Stefan's POV

"I'm sorry what was that?"

Nik was staring at his breakfast when he repeated himself, "I think I really like her."

This is big news. Nik doesn't do like. He hasn't done like since his last girlfriend got pregnant with another guy's kid while they were dating.

He was ready to take responsibility for it and even getting ready to help raise it when she told him it wasn't his. She took a paternity test and it was the other guy's child. It damn nearly killed him.

"I think she's a nice girl, but are you sure you're ready to get back into a relationship?"

I was only asking for his own good. And a little bit of mine. He went completely mental after his last relationship. I could barely get him back after that. The next girl can't hurt him, or he'll be gone.

"I never said that. I never said relationship."

"Nik, she's about to graduate high school. I don't think she'd be ready for an open relationship or whatever".

"I didn't say that either." He developed a more serious face as he said, "I've had like 30 seconds to think about this. Can you back off so I can think? I'd say we're in the same boat, what about Elena?" He was right. I was rushing him to make a decision about his girl, because I still hadn't made a decision about mine.

"I'm sorry. Really, I was just projecting." I continued playing with the tablecloth as I came to a realization: "I do like her." Nik looked confused as I said this: "I do. I like the way she smiles and the way she listens to my stories no matter how long they are or how stupid. I like that she laughs at my jokes more than anyone I've ever known. And she's smart and can carry a conversation. And she's brave and responsible and so incredibly caring especially to her brother. She walks around with this awe of the world that I love so much. So yeah, I do like her."

Nik didn't blink.

"You sound like you more than like her, mate"

Right as he said that the intercom came on saying, "Hello residents and young teen people" yep, that was definitely Damon on there, "it's 8:30 which means breakfast is in half an hour. Wake up and get your adolescent selves over there now. Also dress appropriately for the hike. Not that I care, if it was up to me I would have you all dress inappropriately, but alas we have rules here, for some reason."

I got up and headed to y room without another word to Nik.

Was it possible? To more than like her? To love her? I liked her that's for sure. I want to ask her out there's another easy one, but love? I hear so much about love lately I don't know what to believe. There's love at first sight then the best friend turned lover then the enemy turned lover and the true love that you knew was love all along.

How am I supposed to know what love is when everyone is giving me different definitions?

I threw on a shirt and it smelled amazing, I looked down to realize it was my Save the Forest shirt, the one that Elena wore, the one that smells like it was dusted by angels.

I put on a different shirt and headed out with 5 minute to spare. There was a small trail of sleepy teenagers walking up to the dining hall. The air was crisp with light fog, my favorite weather to hike in. This day could only get better if-

-there she was.

She was dressed in hiking shorts- appropriate- and a black shirt covered by a flannel. Her hair was in a ponytail, exposing her neck and making it really hard to keep my train of thought going. Her friends laughed and she turned and looked at me.

Her smile was kind, but held a secret. A secret only we knew, which was how we almost kissed earlier. I smiled back and waved as I watched them enter the hall.

Elena's POV

"Hottie staring right at you" Bonnie said.

"What?" I responded without looking around, trying to play it cool.

"I'll take a quick look and see if he's still gazing at our lovely Elena" Care turned slyly and said, "he can totally tell we're looking, you should probably turn around before he thinks we're stalkers"

We all laughed and I turned.

He looked great. I knew he would, I saw him an hour ago, but wow. I couldn't help but smile at him, knowing that we almost shared a kiss earlier. He waved with a smile that looked more like a smirk now that I'm thinking about it. Like a child who knows a secret.

Breakfast was almost as good as those eggs earlier. There were fresh croissants and fruit and plenty of water to hydrate for the hike. My excitement was almost consuming. The hike seemed like the perfect place to get to know more about Stefan. I could barely control myself.

"Alright, I assume everyone remembers the rules for our hikes" Stefan said as we circled up around him, "Anyone who still doesn't quite grasp what we're doing here can hang out with Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Saltzman" His hand motioned to Tyler who had a disgruntled look on his face while standing next to Alaric.

We grabbed the water bottles and made our way to the trail. I was about to speed up and walk with Stefan when a hand softly grabbed my shoulder.

"Elena, could we talk?"

It was Matt. For the first time in weeks, he was making eye contact with her and she couldn't crush his confidence by brushing him off.

"Yeah, of course. What's up?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for avoiding you and just making your life harder" His blue eyes were full of sincerity as he spoke, "I was taking my anger out on you and blaming you for the breakup instead of looking at myself"

I was lucky we were walking and talking because I could always look at the scenery if he got too emotional, more likely if I got emotional.

"Matt, honestly it's okay. You were hurt and you needed time. We all lash out sometimes. And you didn't do anything wrong, we just weren't right, you know?"

I needed him to know that he was a great boyfriend, just not the one.

"I get it. But we're graduating in two weeks, I didn't want to leave for Alabama without apologizing"

"Gotta get that southern hospitality down before college right?" I joked with him and he actually laughed. I hadn't heard that in what felt like forever.

"Exactly" he smiled and looked ahead at the trail, "And I'm glad to know that you found someone who really makes you smile" he nodded ahead and I turned to see Stefan and Caroline talking to, or rather grilling, Stefan.

I smiled and looked back at Matt, "Yeah, me too".

Guess who's back? I'm so sorry for the EXTREMELY LONG BREAK. So much has happened I can't even explain, but I'm trying to revive this story and my account here so please give me responses and ways that I could do better. I warms my heart that people still care so much about this story. - Gabby