A/N: Some of you may have noticed that I have changed the summary for the story and removed the part about my OC (Ella) ending up with Jeremy. She may still end up with him, but she is going to have interactions with three Vampire Diaries men, possibly four and I am not 100% sure who she will inevitably end up with. There is a lot she is going to have to go through before she gets her happy ending however even more so depending on who I end up picking for her. Could be one of the four but knowing myself and my tendency to stray from plans I set myself that could change LOL! Anyway I hope you all continue to enjoy it. I welcome ideas, suggestions etc and love reviews so thanks to all of those who are following the story and reviewing. Anyway enough of my rambling, here's chapter eight. Enjoy.

Chapter Eight

Ella stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom, her eyes wide and her mouth open. She could barely even recognise herself. Caroline, Elena and Bonnie had spent the better part of the afternoon helping Ella to get ready for the dance. The three friends were now putting the finishing touches on their own outfits while Ella stood mesmerised by her transformation.

Her long, dark hair was curled and piled on top of her head with a few loose tendrils framing her face, which had never looked more beautiful. Her eyes were accentuated with gold eye shadow; her thick lashes were painted black making her brown eyes warm and bright. Her cheeks had been given a little colour and her full lips had a clear coat of gloss giving her a shiny pout.

The strapless dress she wore was the same shade of gold as her eye shadow; it hugged her curves to her waist then fell in soft waves to her knees. A sheer wrap and low heeled strappy sandals completed the ensemble. In all of her life Ella had never felt truly beautiful, not until that moment anyway.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Ella spun on the spot to find Elena standing behind her wearing a pretty blue dress and her long, straight hair twisted into an intricate knot at the base of her neck.

"I wasn't really thinking anything," Ella told her friend. "It was more a feeling. For the first time in my life I feel...pretty."

"Has no one ever told you you're beautiful before?" Elena asked. She seemed surprised and sad.

"My father, but he's my father he's supposed to tell me I'm pretty," Ella smiled. "And Caroline told me the first day that I met her, but I've never felt pretty until this moment. I know what people see when they look at me, they see someone that they deem beautiful and someone that gorgeous must know how gorgeous they are. I've always been able to feel what others feel towards me, nothing as powerful as it is now, but I've felt the resentment from other girls and the overactive hormones of the boys. Mystic Falls is different, everyone here is kind, and you've all accepted me. It makes me happy, happier than I've felt in a long time. It also scares me a little, especially with what's going on with me. The dreams, the sleepwalking, the overwhelming feelings I get from the people around me."

"It's ok to be happy you know," Elena told her. "And given what you're going through it's perfectly natural to be afraid as well."

"I know, it's just all so overwhelming. Caroline's a Vampire, Bonnie's a Witch and we have no idea what I am. Elena, I need you to be completely honest with me. Is there anything else that I need to know? I don't think I could take any more surprises."

"Ok," Elena nodded. "After the dance we'll sit down and talk about everything. I promise and we'll figure out whatever's going on with you. Right now we have to go because the guys will be here any second."

"The guys?"

"Yeah. Stefan and Tyler are picking up me and Caroline. You and Bonnie are going getting a ride with Matt and Jeremy."

"Oh," Ella nodded. She prayed that she wouldn't blush and give herself away. Everything else was completely forgotten in that moment. Even if it wasn't a date she was still going to the dance with boys and one of them she happened to have a rather large crush on.

"Is that ok?" Elena asked, concerned when Ella looked away.

"Yes, of course," Ella forced a smile.

"I know that you've not really dated," Elena began but Ella cut her off.

"It's not a date though so it'll be fine. I've hung out with Matt and Jeremy, plus Bonnie will be there. Don't worry about me; I'm perfectly capable of hanging out with two male friends."

"What if it was a date?" Elena wondered, smiling. "Is there any boys at school that you like? Caroline certainly seems to think that there is."

"I think we should go down and wait for the guys to get here."

"Caroline's right! There is someone you like. Who is it?"

Ella ignored her now beaming friend and began making her way down stairs. Bonnie and Caroline appeared at the foot of the stairs. Both looking gorgeous in pink and black.

"You two look amazing," Ella gushed as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Thank you," Caroline beamed.

They all complimented each other a few more times; the girls also evaluated their own work on Ella. A few minutes later the doorbell rang. It was then that Ella realised her father promised to be home before the dance and he was nowhere to be seen. Fixing a smile firmly in place, Ella went to answer the door and begin what would hopefully be a great night.

TBC...