AN: Hey, everyone! So sorry for the late update! I've been busy for the last couple of weeks entertaining house guests. I'm free now, so I decided to get this out to you all! It's a long one, and hopefully worth the wait :)
xoxo
CHAPTER 7:
"No," I shake my head immediately. "Absolutely not,"
Jeremy scoffs as he narrows his eyes at me. "Elena, they're not just your parents," he reminds me, and I suddenly feel a weak fight in my favor.
"Jer, I don't want you to get involved in this-" I tell him.
"I'm an adult, Elena, so, really, I don't need your permission." He laughs. "If you won't let me in, then I'll just go looking for answers on my own."
I don't know what to do. Jeremy has a point, yet he shouldn't be involved in this.
"Elena," Jeremy says, and I immediately shake my head.
"Why do you even want in on this?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
Jeremy frowns. "The same reason as you. There's Something about their deaths that we don't know, and we both want answers."
I have no idea what to do. On one hand, Jeremy deserves to know. If someone came and told me that I couldn't look into my parent's deaths, then I would have the same reaction as Jeremy. On the other hand, though, this is dangerous for him to know about, and I don't want him to be collateral damage in this fight.
But Jeremy's my brother, and he wants to know what happened to our parents.
And I can't take that away from him.
"Fine," I sigh.
"Really?" Jeremy's eyes widen as if he can't believe that I've agreed.
"You deserve to know the truth just as much as I," I admit. "Whether I like it or not,"
Jeremy's face lits up. "Great. I won't tell Grayson or anyone about this," he says. "Goodnight, Elena,"
I'm suddenly left alone in my room, staring at the spot where Jeremy was just standing.
I can't believe that I actually agreed. I'm his sister. I shouldn't allow him to be apart of something dangerous. Yet, again, he deserves answers.
Instead of starting World War III with myself, I decide to hop into bed and abandon all thoughts.
"Elena, get down here!"
My eyes shoot open, and suddenly, I snatch my glasses off of my night stand and hop out of bed as I take no hesitation to rush downstairs at the sound of Grayson's harsh town.
As I turn the corner at the end of the staircase, I'm met with Grayson, Jeremy and Jenna sitting at the kitchen table, surrounding a round frosted cake.
"Happy birthday," they all shout cheerfully.
"Oh, guys, you didn't have to do this," I shake my head. I'm not one for large attention.
"Come on, we did." Jeremy says, and I look up at him. I suddenly remember our conversation last night, and he must be too as I catch him winking at me.
"Thank you, guys," I smile at the three of them, and Jenna squeals.
"Make a wish." she giggles, and I notice that there are six blazing flamed candles pressed into the white cake.
"Alright," I smile as I approach the table. "But no singing," I tell them sternly as I scoop my hair into a bun with the hair binder wrapped around my wrist.
"No singing," Grayson nods in agreement. Slowly, I lean into the cake. I close my eyes as I silently make a wish, and when I open my eyes, I blow out the candles.
"Alright," Jenna sighs as she rubs her stomach. "Finally, I can have a piece of this bad boy."
I giggle as I pull out a chair and sit down at the table. Grayson places a plate with a slice of cake in front of me, and I smile.
"Thank you," I say as I grab the fork and take a bite out of the slice.
"Mmm," I smile as the rich pastry enters my mouth. "So good,"
"So, what time's this thing tonight?" Grayson asks as he pulls out a chair and sits beside Jenna, who's already on her second slice.
"What thing?" I frown as I take a sip of the milk beside me.
"This party that Kat's having."
Crap. I forgot about that.
"I don't know, I haven't talked to her." I sigh. "I'll stop over after I'm done eating."
Grayson nods. "Alright."
And we eat in silence as we finish our cake.
About twenty minutes later, I turn the corner onto Isobel's street. As I'm about to swing into the driveway, I'm forced to slam onto the brakes as I nearly ram into a red sedan.
What the-? Who's car is that?
I shift the car into reverse as I pull backwards into the street. Once I'm clear, I put the car back into drive and crank the wheel as I pull in front of the house.
As I climb out of my car, I'm met with the strange red car again. Who could possibly be here, and why?
I sigh with confusion as I make my way up the richly colored lawn and up the stoop. I ring the bell, and the familiar chime plays as I stand patiently, waiting for someone to answer.
"Katherine?." The front door whisks open, and I'm met with the clouded hazel eyes of a stranger. His copper-colored hair sticks up in a stylish curl.
"Erm," I frown, confused. I have the right house-
"Stefan!"
Damon's suddenly at the stranger's side, and I blink as he seems to be seething with anger.
"Damon," I say, sighing in relief. A familiar face.
"I was just answering the door-"
"Well, this isn't your house to answer the door, Stef," Damon snaps, and I suddenly feel like I'm intruding on their little exchange. Just as I am about to excuse myself, Stefan scoffs.
"It's not your house, either." Stefan shoots back. In response, Damon rolls his eyes as he clears his throat.
"Elena, this is my little brother, Stefan." he sighs as he gestures to the stranger in front if me. "Stefan, this is Kat's identical twin sister, Elena,"
"They look nothing alike," Stefan says flatly as he assesses me.
"It's easier to see when she's not wearing her glasses." he says.
"Well, let's see," Stefan nods in acknowledgement at me, and I sigh as I take my glasses off.
"Yeah," Stefan shrugs. "I see it,"
"Is Kat home?" I ask.
"I'm right here,"
The three of us turn to see Kat emerging from the kitchen.
"Hi," I say. "I was just stopping by to ask about the party tonight,"
Katherine scoffs. "And you couldn't have just called me about this?" she raises an eyebrow at me.
"I wanted to get out of the house," I tell her, though I really don't feel that I have to explain myself to her.
"Party?" Stefan perks up.
"It's Kat's birthday today, and their aunt's throwing them a party tonight," Damon tells him.
"Oh, well, happy birthday to the both of you ladies," Stefan grins.
"Thanks," I smile.
"No problem. Now, If you'll excuse me," he says as he steps out of the room.
"Well, what do you want to know?" Kat sighs.
"Where it's at, what time it's at-"
"Whoa, whoa," Kat holds her hands up. "Slow down, sis. I haven't had my morning coffee yet." she says, and I vaguely notice Damon scoffing.
Just then, the sound of techno music bursts the air, and Katherine moans as she pulls out her phone.
"I'll be right back," she says as she walks down the hall.
Awkward silence fills the air as Damon and I are left alone in the main room.
"So, about the party-" I begin, but Damon interrupts me.
"I have it on my phone." he says as he walks toward me. "Here," he holds out his phone, and I frown at it in confusion.
"Put your number in it," he says. "I'll forward you the information."
I nod in understanding as I take his blackberry from him and enter my number into his contacts.
"Here," I hand him back his phone. "Thanks."
"No problem." he smiles warmly at me, and I suddenly feel nervous.
"I-I should go," I say, and Damon nods as he leads me to the front door. I step out onto the stoop and turn back to face Damon, who's leaning against the door frame. "I'll see you later," he says.
"Bye," I say as I turn around to leave.
About twenty minutes after I arrived home, I received a text from Damon with the details about the party tonight. It's at restaurant that I remember visiting with my family when I was young. He also added that I can invite some of my friends if I wanted to. The idea was too sorely tempting. However, I knew that it would set Kat in a mood. But it's not just her birthday. So I decided to call Bonnie and we're just pulling into the lot outside of the bar and grill "Jack's" at quarter past seven.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice," I say to Bonnie as I unclasp my seatbelt.
"Oh, no problem. This'll be fun." she smiles.
As we walk into the restaurant, I immediately look around for a table with Kat.
"Oh, dear," Bonnie says, and I turn to see Damon and Kat cuddled up on the end of a U-shaped booth, Stefan scowling as he observes them. The one person I didn't expect to see here, however, is Caroline, who's sitting beside Stefan on the opposite side.
"You were right," I say, and Bonnie frowns at me as she follows me over to the table.
"Right about what?" she scoffs.
"This will be fun." I say with sarcasm.
"Hey," Stefan greets as we approach the group. Damon and Katherine look up at Bonnie and I, and Caroline smiles softly.
"Hi," I sigh. Bonnie sits down at the empty spot besides Caroline, and I stand there awkwardly.
"Here, sit down," Damon says as he scoots over, making room for me. I nod as I slide into the booth beside him.
"Oh, it's open mic night," Stefan says, and I frown.
I look over his shoulder and sure enough, there's a crowd gathered around a stage as a young girl with black hair sings "Arms" by Christina Perri with a guitar.
"Oh," I say. "I've never seen one of these before."
"I'd do something like that, but I'm not to good with audiences," Stefan says.
"Me as well," I sigh. "I'm not too keen on attention."
"That's not obvious," Kat scoffs, and I look at her.
"Kat," Damon says, a hint of disapproval in his voice. At least someone will stand up for me when it comes to her.
"My bad," she sighs.
"So, you play an instrument, Elena?" Stefan asks, and I nod.
"Piano," I say, and something pulls me to look at Damon, and when I catch his eye, I suddenly remember the day that he caught me playing at Isobel's.
"Interesting." Stefan smiles. "How long have you been?"
"Since I was little. I've stopped playing recently, though," I say softly.
"Oh, why?" Stefan wonders.
"Personal reasons," I mutter. "Kat and I, our parents passed away about six years ago,"
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Stefan says, and the mood shifts immensely as I stare down at my hands.
"I'll be right back," Bonnie says, and suddenly, she's out of her seat at the awkward table.
"Where'd she go?" Caroline speaks for the first time.
"I don't know," Stefan shrugs. "She didn't say."
"Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen," A man's voice echoes over the speakers, and suddenly Bonnie's back in her seat.
"Where'd you go?" I whisper, but Bonnie shakes her head as she looks toward the stage.
"We've received an anonymous request for a performance by a young girl, who, as rumor has it, is celebrating her twenty-second birthday."
No.
"Elena Gilbert, where are you?"
She didn't.
"Bonnie, what did you-?" I gasp, but Bonnie purses her lips as she raises her hand and points to me.
"Put your hand down!" I hiss, motioning for her to place her hand down.
"She's right here," Bonnie announces, and soon, all eyes are on me.
"Well, why don't you come on up here, birthday girl?" The man's voice says, and I cringe inwardly. I can't believe that Bonnie has done this.
"Go up there, Elena," She grins as the crowd encourages me to get up.
"I can't sing!" I squeak.
"Elena, I've heard you sing many times. You're amazing," Caroline compliments to my surprise, and I blink at her.
"Elena, get your butt up there before I drag it up there myself," Bonnie threatens.
"This isn't over, Bonnie Bennett." I hiss as I reluctantly slide out of the booth. Despite the cheerful crowd, I nervously make my way up to the stage.
"Well, show us what you've got," the man encourages as he hands me the microphone. I feel like I'm about to throw up.
"Go, Elena!" I hear Caroline call, and suddenly, I hear the rest of the crowd join in.
I take a deep breath as I place my fingers on the keys and lean into the microphone. My hands slide across a couple keys as I close my eyes and play the opening notes of Demi Lovato's "Fix A Heart".
It's probably what's best for you
I only want the best for you
And if I'm not the best then you're stuck
I tried to sever ties and I ended up with wounds to bind
Like you're pouring salt in my cuts
And I just ran out of band-aids
I don't even know where to start
'Cause you can bandage the damage
You never really can fix a heart
Even though I know what's wrong
How could I be so sure
If you never say what you feel, feel
I must have held your hand so tight
You didn't have the will to fight
I guess you needed more time to heal
Baby, I just ran out of band-aids
I don't even know where to start
'Cause you can bandage the damage
You never really can fix a heart
During the interlude, I sneak a glance at the table. Kat's not even there, Stefan is smiling at me, Caroline and Bonnie are grinning like loons, and Damon is staring at me with something like disbelief in his eyes.
You must be a miracle worker
Swearing up and down
You can fix what's been broken, yeah
Please don't get my hopes up
No, no, baby, tell me how could you be so cruel?
It's like you're pouring salt on my cuts
Baby, I just ran out of band-aids
I don't even know where to start
'Cause you can bandage the damage
You never really can fix a heart
Baby, I just ran out of band-aids
I don't even know where to start
'Cause you can bandage the damage
You never really can fix a heart
Oh no, no, no
You never really can fix a heart
Oh no, no, no
You never really can fix a heart
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh yeah-oh, oh, oh, oh
You never really can fix my heart
My fingers brush the last notes of the song, and I look up. Silence fills the room, then suddenly, a burst of applause and cheering emerges, and Damon, Stefan, Caroline and Bonnie stand up with the rest of the crowd.
I'm suddenly overwhelmed with emotions as I stare out at the faces in front of me. I never thought that I could do this, but I did.
I stand up from the piano bench and bow, then make my way to the table. On my way there, several people pull me aside and congratulate me.
"Good Job, Elena,"
I look up to see Mason standing in front of me, and I stop dead in my tracks.
"Mason," I breathe. What is he doing here?
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asks softly, and I glance back to the group. They're all watching me like a hawk.
"Quickly," I nod, and Mason leads me outside of the restaurant.
"Give me another chance," Mason says when we're alone, and I close my eyes in conflict.
How did I not see this coming?
"Mason, I-"
"Elena, please," Mason says.
"Is this what you wanted?" I hiss. "To beg me to get back with you?"
"Elena, listen-"
"No, I'm not going to listen, Mason," I tell him. "I left because I couldn't give you what you wanted. I'm sorry that I changed my mind."
"Elena?"
At the sound of Damon's voice, I whip around to see him standing in the door, concern in his eyes.
"Damon," I say, relieved.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Mason sneers.
"No, Mason, he's not," I say sternly, turning back to face him. "Please just leave me alone,"
"Elena, come on-"
"You need to go," Damon says softly, and I turn to look at him. His eyes are just on the edge of anger.
"I don't take orders," Mason scoffs.
"Listen. Elena's upset, and you really need to go," he says, now angry as he approaches us.
"Now," Damon says softly as he challenges Mason, and even I flinch in fear.
Mason says nothing for a moment, but then walks past Damon angrily and disappears. I immediately let out a sigh of relief.
"Are you okay?" Damon asks me quietly, and I nod.
"I need the bathroom." I say, and before he can stop me, I run to the restroom and close the door behind me. I take a deep breath as I turn on the faucet and splash my face with cool water. I catch my reflection in the mirror, and suddenly, I begin to breathe heavy.
Elena sat on Mason's desk at his apartment, buttoning up her blue blouse. Mason sat on the edge of his bed, pulling his pants on. Elena watched in the corner of her eye as Mason stood up, shirtless, and strolled over to her.
"Here's the money," he muttered, and Elena looked up. Mason slid the clip of cash into her bra.
"Thank you," Elena said as she hopped off of the desk and flattened her skirt over her legs. "Goodbye," Elena reached up and kissed Mason on the cheek.
"Elena, wait," Mason said, and Elena felt Mason's hand grab hers.
"What?" she asked, and when she turned around, Mason's hands gripped her tiny waist and pulled her towards him. She placed her palms on top of Mason's bare chest.
"After tomorrow, you're no longer a student here," Mason said quietly, and Elena could detect the seriousness of his tone.
"You're right," She nodded. She was graduating Whitmore tomorrow, and then she'd be heading back to Mystic Falls to find out what had happened to her parents.
"And you're moving," He said, and Elena nodded.
"Right again," she laughed softly.
"When will I see you again?" he wondered softly as his hands traced over her hipbone. Elena shifted at the sudden touch.
"I don't know," she giggled as he nipped her collarbone. She hadn't thought much of their relationship after she graduated.
"Elena," Mason breathed, pulling away from her to look at her. Elena looked up into Mason's concerned green eyes.
What was up with him?
"Don't leave,"
What?
"Wait, what are you-?"
"Marry me," he smiled, and Elena gasped in shock. Was he really-?
Suddenly, Mason dropped to the floor on one knee and took her hand in his.
"Elena, I love you," Mason admitted, and Elena closed her eyes as she began to tear up. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and we can do that if you stay here with me," He said as he pulled her to him and kissed her stomach.
"Mason-" She said. Her heart was now at war with her mind, and Elena didn't know what to do. She had developed feelings towards him despite the policies, however, she was no longer a student at Whitmore after tomorrow. Marriage was something that Elena never even thought of. She was planning to move back for a reason, and if she moved here with Mason, she couldn't find out what had happened.
"Elena, please. I know that you're only twenty-one. I know that we had a risky start to our relationship. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to marry you, to be with you." he told her.
So Elena didn't know why she nodded and mouthed the words, "yes".
I hear a nock on the door suddenly, and I look up through my watery eyes.
"Elena?"
Crap. Damon's voice comes from the other side, and I stand up slowly.
"Coming," I reply, annoyed that my voice sounds stuffy.
"Elena, are you alright?" Damon asks, and I recompose myself as I open the door. Damon looks up at me with concerned eyes, and I blink.
"I'm fine," I tell him as I walk past him.
"No, you're not," he says softly. "Your make up is smeared all over your face, Elena,"
To my surprise, Damon grabs my hand and I'm whisked back inside of the bathroom.
"Damon-"
Ignoring me, Damon shuts the door and walks me over to the counter top, gesturing for me to sit. I find myself obeying, and Damon runs one of the porcelain sinks. I see him grab a fluffy rag off of the counter top beside me. Damon turns the faucet off, and he walks over to stand in front of me. I flinch as he presses the rag to my cheek.
"What are you-?" I gasp at the sting of the hot water against my skin.
"Quiet," he says, continuing to brush the cloth over my face.
I blink rapidly up at Damon, confused and shocked by his care of me. As Damon continues to dab my face, he repeatedly looks in my eyes, and I try to prevent my skin from reddening at his intense stare.
"There," he breathes, and I look up into his eyes just as he looks down at my lips.
"Damon-"
"Elena? Where are you?" When Bonnie's voice startles me, I quickly step out of the bathroom, making sure to shield Damon with the door as I squeeze out of it.
"Sorry, I needed the restroom," I say.
"Have you seen Damon?" she asks, frowning. "I think he saw you and Mason together and came to see if you were alright,"
"I think he went outside," I lie.
"Oh," Bonnie sighs. "Kat's looking for him,"
"Why did you do that?" I ask her, desperate to change the subject.
"Do what?" Bonnie frowns.
"Why did you volunteer me to sing?" I hiss. "You know I don't like attention."
"Elena, you were practically dripping with sadness at the table. And you needed a pick-me-up." Bonnie says. "You were great,"
"Well, still, please don't do that again," I sigh, my argument deflating.
"Sorry," she says.
"Let's get back to the table before Kat goes balistic," I say, and we walk back to the group, Damon still in the bathroom.
About forty-five minutes later, I shut the door to my bedroom softly. My heart is still rapidly beating from the scene in the bathroom with Damon. Why do I feel like this? It's wrong.Yet, I can't help it. Lately, Damon has been occupying my thoughts, and I can't shake him.
Deciding to shake of my thoughts, I strip down and into pajamas, and as I crawl into bed, sleep immediately consumes me.
AN:PLEASE FAVE/FOLLOW/ REVIEW :)
PS: Please check out my other TVD/DE stories Bitten: The Marked,it's sequels Bitten: The Hunted & Bitten: The Saved, The Other Side of Me, Star Crossed and Shelter. I'dREALLY appreciate it :)
Soundtrack that inspired/mentioned in this chapter:
Theme Song: Bad Things ~ Meiko
Dreamcatcher ~ Elizabeth & The Catapults
Distance ~ Christina Perri
Fix A Heart ~ Demi Lovato
The Light ~ Album Leaf