The One Who Saved Me

Chapter 33: Graduation

"Am I cured?" Elena asked, looking at Damon and Stefan.

"How can we tell?" Bonnie asked, confused.

"Cut me." Elena held out her hand. Caroline noticed how uncomfortable Damon and Stefan were, so she smashed one of the empty glass bottles on the floor and picked up a shard, cleanly slicing open Elena's hand only a little bit.

"Ahh!" Elena yelled in pain, covering her hand. If she was still a vampire and the cure didn't work, Elena would reveal an uncut hand. Much to Elena's happiness, when she uncovered her hand, the cut was still there.

"I'm human." Elena smiled, unable to believe it.

"I could really go with a sandwich or maybe some coffee right now..." Elena laughed as she attempted to get out of Damon's bed.

Managing to stand out of the bed, Elena was horrified when she fell to the floor, confusing everyone.

"What's going on?" Stefan asked, worried.

"I- I can't feel my legs." Elena panicked, Damon getting her back into his bed.

"That must be a side-effect. Her body has been in a coma for a year. Maybe she just needs to take it easy for the next few weeks." Bonnie sighed.

"What? No! Graduation is in 3 days." Caroline got upset.

"Caroline, I don't think that graduation is the best idea. Elena is human again for the first time in over a year. We can't just throw her in the deep end." Bonnie sighed.

"No. Elena is attending her graduation. I couldn't live with myself if Elena didn't walk across the stage in 3 days to receive her diploma. I will make sure Elena graduates. No matter what." Caroline smiled, feeling determined.

"I'll go get you that sandwich." Damon kissed Elena before walking out of his room, heading to the kitchen.

"She's finally human again. No more killing sprees, no more drinking animal or human blood. Just the normal Elena we both fell in love with." Damon smiled.

"You know, there's currently just under half a vile of blood resting on your bedside table." Stefan hinted.

"Stefan, I will close that vile and put it somewhere safe, just in case I change my mind or someone else changes their mind. Besides, I won't even think about drinking the cure unless Elena asks me to. I love her with all my heart, but if she doesn't want me to lose my vampirism, then I won't." Damon stopped Stefan from trying anything.

"Fine. Whatever you choose." Stefan smiled, watching as Damon finished making Elena a sandwich.

Three days had passed since Elena was successfully released from her coma. Her legs still weren't very useful, so she had been getting around either by Damon carrying her bridal-style, or by a wheelchair.

"How do I look?" Elena wheeled out of Damon's closet, her nice white dress flowing down, her red cap and gown fitting nicely.

"Like you're ready to walk, or shall I say wheel, across the stage." Damon lifted Elena out of the wheel chair, kissing her with passion before letting her sit back down.

"I better get going, otherwise Caroline will kill me." Elena laughed as Damon helped her downstairs and out of the Boarding House.

Within 25 minutes, Elena made it just in time for the ceremony. The rows of seats were filled with loved ones, including Damon. Elena sat in her wheelchair, waiting for her name to be called. First, Matt was called up, then Bonnie, then Caroline. Stefan collected his diploma but waited with Elena so she could be helped onto the stage.

"Elena Gilbert." Bonnie's father called her name. With Stefan and Matt's help, Elena managed to get across the stage, collecting her diploma with pride.

She could see Damon's smile through the crowd.

After the day was done, Elena sat in her wheelchair, a big smile on her face.

"We're done!" Caroline cheered. Everyone smiled. Damon had his arm around Elena's shoulder. Stefan's arms were wrapped around Caroline's torso. Bonnie smiled at Jeremy.

"I'm human again, Jeremy. I'm normal." Elena wheeled over to Jeremy, who smiled.

"I'm so sorry for the way I treated you. I feel even worse that you didn't get to attend Jenna's funeral because of me." Jeremy hugged Elena, who felt whole now that Jeremy knew she was human again.

"I know." Elena hugged Jeremy back.