The Pageant Part 1 (Here With Me)
Endlich Wochenende! Jetzt gibt es nur noch meinen Pc und mich und Vampire Diaries natürlich! Die letzte Folge war so toll! So toll, dass ich die Tanzszene in diesem Kapitel miteingebaut hab. Allerdings wie das immer so ist, hab ich mal wieder viel zu viel geschrieben und muss das Kapitel wieder mal aufteilen. In diesem Teil ist die Tanzszene leider noch nicht. Dafür aber im nächsten.
So, jetzt wisst ihr, was euch erwartet. Viel Spaß!
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It doesn't mean anything
Without you here with me
And i can try to justify
But i still need you here with me
Elena spent the remaining days of vacation at home, in her bed to be exact. Two days after Stefan had come back. Jenna had asked Bonnie to come over because Elena was behaving 'strange'. Elena told Bonnie about Stefan's return and his renewed addiction. Bonnie was shocked and amazed by the role swap the Salvatore brothers had done. Now Stefan was the dangerous, bad guy and Damon the soft, good guy which was rather disturbing.
Bonnie had given her best to cheer Elena up and distract her by going shopping or meeting with Caroline but her efforts had been unsuccessful. Elena obviously didn't want to feel better. So Bonnie had left in the evening and hadn't called her ever since. Neither had Caroline who had probably gotten the news from Bonnie. So Elena kept on worrying and crying and found herself talking to her brother more often. Jeremy was a good listener. He had been shocked, too that Stefan had turned into a bloodsucking monster and agreed with her that Damon on the other hand should be awarded for is great self-control.
She was missing both of them so much and was happy when school started again.
When she got there she was warmly greeted by Bonnie and Caroline. Those two had been like sisters to her all the way and Elena felt guilty for behaving so ungrateful toward Bonnie for trying to distract her. She apologized and Bonnie waved it off and hugged her. She wasn't mad but Caroline seemed to have something on her mind.
"I didn't know you signed up for Miss Mystic Falls," she said oily.
"I didn't," Elena confirmed.
"Your name is on the list," Caroline told her harshly.
"But I didn't put it there," Elena clarified. "Show me."
They walked to the board onto which someone had pinned the list of participants of the pageant. Elena's name was right below Caroline's.
"I swear I didn't put it there. I just talk to Mrs Lockwood in the afternoon and cancel my participation."
"You can't," Caroline informed her. "The registration deadline was yesterday. They won't let you get out now."
"I wonder who signed you up for it," Bonnie said.
"Probably someone who hopes to embarrass you," Caroline guessed.
"And there's not way out?"
"Not anymore."
"Great. Just great."
"Hey, honey, what's up?" a voice asked behind her.
Elena turned around to find Damon standing in front of her.
"Damon…" She couldn't say anything else. Everything came rushing back at the sight of him. Her worries… her longing…
"We'll meet you in class," Bonnie said and left with Caroline.
"Hey," Damon said.
"Hey."
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay, I guess," Elena answered. "And… you?" She was about to say Stefan but then she changed her mind.
"Me too, I guess," he agreed.
"You look tired," Elena observed worried. Dark shadows were below his eyes like he hadn't slept in a week.
"That's because I am tired," he said and then he began to explain. "I've been watching Stefan day and night. I can't let him alone for long. He would probably pay a quick visit to the blood bank. That's why I don't have much time to talk. I have to go back."
"So it's still that bad, huh." Elena sighed.
"I'm doing everything I can to turn him around. I'm feeding him animal blood but it doesn't weaken the cravings like it did before."
"I see…"
"I just came by to give you a short report. I'll call you when I have news for you," he told her and turned around to go but Elena grabbed his hand and stopped him.
"Wait." Damon looked questioningly at her. "You should get some sleep."
"Elena, I just told you–"
"I know," she said. "But you look awful."
"Thanks."
"No, please, get some rest," Elena insisted. "What's the worst that could happen? That he goes to the blood bank? I can live with that for now but I don't want you to suffer because of him."
"I'm not suffering. Besides, it's not the worst that could happen," he contradicted. "The worst case scenario would be him paying a 'visit' to you."
"I'll come to your house then," she suggested. You can sleep and if he tries something you'll wake up by my scream."
"I don't think so," Damon said. "Still too little time for me to react."
Elena was running out of options. "Come to my house then. For a sleepover. We'll share a bed. You can't be closer to me. Please, Damon, do it for me."
"I appreciate the offer," Damon told her. "Really. But right now it's out of question, I'm sorry." He winked at her. "But I'll accept it later."
A smile appeared on Elena's lips but quickly vanished when she glanced at the list on the board.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure."
"Someone signed me up for the town's pageant."
"Cool."
"No, it's not cool," she corrected him. "Because I never wanted to be part of it but now I have to. And I need a dance partner," she added quickly.
"There's probably a bunch of guys who would love to escort you," Damon commented and cringed at the thought.
"Probably. But I don't want them by my side. I want you," she pointed out.
"What about Stefan?" he inquired. "Do you really want to risk it and leave him alone?"
Elena sighed and then she looked at Damon with determination in her eyes.
"Yes, I do."
Damon's eyes widened in surprise. "I hope you won't regret it. So when is this pageant?"
"On Friday," Elena answered.
"Maybe I'll get him under control by then. I'll be there," Damon promised. "I'll already come over to your house Thursday night. For the sleepover," he added, winking at her.
Elena was beaming. "Great!"
"See you then, Elena."
"See you, Damon."
He gave her a smile and left and Elena turned into the opposite direction to go to class.
Thursday night came sooner than expected but Elena didn't mind. In fact she had been waiting for it and made some preparations.
Damon would sleep in her bedroom (without Jenna and Jeremy knowing) so she tidied up, cleaned up as carefully as never before. He had seen her room before but she wanted to make a good impression. She had even put clean sheets on the bed.
She was nervous what was probably because of the pageant on the following day. Caroline had told her what she would have to expect: a quiz on basic knowledge, a dance and a talent show.
The quiz was no problem. She was up-to-date and had always been attentive in History. The dance would be okay, too. After all she had Damon who in her opinion was a brilliant dancer and leader and in addition they would practice tonight just to get sure.
The real catch was the talent show. Elena had been thinking about it all the time but couldn't think of anything that would describe a specific talent she had. A year ago she had been a pretty good cheerleader but now she was a normal senior at high school.
Elena took a look around her bedroom and smiled. It was ridiculous to prepare everything for a sleepover. It was as if they were on honeymoon or as if Damon was going to propose to her.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She closed her eyes for a second as well and when she opened them again Damon was standing in the middle of the room."
"Hi," she greeted him smiling.
"Hi," he replied and, returning the smile cockily. "Nervous about your big day?"
"Oh, don't mention it," Elena groaned and slumped on her bed. "I've been thinking about nothing else."
"I guessed so." Damon lay down beside her. "You might be glad to hear that Stefan is on his way to his old self."
"Really?"
"Seems so," Damon answered. "And that's he says, too. So if he's fooling me he's very good at it."
Elena sighed in relief. Now that this matter was taken off her chest she could completely focus on the pageant.
"I need you help, Damon." She rolled on her side, facing him.
"With what?"
"The last part of the pageant is a talent show but I can't think of a talent to show…"
"Are you kidding me?" Damon raised a brow. "You'll sing of course!"
"In front of all those people? No way!"
"You already did it in front of a crowd," he reminded her.
"That was totally different," she replied. "No one knew me there."
"It doesn't matter. How many times will I have to tell you over and over again that you have an amazing voice? And I shouldn't be the only one to enjoy it."
"You're exaggerating." Elena was blushing furiously.
"Am not. Do you already know what you'll be wearing?"
Elena grinned. "I have something in mind."
"Show me," he said eagerly.
"Sorry but it'll be a surprise," she teased him.
"For me?" he mocked. "How do I deserve that?"
Elena chuckled. "You'll see it soon enough."
She closed her eyes.
"Tired?"
"I thought you were."
"I am."
"Then sleep." Damon didn't reply to that. "Damon?"
She opened her eyes to see that Damon's eyes were closed. He had fallen asleep. Elena smiled and snuggled up to him, resting her head on his chest.
"Good night, Damon."
She closed her eyes again and before she fell asleep she felt Damon put his arm around her, keeping her warm.
The hours flew by and Friday morning came. Elena woke up at 9 am due to her alarm clock. The pageant was going to start a 2 pm right after school. (Participants had the day off so would have enough time to get ready.)
Sleepily Elena stretched herself, yawned heartily and slowly opened her eyes, expecting to see Damon lying beside her. He wasn't. He was gone but he had left her a note.
Checking up on Stefan. Meet you there. Can't wait ;)
Elena grinned. It would remain one of world's small mysteries why he was looking forward to the pageant like a little boy to Christmas. But it was good that least one of them was psyched. It made her take things more lightly and relax a little.
But not for long. After breakfast Elena took a shower and got dressed. Then she called Jenna to help her with hair and make-up. Elena didn't want to change her hairdo much but Jenna insisted to make it curly. When she was done and passed the mirror to her Elena's heart sank. She looked so much like Katherine now – the woman she never wanted to resemble, neither in looks nor in personality. What would Damon think when he saw? Would he see her or would he see Katherine?
Elena didn't have much time to ponder it because Jenna was putting on make-up and a glimpse of an eye later it was already 1 pm.
"You look beautiful," Jenna told her.
"Thanks, Jenna," Elena said weakly.
They went downstairs where Jeremy was already waiting for them. He had skipped school with Jenna's permission. When he saw Elena he gasped loudly.
"Wow, I'm so proud to call you my sister," he said impressed. "I bet you'll win with your looks."
"You misunderstood something there," Elena told him. "I'm not planning to win. I just going because I have to."
"Planning to or not," Jenna chimed in. "You'll win. I agree with Jeremy."
Elena just shook her head and opened the front door.
When Damon returned home in the morning he was silently sending a prayer. Let Stefan still be there when I go inside… And to his surprise Stefan was home and it didn't look like he had been out while Damon had been absent. Stefan was reading a book again. A habit he had picked up because it distracted him from the hunger.
"You're back?" Stefan's gaze never left the page.
"Yes but only for a short while. Then I'll leave again," Damon told him, passing the parlor and heading for the kitchen to have breakfast.
"Where you going?" he heard Stefan ask conversationally.
"There's a pageant. Miss Mystic Falls. Elena's taking part in it and asked me to be her dance partner," Damon informed him casually. It wasn't until later that he would regret having shared this information with his brother.
He barely noticed Stefan closing the book loudly. He was distracted. He had opened the fridge for a snack to find that most of their restored animal blood was missing.
"Um, Stefan? Who raided the fridge?"
"Oh, I did. I was so hungry this morning. Sorry," Stefan replied calmly from the parlor. "Do you want me to get more blood?"
"No," Damon refused determinedly and closed the fridge. "I will when I come back home." He left the kitchen and headed for the stairs. "Excuse me now. I have to get dressed."
He didn't receive a reply from Stefan but didn't care. His thoughts were somewhere else… with Elena.
He opened his wardrobe and took out his best suit plus a matching tie. He was really looking forward to the pageant… to see the beautiful Elena and to dance with her. He would never forget this day…
He took a shower, got dressed and adjusted his hair. One look into the mirror told him that he looked absolutely dashing. He couldn't wait to see Elena's reaction.
He glanced at the digital clock on his bedside table. Half past one. Time to go.
Whistling he walked down the stairs. He had never been in a better mood. He was going to escort Elena to a pageant. He was, not Stefan. He just had to rub it into him.
"See you later, little brother!" he said and headed for the door. Suddenly he stopped. "Stefan?"
No answer.
But a weak scent of human blood. Damon entered the parlor. Stefan's book was on the couch.
And Stefan was nowhere in sight.
"Damn it!!"
