The long awaited next chapter! Sorry for the wait, I unfortunately had lost this entire chapter on my computer, like I opened it to work on it to only see 3 paragraphs rather than the full document so I had to rewrite it :(
I also wanted to address some of the replies on the last chapter below:
Imarifirst: I'm super happy you're enjoying the fic so far and I appreciate your feedback! However, while I can see the concern around Elena/Matt, it is crucially needed to make up Elena's character. She simply didn't want to lose Matt because of the length of their friendship, the impact he's had on her life and the connection he had to her parents. If she didn't admit they wouldn't work then she would still get to live in the little fantasy of her life where she has some normalcy since her parents death, so yes while it is cruel for her to have dragged him along and she knew this, she was clinging to his friendship like a lifeboat trying to keep herself afloat over the years and deep down, they both knew this but said nothing, it will discussed deeper in the future. This story will have many twists, I hope you stay for the full ride!
amazing Aisha: Thanks for the review! This story isn't going to be an easy jump into DE, I want to match the tension the couple has on the show and in the books!
Thank you everyone else who has reviewed, followed, favorited! It means so much to me and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Two Weeks Later
I slide into the cold, plastic seat with a sense of dread. My once normal enjoyment for Professor Salvatore's class took a bitter halt after the incident he somehow got involved in; the tangled web of a dragged out, ended relationship between Matt and me. How embarrassing. I sigh and squirm uncomfortably in my seat thinking about the horrid night from two weeks ago, occasionally checking my phone with the slightest hope Matt would be willing to speak to me, to meet with me to talk, anything. A part of me knew any chance at salvaging this friendship had gone the moment Damon's fist collided with Matt's unsuspecting face but call me crazy for believing Matt and I's friendship was stronger than this.
As the lecture hall begins to fill with students, my eyes dart around the room hoping to find a distraction, unsure of where to focus but knowing anything would be better than reminiscing on these last two weeks. My thoughts begin to wander as I'm staring at the blank whiteboard in front of me, memories clouding my vision.
Caroline's quickly pulling me to her car in the dimly-lit parking lot as I continue to sob, streams of tears flowing freely down my face, the mixture of the salty substance and my running mascara a cruel remainder of my current state and situation. Before she can drag me any further I yank my arm out of her grip and step back, causing a whirl of blonde hair to whip around, blue eyes piercing through every wall I was quickly trying to rebuild in the moments I made the decision to stop walking.
"Care, I- "
"Nu-uh, if you think there's ANY chance we aren't going home so I can be a good best friend and listen to what happened then you don't know me at all, Elena Gilbert." Care huffs out, showing she isn't backing down.
"I can't leave work—we can't leave work, Caroline!" I shakily wipe the stilled tears away with the back of my hand, sniffling softly. "We both know Logan doesn't care for me, if he even found out I was out here I'd lose my job. I need this job Caroline. I'm not a kid anymore, I can't just hide when things go wrong." My hand runs through my hair, pushing it away from my face, pulling the strands sticking to my wet face. This wasn't Mystic Falls and I wasn't 19 year-old Elena Gilbert who had just lost her parents and would spend her days alone in a cemetery or at the falls; I was 23 I had to grow up and face reality.
Caroline softly sighs and reaches forward to pull my hands in hers. Her eyes glistening with understanding and comfort as she nods her head. "I know" she whispers, her head still nodding as if she's a bobble-head toy. "And I'm not asking you to hide forever, I just want to make sure my best friend is okay. Let's just go back to the apartment for the night, I'm sure I can convince Ty to cover for us, we'll just say you got sick."
Her words sounding more and more convincing with each breathe that I don't even notice her seamlessly closing the space between myself and her passenger door until I hear the click of the lock on her Ford Fiesta. It's not until the passenger door is shutting behind me that I hear Alaric's voice yelling from the entrance of the establishment. It's muffled behind the glass and the distance, but I know he's yelling my name as he realizes I'm leaving before talking to him. I go to reach for the handle, not wanting to talk to Ric but also not wanting to avoid him either when Caroline's pale hand lands on top of mine.
"It'll be okay." She squeaks out, her small smile trying to show reassurance but her eyes telling a different story. I hadn't heard her get into the car or am really sure when it had started up as I stare back out the passenger side window. My eyes lock with the clear blue ones shining behind Alaric, concern radiating through them as he claps a hand on Ric's shoulder and pulls him back into the bar. I'm not sure what Damon told him went down, or if anything other than I was breaking down outside, but the thought fades as Caroline turns on the radio and Matt's favorite song is playing from the second verse. OneRepublic's voice floats through the cars speakers as tears begin to fall and I silently curse at myself for being so weak. You knew this would happen Elena when you toyed with him for years.
"Heart still beating but it's not working
It's like a hundred thousand voices that just can't sing
I reached out trying to love but I feel nothing
Oh, my heart is numb
But with you, I feel again
And with you, I can feel again"
While the actual song held no meaning, hearing it after that shit show was just ironic. I bite back a bitter laugh, not wanting to have to talk right now or explain things to Caroline more than necessary. The rest of the car ride back to our apartment goes by in a blur, Caroline ultimately turning the radio down to a hum to avoid more spur of the moment tears.
15 minutes later and we are sitting cross-legged in pajamas on top of Caroline's queen-sized bed. Wanting to avoid talking about the night all together I try to pry Caroline for info about the mystery man she had been talking to before I stepped outside. She's taken back by question, probably not realizing I had even seen her exchanging numbers with the sandy-haired boy. Her silence as she ponders over how to answer gives me time to just take in my best friends' appearance.
Her long, blonde hair is thrown into a high, messy bun on the top of her head, strands falling down around the sides of her face, perfectly shaping her sharp jawline. Her skin is pale, flawless, not one blemish or pore in site—she chalks it up to a good skincare routine, I say it's just good genetics—her button nose slighted turned up, the kind of nose girls go under the knife to achieve. Before long, I'm staring, taking in the perfection that is my best friend. It's hard not to feel I should have settled with Matt when I don't have men groveling at my feet like the princess beside me does. I shake my head, clearing myself of the negative thoughts and focus on the words coming out of Care's lips.
"…just some guy who had a way with words." Caroline says dreamily, already seeming head over heels for a guy whom she had the briefest exchange with. Before I can comment, the wheels in Caroline's head are already churning and switching gears, wanting to go back to talking about me.
"So, some guy just randomly came up, broke up your fight with Matt and punched him?!"
"It wasn't a fight, Caroline!" I stress the emphasis on fight. While Matt and I haven't been on the same page in a while, we haven't had a real fight since that fateful Halloween night.
"Oh, no need to be technical!" She clicks her tongue in disapproval before continuing, "I don't believe you though."
"Don't believe me about what exactly?"
"That it was some random guy! Come on Lena, fess up. If you don't talk about it now, you'll never talk about it." She's fishing, even when trying her best to comfort and be a good friend, Caroline is first and foremost a gab. "I think it was Alaric, like he just so happened to come out right as we were pulling out?! Yeah, right! We both know he was never that fond of Matt!" Her eyes lighting up as if she's uncovered it all.
"It wasn't Ric." I scoff and shake my head, falling back on the bed feeling spent, my head hitting the soft, down pillow and my chocolate brown hair splaying out around me. "It was his friend…Professor Salvatore." I mumble under my breath, praying she didn't hear me, however I'm proven wrong as I hear her squeak.
"Wait!" Her eyes growing wide like a deer caught in headlights. "Salvatore? As in the Professor Salvatore?!" I squeeze my eyes shut and try to forget Caroline is in the room with me, wanting to just forget the entire night and maybe the last 4 years.
"Alright, class, we will begin our discussion on The Impending Crisis where we left off last class we met."
I'm pulled from my self-deprecating thoughts as Professor Salvatore begins lecture and I realize I hadn't even begun to set up my laptop to take notes. I quickly reach down and unzip my book bag, receiving stares from my neighbors as I rustle around papers to grab the small MacBook. For someone who prides herself on organization and notetaking, you wouldn't think I could find anything in this bag. As I come to surface, MacBook in hand, I'm met with the bluest eyes I've ever seen and my breath hitches in my throat. A small, lopsided grin is on Damon's face as I set my laptop down and rush to open up the required documents.
"Miss Gilbert," His voice echoes in the amphitheater style lecture hall, who knew such a serious man could sound so playful even in a classroom setting. "It is best to be prepared before lecture starts." He tsks, gaining a few chuckles from some of the guys in the room. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks and a few eyes staring at me as he resumes the current slide he is on. I push the hair from behind my ear, allowing it to fall in front of my face, acting as a curtain between myself and the prying eyes. The several students being randomly picked from the roster to answer Professor Salvatore's questions on the current reading droning on around me as I play with the hem of my shirt and repeatedly checking the time on my computer.
The door to the left of me creaked open, a tall, muscular figure began to try to silently creep through the tiniest sliver in the open door into the lecture without being noticed; or perhaps wanting to avoid what was sure to be coming next. The class had already been running for almost 50 minutes and was only 90 minutes to begin with, whoever this was should've just stayed home.
"Potter first outlines the demographic and social conditions of the United States in the period which preceded the War. The turning point was the Mexican War which upset the balance—"
"Stefan! So lovely of you to join us! Did you lose track of time combing your hero hair?"
The girl sitting three rows behind me answering whatever question Professor Salvatore asked now quiet as Damon stops the discussion to bring full attention to the late comer. I can't picture where I know him from, but I begin to have a sense of déjà vu as the sandy haired colored male comes to a stop at the side of Professor Salvatore's desk. From what I had seen in my peripheral vision moments before is confirmed as he stands only a few feet away from me.
Stefan, as Damon called him, didn't seem assumed with the hair comment and simply ignored it all together, setting his messenger bag down on the floor and turning to face the class.
"Everyone, this is Stefan, he will be the lovely and fascinating TA for class this semester. So, please, take advantage of his free time—he has plenty of it!" Damon claps a hand on Stefan's shoulder while smiling brightly to the lecture hall, Stefan shifting uncomfortably on the side of him. Standing side by the side the two looked like an odd pair, Damon dressed in his infamous all black attire and Stefan wearing a simple flannel and jeans with a pair. Stefan's slightly tan skin stood out next to Damon's pale complexion but they both shared similar sharp bone structure and defining features. Stefan gives a small smile to the class before taking an empty seat at the end of the front row, mindlessly scrolling through apps on his phone.
"Well," Damon claps his hands together, changing slides quickly to the end of his lecture notes, completely forgetting about the poor girl who had been mid-sentence just a few moments ago, "Seeing as class is more than halfway over, I'd like to go over the requirements for the reworks of the drafts for your research papers and the annotated bibliographies." He sighs at the last part, seeming thoroughly disappointed in having to go over the requirements for the bibs with a room full of master's students. "Stefan will be passing back the first drafts you submitted two weeks ago and if you see any corrections you don't understand, he will be all ears!"
Stefan grabs a manila envelope out of his bag and quickly slides out of his seat and begins to make his way around the lecture hall, trying to learn who is who and efficiently pass back their papers before Damon's annoyance has time to peak through. He briskly walks by my seat several times but never attempts to stop once and as I'm seeing his envelope getting smaller and smaller and I'm beginning to realize he isn't going to be handing me one back.
Panic sets in as I try to remember if I had actually turned in a paper or not. Da-Professor Salvatore would've asked me where it was for sure if I hadn't…right? I begin to think to myself, retracing everything that happened over the last two weeks and quickly ignore what was being taught about properly annotating sources and doing footnotes; all things I learned years ago. I tap at my mouse and bring my screen to life, quickly trying to find the document I knew I had typed to open. Within seconds Microsoft Word is pulling up my 12-page first draft, written about the number of Confederate soldiers who did not agree with the Confederate ideals but fought on their side because of family—many being from wealthy families at the time, plantation owners, business men, etc.—and their own personal accounts.
Before I know it, Damon is dismissing the class 15 minutes early, aggravation casting clouds in his icy blue eyes as yet another student tries to convince him to change the word count on the final draft. I slowly pack up my belongings, waiting for the classroom to clear more before sliding out of my seat to make my way towards the TA. My body still feeling stiff from sitting for so long groans in protest as I walk quietly, feeling like prey being stalked by a predator. Stefan's head pops up from his concentration on his phone, his dark, green eyes stunning me, a soft, tight smile appearing on his face.
"Can I help you?" He asks while clearing his throat and putting his phone face down on the table.
"I, um, I didn't get my draft back and I'm pretty sure I turned it in, I was just wondering if maybe you still had…it" I fumble, playing with a loose string on the corner of my shirt, making it seem like the most fascinating thing in the world. I avoid eye contact with him, feeling like his green eyes could see the slight fear and worry radiating off of me in waves. I know I've been distracted lately because of Matt, but it's never been enough to tear my focus away from class.
"Name?" He softly asks, his smile never faltering.
"Elena Gilbert"
"Oh." Stefan says lightly, his smile dropping from his face and folding his hands in front of him on the desk.
"Is something wrong? Did I not pass it in or meet the page requirement? I was sure I did but I had a rough few weeks and- "
"No, no, not that." He clears his throat, green eyes darting around the now empty lecture hall. "I've had the paper since it was handed in and given to me by the professor to grade, along with some of your most recent work."
I begin bouncing slightly on my heels, the slight nerves I thought I had before now amplified as he pauses his thought. Could my work have been that bad that he didn't even bother to grade it?! Am I really cut out for this major? Should I even be in Graduate school? What would my mo- My internal moment of anxiety silenced as Stefan begins to speak again.
"I may only just be joining this class in person now, Elena, but I'm not blind."
"I don't…I don't understand." Confusion sweeps over me, my facial expression surely showing it as I stand in front of Stefan trying to put meaning to what he's saying.
"Your most recent work lacks the same…well, skill level that the paper you turned in showed. I may not know you as a person or have gotten to see you in action over the course of the last month classes began, however I don't believe that you wrote this paper." He states confidently while sliding my stapled draft across the desk so it's sitting in front of me. As I reach for it, wanting to see the notes clearly scribbled over the entire first page he quickly pulls it back towards him. His once soft, green eyes now seeming distant and cold. "I'll just be holding on to this, you understand."
My anger begins to grow, and I can feel my hands clenching into fists at my sides. I'm seeing in shades of red, baffled by this accusation by someone who knows so little about my work ethic. I begin to form my defense, the words rising up in my throat, wanting nothing more than to scream at the top of my lungs. All that comes out is bitter chuckle and an eye roll. This month couldn't get any worse, I think to myself, subconsciously crossing and uncrossing my arms over my chest.
"Do you actually think I would risk the rest of my college career and future jobs like that?! Because I will have you know I spent many hours on this paper!" I spit out, my anger showing no signs of subsiding. "I worked my ass off, coming home at 1 or 2 in the morning after my shift waitressing and stayed up working and revising that! I'll have you know, Stefan," His name sounds foreign in my mouth, leaving an invisible bitter taste I wish would leave. "I worked in the University of Virginia's writing center as an undergraduate AND on my town's local paper, both offered to me based on the quality of my work; not someone else's. I respect myself and my career too much to try to pass off someone else's work as my own." I scoff, annoyance rolling off of me in waves, my clenched fists softly shaking, I can feel my nails digging into my palms, but I can't bring myself to calm down. "I spent hours finding the perfect sources to match my research claim, I even have a stack of overdue library books sitting on my kitchen table from this paper!" After everything that's happened over the last two weeks, this tops the cake. All the emotions I had been holding in since my night with Caroline after are seeping out and I can't reel them back. The fire in my eyes is blinding but this doesn't stop the chuckle that slips from Stefan's lips. He finds this amusing, a smirk spreading over his face as he leans back into the attached plastic chair.
"And, you're laughing…" I choke out, taken back by his reaction, blinking a few times but my vision is still fuzzy.
He shakes his head, the next words out of his mouth stunning both himself and I.
"Have coffee with me."
"What!"
"Have coffee with me." He repeats, a genuine smile reappearing on his face, showing teeth and all. "Let me pick the brain of this," He gestures towards me, "Small town writer." His toothy smile showing his slightly pointed canines.
I'm squinting at him as I'm trying to figure out his motive behind this, my arms now back crossed over my chest, guarding what little of me I have left and trying to appear standoffish. A throat clears behind me and I jump back, bumping into a solid, chiseled chest, a breathy chuckle escaping the lips of the person I'm practically on top of. I quickly turn my head around, hands thrown up in the air ready to apologize at whoever is behind me when my breath catches in my throat.
"I see you've formally met my baby brother. Doesn't he just have a way with words." Professor Salvatore smirks, "Though I would take it, not this time." He glances towards Stefan and then back towards me, the tension between us slowly fading but still present, my anger just beginning to finally come to a simmer.
"He's your…brother?!" I stumble over my words, mentally kicking myself for getting distracted by his blue eyes and slightly messy black hair, retaining nothing of what he said after brother.
"Unfortunately." Stefan sighs, leaning further back into his seat, arms crossed behind his head, his right foot resting upon his knee. I glance between the two men, now seeing the similarities between the two. Both having similar bone structure, being similar in height and despite the different eye colors they both appeared to have this captivating look. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog taking over my mind, not entirely sure what to do with the information. "Now," Stefan's focus trained back on me, trying to ignore his very present older brother, "How about that coffee?"
"Now, baby bro," Damon's hand lightly lands on the small of my back, not fully pressing on it but not hovering either and I subconsciously lean further back into it. "Are you really poaching my students right in front of me? Besides," He lets out a booming laugh, one I can feel vibrate through me from our close proximity. "This one is off limits." And in that moment, I swear my heart stopped, only to start fluttering a thousand miles a minute, feeling like a butterfly was in my chest instead. My cheeks surely had a rosy tint to them and I let out a puff of air, trying to maintain a calm composure.
"And why's that, Damon?" He squints at his older brother, bringing his arms down from behind his head, linking his hands together over his lap.
"Well, you see, this is Alaric's niece." The reminder of reality feels like a bucket of cold water was dumped on me and I slowly push forward, out of Damon's reach. While Alaric isn't exactly my Uncle, Damon's view of me is clear. I'm nothing more than someone he looks out for because of who his best friend is. Damon's empty hand drops to his side, seeming visible uncomfortable by the sudden change.
"Alaric isn't my best friend, big bro." He chuckles and stands up, packing his messenger bag with his belongs, including my paper. Guess I'm not getting that back. "Besides, we all know I can charm someone's pants off." He grins before turning to face me again. "I do hope you'll consider having coffee with me one day. I truly do want to pick your brain."
I give him a soft smile, one that appeared to be too friendly because the hope that flickered across Stefan's eyes made me internally groan. I quickly look down at my hand, pretending to examine the chipping nail polish I've had on for a few weeks. Stefan gives a brief nod towards his brother before walking towards the exit.
"Oh, and Elena." My head snaps up in the direction of the hunter green eyes calling out to me to see Stefan holding the door open, head turned back towards us. "I'm going to read over your paper again and have it back to you next class." Relief rushes through me and I let out a shaky breath, forgetting Professor Salvatore standing stiffly beside me with his hands in his pockets.
"You didn't get your paper back?" He questions, eyes narrowing, a puzzled look briefly crossing over his composure. When I realize I've taken too long pondering the best way to approach the subject of his brother accusing me of cheating, a little white lie slips off of my tongue; rather not tarnish my reputation.
"He just said he had some difficulty understanding a few parts." I casually shrug before walking back towards my seat and collecting my book bag from it. "I cleared them up for him before you walked over. It was a simple misunderstanding." I nod, doing my best to convince him, however the look on his face tells me otherwise. His strong jaw slightly clenching and unclenching, his eyes looking for the right words to say. God, he really is picture perfect. I say dreamily to myself, getting lost in his appearance once again. His eyebrows furrow and he steps back towards his desk, my eyes meeting the back of his head and instantly feeling a loss.
"Seemed like a very heated discussion over a small understanding." His monotone voice carries back towards where I'm standing, the silence following filled only with the shuffling of his papers. "Allow me to walk you out, Miss Gilbert." He says curtly, his hand motioning to begin walking. I nod and quickly move my feet, feeling the sudden change in room temperature. He reaches around me as we make our way to the door and holds it open for us.
"Thank you." I quietly say, my eyes looking down at my feet as I walk further into the hall, hoping to round the corner as quickly as I can, wanting nothing more than to feel the cool fall breeze on my flushed face.
"Elena," The luscious sounds of his voice float down the short corridor, forcing me to come to a halt and peer over my shoulder. His blue eyes shining in the fluorescent lighting and I swear I could've melted into a puddle. "Stop by my office this week with a copy of your draft. I'd love to read what twisted my baby brother's literature mind so much…To give you some real feedback."
"Okay," I'm nodding my head faster than I need to, gaining a smirk from the man known for his poker face. "I will see you later this week then, Professor Salvatore." His name coming out in what sounded like a purr, causing me to quickly snap my head back around and walk briskly down the hall, desperately needing the cold air and to get out of that shrinking hallway.
Before I round the corner, his voice calls out one more time.
"It's Damon! Salvatore reminds me too much of my father."
I say nothing and turn the corner and push the doors open, feeling like I was suffocating as the breeze stings my cheeks and I inhale sharply. As the door swings shut, I am left alone outside of the brick building, and I lean my back against the cool surface, taking in my surroundings of passing college students and professors. Little did I know, still standing beside his classroom door is Damon, staring at the spot I once was standing.
"See you then, Elena."
Only I don't hear the softness in his voice, or the comment at all, as I push off the building and begin my walk to meet Caroline at Marisol's Coffee House for lunch.
Please review and leave any feedback! Thanks so much everyone, until next time!