**Chapter seven**

Living in a strange world

*Damon*

Damon heard the door click shut, and smirked at his brother. Walking past him, Damon grabbed a random bottle of alcohol, and poured himself a glass. One way to fight a hangover was to get drunker. That was his favorite way.

Damon was looking forward to Stefan and Elena finding out he had gotten to the best friend. It was sure to piss them off. Though he wasn't going after Haley to piss of his brother in the beginning, if life gives you lemons…

He knew that Victoria would come up in their conversation. It's not like Damon cared, or anything, but he didn't think Hailey looking like crazy Victoria wasn't a good thing. But of course, if Hailey offed herself like her insane ancestor, it wouldn't matter to him. He just met the girl. Sure, she was hot, and fun to get drunk with. He might even sleep with her to piss of Stefan and Elena, but he didn't care about her. He just figured it would be a waste if she died.

"She looks like Victoria. Weird." He said, taking a gulp of bourbon and smirking at his brother.

Stefan opened his mouth, but Damon cut him off. "Save your breath, Stefan. I already know what you're going to say."

In a mocking 'Stefan' voice, Damon said, "Stay away from Hailey, Damon. You're going to kill her. God, why do you have to be so mean? Blah, blah, blah. Broodiness, broodiness, broodiness." He smirked and rolled his eyes.

Stefan wasn't amused. "Leave her alone, Damon. Hailey has nothing to do with whatever you hold against me."

"Fine, I won't go near Hailey, but what if she doesn't want me to stay away?" Damon smirked at Stefan's expression then left the room. Stefan, of course, followed him.

"You compelled her." Stefan said, frowning at Damon.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't frown so much, brother. You'll get wrinkles."

Damon took another sip of his drink, thinking about the human. She was unlike any human he'd ever met. Maybe Damon wouldn't kill her. Maybe she'd be some fun to have around.

"For your information, I don't need to compel Hailey to want me. I have charming personality to do that for me."

Smirking, Damon left Stefan again. He wouldn't have to kill Hailey to get to Stefan, he realized. Just mentioning little suggestive comments was bound to burst the vein in his brother's forehead.

"You better hurry off to school, brother. Wouldn't want to keep the girls waiting." He called over his should, walking down to the basement.

Even though Damon didn't like thing it, he didn't really want to kill Hailey. He liked having her around. At least, for now. Damon was the type of person who got bored with his toys quickly. But Hailey might be the exception that rule. She was already breaking his other ones.

*Hailey*

"Hailey, stay away from him." Elena repeated when I didn't say anything.

"Why should I, Elena? I like Damon, he seems cool." I answered stubbornly.

"He's a bad guy, Hailey. He's dangerous."

I raised an eyebrow. "How?" was he a rapist? A murderer?

She paused. "He… he just is, Hailey. You have stay away from him, for me. Please." Elena sounded almost desperate as she said this.

But, I would need more than just her word to stay away from him. I had more fun with Damon last night, than I ever have. Even if I couldn't remember half of it.

"I'll think about it." I said, turning on the car.

Elena frowned at me. "Hailey-"she started to say, but I cut her off.

"Look Elena, I'm gonna need more than your word to stay away from him." I said, brushing my bangs out of my face.

Elena gaped at me. "Why? We're best friends, you should just trust me."

"Yeah, well best friends tell each other when they're falling in love with a guy. No matter how complicated it is." I snapped, just as Stefan walked out of the house.

An awkward silence filled the car the entire way to school.

While walking to my first class with my brand new schedule in my hand, I spotted a familiar shirtless guy at the football field. A mischievous smirk graced my lips.

I whistled loudly, and shouted, "Yeah, Donovan, take it off!"

Matt turned around, putting on his shirt. He beamed when he saw me.

"Hailey! You're here!" he said happily, as I jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.

Matt was the person I trusted most in the world, next to Elena- until now, I guess.

"Tyler told me you came back from California." Matt grinned, as I let go of him. We started walking towards the school; his arm slung my shoulders in a friendly way.

"So I here that you have suddenly gained bad taste in girls." I said bluntly, looking over at Matt and raising an eyebrow.

He sighed. "Glad to see you too, Hails." he said sarcastically.

"Matt, you know I'm happy to see you, you're like my brother. But you're stalling so just tell me about how the evil harpy got to you." I said.

He sighed, but said, "I know you and Caroline have your problems, but she's not that bad."

I snorted. "Yeah, and I didn't drink enough bourbon last night to fill the Atlantic Ocean." I said sarcastically.

"Drinking, Hailey? You're gonna be an alcoholic by the time you're 20." he said, obviously trying to steer the conversation away from him and Caroline.

"Stalling, Mattie? You're gonna get bitch slapped in about five seconds if you don't tell me what's going on with you and Blondie." I mocked him.

He sighed again, before answering, "Okay, Caroline and I have been dating for about a year now, and I really like her. Maybe even love her. I know you two hate each other with the burning intensity of the sun, but I care about you both, and I'd really like it if you could set aside your hatred of her, for me."

I sighed, and looked over at him, who had his puppy dog eyes set on the highest level.

"No promises." I said, sighing.

"Thank you, Hailey!" he said, hugging. I sighed, but hugged him back. Suddenly the voice that pissed me off without trying cut through the air.

"There you are Matt! I've been looking all over the place for you-" Caroline cut herself off, when she noticed me.

"Oh, Hailey, you're back, how great." she said in a voice that made it clear she didn't think it was great.

"Oh, Caroline, you're still a whore, how great for half of the male population." I repeated in the same tone of voice she used, while smirking.

Matt gaped at me, while Caroline glared, and I took that as my cue to leave.

"I said I'd try." I called to Matt, as I walked away.

"Try harder." he called back, and I rolled my eyes, as I walked into the school. Today wasn't a good day for my friendships.

I walked into History five minutes late. I ignored the teacher, who was glaring at me, and sat down in the back. Elena glared at me, and I sighed. I'd have to resolve our fight, but I just didn't want to stay away from Damon.

I thought about him, and those damn eyes. I wasn't a girl who threw away friendships for boys, but Damon was different. I sounded like a hopeless romantic, but Damon and I had a connection. And you didn't throw away connections like that without a good reason.

I closed my eyes, torn between my best friend and my drinking buddy. Why couldn't I have them both?

But I couldn't choose Damon over Elena- I didn't know him very well. I'd have to fix that.

With the teacher talking about history, I pulled my phone out, and scrolled through my contacts. I stopped at Damon; I must've gotten his number while I was drunk.

Quickly, I texted him, asking him if he wanted to hang out. Elena was watching me, looking like she knew what I was doing. I didn't meet her brown eyes, as Damon responded. He agreed to pick me up after history, and we would hang out.

I was thinking about picking a man I just met, over my best friend. It broke girl code, but there was something in those blue eyes that made it worth it.

What a strange world I was living in.

A/N: I stole the chapter title from the song Strange World by Parachute. The band is my latest obsession. The band's lead singer- Will Anderson- has eyes just as blue as Ian Somerholder's.

Thank you: vdemily and charmedgirl92 for reviewing!

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