Damon's POV
All summer my mind was with Elena, I was really worried about her after what I did I couldn't look her in the eye. I should've been more responsible, careful and thoughtful.
I got caught up in my feelings and overlooked that she was my best friend and that I cheated on a great girl. It made me feel sick of the person I've become.I wanted more than anything for a due over.
I felt so bad that when I got to New York, I tried to break it to Vanessa take we should take a break but she told me she was moving. Vanessa attending the same school as Elena makes this situation really messy.
I wasn't ready to end things with Vanessa. I felt like a jerk but this makes it easier for me not to be with Elena. I love being around her and I care for her more than anyone and that's why we can't be together. I don't want to lose her.
I told Vanessa about her but left her out about our special night together.
You can tell Vanessa is a good person because she said we're lucky to have each other.
This summer I think I found my way back to being a better person. I just needed the time away from home to really see myself.
I stood in my room for the first time since I left for New York, I loved it but it's good to be home.
I looked out my window and saw Elena's balcony doors were closed.
She always loves to paint during this time of day.
Elena's POV
I looked in the mirror after stepping out of the shower. It was pretty bad.
Bruises. Everywhere. Along my ribs all the way to my knees.
I was scared.
Not of Stefan but of me.
What am I doing?
This time of day I use to paint but I haven't wanted to in weeks. I just wanted to feel warm for once but all I feel is cold.
Tomorrow's the first day of school and I don't know what to do. I needed help but I'm so isolated from everything. Stefan didn't like me having friends or anything to myself. I don't know why I listened to him. I don't feel like I have anyone else.
There was a knock on my window, I jumped.
I put some clothes on and opened the door to find Damon.
My stomach dropped.
"It's so good to see your face." He smiled breathlessly.
Damon hugged me, I flinched in pain. I snapped back into reality.
"Are you okay?" Damon said with concern.
"I'm trying to figure out what the hell you are doing here!?" I got angry.
"I just go back from New York and I had to see you." He took my hand.
"You left me." I held back tears.
"I know and I'm so sorry for that Elena, I needed to get away because I was becoming the worst version of myself. I'm so ashamed of what I did." A tear falls from his face.
"I loved you. S-so much I couldn't breath." I cried.
Damon took me into his arms. I felt this rush of pain and comfort all in one and it was confusing. I didn't know what to say.
"I love you Elena." He whispered in my ear. "I will always be here for you but what we did wasn't okay." He added.
"Why not?" I asked as I felt like I was being stabbed.
"I couldn't lose you, Being without you this summer made me realize I need you in my life and the only way that can happen is if we are only friends. Best Friends, I promise you that nothing will ever come between us again."
He kissed my head, I pulled away and looked into his eyes. I was a mix of fuming and gut wrenching emotional pain.
"Damon you broke my heart." I knew he could feel the hurt in my eyes. "It still hurts."
"I'm sorry for that." Damon looked away, trying not to upset me.
I sighed.
"Can we please be us again?" He asked me.
I couldn't answer that right now. I didn't know how I felt about going backwards, I didn't know how Stefan would feel.
"Elena?" Max says opening my door.
"Yeah?" I wiped my tear.
"You have a call." He hands me the phone and looks at Damon.
Stefan's voice filled my ear. I mouthed to Damon that I had to take this and he left.
The next morning I got ready for school. I wore a quarter sleeve shirt to hide a few bruises on my upper arm. I went outside and saw Damon.
He rolled down the window. "Can I take you to school?" Damon asked.
I panicked knowing Stefan would be here any second. "I have a ride." I hoped he wouldn't ask.
"Are we okay?" He was confused.
"I don't know but I need to think about everything so I'll see you later?" I said quickly hoping he would leave before Stefan got here.
"Of course." He nodded and drove away.
I waited and waited for Stefan. He showed up ten minutes late.
"We're going to be late!" I said getting into the car.
"Chill out! We're fine." He said in a loud tone.
The ride was quiet, I kept thinking about what school was going to be like. We arrived at school and I looked at the clock.
"Great, If we're late-" Stefan grips my arm so tight I immediately go numb.
"We are fine! Shut up! Stop whining!" He yelled at me.
"Please let go!" I held my tears in, he just gripped it harder.
"Not till you apologize." He chuckled.
"I'm sorry!" I screamed as he gripped even harder before letting go.
"See how easy that was?" He kissed me, sloppily.
I don't know why I kissed him back.
He wanted me.
No one else did.
We go inside with his arm draped over me.
Some people watched us, they saw how much of a jerk he was last year they must think I'm stupid, maybe I am.
I had first period with Stefan, second with Caroline, fourth with Damon. I didn't get to talk to him but I saw him.
I walked into the lunchroom. I sat alone, before Damon walked over and sat down with a pretty girl.
"Elena, this is Vanessa, Vanessa this is Elena." He introduced.
"It's so nice to meet you finally! Damon never stops talking about his amazing best friend." She smiles.
Wow she's great. She was super interested in my life and wanted to get to know me. I didn't expect to like her, I felt okay and not upset. I was also pretty numb.
"It's nice to meet the girl in my best friend's heart." I half smiled as Damon half smiled looking down.
He looked up and looked confused. "Elena?" "What's that on your arm?" He asked me.
My bruise from this morning.
"I fell and twisted my wrist, I should probably go to the nurse next period." I nervously laughed.
I laughed at my klutziness.
I didn't know where Stefan was but I didn't want him to see me sitting with Damon so I was okay with it.
Vanessa went to go get a drink and Damon looked at me.
"So do you like her?" He asked me.
"Yeah I do but I asked you for time to think and you're not leaving me alone to process that you're back in my life." I was frustrated at him.
He sighed. "I know I'm sorry Elena I just can't be happy with the thought of you being mad at me." Damon reached for my hand.
I looked away. "I'm not mad." I said softly.
"Can we try to repair this friendship? I'm not asking for full access into your life before you're ready for that again but I want to be able to talk to you." Damon said with a shaky voice.
"Okay Damon. I'll try." I looked at him as he smiled.
After lunch I stood at my locker talking to Damon and Vanessa. It felt fine being around them. I liked that he was happy. The next thing I knew Stefan walked up to me pulling me into a kiss.
"What the hell?!" Damon shouted pulling Stefan's arm.
I gulped.
"Get off me!" Stefan screamed in Damon's face.
"What were you doing to her!" Damon looked at me. He was angry.
"Kissing my girlfriend!" He put his arm around me.
Damon looked betrayed, confused and hurt all at the same time. "What? Elena?" He stared at me.
"It's true. We've been seeing each other all summer." I looked down to avoid him. I knew he would be pissed.
"I can't believe this you and him." He walked away.
Vanessa looked at me and frowned before following Damon.
Stefan grabs me by my hair. "You think you're allowed to speak to him?" He asks with anger.
"I'm sorry." I cried.
