Chapter Nine

The dance was like nothing else that Ella had ever experience. She could feel everything, everyone's excitement and joy. It was as if the atmosphere was sending electric currents rolling over her skin, every one of her nerves were alive. She'd never been in a better mood; she was having the time of her life.

Dancing with her friends was the most fun she'd had in a long time. The packed dance floor sometimes made it difficult, they were all sort of squished together, but Ella loved it, because it meant that sometimes his hand would brush against hers and send a wave of heat up her arm and straight to her heart. In all the schools she had attended over the years she'd never been as attracted or aware of anyone as she was him.

He was amazing, he was kind and gorgeous and he could always make her smile. It had only been just over a week but she could feel herself falling for him in a bad way. She just wished that he could feel the same for her, but she knew that he didn't. They were just friends and if she was honest that was fine with her, as long as he was in her life she'd made do with him anyway she could get him.

A slow song started and Ella discretely slipped away from her friends so that the couples could pair off and dance together. As she made her way toward a small grouping of tables and chairs she felt someone close beside her. She knew from the warm feeling she got in the pit of her stomach that he'd followed her and turned to smile at him.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Jeremy Gilbert asked, leaning close so that she would hear him over the music.

"Yes," Ella beamed back up at him. "It's amazing; I've never danced so much in my life."

Jeremy smiled down at her. "I'm glad you're having fun. You look a little flushed though, can I get you a drink?"

Ella felt her cheeks heat up because she knew that the dancing was nothing to do with how she looked. She was flushed because of his closeness and the fact that she could feel his warm breath fanning her cheek.

"Please," she nodded with a small smile. "It's getting a little hot in here so I'm going to get some air and freshen up. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Ok, I'll see you back here in a few minutes."

Jeremy's hand brushed her arm as he turned and made his way toward the refreshments table. It sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her body and suddenly everything was overwhelming. All the feelings she felt from everyone around her were so intense she feared she may pass out.

Turning toward the nearest exit, Ella practically ran from the room and out into the corridor. It was a lot cooler and the further she got from the hall and everyone in it the better she began to feel. At the end of the corridor she pushed through an exit and out into the cool night air. Alaric Saltzman was standing just outside the door talking with someone, but Ella didn't pay much attention to him.

"Sorry Mr Saltzman, I didn't mean to disturb you."

"That's all right Ella, I was just heading back inside," Alaric smiled down at her. "And I told you, call me Alaric."

"Sorry...Alaric," she smiled back. She really liked her History teacher, he was very laid back and it was obvious he cared about his students.

"Better. I'll see you back inside."

Ella nodded and turned away, looking out at the dark car park. She heard the door behind her open and close and assumed that Alaric and his friend had gone back inside. It was a few seconds before she realised she wasn't alone.

"So you're Ella?" a voice asked from behind her. "The new girl that Stefan and Elena were talking about earlier. You don't look that interesting to me."

Frowning, Ella turned around to demand who the stranger thought he was when she froze because he wasn't a stranger. In fact she'd already seen him that very same day. The man who was talking to her, practically insulting her, was none other than the man from her dream.

"No," Ella shook her head, backing away from him. Fear roared in her chest and she felt a scream bubbling up her throat. It ripped from her lungs, high and shrill, and the man stared at her in confusion.

Ella continued to scream, her vision blurred so that she couldn't see the man anymore and she realised she was crying. Suddenly there was an uproar all around her, people were shouting, someone was calling her name and a pair of strong, warm arms had wrapped around her shoulders, holding her against and broad, muscular chest.

"Ella," a familiar voice called her name again. "It's ok Ella; no one's going to hurt you."

The scream died in Ella's throat and she blinked back the tears so that she could see. Jeremy was the one holding her and she felt herself instantly relax. Caroline and Bonnie were standing beside them; it had been Caroline who had spoken to her. Just over her shoulder Ella could see Stefan and Elena arguing with the man from her nightmare.

"What the hell Damon?" Stefan was demanding.

"What?" the man named Damon snapped back. "I didn't touch her, I swear. Look at her there's not a mark on her. I just asked if she was the Ella you two mentioned."

"If that's all why would she scream?" Elena asked incredulously.

"I don't know. Why do you ask her?" Damon growled and gestured toward Ella.

She felt six pairs of eyes looking at her, waiting for an explanation. Ella focussed on Stefan, he'd been there for her that morning, he'd found her and taken her home. He made her feel safe.

"It's him," she whispered. "He's the one from my nightmare. He's the one who wants to kill me."

TBC...