A/N: Hello everyone! And holy ****, so many reviews on the last chapter! Thank you all so much!
They made me very glad. I'm very pleased all of you were enthusiastic about the last chapter and I always enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas. Many add to nice twists because more often than not you lot point something out I hadn't thought about (like the conversation between Non-Elena and Mister Martin for example) and that way I can nicely fit it in the story.
Even if that will be done later:)
Anyway, here is chapter Eleven. I wonder what you all make of this…
o.O.o
Chapter Eleven, A Game of Trust
I woke early to a steady rain drumming against my windows, my cheek pressed against the cool glass. Outside looked grim, grey and dark, lights flashing by with every passing car, making a soft phishing sound and I hadn't been able to fall asleep again.
I had curled up on the window seat with several pillows propped up behind me, laptop balancing on my knees. Without much to do, I'd been Googling information for my History assignment, when suddenly curt, even squawks pierced through the air.
A bird pecked insistently on a windowpane and I almost dropped my laptop off my lap. It was large, dark and it obviously was either a raven or a large crow. I highly suspected the latter and stared at it as it pecked its beak against the glass of the window. My brain slowly started piecing things together and my eyebrows rose.
"Damon?" My eyebrows furrowed together and carefully I slipped on a long vest and my slippers and tiptoed out of the house.
The trees in the backyard swayed in the slight wind and rain clung stubbornly as fat drops to the foliage around me. Peering up into the stark branches, I made out the black shape of a large crow. I was quite certain it was the one I'd seen before and I cocked my head to the side.
"Damon?"
The bird cocked its head to the side, looking at me with beady eyes and then — the sudden rasping caw made me wince — it launched off its perch and lurched forward. Flapping its wings, it soared in a downward arc disappearing into the darkness between two trees and then Damon suddenly appeared, stepping out onto the wet grass.
It was almost as if he'd materialized out of thin air and I bit on my lower lip.
"Elena."
"What are you doing here?" I asked, wrapping the long vest tighter around my body.
"I saw you today." He replied breezily.
"Oh?"
"At the Grill."
"Oh," I grumbled and I felt my face blanch ('shit') and plucked at a loose thread.
"Yeah, 'oh'." He agreed. "A sacrifice? You and old-and-creepy are planning a sacrifice?"
"It's none of your business, Damon," I grumbled.
"Planning your sacrifice. Believe me, that is my business." He snapped.
Breathing out harshly, I looked up at the inky smear of the night sky, dotted with dark, swirling clouds. The dewy grass was starting to saturate the hems of my striped pajama pants and I stared down the wide slope of velvet lawn.
My hair was hanging loosely at the base of my skull, fluttering in the slight wind, and Damon— Damon remained standing in front of me. He smelled distinctly of alcohol and I swallowed. Or I tried to.
"Damon, why do you even care?"
"I don't," he was quick to assure, too quick and I frowned.
"Then why—"
"Why does that guy want to sacrifice you?" He snapped irritated.
"It doesn't matter, Damon," I sighed, "it has nothing to do with you. It's— you could say it's me fulfilling my destiny. It's inescapable and there is nothing you, or anyone else for that matter, can do. I can't do anything about it, Damon. The best I can do is to let it all happen on my terms."
"Because some guy is cursed?" He snarled and I flinched.
"Damon—"
"He won't have anyone to sacrifice if—"
"No! Damon, I mean it, no!" I gasped understanding his reasoning immediately. "You can't turn me!"
"If you want to die so badly—"
"I don't. Damon, I don't. I have no choice. You don't understand." I tried, my heart speeding up, gut-clenching in dismay. "And you're not going to. I'm sorry. I don't understand why you'd even want to? You have your girlfriend…"
"You knew, didn't you?" He asked and my heartbeat sped up until it felt as if it was trying to escape my ribcage, my fingers twitching. Damon pretended not to notice. I could tell. His eyebrows rose and his eyes wandered from my face, flitting down my neck and skimming over my collarbones. I ignored the urge to clap my hand over my fast beating carotid artery.
My heart was beating erratically and I tucked a fluttering lock of hair behind my ear. What did I know? I assumed this was about Katherine. I assumed he'd learned she hadn't been in the tomb and something akin to pain swirled through my stomach. "You knew."
"Is this about—"
"Katherine!" He growled and sped forward, kicking over the Adirondack chair and the side table. It made a dull clunk when it hit one of the trees, splinters of wood spraying over the grass, and for a moment, he had his back to me. Breathing hard, shoulders quivering, he slowly turned his head towards me and I met his eyes from across the lawn. The next sentence sounded broken, "You knew Katherine wasn't in the tomb. You knew. And yet—"
"I did." I agreed softly and his face twisted in anger.
"And you didn't—"
"No, you don't understand. If I'd told you she wasn't there, you wouldn't have believed me."
He snarled, "Oh, so now you're an expert to what I think and feel?"
"No!" I mumbled. "No, that's not fair. You wouldn't have believed me, and you know it. You would have thought I was trying to drive a wedge between you and her. You wouldn't— And why would you? The only connection I have to you is the face I wear. The face of your past love."
"Why?"
"I— I can't say," I mumbled.
Katherine's story was Katherine's. Not mine. The Doppelgänger who'd thought she was courting a Lord. Who'd thought she'd found a way into high society, yet instead, Klaus and Elijah had been preparing her for the sacrifice.
It wasn't my story— It wasn't my life.
Her actions had unknowingly condemned her to a life of forever looking over her shoulder and running. In the beginning, she had been an innocent but at some point transformed into a manipulative bitch doing anything she could to survive. Then again, I doubted anyone would come out fine and dandy after someone murdered your entire family.
"I'm sorry, Damon."
"Yeah, sure." He hissed, voice hoarse and scratchy, and for a moment I thought he would come for me. Would take hold of my head and crack my skull open against the hard wall of Elena's house. My feet slipped onto the moss-covered ground and I trembled.
"I really am sorry!"
And I was. I hadn't wanted him to be hurt. Not really. I didn't think it made up for all the horrible things he did. Would do, but— I glanced up again and he was gone. I licked my lips, blinking through the dim-darkness. It couldn't be too far off sunrise and I turned around sharply, hurrying back inside.
The house smelled faintly of the sickly saccharine Marijuana and when I passed Jeremy's room, my shoulders locked together. The scent was coming from the crack beneath his door and I wondered absentmindedly when he'd started smoking. Then again— some things you couldn't change. The door of my bedroom shut quietly and I slid down the wall.
I took a shuddering breath, tears burning in my eyes and it took me longer than it would have normally taken, for me to remember the sodden state of my muddy pajamas. I swallowed, with difficulty, and twitched my nose. I didn't sleep at all the remainder of that night, feeling far more guilty than I should have.
When morning arrived, it had stopped raining, dim light pouring in through my windows. I dared one look outside to find out the world looked cold, grey, and washed out and I breathed out harshly before pulling the curtains closed again.
Even closed the fabric let enough light through and I made quick work of dressing myself. I opted for a pale button-up, deep-blue denim pants, and a dark-blue bomber-jacket. Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I rushed down the stairs and breezed into the kitchen, smiling when Grayson and Miranda greeted me, instantly moving over to prepare a thermos of coffee. Grayson was sitting on a stool at the kitchen. I almost ran straight into Miranda as I rushed to the door and swung it open.
"See you tonight," I called in an afterthought, just before stepping outside and shutting the front door behind me. The ground was still damp from the night's worth of rain, but the sun scattered through the leaves of the trees, illuminating my hair with undertones of gold and red.
I'd managed to keep the shorter strands out of my face with a wide, white headband. I felt a bit depressed, my bag slung carelessly over my shoulder. I got into Grayson's car (who had a day off) and drove to school with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.
During the time with Elijah, we'd agreed for me to go about my daily activities as I used to. It surprised me. I'd expected him to drop me in his car and take me away, not drop me off at Elena's house and tell me to live (for the time being) as I usually do. However, going about Elena's usual routine, I did.
I parked the car in the school lot and trudged wearily to the school grounds. The glass of the double doors at the entrance twinkled and the air was chilly. I wrapped my coat tighter around my body, pushing inside. Half-way along the corridor, I realized I was tiptoeing and I snorted.
I really was losing my mind a bit. I hadn't expected Damon's insinuations either. He acted like I gained enjoyment out of his pain (I didn't; I really didn't), but perhaps him not believing me, wasn't the only reason why I hadn't told him. Perhaps a part of me had thought him focusing on Katherine while I contacted Elijah was easier. I didn't know. It hadn't been a conscious decision.
However, I was surprised, Damon seemed to care for me. And he shouldn't. I'd been so careful with Stefan, I didn't think I'd even given Damon an opening at all.
"Elena?"
"Hi Bonnie," I greeted and stuffed my bag deep into my locker.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just slept really bad."
"Oh," Bonnie smiled, her lips creating a pained, tight line.
"Just, a bit of stress for the upcoming tests." I tried and Bonnie nodded. She wasn't believing me.
"Of course."
"I'm sorry, I haven't been a better friend to you," I whispered and Bonnie's eyes widened.
"You're a good friend." She told me.
"No, I'm not." I disagreed. And I wasn't. Elena hadn't been either. She tried, I supposed, but in later seasons, she really wasn't such a great friend at all. And Bonnie— she always forgave Elena. She always remained the loyal best friend. I swallowed. "But I'll try better."
"Oh Elena," Bonnie whispered and threw herself forward, arms twisting tightly around my neck.
"Bonnie?" I asked when she drew back. "Can you do something for me?"
"Of course!"
"Without asking me what it means?"
"I— why?"
"Please, Bonnie?"
She looked reluctant, but after several seconds nodded: "Okay, fine!"
"Can you tell your grandmother I will deal with it?" I asked.
"What?" Bonnie's eyebrows furrowed together.
"Don't ask." I reminded her gently although I didn't doubt she wouldn't ask her grandmother.
Sheila Bennett could decide what and what not she would tell her granddaughter. I wouldn't endanger her any further. I wouldn't involve her in Elena's problems. Bonnie's grandmother had been right about that. I would have chosen my family over some random girl too. And that was the problem, wasn't it?
I was a random girl to everyone when it came to it. I would remain a random girl to everyone because who in their right mind would believe me? But— that was okay. I dealt with it. I would deal with it. When the sacrifice was done, I could disappear and if Klaus would find me, the deal would at least protect me a bit.
Or, I hoped so. Perhaps, I should seriously consider becoming a vampire and guzzling down vervain from the moment I transitioned. I could disappear (write Elena's parents; let them know what I was and why I couldn't come home). I could do that—
"Let's get to class."
"Right," Bonnie agreed, yanking her books out of her locker and clutching them to her chest.
"I'm sorry, Bonnie," I told her. "I know there never were any secrets between us. But I don't want to lie to you either. Please, just trust me."
"I trust you, 'Lena," she told me unwaveringly. "You know I do right?"
"Of course." I agreed.
It didn't matter though. I was not going to involve her. Smiling at her and lightly gripping her shoulder, we parted ways. I had Geography first up that morning, while Bonnie's first class was Chemistry. I ventured through the hallways at a brisk pace and easily found the classroom on the second floor.
Given by the mousy haired Flora Smith, it was an easy class. Easy going and level-headed, Flora made her subject fun and always spoke about it with enthusiasm. I yet had to fail one of her assignments or tests.
The same couldn't be said about French. My second class on Thursday and even worse, a double hour. In the French classroom, I settled at my usual spot behind Caroline.
She didn't react when I greeted her and my eyebrows furrowed together. I'd gotten used to her bubbly exterior and her often mean way of mentioning I wasn't very good at French, but she didn't even look up when I leaned forward and tapped her shoulder.
When she turned a watery smile my way, I noticed her red-rimmed eyes. I didn't know Caroline. Not really and had no way to guess why she was upset. I subtly roved my eyes over her neck, the deep décolleté of her blue dress but found no marks, inconspicuous discoloration's, no anything.
I didn't think Damon had gotten to her. If he had, she wouldn't have been able to tell the tale. She would have been dead. I was quite certain about that. When he gets upset, as Elena said 'he lashes out', and violently.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" I tried and her face turned thunderous.
"I told you I'm fine, okay, Elena?"
"Okay," I mumbled, holding up my hands in defense, "I'm sorry for asking."
She muttered something in return, turning to her books, and, reluctantly, I did the same. Although I'd gotten proficient enough at the language to not fail every test I got, I was still not a star at it. Distracted by Caroline's weird behavior I was even less of a star at it, but I didn't get the chance to call her out on it till lunch started.
When class was let out, I grabbed my belongings, stuffed them haphazardly into my bag, and quickly made my way to the cafeteria. I absentmindedly selected a bowl of stew, a styrofoam cup of tea, and plonked down next to Caroline at one of the tables.
Stefan and Matt were quick to join us and for a moment I stared with wide eyes at the two boys. Or, more precisely, at Stefan.
However, if I'd thought Stefan knew about my deal with Elijah or the talk with Damon, I was wrong. Even with his posture tense and stiff, his back ram-rod straight, he acted normally. If anything, his expression was a bit more expressionless than normal, but that didn't have to do with me. Not at all.
Stefan didn't speak to us, he was silent in his moody-not-there way, but the hairs on the back of my neck still stood on end.
Averting my eyes, I ate slowly, trying and failing to start a conversation with Caroline. I considered that the real Elena probably knew how to interrupt Caroline without getting snapped at and getting the answers she wanted. Chewing on my stew, not really tasting the probably bland taste, I watched Caroline with narrowed eyes. The blonde was acting odd, eyes flitting over the table, without really looking—
It hit me suddenly. I wasn't sure what it was that finally made me realize what made Caroline act the way she did, but suddenly my mouth slacked open. It wasn't me she wasn't looking at. It wasn't me she was upset with. She was forcefully not looking at Matt's way.
Pressing her lips in a tight white line whenever Matt's eyes briefly met hers. Adjusting her collar when he spoke in that easy boyish way of his. Honestly, why hadn't I noticed before? She was developing feelings for him (just as she had in the original timeline) and I almost laughed. Matt would be good for Caroline. Once, he was ready to admit he too was attracted to the blonde control-freak.
I had no idea when that would happen, of course. In the original timeline they started dating after Damon so cruelly told Caroline she was a waste of space on Stefan's birthday. Which was somewhere in November, so for them to start circling each other in that awkward teenage way of theirs was still a bit early.
Cradling the styrofoam cup between my hands, I turned my attention to Matt. He was speaking animatedly about the football practice, explaining something to Stefan I was probably not even meant to understand but so far the unsubtle or subtle side glances to Caroline were barely there yet.
I'd known Matt had never really liked Caroline Forbes. If I'd had to guess he'd mostly tolerated her because she'd been Elena's friend and could be nice if she wanted to, but was also really intense. Perhaps—
"Elena," Stefan suddenly asked and I almost choked on a spoonful of stew.
"Yes, Stefan?" I grounded out, rolling my fingers over my throat.
"Are you okay? You've been quiet."
"I'm fine." I shrugged.
"She fucked up French," Caroline supplied helpfully and I glared at her.
"I wasn't the only one, was I?" I asked drolly and Caroline shrugged, sharing a small smile with me.
"Do you want to come with me to get the new cheer routines?" She asked suddenly and I blinked.
"Erm sure," I agreed readily and pushed myself to my feet.
I gave the boys a halfhearted wave before falling into step with Caroline. It was strange how well I knew the school now. How easily I navigated through the throng of students and out of the side door, onto the sports field. Our steps were brisk and the wooden stands on the sports field still damp. My hair brushed against my cheeks in the breeze and I pushed my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans.
"So, what did you want to say to me?"
"Do you still not want to date Stefan?"
"Erm, no."
"Could you please make that absolutely clear? Because he is not getting the message," she sighed.
"What do you mean? I literally told him I just want to be friends and nothing more!"
Caroline shrugged, twirling her hair, which she wore into a low ponytail to the side of her head, around her fingers: "I know, but he still acts like your future-husband. It's really awkward."
"Fuck!" I snapped, kicking a pebble away. "Why can't he just respect my wishes?"
"Elena, he's a teenage boy. No teenage boy respects anyone's wishes." She told me glumly.
"Right," I agreed, because when had anyone ever really respected Elena's wishes when they went against theirs? It made my head hurt. It annoyed me. Most of these decisions were already a difficult decision to make, I really didn't need other people meddling into them.
Especially not while I had everything neatly arranged. Or as neatly as possible. It was already taking everything I had to not fucking run. Run until the trees and the ground and the always-blue-sky would just blur together. I wanted to scream— Scream and fucking scream! Not add to all those curling thoughts the feelings and wants of Stefan Salvatore—
It took me a second to collect myself. A second to push it all deeply away. "I'll tell Stefan again if I have to." I started and smiled at Caroline, my cheeks hurting with the strain. "So, what about other boys? What is happening between you and Matt?"
"Nothing—" she started but then seemed to think better of it, "—well, he stayed over."
"When?" I asked, genuinely curious. I'd truly hadn't thought Caroline and Matt would be more than friends until after Halloween. After the whole ordeal with Vicki Donovan at the back of the high school. After she died. "How?"
"After my birthday—" she explained and I felt my cheeks flush, I hadn't known she'd had a birthday recently.
"Which I forgot, right?"
"I know you've been a bit out of it, Elena." She murmured. "It's okay."
"No, it's not. I'm so sorry!" I whispered and she gave me a small smile. Perhaps sensing my genuine regret and we settled on the bleachers. I plopped down next to Caroline with a small sigh, drawing my knee up to lean my chin upon.
"So, last Saturday, when you and Bonnie were a bit preoccupied and my mother didn't even wish me a happy birthday, I was a bit upset. Drank too much and Matt took pity on me. Stayed with me all night." She admitted before flushing. "Don't get me wrong. Not like that. We just laid back, eating— well, I can't remember what. But we didn't do anything quite like what you are thinking— I'm sorry is this weird? Should we be discussing this? He was your boyfriend not so long ago."
"It's fine, Care. Matt and I are over."
"Really?"
"Yes," I agreed and nodded, "I think you and him would be wonderful together."
Her smile was wide and beautiful and she threw herself forward, hugging me closely. Her blonde hair tickling my nose and her grip was strong. Much stronger than I'd expect from her. I rubbed her back as she gasped against my neck. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," I replied.
When she drew away, staring out over the football field, my eyes were drawn to the side. To the edge of the field, several oak trees reached for the sky. Their branches fluttering in the breeze and a dark shape half hidden by the thick, rough bark.
When I squinted for the figure— it was gone. I had no idea what to think. I had no idea if the figure had been a friend or a foe. Everything surrounding Elena Gilbert always seemed ominous and I gave it a little more thought that afternoon—
To be continued…
A/N: And Damon found out about Katherine not being in the tomb. With so much to think about Non-Elena completely forgot about that I guess (how many of you guys forgot about Katherine and the tomb as well?), but of course, now she feels bad. I think Non-Elena still clings to normal emotions and reactions she would have had in her parallel world and now feels bad for Damon. For not telling him where Katherine was or wasn't to be more on point.
Of course, knowing Damon we all know he'll lash out in some way.
Either way, let me know what you all think! I love to hear your thoughts.
Next update August the seventh (I hope).
This chapter was beta'd by the wonderful HPuni101