Authors's Note: Hi guys. Welcome back to chapter 18. I've got important news. As you guys have most likely noticed, this story is gradually winding down. I've taken it everywhere it could possibly go and now comes the time to let it go. Chapter 19 will be the final chapter for this story. I promise I will do my best to make chapter 19 a wonderful 'THE END'.

However, don't be glum. I've got a new Delena story in the works. I've actually already started the first chapter. So keep an eye out for that. I will formally close the story in the next chapter. In the meantime, please continue to read and review. I love you all.

Chapter 18

The bell had just rung and I slipped into History just in time. I walked in and was greeted with a present surprise. Sitting in his usual old seat was Stefan. He was finally back in school it seemed. He glanced up and offered me a small smile.

I returned it and took my seat next to him. "Hey. You're back."

"Yeah. I am back." He repeated.

The class was called to attention by our history teacher and I lowered my voice to a whisper. "What happened?"

"Nothing." He whispered back. "Just needed some time to...deal with everything I guess."

"Oh. Well I -"

Our teacher cut me off loudly. "Would you like to share with the class when World War II started then Miss Gilbert? Since you have so much to say."

"Umm..." I stammered. The whole class was staring at me.

"1939, sir. 3rd September 1939." Stefan saved me.

"Wrong, Mr Salvatore! World War II started on the 1st of September 1939. When Germany invaded Poland," He corrected.

"Actually sir, it started on the 3rd. That was when Britain and France officially declared war on Germany," Stefan continued, unfazed by the attention.

Mr Tanner strode purposefully to the front of the class and flipped through his book. He looked up and glared at us with a look that said Stefan had been right. He slammed the book shut and continued, flustered. "It would do you both good to start paying attention." he growled.

The rest of the class went by in a blur. I tried three times to get Stefan's attention to thank him when Mr Tanner's back was turned but he ignored me. When the bell rang to indicate the end of class, Stefan jumped up, scooped his things up and hurried out the door before I could say anything. That was odd. Why was Stefan ignoring me?

I didn't see Stefan again till the end of the day. I had a plan. I would corner him at his locker and demand to know what his problem was. This could not go on. I hoped that if I settled the problem between us, he might open up about what was happening between him and Damon.

So, after my last class, I rushed to his locker and managed to catch him just as he was about to turn and leave.

"Stefan! Wait."

I could practically hear him sigh as he turn around slowly. "What?"

"What's wrong? Why are you acting so hostile to me." I demanded.

"Hostile? I could never be hostile to you, Elena."

"Why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not." He insisted.

"Stefan, I know when I'm being ignored. If you have a problem with me, just say so. I don't like this!"

"I don't have a problem with you!"

"Then is it with Damon? I know he's been avoiding you. What happened?"

He sighed loudly, exasperated and then ran a hand through his hair. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Doing what? Stefan, tell me!"

"Can you come over now?" He asked suddenly.

"Umm...I glanced nervously in the direction of the exit. Damon was here. He was going to pick me up and we were going back to my house.

"Is he picking you up?" Stefan asked emotionlessly.

"Yes." I whispered.

"Come over tonight then. We need to talk."

"Yeah. Sure. I'll be there."

He nodded and then walked off.

~
It was almost time to leave to go to the Salvatore's house. Damon had not been too happy when I told him I was meeting Stefan but that was expected.

"What did he even say he wanted to talk to you about?" He asked.

"I don't know. He didn't say."

"Then why the hell do you have to go?"

I turned around quickly to face him. "I am going because you won't tell me why you're avoiding him and he won't tell me why he's avoiding me."

He groaned, frustrated and stalked out of the room. I shook my head at retreating figure. Damon could be difficult sometimes. I didn't see what the problem was. I was just trying to mend my friendship with Stefan and hopefully bring the Salvatore brothers back together in the process.

When I went downstairs, I found Damon sitting on the couch staring absently at the blank screen of the TV.

"Stop that. Stop it right now. You will not make me feel guilty. I'm not doing anything wrong." I said sternly as I stood in front of him.

"I'm not trying to do anything." He insisted sulkily.

I sighed and then let myself fall into his lap. I reached up and kissed him hard. "I love you. That will never change. Now stop sulking. I'm just going to see Stefan for a short while and I'll be back for dinner with you. Now be a good boy and go cook something for your girlfriend okay?" I smiled cheekily up at him.

He smirked at me when I said the last part. "Fine. Fine. Get out of here and come home quickly to me." He leaned down and kissed me.

Giggling, I stood up and went out to my car. I was anxious to know what Stefan had to say to me.

~
I reached the Salvatore's house in record time and just as I reached the door, Stefan opened it.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, surprised. "Hi."

"Hey. Come in." He said warmly.

He ushered me into the living room where he poured me a glass of wine before inviting me to sit down.

"Wow. This is...nice." I commented. He was being unusually friendly considering how he acted towards me in school.

"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted in school. You did nothing wrong. I was just being a jerk."

"It's okay. Though I'm guessing that's not why you brought me here."

"No. It's not. I have a confession to make and I don't know what you will say about it," he said while he stared at his glass.

"Try me."

He paused for a moment as he observed my face. "Elena, I'm still in love with you," he blurted out.

I sucked in a deep breath. I knew Stefan still had feelings for me even though I had made it very clear that we were just friends and that I was with Damon now. However, I never would have thought he would try to get me back after everything.

"Stefan..."

"No. Wait. I know what you're going to say. I know I shouldn't be telling you this after everything but its true. I still love you and that's why Damon and I are fighting."

"What? You're fighting over me?"

"When he came over to talk to me last week, I got angry with him and told him I was not okay with the idea of the both of you. I asked him to back off and then he got angry and left. I realized that I was wrong to say that to him but its true. I couldn't just sit by and pretend everything was okay," he begged me to understand.

"I can't believe you're telling me this," I said shakily as I stood up. "Stefan, we are over. You need to understand that."

He stood up too and reached for me but I took a quick step back. He sighed as he lowered his arm. "I know that. I know I screwed up but I can't help how I feel."

"Yes you can," I said, dangerously softly. "You could have kept it to yourself. You could have left Damon and I be. You could have not upset Damon. You could have done so much Stefan."

"Elena. Please. Don't do this. You expect me to believe that you can be crazy in love with me for two years and then suddenly, Damon shows up and you drop everything to be with him? That after two years, you can suddenly fall out of love with me overnight?"

"This was your fault. Why are you making it mine? Stefan I didn't ask for this!" I screamed in a sudden rush of anger. I didn't want to be going through this. I didn't want to be in a love triangle. I never wanted that. I just wanted to be happy with Damon. Stefan was the one who screwed everything up and turned it all upside down. It was his fault. All his fault.

"I shouldn't be suffering for your mistake! Damon shouldn't be forced to hide from you! You messed everything up and now you're demanding that we all go back to the way things were? That we ignore the fact that you were a selfish jerk? You have no right to tell me how to feel. You don't own me Stefan Salvatore. I take back what I said a few weeks ago. I want you to leave. I want you to get the hell out of town and to never show your useless face here again!" I yelled.

Stefan stared at me in shock. I threw the glass at him and he caught it before it could smash. I grabbed my bag and stormed out the door leaving him standing in the living room, stunned.

I too was stunned at my sudden outburst. All this time, the anger had been simmering inside me. I had been too afraid to show it because I was convinced that if I did, I would lose Stefan. Now, I didn't care. In fact, I wanted him to go. I couldn't stand the pressure anymore and I felt that after everything, I deserved to be with the man I loved in peace.

I got into my car and sped home. When I I walked through the door, Damon was waiting. I took one look at his face and broke down in tears. It finally hit me. The magnitude of what I had done came rushing at me all at once. He rushed to my side and gathered me in his arms.

"Shh. It's okay. It's okay. I'm here. Everything's okay." He chanted.

When I had calmed down significantly, he led me to the couch and I told him everything. He listened patiently, reaching up to wipe a tear away every now and then from my wet face. When I was done, he finally spoke.

"I'll make sure everything works out. Don't you worry. I will talk to him later."

I believed him.