Author's Note: Hey guys, here's another chapter for ya. Hope you enjoy it! :D

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Four:

I hummed to myself as I bustled around, getting ready. I can't it - I can't stop thinking about him. Alaric has been on my mind since I got home, last night. I'm hopeless. ...I'm 'love-struck'. Well, that... and probably borderline paranoid... I keep thinking that I'll slip up and say something that I'm not supposed to during class. That's just a disaster waiting to happen. I mean, last night was, for lack of a better word, 'whoa.'

And, what's been on my mind the most is... What would have happened if Damon hadn't interrupted us? Would I have stopped him..? Or would things have heated up even further? The 'what ifs' and the possibilities are endless and keep running through my mind…

I grabbed my things and headed out the door. I locked the door and started walking towards my car, putting my keys in my purse.

I crashed into something solid and started falling before I could stop myself. I looked up and Damon had a hold of me before I could hit the ground.

"Damon?" I asked in surprise. He smirked.

"Hey Judgy, I almost didn't recognize you without hands groping your body." He wiggled his eyebrows. I rolled my eyes.

"Really? You came all the way over here this morning to poke jokes?" I asked, trying to pull out of his grip. He just held onto me tighter. I sighed and gave up for the time being.

"Nah, that's just a bonus. I wanted to see how long you and the teacher have been an item. I mean, I know that Ric and I aren't 'BFFs' but, I like to think that I know most of the things that are going on in his life. And... I figured there was a better chance that you'd tell me something than he would." He explained. My eyebrows rose.

"Oh and why is that?" I asked, clearly surprised.

"Because I don't think that he's too happy with me at the moment..." Damon feigned looking guilty.

"Oh, I wonder why." My voice dripped with sarcasm.

"No, but seriously, is he doin' alright? I know he took Jenna's death pretty hard... I think you'll be good for him. WELL, that's enough chick flick moments for me for one day." He released me and started to walk away. "Oh and Bonnie?" He added. I faced him. "Make sure you use a condom." He winked and left. I shook my head after him. I cannot believe his nerve, sometimes. But, that's Damon... being Damon.

"Alright class, I know you all have been working really hard getting your final projects in for the nine weeks, so I've decided to not assign you a butt-load of homework over the weekend." Alaric announced. The class cheered. I smiled. Honestly, a lot of the teachers got their major projects due last week, so that means smooth sailing for the next couple of weeks. Awesome. "With that being said, I am going to offer extra credit to those who would like to bump up their grade point average, or just to the those young history buffs who have nothing better to do with their time." That earned a laugh from everyone. "I want a paper about something interesting - history, of course. Preferably about your family and how long they've been in Mystic, and anything that you might be proud to share, or just something famous that has happened in the town that you can put your own twist on. Now, obviously, I want this paper to be factual, but I don't want to fall asleep reading it. Seeing as it is extra credit, the better it is, the more credit I will give..." The bell rang, interrupting his speech. He put his hands up in surrender. "Have a good weekend."

I lingered in my seat a little longer than I needed to. I looked up at Alaric and gave him a tiny smile and looked away. Tyler noticed and I hung back.

"Hey Bon, are you coming to the movie thing tonight?" Tyler asked. I nodded.

"Ha, yeah. You know that Care would kill me if I didn't. I'm pretty sure that you're all going." I told him with a giggle. He laughed.

"That's so true. She would definitely rage." He paused and looked over at Alaric. "You comin' tonight Ric?" He asked. Alaric looked up from his bag. His eyes flickered over to me before he answered.

"I think I kind of have to, but I wouldn't miss it. Any excuse to get out of the house on a Friday night is always welcome."

"Awesome. I'll see you guys later." Tyler left us in the room together. Alaric followed him to the door and talked to him for a moment longer then shut the door after him. He walked over to me and helped me up.

"I'm glad you went out with me last night." He told me in a soft voice. It sent shivers down my spine. I smiled up at him.

"I'm glad you asked." I kept my eyes on him. "You're really coming to Caroline's tonight?" I tried not to keep my voice too hopeful. He smirked and nodded.

"It's an excuse to see you. And I'm friends with them; it's nice to be around… people." He pressed a soft kiss on my neck. I shivered.

"Ric…" I got his attention. He looked at me. "Damon'll probably be there tonight." It's something that I hadn't even thought about until now. Will he tell everyone? Alaric's forehead furrowed. His eyes flashed – he looked almost angry. I moved back, just a hair. He seemed to realize what I did and cooled it. His eyes went back to normal.

"Let's just hope that Damon behaves himself… I'll talk to him before tonight. I'll let you know how it goes."

"Alright." I nodded. I went back to my desk and grabbed my bag. I headed for the door.

"Bonnie," Ric caught my arm. "I didn't mean to scare you. Sometimes… my anger just gets the best of me." He said softly. I can tell that he's serious. I don't know what to say… I force myself to nod. I cleared my throat.

"I'll… uh… talk to you tonight." I shook my head. "I'll see you tonight." I lightly pulled my arm out of his grip. I looked at him for a second. "Bye."

Instead of going home, I decided to drive to Caroline's. I texted her to make sure that she was there. I figure that helping her set up will keep my mind busier than sitting around the house doing nothing will. This isn't something that I can keep from Caroline. She'll keep it to herself… Well, I hope that she'll be able to keep it to herself.

I just can't believe he gets angry over the littlest things. Maybe I just didn't notice it before… I mean, we are getting closer now, so I am bound to notice more things about him. But, I don't think that I was that oblivious before. I can't shake that unsettling feeling it gives me. It sort of scares me a bit… and that's not a feeling I want to be that familiar with. I feel so stupid – I know I'm overreacting, but something just feels off. It never lasts and he always goes back to normal. It's not like he has actually acted out in anger… I think part of me is just afraid that one day he would…

I bit my lip and lost myself in my thoughts the rest of the way to Caroline's house.

"Thanks for letting me help set up for the movie night." I gave her a small smile. She stuck her tongue out at me.

"Oh, please, like I would ever tell you 'no'. I love hanging out with you. Duh." She winked. I bit my lip. She gave me a prying look. "Everything okay..?" She asked tentatively.

"Actually, there's something… but I can only tell you if you promise not to say anything to anyone. I don't want this getting out, or anyone knowing that I told you." I looked at her with pleading eyes. She nodded.

"Of course, you know that I wouldn't say anything. Your secret's safe with me Bonnie." She smiled. I nodded.

"Well… I… went-out-on-a-date-with-Alaric-last-night-and-Damon-caught-us-making-out." I told her as quickly as I could muster. Her jaw dropped.

"Are you serious right now? Because I really can't tell… and I could have sworn that you said, 'you went on a date with Alaric last night and Damon caught you making out'!"

"Well, that's good, because that's what I told you." I clarified.

"Bonnie! He's your teacher!" Her eyes bugged out a little.

"I know, but we graduate in a couple months and I'm eighteen. I mean, the teacher-student boundary has never stopped any of us before. How many illegal things have we all done together? I'm pretty sure aiding and embedding supernatural beings qualify in the 'get-tossed-into-jail' category. And have you seriously never thought about him in a non-teacherly way? I mean, have you seen the man? He's like sex on legs. He's way too hot to just be a teacher." I gave her a pointed stare. She burst out laughing.

"Fine, fine, I see your point Bonnie. I'll keep your secret. I guess it isn't as dire as I was making it out to be… Is he a good kisser?" She whispered, leaning closer. I bit my lip and smiled.

"Yes."

"When did all of this start? We're supposed to be besties." She crossed her fingers together. "I told you about Tyler and Matt. Come on, girl! Where's the loyalty?"

"The day before yesterday, so cool your jets. It's not like I expected this to happen. It just… fell into place. He flirted with me first. I never even thought of him that way. But once I did, I couldn't stop thinking about him. He's like… hot boy crack." I tried to explain. We both laughed.

"I think you'd look hot together, personally. I don't see what you were so worried about."

"There's something else… And I'm sure that it's nothing… But I just can't seem to shake the feeling." I added, slowly.

"Alright, shoot."

"This is probably gonna sound really stupid…" I warned. She rolled her eyes. "Sometimes he gets… flashes in his eyes. They're not really noticeable… but he gets angry and his eyes do this weird flashy thing." I tried to explain. She looks confused. I feel dumb for even bringing it up. "I mean, I sound ridiculous just talking about something that's definitely nothing." I laughed it off. Caroline nodded.

"I'm sure that's what it is. You're probably just trying to find something wrong with him, so you can justify getting cold feet." She teased.

"You're probably right. I just don't want it not to work. Ya know?" I agreed. She nodded.

"Come on, we gotta finish this before the guys get here."

"Hey Bonnie…" Damon greeted me in a sing-song voice. I jumped. No one's supposed to be here for an hour and a half.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Nah, but watching you jump was fun. Want me to do it again?" He winked.

"What do you want Damon?"

"What, no, 'hey, how are ya'? You're all work no play. Speaking of 'play' how are you and Ric doing? I just had a lovely, little chat with him. And he still doesn't seem like my biggest fan. Any idea why that might be? Because apparently he doesn't trust that I'm capable of keeping what I saw to myself." He paused and gave me a look of completely innocence. "I know; I couldn't believe it myself. I mean, I would never do that. Okay, I would totally do that. BUT that's not the point. He seemed a little edgy, like there was something on his mind. And, this part, I'd rather keep between the two of us, if you don't mind… Sometimes he can get a little… intense when he's upset – if you catch my drift. So, just be cautious around him when he gets pissy." Mrs. Forbes dropped something and Damon looked around. "Well, this has been nice, but I've got to go take care of something. I'll see you later." He turned to go but thought better of it. "Bonnie, I know I'm kind of a dick, but I do worry about my friends just like everyone else does. Watch your back." And with those parting words, he left.

That was… unexpected to say the least. What does that mean, though? I mean, Damon really caring about me because of that? Weird. That's too coincidental. And, I don't believe in coincidence. Alaric hasn't really given me any reason to worry. Damon's just overreacting.

"Alright, so, the choices are: Just Go With It, Bad Teacher, Footloose (the remake), Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, 17 Again, Wake, and Cursed." Caroline announced. We went through her movies earlier and picked our favorites. The guys laughed.

"Bad Teacher," Tyler voted. Damon and Alaric agreed.

"I don't want to watch 17 Again." Damon shook his head. "Even if I do think those high school girls are hot. There's only so much Zac Efron a man can take."

"That's what she said!" Tyler added.

"You can never get enough Zac Efron." Caroline and I agreed. I sighed. "Well, that's three for Bad Teacher. It wins." I forfeit. Caroline put in the movie and sat down casually next to me, putting herself in between me and Alaric, moving me closer to Damon. I shot Alaric an apologetic look and he smiled at me. I reached over Caroline and gave his hand a small squeeze. Damon noticed and winked at me. I shook my head, restraining a smile.

"Aw Witchy, you couldn't resist sitting next to little, old me, could you?" Damon put and arm around me and gave me a hug. I singed his fingers. He cursed under his breath. I laughed.

"You shouldn't fuck with a witch, Damon." I told him, winking.

"You know I love it when you're sassy." He decided. Everyone laughed at that.

We got comfortable and watched the movie in comfortable silence. The commentary from everyone was hilarious. We definitely need to have more movie nights. They're pretty habitual. We normally have one every few weeks. They're an excuse for everyone to get together. We watched a few more movies and the guys cleared out. I helped Caroline clean up.

"Bonnie, it's late. Why don't you just stay over? We can slumber it like we used to." She said with a smile.

"That sounds great, actually."

Author's Note: Alright, this is longest chapter so far. There was so much I really wanted to get into this chapter. Hope you liked it. Your feedback is awesome. Reviews are love.

Xo Xo
Anneryn