The Better Brother

Chapter 16. Italian Roots

I laid stretch out on my bed, looking up at the blank ceiling noticing all the imperfections as my blood boiled inside me. Thinking...thinking of all the ways he lied to me. Was anything he said to me real? And could he potentially be my stalker? I mean he's not showing up anymore now that we're together...are me and Stefan even together? He never officially asked me out....

Caw, caw, caw

The loud cry echoed through my room. I closed my eyes slowly and listen to his voice.

Caw, caw, caw

He cried again...but wait he does sound different. This particular cry sounds almost distraught. Like he's worried or in pain.....pain that's it he's hurting. I quickly opened my eyes and shot a look at my window to see the black bird staring at me. He seemed okay but his eyes, they told me differently. I heard a soft knock on my door. I look over to see Jeremy standing in my door way.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Is Vicki here?"

"Don't ignore my question with another question. Maybe. What's wrong with you?" I sighed dramatically.

"I'm miserable." I mumbled.

"We'll you should go get something to eat." Jeremy suggested but before I could fight back and decline Jeremy had already left. But I suppose he was right food does put me in a better mood. I lazily got off my bed and looked back to see the crow was gone. I walked down to the kitchen, hearing some shuffling going on I grew suspicious. I thought Jenna was going out tonight?

"Jenna?" I called out but got no answer, turning the corner I seen Stefan standing there in the same clothes I had seen him in earlier, chopping up some green peppers. I was in shock. "Stefan what are you doing here?" He shot his head up and gave me a sweet smile.

"Dinner. Jeremy told me that homemade pizza is one of your favorites and I happen to be a good cook. My Italian roots demands it. I can even make my homemade mozzarella." He said in a Italian accent. He held up a container full of mozzarella. "Only tonight it is unfortunately store bought...sorry." Why was he being this freaking cute? Ugh I wish I wasn't mad at him right now.

"What are you trying to accomplish here?" I asked playfully as I walk towards him.

"You want to know me right?" I nodded. "I figure if your gonna dump me you should at least know who your dumping." So we were a thing then? He continued to cut the toppings. "So let's start with Katherine."

"Stefan..." I tried to stop him but he went on.

"She was the most beautiful girl that I had ever meet." Ouch that hurt. "She had the most perfect, flawless skin and she had this laugh that was ridiculous I mean her laugh would make you laugh and she was fun she knew how to have a good time." Damn he was in love with this girl. I saw the sparkle in his eyes as he talked about her. "But Katherine was also very impatient and entitled and selfish and umm...impulsive." I walk over to the other side of the counter so I could stand next to him and help him cut the toppings. "Then enter Damon." Hearing his name made my eyes flicker up to a candle that was lit on the kitchen table. A faint whisper echoed deep inside my mind, just like in history class when it gave me those answers. It was becoming louder and louder until I realized something was pressed against my back. What felt like hands roamed my waist as their head leaned against mine.

"Help me." That silky voice was now dry and dull. Damon. One hand traveled up to my jaw turning my head so I could see him. "Help me." He spoke again.

"He claims that he was with her first but I don't know. I do know that I did somethings I'm not proud of and my biggest regret was not being able to make them right before she died." I blinked rapidly as my mind made it back into reality. "I miss her but I'm no longer crippled by her loss." I looked up to see the pain flash through Stefan's eyes.

"So what else do I need to know about Stefan Salvatore?" I asked trying to get the images of Damon out of my head.

"I'm an avid reader, a huge great Gatsby fan but I'm no snob I love some good Grisham. I think Seinfeld is the best American television show in the past 50 years, but I love Lucy is all time, the loving cup episode is the best I think." He said as I stood there listening to him rambling on. "As far as music it's pretty much across the board bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix's, patsy, Willy oh and Kanye you know what I even like that one Miley song." I gave him a look. "Heyyy easy."

"I didn't say anything." I laughed at him while he started to put the pizza together. I finish cutting until a finger grazed my chin making me look up into those hypnotic blue eyes. Damon leaned in close to me, his nose touching my nose. His finger then tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. Damon moved his head closer to my ear his breath hitting my bare skin.

"I need you." I shivered at his choice of words. "Please Nyx find me." I didn't even realize I was still cutting up whatever was in my hand until I felt the knife cut into my skin.

"Owww!" I dropped the knife and held onto my finger.

"Are you okay?" Stefan asked walking over to me. I quickly grabbed a rag and went to rinse it clean. NO! I cut myself thinking about YOUR BROTHER who supposedly needs my help.

"Yeah I think so." I said running my finger under the cool water, cleaning it up the best I can. I looked out the window taking a deep breath, trying to relax my nerves until I caught Stefan's silhouette through the window. His face...no his eyes we're changing. Something dark growing underneath them. "Your face." I whispered turning around to now only see his back.

"Yeah I...umm...I think I got something in my eye."

"Stefan?" I asked walking up to him. "Hey." I nudged him. After a few seconds he finally turned around and there was nothing under his eyes anymore, he was fine. "I think that my paranoia has turned into full blown hallucinations." I tried to play it off and he just laughed at me.

"You okay?" He asked looking down at my hand.

"Yeah I'll survive." I said looking back up into his big green eyes.