𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

...🌺...

𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻, 𝑀𝑌𝑆𝑇𝐼𝐶 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑆

𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗

"𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐲. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰."

Bonnie's voice carried over the noise of the hallway, but Elena barely glanced at her as she tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, shifting the books against her hip.

"You were the one who said to go for it," she countered.

I shoved my sketchbook into my bag, adjusting the strap on my shoulder. "She's just being cautious, Elena."

Bonnie nodded. "Exactly."

Elena narrowed her eyes. "Why the about-face?"

"It's not an about-face," Bonnie denied. "You're single for the first time in your entire high school career. It's the perfect time to play the field."

Elena let out a soft laugh. "Oh, because I'm so that girl." She shot us both a look. "Seriously, what are you guys not saying?"

I hesitated while Bonnie shifted beside me.

Elena wasn't stupid. She could feel something was off.

"It's nothing," I lied.

"Selene..." Elena sighed, folding her arms.

I exhaled, rubbing my temple. "I have a bad feeling."

Her brows lifted. "Hmm. Is that all?"

I met her gaze, knowing she didn't believe me. Not entirely.

But what was I supposed to say?

Hey, I think your boyfriend might be a vampire, and every time he looks at me, I get the worst chills?

Bonnie pressed her lips together, and I knew she felt it too. The way Stefan moved, the way his eyes lingered just a second too long.

Before I could say anything else, Elena looped her arm through mine and Bonnie's.

"Hey, we're just expressing concern for our best friend's boyfriend," I said, forcing my voice light. "For all we know, he could be an ax murderer."

Elena rolled her eyes. "And I love you both for it, I do." She gave Bonnie's shoulder a squeeze and held my hand. "But I feel good. It's been a hard year, and I'm starting to kind of feel like things are getting back to normal again. And you know what? Stefan is a big part of that."

I pressed my lips together, biting back what I really wanted to say.

She was happy. That was all I'd wanted for her after everything.

But still...that nagging feeling wouldn't go away.

A shiver crept down my spine, but I forced myself to shove the thought aside as footsteps approached.

"Good morning, Elena."

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

Elena's hand slipped from mine as she smiled. "Hey."

"Good morning, Bonnie. Selene."

Stefan's voice was smooth, careful. Like he was always aware of how much space he took up in a room.

"Hey, um, I gotta find Caroline," Bonnie said abruptly, her tone clipped. She barely met Stefan's eyes. "She's not answering her phone. So, I'll see you guys later."

"Bonnie, wait—" Elena frowned as Bonnie turned and walked away without looking back.

I jerked my thumb behind me. "I'm gonna go too."

Elena shot me a look. "Selene—"

"Look, I have to turn in my art assignment before the bell rings," I said, squeezing her arm in reassurance. "But I'll see you in class, okay?"

She hesitated, then nodded.

I turned and walked away, but the feeling of Stefan's eyes on me lingered.

It's going to be a long day.

...🌺...

I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the relentless August sun and groaned. Mystic Falls had no right being this hot—especially this early in the school year. The football field stretched in front of me, heat rippling above the grass, making the players look like mirages.

Giggles caught my attention. I turned my head toward the group of cheerleaders huddled together, completely ignoring the warm-up stretches they were supposed to be doing.

"Hey!" My voice carried across the field. "Less talking, more stretching."

A few of them jumped, scrambling to touch their toes, but not before throwing me guilty looks.

A voice called from behind me. "Oh my God, you're here!"

I blinked as Bonnie waved frantically, and Elena crossed the field toward us, wearing a tank top and shorts like mine.

"Yep," Elena said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I can't be sad girl forever."

I pulled her into a quick hug, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Are you sure?"

"The only way to get things back to the way they were is to do things that we used to do," Elena said, dropping into a lunge like she believed it. "Oh, and both of you are coming to dinner tonight."

Bonnie straightened. "We are?"

Elena nodded. "Mm-hmm. You, me, Selene, and Stefan."

Bonnie's jaw slackened in disbelief. "You have to be kidding."

"You have to give him a chance," Elena insisted.

"How much of a chance are we talking?" I asked, stretching my arms over my head.

"The same chance you gave Matt," she shot back, pointedly.

Great.

"Tonight's no good," Bonnie said quickly, like she was trying to find an escape route. "Have you seen Caroline? I texted her like a hundred times."

"Don't change the subject, Bonnie Bennett!" Elena scolded playfully. "You're going to be there."

Bonnie groaned, rubbing her temples. "Fine. I'll go."

Both of them turned to me, expectant.

I sighed. "Fine. But if I don't like him after tonight, then no more chances."

"Deal." Elena grinned.

I exhaled, glancing around the field. "Bonnie's right. Where the hell is Caroline?"

"I don't know," Elena said, standing. "It's not like her."

"She should be glad she's co-captain, or I'd have her running laps." I grabbed my water bottle and took a sip.

Bonnie pulled out her phone. "I'll try her again."

Suddenly, a roar of an engine cut through the field, loud and unmistakable.

A sleek blue Mustang rolled up to the edge of the lot.

I furrowed my brows.

Caroline stepped outside, her blonde hair gleaming under the sun—only she wasn't alone.

A man followed close behind, dark hair tousled, jawline cut from stone, a smug grin already playing on his face.

He leaned in, casual like it was nothing, and then she kissed him.

Slow. Intentional.

My chest tightened, breath catching before the twist in my stomach hit.

"Oh my God," Bonnie whispered. "That must be the mystery guy from the Grill."

The blood drained from my face as Caroline pulled away, and piercing blue eyes found mine across the field. "Damon Salvatore."

"Salvatore, as in Stefan?!" Bonnie gaped in shock.

Caroline waltzed over, completely unaware of the way my breath had hitched in my throat. "I got the other brother. Hope you don't mind," she teased, shooting Elena a wink. "Sorry I'm late, girls. I, uh, was busy. All right, let's start with the double-pike herkey hurdler. What do you say?"

Elena barely managed a nod. "Are you okay?" she murmured, only loud enough for me to hear.

I wasn't.

I didn't know why I wasn't, but something in my chest felt like it had been squeezed tight.

"Yeah," I muttered, but my voice betrayed me.

Out of the corner of my eye, Damon moved. He stepped out of the car, his gaze locked onto mine, his smirk was gone and the look in his eye was unreadable.

Nope.

I turned from him and walked with Caroline toward the group, forcing myself to focus on the routine.

I didn't know what his game was, but I wanted no part of it.

...🌺...

"Do you want to talk about it before Stefan gets here?"

Elena leaned against the kitchen counter, arms folded, watching me like she already knew the answer.

I sighed, resting my hands against the cool marble, refusing to meet her gaze. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Oh, really?" she said, arching a brow.

I exhaled through my nose, keeping my voice even. "Nothing was going on between us. He took an interest, and now that interest is in Caroline. End of story."

Elena didn't look convinced.

"Are you sure?"

I finally met her eyes and nodded.

She held my gaze for a moment longer before relenting with a shrug. "Well, it's his loss." She turned toward the kitchen drawers, pulling one open and groaning. "Okay, serving spoons. Where are the serving spoons?"

I rolled my eyes and yanked open the middle drawer to her left, pulling one out. "You really need to spend more time in your own kitchen."

"It's better for everyone if I don't," Elena said.

The doorbell rang, and before I could react, she shoved a bowl into my hands.

"Okay, he's here," she announced. "Don't be nervous. Just be your normal, loving self."

I turned to Bonnie, deadpan. "I don't think she wants that."

Bonnie smirked, taking the bowl from me. "Let's ease him into the craziness of Selene Hastings, shall we?"

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue.

...🌺...

Dinner was awkward, to say the least.

I pushed salad around my plate, glancing up every so often only to find Stefan's gaze already on me. It made my stomach twist. Not out of nerves, but out of something worse.

Unease.

I couldn't help it—vampires and witches historically didn't mix. Vampires always needed us for something, and when they were done with us...it never ended well.

Elena, oblivious to the tension thick enough to choke on, broke the silence. "Did Tanner give you a hard time today?"

Stefan finally looked away from me. "He let me on the team, so I must have done something right." He smiled, but I didn't miss the way it didn't reach his eyes.

Elena brightened, turning to Bonnie. "You should've seen Stefan today! Tyler threw a ball right at him, and—"

"Yeah, I heard," Bonnie cut in, her tone flat.

I took a long sip of water, not daring to meet Elena's eyes.

The silence stretched, making my skin itch.

Elena, desperate to fill the void, grasped at another conversation. "Bonnie, why don't you tell Stefan about your family?"

Bonnie stiffened. "Um, divorced. No mom. Live with my dad."

Elena rolled her eyes. "No, about the witches." She turned to Stefan. "Bonnie's family has a long lineage of witches. It's really cool."

"Cool isn't the word I'd use," Bonnie muttered.

I could feel Elena glaring at her.

Stefan, to his credit, tried. "Well, it's certainly interesting," he offered. "I'm not too versed, but I do know that some Celtic druids migrated here in the 1800s."

Bonnie hesitated before perking up slightly. "My family came by way of Salem."

"Really? Salem witches?" Stefan asked.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"I'd say that's pretty cool," Stefan admitted, a small smile forming. "Salem witches are heroic examples of individualism and nonconformity."

Bonnie blinked, surprised. "Yeah...they are."

Elena turned to me. "Selene?"

I sighed, setting my fork down. "My mom's family comes from witches, too. They still practice today."

Stefan's brow furrowed slightly. "Really?"

Bonnie smirked. "She's a Hastings."

I nodded. "Yep, that's me."

Stefan's entire expression shifted. His eyes widened slightly, lips parting like he was about to say something—

When a knock echoed through the house.

Elena frowned. "I wonder who that could be."

Bonnie stood. "I'll come with you."

They left the room, but I barely noticed.

Stefan was still staring at me.

I leaned back in my chair. "Yes?"

His voice was low. "You know what I am, don't you?"

I met his gaze, steady. "Yes."

Something flickered behind his eyes, but before I could place it, he abruptly stood, striding out of the dining room.

I followed him into the living room—then stopped dead.

Damon stood in the doorway. Next to Caroline.

He smirked, tilting his head.

"Surprise!" Caroline beamed, oblivious to the way my entire body had locked up. "We brought dessert!"

I blinked, still reeling. "Oh."

Damon's smirk deepened. "Hope you don't mind."

Stefan's voice was sharp. "What are you doing here?"

Damon spread his arms. "Waiting for Elena to invite me in."

Elena hesitated. "Oh, yeah, you can—"

Stefan cut her off. "No, no, no. He can't, uh...he can't stay. Can you, Damon?"

Caroline turned to Damon, completely oblivious. "Get in here."

Stefan tensed. "We're just...finishing up."

I looked from Stefan to Damon, feeling the tension rising between the two brothers filling the air.

Elena sighed. "It's fine. Just come on in."

Damon stepped forward, crossing the threshold with an easy grace, closing the door behind him. "You have a beautiful home, Elena."

"Thank you," Elena said hesitantly.

Stefan's face remained unreadable, but I could feel the tension rolling off him.

And Damon—Damon just stood there, too pleased with himself, like he enjoyed watching the chaos unravel in real time.

There was a wicked glint in his eyes, and I knew he had something up his sleeve.

Great.

...🌺...

"One more."

Damon's voice slid through the quiet kitchen, smooth and expectant.

I turned to see him standing there, holding a glass out to me.

I reached for it, but the moment my fingers brushed against the cool surface, it slipped. My breath caught, but before it could shatter against the tile, Damon's hand shot out, catching it midair.

"Thanks," I muttered, avoiding the smirk I knew was on his face.

"You're going to have to talk to me eventually, sunshine," he said.

I turned to him, crossing my arms. "I get that you're playing some kind of game, but you need to leave me and my friends out of it."

Damon tilted his head slightly, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I cocked a brow. "Really? You just happen to show up wherever we are, make cryptic comments, stir the pot, and I'm supposed to believe it's all a coincidence?"

His lips curled at the edges, but he didn't argue.

Instead, I pushed further.

"Why do you keep bringing up Katherine?"

Something flickered in his gaze—interest, amusement.

I had been chewing on that question all night. Every time Stefan and Elena got too close, he found a way to mention her. The ex. The ghost haunting this entire dinner.

"How did she die?" I asked.

Damon raised a brow, like he wasn't expecting that.

"In a fire," he said, voice lazy, placing a plate in the dishwasher. "Tragic fire."

There wasn't an ounce of sadness in his tone.

I frowned, passing him another dish. "You didn't care for her."

"Nope." Damon sighed. "She was beautiful—" he smirked, "—a lot like you in that department. But she was also complicated, selfish, and sometimes not very kind." He glanced at me. "But very sexy and very seductive."

"So, not your type," I guessed.

Damon chuckled, shaking his head. "No."

"But Stefan loved her," I mumbled.

Damon's smirk faltered. "Yes. Stefan loved her."

Something heavy settled between us, thick and unspoken.

I closed the dishwasher, wiping my hands on a towel. "Why do you hate your brother?"

He leaned back against the counter, arms folding across his chest. "It's a very long and complicated story."

I shot him a dry look. "I have time."

He let out a short breath, eyes darkening. "Let's just say—he's the reason I lost someone."

Something in the way he said it—low and clipped, like the words had teeth—pulled my eyes to the chain resting against his chest. That necklace he never took off.

The sapphire ring hanging from it caught the light, and for a moment, everything else faded.

It shimmered—blue as storm-lit water, encircled by silver leaves that looked too familiar. My breath hitched.

I didn't know why, but I knew that ring.

Not from now. From somewhere else.

I hesitated. "I'm sorry."

Damon blinked, his smirk slipping. "About?"

I met his eyes. "That you lost someone."

Something raw flickered across his face—just for a second.

"I never knew my family," I admitted, glancing away. "But even without knowing them or why they gave me up, it still feels like I lost them, too."

The silence stretched heavier now.

I handed him the towel, and his fingers brushed mine as he took it.

Something surged through me at the touch—quick, electric, a flicker of something I should remember.

I took a slow step back, shaking it off.

Before I could say anything, Bonnie walked into the kitchen.

"Hey. Need some help?"

Damon, already slipping back into his usual ease, grinned. "Sure, why not?"

I took that as my cue.

"I was just leaving." My voice came out steadier than I expected.

I turned, walking out of the kitchen, but I felt his gaze linger on my back as I left.

...🌺...

"Let's be honest here," Tanner's voice boomed over the stadium speakers, thick with forced enthusiasm. "In the past, we've let other teams come into our town and roll right over us!"

The crowd erupted in boos.

I shook my red pompoms, barely paying attention, my mind elsewhere. The overhead stadium lights blazed down, heat prickling against my skin as my cheer skirt rode up my thighs. I ignored it, smoothing it down before moving into position.

"But that is about to change!" Tanner continued, his voice oozing fake confidence. "We've got some great new talent tonight, starting on offense. And I'm gonna tell you right now, it's been a long time since I've seen a kid with hands like these! Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!"

Cheers exploded around me.

I exhaled, rolling my eyes as I clapped half-heartedly.

Suddenly, there was a crash and the entire stadium went silent, heads whipping toward the parking lot.

My stomach clenched.

"Tyler, stop!"

I shoved past the huddled crowd, following the voice, and my pulse kicked up when I saw Jeremy on the ground.

Tyler stood over him, fists clenched, his chest heaving with rage.

"Stop! You're hurting him!" Vicki's voice cracked.

Heat surged under my skin. My magic reacting uncontrolled and wild. It rippled through my veins, fueled by my panic, and before I could stop it—

A powerful gust of wind shot forward, hitting Tyler like a freight train.

He stumbled back, hard, slamming onto the pavement.

The streetlights outside the stadium flickered.

I winced, swallowing against the tightness in my chest, forcing the power down.

Not here.

Not now.

I rushed forward, grabbing Jeremy's arm, pulling him up and behind me as Tyler staggered back to his feet. He turned, his eyes dark, rage curling his hands into fists as he took a step toward me.

"Tyler, enough," I warned.

Jeremy yanked free from my grasp.

My heart stopped when I saw the broken bottle in his hand.

"Don't, Jer," I said, voice low.

But he wasn't listening. He swung, aiming for Tyler's face—

Stefan moved too fast. One second, he was nowhere, and the next, he was between them. Jeremy's bottle sliced clean across Stefan's hand.

"Jeremy, no!" Elena screamed.

"Tyler, knock it off!" Matt lunged, grabbing Tyler around the waist, yanking him back. "Stop!"

Chaos exploded. The shouts, the movement, the crowd pressing in, suffocating.

I slipped through the mass of bodies, heart hammering, my magic clawing at the edges of my control. I barely made it to Elena's car before my knees went weak.

I braced against the cool metal, sucking in slow, deep breaths, forcing the my magic back down.

The last thing I needed was to light up the entire parking lot.

Footsteps reached my ears.

I looked up and nearly jumped.

Damon stood in front of me, arms crossed, that infuriating smirk on his face.

A streetlight nearby flickered—then burst, sending sparks raining down.

I winced, squeezing my eyes shut.

Fuck.

Damon let out a low whistle. "That was you?"

I peeled my eyes open, meeting his gaze. There was no point in lying.

Slowly, I nodded.

Damon tilted his head, studying me. "I thought witches—"

"Had more control." I sighed. "They do. I'm just...different." I rubbed my forehead, irritation creeping in. "Damon, what are you doing here?"

He leaned against the car beside me, feigning nonchalance. "I'm hiding from Caroline."

I lifted a brow. "Because...?"

"Because I needed a break," he admitted, smirking. "She talks more than I can listen."

I exhaled sharply, pushing off the car. "Look, Damon, Care is my best friend. She likes you, but if you don't like her, then you need to tell her. Not me."

Damon placed a hand over his heart, mock-offended. "Duly noted."

I shook my head, already done with this conversation.

"I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable." His voice was softer this time.

I turned back to him, skeptical. "That's not your intention?"

He gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug.

"Cut the bullshit, Damon." I narrowed my eyes. "Ever since we met, you've had an ulterior motive for everything. I don't care what it is, just leave me and my friends out of it."

I stepped past him, ready to be done with this entire night. His hand shot out, wrapping around my arm. I stopped.

He was close. Too close.

A sliver of space separated us, his grip firm but not tight.

"You're right," he murmured, voice low. "I do have other intentions." His thumb brushed against my skin, light, testing. "But so do you."

I furrowed my brows. "What the hell are you talking about?"

His eyes flicked down to my lips. I barely had time to react before he leaned in. Instinct kicked in.

I slapped him.

The sound echoed in the empty space between us.

Damon's head barely turned, but a slow, amused smirk crept across his face.

"You're an asshole," I snapped.

He didn't argue.

I shoved past him, not looking back.

"You want Caroline? Be with her," I threw over my shoulder. "You don't? Break up. But you are not going to use me to do it."

I stormed off, my pulse thrumming in my ears.

Behind me, I swore I heard him chuckle.

What a fucking asshole?

...🌺...

𝐀/𝐍: I UPDATED...AGAIN!!!

Once again just a filler chapter. But there are still some Selene and Damon moments. This act will slowly pick up I promise.

I hope you enjoyed the update!!!

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: How are we feeling about the rewrite? What are you looking forward to in the rest of this book?

-𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑎 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘