my intention.
"I'm the mayor's son."
"And my father is the deputy head of mission of the Greek Embassy in this country." That shut him up. He either knew what that meant and was impressed, or he didn't and was too stupid or too drunk to fully process what I had just said. 'And the answer is...'
"I can still buy you a drink." '...too drunk AND too stupid.' I thought. How many times do you need to blow a guy off?
"Sorry kid, that's my job." I could've done a happy dance at the time. This Lockwood kid was getting on my nerves.
"Well, hello Mr. Salvatore." He winked in recognition.
"Salvatore." Tyler spit out Damon's name as if it was venom. Ugh, cock fight.
"Lockwood. Now, if you'll excuse me, this young lady needs entertaining and you're just not up to the task. Scoot."
I laughed as Damon wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me towards his table. This would be the perfect moment to start playing "I've Got A Feeling."...
NEW A/N: Sorry this isn't an update, but I didn't notice I let Sophia use Damon's first name instead of his surname. Just correcting that. The aforementioned deal won't happen... yet. Hehehe! Enjoy!
OLD A/N:
To all my cherished readers, I'm so sorry for the delay. I was beginning a new fic while trying to continue this one and the ideas were coming slowly. Anyways, I'm trying to make Damon as Damon as possible, but I still plan on bringing out that cute side we all know/hope he has. So stay with me, I beg of you. I want to take this relationship slowly, because that's what makes any measure of sexual tension worth the while, or so I believe.
Reviews, comments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism are always welcome. I want you all to tell me if this is what you want for this fic. It's yours as much as it is mine. Please keep in mind that I have a poor self-esteem and your reviews do wonders for it. So be kind, lol. Anyway, I hope you like it, and I will be getting to work on the next chapter asap!
I love you all!
Toodles!