**Chapter fifteen**

The confrontation

*Hailey*

What did you do when you found out that the guy you were falling for was a vampire?

I must've stared at my wall for an hour, half in shock, and half terrified. Damon was a vampire. A vampire. He might've killed Carly; he might be planning on killing Ava. I was falling for a murderer.

I sighed, and shook my head to clear it; my first movement in forty-five minutes. Ellie had fallen asleep in my lap, completely unaware of my crisis at hand.

I had four options on how to move forward with the new vampire situation. One, I could pretend like I was still an oblivious human in the dark about the supernatural. Two, I could move far, far away from Mystic Falls and hoped that I never crossed Damon's path again. Three, I could check myself into the physiatric ward- which I probably have coming. Or four, I could confront him, and pray that he wouldn't rip my throat out.

It wasn't the smartest or safest option, but even a horrified Hailey Ellis wasn't a cowardly one. I didn't avoid my problems, I met them halfway. Besides, I still had my powers to protect me, and I needed to hear it from his lips. I needed to hear Damon tell me that he was a vampire.

Despite my better judgment, I stood up and changed out of my dress. I felt like a robot, my movements very mechanical. I wished that I could go back to a few days ago, where my biggest worry was Elena finding out that I was seeing Damon behind her back. Now I was in this whole new world of the supernatural, not just physics anymore, but vampires. Who knew what else was out there? Werewolves, witches, zombies, and ghosts- I felt very naïve, thinking that only physics existed.

When I was in more comfortable clothes, I hesitantly walked to my car. Thankfully, my mom wasn't home yet. I was in no mood or state of mind to fight. I was starting to think that I never was ready to fight with her. Funny, how I always considered it my favorite pastime.

Starting my car, I felt very jumpy and paranoid, like vampires were everywhere. As I drove to the Salvatore house, my mind ran through what else I had foolishly ignored or denied. If Damon was a vampire, I safely assumed that Stefan was one also. Did Elena know the truth? I bet she did, since she was telling me to stay away from Damon.

My heart panged, as I thought about him. Was he just using me? Did he even care about, just a little? Was he just using me to piss of Stefan and Elena? Was he just planning on killing me, draining me of my blood?

Anger and grief seeped into me, as I drove mechanically to the Salvatore Boarding House. Before I knew it, an old glass bottle on the passenger seat shattered, a piece of glass almost hitting me in the face.

I shook my head, as I pulled up to the Salvatore house. I had to get a grip on my emotions, or I would end up exposing myself.

Slowly, I made my way to the front door. My common sense told me run back to my car, and never talk to Damon again, but I barely ever listened to my common sense. I was a little surprised that I even had it.

I took a deep breath, and then knocked on the front door. This wasn't some random guy- this was Damon Salvatore who I was convinced was a vampire. He was my friend, my drinking buddy. We had made out numerous times, and I was developing feelings for him. I couldn't run away, I couldn't avoid him. I needed to find out the truth, and then…

And then I needed to let him go.

I bit my lip, as I knocked again. If Damon was dangerous, if he was the one killing people in my home, if he planned on killing me too, I needed to tell him goodbye. I've done a lot of stupid stuff, but sticking around and continuing on falling for a vampire even when I know he'll kill me would be a new low for me.

I sighed, pushing my bangs out of my face. I didn't want to let Damon go, even if he was a blood thirsty monster, Even if he could kill me. It scared me, but I've grown attached to him.

I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn't notice when Damon opened the door. "Hailey?" he asked, sounding a little surprised.

I looked up at him, and for a second there was a flash in his blue eyes, almost like he knew why I was here. Still, he raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

I took a deep calming breath, and shrugged. I made sure not to look him in the eyes, because I knew that he would be able to see my fear and horror in them. "I was bored." I lied nonchalantly.

I don't think he completely bought my lie, but he still moved out of the way to let me into the house. I followed him carefully, and looked around the house for anyone else. We were alone. I was alone with a vampire.

"What's wrong?" he asked bluntly, as I followed him into the kitchen. He walked to the cabinets, while I leaned awkwardly against the table in the room.

I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing," I lied, still averting my eyes.

"Please," he rolled his icy blue eyes, "You look terrified. I'm guessing that's why you won't look me in the eyes."

I didn't respond, and studied my nails. I had just painted them bright neon blue. Damon walked over to me, and silently pressed a glass of whiskey into my hands.

"You look like you could really use one." He said solemnly, his eyes searching my face. He sighed, before walking back to his spot across the room, by the sink.

I took a much needed sip, the burning sensation giving me strength. I managed to look him straight in eyes, as he asked, "So, what happened to you?"

"I found out the truth about someone who I was growing pretty close to. Turns out he's not who I thought I was." I said bluntly, my gaze unwavering.

He had to know who I was talking about, that I knew the truth about him and his brother. But still, he looked away from my gaze, and said, "Oh, really? How did you find out?"

I sighed; I wish he'd just admit it to me, that I didn't have to flat out ask him. "Detective work, mostly. But honestly, it was just dumb luck that I found out his secret. I haven't confronted him yet, though. I'm waiting for him to tell me, though I don't think he ever will."

Damon watched me carefully, his blue eyes searching my face. I just stared him down, while thinking about the best way to confront him about his mortality. Suddenly, an idea came to me, and walked slowly to the counter, where a knife set was.

Before Damon could raise his eyebrows, I grabbed a long and skinny knife. Then I cut a long line on my left arm, causing me to hiss in pain. I dropped the knife, and watched the thick crimson liquid pool over and drip onto the floor.

I looked up at Damon, who was watching my blood like it was the best tasting bourbon to ever exist. I watched him, my cut stinging on my arm.

"What's the matter, Damon? It's just a little blood." I whispered. His eyes never left my blood, and my eyes never left him.

It was like he was in a trance that my blood put him under. Hours seemed to go by, before he took a slight step forward. I automatically took two back, thinking that maybe this wasn't the best plan after all.

But it was too late, temptation finally broke Damon. I barely had time to gasp, before he was across the room, and his fangs sunk into my neck.

I screamed in pain, as Damon dug deep into my skin. He was sucking my blood from me very fast, and I felt the world start to blur.

If my survival instincts hadn't kicked in then, I would've been very dead. I felt all this pent up energy; pent up power, explode within me, and Damon went flying across the room, smashing into the fridge.

I was sprinting to the front door before even hit the floor. Blood was still dripping from both of my wounds, and I felt very woozy. I expected Damon to chase after me, to finish what he started, but he never did.

I drove home as fast as I could, barely slowing down to rip my t-shirt and wrap the cotton around my cut and my bite. I almost wanted to go to Elena's, to have her tend to my injuries like the mother hen she was. I wanted her to tell me how she got over Stefan being a vampire, and that I was better off without Damon and all his danger. I wanted a friend.

The heavy night air surrounded me, as I pulled to a stop in my driveway. I stayed in my car, and rested my head against the steering wheel. I thought about the promise I'd made to myself before I confronted Damon. If he was too dangerous, if he could and would get me killed, I would tell him goodbye. I could still feel his teeth digging into my neck, yet I didn't want to say goodbye to Damon any more than I did a few days ago.

It seemed that not even my almost-death could make me hate Damon Salvatore.

~LMF~

A/N: this was short, but I updated really fast, so that makes up for the shortness. Happy Friday the thirteenth!

Thank you: AudreyDarke96, aireagle92, Carrie9586, and jacquline for reviewing!

I think you guys all know by now that reviews= faster updates.

~ Abby