Chapter 12

It's Wednesday already, and Damon just called me to tell me to come over.

He didn't even ask. How rude!

So, I had to get ready to go to Damon's.

I decided on a cute plaid button up shirt, and a pair of boot out jeans. I put on black dress boots that had silver buckles up the side.

"Paige, I'm going to Damon's," I call out. "I'll be back later."

"When is later?" she asks.

"I don't know," I say. "Whenever I get back."

"Don't be like that, Kalinda. I'm just trying to look out for you," Paige says.

"Yeah, and when I gave you that necklace and warned you about Elijah, I was trying to look out for you. When you listen to me, I'll listen to you," I yell.

"You won't give me any reason!" Paige shouts.

"Because I'm trying to protect you!" I say. "If I gave you a reason, the real reason, you wouldn't be safe."

"What are you involved in?" Paige asks me.

"It's not me! It's your boyfriend!" I shout as I walk out the door.

Right, before the door closes I hear her yell, "He's not my boyfriend!"

I just roll my eyes and get in Damon's car.

"Everything okay?" he asks.

"No, my sister is too stubborn," I say. "I know she deserves a reason, but I don't want to put her in any danger. Though, maybe if I tell her she'll stay away from Elijah."

"Maybe," Damon shrugs. "Maybe not. But don't you think she deserves to at least make her own decision, with all the information?" Damon asks as we walk into his house.

It was a really nice place.

"Since when did you become the reasonable one?" Stefan says, entering the foyer.

"When did you become the eavesdropper?" Damon shot back.

"Touché," was all Stefan says.

"I'll show you my room," Damon says. "You didn't get to see it last weekend."

"You wanted to only have a drink," I roll my eyes.

"Hey," he says. "I was trying to be a gentleman."

"Has that gone out the window now?" I ask.

"I just want away from Stefan," he laughs.

"Sure," I smile. "You're just lucky I don't mind."

Damon throws his arm around my shoulders and leads me up a set of stairs to his bedroom.

I lay down on his bed, and Damon lied down beside me. I curl into his body.

"Tired?" Damon asks me.

"Yeah, a little," I sigh. "I stayed up late last night."

"Doing what?" Damon asks.

"Thinking about my parents," I whisper. "I miss them so much." Tears started streaming out of the corners of my eyes.

Damon hugged me close and kissed my forehead. He didn't say anything; he didn't have to. His comforting me was enough. It made me feel safe and cared for.

"Thanks," I whisper to him.

"Anytime," he smiles softly.

"See, you can be sweet," I giggle.

Damon chuckles, "I guess I can be."

I yawn widely.

"Sleep," Damon murmurs. "It seems you could use it."

I did just that.

I wake up sometime later. Damon is asleep beside me. His arm is wrapped around my waist.

"Damon," I whisper. I glance around his room, looking for a clock. It was nearing five o'clock. We'd been asleep for hours! "Damon!"

"Huh? What?" Damon asks, sitting up quickly.

"You fell asleep," I laugh. "It's nearly five."

"Holy shit!" Damon swears. "Are you supposed to be home?"

"Nah," I say. "Paige and I got into a fight."

"Oh, well, does she know where you are? I don't want her to worry," Damon says.

"Let her," I shrug.

"You're just as stubborn as you make Paige out to be," Damon tells me.

I stick my tongue out at him.

"Very attractive," he notes.

"Whatever," I say.

"I'm coming up," Stefan calls from downstairs.

"Of course," Damon groans.

"It's not like we were doing anything," I say.

"I know," Damon sighs. "Still…"

I giggle and kiss him on the cheek.

Then there is a knock on the door.

"Come in," Damon says.

"Sorry to interrupt," Stefan says before entering the room.

"Is there a reason for it?" Damon raises an eyebrow.

"I just wanted o say Elena hasn't agreed to take me back, yet. But," Stefan grins. "She has agreed to accompany me to the Ball!"

"Congratulations," I say when I realize Damon isn't going to say anything.

"Thank you, Kalinda," he says. "I'll go now."

When he left, I smacked Damon's chest. "You could have at least said something."

Damon shrugs, "He knows me. He wasn't expecting anything."

I shake my head in disbelief.

"Actually, that reminds me," Damon says. "Would you like to accompany me to the ball?"

"What ball?" I ask.

"Hosted by the Mikaelson's," Damon says.

I look at him, "Alright."

"Great," he says. "You'll have to get a classic ball gown."

"When is the ball?" I ask.

"Saturday," Damon says.

"Saturday! I have to go. So not enough warning time," I say as I bolt off the bed and flit down the stairs.

"Calm down," Damon says.

"Can't. I need to go shopping. Take me home. I'll call you tomorrow," I say in a rush.

"Paige!" I call when I enter.

"You had me so worried, Kalinda!" she says as she comes in the room and hugs me.

"I'm sorry for everything," I say. "I need your help. I've been invited to a ball and must go shopping."

"I have, too!" Paige grins. "I forgot to tell you."

"Great!" I smile. "Let's go."

We go to a mall just outside of Mystic Falls.

We spend hours trying on gown after gown, shoe after shoe.

Nothing seemed right.

Then, Paige walked out in a lovely blue ball gown. The top was brighter and it paled out when it got to the skirt. It also had a light dusting of silver sparkles.

"You look beautiful," I tell her. "With those silver heels you had on earlier, you'll look like a princess."

"I love it, too," she grins. "Thank you. This is the dress."

Now, I just have to find one.

We go to a couple more stores until I come upon a bridal shop.

"Can we go in here?" I ask.

"Whatever you want," Paige agrees.

I smile happily. I look around for a while until I find the perfect dress.

It's white. It's a strapless top with a beading of pearls. It flowed out in a typical ball gown style. A rose sash went around the waist.

"It's so beautiful," I murmur. "I want it."

I buy it along with a pair of white pumps. It's perfect.

When we get home, I suddenly think of something.

"Paige, who are you going to the ball with?" I ask her.

"Elijah," she grins. "He asked me the other day when he was here."

"Paige! I've told you to not go out with him. He's not good for you," I tell her.

"I really wish you'd stop saying that. He is really nice man. He's very generous and kind. I don't know why you don't like him," she says.

"He's not who he appears to be. Why can't you just understand that I'm trying to keep you safe! He's dangerous!" I say.

"I don't believe you. I won't believe you until you tell me why he's dangerous, why you didn't want to invite him in!" she yells.

"I can't! You'll think I'm crazy!" I say.

"Try me!" she demands.

"He's a freaking vampire!" I yell. "I don't know what his deal with you is, but I'm sure it's into anything good."

"I think that imagination of yours has got away from you," she laughs.

"See, that's why I didn't want to tell you. You don't have to laugh at me. I know he is. You'll see," I say, sounding hurt.

Paige just laughs harder.

I leave, not knowing where I'm going. I just go.

I End up at The Grill. I see Caroline and Elena there, so I head over to their table.

"Hey, guys. Do you mind if I join you?" I ask.

"Of course not," Caroline says. "What have you been up to today?"

"Dress shopping. Damon invited me to be his date for the ball," I tell them.

"I'm going with Stefan," Elena blushes.

"So I heard. I was at Damon's earlier."

"Ah, well, Caroline is going, too," Elena says.

"Well I couldn't refuse Klaus. You just don't do that," Caroline says. "I didn't have much of a choice."

"My sister is going with Elijah. I keep telling her not to get involved with him. I was trying to protect her, so I didn't tell her why. Then when I finally snapped and did, she laughed at me," is ay. I was so frustrated I didn't realize my slip.

"Um, what?" Caroline asks.

My eyes widened. "Huh?"

"You know?" Elena asks.

I sigh. "Yes. Elijah already knows. You might as well, too. Damon tried to compel me, but my necklace wouldn't allow it. It has vervain in it."

"I think it's better you know," Elena says. "You know what's going on then."

"But, she's more likely to be hurt," Caroline says.

"See, I don't believe that," I say. "Now, I know better than to invite strangers into my home. Though my sister invited Elijah in."

"Good point," Caroline agrees.

I eventually make my way home. Though I ignore Paige and go straight to my room.

I'm still mad.

I finally fall asleep after hours of tossing and turning.