Chapter Twenty-Two

The next month in Mystic Falls passed in a blur for Ella. She hung out with her friends, while avoiding Jeremy as much as possible, she spent time with her father whenever he was around and she attended school. Her stalker was still around, leaving her notes and calling her, but she was rarely ever alone. Whenever her father was out of town Caroline usually stayed with her and if she wasn't available then Elena, Bonnie or Damon stayed over.

Ella knew that Caroline had half hoped telling her about Vicky might have turned Ella against Damon, but it hadn't. The two were closer than ever and next to Caroline, Damon was Ella's best friend. They hung out, talked and Damon was still helping Ella work through her abilities.

If it weren't for her Vampire stalker and the pain that being apart from Jeremy caused her, Ella would think her life was pretty perfect. The main issue for her was the pain that ripped through her chest whenever she saw Jeremy, which considering Elena was one of her friends and Jeremy's sister was quite often.

Today was no exception to that. Ella was standing at her locker after her final class of the day when he walked past her. Even with her back to him she knew he was there, the wave of intense emotion that nearly floored her was proof enough.

"Hey Ella," Caroline's voice broke through Ella's thoughts of running after Jeremy and kissing him right there in the hall.

"Hey," Ella sighed, turning to face her friend.

"Is everything all right?" Caroline asked upon seeing Ella's pained expression.

In answer to the question, Ella nodded down the hall to where Jeremy now stood in front of his own locker. Caroline looked over her shoulder and knew straight away what had her friend so bummed.

"Ella, I know that you think you're doing what's best for you and Jeremy, but maybe you should consider telling him how you feel. You're both miserable."

"He doesn't look too miserable from here," Ella responded, looking over Caroline's shoulder again. Jeremy was now talking to a pretty blonde girl from his class.

"He's talking to a girl, so?" Caroline asked. "He doesn't have feelings for her, he likes you."

"It doesn't matter, nothing's going to happen between us," Ella shrugged, turning to close her locker. She didn't want to talk about Jeremy any longer, it caused too much pain.

"Hi guys."

Both girls looked around to see Jamie Sullivan, a boy from their class standing beside them.

"Hi Jamie," Caroline greeted him. Ella smiled.

"Are you guys coming to Rob's party on Friday night?" he asked, his gaze on Ella.

"Oh I heard about that, yeah I think me and Tyler were going to come," Caroline answered, but Jamie didn't look at her.

"What about you Ella?"

"I…I don't know," Ella shrugged. "I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go with me?"

Ella froze. Of all the things that Jamie could have said but she hadn't expected that. She stood frozen, staring at the boy who had just asked her out. She didn't know what to say or how she was supposed to react. Other than Jeremy she'd never been asked out before.

A flash of pain shot through Ella's chest as she thought about the disaster that was supposed to have been her and Jeremy's first day and she fought the urge to wince. Jamie and Caroline were both staring at her, waiting for her to respond.

Just then Jeremy walked into Ella's field of vision; he was still talking to the girl from his class. Jeremy was smiling and the girl was flicking her hair over her shoulder and smiling in an obviously flirtatious way.

"I'd love to," Ella told Jamie, before she could think about what she was saying.

The next thing she knew she was putting her number into Jamie's cell and arranging for him to pick her up at eight on Friday night. Jamie left, smiling and Ella closed her locker and turned to a stunned looking Caroline.

"What?" Ella asked when Caroline just gaped at her.

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You just agreed to go on a date with Jamie Sullivan!" Caroline exclaimed loudly causing several people, including Jeremy, to turn and stare.

"Why don't you yell that a little louder Caroline," Ella snapped, her face going bright red. She was resolutely refusing to look in Jeremy's direction. "I don't think they guys on the football field quite heard you."

Ella started walking away, in the opposite direction from where she could feel Jeremy staring at her. Caroline hurried to keep up with her.

"I'm sorry," Caroline said at a more appropriate level. "I didn't mean to yell it like that, but come on Ella. You must have heard people talking about Jamie; he's a senior and a total womaniser! He's only asking you out to try and get in your pants, he's practically been through every other girl here."

"So that's it, a guy is only interested in me if he wants to kill me, because of some stupid Fae thing or because he wants to sleep with me?" Ella spat at her friend. "If that's the case I'd rather go out with the guy who wants to sleep with me thanks. At least I know how he really feels and I'm not going to wind up dead."

"Ella, I'm just trying to look out for you."

Ella sighed. "I know Caroline, and I appreciate it, but I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. Plus we're going to a party where there will be lots of people including a Vampire and Werewolf who have my back right?"

"Right," Caroline nodded and smiled.

"Good, so now that we've gotten over that, are you going to help me find something to wear because this is like my first date…well ever and I'm kinda freaking out here?"

TBC…