Cannonball
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from The Vampire Diaries.
Going to do something a little different, this is going to start from Klaus' POV!
February 18th 2013.
Monday 8:10am
Mystic Falls
"Ew gross it stinks in here."
"Ah little sister don't you just love the smell of stale beer in the morning?" I grin as we walk further into Damon's messy apartment.
"No." she cringes, sticking her nose up as she picks up some mail from the floor in disgust. "How can he live like this? It's filthy."
"Well I haven't exactly been in the mood to play house these past few weeks." Damon appears out of his bedroom with a full rooted scowl on his face that I'm starting to think is going to stay permanent. "Now what the fuck are you doing in my apartment and how did you get in?"
"My brother changed your locks remember." I smirk at him. "Turns out his occupation can come in handy for something sometimes." I take in his appearance, his scruffy looking old t-shirt and some old shorts hanging loosely over his tired looking body and I shake my head in amusement as he heads straight for the fridge and pulls out a bottle of beer.
"Um no way!" Rebekah is on him immediately, snatching the bottle from his hands. "I don't think you need any more of these, Salvatore."
Damon practically growls at her as he tries to pull the bottle back into his hands but my sister is sturdy and moves it quickly out of his reach.
"Is this how you've been spending all your days then? Drinking beer alone?" I ask him casually like this is no big deal, something which I have learned is the best way to approach things with Damon.
"Well I'm trying too." He glares at us both before turning to rummage through his cupboards, looking for God knows what.
Probably bourbon.
"But you're not trying, are you? Not really." I take a firmer approach. "That's it? You're just giving up?" He freezes, and I see his back muscles and shoulders immediately tense. "When was the last time you did more digging into Katherine?"
"Don't."
"What?" I take a step closer towards him, seeing Rebekah take a slight take back from the corner of my eye. "Don't tell you how it is? Don't tell you the truth? What the hell is wrong with you? I thought you were willing to do anything to get Elena back? You over her already?"
He swings around faster than lightning and before I know it I'm in his chokehold being pinned against the refrigerator, both of Damon's hands wrapped tightly around my neck while his fingers grip into my skin.
"Fuck you! You don't know anything!" he snarls furiously into my face as he roughly slams my body back against the fridge behind me.
"Damon that's enough! Let him go!" Rebekah shouts at him angrily as she tries to peel him off me and I really hope that it's soon because it's getting kind of hard to breathe here. "Damon!"
Damon reluctantly moves away, but his face is still full of fire and he does not look happy with me one bit.
"I've tried everything!" he barks almost urgently. "I've spent the last month digging and digging for something that isn't even there! I've gotten in contact with people I hate, people who hate me, people who I barely even know! No one has a thing on that bitch!"
"There must be something-" Rebekah tries to offer calmly but Damon instantly cuts her off.
"There's nothing!" he slams his fist down on to the counter furiously. "And to make matters worse I've had to be at her beck and call constantly! She wants free drugs I have to give her free drugs, and when she wants a ride home at 3am, I have to go and fucking pick her up! She owns me! She fucking owns me! Do you have any idea how that feels? It's not like I can do anything about it, the second I even go to tell her to fuck herself she threatens to expose us and to be honest I've gotten to the point where I would rather take that risk than spend another single second with that psychotic slut, but I can't because I won't do that to Elena! Katherine is making my life miserable and there's not a God damn thing I can do about it!"
I stare at him a little stunned because this is the most he has opened up since this whole thing blew up, I glance briefly at my sister who looks just as surprised as I do and I sigh loudly and run a hand down my face as I try and figure something out.
Rebekah however beats me too it.
"Do you want me to give Elena a message?" she offers genuinely. "I see her at practise so it won't look suspicious…and I don't even think Katherine knows that I know about you two."
"She'll know." Damon replies bitterly. "She knows everything."
"I can still try." She throws back immediately. "Trust me, I think she needs it." She discreetly throws that part in there and I glance at Damon a little nervously, simply for the fact that ever since he and Elena had to take a…break? Shall we say, he has avoided all of the places where he might run into her and not because he doesn't want to see her, I know my best friend enough to know that it will be because he won't know how to handle himself if he does.
Damon doesn't deal that well with feelings, especially bad ones.
"No." Damon replies rigidly and I stare at him surprised by his answer. "Anything that I want to say to Elena needs to come from me, no one else."
Rebekah holds his gaze for a long silent moment before eventually giving in with a loud sigh. "Fine, if you say so."
"I do." He almost huffs and looks between the two of us. "You can leave now."
"Damon-"
"I'm serious, Klaus. I've got shit I need to do."
"Like what? Sulk around here all day waiting for your next order from Katherine?" I see his fist clench tightly and I know that I'm pushing my luck but I won't stop.
Not yet.
"Klaus." Rebekah scolds me immediately. "Don't."
"What?" I look at her in brief annoyance before turning back to Damon. "We're here to help you so stop being a little bitch, accept it and let's do something!" I order him sternly.
"I told you there is nothing I can do! I've tried everything!" I roll my eyes slightly as his frustration continues to build and build but I know Damon.
He works best when he's angry.
"Try harder."
His eyes widen slightly, his jaw tenses and his entire body stands rigid opposite me.
"Katherine is winning but that doesn't have to mean she beats you." I urge him. "You say you can't find anything on her? Ok fine then let's make something to be found."
"And how do we suppose we do that?" he doesn't sound convinced but at least he's listening this time.
"I don't know." I admit honestly because I really don't. "But you're a Salvatore, scheming and deceitful tactics are in your blood." I smirk and I hide my relief when his eyes get just the tiniest little snippet of light back.
It's not much.
But it's enough for now.
"I'm so sorry, Elena."
"I don't want to do this, Elena!"
"But I have to do the right thing by you."
"I love you, Elena, which is why I need to do this. I'm not saying this is forever but we can't be together right now."
"I will love you forever Elena Gilbert."
"Elena? Elena? ELENA!"
I jump and clutch my pounding heart as I swing around with wide eyes to see Bonnie and Caroline looking at me with an odd mixture of amusement and concern.
They both look at me expectantly and I swallow the lump in my throat before forcing a smile. "Sorry…spaced out."
"Yeah we could see that." Caroline narrows her eyes at me suspiciously.
"You ok?" Bonnie asks looking more concerned and I quickly nod my head trying to show reassurance.
"Yeah. Fine."
"Ok…" Caroline trails and I can tell that she doesn't buy it but at least she isn't being pushy this morning. "Well the bell has gone; we're going to be late for class."
I blink rapidly and look around the emptying hallway to see that she's right so again I clear my throat and slam my locker shut before following them both to our first class of the day, trying to push past the tears that I can feel building up as I tug myself out of what happened four weeks ago and into present time.
The entire morning drags like hell just like it has done every day since Damon had to break things off with me. I rub my eyes tiredly; lack of sleep starting to take its toll but it's so hard to shut my eyes at night because all I can see is Damon's pained blue eyes when he told me that we could no longer be together.
I know that it is only temporary, of course I do, but with every passing day where I can't see him or speak to him I'm starting to get more and more pessimistic, more and more fearful that we'll never be able to find a way to beat Katherine at her own game and then in turn be together.
Lunch is awful as always, being sat between all my friends having to force smiles and laughs and pretend that everything is ok, pretend that my heart hasn't just been shattered into a million pieces, that I'm not missing anybody with every single inch of my body and soul, that I'm not aching to hear Damon's voice, to feel his touch.
Instead I have to continue playing the role of the high school happy cheerleader, where everything is all rainbows and roses and I'm perfectly content with the way my life is mapping out right now.
I feel trapped, like someone has their hands wrapped tightly around my neck suffocating me and squeezing the life out of me. It may not be literal, but I guess that kind of is what Katherine is doing right now.
Which is why my blood turns cold when I hear her snaky unpleasant voice in the back of my ear at the end of the day while I attempt to gather my things from my locker for cheer practise.
"Elena Gilbert, just the girl I was hoping to see." I reluctantly turn around to face her with a scowl on my face as she smirks at me, eying me up and down slowly and calculating and I can't help but squirm slightly under her intense gaze.
I would be lying if I said that I didn't find her intimidating.
I take a deep breath and swallow the growing lump in my throat before eventually finding my voice.
"What do you want Katherine?" my voice sounds stronger than I feel and I'm grateful for the cold hard edge that I managed to force out.
Katherine's smirk only widens and she stares at me for what feels like forever but probably just merely seconds as she clearly intends to make me feel as uncomfortable as possible. "You're going to do something for me." I hide my cringe immediately and stay silent, waiting for her to continue. "You're going to get me onto the cheerleading squad." She grins and my eyes widen slightly.
I feel my mouth open and close for a moment as I wave of panic starts to take over me, why would Katherine want to be on the squad? Caroline and Bonnie are on the squad, Caroline and Bonnie who don't know about Damon, who hate Damon and would disapprove of Damon, are on that squad.
Caroline who already hates Katherine and would not want her on her team.
"Your BFFs with the cheer captain, right?" she questions with a sneer. "Shouldn't be too hard."
I clear my throat and shake my head. "We're halfway through the season; people can't just join whenever they want…" I try and explain calmly. "There's a procedure, you have to audition like way back in September. Besides, Caroline may be my best friend but I have no control over who gets on the squad or not."
"Oh please." She scoffs slightly but her eyes are still glistening in amusement. "Everyone knows Rebekah Mikealson didn't audition for the squad and yet there she is every other week waving her pom-poms about like it's no one's business."
"That was different…" I stutter out clumsily. "Yeah she didn't audition, which ok broke that one rule but that was still before the season started and-"
"I don't care." She cuts me off nastily, her face hardening. "Get me on the squad today or I give Caroline a slideshow which I'm sure she'll be very interested to see."
I gulp slightly underneath her glare, not used to being on the receiving end of the cruelty of Katherine Pierce but I do know already that I don't like it.
"Ok." I nod my head slowly, trying to hide my nerves. "I'll try my best."
"Not try, Elena. Do." She looks down at her watch before glancing back up at me, her eyes dancing with humor and I have a sickly feeling that I know what is coming next. "You start practise soon, right?" I stay silent because she already knows the answer. "Great, you can bring me along."
"I don't think-"
"Ah ah ah." She cuts me off with a wicked smile. "You do as I say, remember?" I clench my jaw and swallow my words because what else can I do? She's right. I can't argue with her, one wrong move and she spills about Damon to everyone.
I just have to bite my tongue and hope that this will be over soon because it's already been too long.
I was already late for practise without the added conversation with Katherine, so when I push open the doors to the gymnasium Caroline turns to face me unimpressed, a look that hardens even more when she sees Katherine half a step behind me.
"What is this?" she presses her hands on her hips and motions to Katherine who I just know will have that smug signature smirk of hers on her lips. "Why is she here?"
"Now is that a new way of talking to your newest member?" Katherine mock gasps and I cringe immediately from the look on Caroline's face as she turns to face me again, one eyebrow raised.
"What now?"
"Um…Katherine wants to join the team and I uh…said that it would be ok."
"You did what?" Caroline looks at me in disbelief and I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay in this. "No way is she joining my team! NO way in hell!"
"She's really good and we could really use a new member for regionals and-"
"And nothing!" Caroline cuts me off. "I decide who goes on this squad and she sure as hell is not."
"Well I for one think it's a good idea." Rebekah appears behind Caroline with a poker face.
"You do?" Katherine almost sounds surprised.
"Yeah." Rebekah smirks slightly for a moment. "Katherine is clearly…flexible, and we still haven't found anyone to replace Kendra since she got injured last month."
I nod my head encouragingly, extremely grateful for Rebekah's help in this even if I'm not 100 percernt sure on her intentions, but either way Katherine doesn't seem suspicious about anything and Caroline just looks even more put out.
"We don't need a replacement!" Caroline huffs loudly.
"I think we do." Rebekah argues immediately and thankfully I hear some murmurs of agreement from the other girls a few feet away.
Caroline looks around in complete dismay, almost like she can't believe this is happening.
"I know you don't like her Care," I speak up again. "Neither do I, but we have to put personal differences aside for what is best for the team as a whole."
"And you think Katherine is that answer?"
"Of course." Katherine answers and I send her a glare and turn back to Caroline.
"You want to win…right?"
Caroline stares at me long and hard for a moment before throwing up her arms in the air and letting out a loud frustrated groan. "Fine!" she gives in and I feel my entire body sag in relief. "You're on the team," she glares at Katherine. "But one bad move and that's it, you're out! I do not give second chances to anyone, especially not you."
Katherine's smile widens. "That's good to know." She eyes me and winks discreetly and I just shake my head and turn away from her.
I've done my part.
"Thanks buddy."
I stay silent as I shove the wad of cash just given to me into my wallet while looking around to make sure that no one is watching. I look back up to see the lowlife junkie that I've just sold too still stood in front of me and I look at him in disbelief.
"What are you still doing here?" I bark at him coldly. "Get out of here asshole!"
He scurries away like the coward he is before I even finish my sentence.
"Idiot." I mutter under my breath as I watch him disappear into the darkness of the back alley we were stood in. I stay where I am, grateful for the moment alone after spending the whole day surrounded by my family and all of their lawyers.
Not long after Klaus left my apartment this morning I had another visitor. This time it was Stefan, and I surprised to see him dressed in a smart grey suit but I was soon reminded as too why.
Giuseppe's trial started today.
Which means I'm now in the bad books for having my cell phone switched off all weekend with no way of them being able to contact me, which leads Zach to send me out to make some "quick cash", as he calls it.
Basically I'm back to being his little bitch.
I don't know why Stefan couldn't have just called round sooner to remind me, but I do know that no one in my family has been particularly happy with me these past few weeks. Honestly, I'm past caring right now since I have other shit to deal with, more important things like how to get Katherine Pierce out of my life or to at least keep her mouth shut about Elena.
Which is a challenge that is proving to still be difficult no matter how hard I try and I'm still trying to continue to call in favours and insight from anyone who may even know someone who knows someone who knows her.
I'm that desperate.
But apparently no one has anything on her, which I find completely bizarre considering her personality and the people she has been involved with in the past.
"Risky business dealing in public these days, I only have to make one phone call and you'll be busted."
I frown at the unfamiliar voice and turn around to see none other than Jeremy Gilbert stood at the edge of the alleyway with his arms crossed in front of him.
"Aw, are you going to tell Daddy on me?" I mock him full of sarcasm. "Go ahead; he'll get nothing on me." I hold my arms up for good measure with a smirk. "I'm clean kid."
"Hmm." Jeremy muses with a grin on his lips before holding up his phone. "Good job I took a photo mid-deal then isn't it?"
I literally feel my face drop.
He chuckles in amusement and takes a few steps towards me. "Amazing timing isn't it? Mr Giuseppe Salvatore currently in the middle of a trial and part of his defense is based around his family values and how much he cares for this town, and yet here is his eldest son dealing drugs in the shadows behind the scenes? Feeding people's addictions on a daily basis. That really does promote his principles doesn't it? I wonder what the judge would have to say when he sees this."
I'm getting really fucking sick of people trying to blackmail me these days.
Really really sick of it.
Jeremy chuckles and it echos across towards me, burning and ringing in my ears.
It all happens so fast, I charge at him and tackle him to the ground and before I even realize it I'm pounding my fist into his face as he squirms underneath me, all my hatred and frustration being let out straight onto him and I completely forget that as much as I despise this kid, he is still Elena's brother.
My right hand starts to turn numb and I slow my actions down when I comprehend what is happening. I jump back up to my feet breathlessly, looking down at my shaking bloody hand and back down at Jeremy who is lying in a heap on the floor, small whimpers coming from his lips as he clutches his face in pain.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I go to run but stop myself, turning around slowly to see his phone laying on the phone next to him and I quickly crouch down next to him and curse to see that it's password protected.
"What's your password?" I hiss at him impatiently while I look around to make sure that no passer-by has spotted us.
Jeremy groans slightly in pain and splutters out a "Fuck you."
"Damn it! Don't make me hurt you again because I swear to God I will put you in a hospital bed!" I grab him by the collar of his shirt and lift him up, my left fist tightening again and I have to remind myself yet again that this is Elena's brother. "What's your passcode?!"
He stays silent and I clench my jaw, the anger and frustration creeping back up on me as I think about what this photo will do. If Grayson gets this photo then he will try and send me down and then I will never get a real shot with Elena, with or without Katherine's interference.
I do not need anything to hang over my head right now.
"Fine, have it your way!" I throw him against the wall and he grunts loudly in pain as he crashes against it before falling to his knees. I look at his phone before sliding it into my pocket and running my hand through my hair anxiously wondering how the hell I have managed to get myself into this mess.
A few months ago, hell even a few weeks ago, I would not have cared. I would have smashed Jeremy's phone there and then and walked away without looking back, but now? Now I have Grayson watching my family's every move, waiting for one of us to make just one little mistake and I've just gave him his leverage, right during the time of my father's trial.
Perfect.
I glance down at Jeremy who is still sat on the ground, wiping blood from his nose as he looks at me with pure hatred and I frown, pulling his cell phone back out and sighing loudly, still not quite believing that I'm doing this.
The old me wouldn't have gave him so many chances.
"I'm going to ask you for your password one more time Gilbert." I speak threateningly but Jeremy just scoffs and gives me the finger.
I grind my teeth together and hold back a growl at his lack of cooperation but before I can even speak someone else beats me too it.
"Whatever the hell is going on here, end it."
It's my Uncle Zach, he stands a few feet away in his suit from his day in court and he looks between me and Jeremy with a stern look on his face that doesn't give much away except for the fact that he's not pleased.
I notice Jeremy's face pale slightly by my uncle's appearance and I still for a moment but before I get the chance to think of my next move Zach speaks up again.
"Now, Damon!"
"5549!" Jeremy speaks up quickly and I look down at him for a moment confused before I realize he is telling me his passcode. I tap the numbers into the iPhone and luckily for him he wasn't lying. I feel relief as I quickly delete the photo and I'm about to hand the phone back but Zach grabs it from my hand before I get the chance.
"I'll get rid of this." Zach gives me a look that I'm not quite sure how to comprehend before he crouches down in front of Jeremy, one of his hands reaching out to clutch his arm tightly and I see Jeremy wince immediately. "If you know what's good for you son you'll keep your mouth shut, I'm not in the mood for some scrawny kid to try and get one over on me today, especially a Gilbert." He clenches his hand even tighter and Jeremy almost whimpers. "Am I clear?"
The younger boy nods his head immediately and Zach stares at him long and hard for a moment before slowly unclutching his hand.
"Great." He stands back up and walks away. "Come on Damon." He calls back as I stayed still and I glance back at Jeremy for a moment before leaving, watching over my shoulder as he continues to stay on the ground in pain but I know that I haven't hurt him too much where he wouldn't be able to make his own way home.
I look down at my bloody red hands and cringe slightly, knowing that the second Elena finds out about this I don't know if she'll even want me to continue looking for something against Katherine.
I'm such a fucking idiot.
"What the hell was that?" Zach demands of me the second we get into his car and I sigh and run my hand down my face.
"Not now Zach, please."
"No, right now, Damon! Are you out of your fucking mind? Beating up a Gilbert kid while we have the cops on our back? Your father is smack bang in the middle of his trial for Gods sake!"
"I wouldn't have had to do it if you hadn't of made me deal tonight!"
He laughs harshly. "Don't put this on me! You're the one who got caught! You should be more careful, especially right now."
"Fine I'm sorry!" I huff impatiently. "I made a mistake, I get it."
"You nearly screwed everything up…again! What the hell is wrong with you lately?"
"Nothing."
He scoffs loudly. "Don't bullshit me kid, you haven't been yourself in weeks!"
"I told you nothing is wrong!"
"Does this have something to do with that Katherine chick? Is it because she's dating Stefan? Is that it? Are you jealous?"
"What? Of course not!"
"So then why the attitude? Why the month long sulk? There must be a reason why you wanted me to look into the Pierce family, so if it's not about your brother then what is it?"
I shake my head in annoyance. "She's using him."
"So it is about Stefan."
I look out the window for a moment before deciding to go along with this lie. At least then it will be somewhat believable.
"Yes but not because I'm jealous." I want to make that part very clear. "I hate Katherine; she's manipulative and cunning and just damn right evil."
"Sounds like someone else I know." He chuckles slightly and I roll my eyes and glare at him. "Alright, continue."
"She's using Stefan to get back at me and I just don't want to see my little brother hurt."
"How do you know that?"
"Because she told me." I scowl.
"She told you?" he questions and I nod slowly. "Ok so then why not just tell Stefan?"
"Because he won't believe me, he's completely smitten with her Zach, she has him completely wrapped around her little finger and she knows it. Stefan will probably just think I'm jealous or something and I don't want to argue with him, I just want to find a way to get Katherine out of his life."
"By finding something out about her family?"
"If it works then yeah."
Zach sighs loudly just as he pulls up outside of my apartment. "Ok fine, I'll take a look into it." I look at him surprised and he immediately waves me off. "Don't get your hopes up; I don't know if I'll be able to find anything but I know a guy who knows a guy who is good at digging into these sorts of things."
"Thank you." I tell him sincerely, finally a patch of hope creeping into me after these long weeks of painful miserable let-downs.
"Don't thank me yet." He muses. "And I trust you'll keep my involvement to yourself, the last thing I want is Stefan finding out."
"Yeah me either." I agree as I open the door to get out. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Ah court, yes." He smirks slightly. "Should be fun."
"Hmm yeah." I roll my eyes slightly and slam the door shut and head up to my apartment, feeling better than I have done in weeks.
I know it's a risky move, but when I get inside I can't help but pull out my phone and write out a text.
Hopefully this won't last for
much longer. I miss you.
I love you X .
I stare down at the words, knowing that this will be the first move of contact between us ever since I ended things all those weeks ago. I think we both silently agreed that we wouldn't stay in contact, it was too risky but if Zach is telling the truth about working to find something against Katherine then hopefully that means we won't have to be apart for much longer.
I press send before I can change my mind.
I stare down at the text Damon sent me a couple of hours ago with wet eyes, tears falling down my damp cheeks as I stare at his words over and over again, the tiniest bit of hope being sparked into me after everything else has seemed so hopeless.
But what if it's false hope?
It's already been one month and we've found nothing. Katherine has continued to own us, to keep us apart. According to Rebekah she has been using Damon as her errand boy, calling in favors at all times of the day and night, no matter what, making sure that he has no choice other than to say yes.
I'm dreading to see what she may have up her sleeve next.
"Elena?"
I snap my head up surprised to see Jenna stood in my doorway with a look of concern on her face and I immediately wipe at my eyes, locking my phone and turning it upside down on the bed to block the view of the screen.
"Are you ok sweetie?" she steps further into my room and I don't miss the way that she closes the door behind her, despite no one else even being home.
"I'm fine." I let out an unintentional sniffle that completely disregards my reply and I clear my throat and straighten myself out.
"Elena," she sighs and slowly comes to sit beside me. "You don't have to lie to me, remember?"
I stay silent at her words because I feel like that's all I've been doing lately. Lying, lying and lying some more. The last six months have been one big massive lie, and the only thing that was real was my relationship with Damon and now Katherine has destroyed that, so again all I'm left with is the secrets and the deceits and the knowledge that I have betrayed my family in most likely what they will see as the worst way possible.
"Don't think we haven't noticed how down you've been lately, Elena," she takes a hold of my hand and I let her. "It's been quite hard to miss."
I inwardly curse myself, because she's right, I haven't exactly been too great at hiding my pain these days but it's just so hard and it's so damn exhausting.
"Your Mom and Dad have put it down to the stress of school, and that maybe you're still missing Matt?" I frown slightly but then Jenna continues. "But I know better." I turn to face her with wide eyes slightly and she smiles sadly at me. "It seems to me like someone has broken your heart, and I have a feeling that it wasn't Matt Donovan."
Before I know it a sob escapes from my lips and Jenna wraps her arms around me, I fall against her shoulder, finally being comforted by how I've felt lately and I just let it all out. I cry against her, my mascara running onto her shirt but she doesn't seem to mind as she whispers soothing words into my ear while one of her hands runs up and down my back that reminds me back to when she used to comfort me when I was upset about some silly thing as a child.
"It's ok sweetie." She pulls back slightly and smiles softly at me. "Everything will be ok."
I shake my head and turn away, wiping my eyes yet again with shaky hands. "No…you don't understand."
"I know it seems tough right now, but whoever this guy is…you will get over him. You may not see it now, but I've been there honey and it does get better." she runs a hand through my hair. "It does." her tone is soft and comforting but it doesn't help and I can't help another cry falling from my lips.
"I don't want to get over him, Jenna!" I stress in frustration. "I love him; I love him so much that it hurts!" I choke on a sob. "He means everything to me."
She blinks a little stunned and I'm not surprised by her shock, I mean she probably thought whoever this guy was, was a rebound from Matt and that I'm just down on my luck for now.
But she doesn't understand and I need her too. I need someone to understand because I can't do this on my own anymore, not without Damon.
"I cheated on Matt with him." The words leave my mouth before I can stop myself but even despite the look that has just crossed my Aunt's face I don't regret telling her, because it feels so good to finally get those words out after all this time.
"What? Elena-"
"Matt doesn't know," I cut her off before she can say anything. "I feel bad but…" I take a deep breath. "I don't regret it." Her jaw drops slightly and I hold back another sob to continue, it's almost like my brain is no longer connected to my mouth because words keep falling from my lips before I can even stop them. "I've been seeing him for months, had been seeing him for months."
Jenna opens and closes her mouth and I know that whatever the hell she thought was going on, certainly wasn't this and the funny thing is this is her reaction before she even knows the big jaw dropper moment of them all.
I wait anxiously for her to speak and she stares down into her lap long and hard for a few moments before turning her head back to face me. "Does anyone else know about this?" I shake my head no with watering eyes. "Why the secrecy? You and Matt broke up months ago…why keep this guy a secret?"
"No one would understand…" I say with a shaky voice.
Jenna's frown deepens. "Why not?" I stay silent and I see the concern on her face triple. "Why not, Elena?" she urges me to speak but I can't. "Elena," she takes my hand in hers. "He's not older, is he?"
"What?" I frown for a moment before I quickly shake my head. "No…no…I mean…not really, he's a year older than me." I watch as her body deflates slightly in a brief look of relief and I don't even want to know what kind of thoughts may have crossed her mind just now, however it doesn't take long for her body to stiffen again and I notice that she still looks just as worried as before.
"So then why keep this from us? From your friends? I don't understand, Elena."
I gulp slightly and look away. "I can't tell anyone, I shouldn't even be saying this to you."
"Elena, you know you can trust me." She moves her other hand to stroke my back soothingly and I clench my eyes shut tightly to fight back even more tears.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because you might hate me for it." She falls silent for a moment and when I look back over at her, her expression is fretful and confused. "If people found out…" I trail off slightly and let out a shaky breath. "No one would understand, they wouldn't see what I see…what he sees. We love each other, we're in love but that doesn't matter to them, they won't care about that." I clench my jaw slightly in anger, anger that has been built up because of Katherine, because of the way that Damon and I have to hide like we have something to be ashamed of. "They'll just try to keep us apart, tell us that we're wrong even though we're not. It's not fair, Jenna, it's not."
Jenna looks at me uneasily "Why wouldn't people understand? And who are they?" she sounds more nervous than worried. "But you should know that I would never hate you, Elena, I could never hate you."
I squeeze my eyes shut again to stop my tears.
"You can tell me. You can trust me. Look at you, this is killing you. Am I the first person you've ever spoken too about this? About him?" she asks softly and I slowly nod my head. "That's not healthy, Elena…you can't keep things like this bottled up. Talk to me."
"I can't." my voice cracks.
"Sweetie I promise you, look at me." She tugs on my chin and turns my head to face hers, her blue eyes looking straight into my dark ones. "Trust me, Elena, I won't tell a soul."
"Not even my parents?" I whisper.
"Not even them, not anyone. You can tell me."
I still under her intense gaze and my mouth opens and the words come out before I can stop them and second guess myself.
"Damon Salvatore. It's Damon Salvatore."
Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. It's the typical movie kind of response and I stare at her nervously, immediately regretting telling her because how do I know that she will keep her promise? What if she tells someone? What if she tells my parents?
"Jenna," I say her name shakily. "Please…say something."
She blinks once, twice, three times before slowly standing up and I watch her anxiously as she starts to pace up and down my room.
"You can't be serious." She stops and turns to face me, her expression one of complete and utter disbelief. "Damon? Damon Salvatore." I nod slowly. "Oh god, Elena! What were you thinking?!"
"This is why I didn't want to tell you! I knew this would happen! You judge us because of his last name! What does that even mean? So what, he's a Salvatore, so what!" I snap at her angrily, really annoyed that she is turning out to be just like everyone else in this stupid town.
"His last name has nothing to do with it, Elena!" she defends herself immediately. "This is about him, him as a person! This is about the things that he's done, the things that he does!"
"I know he's not perfect but-"
"Not perfect?" she looks at me in disbelief. "Not perfect is someone who makes maybe one or two mistakes now and then! Damon Salvatore is a criminal! He is trouble, Elena! You of all people should know that! He does bad things and he does them to good people!"
"He's never done anything bad to me!" I scowl at her immediately, hating that she is being so narrow-minded right now.
"No?" she challenges me. "So cheating on Matt with you wasn't bad? You said yourself you don't regret it, is that his influence?"
"What?! No! Of course not!" I shout in disbelief. "I don't regret it because I fell in love with him! I love him!"
Jenna looks at me in astonishment. "What?" she squeaks out. "I…God! How did this even happen?!" she looks down at me and I shrug. "This has been going on for months?" I nod my head slowly and she mutters something under her breath that I don't catch and I watch nervously as she continues to stand there with a look on her face that I can't suss out.
"Jenna please…please don't tell my parents." She looks down at me with wide eyes. "Please! It'll ruin everything!"
"Your Dad has spent his entire day in court because of that family, and will do for the next few days…you know how he feels about them, Elena, all of them, which is why I just don't understand why you would do this…"
"I didn't mean for it to happen." I stand to my feet slowly. "I hated Damon! I did, I really did! But…we…we got close and…we fell in love."
Jenna frowns slightly. "And he loves you too, does he?"
"Yes." I answer confidently because despite our current situation that is one thing that I can be sure of.
"And how do you know that he's not just using you to get back at your Dad?"
"What?" I choke out in shock, my eyebrows pressed together. "How can you say that?"
"Because it seems like the kind of thing he would do." She says calmly.
"No that's not fair," I shake my head. "You don't know him."
"And you do?"
"Yes. Yes I do." I answer coldly. "You have no right to say that about him, you don't know how he feels…you don't know anything about us."
"Yes because you've kept it from everyone." She throws back and I frown angrily.
"Why are you being like this? You told me you would understand, you promised me that you would listen!" I let out a small whimper despite myself. "I didn't tell you so you could be like everyone else, Jenna!" I watch as her features soften slightly and she lets out a loud sigh.
"I won't tell your parents." She offers and I look at her relieved. "But that doesn't mean that I support this." She tells me and I nod my head slowly because at least that is something. "Or that I'm happy about it either." She adds and I guess I can understand that.
She looks at me for a moment before glancing at her watch. "Your parents aren't due home for another hour and Jeremy called earlier to say he's going to stay at a friends which gives us plenty of time."
"Plenty of time for what?" I ask confused.
"For you to tell me everything."
I stare at her for a moment and let out a nervous breath as she sits back down and I reluctantly follow her movement and join her on the edge of my bed.
"I wouldn't know where to start…"
"How about from the beginning?"
I let out a nervous breath as I spot Damon's Camaro parked in the lot in school, because this is the first time that I've seen it since we broke things off. He's avoided school ever since and to be honest I was kind of relieved because I don't know how I would have been able to cope if I had to see his face every day.
As much as I've missed it, he's not my Damon in public; it just wouldn't be the same.
I still at the main doors, knowing that the chances of me running into Damon would be pretty slim anyway, we don't exactly run around in the same circles that's for sure but then it would just be my luck to see him today.
I shake it off and force myself inside, my mind wondering briefly to my conversation with Jenna last night about him and our relationship. I pretty much told her everything, leaving out some of the X-rated stuff obviously among other things. I decided not to tell her about Damon saving me from the fire either, because technically by keeping quiet about what happened that day to the police I am withholding information. Other things I fail to mention too like Stefan planting those drugs on Jeremy and Damon fixing the problem for me. Both situations are something that proves Damon's love for me yet I can't tell her because both of us will get into trouble.
When she asked me about why Damon and I are no longer seeing each other, I told her that Klaus found out and he wasn't pleased and that we both agreed to lie low for a while, in fear of being caught.
I didn't her about Katherine because the last thing I want is for my Aunt to be involved with that evil bitch.
I'm snapped out of my thoughts when I spot Jeremy stood by his locker talking to a friend, I go to pass him by with a hello and a smile but stop when I see the cuts and bruises on his face.
"Oh my god! Jeremy what happened!" I stride towards him immediately, watching as he groans and turns to face me.
"I'm fine, Elena!"
"You don't look fine!" I take in his injuries in horror because his face is black and blue. "Who did this to you?" I place my hands on both of his arms, my big sister protectiveness coming out of me as I try to comprehend who would do this to my baby brother. "Jer?"
"Nobody ok, just some punk…"
"What? I thought it was Damon Salvatore?" his friend speaks up confused and Jeremy swings around to face him angrily, completely missing the look of shock that takes over me.
"Dude what the hell! I said to keep it quiet, remember!"
I swallow the growing lump in my throat. "Damon did this to you?" I ask shakily and Jeremy sighs and slowly nods.
"Yes. But it's no big deal, alright? And don't tell Dad about it either, it's the last thing he needs right now."
I blink and take in his face again, not believing that this was really down to Damon.
"I uh…I gotta go…" I turn on my heel quickly, ignoring his calls after me as I quickly make my way through the crowded hallways.
It doesn't take me long to reach my destination and suddenly all I can see is red.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I slam Damon's locker shut and he jumps slightly before he swings around to face me with wide eyes. "You beat up my brother!"
"Elena-"
"No!" I shove him back with my hands, ignoring the turned heads in our direction. "What the hell, Damon?! He's my brother!"
"Elena," he says my name quietly with a clenched jaw. "Not here." he warns me but I don't listen.
"No, let's do this right here, Damon! Right here! Everything I have to say to you right now can be public knowledge!" I hiss at him furiously and he stares back at me wide eyed. "Why would you do that? He's barely 16 for Christ's sake!" I gawp at him. "He's black and blue and it's because of you!"
How can he beat up my own brother?
He shakes his head and looks at me and I can see in his eyes that he's regretful but right now I don't care.
"How could you!"
"He didn't give me a choice!"
I look at him in disbelief. "He didn't give you a choice? What the hell does that mean! He forced you to hit him? Is that what you're telling me?"
"No but-"
"But nothing!" I cut him off furiously and I can feel my entire body shaking with anger.
"Elena," he hisses quietly. "Please not here."
I glare at him furiously. "No. Let's not do this anywhere." I turn around to walk away but he grabs my arm tightly and swings me straight back around to face him.
"Elena-"
"Well well, what's going on here?" I turn my head to the side to see Katherine stood with a raised eyebrow, her arms folded against her chest. "Oh no, don't stop on my account."
I feel Damon let go of my arm and I look at her like a fish being taken out of water, my face heating up as I realize that Katherine isn't the only one who is watching us right now, nope, it seems that half of the school has stopped to watch the show and Katherine is merely just one of them and I watch nervously with baited breath as her face turns into a scowl.
"Please continue…I think you were both in the middle of something…together."
Fuck.
Sorry to leave it there folks!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, you're all amazing and crazy and awesome and I really appreciate it!
Please drop a review for this one too, I unfortunately had a run in with a car and it left me with broken ribs so your reviews would really cheer me up (yes, I am using this as a bargaining tool haha)
Thanks again guys! Until next time!