Hey guys, chapter 2 is here and is going to get the story going, Elena is going to meet Damon very soon, so just hold on a little bit more.

Also again a massive thanks to those of you who have reviewed,followed or liked the story your support is really appreciated.

Note, all italics are Elenas thoughts.

Chapter 2:

Elena POV

The alarm sounded through the room and echoed from bouncing off every surface, causing the sound to appear even louder than it was meant to be. I was not having the most enjoyable morning, thankfully no disturbing thoughts or nightmares entered my dreams last night actually I didn't dream of anything in particular, my mind was entirely blank nothing stood out, my mind was filled with darkness and I loved I didn't feel empty than it meant I was thinking of dark and painful memories which never seemed to fade. Saying all this it is still a horrible morning, not only was the weather atrocious, filled with a gloomy light from the lack of sun with freezing cold winds that would cut through you and never-ending cycles of rain but today was the dreaded first day of searching for work. This I am by no means excited by, its not that I dont like working actually it's quite the opposite I love helping others,its kind of a passion of just lately I can't seem to focus my mind on one thing at a time, my mind just constantly wonders across the world which makes keeping a job a difficult task. My first ever job went just like that. A few months after my parents had,well,left, I decided I needed to det back to normality and start getting my life back on track so I got my old job of working in the towns local diner back. It was difficult but I started regaining my old self again but one day it all just disappeared, I just lost everything I worked so hard to build. I was waiting on tables when a young family from out-of-town came into the diner for a simple meal but I gave them more than what they bargained for. The young girl and boy were being children and messing around with each other but soon the innocent messing turned into an argument between the young girl and the parents. She was completely outraged by her parents, who were just trying to explain that it was wrong to hurt her brother. She had a temper tantrum in the booth. The parents were getting visibly upset and embarrassed, everyone in the diner was becoming uncomfortable by the situation. The manager decided to intervene but was quickly turned away once the couple exclaimed they could handle the situation. I decided something had to be done so I thought I would try help by giving them their order to try silence them for a few moments but on my way the young girl exclaimed;

"I hate both of you, I wish you would just go and die already"

I'm not really sure how it happened but I just remember freezing up and then I heard the loud crashing of cutlery along with the sound of breaking glass and plates. I can remember the fear on the little girls face and how surprised everyone else looked. Then it just felt like I couldn't breathe and not only coud I hear plates crashing but I hear my own personal walls crumbling beneath my fingers. Every single memory of them, mainly the ones where they die in front of my eyes and just how useless I am and how ashamed they must be of me. The rest is a blur. I just remember being dragged out of the diner and eventually being fired. I had tried so hard, I had left drugs, the drink and all those crazy things but I fell back into old habits. It was after that event that Jenna knew I needed professional help.

So, today was the day, I finally had to find a proper job. I just don't want to screw this up. I'm just terrified that somehow the people who are interviewing me will find out about my past mental break down.

Who would want to hire someone with those kind of problems

The alarm was still blaring so I lazily switch it off. I have to be prepared for today, it's all about first impressions and I have to make them count. I get up out of my warm cosy bed only to regret it immediately but I can't give in and just climb back into my safe place. Its time to face the reality.

You can do this Gilbert, you know you can.

Yesh, that has to be the worst motivating speech but I guess I better listen to my own advice for once. So I rush into the shower and was of all the grime from yesterdays horrible thoughts, I can feel all that stress falling off of my body. I have never been someone who coud spend less than twenty minutes in the shower, it was always so warm and comforting but of course today had to be an exception. To my complete surprise I was finished in seven minutes, I didn't even know it was possible to have a shower in that small amount of time.

I quickly threw on the clothes I had picked out for my interviews, well actually my best friend Caroline picked it, I would be entirely lost without her. She has been my best friend since kindergarten when I got bullied for my short hair because every other girl and long hair,looking back it was such a stupid thing to be upset about but it really got to me but Caroline had moved into town and she was like my own super hero. On her fist day she noticed that I was being excluded and getting abuse. She decided to befriend me when no one else would and she always told the bullies where to put it, she was a foul-mouthed child,she was never afraid to speak her mind and she was brave, I just knew we were going to be friends. To this day shes still here protecting me even when I pushed her away, she never left me alone and did her best to help me when ever I denied that I needed her help but she always stuck around. I used to think it was annoying but now I always need her help in some way. The clothes she had picked were perfect, they were a businessy type of clothes. A black pencil skirt with suitable black flats as well, topped off with an emerald green spaghetti top that was fitted at the waist and came out a bit more above the dress with grey cardigan. It was just too perfect. I dried my hair so it was wavy, just the way I like it. My make up was subtitle, I didn't need to go over the top it's just a job interview.

I still had a half an hour before I was expected for the interview but I thought if I can early it would put me on their good side. I was at the door when I got the sense that I was forgetting something but what is it, I have my phone, keys and everything I needed for the interview

Um dummy, breakfast, it's why your stomach is rumbling...

I brought my hand to my forehead,how had I forgotten to eat, that's really smart. I just don't feel like I have time to cook anything and last time I checked there was no food just laying around. I check my watch only twenty-five minutes left, the first place is ten minutes away and you can never predict traffic around here. I decide it's just best to leave now. I hop in the car and quickly drive towards my first destination. Before I can even turn on the radio my phone starts ringing, I don't need caller identification to know who is calling me. I answer the phone in glee.

"Morning Car" I say to hear, it's no surprise that she has called me straight away and she knows it just as well as me.

"Am I really that predictable or are just able to see the future now" She replies jokingly

"Oh crap, you know my secret now, okay no pressure but I'm going to have to kill you, it was nice knowing you" I say trying to sound serious only to break out in laughter by the end.

I hear Carolines giggles on the other end "Oh, no you have me shaking in my boots but really how are you feeling"

"I am feeling fine Car, don't worry about me, I have it all sorted out and I'm going to kill those interviews"

"Dont worry, have you met me, seriously its my duty to worry and are you sure, you're not nervous or anything"

"No really I feel pretty good about today,sure it's not going to be easy but I have to try,right"

"Thats my girl, your going to do great maybe you don't even need my magical luck"

I can't help but laugh at that "Yeah, your luck really I don't need something that doesn't exist, when was the last time you had a guy"

I can practically feel her evil eyes through the phone "Says, you the girl who has only ever had one boyfriend, it's not my fault the last few guys I've met have been creeps, gay or married and in some cases all three"

"Oh come on there hasn't been anyone thats been all three, has there?"

" I plead the fifth your honour"

I can always count on her witty remarks to make me laugh even when I'm slightly nervous "Well you can tell the honour later tonight or else I can only assume your guilty"

"Sure, we will be celebrating on your success of course and you know better than to assume these kind of things"

"Of course, look I'm nearly there and well I have to go"

"Sure, good luck Elena, you'll do great"

"Thanks Car,later"

"You know it Gilbert"

I'm left grinning like a fool as I hang up the phone and I find myself in front of the first building, a law firm called McAstoin Lawyers, a french law firm that deals with law settlements. I have never really been interested in business but there is a secretarial job available and that I can actually do.

Deep breath in and let it out, it's going to be fine.

I listen to my own instructions and I feel ready. I jump out of the car and lock it. I do my best to seem cool and relaxed. I walk up to the door in long confident strides and I see I have already attracted attention from people in the parking lot.I go up to the door and go to open it.I take another deep breath and push the door in, only to discover the door doesn't open by pushing it.I end up hitting my head of the glass. I grab my head to try ease the little pain and pray no one saw what happened. I turn around to see people try to stifle their laughs with massive smiles plastered across their faces.

Well that was terrible, at least they will remember you.

I feel my cheeks heat up and flush. I feel so embarrassed and dumb. But I cant and wouldn't let this throw me off my game.I pull the door and try my head up high but I fail miserably I feel so idiotic.

Come on Gilbert,who does this kind of shit happen to but come on you can still do this.

I'm really starting to doubt myself, nothing is turning out right.I try to regain any respect l still have left. I walk up to the main desk and ask the woman there for the man I'm meant to meet, . She is extremely helpful and directs me in the correct direction and tells me that he is waiting for me and she innocently adds the location of the ice machine.

Oh well it looks like she knows aswell, maybe the entire office knows

I find the room she had mentioned, room 37. I knock on the door so lightly I could hardly hear it but clearly he did. The door opens to reveal a man around 40. He is of average height with a lack of a hair on the top of his head and deep brown eyes which look dark with fatigue. He's a very stout man and he holds out his arm to direct me in to his room. His mouth curls into a welcoming smile but his next action doesn't sit well with me, his eyes roam freely around my body before he actually address me.

"Miss. Gilbert, please come in I've been expecting you"

I am not comfortable with the way he is eyeing me up but I try my best to ignore his gaze but wrap my arms around myself almost immediately, feeling the need to cover myself up.

Come on Elena he is probably thinking your being rude, you need a job

I plaster a fake smile on my face and try to seem happy "Yes, thank you . Um thank you very much for this opportunity, I'm very grateful"

"Oh it's no problem , we could really use some on with your" he pauses before looking at me intently again which causes me to involuntary shiver,uh hes disgusting "experience." he finally finishes but not before licking his lips.

"Well, I'm not all that experienced, I was quite surprised when I was offered the job" I keep shifting in my chair uncomfortably his gaze is creeping me to my core.

"Well it's not always about who has the most experience, but who is willing to try the hardest and do whatever they have to do, are you that kind of person, Elena?" he says addressing me with my first name completely unprofessional. I feel as though his question is a trap and that I'm doomed no matter what I say.

"Id like to think so yes." I reply without any confidence, I sound so weak and scared even though I slightly am. He starts sauntering towards me with a smug grin on his face, its quite disgusting to look at. He sits at the edge of his desk a few inches from me.

"Well, to be honest Elena it is very important that I know that you are, possibly right now, I need to know that you're the right person for this job." the entire time he is speaking he is sliding is arm across the desk closer to me until his hand is directly in front of me, a few centimeters from my knee. He is looking down at me like prey and I know that I'm not so desperate for a job that I need to be harassed.

"When you put it like that maybe I'm not the best person for this job." I try to say sincerely and I start rising from my chair to leave but he brings his slimy hand down to my knee to try keep me in the chair and in his grip.

"Actually, I think you will be perfect for the job I am going to give you." I momentarily freeze and my mouth and mind stop working as one and I remain quiet.

Oh god, get out of here, get out of here now, run!

I jump out of the chair to fast for him to react and I escape from his grasp. I don't hesitate to run for the door but he is quick on my heels, I go to open the door only for him to slam it shut and ram himself into me. He whispers that I'm not going anywhere against my neck as he tries to get hold of my hands.

"You need this job, I know you do." He says as he grabs my wrists trying to stop me from hitting him but that doesn't stop me I thrash out against him until I feel I'm gaining the upper hand.

"Actually, I don't really need it." I say through gritted teeth as I push him off me. He lands on the ground but this time I'm making sure he doesn't follow me, I swiftly bring my knee to his groin as I watch him curl into a ball in pain, grabbing his jewels and whimpering.I decide he isn't worth my energy to hit him again.

"But thanks for your consideration" I spit out venomously before I slam th door behind me never looking back.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I find myself in the quieter side of the town. I have dumped my car somewhere, I felt too trapped to stay in it. I'm just wander meaninglessly through the streets in the pouring rain while slowly freezing. My teeth chatter against each other in a rhythm that my body shakes to. I don't really know where I am going I just feel so violated and angry, I don't want to call Caroline, she would go sort him out,that i know for definite, I don't want to tell Klaus he would just analyse the event and tell me why this guy did what he did. Neither of those options were good enough for me right now. I just need to be away from people right now. This side of town is pretty empty and is usually where people get murdered.

Jeez, don't think like that right now, this place is creepy enough.

Honestly I could get attacked right now and not bat an eye. I just keep walking though in a world of my own. Until I hear an engine roaring up behind me. I look behind me to see a car approaching me.

Oh great, just great I'm going to be kidnapped and no one will be able to help, just bloody great.

I decide to speed my walking pace suddenly becoming terrified that someone is going to kill me. Th e car stops beside me and the window rolls down reveling a man. I lean in closer to hear what he is saying. "Are you crazy walking around in this kind of weather, look get in before you freeze to death".

I cant even see the mans face in the dark but there is something trusting in his voice so I forget everything I was tought about getting into the car with strangers and hopped in to his car.

What have you done?

Okay well thats the end of chapter two, so who did Elena get into the car with, a friend or a have to read the next chapter to find out. Dont forget to review, feedback means a lot to me and if you like the story why not follow it, till next time :)