I dedicate this chapter to godric777, whose unique insights made it impossible for me to resist writing Elena and Elijah from interacting. He was supposed appear in the story proper after the Tanner arc, but I've decided that writing Elijah is more important than pacing this in a reasonable fashion.
Caroline sat down on Bonnie's desk and urged Elena to turn around. "We have a decade dance to plan."
Elena could not overstate how much she didn't care. After a cathartic spanking from Damon and, with Stefan, finally being able to chip through the armor Bonnie had donned since the death of Grams, Elena felt like things were finally starting to look up. But now it was Stefan who was donning the armor. Only she didn't know why, although her magic eight ball confirmed it was likely Damon. She wanted to skip school and confront him, but felt it would be just a tad too hypocritical after watching Jeremy squirm around at breakfast.
"Earth to Elena," Caroline was snapping her fingers in front of Elena's face. "The eighties are coming back and I want to be on top of the trend." She paused. Took in a deep breath. Caroline Forbes did not handle being challenged on running Mystic Falls High. Some idiot on the dance committee was clearly not falling in line. "However, Eva Fell was determined to do the nineties."
"That's because that decade won the vote," Bonnie pointed out.
"This is not a direct democracy," Caroline said, "it's high school and I spent freshman year working to become its very benevolent dictator. So I fired her."
"You can't fire someone from a volunteer committee because they disagree with you," Bonnie said.
"It's cute that you're trying to get her to see reason," Elena said.
Caroline continued as if Bonnie and Elena hadn't said anything. "Eva is enemy number one of our friend group. The skank retaliated by getting half my committee to quit. So I'm going to need you two to step up."
Before Bonnie could tell Caroline exactly what she thought of that, the bell rang. Caroline hopped off Bonnie's desk and slid into her desk next to Stefan as a man in a dark suit stepped into the classroom.
"That is not substitute material," Bonnie whispered as the man looked over the seating chart that Caroline had helpfully taped to the desk after it became clear they'd be getting a new substitute teacher every day. Elena was pretty sure Damon had eaten poor Mr. Smith during Stefan's first football game. "English might just become my new favorite subject."
For someone who disliked schoolwork as much as Bonnie, that was saying something that made Elena bite down a grin. Bonnie had a thing for guys in a dark suits. Tall, dark, and handsome is a cliché for a reason she was fond of saying when Elena teased her about being predicable. This new English teacher fit that to a T.
"Miss Bennett," the English teacher said, "I'll need a word with you after class."
"Yes, ah," Elena cringed on Bonnie's behalf, "sir? I guess..."
"Clark," he said, "Elijah Clark."
Elena had a sinking feeling Bonnie would be dragging out her James Bond DVDs as soon as possible.
"We only have a month before the quarter ends," Mr. Clark hadn't even needed to confirm he was their permanent teacher. "We will need to stick closely to syllabus in order to meet the minimal requirements for eleventh grade English students set by the state of Virginia." His footsteps were very audible in the silent classroom as he passed out said syllabus. "I'll give you a few minutes to read this over." Mr. Clark strode back to the front of the room.
When Elena got her copy of the extremely detailed syllabus, she knew Caroline had a new favorite teacher. She guarded her 4.2 GPA like a dog did with its favorite bone. She loved nothing more than when teachers made it clear what she needed to do to get a perfect score.
His bullet points had bullet points.
"You can read the finer points on your own time," Mr. Clark said, "getting acquainted with my classroom rules and what I hope to teach you will be sufficient for now." After five minutes passed, he asked, "Any questions?"
It looked pretty standard to Elena, so she was surprised when most of the class rose their hands. Elena thought Mr. Clark's eyes were extremely amused. "Mr. Lockwood."
Mr. Clark hadn't even looked down at the seating chart. Elena has a feeling he was unbeatable at memory games.
"You do know this isn't AP English, right?" Tyler asked.
"Since recent budget cuts axed that course from the curriculum all together," Mr. Clark said, "yes, I am aware. Next question, Miss Forbes."
"I organized a student protest via a walk-out," Stefan in the height of his loner persona was not able to avoid Caroline's brand of persuasion. And it was only Elena pointing out that heading a protest would look more impressive than yet another AP credit on her college application that got her to cede some of her demands. "That was a mistake that will be reversed next year."
"Is there a question in there, Miss Forbes?"
"Actually, yes," Caroline said, "you didn't mention what we had to do to get a written recommendation for college applications."
"I will address that next quarter," Mr. Clark said. Caroline didn't get a chance with her follow-up question. "If you have any other questions of this nature, feel free to email me with them. Mr. Donovan?"
"Why are there so many assignments?" Matt asked, "some of us have to work for a living."
"There are only five assignments that are required for the duration of this quarter," Mr. Clark said, and Elena swore that he looked close to laughing, "As I clearly indicated in the syllabus, the rest are extra credit." Elena felt for Jenna, who constantly complained that even grad students were too lazy to read what was right in front of them, "I've decided to give out plenty of opportunities to improve grades, considering the instability that came with having a different teacher every day for over a month. If your personal life negatively impacts your ability to finish coursework, I would urge you to reach out to me so that I am able to accommodate you."
Elena made a mental note to kick Matt's ass so he'd actually take the offered help. She could understand why he declined letting her pay his rent with her trust fund after his mom bailed again. But she was not going to let his pride stop him from getting help with homework from a teacher.
"No more questions?" Mr. Clark asked. "Then let's begin today's lesson."
Elena and Stefan waited for Bonnie to finish talking with Mr. Clark a few feet away from from the classroom door.
"How did it go?" Elena asked.
"I have to write a three page essay on why my conduct was inappropriate," Bonnie complained, "and he wants at least two sources."
Elena bumped her shoulder against hers. "English still your new favorite subject?"
"Brain says no, eyes say yes," Bonnie said.
"Be shallow," Elena advised, "you deserve it."
There was a loud popping sound. Elena turned around. Principal Tanner had Tyler grabbing his ankles right in the middle of the hallway. Tanner had his own legs spread and he was holding the large paddle with both hands as he swung. Tyler stumbled at when the paddle hit home for a second time. Instead of giving Tyler the chance to get back into place, Tanner quickly drew the paddle back and slammed it down.
"If I hear such filth coming out of your mouth again," Tanner said, "you're getting twice the licks."
Elena and Bonnie rushed over to Tyler as he stood up and said, "Understood."
"Are you okay?" Elena asked. Bonnie was shooting a glare at Tanner's retreating form.
"I've had better days," Tyler said, "nothing a few shots of orange juice can't fix."
"With tequila, no doubt," Elena said. She was the one who introduced him to the wonders of a screwdriver.
"Never in my life have I been so insulted," Tyler said, "I'm going to get to the next class before my good name is slandered even more."
"We should probably get to the next class," Stefan was suddenly behind Elena, setting a hand on the small of her back. "Tanner's on a tear today."
He was. He was now paddling a poor freshman, who as shrieking at an increased volume each time the paddle popped her butt. She'd already gotten three strokes and Tanner was raising the paddle back up.
"I had a dream where Damon killed him," Bonnie said, flinching as the paddle hit the howling freshman twice more in quick succession. "It was nice."
Stefan had lunch detention, Caroline was on a tear, and Elena wasn't hungry so she decided to have her lunch in the library. She used to go there almost ever day to find a new book to devour, but it seemed like her love for books had died with her mother. The book Stefan had given her at the second day of school was the last time she'd read for fun.
Elena traced her fingers over the spine of a random book, hoping she could feel anything. She used to be the kind of bookworm who smelled her books and get chills up her spine when she saw a perfect cover design. Feeling nothing when surrounded by books made her feel like a walking corpse.
Just as she was about to head outside in the vain hope that the sun against her skin might help her stand the grief better, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Before Stefan, she would have jumped in surprise. But she'd gotten used to being snuck up on. It seemed to be one of his favorite ways to tease her.
It was Mr. Clark. "Miss Gilbert, may I have a word?" Elena wondered if she was next up on the chopping board for punishment. It must have shown on her face, because he reassured her, "You're not in any trouble."
It was either talking with the sexy new English teacher or brooding about her dead mom. It was easier than Elena expected to pick the healthier option. "Sure."
Mr. Clark led her to a room in the back of the library.
"That says employees only," Elena pointed out as he ushered her into the room.
"Then I suggest we don't announce our presence," Mr. Clark said. Elena found herself grinning. "Your necklace," Elena wrapped her hand around Stefan's gift, "my sister had one just like that."
"Did she die?" Mr. Clark looked surprised and then pained. Elena shoved some hair behind her ears and berated herself. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually that rude. I've just been thinking about the family that I lost even more than usual today."
"No need to apologize," Clark said, "I was the one who was quite unorthodox first. The necklace's emblem is rare and has a unique history that my sister was quite fascinated by. I suppose I couldn't resist the temptation to find out if you shared that interest with her."
Elena wished she did. "It was a really important gift from my boyfriend, Stefan Salvatore. He sits next to Caroline Forbes in our English class." Stefan had mentioned it was important. In hindsight, she thought he meant the vervain, but it was possible that there was more to it. Elena felt like a stupid kid for simply thinking it was pretty. She didn't even consider the symbols on it might have a deeper meaning. "He doesn't look like it, but he's a big nerd. He might know what you're talking about."
"Thank you," Clark said.
He looked like he might say something else. Elena waited. He just turned his gaze to the side. Elena keenly understood the grief he must be feeling. "Stefan is pretty closed off until you get to know him. But if you tell him that I sent you, he'll tell you what he knows."
"That's kind of you, Miss Gilbert," Clark folded his arms, "but I probably shouldn't get into the habit of crossing boundaries with my students."
"You should," Elena said. "I mean, if it might help you feel better, you should." She brushed some hair behind her ear again. "I should, um, go."
The sunshine didn't really help her feel any better.