His name is Damon.

The rest of my night.

Great, I thought. I don't know anybody and my date left me here. Now what am I going to do? I looked around and decided I was going to get some punch and sit down at one of the tables. I was getting a little chilly. I dug around in my small clutch I brought and pulled out my iPhone to browse on Facebook. I saw a status that two of my friends were hanging out and I got really sad and jealous at that point. I was having a great time until Damon cut in. Who the hell does he think he is? Ugh, whatever. I rolled my eyes and swiped my thumb down the page. "Has the best girl ever! I love you, Jade!" The status of Owen. Well fuck. My heart stings a bit. I really liked him. I never got the chance I deserved and it's not fair. I decided to comment on my friends' status. "Do you miss me?" I posted. I decided to post my status as "This place is crazy-cool!" I hope to make them all jealous. I felt so alone at this point. A notification popped up. Are you freaking kidding me? Owen commented on the miss me status and said "Yeah!" That is dumb of him. Maybe it's dumb of me to think it's dumb of him. I don't know! I mean, we still talked until I guess he got too busy to text me back so it made me feel like a loser. Bradley, my bff who posted the status said "Road trip to see Noelle!" I smiled and commented back, "I'd like that J" I hope they do. I hope Owen comes and he can see me with another guy being happy. He liked me too so it wasn't just me, you know.

Damon came back up to me and sat down with a drink. Seriously? At this point, I decided to be rude and stared at him not very nicely. "What?" he asked, before rolling his eyes and swinging his drink around in his hand while he talked. "Ok, I know, I know. I'm a jerk. I send your boyfriend away, interrogate you, then leave you to dance alone. Ass move. Forgive me?"

Shit. He did the eye look. I melted and asked, "Where did Matt go?"

"I saw him around here somewhere, I think. Is he your ride?"

"Yeah," I said. "He left me and I don't know anybody."

"Well, you know me," Damon stated and side-grinned.

I couldn't help but laugh. "No, I don't."

"That's right. No one does," he grimaced and flew back his head, draining the liquor glass. That was a sad and depressing comment he made.

"Yeah, no one knows me either." I said, somewhat feeling mopy and somewhat just wanting him to comfort me hehehe.

"And why do you say that?" he asked gazing at me.

I shrugged. "I don't know," I did this nervous chuckle thing.

"Are you like me and shut people out?"

"Eh, I don't know. I guess sometimes."

He hmphed again. "Look at me, confiding in a complete stranger."

"Psh, ok," I said rolling my eyes. He was starting to piss me off a little.

"Ooh, what's with the attitude?"

"You're being a dick!"

He looked at me like I was something for calling him that. I didn't show it, but I thought it was so cute. "I apologize. Sincerely," he said and I took him seriously. "I need another drink, care to join me?"

"I don't drink," I said.

"Well there's your first problem." He looked at me with an eyebrow raised. I smiled and his eyes became soft. "How old are you?"

"19, you?"

"Uhm..." he looked up into the sky for his answer. "Twenty...two? Three? I don't know. Same difference."

Dang was I lucky to be talking to him right now. "Are you and Stefan the same age?"

"I beat him by a year or two," he said looking at his empty glass. I nodded my head. "Uh, oh," he commented gesturing towards Matt walking up to us with an interesting look on his face. "Jealous date at 2 o'clock. That's my cue." He rose up from the table. "Great meeting you," he did the eyes. I could only smile because he took my breath away.

"Noelle, where have you been?" he demanded, almost raising his voice like I was his child or something. Damon, with slight force, took his hand and pressed it against Matt's chest as if to say back off. "Hey. She's been with me. Chill." Damon's eyes had a hold of everyone, I guess because Matt's body seemed to slump in relaxation. Damon took another look at me, grinned, and sauntered away.

As if he never raised his voice, Matt sat beside me. "Are you enjoying the party?"

I nodded, happily. "I am, thank you for bringing me."

"Hey, no problem." We both watched the party go on, people dancing, and chatting, and drinking. "Would you like a tour of the house?"

My eyes got wide. "Yeah!"

I followed him through the doors and it was a mansion. Spectacular! There was all this super cool furniture and wall art, and this grand staircase that you see in the movies. A boy came up to us with a cup of punch in his hand and a suit on as well. "Hey, Matt. Who's your date?"

"Tyler, this is Noelle, Noelle, this is Tyler Lockwood. Him and his mom own the house, their one of the Founding Families."

We shook hands. "Wow, that's really cool. This place is awesome!"

Tyler, seeming cocky to me, agreed. "Yeah, it's pretty big. I'll show you around." He took us through the house and I wanted to live in it. We were in a study when Tyler pulled out a bottle. "Who wants a drink?"

Matt looked at me before saying, "No, man I'm good."

Tyler looked at me, raising the bottle and an eyebrow. "I don't drink," I said.

"Suit yourself." Tyler took a swig. Ok I was kind of ready to leave now and I think Matt could sense it.

"Well man, I think we're gonna take off."

Tyler nodded. "Ok, well nice to meet you," he gestured towards me. I smiled, agreed, then Matt followed me out the door. We headed back to Matt's truck. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. "Are you cold?" Matt asked.

"No, I'm fine," I said.

"Here," Matt said and put his arms around me while we walked. Oh my gosh! He opened the truck door for me and turned the heat up. "I had a great time with you," Matt turned to me. I blushed and looked down. "Me too."

"Sorry Damon was rude."

"Oh," I breathed. "He wasn't. I take it you don't like him?"

Matt shrugged. "He's a dick and he knows it."

"I gathered."

"So what are you doing tomorrow?" he asked.

I sighed. "Probably more unpacking. Ugh!"

"Do you guys need help with anything?"

"Maybe-I'll have to ask dad."

"Well if you want to, I'm free." He looked at me with really cute eyes.

"Ok." I smiled at him. We pulled in the drive. He put the truck in park adding, "I'll walk you to the door."

We stopped at the door and my palms were sweaty. This seemed to be playing out with the whole "stereo-typical" date kind of thing. I felt my cheeks burning red. I didn't know what to expect when he leaned over. Aaah, a silent sigh of relief as he hugged me. He smelt nice and I really liked the hug. "Can I call you tomorrow?" he asked hopeful.

"Yeah!" I said excitedly. "Thank you again for taking me!"

"It was my pleasure." He smiled. "Goodnight, Noele." He turned to walk back to the truck and I repeated goodnight.

I walked in the door only to be bombarded with questions by dad, as expected. After the grilling, I put on my jamis and crawled into bed. My mind replayed the night. Matt was so sweet and such a gentlemen and I have a little crush on him! And that Damon guy, so hot! Everyone was saying he's a dick or ass, but I saw something in his eyes. I think it was pain. That's why he was lashing out. That's just the vibe I got from him.