**Chapter three**

Dinner with the Lockwood's

*Hailey*

I reached my house, and sighed, slowly trudging into the house.

"Hailey! There you are! Go up to your room, and change. I put an outfit on your bed, and you are to wear it, and only it, okay? Don't wear one of your outfits, or you can say goodbye to your credit cards." said my mom, coming into the room, in a silk robe, and her hair in curlers.

I rolled my eyes, and started up the stairs to my room.

"Of course, mom, we wouldn't want the Lockwood's to think that I'm a whore, would we? Especially when you do such a good job at doing that yourself." I said, smirking, then ran up the stairs, before my mom could throw something at me.

I opened my bedroom door, walked into it, then slammed and locked it. I looked at my bed, and I froze.

There on the bed was the most hideous outfit I've ever seen.

"Gross." I said.

The dress was flowery with pink flowers, and white flats. My mother had laid out pearl earrings and a necklace.

I made a face, but changed into the ugly dress, feeling my anger increase, as I put on pearls. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, before looking at myself in the full length mirror on my wall.

I looked like I was going to church.

I felt a rush of anger towards my mother, for making me go to this god awful dinner, and dressing like something I wasn't. Added with my anger and hurt towards Elena, I could've punched a nun in the face, and not feel guilty. My ring started glowing, and my mirror started to shake. A few seconds later, it burst.

I ducked, to keep from getting cut by the flying glass, and covered Ellie, who had come over here when the mirror first started shaking. When things calmed down, I stood up and looked around my room, taking in what happened.

Glass was scattered around the one foot radius of the mirror, other than that everything was in good condition.

"I really have to learn to control my temper." I said to Ellie, who gave an annoyed meow back, before bouncing back over to her haven that is my bed.

I rolled my eyes at my cat, but smiled, then I brushed myself off. Then I skipped out the door, saying, "Later, Elle." to Ellie.

When I got downstairs to where my mom was waiting. "What was that noise up there?" she asked.

I rolled my eyes. "World War three. What do you think it was? I knocked my alarm clock over, which knocked over the night stand." I lied.

She glared at me, before taking in what I looked like. I saw a look of longing pass through her eyes, which made a look of anger pass through mine. I looked like the daughter she always wanted, but instead, she got me, which made me mad.

There was a time where I would do anything to get my mother's love, and to want her to want me, but then I got sick of being something I'm not get love from a person who's never going to love me for who I am, so I gave up. She resented me because I didn't wear dresses, wasn't a cheerleader, and didn't hold back my thoughts and feelings. I resented her, because she won't accept me the way I am.

"I love this dress on you, it covers most your god awful tattoos." she said.

I had three tattoos. A broken heart on my hip, a four leaf clover on my ankle, and the Chinese symbol of strength on my wrist.

I smirked at her. "I know, what a shame." I said.

She glared at me. "Would it kill you to be a normal teenage girl?" she snapped.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure it would." I smirked.

"One of these days, your mouth is going to land you in some serious trouble." She said.

"Mom, I don't care where I am, as long as you're not with me." I said coldly, before walking out of the house. My mother didn't even flinch; she didn't care about me enough, to have my cruel retorts hurt her anymore.

"Hailey! Look how much you've grown!" said Mrs. Lockwood, as she and her husband greeted us at the door.

"Uh, thanks." I said, uncomfortably.

Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood had always made me uncomfortable. My mom had befriended them, and ever since, all three had plotted together to make me a normal, respectable young woman, and a good founding family member. Not to mention, to get Tyler Lockwood and I together.

"You're really turning into a beautiful young woman, Hailey." Mr. Lockwood said.

"Uh, thanks." I repeated, even more uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Tyler showed up to our small group by the front doors.

"Tyler, how nice of you to finally joining us." said Mr. Lockwood sarcastically.

"No problem, pops." he retorted, smirking at me.

"Uh, Tyler, how about you and Hailey go upstairs to your bedroom until dinner is ready." Said Mrs. Lockwood, sharing a smile with my mom.

"Yes, Hailey, go." my mom seconded, pushing me to Tyler.

Tyler sighed, and I made a face, but I followed him when he headed for his room.

"Yes, Tyler, let us go to your bedroom, where of course we'll fall madly in love, and carry on our family name." I said, with a roll of my eyes.

Tyler chuckled. "It's good to have you back, Hails."

Tyler is one of closest friends. He could be a dick sometimes, but I called him out on it. That's how our friendship worked. But when Matt and Elena got together, it fueled our mothers' plans to get us together. In all honesty, Tyler was hot, but any chances of us getting together were ruined by my mother's pushing.

We walked into Tyler's room, and I laid down on to his bed. I closed my eyes, and I knew Tyler was checking me out. But I didn't mind.

"So, Hails, care to share why you're dressed the way you're dressed?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at my clothes, as I opened my bright green eyes again.

I sighed, and leaned my head against the head board of his bed.

"My mom threatened to get rid of my cat. Don't I look like I should be going to church?"

Tyler chuckled. "I don't think you're allowed in church, Hailey." he said.

I glared at him. "Shut up!" I said, trying to kick him.

He dodged it, and laughed.

Then a maid came in to the room. "Your parents' say it is time for dinner." she said with a Spanish accent.

We nodded, and then headed out the door, and to the dining room, where dinner is being held. This should be interesting, I thought, as we joined are parents in the dining room, and dinner began.

I picked at my dinner, bored out of my mind, as Mr. Lockwood droned on and on about Founder's Council stuff. I have to say, this by far has got to be the worst thing I have ever suffered through in a long time. Calculus class is more fun than this.

After hours of torture, my mother finally said we would be leaving. Beaming with happiness, I hugged Tyler, to his surprise and our mothers' glee.

We said our goodbyes, and walked to the car. I ignored my mother, already planning to hit the bar when we got home. I really needed a drink right now.

"That went well." My mother said cheerfully, starting the car.

"We're alone now, you don't have to pretend to like me anymore." I snapped, leaning against the window.

My mother gritted her teeth, but didn't say anything. I think she knew better than to mess with me, after forcing me into an ugly dress and sit through a boring dinner. I was glad, because after my not-so awesome day back, I didn't really feel like getting into a fight.

I closed my eyes, really needing that drink right now.

I hurried away from my mom, when we reached the house. I got dressed into jean short shorts, and a black Three Days Grace t-shirt. I let my long, dark hair fall past my shoulders, then grabbed my purse.

I walked straight past my mother in the kitchen, and walked to my car. I drove to the Mystic Grill, looking forward to the glass of Bourbon waiting me.

I was a slight alcoholic. I had started drinking more lately, as things between my mother and I grew worse. I knew it was a terrible way to deal with my emotions, and I would be attending AA meetings in the future, but I was already in too deep.

The Grill wasn't very full, only a couple of kids in the back playing pool, and a guy at the bar. I walked straight up to the bar, and hopped on a stool.

"Bourbon, and leave the bottle", I said to the bartender, setting my purse down.

The bartender looked over at me, and so did the only other guy at the bar, but I didn't get a good look at him.

The bartender, Frank, who was in his mid-thirties, came over to me with a smirk on his face.

"And how old are you? Quite below the drinking age I believe." he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Cut the shit, Frank. It's been a long day, and I'm not in a good mood, so just get me my drink like a good little bartender." I smirked.

Frank smiled at me. "Quite the melodramatic, aren't we Hailey?" he said, before pouring my drink. He set it in front of me, and turned around to leave, but I stopped him.

"Uh, uh, uh. I believe I said leave the bottle."

Frank laughed, and set the bottle in front of me. "Let's not get too drunk, Hailey, it is a school night." he teased. I rolled my eyes, and waved him away.

I sighed in pleasure as the warm liquid burned its way down my throat. This is how I got rid of my troubles. I let my eyes wander over to the only other person sitting at the bar. They widened slightly as I checked the man out.

He was very handsome, probably in his mid-twenties. He had dark black hair, and icy blue eyes, and a dark aura of danger and sexiness.

Suddenly, blue met green, and the man smirked at me, which I returned, before tossing back my shot.

He came over to me, and I brushed my dark bangs out of my face, to see him better. I already had a slight buzz, and an alarm was going off in my head. Men and alcohol didn't mix well for me. But I didn't tell him to go away, just kept on smirking.

"Hi." I said, pushing my hair back.

"Hello." He smirked, checking me out. Maybe my bad day could turn into a great night.

"I'm Hailey Ellis." I said, as I poured another shot.

He cocked his head to the side slightly, as he seemed to realize something. His smirk grew wider, as he held out his hand, and said, "Damon. Damon Salvatore."

A/N: thank you for the reviews abby102030405060708090 and aireagle92. As always, reviews inspire me:)