**Chapter twelve**

Hot date

*Hailey*

"So, why don't you have your car?" Elena asked, as she pulled to a stop in front of my house.

"Uh, my mom gave me a ride." I lied, and Elena raised her eyebrows.

"Why would she do that?" Elena asked, and I was pretty sure that she thought that I was with Damon- which I was.

"So that she could talk to me about going to the Founder's ball." I grimaced, and Elena relaxed, buying my lie.

"Oh, okay then. Am I going to be seeing you tonight?" she asked, as I grabbed my backpack.

"I… don't think so." I said, biting my lip. This was going to be hard, hiding Damon from Elena.

"Why not?" she asked, frowning.

"Because I have a hot date," I said, and Elena's eyebrows shot up.

"Who is he? Do I get to meet him?" she questioned.

I smirked at her as I got out of the car. "Nope." I said, swinging my bag onto my shoulder.

"Why not?" she asked and I tried really hard to ignore the hurt in her eyes.

"Because… I don't want to jinx it?" I said, before walking quickly to the front door.

"Wait, Hailey!" Elena shouted after me, but I just slammed the door behind me. That wasn't suspicious at all, I thought sarcastically to myself.

I walked into the kitchen, and grabbed a cupcake from the counter. I bit into the chocolate frosting, as I walked to the fridge for some milk. That's when I noticed the yellow paper stuck to the fridge by a magnet.

I sighed, and pulled it off. I was glad I had chocolate, as I sat down to read my mom's note.

Hailey-

I left early to go help Carol Lockwood set up. I put a dress that you can wear on your bed. I also left you some shoes and accessories too. And for your hair and makeup, you should wear your hair up, and I don't think you should wear any makeup since you usually look like a hooker when you apply it yourself.

You should be here by eight at the latest. And I swear to god, if you're a no show Hailey, that cat will be the first thing to go.

-Holly

P.S, I need you to go through the box of Ellis family artifacts, and look for your great-great-uncle's watch. Bring it to the ball.

I laughed humorlessly, and crumpled the piece of paper into a ball and threw it at the wall, pissed off at my mom. I had half a mind to just not go tonight, but I couldn't risk Ellie like that.

I got up and grabbed the musty cardboard box that was sitting on the counter, and trudged to my room. I took satisfaction in hearing the tacky candy dish my mom loved shatter into a million pieces.

I petted Ellie quickly, as I walked into my room. I dropped the box on the floor, hearing a couple fragile items break, but I was too busy looking at the hideous dress on my bed. My eyes focused on the outfit on my bed, and my nose wrinkled in disgust. It was all pink and with a lot of ruffles, and I knew that there was no way that I would be wearing that.

I smirked to myself, as I tossed the ugly dress and it's accessories out the window. It landed in a pile of mud, and I laughed. Just because my mom was making me behave, didn't mean that I had to dress like a ruffle wearing goody-goody.

I walked to my closet, and flipped through the small amount of dresses that I owned. I stopped at a lacy red dress that looked good on me, and that my mom hated. I set that and a pair of strappy heels on my bed, and then turned to the box of old Ellis family crap.

I went through it, finding smaller boxes inside the huge box. I set a box labeled "Victoria" on the ground, to find the old, rusty watch at the bottom.

I frowned, and looked at the Victoria box again. The name sounded very familiar to me, and even though I only had an hour to get ready before Damon came, I pulled the square box to me.

The box was full of pictures and papers, along with what looked to be a diary. Ellie came over to me, meowing for attention. But something about this unknown Victoria held my attention, and I pushed her away.

I found a copy of the Ellis family tree in the box, and unrolled it. This one was handwritten, and stopped in the middle of the 1800's. I found Victoria's name at the bottom of the tree, next to her brother, William. That's when I remembered- Victoria was the only other Ellis girl by blood, besides me.

I sighed, coming out of my trance. I put all the papers back in the small box, and set that, along with Victoria's diary on my nightstand. I had to get ready now, or I would still be drying my hair when Damon showed up.

Putting the watch on my bed, I walked to my bathroom to take a fast shower. I could already feel the butterflies in my stomach, and I shook my head, ashamed. I didn't get nervous over guys, but I also never put them over Elena.

I guess my hot date had me breaking all of my rules.

*Damon*

Damon straightened his tie, looking at his reflection in the mirror. Usually, he only went to these things to charm the council members, and keep his secret hidden. But now he was escorting Hailey, and that confused him greatly.

When he was with Hailey, he forgot all about Katherine. It wasn't like he was healed from where her claws had ripped his heart out, but like there had never been a Katherine in the first place. It was hard, thinking that he was starting to grow feelings for Hailey, when for over a century, he had been pining after Katherine.

Damon shook his head- he wouldn't think about that. He would think about how he knew that it pissed off Elena and Stefan, his friendship with Hailey. Especially since the friendship seemed to be blooming into something more.

Damon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion- why hadn't he just charmed Hailey into sleeping with him already? He knew that she was into him, and that it wouldn't be hard to get her into his bed, but yet he was taking her to breakfast and being her date to pointless dances. Damon would never compel her to sleep with him- rape was very low, even for him- but it confused him, why he was beating around the bush when it came to Hailey.

Maybe because he actually liked her as a person that made her different from every other girl he had ever been with. That had to be it, not that he might actually be developing feelings for her. She was his friend, and was turning into his "special" friend.

"You're actually going to the ball tonight?"

Damon didn't even look up at Stefan. "Of course, brother. I have a very hot date to take." Damon turned around and smirked at him.

"Speaking of which, I'm late to pick her up." He said, walking around his brother to the door.

Without another word, Damon left for Hailey's house. Stefan stared where his brother stood a few seconds ago, hoping that he didn't mean Hailey.

Damon knocked on Hailey's front door, feeling something gnaw at his stomach. It was nerves- Damon Salvatore didn't do nervous- but it was something along the lines of it.

He vaguely heard a hair drier coming from what he assumed to be Hailey's room. He knocked again, and then heard her curse.

"You can come in!" he heard her shout. "I'm almost ready."

With that invitation, Damon walked into her house. He smirked slightly, as he heard Hailey's frantic movements from upstairs.

"Okay, I'm ready."

Damon looked up to the stairs. His eyes widened, and he swore that his heart skipped a beat. That hadn't happened, staring at a beautiful woman, since Katherine. Damon noted in his head, that Hailey in general, was making him feel things he hadn't felt since Katherine.

Hailey was wearing a short red dress that showed off the best parts of her body. Her dark hair was in curls, and the black onyx ring was very visible on her left hand. That ring made him think of Victoria, and innumerable times he saw her wearing it. Up until the days when Katherine came to town. That's when Victoria's craziness took a turn for the worst.

Damon had gotten used to Hailey looking like Victoria, and had decided that it really meant nothing, probably just family genes. Because Victoria and Hailey were opposites, down to the last detail. Hailey had a spark of mischief in her bright green eyes and an air of arrogance about her that Victoria never had. Not to mention that damn smirk that had to be the sexiest thing in the world-

Damon shook his head slightly, trying to clear it, as Hailey smiled at him. She shrugged on her jacket, as she checked him out. He smirked at her, as she walked closer to him.

Remembering how Hailey had left him hanging that morning, Damon suddenly pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. His tongue lightly grazed her bottom lip, before he pulled away. Hailey gasped for air, as he wiped the smudges of red lipstick from his lips.

"I don't like being upstaged." he said casually, as he opened the front door for her.

Hailey narrowed her eyes at him, while he just smirked back. They walked to Damon's Camaro, and Damon felt very smug from kissing Hailey.

"Did I mention how incredibly sexy you look tonight?" Damon said casually, as he opened the passenger door for her.

"You don't look too shabby yourself." She smirked back, a black curl falling into her face. Damon pushed it back behind her ear, and he smirked to himself as he heard her breath catch.

Suddenly, Hailey threw an arm around his neck, and kissed him fiercely. Damon barely had time to grab her waist, as she bit slightly down onto his bottom lip. She pulled away just as fast as he had a smug grin on her lips. Her red lipstick was smudged, and Damon was sure that a lot of it was on his lips.

"I don't like to be upstaged either." She whispered into his ear, before sitting down into the passenger seat.

Damon closed her door, laughing slightly. He walked to the driver's side of his blue Camaro, a half smile on his lips.

There was something about Hailey Ellis, something special. He didn't know what it was, but he really wanted to find out.

*Hailey*

"Hailey, what are you wearing?"

Damon and I in the line to get into the party, and we were finally at the front. It was fine though, because Damon brought me my bourbon and I was already buzzed.

"Something that doesn't look like it was made for nuns. Besides, you should be glad that I'm wearing a dress at all. If I had it my way, I'd be in skinny jeans and my leather jacket right now." I smirked at my mother, who was in a dress that looked like it had been made for ninety year olds.

My mother glared at me, and I smirked back at her. "Did you bring the watch?" she snapped, as Damon watched us with raised eyebrows.

I pulled it out of my pocket, and gave it to her. The watch made me think of Victoria- I would definitely be reading her diary when I had free time. I didn't know if it was because she was the only other Ellis girl by blood, but I found her interesting for some reason.

My mother turned her attention to Damon, and her face instantly changed to one a Lioness might have, watching an innocent gazelle graze in the grass.

"Damon," she said, batting her eyelashes. My nose wrinkled in disgust. "Nice to see you again."

"You too, Holly." Damon said awkwardly, and I glared at my mother for flirting with my date.

"Okay, Mommy Dearest, we're going inside." I said, my fingers entwining with Damon's, and I pulled him with me into the house. My mom looked like she was going to argue, but I already pulled us around the corner.

Damon grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, and gave me one. We clinked glasses, and I tried not to chug mine.

"Your mom…" Damon said, as I finished my drink, and grabbed another.

"I know, there's really no words." I said, and Damon smiled slightly.

I set my empty glass down, and, in my alcohol-induced buzz, wrapped my arms around his neck.

"There's a broom closet right around the corner- we can hide from my mother in it." I whispered, kissing him lightly on the lips.

Damon pulled me into a dark corner, away from wandering eyes, and kissed my neck. I sighed and closed my eyes, as his lips trailed across my jaw to my lips.

I opened my eyes and gasped slightly, as I thought I saw Damon's face. His eyes were red and veiny, and I thought I saw fangs in his teeth.

But I blinked, and his eyes were back to their intoxicating blueness, and his teeth were fangless. "What?" he asked, pulling away from me.

I shook my head. "Nothing," I mumbled, brushing my curls out of my face. "I think I need to slow down with the drinks." I said honestly.

Damon looked like he was going to say something, when he was cut off.

"Hailey, I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Oh my god," I breathed, pushing Damon away. "It's Elena, she can't know. You need to leave."

I smoothed down my dress and my hair, tried to fix my lipstick as best as I could. When I looked back at Damon, he was gone.

"Hey," Elena smiled, as she walked up to me.

I smiled back, slightly breathless. "Hey, where's Stefan?" I asked, grabbing another glass of champagne.

"Getting us drinks." She replied, before reaching out and wiping stray lipstick off.

"Oh, thanks." I said, feeling very nervous. This was a dumb idea, going with Damon. It would be so easy for Elena to find out about us.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern, smoothing down one of my curls.

"Oh-yeah, of course." I mumbled, my heart pounding. I was still a little shaken up from seeing Damon's demon-like face, even if I just imagined it.

"You sure?" Elena asked again, and I nodded, draining my drink. The alcohol was relaxing me, and calming down my nerves.

"So, where's your date?" she asked, and I stiffened.

"Uh, bathroom?" I shrugged, like it didn't matter.

"Who is he?" Elena tried, and I avoided her gaze.

"Oh, looks like my mom's call me. Coming mom!" I shouted at a random chair, before running away from Elena. She stared at my retreating figure, hurt and confused.

Tonight definitely wasn't going to be as fun as I hoped.

*Elena*

Elena watched her best friend leave, and felt her confusion and hurt melt away into suspicion. Hailey had never lied to her before, but what if she was still seeing Damon behind Elena's back?

She looked at Stefan, as he returned with their drinks. She took a sip of hers, before asking him, "Is Damon here tonight?"

Stefan nodded, and Elena grimaced. "He said he had a date, but wouldn't tell me who." Stefan added.

Elena glowered at the floor. "Same with Hailey." She muttered.

Stefan raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend. "You don't think-?" he asked, both thinking the same thing.

Elena didn't respond, but an idea popped into her head. What if Damon was compelling Hailey? What if he was using her like he did with Caroline last year?

Elena felt white-hot anger towards the oldest Salvatore, as a plan formed. She looked up at Stefan, her brown eyes determined.

"Did you bring any vervain with you?" she asked him.

Stefan nodded, and pulled out a plastic bag full of the plant. He was careful not to touch the plant itself.

Elena grabbed the bag, and then went to the open bar. Stefan followed her curiously, wondering what his girlfriend was up to.

"One glass of bourbon, please." Elena asked the bartender sweetly.

He raised his eyebrows, but poured her the drink anyways. Elena smiled, and tipped him a ten, before leaving with her drink.

Stefan's questions were answered, as Elena crushed one plant, and then mixed it into the drink. As the plant dissolved, Elena stuck the bag into her pocket.

"Maybe Damon's compelling her. If he is, he can't now." Elena said to Stefan, before going to look for her best friend.

*Hailey*

I looked around for Damon, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I was very worried that Elena was onto us, but all I could do was hope that she wasn't.

As I finished my glass of champagne, I was starting to realize that I needed something stronger if I wanted to go home drunk.

As if reading my mind, Elena walked up to me, a glass of bourbon in her hand. I grinned, as she gave it to me.

"I really shouldn't be supporting your drinking problem, but I figure that if you're not drunk tonight, your mom is probably going to end up murdered." Elena said, as I took the glass from her.

"Thanks, I was just thinking that I needed something stronger." I said, stirring the drink.

Elena seemed to be waiting for me to drink it, and I felt her eyes on my very exposed neck.

"Well, I should probably go find my date. I think he's hiding from me." I smirked, as I walked away from her. Elena just nodded, walking back to Stefan. Something was off about her.

I found Damon at the museum part of the ball. He was staring at the Salvatore window, which was next to the Ellis one.

"I really don't get everybody's obsession with the founding families." I said, as I looked at same family tree I had studied hours ago. But this time, my name was at the bottom instead of Victoria's.

"Me too. I think it's just bragging rights, to be able to say that your ancestors helped found Mystic Falls." Damon said, finally looking at me.

I smirked at him. "Wanna dance?" I asked, pushing a curl out of my eyes.

Damon groaned. "I'm going to need to be less sober if you're making me dance." He said, grabbing my hand to pull me to the bar with him.

I laughed, letting him pull me. I pressed my glass to my lips, and took a large gulp. I readied myself for the familiar burn.

But I never got the burn.

My green eyes widened in shock, as my glass fell from my hands and shattered. I fell to my knees, coughing like crazy. I felt weak, like the energy was literally drained from me.

Damon looked down at me, his blue eyes wide. He was staring at the small puddle of blood on the floor that I had coughed up.

I met his gaze, begging him to tell me what was happening. I saw him reach out for me, but that's when the weakness and no energy really got to me.

My eyes rolled back into my head, and I passed out on the floor.

A/N: so, I was thinking to myself that it might be a little confusing for you guys, where the TV series intercepts with my story. So basically, for the sake of my story, we can all pretend that second and third season never happened, along with the second half of the first season. I just hope that you guys weren't too confused, I never got any messages saying that you were.

Thank you to: aireagle92, vdemily, and Darkness-Princess-Kit for reviewing!

Reviews make me smile!