"And then, once I've finished University, I want to travel. Maybe to Paris, I'm not really sure. There are just so many opportunities in Paris, you know? To be a fashion designer, of course. Because that's what I think I want to be. Or at least, to work with fashion in some way, because my best friend, Louise, she said…"
The girl's voice faded away from Damon's ears as he took another drink from the almost empty glass on the bar in front of him. He realised that he was becoming increasingly adept at ignoring girls that talked too much lately. Of course, it was he who made sure that these girls got involved with him in the first place, but why did he always seemed to end up with the dizziest, most vacant girls? It was almost getting too much to bear, and if he had to keep telling the "I just got out of a bad relationship and my ex treated me badly, that's why I'm so moody" story one more time, he felt certain he'd have to stake himself.
But anything was better than the alternative.
"Damon?" He raised his head. The girl was looking at him quizzically, and he realised he hadn't got the slightest idea what she'd just said to him.
Smiling quickly to mask his annoyance, he replied, "Yes?"
The girl smiled back at him, a wide smile that revealed her pristine white teeth. "I asked you to tell me about yourself a bit more. You know, what you do for a job, where you live, that sort of thing. It seems like I hardly know anything about you." She tilted her head to the side and her long blonde hair fell down her back like a curtain.
That's probably because you've only just met me and there is no chance that I'd tell an empty-headed doll like you, or anyone else, for that matter, anything at all about me, Damon thought to himself dryly, but he answered with the smoothness and charm that he'd perfected centuries ago.
"I like to travel too." His eyes focused on her exposed neck, and he thought about how much he'd love to sink his teeth into it and be done with her, but he kept the urge under control and continued speaking. "I never stay too long in one place, so I have no real job." He smiled another disturbingly brilliant smile. "I guess you could say I'm a wanderer."
The look on the girl's face was exactly what he wanted to see. Complete fascination and awe. I think she's been the easiest so far, he thought, satisfied with a job well done.
"A wanderer, hey?" The girl grinned. "Tall, dark, handsome and unattached—just the way I like 'em."
Damon didn't trust himself to speak, so he just maintained the smile and inclined his head.
Bright blue eyes sparkling, the girl continued. "So are you doing anything else tonight? Maybe we could go wandering together, see where we end up." She leaned towards him. "I like mystery."
Damon was about to reply with something less insulting than what was running through his head at that particular time, but he never got the chance. Someone had pushed in-between them and stood at the bar, forcing the girl to move backwards and saving Damon from having to bite his tongue.
The girl looked incredibly annoyed. "Er, excuse me? Do you mind? We're trying to have a conversation here!"
There was no answer, and Damon briefly turned his attention to the figure at the bar. It was another girl, but whereas the girl Damon had picked up had pale blonde hair (like every other girl he picked up lately), the new girl had jet black hair. He couldn't see her face, as she was turned away from him and her hair hid it from view, but he had a feeling she wouldn't be like most of the Barbie dolls around this place.
The blonde girl tried again. "Hello? Are you deaf or something? Because I'd kind of like an apology from you for interrupting me and my boyfriend."
Damon raised his eyebrows. You're that easy that you think a guy's your boyfriend if the first date goes well? I really have got to start trying harder.
His earlier feeling about the black haired girl was right when she turned to look at the blonde girl and replied, "Firstly, no, I'm not deaf. Secondly, if I know anything at all about him," she gestured behind her to Damon, "he's not your boyfriend. And thirdly, I didn't come here to speak to an overdressed bitch like you." The blonde girl gasped. "I came to speak to Damon."
Damon's eyebrows shot up again, and then came back down, veiling his surprise in a look of curious interest.
"Have we met?" he asked mildly.
"You could say that." The black haired girl turned to look at him, and Damon very nearly lost his mask of self-control. He took several deep breaths before saying, quite calmly and with no hint of the shock he had just experienced,
"Meredith."
Author's note: Just thought I'd let you know that I have no idea where this story's headed. I'm kind of making it up as I go along. So sorry if it's not very good, and all ideas for different directions in which to take it are gratefully received! Thanks!