From Blood and Bone

chapter 11

Now that dinner was over, Elena had cut the cake that Caroline and Damon had brought over. Bonnie and I sat together in the living room, across from Damon and Caroline, Stefan and Elena between us next to my side and Damon's. I was listening to my sister speak, gleefully, Damon sat back ignoring all her words, even as her hand was placed on his lap drawing circles on his jeans. I could feel his eyes glued to me, but I refuse to look up just to confirm my suspicion.

"I cannot believe that Mr. Tanner let you on the team. Tyler must be seething, but good for you. Go for it." I nodded along, sipping my water slowly, I didn't want this liquid to go through me as fast as the soda did.

Damon smiled and pointed at his younger brother, "That's what I always tell him. You have to engage. You can't just sit there and wait for life to come to you. You have to go get it." His eyes darken, smiling at his brother, eyes switching from Stefan to Elena.

My sister snorted and shuffled in her seat, "Yeah, Elena wasn't so lucky today." She said looking to me then to Stefan. "It's only because you missed summer camp." Caroline's hair bounced as she shook her head in disappointment, at Elena's lack of cheer enthusiasm. "God, I don't know how you're ever going to learn the routines."

"Hangelina and I will work with her. She'll get it." I coughed on my water and glanced at Bonnie when she elbowed me.

Why the hell is she bringing me into it for? I scowled looking away from her. As tempted as I was to lash out at my sister I new better then to cause a scene. I'll just have to wait till we're home.

"You don't seem like the cheerleader type, Hangelina." I rolled my eyes and didn't answer. "And neither does Elena." He narrowed his eyes when he turned to Gilbert. Setting down my cup down I wrapped my arms around Bonnie to have something to hold. Although she is so small, she barely weights anything.

Caroline opened her mouth without thinking. "Oh, it's just because her parent died. I mean she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fu- "

"I'm not a cheerleader, Damon." I moved the attention to me, Elena's shoulder that were tensed lowered and relaxed, molding into the side of her boyfriend's warmth. She smiled, and I lifted my cup once again. The awkwardness was making me nervous, so I just kept moving my water between the table and my hands like a routine. Damon tilted his head, he looked like a confused puppy not understanding. "I'm water boy, or girl, I guess. I miss a lot of school, so I was told I could do that for extra credit."

"Hey, when I gave you a ride to your house, I didn't know you lived with Caroline." Stefan straightens his back, his eyes crazily forced themselves to look at his brother, he was surprised that Damon gave me a lift.

Laughing, I placed down my cup on the coffee table, "Are you sure? You drove before I could even give you the address, I thought Care told you." His eyes widened slightly but right away he grinned as if it was part of his plan. "Caroline is my sister, but we aren't related. I'm adopted." Caroline hummed with a grin. "I thought it was obvious since we don't look alike, and I am brunette. I never met my parent, but I visit their graves every once in a while." Lifting my left shoulder in a shrug he mirrored me with a taunting grin.

Letting out a deep sigh, Demon shifted in his seat besides Caroline hummed at his movement, his thigh brushing against hers. My brows dipped and I stared at them, he seemed uncomfortable, but my dear sister itched closer to him. I couldn't help but notice she repeatedly scratched at her neck, right where the ridiculous scarf she was wearing snuggled at.

"You know," Damon's solemn voice snapped me out of my thoughts, my eyes darting to his face, my attention on him. "Stefan and I have watched almost every single person we've ever cared for die." Stefan turned to him right away, his face now hard. Whatever he was thinking it was not nice. Damon looked at his brother and gave him a tight-lipped smile, in a sort of taunting way. It got me thinking that perhaps, Damon showing up was part of a plan. "I'm sorry. The last thing I want to do is bring her up."