The Salty Goat Saloon is packed with people, and the air is thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol. The Ravens are playing a fast-paced tune, and the crowd is dancing wildly to the beat.
Damon is belting out the lyrics, his voice rising above the din of the crowd. Enzo is shredding on his guitar, his fingers moving so fast they are a blur. Kai is pounding away on his kit, sweat pouring down his face.
"We'd like a table for four," Caroline announces, clapping her hands together excitedly. As the hostess checks her list, Elena looks for Liam.
"If you'll just follow me," the woman grabs some menus and leads them to a table near the stage.
Taking a deep breath, Elena follows Rebekah, Bonnie, and Caroline.
"This is a great place," Caroline boasts, as her fingers tap to the music.
"Surprisingly, the band sounds good. I'd never heard of The Ravens before today. Have any of you?" Elena asks, smiling when a waitress appears to take their drink orders.
Caroline crosses her legs and looks at her. "I've heard of them. They've opened for some big-name bands."
Elena shrugs her shoulders.
"I thought you said that guy Liam was going to meet you here," Bonnie asks as she sways in her seat to the music.
"That's what he said," Elena confirms. "He's cute but he seemed a little full of himself," she adds and takes a swallow of her daiquiri.
"We'll have a few drinks and see where the night takes us, please?" Rebekah interrupts, with a smile as she raises her glass. "Cheers."
"That's more like it," Bonnie agrees. "Cheers!" she clinks her glass with the others.
Elena is watching the band, her eyes fixed on the lead singer, Damon. He is lean, with long hair and a chiseled jaw. He catches her eye and smiles, and she feels her heart skip a beat.
Suddenly, the music slows down, and Damon steps up to the microphone. "This next song is for all the lovers out there," he says in a low, husky voice. The band starts playing a slow, sultry tune, and the crowd sways to the rhythm.
Elena feels a hand on her shoulder and turns to see Liam standing behind her.
"Would you like to dance?" he asks, his eyes sparkling.
"You're here," Elena remarks as Liam takes her hand and leads her onto the dance floor. They move together, their bodies pressing close, as the music washes over them.
Elena feels a thrill run through her, and she knows that this vacation is something she'll never forget.
As the song ends," Liam leans in and whispers in her ear. "What do you say we get out of here?"
Elena hesitates for a moment. "I need to let my friends know," she tells him as they walk back to her table.
"Do you all care if I go with Liam?" she asks, her insides fluttering wildly.
"Have fun," Caroline bursts out.
"We want all the details in the morning," Rebekah calls out unabashedly.
Elena knows her cheeks are red and she rolls her eyes. "Bye," she smirks and follows Liam out of the club.
The restaurant is dimly lit, and the atmosphere is quiet and dull. Elena is sitting across from Liam, who is droning on about school and his hobbies.
She takes a sip of her drink, hoping it will help her relax and make the time pass faster. But it doesn't seem to be working.
Elena glances around the room, looking for something to distract her from the monotony of the evening.
Suddenly, she notices a group of people at the bar, laughing and having a good time. She feels a pang of jealousy and wishes she could join them.
But she is stuck here, with this boring guy, on this boring date.
Elena takes another sip of her drink and tries to focus on the conversation. But it is no use. She is bored out of her mind.
Even though she's buzzed, Elena wonders how much longer she'll have to endure this before she can go back to her hotel and go to bed.
"Goodnight, Liam," Elena says as she tries to unlock the door of her hotel suite.
"Can I see you again tomorrow?" Liam asks hopefully.
"I don't know what my friends have planned," Elena calls over her shoulder as she finally gets the key card to work. She stumbles inside and pushes the door closed behind her, cutting Liam off in mid-sentence. She looks around and either her friends are sleeping or they're still out.
Sighing, she yawns as she walks to her room. She strips out of her clothes and is about to go to bed when her Dad's ringtone fills the air.
"Elena! Where have you been? I've been calling for hours," John practically roars into the phone.
"You shouldn't worry so much," Elena giggles drunkenly. "I forgot to drop my phone into my bag. How are you doing?"
"I'm just a little worried about you. I've heard about these spring break trips and none of it is good. I wanted to make sure you're safe."
"I'm safe and sound and having a wonderful time," Elena giggles as she struggles to stay upright.
"I'm your father, I can't help but worry about you. You know how much I love you," John retorts.
"I know, Dad. And I love you, too. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm a grown woman now and I can take care of myself."
"I know, I know. It's just that you'll always be my little girl and I want to protect you."
"Everything here is just wonderful. Goodnight, Daddy," Elena blows a kiss and clicks off the phone. She tosses it aside and falls into bed.
The shoreline is a long stretch of golden sand that extends for miles. The sand is fine and powdery, and it feels warm to the touch.
The beach is surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters that are calm and inviting. Waves gently lap against the shore, creating a soothing rhythm.
Birds soaring high in the clear blue sky voice their approval of the clear turquoise waters below, making the tropical fish milling about in the coral reefs visible.
The air is filled with the scent of saltwater. In the distance, Damon can see a few boats bobbing up and down on the water.
Damon and his friends drew straws to see who would keep an eye on Elena first. Having drawn the short one, he follows her and her friends to the beach.
When she looks over her shoulder to catch him staring, Damon knows she is teasing him. Elena even makes a show of slipping her cover-up off, taking her time to reveal sliver by sliver of smooth skin.
She raises her hand and sifts her hair through her fingers.
"Morning," Damon greets her as he plops down beside her on the sand.
"Where's your girlfriend?"
Damon looks at her puzzled.
"The brunette you were flirting with yesterday after telling me to stay in my room for the next few days."
"So, your headache got better then?" Damon comments, as he rakes his eyes over her long legs.
"Magically it disappeared the moment you left to chase after your girlfriend." Elena narrows her eyes at him.
Damon shakes his head. "I don't have a girlfriend...Would you like something to drink?" he chokes out as Elena lays down on her towel.
"A little early for that, isn't it?" Elena looks up at him. Being around him makes her feel a little intoxicated, she doesn't need alcohol.
"You know that famous saying," Damon teases.
"What might that be?" Elena counters.
"It's five o'clock somewhere. I have the tee shirt," Damon laughs. "Oh, come on," he continues when she looks at him unimpressed, "It's spring break, live a little."
Looking right at him, Elena sighs. "You have a point."
"I'll be right back." Damon jumps to his feet.
"No rush," Elena calls after him and lays back, allowing the sun to warm her face.
"What the?" Elena shrieks when she is suddenly showered by water – the impact of a stray dog shaking out its coat.
"Sorry!" comes a male voice.
Elena looks over to find a bronze-haired, tan-skinned guy jogging towards her. His smile shows off a tiny gap between his front teeth.
"I'm Todd," he introduces himself, looking her over appreciatively. "I'm sorry, Steve got away from me."
"It happens," she shrugs. "I'm Elena."
"You here alone?" he asks, ignoring his friends shouting for him to rejoin the group.
Elena hesitates for a moment as she pets the dog. "Yes and no," she finally replies.
Damon settles her conundrum for her as he hands her a pink drink.
Elena takes the drink from him. "Damon, this is Todd and his dog Steve."
"My friends and I are going to play volleyball. You're welcome to join if you like," Todd offers, his eyes fixed on Elena.
"We're good, thanks," Damon replies dismissively.
"If you change your mind, we're about a block down the beach." Todd gives Elena a dazzling smile before jogging back to his friends with Steve beside him.
"Who said you could speak for me?" Elena asks, glowering at him. "Maybe I want to play volleyball."
"Seriously?" Damon rolls his eyes and takes a swig of his beer.
"I thought he was very nice," Elena tries not to grin as she catches a glimpse of thinly veiled annoyance on Damon's part.
"The dog, maybe," Damon counters. "That trick is as old as dirt, using your pet to get the girl."
"Is there a guy code book somewhere?" Elena rolls her eyes.
A mischievous glimmer appears in his eyes. "I've been around awhile, learned a few things."
"Alright, mister expert, so-called, how would you approach a girl?"
"I approached you yesterday in case you've forgotten," Damon shrugs as he tips his bottle again. "Where are your friends?"
"They're meeting me here. Caroline forgot sunscreen."
Damon reaches out to gently run his index finger over Elena's hand. "If I had to do it all over, I'd buy her a Dirty Banana," he reveals as he leans back and lays down on the sane with his folded arms behind his head.
"What is a dirty banana?"
"Well, Elena, It's made with rum, Kahlua, coffee liqueur, banana, heavy cream, and chocolate. It's pretty tasty."
Silence hangs between them for a few moments.
"I'm going to go for a swim," she says determinedly and stands up, not extending an invitation to Damon.
Damon catches up with her soon enough.
"Damon!" Elena yelps as he tackles her and they both fall into the tepid water. She wriggles out of his grasp and finds her footing.
"Not funny. We don't even know each other," Elena huffs as she pushes her wet hair out of her eyes.
"You liked it," Damon counters, sporting a lopsided grin.
Elena can feel the smile tugging at her lips and she shakes her head, looking out over the water.
"I saw you at the club last night. What did you think?"
"I only heard one song before I left with my date."
"What date?"
"Although it's none of your business, Liam's a Brown Univerity student. Very smart. He's pre-med," Elena tells him.
"Come to the club tonight, stay for a set before you go galivanting around with Liam," Damon shudders in disgust. "He sounds like a tool, too. How is it you attract such guys?"
Elena rolls her eyes and ignores his comment. "How about a race?" she challenges him and pushes away from Damon, laughing at the thrill of making him chase her. She cuts through the water smoothly and as she closes in on the buoy, Damon catches up to her and uses his arms to cage her in.
"You cheated," he breathes huskily into her ear, his breath hot on her neck.
"What are you going to do about it?" Elena asks, looking at him from under her dark lashes.
"I'll let you know." Damon lowers his mouth to kiss her.
Elena sticks her tongue out, ducks out of his arms, and swims away. She makes it to shore just seconds before Damon, and before she can reach her towel, he tackles her to the ground.
"Damon!" she squeals as the fine grains of sand stick to her wet skin.
"Hey, Elena," comes from behind them.
Damon jumps to his feet and offers Elena a hand.
Elena looks at her friends in embarrassment. "These are my friends Caroline, Rebekah, and Bonnie." She points to each of them. "And this is Damon, he's the lead singer from that band we saw last evening."
Elena's friends smile at the both of them, their eyes twinkling mischievously.
Damon watches as Elena tries to brush off the sand. "Would you ladies like to join me for lunch…I for one am famished," he winks at Elena, letting his gaze travel her supple body ravenously.
Elena blushes as she wraps her towel around herself.
"Are you buying, Damon?" Bonnie asks as she looks at him with her hand shielding her eyes from the sun.
"Absolutely, ladies," he smirks. "I'm hoping to see this girl," Damon fixes his eyes on Elena, "going wild and getting friendly down on the sand."
Elena smacks his chest. "Come on, I'm hungry, too."
Caroline taps her fingertip against her lips as she considers the two of them. If Elena doesn't want Damon, she'd love to ride that body of his.
"Something wrong, Caroline?" Rebekah gives her a nudge, pulling her out of her musings.
"Nope." She shakes her head. "Where are you taking us, Damon?" Caroline asks as she follows along.
"Harpoon Harry's. It's just down the road about a half a mile. Their seafood is the best I've ever eaten," Damon explains. "You guys okay with walking?" he asks as he waggles his brows at Elena.
Elena sticks her floppy hat back on her head to shield her face and smiles, loving the attention he's giving her.
Thanks, everyone. You're all gems!
Chapter title: Someone's Watching Me by Warmen.
Next up A Paler Shade of Death.
Have a wonderful day.