History Repeating

Running

ELENA

ONE MONTH LATER

Six in the morning on a Saturday, and I was up. I was up and ready for the day. I got out of bed and laced up my running shoes. I needed something to get my mind off of everything.

This past month has been hell. I've spent the majority of my time in my room. I've been studying like crazy. I slept with my teacher. And to top it off, I'm failing his class.

I needed something to blow some steam off. I read that running helps you forget your troubles. Now, it was time to test that theory.

I turned on my playlist for running, that I just made last night. My songs started to put me in a much better mood. I stepped out into the cool breeze and started to run. My lungs felt like exploding, but my feet and brain wanted to keep going. I pushed harder and harder. My mind hurt. All of the thoughts I've had this month came crashing into me. I could feel myself growing weak, but I knew that if I stopped I would probably break down.

I kept running and running until I crashed into something rather large, falling to the floor and feeling a weird feeling in my ankle. It took me a moment to process what happened. I sat on the ground rubbing my ankle which was hurting pretty bad at this point.

I sat there rubbing my ankle when I realized that I ran into something. I saw a familiar face crouch down to me.

"Elena? Are you alright?" Sam said with a concerned look on his face.

"Sam? I mean... Mr. Winchester, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was running. Then you ran into me," he said.

"Oh, right. You like to run. I can see why now," I told him.

"Are you hurt?" He asked.

I saw a concerned look in his eyes.

"I'm fine..." I started to say.

"You're just tired," he interrupted.

"Something like that," I sighed.

"Why were you running?" He asked me.

"Would you believe me if I said it's because I want to get in shape?"

"Not a chance," he half-smiled.

"I was running," I told him.

"You don't say?" He said sarcastically.

Sassy.

"No, I was running from everything. All of my problems," I told him. 

"What could you possibly be stressed about?" He asked me.

"You'd be surprised," I sighed.

The moment became very silent and still.

"You know, I should get going," I said trying to stand. I felt a pain in my ankle and fell to the floor. Sam grabbed my arm to keep me up.

"Elena, you should let me help you," he told me.

"No, I'm fine. I can walk on my own." I started to walk but screamed in pain.

"Dammit Elena, stop being so stubborn!" He yelled to me.

"I'm fine! I'm really fine! Just leave me alone and let me go!" I yelled back.

I walked away and nearly started crying. The pain was excruciating, but not as excruciating as the pain I would feel in my chest if I went with him.

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MONDAY

I woke up this morning exhausted. I'd spent the last two days in bed with a sprained ankle. That was just wonderful.

I got out of bed and felt the pain jolt up through my ankle again. I winced in pain and continued to get ready.

I'm still unsure of how I got through all my classes today. Now, it was time for history. I hadn't seen Sam ever since I literally ran into him.

I walked into his classroom careful not to show him any sense of pain. As I entered the classroom, I saw him look up from his desk.

"Good afternoon Elena. How are you?" He asked me.

"I'm fine," I said before sitting down. As soon as I sat, my ankle breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is your ankle alright?" He asked.

"It's fine. I'm fine," I replied.

Sam looked me into my eyes about to say something when Damon entered the room.

"Elena!" He said smiling.

"Uh hey Damon. What are you doing here?" I asked laughing.

"I got a schedule change. Stefan had to switch out to take some other class. I don't know, but I do know that I'm going to sit right next to you. Hope you don't mind," he said doing his usual smirk.

"No, of course not," I told him.

"Hey Mr. Winchester! I switched into your sixth period!" He said proudly.

I saw Sam tense up a bit.

"I see that," Sam said angrily.

"Man Elena, I don't know if I'll be able to sit next to you. You're quite the distraction," he said smirking again.

I laughed and looked down blushing. 

"You're cute when you blush." Damon lifted my chin up with his finger. "Beautiful."

"Thanks Damon," I smiled.

"Elena, go out with me," Damon said.

My eyes widened.

"What?" I asked.

"Saturday night, you and I. What do you say?" Damon's smile grew wide.

I hesitated.

"You know what? I'm not going to take no for an answer. Be ready on Saturday. I'll text you the details. I've missed you Elena," he kissed my cheek and took his seat as everyone entered the room.

I looked at Sam who didn't look to pleased. Great.

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After a long class period of Sam completely ignoring me when I tried to answer a question, it was finally over. Although, I had to talk to him about my grade.

Everyone left, so that was my cue to go up to him.

"Mr. Winchester, I wanted to discuss my grade in this class with you. Do you have the time?" I asked.

He didn't even look at me.

"Elena, you're failing. There's not much we can discuss," he said coldly.

"Well is there anything I can do to get a better grade?" I asked.

"Try harder," was all he said.

"Mr. Winchester, I spend four hours a night on your homework! I just want to get a better grade. There is no trying harder!" I yelled defensively.

"Well clearly what you're doing isn't good enough." He started getting out of his chair. "If you'll excuse me."

He escorted me out of his classroom and left the opposite way.