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𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐈𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
...🌑...
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝑀𝑌𝑆𝑇𝐼𝐶 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑆
𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎
I slowly headed down the stairs of Elena's house, each step feeling heavier than the last.
My mind was already reeling from the fact that I was being dragged on this trip to Duke. I didn't want to go—hell, I hated the thought of it—but Elena had practically begged. She didn't want to be stuck alone in a car with Damon and Alaric, and I couldn't exactly blame her. It's not like I wanted to go either, especially with Damon. But the look on Elena's face, that pleading look, had made it impossible for me to say no.
I hadn't seen Damon much since...since the carnival. I know I should hate him after everything. Any sane person would, but...I loved Damon—I couldn't even pretend otherwise.
The infuriating part was I wanted to hate him.
"Elena?! Selene?! Are you coming?" Jenna's voice floated from the front door, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I glanced towards the foyer, catching sight of Jenna through the window. Alaric was walking towards the car, leaving Jenna in the doorway with a look of hurt. She tried to hide it, but not very well.
"Jenna?" I stepped closer, my voice quieter. "Are you..."
"Yeah, just... men and their baggage." Jenna's smile was tight, barely reaching her eyes. She glanced at Alaric's retreating figure, then looked back at me, shoulders sagging slightly.
I hugged her before heading out the door. "We'll be back soon."
As I stepped outside, the air was crisp with the fading warmth of the day, and my heart sank when I saw Damon leaning against the SUV, waiting. He was watching me—of course he was. His blue eyes, piercing and unreadable, were locked on me the moment I appeared.
"Sunshine," he greeted, that familiar nickname slipping from his lips like a soft tease.
I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore the pull I always felt when he said that. Instead, I threw my bag into the trunk, refusing to look at him. His presence was suffocating.
"Sorry you can't come too, Stef," Damon called over his shoulder as Stefan approached, trailing Elena.
Stefan's eyes were on Elena. "Call me if you need anything," he said, brushing a lock of her hair before turning to me. "You too."
Damon smirked, always the instigator. "Oh, I'll take really good care of her."
I rolled my eyes and moved quickly around the car's hood, heading for the passenger side. I reached for the door handle, my fingers brushing the cool metal, but Damon was faster. His hand shot out, grabbing my arm and turning me to face him.
