A/N: Thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or it's characters. They belong to The CW. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter 2 - Chemistry

Bonnie decided to keep her encounter with Stefan to herself. She didn't want Caroline or Elena making any assumptions. She expected things to go back to how they were anyway. The next day she sat at her usual table in the chemistry lab. Elena always sat with Matt, and Caroline wasn't in the class, so Bonnie usually ended up with Tyler Lockwood or Amy Bradley. But today another warm body settled into the stool beside hers.

"Hey," Bonnie said in surprise as Stefan pulled his Chemistry book out of his backpack, looking as comfortable as if he always sat there.

"Hey." He shot her a smile.

Bonnie looked around and saw both Elena and Matt gazing at them curiously. Elena raised her eyebrow in question but Bonnie shrugged her shoulder and turned her head.

"I thought a lot about what you said to me this morning," Stefan revealed.

"Really?"

"You were right," he said. "If you find someone interesting, you should talk to them."

"So, why are you sitting next to me?"

"Ssh, teacher's talking." Stefan's brow furrowed as he pretended to give Ms. Peterson his full attention.

Bonnie leaned toward him and lowered her voice. "Are you suggesting you find Ms. Peterson interesting? Because I hear she's getting divorced." Both she and Stefan laughed out loud and Ms. Peterson shot them a sharp look. They stifled their chuckles and when she turned away, Stefan started whispering to her.

"Are you like my Mystic Falls High love guru now?" He asked, jokingly.

"You can't be a love guru if you can't find love yourself," Bonnie said, half seriously.

"I find that hard to believe," Stefan retorted. "You're cute, you're smart, a little funny...just a little, I'm not going to give you too much credit." Bonnie smirked at his teasing. "If I can see that and I just met you and these guys can't, then they're just as dumb as they look."

"Mr. Salvatore," Ms. Peterson snapped. "Since you seem more interested in Bonnie than my lesson, I'll take it you already know the answer to my question." Everyone turned to look at them.

"I do," Stefan stated with a confident nod before reciting a perfect, textbook answer, forcing her to move on and pick on someone else. Some eyes remained on them but Bonnie didn't care in the moment.

"Yep, I definitely see sparks there," she joked quietly to him. "Or I should say...chemistry." Stefan tried his hardest to stifle his laughter again at her lame joke but was unsuccessful and earned himself a final warning from Ms. Peterson.

The sound of the bell saved them both from getting kicked out of class. They headed out of the room together. "I shouldn't sit with you anymore," he stated.

"Ouch."

"Your bad jokes are going to get me in trouble."

"Listen, Salvatore, I'm hilarious," she quipped. "It's not my fault your humor isn't sophisticated enough to appreciate my comedy."

Stefan smiled. "You're a bad influence, Bennett," he said. "But I'm starting to think I don't care." He parted ways from her and headed down the hall to his next class. Bonnie watched him go.

"Staring doesn't get you anywhere," he called back without looking back. Bonnie shook her head at his unwavering confidence and call back to what she had said to him earlier, and she walked away with a smile.

"So, I heard you and Stefan Salvatore were Chem buddies," Caroline confronted Bonnie as they walked to the cafeteria.

"Word travels fast, doesn't it?" Bonnie said with a shake of the head.

"Well, according to Amy Bradley, you were practically sitting on his lap and whispering in his ear," Caroline reported. Bonnie rolled her eyes at this exaggeration. It wouldn't be high school without gossip, exaggerated to the tenth power. And it wouldn't be MFH if Caroline didn't know everything immediately.

"Amy Bradley is a liar," Bonnie snapped.

Elena and Matt were waiting for them when they reached the cafeteria. All of them, including a couple other cheerleaders and football players, always sat together. By MFH standards, they were the popular group that everyone wished they could be a part of. Bonnie went for her usual spot between Care and Elena until she looked up and spotted Stefan headed toward the exit door. As if sensing her eyes on him he stopped as he placed his hand on the pusher and looked up at her. Giving her just the slightest nod, he turned and walked out.

"Actually, I'm going to catch up with you guys later," she said, stepping away from the table.

"Bonnie?" She ignored Caroline and headed for the door. When she stepped outside, he was leaning against the brick wall, waiting for her. He gave her a smile.

"Glad you came." He started walking as she fell into step beside him.

"Not sure why I did," she said. "Since I'm a such a bad influence and all."

"I don't mind being influenced by a beautiful girl."

She felt her cheeks burning again. "Why do you come out here everyday?"

"I like to be outside," he explained, as he walked to a large wooden picnic table on the lawn. "The weather is perfect this time of year."

"True." They settled down next to each other, Stefan so close they're knees were practically touching. "But just so you know, you can sit with me and my friends anytime you want when it starts getting cold. Elena will be there."

"With her boyfriend that I don't think likes me very much."

"Matt will be all right," Bonnie said. "He just gets a little jealous. You're not the first guy to take an interest in his girl."

"I told you, I thought she was pretty but she's not the girl I'm interested in." For a moment they were silent, both looking into each other's eyes.

"Watch out!" A football was suddenly whizzing at them full speed. With the ease of a pro, Stefan caught it one-handed.

"My bad, bro!" The sweaty perpetrator said as he approached.

"No problem," Stefan tossed it back.

"Nice catch, new guy," a cheerleader said from the table over. "Do you play football?"

"I used to but it's been awhile," Stefan replied.

"Well, we could definitely use an arm like that on our team," she stated.

"She's right you know," Bonnie agreed. "You should talk to Coach Tanner after school today, see if he'll let you try out."

Stefan nodded. "Maybe I will. And I'll get to see you in your cheerleader uniform."

"Watch it," she warned playfully. "I may be small but I pack a mean punch."

"I believe you."

Of course, all her friends had lingered in the hall when the lunch bell rang to catch up with Bonnie. Elena's eyes widened at the sight of her walking in the building, talking and laughing with Stefan.

"I'll see you after school," Stefan said before swaggering off. Bonnie tried to hide her grin as she approached her friends.

"But Amy Bradley was exaggerating, right?" Caroline sniped, sarcastically.

"Bonnie, is there something going on between you two?" The surprise in Elena's voice was clear and just a little insulting to Bonnie. She knew her friends were used to the hot guys going after them, and the hot guys douchey friends going for Bonnie just to bag a cheerleader. Bonnie had lost count of how many tools she'd rejected since the moment that guys started hitting on her. On the other hand, Care had been the first to kiss a guy and had many hook-ups and short-lived romances since, while Elena had pretty much been with Matt since childhood, leaving the boys to eat their hearts out. And everyone had been certain Stefan had the hots for Elena, because it would make sense.

"He's cool," was Bonnie's simple response to Elena's question.

"What did he mean he'll see you after school?" Matt questioned, like some over-protective brother.

"We have cheer practice after school, Bonnie Bennett, you better not skip," Care chastised.

"I'm not, relax," Bonnie said. "He's going to Tanner about trying out for football."

"Try outs are over," Matt stated firmly.

"Doesn't hurt to try," she said. "Now can you all chill out with the third degree." She smoothly changed the subject as they headed to their lockers. "We're all still meeting at the Grill tonight, right?"

Caroline was shouting out cheers but Bonnie was no longer listening. Stefan was jogging across the field, suited up in a football uniform and looking good as hell. Bonnie caught some of the other girls staring as well. Elena quickly shifted her eyes away guiltily, Tiki kept ogling, Andrea gave Bonnie a thumbs up, then Care started shouting at them to pay attention.

Bonnie was able to catch a little of the action on the football field, and there was no denying it, Stefan was good. After practice ended, Bonnie was gathering her things and talking to her friends. She spotted Stefan coming across the field toward her, told the girls she'd catch them later, and met him halfway. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. He was sweaty, dirty, his usually perfectly coiffed caramel hair matted to his forehead. It was a stark contrast to his normal put-together appearance, but somehow he managed to be just as hot, if not hotter, in this state.

"How'd it go?" She asked.

"Well, I made the team," he reported. "Matt and Tyler don't seem too happy about it, and it seemed to give Tanner physical pain to give me the spot, but I got it."

"Congratulations, you're officially a jock."

He chuckled. "Thanks. How was your practice? I saw you prancing around, but you seemed a little distracted."

"Excuse you, I do not prance," she sniped. "I cheer. Don't worry, I'll be on my A-game come game time. Nothing will distract me."

"I might get distracted seeing you cheering me on."

"Not just cheering you on, the whole team. We're all a team." Without thinking about it, Bonnie reached up and plucked a blade of grass from his hair. Before she could pull away, he gently grabbed her wrist and held her hand there. the move surprised Bonnie and the look in his eyes was suddenly very intense.

"Stefan..." Her voice started to crack with nerves. "What are you doing?"

He pulled her closer to him, then stopped, gazing at her as if he'd never seen anything quite like her. It was the most intense moment they'd had, and they weren't even speaking. After a few moments of lingering in that stance Bonnie managed to speak clearly.

"Um...I should get going," she said and he slowly released her wrist. "I want to get home and out of these clothes."

"If you don't mind waiting for me to get out of the showers, I'll give you a ride home," he offered.

"I drove here but thank you." She was suddenly cursing her father for ever buying her that damn Prius. Then she had a thought. "But...we're all meeting at the Mystic Grill tonight. You should definitely come. It'll be fun."

Stefan nodded. "Sure."

"7:30."

"I'll be there."

"As they parted ways, Bonnie was suddenly in a panic. Now she had to find something extra cute to wear.

Just as Bonnie parked in front of the Grill, a small convertible pulled up behind her. She was smiling as she got out of the car. "What a coincidence that we would arrive at the exact same time," she said. "Are you stalking me, Salvatore?"

"Of course not, the last thing I would want is to scare you away," he said. "It's just the universe bringing us together."

"I'm sure the fact that we're both late has something to do with it too."

Stefan opened the door open for her. Walking in the Grill, Bonnie quickly scanned the place and spotted her friends seated at a table. "There," she pointed them out to Stefan and everyone at the table exchanged looks as the pair walked over.

"Hey. You guys didn't order yet, did you?" Bonnie asked, casually. Everyone took notice as Stefan pulled out a chair for her before settling down next to her.

"Hey Stefan," Caroline spoke up. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I invited him," Bonnie said pointedly. "The more the merrier, right?" Everyone was being awkwardly quiet which irritated Bonnie. Why did they have to be weird about it? To alleviate the mood, she opened a menu for Stefan's sake, since the rest of them were regulars and never needed one to order.

"What do you like?" Bonnie was asking Stefan.

Care spoke up again. "So, Stefan, why don't you tell us about yourself? You're always so quiet at school."

"It's nothing personal," he said. "I've always kept to myself."

"Where are you from?" Elena asked. Bonnie smiled at their effort to be welcoming, minus Matt who was sulking at the fact Elena was showing any interest in this guy's life.

"Here, actually," he answered. "My brother and I were born here, but our parents moved us to Richmond when I was a baby."

"You have a brother?" Care asked, her interest peaked even more.

"Don't you live at the Salvatore boardinghouse with Zach Salvatore?" Elena questioned, annoying Matt further. "Is he your uncle or something?" Stefan nodded.

"Where are your parents?" Care inquired.

"Okay, we literally just sat down," Bonnie intervened. "Can we at least eat before you guys give him the third degree."

"It's okay, Bonnie," Stefan said.

"You really don't have to tell them all your business," Bonnie told him.

"Can't the man speak for himself?" Matt snapped. Elena gave him a sharp look which he ignored. Before anything else could be said, a waiter appeared at the table and everyone gave their food order.

"So you can order your own food?" Matt quipped as the waiter departed. "I'm shocked Bonnie didn't have to do it for you."

"Matt!" Bonnie couldn't believe how rude he was being.

"What's wrong with you?" Elena asked.

"Whatever. I'm going to take a leak." He got up from the table and stalked off to the restroom.

"I'm so sorry about that," Elena said to Stefan. "He's usually not like this. I don't know why's been so moody lately."

"I bet I know why," Care mumbled.

"Whatever, can we just please enjoy the rest of this night without any drama?" Bonnie pleaded.

Stefan seemed distracted. "I'll be right back," he told Bonnie. "I have to run to the bathroom."

She nodded and he left the table.

"You two seem cozy," Caroline observed before sipping her drink.

"Is this like a date?" Elena questioned.

"No."

"Seriously, because I was not planning on fifth wheeling it tonight," Care said.

"It's not a date!" Bonnie cried. "We're all just friends hanging out. I already told you, there's nothing going on with us. We're cool, that's it. If it was anything more I would tell you guys." Both girls gave her skeptical looks. "Look, he's a nice guy and he doesn't know anyone here. I thought this would be a nice way for him to meet people."

"Ok," Care said. "That's good to know."

When Stefan entered the restroom Matt was at the sink, washing his hands. Matt looked up and caught Stefan's stony reflection in the mirror.

"Bonnie, let you take a bathroom break?" He asked sarcastically.

"Do you have a problem with me?" Stefan retorted, his stance stiff and expression serious.

Matt stiffened as well and turned to him. "Yeah. Yeah, I do," he said. "You come to my school, start sniffing around my girlfriend, and now you're trying to get in good with our best friend? I don't know what your game is man but I don't trust you. And if you hurt Bonnie, you and I are going to have a much bigger problem." He started past Stefan to the door.

"Hey!" Stefan raised his voice. He wasn't done with the conversation. He stepped to the quarterback, invading his space. "I wasn't sniffing around anyone. If I wanted her, trust me, I would have her. And yeah, I am trying to get in good with Bonnie, because I like her. If you think I'm going to let you get in the way of that, then you will have a much bigger problem to deal with. See you at the table." Giving him one last hard look, Stefan exited the restroom. He was all smiles again by the time he reached the table. The girls quickly ended their conversation when they saw the boys approaching.

Casual conversation ensued and everyone dug in when the food arrived. Soon the conversation turned back to Stefan, and how he was liking MFH. "Are you in the habit of breaking hearts, Stefan?" Care questioned. "Did you leave any lady loves back in Richmond?"

"I haven't dated anyone since last year," he revealed. "Now, I'm just focused on graduation and getting adjusted to being back in Mystic Falls."

"Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" She pressed. "There's going to be a bonfire behind the Lockwood property." Now she was giving him her best fuck-me eyes. "Maybe we can get to know each other a little better."

Stefan turned to Bonnie. "Are you going?"

"I think I might," Bonnie said with a smile.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Matt eventually stopped sulking, they ate, played pool, broke up a fight between Jeremy and Tyler, Elena chastised Jeremy once again for being high, and Caroline flirted shamelessly with Stefan.

At the end of the night, as they were putting on their coats Stefan approached Bonnie. "I was thinking you and me should go to the party together tomorrow," he offered.

"That sounds good," she agreed.

"Good. I'll give you my number so you can text me your address and I'll pick you up."

What was supposed to just be Bonnie texting him her address turned into fifty text messages exchanged back and forth between them that night. By the time she fell asleep, phone in hand, she couldn't lie to herself anymore. She liked Stefan Salvatore. She liked him a lot.