I felt picture perfect
On and off a shelf to a broken frame of mind, a broken frame of mind
It comes back and haunts me
A bullet undercover, it fooled me every time, it fooled me every time
But even if I lose it all
I've got so much left to give, I won't give up, no, no
My heart's on the front-line, I'm not afraid
(Never been Hurt by Demi Lovato)

Chapter 3

Parting ways after having had the most amazing shower sex she had ever experienced had been hard. Extremely. He had been very persuasive but she hadn't given in. Mostly because she knew if she was a no-show for the Lockwood's, well then she'd be in trouble. If it had been up to her, she'd have stayed the rest of the weekend with him. He was fun. He made her laugh. He brought her out of her shell. She felt adventurous, she felt free. Despite all his 'rules'. But in a way, they weren't all that extreme. It just came down to being a decent human being, courteous, and respective of each other. He respected her, which was better than most people would expect. It kind of was a relationship, but without emotions. She could live with that. Emotions is where things got complicated and serious.

He didn't want serious. She found that odd. He was almost twenty-seven and he wasn't anywhere near settling down. She wondered what had caused that. She didn't believe he had always been that way. But how was she supposed to know. He never had actually really talked about himself, always focusing on her. She'd have to change that. It would be her mission, for him to open up to her. She could at least make the 'friend' in friends with benefits, applicable to them.

He promised he'd be in contact, also telling her if she was feeling particularly frustrated that he was only a phone call away. So with one last kiss she headed home, putting him far in the back of her mind and instead choosing to focus on the traffic around her.

Making good time on the road, she was able to quickly stop by her house, change, freshen up and was at the Lockwood's within the socially acceptable arrival time. An accomplishment if she ever saw one.

Stumbling through the door, she spotted Bonnie talking to a guy from school, deciding she didn't look like she needed saving, she went to check-in with her parents. Walking around as she searched for them, she grabbed a sparkling water from a passing waiter, she needed to rehydrate, and at that notion, she felt her stomach grumble. Letting out a groan, she realised she hadn't eaten since last night, her body was starving. Especially after the workout she received this morning, she was desperately in need of a stock up. Maybe she could get away with leaving early, and running down to the bakery, after all Mrs. Lockwood never had any good food at her parties. Just little niblets, that at this point weren't anywhere in sight. Damn. Looking down grumbling, she told her abdomen to behave.

"Elena. There you are." Her mother, Miranda called out, making her way towards Elena through the crowd of people. Elena's father, Grayson, trailing behind her.

"Mom, Dad." she greeted them warmly, her mother kissing her cheek, while her father pressed a kiss upon her forehead.

"You look gorgeous, honey? Where'd you get this dress from?" her mother asked, checking her out.

She had put on a floral pink lace dress she'd discovered behind some formal dresses, she hadn't really thought floral was her thing or even dresses. She usually stuck to skirts when she was at an event, but seeing the dress, it had called out to her, and so she had tried it on. She had loved the way it felt, right down to the way it curved around her body, fitting her perfectly.

"It was in the back of my closet, not sure? I might've stole it from Jenna." she smiles sheepishly.

"Don't give it back." Miranda winks at her.

"Not likely." she grins.

She loved her parents, they were everything to her. Anytime she needed to talk she could rely on them. Like the other day, it had been her mother who had helped her sort out through her Matt troubles. It was only after their talk that she had finally seen, that they weren't compatible. In a sense, they were better off as friends. Now she only hoped, he would see that.

"How was your night?" her mother asked sweetly, genuinely concerned about her time out.

It made Elena kind of guilty that she was lying to them about where she'd been. But there were limits to this openness she shared with her parents, and she knew that if they knew what she'd been up, it would definitely cross a line.

Swallowing her guilt, "It was good, I just needed some time away, a distraction." she said her voice dropping lower, "You know?"

"Well I for one, am glad it's over." her father states, referring to her break up.

"Grayson!" Miranda shrieks, slapping him softly in the stomach.

"He wasn't good enough for our daughter." he voices to his wife. Turning his head to Elena, "He didn't make you happy." he states frankly.

See, her own father could even tell.

"I'm so proud of you, honey." her mother says as she fiddles with a loose hair, tucking it behind her ear gently.

"Thanks Mom." she said weakly, fighting the lump in her throat. This was only adding to her guilt.

Maybe she hadn't thought this over carefully. Was she really capable of keeping this a secret? Could she continue lying to them, and possibly even to her friends? Maybe it was reckless of her to have agreed to Damon's proposition. She knew that whatever she had with Damon, would ultimately come to an end. And there was only two ways this would end. They'd decide to mutually end this, or someone finds out, i.e her parents, and that would be the end of it.

She can't see her parents accepting this type of exploration, her father especially. Let's be real here, not many fathers would in any occasion be happy that their daughters were having sex. And her father wasn't the exception, he's just so protective over her. He had barely let her go out with Matt, and he'd known Matt since he was in diapers.

She was eighteen, technically an adult. He couldn't really tell her who she could or couldn't see. It was time she made her own choices, mistakes and all. And he would have to learn to accept that in the end. Right? But at the same time, it's hard, you don't want to disappoint your parents. Especially when they're so proud of you. It's a difficult situation. There really isn't a win-win.

She sighed softly watching as her parents were greeted by the Fells, she blended into the background, stealing another glass of water. She could feel a headache coming on. Finding an open sofa, she sunk into the plush material, flashes of this morning, flying through her mind. When she'd think of him, this flutter in her began, and no matter how guilty she felt earlier it's like at the same time she couldn't feel guilty for trying this. She was confused. Battling internally with herself. It's kind of a good thing that emotions aren't involved. Can you imagine how much harder this would be?

"Elena!" Round two came her way in a neat package of tight blonde curls. Caroline bounced down on the spot next to her, with a tall glass of what appeared to be lemonade in her hand, however as she breathed out her next sentence Elena could smell the copious amounts of alcohol that spiked her drink.

"You'll never guess what Georgia Fell did? She got skunk drunk last night and slipped down the stairs, spraining her leg, she can barely walk, let alone cheer. What are we going to do?" A worried look passes on Caroline's face as she contemplates, "I guess we could move Amy into her spot, then Carrie into that position, and set you up toward the front. Yeah, I think that will do. What do you think?"

"Uhh Caroline…did you forget? I quit yesterday, remember?"

"But Elena, you can't leave us like this. We need you."

"Caroline." she warns the girl.

"Please Elena," she pleads, her eyes widening as she sticks out her plump bottom lip, "You can't just drop us like that. Especially now, that Georgia Fell is out of commission. The squad will be a joke."

"I'm sorry Caroline, you'll have to find another way around this. I'm officially off the team, and nothing you can say, can convince me to come back. Please just respect that."

Feeling the conversation was over, she got up and started heading for the kitchen, it was time to search for food. Seriously, what was Caroline thinking? It had been just yesterday when she had told her, that she was done with this. That she couldn't be a part of it anymore. She had even told her that it just didn't feel right anymore. She thought that Caroline would at least respect her choice. Breaking out of her thoughts she heard two last words, that could have only been directed at her. Turning around she saw Caroline, looking down on her.

"What did you say?"

"Yeah, you heard me. You've changed. God I can barely recognize you anymore."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her eyebrows furrow, shooting a glare at the blonde. The way she had said that. She could hear the tone, she was being condescending, and all because she was changing.

"Florals-" Caroline laughed, making fun of her dress, "-you should stick to your jeans and chucks. But then I guess, that's not good enough for you anymore. Looks like we're all not good enough for you anymore. Dumping cheerleading, dumping Matt. Who's next?"

"You." Elena says having enough of this. "How's that work for you? 'Cause it's starting to look like I don't need this."

"What are we, a toilet?" she screeches, "Fine! You know what Elena, if that's how you wanna be!"

"No, this is how you wanna be." Her voice remaining steady as she replied. "Whatever Caroline, consider yourself flushed."

Storming off, she clenched her fists, she was seething. She couldn't believe Caroline. The nerve that girl had sometimes. She muttered obscenities all the way to her car. She wasn't going have any of this. She had a headache, she was hungry and now she was damn cranky as hell. Turning a corner she finally spotted her car. And surprise, surprise her brother was there leaning against the frame of her car.

"Saw the showdown. Nice. Should have brought out the kiddie pool and some mud. Rawr." he playfully raises his hand and does a claw-scratching motion.

"Oh my god. Jer." She laughs, "Don't ever do that again." she says emphasising each word.

"Why? If it got you to laugh, it did its job." he shrugs. "Can I catch a ride home? This party is lame."

"Tell me about it?" she mutters. "Hop in. I gotta stop by the bakery, I'm starving."

"That's cool. Could do with some of those muffins you bought last week. Best thing you've ever brought home. After all, it is the closest thing to cooking you can do." he laughs teasing her skills in the kitchen.

"Hey! I can cook."

"Yeah? What exactly?"

"I make one hell of a PB & J sandwich and…Oh, Oh!" she exclaims as she bounces lightly in the driver's seat, "I've finally mastered the science of toast. No fire trucks needed this time." she smiles proudly, playing along.

Everyone including herself, knew not to let her in the kitchen. Chances are, she'd burn something.

"Ha-Ha-Ha…you're so funny." he says in a deadpan manner, before cracking a smile.

"So when'd you get to the party?" Elena asks.

"Ugh ages ago." he throws his head back, slinking into the passenger seat. "Mom wanted to get there early to help out, and she dragged Dad and me along. We had no choice." he groaned.

"That sucks."

"Yep." he says popping the 'p.' "So I hear you're no longer dating the quarterback, Matty Blue-Blue."

"God" she groans, "This town, I swear, everything is everyone else's business." Letting out a frustrated growl, she turns her head to him, "So tell me, is it as bad as I think it is?"

"Depends. How bad do you think it is?"

"You're avoiding the question." she retorts, putting the car into park, and unbuckling her seatbelt. They'd arrived at the bakery. It was in the town over only like a ten minute drive. She had no sense of town loyalty. It would probably be on the front page of the town paper if it got out that she was buying goods from the competitor town…but honestly they were just so good.

"Ah, so this is where you got them from?" Jer says walking around the car and following her inside. "Scandalous." he whispers from beside her.

"Shut up." she giggles. "And don't tell anyone."

"Ooooh…scared your reputation as town angel will be shattered."

"Don't worry that's too late. Remember me and Matty Blue-Blue broke up. Now tell me-" She was cut off by the sales lady, asking her sweetly how she could help her. Ordering a pizza roll, a few croissants and a box of red velvet muffins, which according to her brother, had been to die for last time he'd had them.

It wasn't long before they were back on the road. Each of them munching on a muffin silently.

"People were calling you Queen Bitch, amongst other things." he finally mentioned their earlier conversation. "I told them to shut it, and that they didn't know what they were talking about. But there was only so much I could do." he said looking helpless. "What happened, Elena? One minute things were perfect and then next everything's chaotic, and everyone's gossiping about you, and now, you're fighting with Caroline."

Twisting her head sideways, so he couldn't see her face as she felt tears water her eyes, she was lucky that she had just turned into their street. They were home. Shutting off the ignition, she felt a teardrop hit her hand. Swiping the tears quickly away from her eyes, she turned to face her brother.

"I dunno, Jer." she choked out. "Things haven't been perfect in a long time." She stopped, breathing slowly as she internally promised herself she wouldn't cry. "I wasn't happy with who I was. Who I was letting myself become. So I made some changes. And well, people aren't too happy with my choices." she started grabbing her things from the car, and opened the door. The tension was suffocating her. She needed to get out of there.

"Screw them."

"What?" she turned to face him, he'd gotten out of the car and was right behind her.

"Screw them all, Elena. Don't take the crap they're giving. Actually, no, take all the crap and fling it back at them." he says bluntly. "They are not worth a single piece of your time if they treat you like this. Especially from people you call your friends. Okay?"

Trying really hard not to cry, she wrapped her arms around him. She couldn't have asked for a better brother than the one she got. They were close. He was only fifteen, so the age gap between them wasn't that big, being that they were less than three years apart. He'd be sixteen in a few months. She knew he was looking forward to it. He couldn't wait to drive.

Anyway, you know how you'd see those siblings, that would always fight, bicker every way to next year. That was most definitely, not them. She didn't know why, but they'd always gotten along. From a small age. Like of course they'd have fights, but nothing that was so totally serious that they wouldn't be friends again by the next hour, as if nothing had happened.

"Thank you." she whispered into his embrace. Sniffling softly she continued, "I really needed to hear that."

Pulling away from his embrace, she smiled strongly, and led the way inside. Dropping their goods on the kitchen table, Jeremy quickly made himself comfortable at the T.V. a controller in hand as he booted up the Xbox. Deciding she was ready for a nap, she grabbed her pizza roll for later and made her way upstairs in search for her bed.

After her nap, she'd laid in bed for a while. She'd heard her parents come home not too long ago. They'd probably stopped by the hospital. Her mom loves volunteering, and takes any chance she can get. She's just so selfless. She didn't know how she did it. And well her father was Chief Surgeon at Mystic Falls Hospital. He dealt with many people as Chief, one of them being Damon. Damon handled legal issues that arise from negligence directed at the hospital. And he was good at his job. She'd seen him once in action. Not that he knew that. She had been waiting at the hospital for her father to finish work, she'd sometimes help out as well. Yes, she was one of those girls, 'Candy Stripers', with the dress and all.

Anyway, she'd been waiting for her father, she had had twenty minutes to spare, so she was walking around. Walking by the conference room she could see that the door was opened just a crack, allowing her to peep in. And she heard him. He was so good with his words. He was so charming and charismatic that he had his victims wrapped around his finger, making them sign whatever he needed them to sign.

Breaking out of her thoughts. She heard a knock on her door, it was her mother asking to come in. Calling her in, she sat up in bed, holding her knees together.

"So, what's my girl doing huddled up in her room all day?" She says sinking into the bed, beside her, wrapping an arm around her.

"Your girl, is sulking. Bad day." she grumbled, snuggling closer to her mother.

"I heard. I thought I had to be mistaken when I heard that the Sheriff's daughter and the Chief Surgeon's daughter had full blown screaming match in the middle of a party."

"You mean to tell me, you didn't hear it for yourself?"

"Your father and I were dragged outside by Carol, you know, council meetings." sighing gently she rubbed soothing circles on her arm, "You wanna talk about it?"

"What's there to talk about? Caroline is upset that I've quit cheerleading and that I'm not bending backwards to help her. Literally. She wants me back on the team. But Mom, I just don't think I can do it. It's not me anymore. Then she had the audacity to pretty much say she didn't like who I was becoming. Then it escalated to her screaming at me, and I couldn't take that, so I left."

"Aww, honey. How are you holding up?

"I don't know if we'll ever recover. We both said some heated things. And to be honest, I'm mad at her. Really mad.

"Give it time, sweetie. She'll come around."

"Thanks Mommy." she hugged her, enjoying the smell of her perfume. She decided she'd put this behind her. She wouldn't let it affect her. Feeling lips press to her forehead. She pushed the lump in her throat down. She wouldn't cry.

"Anytime baby." she squeezed her tightly. "Here you left your left your bag downstairs, your phone's been going off all night. I'll leave you to them." She said walking towards her door. "Love you honey."

"Love you too." she said blowing a kiss to her mom.

Unlocking her phone, she was bombarded with alerts. Majority of them were from Bonnie, a bunch were emails, but there was one that caught her eye. It was from Damon. Ignoring all the others, she opened his message.

Hope you got home safely.
Can't wait to see you again. ;)
- D

Remembering this morning. Had it only been this morning that she'd had some of the greatest sex of her life? Yes, yes it was. Wow, her day had just gone downhill since then. Maybe she should have just stayed with him. This whole thing would have been avoided. Looking at the time, it was only 9.30 p.m. She was still exhausted. Even after taking a nap.

Messaging him back. She told him she was home, safe and snuggled in bed. Refraining from saying she was currently cuddling her teddy bear.

Her phone instantly lit up, he was calling her. She really wasn't in the mood to talk anymore. At least not about her. But maybe he could offer a distraction.

"Hey."

"E-lena." he sings out, making her giggle slightly. Here she was in foul mood and in an instant he was making her laugh. She had never met anyone who'd done that before. It was different. A good different.

"Someone's in a good mood?" she twirled a lock of her hair, playing with it before dropping it, choosing to instead, sink into her comfy bed. Taking comfort as the blankets coddled her, keeping her warm. She couldn't wait for summer. She had only a few more months.

"Which only means, that someone isn't." he replies, "So what's up? Did something happen at the party?"

Sputtering, "H-how do you always know what's up?"

"I'm that good, baby."

She swears if she was there with him, she'd see that cocky smirk that he wears everywhere.

"It's unnatural."

"It's called psychology." he replies, hearing her huff, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No, not really. I'm all talked out. But I do want to thank you for today and last night. You were amazing. Not that your ego needs to hear it. However you were definitely the best part of my day. So, thank you….Kitten." she giggles, using his name for her, against him.

Hearing him choke back a laugh, made her laugh harder.

"No, no, Kitten, that's your name." he shoots back.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that. Where'd you'd get it from anyway?"

"Well isn't that obvious? You're a feisty feline, invincible. You have all the sass of a kitten. You're young and curious. And despite your small size you're quite strong and agile. Kitten just fits you."

She sat stunned, her ear pressed up to the phone. "W-Well I don't know whether to be flattered, or to take offence that you just compared me to a cat."

"Definitely flattered, cats are adorable, and you my kitten are the most captivating one I've ever met."

"Stop charming your way through everything!" she exclaims, her cheeks painted red.

"Does that mean it's working?"

There he went with that charm again. Damn him and his words.

"Good night, Damon." she sings out refusing to answer him.

"G'night, Elena." he plays with his southern accent, purposely drawling out the words, adding that extra bit of seductiveness to his voice.

Rolling her eyes, she tosses her phone aside. Deciding she could go to bed, after the day she had. She at least deserved a good night's sleep. Bringing the covers up to her chin, she closes her eyes and it's not long before she's fallen into a deep sleep. All the worry, and sadness disappears from her face, till all that's left is a peaceful brunette, smiling in her sleep.

Tomorrow could only bring a better day.

A/N: So wow guys, look at me, on a roll. No way was I expecting to write this chapter out. But here you are reading the finished product. This just flowed so easily. And I just went with it. Going to admit I got teary at the Jeremy and Elena parts. Hope you liked it. And now I certainly won't be updating till after the 16th. But then again, I've said that before. And look at where we are.

To some questions. This chapter proves that this story won't be all about lemons. It will have a story line aspect to it. And I have a bunch of drama stirring as you can tell. What's up next for Elena? How will she cope, to losing her friend.

Thank you to all you who reviewed. It means a whole bunch. I love all your ideas, so keep them coming! I don't promise to do them all, but if you have requests, go for it, I love to hear them.

Love you bbs xoxo.