A/N The Vampire Diaries Settings and Characters all belong to LJ Smith and the CW. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

It took a few more weeks, and lots of hard work but Stefan was finally able to conquer his blood addiction. Lexi had learned he did better when Elena was there so she was allowed to see him more often but also had to stay a good distance during his blood training. Part of his training was talking to Elena and finally really opening up to her about his past, how he was changed, how Damon was changed, what he did to his father, what Katherine had done to them, all of it, no more secrets or lies...at least for now. Elena listened and accepted him, it made her love him even more. In the end Stefan made it through. He didn't feel ready to go back to school so he took a few days off.

One morning Elena was at school headed to her first class when she saw Stefan's car pull into an empty parking lot. She didn't think he was going to come today after what happen the day before. She went over to him. "Nice car."

"I thought it was a waste to leaves it in the garage." He smirked.

They shared a kiss on the lips.

"I didn't know you were coming back today." Elena said once they broke apart.

"You know, I woke up this morning and I was feeling great and I figured it was time for me to get back in the things." Stefan told her honestly.

"Does that mean you're okay now, with all the cravings?"

"Yeah, I mean the worst part is over so… now what I want to do is just spent as much time with you as possible."

"I'm okay with that."

They shared another kiss on the lips and pulled away.

"Hey, thank you for helping me get through the rough patch."

"You're welcome."

They kissed once more and then both locked hands and headed to class.

History was normal, except for Bonnie coming back, but something was off with her. She smiled at Elena but ignored Stefan completely. Elena knew something was wrong with her but she just couldn't figure out what it was.

After class Elena went to grab Bonnie but she was already gone. Elena sighed.

"Everything ok?" Stefan asked.

"Something is wrong with Bonnie, and I just can't figure out what it is."

"Why don't you go talk to her?"

"You won't mind?"

"Of course not. Go, I'll meet you at lunch."

Elena nodded. They shared a goodbye kiss.

While Elena was going after Bonnie Stefan called to check in with Lexi. She was worried about him going back to school so he called to let her know he was ok.

Elena finally found Bonnie outside the school walking to her next class.

"Bonnie!"

Bonnie stopped walking and turned to face Elena.

"Hey." She greeted nicely.

"Hey, I tried to grab you after class but you had already taken off. How are you? How's your family?"

"We're dealing, it's been hard…"

"Everyone here really missed you."

"Yeah, I just had so much to deal with after Grams' funeral and, honestly after you told me the tomb spell failed I just didn't really want to come back."

"I hope you'll understand why I called… I wanted you to know before you came home."

"I understand why. I just… shouldn't know…"

A long awkward pause fell over them. Luckily Caroline broke it as she came running over.

"Bonnie! Bonnie."

She hugged Bonnie tightly nearly knocking her off her feet. Bonnie gave a small smile, and after that it was non-stop Caroline. "I know we talked everyday but I missed you…."

A look of hurt crossed Elena faces. She had tried multiple times to contact Bonnie while she was away and every time she just got her voicemail. Now to find out she had spoken to Caroline every day and not her just hurt her.

"…How are you doing?

"Better. You know, glad to be back and trying to keep myself busy."

"Well, I can help with that…major wardrobe problem. You need to help me pick up the perfect dress for the founder's court."

Confusions appeared on Elena's face. "The founder's court? Did I miss something?"

"The founder's court! You know, Miss Mystic Falls. They announced it today and you and I are both on it."

"Oh my gosh! We signed up for this so long ago… I completely forgot."

"So, are you dropping out then?"

Elena couldn't help but notice a small hint of hope in her voice. She sighed "I can't…" She looked at Bonnie not wanting to say why but hoping Bonnie would back her up and tell Caroline for her.

"Her mom is the one who wanted her into this."

Elena nodded as a small look of pain crossed her face. She could easily remember her mother and her signing up for this before she died, how excited her mother was, how happy it made her that she wanted to do this.

"So uh…I'm going to grab some lunch with Stefan, do you guys want to come?" She had to change the subject before she started crying.

"I had a big breakfast. I'm going to skip lunch, but thanks." Bonnie said.

"I'm going to hang with Bonnie, enjoy your lunch." Caroline said.

Elena watched as they two of them walked away. She sighed as they both started laughing. Why did she suddenly feel like the outcast? She headed back into the school and went into the lunch room. She grabbed her lunch and sat down. Stefan joined her shortly after.

"Hey, did you find Bonnie?"

Elena just nodded moving her food around on her plate.

"Is something wrong?"

"I think Bonnie is mad at me. This whole time she's been gone she's spoken to Caroline every day. I tried every day to call her and every time I reached her voice mail."

"That doesn't sound like Bonnie."

"I know but I just can't figure out what I did wrong."

"I'm sure it's nothing you did. Just ask her the next time you see her. It's the only way you're going to find out."

Elena sighed and nodded. Then she perked up and told him all about Miss Mystic Falls.

"I'm sorry for the short notice; I didn't even know that the contest was coming up much less that I would be in it."

He just smiled at her. "I would be happy to escort you anywhere."

"My mom was really into this founder's day stuff. She was even Miss Mystic in her day. I want to do it for her."

"It'll be great, we'll have fun."

"Really?"

"Really."

Elena nodded. "Thank you Stefan. I love you."

"I love you too."

They shared a kiss and continued their lunch together. Stefan knew Elena was still upset about something.

"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked.

She nodded. "I just wish I know why Bonnie was ignoring me. I mean we've been best friends forever and now it's like I'm her worst enemy."

"I'm sure it's just her way of dealing with her grandmother's death."

"I thought so too but she has no problem with Caroline, the two of them are as close as ever. I just…I don't know. I just thought when she came back I could have them over and we'd have girls night and it would be…normal again."

"You could still do that. You just have to talk to Bonnie first. I'm sure once your talk to her you'll feel better."

Elena sighed and nodded just hoping he was right.

"After lunch I have to go meet with the Judges, it's going to Mrs. Lockwood and a two other people I've never met and just kind of introduce myself."

"That doesn't seem too hard."

"Then, during free period we have to meet with our dates and practice the famous dance."

"Ah yes, I remember that dance."

Elena giggled. "You're going to be the only one in there who knows what they're doing."

"Which means you'll end up doing it better because you'll have a pro teaching it to you."

"Whoa, who knew Stefan Salvatore had such a big ego." She teased.

He chuckled and poked her side making her squeal. "Just kidding."

They ate the rest of their lunch in silence. Stefan knew it was because she was still hurting over what happen with Bonnie.

After lunch Elena went to meet with the judges. Stefan went to his next class and promised to meet Elena during free period to work on the dance.

The introduction to the judges was also a little interview to find out why you deserved to be Miss Mystic Falls. Elena knew she really didn't deserve to be Miss Mystic Falls but she was honest and told the truth.

"I recognize that I haven't been as involved this year that I used to be. I've been distracted and I let a lot of things slide. But I'm aware of what an honor this is and I want you to know that I take it seriously. This was really important to my mother. She believed in community, family, honor and loyalty. It's the legacy she'd left for me."

The Judges just smiled nicely at her and nodded. Elena took that as her cue to leave.

Free period came faster than Elena expected. She met up with Stefan in the lunchroom where all the tables had been moved aside so everyone had room to dance. Carol Lockwood was the instructor and a few other students joined them.

Elena and Stefan stood facing each other.

"Bow to your partner." Carol said.

Elena and Stefan bowed to each other.

"Now focus…" Carol hit the play button on her c.d. player. "…Right hand around…"

Elena and Stefan both put up their right hands up and slowly started turn.

"…Flirt with your eyes…"

Stefan instantly put on his pretend flirty face. Elena put on hers and they both started giggling softly trying to be quiet and stay focused.

"…Left hand…"

As they switched hands Stefan wiggled his eye brows a little making it harder for Elena to hold back her giggles.

"…Both hands…"

Elena giggled and then said "This is ridiculous."

"You're only saying that because you don't know how to do it." Stefan teased.

Elena smirked and decided to tease him back "Sorry, only one of us was around when the dance was invented."

"Ouch."

Stefan grabbed her arm spun her around and then dropped her.

"Whoa, whoa…" Elena trailed off and burst into laughter.

"No! No! There's no touching during this part. It's about the simple intimacy of the near touch." Carol said coming over to break up their fun.

They both nodded silently as Carol walked away.

"If you ask me, the 'near touch' is overrated." Stefan joked.

Elena just smiled. "You seem to be in a good mood"

"Is that a bad thing?Would you prefer me to be burring and tortured?

"Hey, I'm not complaining It's good to see you laughing again."

She smiled and they shared a small quick kiss before going back to dancing.

Once practice is over Elena and Stefan headed out. As they were leaving they saw Bonnie walking in.

"Hey." Elena greeted.

"Hey," Stefan said. "How are you?"

Bonnie didn't answer either of them. She just stood there looking at the floor. Again Caroline was the one to break the awkward silence.

"I begged Bonnie to fill in for Matt, he had to work today."

Nobody said anything in response to that. Finally Elena decided to it was time to talk to Bonnie

"Bonnie, do you have a minute?"

"We only have 30 minutes for rehearsal."

"It'll only take a minute, please?"

Bonnie nodded and they walked into the hallway.

"Bonnie you have to tell me what's wrong." Elena said.

"It not worth talking about."

"What do you mean not worth it? You barely said ten words to me and you won't even look at Stefan…"

Bonnie looked away from Elena which gave Elena all the answers she needed.

"Is that what it is? Is it Stefan?"

"Look, Elena, I can't just pretend that everything's okay. Everything my grams did was to protect us from those vampires from the tomb. And now they're out which means she died for nothing."

Elena sighed feeling like the worst friend for even telling Bonnie the truth but she had thought it would be telling her before she just came home and found out on her own that's better right?

"I'm so sorry Bonnie, What can I do to make it better?"

"That's just it, there's nothing you can do. I blame him Elena, him and Damon and I'm not going to put you in a situation where you have to choose sides. I'm just having a hard time with it okay?"

With that Bonnie walked away. Elena turned and bumped into Stefan.

"Did you hear?" she asked softly.

He nodded. "I'm sorry Elena, if I never ran inside that tomb they never would have had to take off the spell."

Elena shook her head. "You ran in there to save my life. It was a noble choice. Plus it's technically Damon's fault, he brought the blood in and left it there giving the vampires their strength back."

"True, the tomb door was closed after we all got out. If they didn't have that blood they never would have had the strength to move it."

"Yeah, so it's all Damon's fault."

Stefan chuckled. "Funny, how everything always ends up being Damon's fault isn't it?"

Elena nodded. "I just wish his mistake didn't have to cost me my friendship."

"Give it time. Bonnie will come around. She just needs time to think and don't forget she's still healing from the loss of her grandmother. I remember a certain someone who pulled away from her friends and family after losing her parents." Stefan told her.

Elena nodded. "I know, I just…I wish there was something I could do."

"I know. I wish I could do more for you too."

Stefan pulled her into a hug and kissed her hair. Elena just snuggled into his arms. "I'm glad I still have you."

"You'll always have me."

Stefan kissed her head again. Together they went to their next class.

The day of the big party had come fast than Elena had expected. She had practiced the dance with Stefan more times than she could count. She knew it backwards and forwards. She trusted Stefan will all her heart and knew he'd make sure everything went right…so why was she so nervous.

Elena and Jenna went into the make-up area and Elena did her make-up as Jenna did her hair well…trying to do her hair.

"Thanks for helping me."

"Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't going to burn off." Jenna said seriously.

Elena chuckled. "You know I remember when my mom and I were first planning for this, she was excited."

"So were you if I recall."

"I was. She's made it sounded like so much fun…lots of things changed since then

"I hate to brake it to you but its little late for cold feet."

She knew her Aunt was trying to joke and make her feel better, but honestly that didn't help. It only made her more nervous.

"I don't have cold feet. It's just… I think I'd be enjoying this a lot more if she was here with me."

Jenna just gave a small smile.

"I need to go put my dress on." Elena said quickly getting up and walking away.

Jenna sighed and put down the hair curler. She walked out of the room.

Elena ran into the dressing room and slammed the door behind her and leaned against it and put her hand on her racing heart as she panted. She was doing this for her mother, she was doing this for her mother, she was doing this for her mother. She kept reminding herself of that over and over again. If she didn't she'd quit and she couldn't fail her mother.

"You ok?"

She jumped startled by the voice. She turned and looked and saw Lexi.

"What are you doing here?"

"Checking on you, you ok?"

"No. Lexi, I can't do this. What if I mess up or forget a dance move. What if everyone laughs at me. What if I fail my mom?"

"Elena, just breathe. You're fine. You've got Stefan. He'll make sure everything is fine. He's done that dance a million times before. He knows what to do."

"Yeah but still…"

"Elena trust me, you're going to be fine."

Elena sighed but nodded. Lexi sighed too. She knew Elena was only going to listen to one person and it wasn't her. In a flash she was gone. She saw Stefan and went over to him.

"Just the man I was looking for. I need you to do me a favor."

"Of course, anything. Is Elena ok?"

"I can tell she's really nervous and I think it will help seeing you one last time before she comes down."

"Of course."

Stefan went up to the dressing room. He walked in just as Elena finished putting on her dress.

"Wow, you look beautiful." He said.

She jumped startled. "Isn't this bad luck?" she asked shyly.

"Last I checked we aren't getting married so I think we're safe."

"What are you doing back here?"

"I could hear your heart beating all the way down stairs." he told her.

"Lexi asked you to come up didn't she?"

"She's worried about you. So am I, are you sure you're going to be ok with this. If not we can pull out. No one can force you to do this."

"My mom wanted me to do this. I have to do it for her, at least try anyway. If I fail and mess up…."

"She will still love you and be proud of you for trying anyway. But I can assure you nothing is going to go wrong. If you get nervous just follow my lead alright?"

Elena nodded and sighed. "I'm glad you're here doing this with me Stefan. I'd be a lot more nervous if it was someone else."

"Where else would I be?"

They shared a hug, a knock on the door broke them apart. Carol peeked her head in."Elena, let's go. The line up's starting."

"I just… I need a minute.."

" Escorts wait downstairs Stefan."

"Of course, we're on our way." Stefan said nicely.

He kissed Elena on the forehead. "I'll be waiting downstairs for you. If you're nervous just remember. I love you."

Elena nodded and Stefan headed back down stairs. Elena followed Carol to the lineup.

Elena stood at the top of the stairs and watched as the others walked down the stairs to meet their dates. She took a deep breath and let it out. When she saw all the people she froze. She knew there was even more people outside where she would be dancing. Even more people watching her every move…she suddenly felt sick. She leaned over the rails. She smiled at the sight of Stefan standing there.

"Stefan…" she said so soft only a vampire would hear it.

Stefan looked up at her and with just one look knew what she needed. He smiled at her and mouth "I love you. I'm right here."

Elena instantly relaxed and nodded.

"Miss Elena Gilbert, escorted by Mister Stefan Salvatore."

Elena gulped and took a deep breath. She walked down the stairs and smiled when she saw Stefan standing at the bottom. As she reached the bottom Stefan took her arm and they walked outside. Stefan heard Elena's heart race. "Relax, just follow my lead, you're going to be fine." He whispered.

Once they got outside they stood across from each other. The music started and suddenly Elena saw only her and Stefan nobody else was around. She smiled and they two of them just danced like there was no one else on the entire planet but them.

After the dance and the music stopped Elena realized all the other people. She smiled at Stefan and they went inside with the others. Caroline did end up winning Miss Mystic Falls but Elena didn't really care, she did what she had for her mother and now it was over. Now she could really focus on healing from the trauma of what happen.

After the party Elena and Stefan went home. Elena got changed out of her dress and into more comfortable clothing and laid in bed cuddling close to Stefan.

"So, did you have fun?" Stefan asked.

"Yes, I loved dancing with you. It felt magical. "She answered.

"Are you upset you didn't win Miss Mystic Falls?"

"No, not really. I didn't really care about winning. I just wanted to do it and make my mom proud. She wouldn't have cared if I won or not. I'm glad Caroline won. She really wanted this so she deserved it."

"You deserved it too."

"Maybe, but I didn't want it bad enough. Caroline did. Plus without you even realizing it I got you to do the one thing you always promised you'd never do."

"What's that?"

"Teach me a dance from another decade."

Stefan started to laugh. "Technically Mrs. Lockwood taught it to you."

"Technically," she said mocking him. "I learned more from you than I did her."

Stefan sat up and looked at her. "Are you mocking me Miss Gilbert?"

Elena giggled and nodded.

"Then you should know, when humans tease vampires it has very…ticklish consequences."

Elena giggled but shook her head quickly. "No, no, no I'm not mocking you."

"That's what I thought."

He laid back down next to her. "You know, you may not have won but you will always be my Miss Mystic Falls."

Elena smiled and they shared a kiss. Elena snuggled into his arms and they both fell into a peaceful sleep.

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