Chapter Sixteen: There For You

Sometimes I'm a selfish fake, you're always a true friend
And I don't deserve you 'cause I'm not there for you
Please forgive me again
I wanna be there for you, someone you can come to
Runs deeper than my bones, I wanna be there for you
Swirling shades of blue, slow dancing in your eyes
The sun kisses the earth and I hush my urge to cry, cry
~Flyleaf

Nilly stood at the sink, scrubbing a plate furiously. Dinner had gone fabulous, if you ignored the obvious tension in the room and the lame attempts to lighten the mood. Everyone had enjoyed her cooking, except Caroline of course. Apparently she doesn't eat meat anymore. She had made that announcement to everyone when Nilin sat the chicken parmesan in front of her.

With the grace of a good hostess and a very strained smile, Nilly lifted the plate away from her and stuck a salad in its place.

Nilin ended up sitting at the head of the table, right across from Damon. Caroline was at his side, flirting and joking with him the entire time. She was trying to get his attention, but his eyes stayed glued to Nilly.

At first she tried to keep her head down and ignore him. She tried talking to Tyler and Bonnie who were on either side of her, but she could feel his eyes on her as they ate. Finally, Nilin lifted her eyes up to him and glared, he just grinned at her. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed and a scowl on her face. He just rested his chin on his hand inclined towards her and winked. It was a silent war she fought back and forth throughout the whole meal.

Once her cheeks started to warm up with blush, Nilin had called it quits and retreated. With a strained expression, she stood up quickly, taking her plate and glass into the kitchen.

That's where she had been ever since, cleaning dishes and wrapping leftovers. She rubbed her eye with her hand, forgetting about her injury. Nilin cursed under her breath when she felt the dull stinging pain in her knuckles.

Nilin was running on a little sleep and a lot of emotions. She didn't know if she wanted to cry or scream… or both. Even though she stood there in the kitchen alone, Nilin didn't do either. Screams and tears stayed lodged in her throat by something, whatever it was she was thankful for it. So she just stood there cleaning silently.

Her father's voice popped into head. He always told her that she had control to sort out her own head. It was unacceptable to shut down when things got difficult. Her father taught her to push through. Process, accept and then move on, he'd always say. There was nothing more you could do after that. Nilin always figured that it was a lawyer thing, something they told themselves when the lost a case.

Either way, she found herself taking her father's advice. The night was almost over, everyone was chatting happily in the dinning room with full stomachs, finishing off the rest of the cake Caroline had brought. There's where the first problem lied.

Caroline was in her house, laughing and talking in the other room. Nilly guessed she could deal with that, Caroline was just an irritation now.

Problem number two, and what was really bothering Nilin, was the fact that Caroline came with Damon. No matter how hard she tried to push the feeling away, she felt almost betrayed. In the next instance though, she felt completely dumb.

He was Damon Salvatore. In her days being back in Mystic Falls, Nilin had gotten enough of an earful about him to know that this was coming. Of course he would show up with Caroline. They were a thing apparently before Nilin rolled into town. What would make her expect any different? Because he danced with her? Because he kissed her? Both being mistakes made on her part and clearly he felt the same way.

Caroline and Elena's words ran through her head, picking at an already scabbed up wound. He was just messing with her, using her for some reason Nilly couldn't figure out.

She kept getting unfocused flashes of the dream she had while in the hospital. From the parts she remembered of the dream, it made her feel as if Damon should be on her side. Nilin had to keep reminding herself it was just a dream. None of it was real, and Damon was with Caroline in the other room now.

Process, accept and move on.

Done.

Matt and Tyler had left a little ago. They had come into the kitchen asking if they could help with anything before they left. Nilin told them no and received a bear hug from Matt and a kiss to the side of the head from Tyler as they said thank you and goodnight. She was also pretty sure that Jeremy had retreated back into his room, leaving Stefan, Damon, Bonnie, Caroline and Elena. Nilin could hear them all in the living room now, talking. Nilly remained in the kitchen alone.

She rinsed off the plate in her hands, placed it in the dishwasher and then blew the bangs out of her face. She reached in the sink and pulled the drain, watching the sudsy water circle around and empty out.

"One more," she heard Damon say walking into the kitchen. Snapping back into reality, Nilin turned around to see him smiling, holding a glass out in front of him.

"Thanks," she said plainly. Nilly went to reach for the cup, but it slipped before her finger tips could even grasp it. She saw it falling to the ground, and expected to hear glass shattering, but it didn't. Somehow, Damon had managed to catch it mid-fall. He held it between them again, a smile on his face. Nilly took the glass from him. "Nice save," she said smiling slightly and placing it in the sink.

She began rinsing the cup out, when Damon leaned against the counter next to her. "I like you, Nilin," he said, her stomach filled with butterflies instantly. "You know how to smile," he continued. She didn't look up at him as she placed the cup in the dishwasher. "But you haven't smiled much today," he finished, closing the dishwasher for her.

She heard it hum to life as she looked at the floor. "Well, I haven't had a lot of reasons to, lately." Nilly said, her voice sounding sharper than she intended it to.

"Why? Because of you're little fight with Caroline?" he asked, her eyes snapped up at him. "Yeah, I heard about that," he smirked.

"I'm sure everyone's heard about it," she said. With her back towards him she walked over to the island and began to fold the clothe dinner napkins. He walked up next to her and grabbed a napkin too.

"Besides," Nilly continued, "I'm passed that. I don't have enough emotion left to dwell on it." She focused on creasing the napkin, being gentle with her sore hand.

"Well, what can I do to make you smile?" Damon asked, leaning his elbow on the counter. Nilin looked up at him, staring straight into his midnight eyes. Damon went to close in on her, but she put her hand on his chest and stopped him, shoving him back. "Oh come on, Nilin."

"We kissed once, Damon. It's not going to happen again," she said, pushing him back more. Bad things always happened when they were too close to each other.

"And why's that?" he asked, not budging anymore than inch.

"I think it was a mistake," she answered him.

He huffed, but smirked at her. "How about you tell me how you really feel, Nilin?" Though is expression was mocking, she thought she heard a serious chord in Damon's voice.

"Well, I feel that you should stop screwing around," she snapped. The grin dropped on Damon's face as he finally took a step back. "I don't know what you want from me, but whatever it is you're not getting it. Got it? So just be honest with me, alright?" she let the words fly out as she stared at him, her hands balled up as fist under the counter.

"What brought this on?" Damon asked, almost grinning again.

She could have slapped him right there but instead she answered, "Multiple people have told me you were nothing but cold, manipulative, and fake. I choose not to believe them, Damon." Nilly thought she saw something in his eyes, so she kept going. "I didn't listen to them, because I thought maybe they were wrong. I mean, at first you seemed like a pretty decent guy, but then you show up here, with Caroline glued to you and it all makes sense. I was stupid to think I'd get anything else from someone like you. So I'm sorry I didn't smile tonight or want to kiss you or acknowledge your presence, I didn't feel like it."

Nilin stood up, turning her back on him, and walked over to the refrigerator, placing the leftovers in there. She closed the fridge and gasped, Damon was standing right next to her. She hadn't heard him move, but suddenly he was inches away from her. She tried to back up, but found herself against the counter, so instead she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to create a barrier from him.

"You don't honestly think I care about Caroline, do you?" Damon asked.

Nilin laughed coldly, "Well, you better tell her that, because clearly she thinks you do." She went to move away but her grabbed her wrist.

"Just listen to me," he said, getting closer to her, his black eye's shinning. "I don't, I don't really care for anyone in this town. Well except you, for some reason I care about you so I'm going to explain something to you." He let go of her wrist and tilted her chin up so she'd look him in the eye, "You can't say a word to anyone about it though."

Nilin took a moment to remember to breathe before she could answer. "Fine," she said, pulling her chin away and stepping around Damon. She sat down on one of the stools at the island and motioned to him. Damon came over, and sat at the end.

"I'm looking for someone here," he confessed, raising his eyebrows. "And I think there are people in this town that can help me fine her."

"Who's the luck lady?" Nilly asked.

Damon smirked, "Her name is Katherine. I knew her a long time ago, something had happened back then and long story short I thought I lost her, but I know where she is now."

Nilin almost laughed again. Of course, he was looking for another girl. Nilin hated the fact that she could feel emotion building up insider her. She was too proud to call in jealousy though.

"I needed Caroline to help me get information, that's all." Damon continued.

She shook her head, even if it was Caroline, she knew it was wrong to use someone like that. "Where do I come in?" she asked. He smiled at her and laid his hands on the counter.

"That's the thing, you don't Nilin. You were never apart of my plan." Damon said. He seemed so sincere. Nilly wanted to believe him, but she couldn't. She knew she didn't need other people messing with her life when she was trying to build it back up. Nilin stood up and twisted the chain on her bracelet around as she spoke to him. "I'm sorry, Damon," she said, backing towards the door.

"Wait, Nilin—" Damon went to stop her, but she kept talking.

"But I can't. I hope you find her, I really do, but I just don't want to get hurt anymore." Nilly looked him in the eye, before she left the kitchen.

Elena had been in the living room, sitting next to Stefan with a warm cup of tea in her hands. They were listening to Caroline talk, when Nilin walked in. She came in quietly and sunk down on the other couch with Bonnie, leaning her head on Bonnie's shoulder. Elena could see Nilly's eyes droop a little.

"You feeling okay, Nil?" she asked, apparently interrupting Caroline, because Elena heard a huff of annoyance from her.

Nilly looked up and smiled softly. "Yeah, just tired," she said, laying her head back down. "You know, being concussed and all."

Bonnie and Elena laughed a little as Caroline start talking again, "As I was saying…"

"Where's, uh, Damon?" Stefan asked, next to Elena.

Nilin looked up again and shrugged. "He was in the kitchen with me." Just as she said that Elena caught movement in the corner of her eye as Damon came in and sat next to Caroline, who smiled at him. Elena saw her shoot Nilly a dirty glare and then turned back to Damon, but Nilly hadn't seemed to notice either of them. She still had her head on Bonnie's shoulder.

"Elena's just going through a rut," she heard Caroline say. Elena turned her attention back on Caroline, tuning into the conversation again. "She used to be way more fun," Caroline continued. Elena looked at her, slightly offended. She saw Caroline glance around the room, "And I mean that in the most sincere way."

Elena noticed Nilly roll her eyes in Caroline's direction, it almost made her laugh.

"Don't worry Elena," Damon said. "I know what it's like to lose someone, I mean Stefan and I have practically watched everyone we care about die." Elena stared at him, almost empathetic as she wrapped her fingers around Stefan's hand, but then she remembered who she was walking to and quickly looked away.

"We don't need to bring that up." Stefan said coldly.

"Right, wouldn't want to mention her." Damon replied, staring at Stefan in a strange way. She knew who they were talking about, Katherine. Stefan had told Elena about Katherine a while ago. They had thought she had died back in 1864, but apparently that wasn't true at all. Elena knew Damon was bringing her up just to get under Stefan's skin. Clearly, it was working.

Just then Nilin stood up, spooking everyone. "I think I'm just going to go upstairs," she said. "Goodnight, guys."

Nilly began walking towards the stairs when the phone rang. Elena watched as Nilin reached for the telephone and answered it. "Hello?" she said leaning on the wall. "Yeah, it's Nilly. What's wrong Mildred?" Elena's head snapped up and so did Bonnie's. Nilly was pacing now, her head down. "

Is he okay though?" she asked into the phone. She let out a breath and shook her head. "It's not your fault, Mil. No, its okay," she continued in a hushed tone.

Elena knew immediately who they were talking about, her uncle, Nilly's father. Elena got up quickly and walked over to Nilin who was leaning on the wall again as if she needed the support. "How long had he been out?" Nilly asked. There was another pause, Nilin shook her head again.

Elena put her hand on Nilin's shoulder, Nilly looked up at her and said into the phone, "I'll leave now, I should be there by morning." She hung up the phone, her hands shaking a little. The room had gotten quite, and she knew Elena was behind her.

Nilly took a deep breath, "It's my dad. He must've blacked out. Mildred found him and took him to the hospital." She turned around to Elena, whose face held concern. "I have to go check on him, I'll be back though. I promise, I'll get back her as fast as I can," she said.

"Nilin…" Elena said, but she just hugged her.

"Stay down here, I'll go tell Jeremy and grab a few things before I go."

She began to leave the room, when Bonnie called, "I'll go with you too."

Nilin froze in the doorway and turned around slowly. Bonnie had stood up and was staring at her. "Bon, you can't. I'll only be gone for a day at the most," she tried to convince Bonnie.

Nilly couldn't take her back to her town, not when she needed to get in and out as fast as possible, but Bonnie had that look in her eye that said she'd tie herself to Nilly's car if she said no. "Come on, please," Bonnie said walking over to her. "Besides, if I go you'll have to come back."

Elena smiled, "Good point."

Nilin shook her head, "Fine, fine. But I'm leaving soon." Nilly turned to Elena, "Can you get a hold of Jenna? I don't know when she'll be home."

"Of course," Elena said. Nilly looked behind Elena where the others were. Stefan had stood up and was now watching her with concern behind Elena. Damon and Caroline were still sitting on the couch together. Caroline had a bored look on her face and Damon had his eyes on her. They were hard and unmoving. She stared back at him for a second before she hurried upstairs.

Nilin stopped at Jeremy's door on the way to the guestroom. It was dark in there and it looked like he was asleep. She went in and scribbled a note on his desk, that's when she saw the journal. Nilly grabbed it and put her note in its place, then she went into the guestroom.

She grabbed her toothbrush and a few articles of clothing, tossing them into her empty duffle bag. She'd be able to stop by her house and get more clothing for herself when she got there, which was a good thing. She was recycling the same three outfits for a week now.

Nilin noticed her hands were shaking again as she sat on the edge of the bed. She took in a few shaky breaths to calm herself. If she got worked up now there was no way she'd survive the drive there.

She was going back to the monster she was running from. It felt like her nightmares were starting to become real. Was the thought that she could hide here and start over delusional and wishful thinking? This was a type of monster that always had a way of getting what it wanted, and when it didn't… Well, she didn't want to think of that.

Her hands fidgeted with the chain on her wrist as she sat there. There was a knock on her door. Bonnie poked her head in. "I'm ready," she said. "I called my dad and Elena gave me some overnight clothes," she explained, patting the bag slug over her shoulder. Nilly tried to smile and nodded her head. "I hope that it's okay I'm going. I want to meet Mildred. I just have so many questions and maybe she would be able to answer them," Bonnie said.

Nilin had almost forgotten that Bonnie had been dealing with her own problems, finding out she was a witch and all. How could Nilin keep her from getting answers when all Nilly ever wanted was to find out the answers to her own questions?

"Of course it's okay, I just didn't want you to get bored." Nilin lied, getting off the bed. They went downstairs to find only Elena and Stefan there. Caroline and Damon must have left. Good, they were overstaying their welcome anyway.

"Tell him we love him, okay?" Elena said as Nilly hugged her.

"I will," Nilly said smiling. She said goodbye to Stefan who smiled and wished her good luck. Then she grabbed her car keys and head for the door with Bonnie behind her. Nilin opened her Jeep's front door, about to get in, when she saw a piece of paper on her seat. She grabbed the small folded paper and opened it. Her eyes scanned over the words that were printed in neat unfamiliar hand writing.

We need to finish our little talk. Be safe.
~D

Damon. She crumpled the paper in her hand and shoved it in her pocket. "What was that?" Bonnie asked, sliding into the passenger seat.

"A piece of trash," Nilly replied as she got in the car and buckled her seat belt. She started the car and began driving. She looked over at Bonnie who was fumbling with the radio. Nilin focused on the road as they passed the 'Welcome to Mystic Falls' sign, leaving it in her rearview mirror.

Author's Notes:

Chapter Sixteen up! Be prepared for what's about to come. The next chapter we meet the monster who chased Nilin back to Mystic Falls, and its not going to be pretty. And what about Damon? Do you think he can get Nilin back on his side? Let me know! Keep reading guys :D Next chapter's up on Monday, see you then. Have a fantastic weekend.

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RLS