Resolution (Delena)

Chapter three

I was stuck in her gaze for what felt like eternity. Her sweet laugh made me realize I was staring for an uncomfortably long time. "Sorry, I'm Damon." I replied. "Well, it's nice to me you, Damon." The way she said my name made the hairs on my neck stand erect.  "You too, Elena." I had to say her name. She slipped her sunglasses back on and stood straight letting her purse slide back on to her shoulder. I hesitated to move, or maybe it was that I didn't want to see her go. Something about the way she moved reminded me so much of somebody I used to know. Katherine. That's it, she reminded me of Katherine. Was it selfish of me to instantly compare the two? Of course it is! And then it happened, word vomit! "Uh- care to join me at the grill for lunch?" Oh no! I'm out of my damn mind. Of course she doesn't want to have lunch with a complete stranger! "Sure." A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth to reveal her flawless, full wattage smile. REALLY? "Okay, great." Together we walked down the sidewalk, neither of us saying anything. I instantly regretted asking her. I'm making a fool of myself. "Table for two." She stated and I hadn't realized we'd entered the grill. The hostess escorts us to a booth by the window. Elena settled with water and a house salad. I nervously almost told the waitress I'd like the same, but I caught myself. Water, yes, but salad? No way. I ordered a club sandwich. I didn't want to order a hamburger and gross her out with my grotesque eating skills.

I found myself staring at my hands. I am not a shy man, I don't understand this. "So, Damon, tell me, what is it that you do?" Oh no! she'll hate me, a bar owner, how professional. "I- uh, own a bar." "oh, fun! Where?" what? Really? She's interested... "Down the street, Bourbon Salvatore's." "Oh, I've been there. I was there just there two nights ago with my girlfriends." "Did you enjoy yourself?" "Well...yeah." I could hear the hesitation in her voice. "What?" I laugh. "Nothing." She joined in. "Do tell!" "Okay, you should really update the music." She hid her face from my expression. "What?! What's wrong with my music?" I act mad, but in a joking manor. "Seriously, Damon...what are you 60?" "Try 30!" I defend myself. "Well, I'm 24, and even I have better taste!" She joked, placing her hands on the table in a much more relaxed manner. Ice broken. "Well, why don't you shout out some ideas, miss know it all." I snap. Oh no! Miss know it all? That was harsh. She finally laughed "Alright, next time I come in I'm the DJ."

Is it normal to be so giddy and open to someone I've only met less than an hour ago? I laughed and agreed. The waitress broke our laughter as she sat down our food. I hadn't realized she'd already brought us our drinks, which now were rimmed with sweat on the cups from sitting so long. "So, Elena what do you do?" "Oh, I just graduated nursing. I've been interning over at the hospital." "Great! You can never go wrong in that field." I add. "Right?" She began to eat her salad and I took that as my cue. Do not eat too fast Damon Salvatore, do not blow it!

Nearly 30 more minutes passed of eating and small talk. The waitress slipped the check to the table and I grabbed it before Elena even notice; or so I thought. She began to dig through her purse for her wallet. "I've got it." She looked up and started to speak. "No, really it's the least I can do." I add. "Um- are you sure?" Her smile lit up and there was no turning back now. "Of course." An unfamiliar smile took over my face. "Well, thank you for lunch, Damon...?" "Salvatore." "Damon Salvatore. Oh right, I guess the bar name should have been a hint." She corrected herself. "Same, Elena...?" "Gilbert." I couldn't even say her full name aloud. She began to rise from the booth and I instantly felt the melancholy set in. How was this? I don't know her; I don't know a single thing about her, besides being a nurse. Yet I feel I want to know everything. I could feel it happening again. Word vomit. "So- uh...are you doing anything tomorrow night?" Shit! Why did I do that? She's going to think I'm a creep! "Not really, why?" she beamed. "Oh." Go on, Damon. She wasn't creeped out. "Would you like to join a friend and me here for the show?" She looked down and I could feel the rejection. Then she looked up at me with those chocolate hues, "Sure." She whispered. My eyes widened. Wow! "Okay, great. Feel free to bring a friend." "Alright, cool." She mused and started to walk away. "Thanks again, Damon, for lunch and all." She was gone before I broke away from la la land.

...

Later that night I sat in the large living room. Antiques filled the outsized space. The furniture was hundreds of year's old, books of first editions and collections filled the book shelves on the walls. The floor is dark wood, but is accentuated with an old vintage rug. The whole house reeked of elegance, yet I had no partake in any of it. Nothing about this house represents me.

I walk over to the fireplace mantel and gaze at a picture frame. The picture captured a happier moment of my life. Katherine and I stood before a cheery tree, my arms wrapped around her waist, and Cheshire smiles plastered on both of our faces; that was a great day for us. Nothing special really happened, just the fact that we were together. I sit the frame back in its place, walk over to a table with many of old bottles of alcohol and pour myself a glass of my finest. Sitting down on the couch, drink in hand, I think. "Katherine," I whisper. "I miss you so much." pause. "Today I met someone. She reminds me a great deal of you. She actually resembles you quite a bit...I just, there's something about her... I can't quite put a finger on it." I take a long gulp and finish off my glass. Standing up, I place the glass on the table, and take one last glance at the living room. "Good night, Katherine." I whisper and shut off the lights.