Gravity

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from The Vampire Diaries.

Another chapter! Big thank you to everyone who took the time to review the last one! Hope you like it...

May 18th 2017

Thursday 3.40pm

Whitmore College

I gather up my stationary with a small feeling of relief in my stomach. One exam down, still three more to go but after getting the first one out of the way I am feeling slightly more confident.

"That wasn't too bad was it?" My friend Aaron appears by my side and I shake my head in agreement.

"I thought the third question was pretty tough but apart from that I think I did okay."

"Yeah that one sucked." Aaron agrees while I swing my bag over my shoulder. "So I think some of us are going to head over to The Skull bar for a few drinks to unwind if you want to come?"

"Sure, sounds good." I reply with a smile as I pick up my jacket and throw it over my arm, noting the weather is heating up outside. "I probably should go study for the next test but I think my brain has melted." I laugh but God does it feel true.

Aaron chuckles in agreement as we both start to head out. "Hey, I know this is probably old news now but I heard about your breakup with Liam."

I smile slightly. "Yeah," I press my eyebrows together. "That feels like a long time ago now actually."

"Well, if you ever want to talk or anything you know that I'm here for you."

I laugh and shake my head. "I think I'll be okay."

"Oh?" He raises his eyebrow at me, looking a little amused. "You don't seem too bummed about it."

I shrug, hoping my honesty doesn't come off into making me look like a cold hearted bitch. "Honestly? I'm not." I smile slightly as I think about those icy blue eyes that keep following me in my dreams. "Liam's a nice guy but he's just not the one for me."

"Do you have someone in mind?" We step outside, my smile widening in surprise as I see a familiar face stood at the bottom of the steps.

"Maybe." I grin before turning to face Aaron. "Um…actually change of plan. Text me where you guys end up and I'll meet you later?"

Aaron looks surprised by my sudden change of plan but I don't give him time to question me before I go skipping down the steps.

"What are you doing here?" My stomach is fluttering with butterflies as Damon leans against a lamppost at the bottom of the steps leading up to the building I've just left.

He smiles back, removing his sunglasses as I approach him. I give him a quick friendly hug, forcing myself to pull back and remove all contact as I look at him questioningly.

"I was in the neighborhood." He shrugs with a smile, "and a little birdy told me that you would be here. How was your test?"

"Good. Better now that it's over." I grin. "You didn't tell me you were coming up here this week?"

"Hm," he shrugs with a smile. "It was a last minute thing. I have the night off and I don't have to be back until tomorrow night for my shift so I figured why not? Besides, I'm still a little pissed at Klaus for hitting Stefan so…"

"Ah." I cringe, remembering an angry phone call at the weekend from Damon to say he found his little brother all bruised up when he got back to his apartment. The culprit? Klaus. Apparently Stefan decided he should be the one to tell him about the pregnancy. Klaus didn't exactly take it very well. "So you're staying with Stefan?"

"Yup." He nods before smirking at me. "Unless I get a better offer?"

My breath hitches in my throat. My heart starts pounding almost painfully against my chest and I can feel my cheeks heating up.

Damon chuckles. "I'm joking, Elena." He laughs and I force my own from my lips but it's definitely not a genuine one.

Deep breath – it was just a joke. Don't get carried away.

"Elena!"

We both turn to see Aaron approaching us and I blink, remembering that I just ditched him for Damon but I didn't realize he was still hanging around.

"Hey." He looks at Damon questioningly before looking back at me. "Liv just text me, she's at the bar now with Luke and some of the others if you want to head across?"

"Um…" I look back at Damon who shifts somewhat awkwardly on his feet. "Sure, as long as my friend Damon can come?"

Aaron looks between us both and I frown when I see a hint of hesitation on his face but he slowly nods in agreement. "Of course, the more the merrier."

"Great," I turn back to Damon. "Do you want to come?" I ask hopefully.

He seems to hesitate before answering "Sure. Stefan is studying anyway so he'd be no fun tonight." He replies casually and I nod before turning back to Aaron. "Oh um…sorry… Aaron this is Damon…Damon this is Aaron."

"Nice to meet you." Damon shakes his hand, very briefly I might add, and we make the short but very awkward walk over to The Scull Bar.

I debate in my head an excuse to head out early. I don't want Damon to think of this as a wasted trip. One, maybe two drinks with my college friends and then we can go and do something else.

I'll make sure to let Damon know that this will be the plan.

Once we arrive I quickly introduce Damon to everyone and he heads towards the bar to get us a drink. I pull out a chair and take a seat, frowning at the expectant looks on my friends faces as they stare at me with raised eyebrows and sneaky smiles.

"Um…Elena…who is that? He's hot." Megan gushes as she checks Damon out with an admiring smile on her face.

"Amen to that." Liv agrees, both of their eyes glued to Damon's behind.

"I also agree to that." Luke joins in with a smirk and I roll my eyes.

"Okay guys, he's not a piece of meat calm down."

"So is that why you and Liam broke up huh?" Megan questions me almost excitedly.

Yes.

"No." I tut and shake my head. "We're just friends." I tell her pointedly.

"How do you know him anyway?" Liv questions finally tearing her eyes away. "I've never seen him around here before, and trust me, that is a face I would remember."

I frown at the tone of her voice. I know that voice. I've seen what happens to guys when Liv uses that voice.

"I know him from Mystic Falls," I sigh loudly knowing that there is no point hiding this, I'm sure Caroline would tell them next she's around anyway so they might as well hear it from me. "And he's also my ex-boyfriend."

"Oooo!" Luke teases loudly.

"Ex…soon to be boyfriend again kind of ex?" Megan questions teasingly.

"No." I stress while shaking my head. "I told you we're just friends."

"Are you sure?" Liv questions me seriously and I frown.

"She said she's sure." Aaron answers for me and I blink a little startled, sending him a questioning look. "Sorry…you seemed annoyed by the twenty questions." He shrugs.

Before I get a chance to say anything Damon is on his way back, two beers in his hands as he passes me one. "There you go," he pulls the seat out beside me and sits down.

"So Damon…it is Damon, right?" Liv smiles sweetly at him and a wave of annoyance takes over me. She fine well knows his name is Damon.

"Yep." Damon replies with his signature smile. "Damon. And you are?"

"Liv." She holds out her hand to shake which Damon gladly responds too. "Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"So, do you go to college?" she questions curiously.

"Nope." Damon replies simply.

"Oh? How come? Didn't fancy it?"

I tense, picking at the label on my beer awkwardly.

"Yeah something like that." Damon smirks slightly, sending me a glance and I guzzle down my beer in response.

"So what do you do?"

"I'm a bartender."

"No way!" Liv gasps with a wide smile, her hand pressed against her chest and I refrain from rolling my eyes. "So am I! I work here actually, it's only part time, mostly just weekends really but I love it."

"Yeah it's a fun gig." Damon agrees casually.

"I'll have to show you some of my tricks sometime." She winks at him and I nearly choke on my beer.

Is she serious? Is she seriously flirting with him right in front of me?

Damon chuckles but doesn't answer and I clench my jaw tightly. Luckily Luke changes the topic of conversation to one of our college professors who he is convinced has it in for him and I try and let myself relax.

I don't know why Liv's interest in Damon is getting to me so much. He's an attractive guy, a very attractive guy, I used to have random girls flirt with him all the time in front of me when we were together but it never bothered me this much.

I swallow the lump in my throat when I realize that it is probably because this time Damon can flirt with them back. He can actually…Oh God…hook up with them if he wanted too.

We continue to chat and drink for a while, a lot longer than I originally planned for in my head, but Damon seems to have hit it off with the girls and even Luke. Jesse joined us shortly after and he and Damon have been talking about sports for the last ten minutes. I've noticed Aaron has been a little quiet but it's not really unusual for him, he's always been quite shy until you get to know him.

I excuse myself to go to bathroom. I don't know why but I feel super nervous. It's weird having Damon here with my college friends. They have no idea who he is, not really. They don't know the extent of our history, they don't know Damon's past. Actually it's kind of nice but at the same time…they just don't get it.

When I leave the bathroom I freeze, Damon and Liv are stood by the bar just the two of them. They are laughing over something and my eyes sting with unshed tears when I see Liv take Damon's phone and looks to tap in her number before handing it back.

I swallow the lump in my throat and head back towards our table. Damon's single. He can do whatever he wants.

"So, there goes my chance." I turn to look at Aaron confused as he leans next to me so no one else can hear our conversation.

"What do you mean?" I question him confused and he smiles sadly and shakes my head.

"I thought since you and Liam had broken up that maybe…" He trails off and my eyes widen in shock.

"What?" I ask stunned. "I…" I trail off speechless because I have absolutely no idea what to say. I wasn't expecting that at all. I had no idea.

"It's okay, Elena." He nudges my shoulder. "You don't have to say anything. It was wishful thinking on my part. I should have known a guy like me would never stand a chance with a girl like you anyway."

"Aaron…"

"Besides, I see the way you look at him." He motions to Damon with a sad smile. "You love him." I bite my lip nervously. "Are you two working things out?"

"It's complicated." I reply and god is it complicated. It's so complicated.

"What's so complicated about it? Are you scared he doesn't feel the same way?"

"It's not that…" I trail off. Okay, so that may have something to do with it, but we have so many obstacles we need to move on from before we can even think about anything happening between us again. "We just…we've been through a lot together and he's been through a lot alone too." I cringe slightly. "We're just trying out this friend's thing for now."

"Well maybe you need to step up your game." He motions again to Liv who currently has her hand resting on Damon's arm and I tense. "Seems like you've got a little competition."

My throat feels dry and I look down at my empty beer. Shit. This is too much…I look back up and watch as Damon laughs again. Liv's hand is still on his arm and he is letting her touch him. She's leaning in close and he isn't pulling away either.

He's enjoying it.

Tears spring into my eyes and I know that I'm being ridiculous but I quickly rush out of the bar like a bat out of hell. I know I have no right to feel like this but I can't help it.

Damon's single. Up until the last few weeks I had a boyfriend…I just…this is too much.

"Elena!" Aaron chases after me as I walk quickly along the crowded street, my arms folded tightly around my chest. "Elena hey!" he grabs my arm and looks at me concerned. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"No." I shake my head and wipe at my tears. I feel so stupid. "It's not your fault. I just…God…I have no right to be upset…"

"Yes you do." He responds. "The guys an idiot if you ask me."

"No!" I immediately shake my head. "It's complicated, you don't understand." I run a shaky hand through my hair. "I just want him to be happy but…"

"But you want him to be happy with you?" I nod slowly and sniffle. I feel like such an idiot. "Come back inside, Elena."

I shake my head. "I'm just going to go home."

"Elena…"

"I'm fine." I wipe away another stray tear that says I'm anything but.

"Let me at least walk you home?"

"No it's okay." I sniffle. "I'm fine. Tell the others I'm sorry for bailing so quickly without saying goodbye. Say I have a migraine or something."

Aaron smiles softly and nods his head. "Okay. Well…feel better soon then." He teases and I let out a laugh despite myself.

"Thank you." I nod appreciatively. "I'll see you in class tomorrow?"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow, Elena." He waves at me and I nod, sending him another grateful smile before turning around and heading back towards my dormitory.

I try to get the image of Damon and Liv together out of my head but it only makes things worse. I picture them flirting, touching, my imagination even makes me picture them kissing.

God I feel like such an idiot.

I slam my fist impatiently on Elena's door. I cant believe she just ditched me like that. To make matters worse I had to find out from that smarmy kid Aaron who clearly has a crush on her. Liv pretty much begged me to stay, but I quickly handed her over the two freshly made beers I had bought and quickly darted out of there.

I knock again loudly on the door. I know she's home, I can see the light shining underneath the door. I knock again and step back once I hear the sound of footsteps approaching.

Elena opens and she doesn't look surprised to see me. She holds open the door and I follow her in, closing it shut behind me.

"Well?" I question her expectantly. "No apology for ditching me there alone with all of your friends?" I ask coldly.

She cringes, a guilty expression on her face. "Sorry." At least she sounds it. "I had a migraine."

I roll my eyes at the clear lie. "A migraine? And you couldn't have spared a whole twenty seconds to come and let me know?"

"You were busy." She bites back, her tone harsh and I blink surprised.

"Busy? I was at the bar buying you a drink."

"Are you sure it was me you were buying it for or your new friend Liv?" Her voice is cold, and she stands tense sending me an accusing glare.

A smile creeps slowly onto my lips because it all makes sense now. "You're jealous."

"No." She scoffs. "I'm not jealous. You can talk to whoever you want."

"Yes you are." I grin amused. "You're jealous."

"I have no right to be jealous." She responds quickly. "Like I said, you can talk to or date whoever you want. You're single."

"I am single." I agree and I swear her face drops slightly. "And you're right, I can date whoever I want."

"Okay then." She mutters quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye but you don't have to stay. I'm fine, you're fine. You can go back to the bar now, I'm sure Liv will be waiting." I let out a laugh and she glares at me. "Is something funny?"

"Yeah." I nod simply. "You are."

"Excuse me?" She clenches her jaw. I smirk, there's that Gilbert fire I've been missing. "I'm glad that this amuses you, at least I'm good for something, right?"

"Good. It does amuse me." My smirk rises from the frustrated look on her face. "It amuses immensely that you would genuinely believe that I would be here to spend time with anyone else but you."

Her eyes widen stunned. "But...you were flirting with Liv. I saw you. You were enjoying it."

"Oh come on, I was just being friendly. She's your friend and I wanted to make a good impression."

"You definitely made an impression." She murmurs and I grin. "Shit," she runs her hand through her hair and sends me an apologetic grimace. "I'm sorry...you must think I'm such a bitch."

"No I don't." I laugh while shaking my head.

"You came all the way over here to hang out and I just ditched you in a bar with a bunch of people you don't know." She reminds me pointedly. "I'm a bitch."

"Elena," I place my hands on her shoulders. "Stop calling yourself a bitch. You're anything but." I grin. "All of this could have been resolved with just a touch of communication."

"I know." She frowns. "I'm such an idiot." She sends me a hopeful look. "Forgive me for overreacting?"

"I forgive you." I chuckle and slowly remove my hands from her shoulders. "How about you take me to dinner to make up for it? I don't know about you but I'm starving."

She smiles widely and I try to ignore that annoying butterfly feeling in my stomach.

"Dinner I can do." She agrees happily. "My treat."

"Great," I step back and motion to the door. "Lead the way."

We ended up in a tiny little Italian bistro a twenty minute or so walk from Elena's campus. It was cute, and very old fashioned - nothing fancy but it didn't need to be. Elena gushed the entire way, she said not many people knew about it from college so it wasn't overrun with students. Apparently she and Bonnie had found it in their freshman year and with the exception of Caroline, they agreed not to tell anyone because they kind of liked being able to escape there without the interruption from people they may know.

I questioned her over our appetizers if she had ever taken Liam here. She smiled slightly and shook her head no. "No one - just you." I tried to ignore the feeling that gave me.

"Well, you were right about the food." I wipe my mouth with my napkin after placing my knife and fork down. "Delicious."

"Told you." She smirks back at me happily. "I have a taste for fine dining." She jokes.

"I'll give you that." I wink at her, noting the small blush appearing onto her cheeks. "This kind of reminds me of that little bistro we found in Denver, you remember?" I bring up that summer we spent together on the run with a smile. It's ridiculous really that those times felt like the best of my life – I was a fugitive. We had no money, no jobs, and no real home. We were constantly looking over our shoulders, the fear of getting caught always lingering in the background. However for the majority of that time, Elena and I were flourishing together. We were happier than ever. It's a strange contrast, especially to look back on.

"Yeah." She agrees with a happy smile, "with the eggplants?"

"That's the one." I smile. "Those were good eggplants."

"It was a good night." She smiles softly for a moment and I don't miss the way it lingers off into a sad smile. I frown slightly while thinking back, a weird gut wrenching feeling hits my stomach as I remember she loved the place so much that I promised her I would take her back for our five year anniversary.

I swallow the lump in my throat when I realize that if it wasn't for the four years I spent in prison that anniversary mark wouldn't be too far away now.

Elena seems to be thinking of the same moment because I see her eyes glistening against the flicker of the candle between us. I tilt my head to the side and send her a small smile.

"We'll go back one day."

She blinks in shock, clearing her throat. "Yeah?" Her smile grows. "I'd like that." The smile stays on her lips as the young waiter comes over and refills our glasses with red wine. "I wonder how Rose and Trevor are doing."

"Hmm." I muse aloud. "They are probably still together. They seemed pretty solid."

"I hope so." She smiles sadly. "They were nice, and they made a cute couple."

"They were nice." I agree. "Clever too, it didn't take Rose long to work us out." I muse with a small smile, thinking back to that moment she told me she knew we were running.

"It's a shame we had to leave." Elena replies quietly. "Things may have been different if we stayed."

I blink. "Yeah, maybe." I take a large sip from my wine and clear my throat. "Everything happens for a reason though, right?"

Elena stays silent for a moment too long. "I suppose so."

"It does." I respond, resisting the urge to reach across the table to take her hand. "You just need to let yourself believe it." She stays quiet. "Hey," I urge her to look at me. "What did we talk about in regards to regrets, huh?" I question her with a smile.

"That we shouldn't have any?" She answers meekly.

"Because if things didn't play out the way it had…"

"We wouldn't be sitting here right now." She finishes for me with a smile.

"Exactly," I grin. "And I don't know about you, but I for one am glad to be sitting here right now..." I trail off, "with you."

She blushes again and takes a sip from her drink, hiding behind the large glass almost shyly. "Me too." She replies quietly.

"So let's make a toast," I wink at her for good measure and hold out my glass. "To being right here right now."

Elena's smile widens. "To being right here right now." She taps her glass against mine and we both grin.

If there is one thing my long lonely nights in prison taught me is that there is no point dwelling on the past, nor is there much point on worrying about the future either. The only thing within our control is what is happening now and I intend to live like that from now on.

"So…what are your plans for after college?" Damon asks me curiously as we walk out of the bistro into the chilled night air.

I shrug casually as we fall into a casual stroll alongside each other. "Honestly? I haven't really thought that far ahead." I confess. "My mind has been too busy focusing on end of year exams and assignments. I haven't even thought about my senior year never mind graduation."

"So nothing set in stone then?"

"Nope." I smile slightly and look at him. "I'm just focusing on the here and now." I send him a playful wink at the mention of his earlier toast.

"Good strategy," he nods impressed. "You obviously have a smart adviser in your life."

I nudge into him halfheartedly and smile. "Maybe." A chill runs through my spine and I shiver, my arms automatically wrapping around myself and I curse myself for not bringing my jacket.

"Here," Damon is quick to remove his and I quickly shake my head.

"No, you really don't have-"

"Elena," he cuts me off with a smile. "Here," he wraps it around my shoulders and I smile. God it's been so long since I've been wrapped up in his signature leather jacket like this. It feels nice. It feels familiar. "Look at you, you're all skin and bones it's no wonder you're cold."

"You always used to whine that I was always too cold." I smile at the memory. "Especially at night."

He chuckles. "Yeah and I used to be too damn hot with your thick duvet cover on in the middle of July!"

I giggle and shake my head. "You would have the air con on all day! It was cold!"

"We rarely had motel rooms which even had air con!" He argues. "Besides, what did that matter when you would go flirt with the old guy on the desk for extra blankets!"

I smile because he was right. We used to spend many nights bickering, even when we were still sneaking around in Mystic Falls, about the temperature of the bedroom. I'd always be too cold and Damon would always be too hot. Eventually we used to compromise to using just one cover as long as Damon snuggled me all night to warm me up.

He especially enjoyed that part.

"Okay fine. What do you want me to do? Gain a few hundred pounds?"

"No." He laughs. "You don't change, you're perfect just the way you are."

My heart and stomach goes into overdrive and my cheeks are probably ten shades of pink right now. Oh God. Damon you can't say things like that to me!

I glance at him from the corner of my eye and he is staring at me with a smirk. Something tells me that he knows exactly what he's doing.

I blush even harder.

Damn you Damon Salvatore, damn you all the way to hell and back you beautiful handsome amazing and sexy as hell human being.

Bit of a filler chapter but plenty of DE to make up for it, right? Plus a jealous Elena! I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and don't be shy to drop a little review :)

Until next time!