**Chapter thirteen**

The sleepover

*Damon*

Damon grabbed Hailey before she could hit her head on the ground. He ignored the burn in his throat the blood on the floor and on Hailey's lips caused him. If he hadn't been so caught up in Hailey's strange reaction to her drink, he would've paid more attention to how unusually sweet and tempting her blood was. It smelled like sunlight, ocean breeze, and salt water.

Hailey's head rolled onto his shoulder, as he picked her up bridal style. People watched, concerned for Hailey. Damon could hear her heart pounding in her chest, so he wasn't worried. She would be okay.

Damon sniffed the spilled bourbon on floor, and his eyebrows shot up. It reeked of vervain, and Damon suddenly realized that Hailey's reaction to vervain was similar to one a vampire would have.

Was Hailey a vampire?

Damon shook his head slightly, Hailey was very human. Her blood was like a human's- better, actually- and he would've found out by now if she was a human. She was probably allergic to it.

Ignoring the stares, and the burn in his throat, Damon carried Hailey to the front doors. Holly was outside, and her eyebrows rose when she saw Damon carrying her unconscious daughter.

"What happened?" she asked, rushing over to them.

For a second, Damon thought that Holly was worried about her daughter. But then she looked around to see if anybody was looking at them, and stood in front of Hailey, as if to hide her.

"Is she drunk?" Holly whispered, and Damon narrowed his eyes at the woman. Hailey really wasn't exaggerating when she was talking about her mom.

"No, she had an allergic reaction to her drink. She'll be fine, but I'm going to take her home." Damon said, a little angry at Holly for not acting like a caring mother towards Hailey.

"Fine, just don't let anyone see her." Holly said, not even pretending to care that her daughter was injured.

Damon took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. Just then, Hailey stirred, her neon green eyes opening slightly.

"Wha- what happened?" she mumbled, trying to sit up.

"You had an allergic reaction to something in your drink." Damon said, easily holding down the struggling Hailey.

"I-I'm fine. Just lemme down." Hailey mumbled, sounding as if she just woke up.

Carefully, Damon set Hailey down on her own two feet. He let go of her, and she took a step forward, before falling down. She held her hands out, as if to keep herself up using an invisible force, but she kept falling. Damon caught her before she landed on her face.

"Okay, I'm going to carry you." He told her, picking her up. Holly watched the entire exchange with narrowed eyes, and Damon chose to ignore her.

"No, I'm fine." She mumbled her eyes half closed.

"You're half unconscious, and you're still a stubborn pain in the ass." Damon muttered, walking towards his car.

Hailey smiled up at him slightly, before passing out on his shoulder.

*Hailey*

I woke up in my bed, tucked in; as if the person who put me there wanted to make sure I was comfortable.

I groaned as I sat up, my head pounding. It wasn't a hangover pound, but it was similar. It took me a few minutes to remember what had happened last night, and when I did my eyebrows furrowed. What the hell was in my drink?

Slowly, I got up and made my way to my bathroom. Ellie followed me, her eyes constantly darting around, as if looking for danger. I smiled slightly; Ellie was my protector cat.

I groaned when I saw my reflection in my mirror- I looked like hell. My eyes were bloodshot, my normally pale skin chalky, and my curled hair frizzy beyond belief. I took a long, warm shower, and tried to remember some things that happened last night.

Whatever was in that drink knocked me out like a drug. I remembered how weak I felt, and then I remembered how it disarmed me of my powers- a scary thought, since my powers were my only source of protection against danger.

I leaned against the bathroom wall in deep thought. Something was in that drink. A bartender slipped something into it? I sighed, then got out of the shower. It was over and done with, and I made it out okay. That's all that mattered.

I got dressed in blue pajama pants with yellow ducks on them, and a black tank top. I didn't think I would be leaving the house today, I was going to relax from this surprisingly stressful week.

I walked down the stairs to the kitchen, waffles on my mind. Even though it was almost noon, I would make myself some breakfast, then watch SpongeBob. I would relax and be lazy.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I groaned slightly. I wouldn't be tolerating people on my lazy day. Still, I walked to the door and pulled it open.

"What?" I snapped, only to look up at a smirking Damon.

"Morning to you too, sunshine." He said sarcastically, taking in my pajamas.

"Nice pajamas." He said, and I smirked back.

"I know, very sexy. Try to restrain yourself." I said dryly, before moving aside to let him in.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Damon explained, as he followed me into the kitchen.

"I'm okay, just really confused." I answered, pulling my hair into a messy bun.

"Well, I'm confused too." He muttered, as If he was more confused than me.

I raised an eyebrow, but didn't respond. I got the frying pan out of the drawers, and then walked to the fridge for ingredients.

"What are you making?" Damon asked, leaning against a wall.

"Breakfast, want some?" I asked.

"I can make you breakfast." He offered, walking over to me.

Since I never passed up people doing something for me, and I was curious to know if Damon could cook, I let him make me breakfast. I sat down at the table, and watched him fry bacon.

When he slid my breakfast in front of me, I dug in. my stomach was growling, and it smelled amazing. My eyes widened slightly- he was an amazing cook, even better than my dad who was a professional. He used to work at a small, fancy restaurant in the next town over.

"So, did I move up on the Hailey Ellis Scale of Favorite People?" he asked, as I went to wash the dishes.

"Yes, you moved up considerably." I said, and Damon laughed.

"That's always good to know." He said, moving to help me with the dishes.

I waved him away, while washing a knife, and ended up slicing my hand open.

"Shit." I cursed, grabbing rag and held it to my bleeding hand. Damon went stock still, as I wiped the dripping blood off of my arm.

"I don't think I need stiches, it isn't too deep. Just hurts like a mother-" I turned to look at Damon, but he was still frozen. His eyes were glued to the bloody rag in my right hand.

"You okay?" I asked, frowning slightly.

Damon didn't respond, and the corner of my mouth twitched. "You squeamish?" I teased, but no humor crossed Damon's face.

"I-I think I should be going." Damon said, tearing his gaze away from my blood. I frowned at him, but he was already gone.

I stared at my cut, thinking about the list of weird things about Damon Salvatore. He was supposedly "dangerous", he was really good a disappearing fast, that scary demon face he pulled last night, and now he was blood squeamish.

That list kept getting longer with each passing day.

~LMF~

I had my hand wrapped up, and was channel surfing in my bed, when my phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?" I said lazily, not taking my eyes off of the How I Met Your Mother rerun.

"Did you check the school website?"

I dropped the remote, and stiffened. "You mean that the list is up?" I said, biting my lip.

"Uh-huh." Elena said, and I could tell that she was smirking.

"And you already checked it, didn't you?" I guessed, getting out of my warm bed.

"Uh-huh."

I sighed. "Don't tell me, I need to see it for myself." I said, starting up my lap top.

"Hailey, I can just tell-" Elena started to say, but I cut her off.

"Elena, I need to see that god forsaken list for myself." I said firmly, going to the school website.

"Okay, but the answer's still gonna be the same." Elena said, amused.

I clicked on the link for the list, and then stared at it, scanning the names.

"NO! NO! NO!"

I glared at my name, almost at the top. I even beat up Caroline, and I'm still a damn cheerleader?

Elena laughed. "Yep, Hails, you're a cheerleader now."

I glared at my name, like it was offending me morally. No, I wasn't a cheerleader. I was the chick who beat up cheerleaders!

"Are you done pouting?" Elena asked, and I shook my head fiercely.

"You can't make me, Lena." I muttered, shutting my lap top.

"We had a deal, Hailey." Elena said firmly, and I groaned.

"Fine, fine, I'll be a damn cheerleader." I mumbled, annoyed.

"It won't be as bad as you think it will be, Hailey. I'll be you'll even have some fun." Elena said cheerfully, and I rolled my eyes.

"I said I'll be a cheerleader, not that I'll have fun doing it." I said, walking back to my bed.

"Well, your first task as a cheerleader, is to go to Caroline's sleepover tonight." Elena said, and my eyes widened.

"No way in hell." I said like she was insane for even suggesting the idea.

"All cheerleaders are required to, but I'm invited because Caroline and I are friends. Also to keep you in line, but she didn't say that." Elena said, and I groaned. This day officially sucked.

"I hate my freaking life." I mumbled, before hanging up on Elena.

I glared at my wall, before sluggishly getting up to pack a bag for the sleepover. Maybe if I was really, really lucky, the apocalypse will come early, and I won't have to go to that damn sleepover.

But luck has never been on my side.

~LMF~

Two hours later, I was standing at Caroline Forbs' door, with Elena next to me. The door opened, and Sheriff Forbs ushered us in, and told us that the sleepover was downstairs. Elena smiled and thanked her, while I nodded and trudged ahead, just wanting to get this whole thing over with.

"Come on, it won't be that bad." Elena said hopefully, as we walked down the stairs to the party.

"Yes it will." I mumbled, gripping my bag that held my sleeping bag, clothes, and secret bottle of tequila.

Elena and I walked into a large room that was blasting "I Like It Like That," by Hot Chelle Rae. Cheerleaders milled around the room, talking and snacking on the junk food that was on a table, pushed against a far wall. Caroline was in the middle of the room, talking to a few girls. There was a nasty bruise on her jaw, and her nose. Elena gaped at her when she saw her, but I just tried to look innocent, with a huge smirk on my face.

"Oh my god, Caroline! What happened?" Elena asked, as she ran up to her.

"Ask Hailey." Caroline said, glaring at me. I smirked back.

"Hailey, you punched Caroline!" Elena exclaimed, glaring at me.

"she was talking shit about me, Elena. The bitch deserved it!" I defended myself, crossing my arms over my chest.

Elena sighed and gave me The Look. When she gave me the look, it meant that she was very disappointed with me. not the usual exasperation she always has, but "I'm-not-talking-to-you-until-you-apologize," disappointment. I sighed, the look made me feel all icky inside. It made me feel… guilty. Especially, because I only got The Look when I've done something really bad. I sighed again, I knew what I needed to do if I wanted Elena to continue being my friend.

I sighed. "I'm s-so-" I gulped and tried again. I closed my eyes, so that I wouldn't have to look at her face when I was apologizing.

"I'm sorry for punching you Caroline."

I opened my eyes to see Caroline blink at me. "Really?" she asked in awe.

I sighed, but nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am. But you're still a major bitch, and I hate you." I smirked at her, but it was a little forced. She glared back at me, but there was a small smile on her lips.

Damn, now she probably thinks we're friends or something, I thought, biting my lip.

As if reading my mind, Caroline ran up to me and threw her arms around me. "I'm so glad we're friends now! "She exclaimed, hugging me.

I felt stiff in her arms, and automatically opened my mouth to say some smartass retort. but then Elena shot me a look over Caroline's shoulder that clearly said, "Say something mean, and I'll never talk to you again." I sighed, but awkwardly patted her on the head until she let go.

"Okay bitches, let the partying begin!"

A tall blonde girl in her late teens walked into the room, an arrogant smirk on her face. A grin broke out onto my face, as I stared at her.

"Ava!" I screamed, and ran to the blonde. She beamed when she saw me, and hugged me tightly back when I threw my arms around her.

Ava Forbes was one of my closest friends. She was my role model and idol. she used to get me drunk on the weekends when I was fifteen, then make me greasy breakfasts after, and teach me the best ways to get over a hangover. She was two years older than me, and Caroline's cousin. A couple months before my dad died, she left Mystic Falls to go to NYU, and I haven't seen her since.

"Oh my god, Hailey! You've finally grown into your ears!" she teased when we finally pulled apart.

"Yeah, just like your nose mysteriously got smaller." I retorted, and she smiled and playfully shoved me.

"Now where's my favorite cousin?" she asked, embracing Caroline.

"Care, what the hell happened to your face?" she exclaimed, before answering her own question.

"Hailey, why'd you beat up Caroline?" Ava asked in a slightly amused voice. She knew about our mutual hatred- until now, apparently.

"It's a long story, Ava. but don't worry, we're fine now." Caroline answered for me, smiling like it had started raining money. I rolled my eyes behind her back.

Ava raised an eyebrow at me, as Caroline went back to her friends. I shrugged at her, and mouthed, 'What can you do?'

Ava shrugged too, before shouting, "All right, let's get this party started!"

I smirked, as I tossed my bag onto the ground. If there was one thing Ava knew what to do, it was party.

~LMF~

I was in a car, making out heatedly with David Lopez, one of the school's biggest players. He was as hot as the sun though.

His hands kept venturing up my shirt, and I had to push them down. Finally, enough was enough.

"Stop." I mumbled, while still kissing him. He didn't listen though.

"Stop it." I said again, more forcefully trying to pull away. He still didn't listen.

"David, I said stop!" I raised my voice, pulling away from him and his adventurous hands.

"God, chill out. Prude." he mumbled the last part.

I gasped, and glared at him. "Ass face." I snapped. Then I grabbed my purse and got out of the car.

"Really? God girl, you need to learn how to chill." he said through the window. I ignored him, and walked in the direction of my house. I brushed my blonde hair out of my face, and fixed my bra as I did this.

David followed me with his car for a few minutes, trying to get me back in the car, but soon gave up.

"Fine, your ass can walk home.," he said, before driving away.

"Dick!" I screamed after him, pissed off.

I walked along the side of the road. It was nighttime, and I was starting to get freaked out; Mystic Falls at night was super creepy.

I heard a twig snap in the woods next to me, and I jumped, and started speed walking. I kept hearing noises in the woods, following me. soon I was running, when I tripped over a rock and fell to my hands and knees.

My palms stung, and I brought them up to me to see them bloody. "Damn." I muttered.

Suddenly, someone or something grabbed my ankles and dragged me into the woods. I screamed for my life, but there was no one around to hear it. The person grabbed me by the neck and slammed me against a tree.

"Please! Don't hurt me! I'm sorry! Whatever I did, I'm sorry!" I sobbed, tears running down my cheeks.

"The families will pay for what they did." was all my attacker said, before biting me in the neck and I screamed in pain.

I yelled and screamed, but soon I felt nothing. I was numb, when I finally passed out from blood loss. When I finally died

"Hailey! Wake up!" Elena said, shaking me as I woke up screaming, drenched in sweat.

"Is she okay? What's wrong?" I looked up to see Ava looking at me, concern in her dark green eyes.

No, I wasn't okay, I wanted to say to her. I just had a vision of your death.

~LMF~

A/N: thank you to: vdemily -AKA the most impatient person alive ;) - Angelfang, AudreyDarke96, carrie9586, aireagle92, jacquline, tomboy96, SomebodyWhoCares, and Jeune Couer for reviewing!

As always, review!

~Abby