(Chapter two)
The boardinghouse was huge. It took Stefan almost an hour to show her the whole house. She was loving everything about and each part of the house had its own story. After the grand tour, Stefan and Elena took a walk outside hand in hand.
"Its so beautiful out here," she smiled, "I love the summer."
"Yes, it is a great season." he smiled at her.
Everything about her drew him in. Her laugh, the sound of her voice, her body, and...her face. She looked so similar to Katherine...
"Wow, that's the coolest ring I've ever seen! Where did you get that?" Elena asked in shock.
"Oh this? Well, it's been passed down in the family throughout the years. Damon has one too, kinda weird huh?" he said.
"No, it's gorgeous! I love it and it's the color of my eyes. How cool is that?" her face lit up.
"Lapis Lazuli." he said, "One of the most beautiful colors in my opinion."
He stared at her eyes, they made him feel warm inside and he could see the color rising in her cheeks.
"Thank you." she smiled.
After awhile the sun began to slowly drop and the two of them came back towards the house. They sat on the front steps to watch the sun set. Elena was in Stefan's lap, he was so warm. Once the sun set Stefan invited her inside and asked her to stay for dinner. He was making her favorite pasta dish. They started to make dinner together and Elena took this as the perfect time to bring up the subject of Katherine.
"Hey Stefan, can I ask you a question?" she asked.
"Of course you can, what is it?" he smiled.
"Well today before you got home Damon told me something and it made me curious. Do you mind telling me about...Katherine? I'd really like to hear the story you two share." she whispered.
Stefan had been cutting up carrots to add to the salad they were going to have with dinner and his hand stopped. His body went dead still.
"...What did Damon tell you Elena?" he was trying to remain calm.
"He told me that she was your ex...come on Stefan, tell me about her. I barley know anything about you. It's cool that you're all mysterious but mysterious equals secrets. I want to know about her Stefan." she said trying not to raise her voice. This was NOT how this conversation was supposed to go.
"Elena...I'd rather not talk about it, okay?" he head was facing down now.
"Stefan, that's not fair! I've told you all there is to know about me. I just want you to open up to me. Why is that such a bad thing?" she was annoyed.
"It's not bad but can we just drop this? Don't you see what Damon is trying to do? He's trying to get us to turn against each other!" he was raising his voice.
"Don't blame this on Damon! You know what, fine...we'll drop it if that's what you want to do. Keep secrets from me for all I care! Where's your bathroom?" she had to get away and cool down.
"Upstairs..first door on the right." he had calmed down again.
Elena marched upstairs and ripped the bathroom door open. Ugh, that went so wrong! Why couldn't Stefan just open up to her? She wanted him to be honest with her, what was so wrong with that? Once Elena had finally calmed down, she looked downstairs into the kitchen and didn't see Stefan. "He must be going off on Damon for mentioning Katherine to her." she thought. Instead of going downstairs she decided to go explore Stefan's room. He had only opened the door for her to glance inside during the tour so now she wanted to see it for herself. As she began to walk towards Stefan room she heard music coming from the room across from it. She was curious and opened the door.
"Do you not know how to knock?" said the voice who was sitting at a desk with his back turned away from her.
"Oh, Damon. I'm really sorry! I just heard music and I was curious. I didn't mean to interrupt you, I'll leave now." she said softly.
"No, wait. It's okay, stay for a minute." he said turning towards her with a smile.
"I really should go find Stefan...we got into an argument and I need to find him to apologize." she said.
"I'm guessing you brought up Katherine?" he smiled, "Good job, but Stefan actually stepped out for a moment. Come on, I'll help you finish dinner."
"...Oh, well...okay I guess." she said
Damon grabbed Elena's hand and went rushing down the stairs. Elena's heart was pounding and her face was bright red. She could feel electricity running through her hand as Damon held it and she liked it. Her hand felt good against his and their hands fit together.
"Okay well, lets get started. Tell me about yourself Ms. Gilbert. I'd like to know allll about you."
"Well there's not much to know really." she said, "Unless your interested in depressing things."
"I see, well let's hear anyways if that's alright with you." he said.
"Well, last summer was a hard summer for me. Both of my parents...passed away in a car accident. Their car ran off a bridge and I was in the back seat. I don't know how but somehow I managed to get out of the car but my parents didn't." Elena could feel the tears beginning to fill her eyes. "They had come to pick me up from a party. If it wasn't for me being so careless they wouldn't have had to get out during the night to come get me. The crash never would have happened. My parents are dead because of me." she began sobbing and tears were streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, excuse me.."
Elena walked out into the living room and wiped the tears from her face but they kept coming. She was standing there and could feel her body shaking with sobs and then she felt someone take hold of her shoulders and spin her around.
"Look at me Elena. You can't blame yourself for their deaths. It's not your fault, things happen for a reason. Do you understand me?" he had concern in his eyes.
"If it wasn't for me they wouldn't have had to go out! The accident wouldn't have happened Damon! It's all my fault!" she was sobbing harder and then she was in his arms.
"Elena, don't cry...it's okay. I didn't mean to bring it up. Just calm down."
Good job Damon, way to make her cry! He thought to himself.
Elena couldn't explain what she was feeling at that moment. She was upset, hurt, guilt hung over her, but the moment Damon took her into his arms she felt...safe, warm, genuinely happy, and loved. When Stefan held her she didn't have those feelings. What is going on...? she thought. Elena lightly pulled herself away from Damon and looked up into his gorgeous blue eyes. For a moment she was speechless.
"Wow..I'm so sorry Damon. I can't believe I just cried like that in front of you. Thanks for comforting me though." she tried her hardest to smile.
"I shouldn't have made you talk about it. I'm sorry...I have to go." and he took off running up the stairs to his bedroom.
Elena was confused and she could tell that he felt bad so she took off after him.
"Damon! Don't feel bad. Really, it's not your fault! You didn't know about my parents. It's okay. I'm telling you that it's..." and her words were cut off.
She was in Damon's arms and she could feel his lips against hers. Her thoughts began to swim and she felt dizzy. Her legs felt like jell-o beneath her and they began to give way but Damon had caught her. His lips were still against hers and she could feel his tongue begin to part her lips letting her know it was okay and that he wanted to make the kiss more passionate. Elena obeyed his command and felt herself being laid down on his bed. Elena wanted him but she knew this was wrong, she was with Stefan and in that moment she pushed him off of her and bolted upright.
"Damon, what the hell? I'm with Stefan, you can't do that!" she cried.
"Don't deny that you liked it." he smiled at her.
"Ugh, how dare you Damon! Just stay away from me!" she took off down the stairs.
What had just happened? Elena could not believe Damon would do that to her, what are jerk! Then her thoughts wondered to the fact that she didn't stop him at first. Elena had wanted it until her thoughts were clear and Stefan popped into her mind. Oh god, she had to get out of here. Elena got into her car and took off. She would call Stefan later and tell him that something came up. All she knew was the she had to get out of that house.
