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Elena POV
Every afternoon I scribbled in my journal before returning home. I always camped under the willow tree by the football field. It was a gnarled tree, well past it "use by date," but I loved it.
My Journal was the only thing I enjoyed doing lately. The things I thought mattered no longer seemed as important. This wasn't surprising, becoming a double orphan tends to do that.
"Earth to Elena, the world is calling you, but I don't think you're listening."
I grinned sheepishly at my best friend Bonnie. The dark haired girl smiled and nudged my shoulder. I got the hint, it's time to return to planet reality.
I stood quickly hiding the blush that went along with my guilty expression. "I'm sorry Bonnie I'm late for practice again I take it?"
Bonnie laughed handing me my cheerleader gear,
"No but if you don't hurry you will be. It won't look good if the Captain's best friend is late so help me out and be on time."
Racing behind Bonnie I caught up with my friend just shy of the girls stretching before practice. Bonnie stopped before reaching the squad touching my arm. "Nobody's cross with you; we understand so it's ok. However, you need to start moving forward Elena for your sake."
When I fell apart this summer, Bonnie helped my keep going. I didn't have anyone else. My younger brother Jeremy was busy experimenting with every legal high known to man. My aunt Jenny did my best as a guardian, which was always too much or never enough.
I met my friend's concerned eyes and whispered
"Don't worry I'm still me, watch this."
I stood up and did a perfect series of back flips before landing in front of the squad. Turning toward them I put on my biggest grin, "OK let's show that cheerleaders are not failed gymnasts in tight skirts. WE are athletes, time to work."
The girls clapped and made a space for me to join the squad before they began. My eyes drifted toward Bonnie as the brown girl put the squad through their paces. I knew she wasn't fooled by my act but that was ok. She was only trying to help, and I was grateful for that.
Without warning, the girl at the top of the pyramid lost her balance. She fell into me and I knew I'd hit the ground with her. The squad got into position to catch us thankfully. With groans of annoyed 'what the Hell', everyone tried to see what distracted Michelle in the parking lot.
Penny smiled and shook my head,
"Michelle, I was mad until I saw why you lost your balance. Please let him be single."
Heather smirked watching the dark haired man head toward the school's fence, "All you thirsty bitches, back of the line, he is looking for more than a half starved cheerleader."
Matt ignored them as he helped me to my feet. He was a male Cheerleader which gave him endless grief but he got to spend time with his oldest friend, me. He whispered quietly in my ear, "These girls are far too lady like for me, I heard less of this in the male locker room."
I whispered back, "Quiet Heather is busy plotting my next ovulation cycle. She wants to make sure it's ready for him" I laughed as Matt's horrified look before he choked back a smile.
The black haired man moved at a leisurely pace in their direction.
I shook my head as he grew nearer,
"The problem Bonnie with good looking guys is they read their own press clippings. However he is all yours, he's not my type."
Bonnie looked unimpressed as well, "He could be a serial killer for all we know. However go for it, I am staying right here also."
Bonnie rolled her eyes as make up bags opened like parachutes all around the bench. "Seriously guys we don't have time for this."
Heather smiled and started walking toward him, "Watch and learn ladies. It'll help you on your dates groped by our pitiful football players. I have higher standards however."
None of them moved as Heather walked toward the stranger. The last girl who tried to take on Heather over a guy ended up with hair remover in her shampoo. She called dib's on the new guy and that's that.
The stranger seemed to pick up pace as he neared them despite not making any additional effort. Heather moved to open her mouth when she reached him. He paused to look at her briefly but didn't slow his pace. Heather soon returned to the rest of the squad without saying a word.
The Raven haired man was more striking up close. When he turned his pale eyes on the girls it was hard not stare back at him. I tried to shake a feeling we've met before but I didn't know where. He didn't look like he was in high school; a university campus seemed more likely.
Before anyone could speak he stopped in front of me. I looked down and saw my Journal in his pale hands. My face burned as the squad focused on us while doing their best to look busy.
He smiled at me with expectation in his eyes. "I was about to pick up my brother but I saw you leave this under the tree. I'm honor bound to return it. A girl's journal is too precious a thing to be without its owner."
I blushed and took the journal back; I was startled when his hand closed over mine. "Thank you I was distracted and forgot it Mr.?"
The man smiled his hand still locked in mine, "Just call me Damon."
Heather rallied and appeared at his elbow.
"Damon I assume your new in town? I have lived my whole life and never ran into you. This town is too small to have missed you for long."
Demon turned back to Heather his annoyance palatable, "I am from Mystic Falls so your next question of where I'm from originally is unnecessary. I left town years ago."
I stammered as Bonnie gathered up my gear before turning towards him, "Thank you again Damon but we have to return to practice, have a good day."
I watched Damon's look of surprise before he returned an easy grin. "Good afternoon Elena, until we meet again. I will leave you to your friends."
Bonnie looked at his retreating back.
"I have an odd feeling about him. Those don't walk on a grave kinda feeling. Oh well he is gone and we have to get our routine finished. "
I watched him drive away, he never once looked back. I didn't know why but I wanted him to stay. He was the most interesting thing to happen in months.