The Imperfect Girl

Chp. 13- Home?

(Third Person)

Adeline dragged herself through the hallways, her mind heavy with the same thoughts that had been swirling in her head for weeks now. She barely noticed the familiar faces she passed or the occasional glances thrown her way. 

It wasn't the usual rush of irritation or that stubborn determination to brush it all off. Today, it felt like she was unraveling.

Damon had tried pestering her again earlier, but for once, she didn't react. 

She didn't have the energy. 

He had noticed, of course—he was annoyingly perceptive that way. 

He was waiting for her outside the library, leaning against the wall like he had nothing better to do.

"Adeline," he called, his voice carrying the same lazy confidence as usual. But this time, there was a hint of something else, maybe concern...?

She sighed as she walked toward him, not even caring about his antics today. Damon looked at her, his brow furrowed as she stopped in front of him.

"You okay?" he asked, sounding a little too sincere for someone who normally only talked in sarcasm.

She gave a noncommittal shrug, the weight of her day dragging down every part of her. "I just want to go home."

But even as the words left her mouth, something about them felt wrong, utterly befitting. 

Home. 

She looked down, her voice barely audible, "I don't even know where home is anymore."

And for the first time in a while, Damon didn't have a smart reply. He just stood there, watching her, the teasing glint in his eyes gone. 

Maybe, just maybe, he understood what she meant. 

Or maybe he didn't. 

But in that moment, it didn't really matter.

Damon shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden turn in the conversation. 

He wasn't used to this. 

Emotional stuff. Feelings. He could handle flirting, teasing, and even pissing people off, but this? It was different. And it made him feel... unsettled.

He ran a hand through his hair, searching for something to say, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. Finally, he let out a low sigh and said, "Look, I don't know much about that home crap. But you, Adeline... you don't have to keep all this to yourself."

Adeline glanced up at him, a mix of surprise and skepticism flashing across her face. "You? Giving me advice?" She attempted a weak smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Damon's lip twitched into a smirk, though his eyes held a seriousness that hadn't been there before. "I know, shocking, right? But seriously... screw all of them. You don't need their approval."

Adeline sighed, crossing her arms tightly around herself as if that could block out the world. "That's easier said than done, Damon."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should try being less nice" he said, his voice taking on its usual sarcastic edge. "You know, stop caring so much about what those idiots think." (maybe more nice to me 🤓)

Adeline rolled her eyes, but this time there was the tiniest hint of her usual sass. "Yeah? And how's that working out for you?"

Damon chuckled, that cocky grin making its inevitable return. "Pretty damn great, actually."

She snorted, shaking her head at him, but the tension between them seemed to ease just a little.

It was enough.

The two stood in silence for a moment, the sound of footsteps and distant chatter filling the space around them. Finally, Damon spoke again, his tone softer this time, almost hesitant. "Hey, if it helps... you're not as invisible as you think."

Adeline looked at him, her brows furrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Damon shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I don't know. Just... I  see you, okay?"

It was a simple statement, but it hit Adeline harder than she expected. She wasn't sure why, but something in Damon's voice made her believe him. 

She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "Thanks, I guess."

Damon nodded, that smirk of his fading into something a little softer. "Anytime, Addie."

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