What Lies Beneath

Chapter 13: Just Moments

Having a secret sometimes made you feel special or particularly naughty depending on what the secret was. If it was something that hurt people a guilty conscious usually took away any joy that someone could experience. However spending a few weeks at Salvatore manor didn't hurt anyone and that is why Bonnie felt giddy when she returned to Mystic Falls High School. Everyone thought she'd been at her Aunt's house and that was half-true. Knowing that they would be scandalized to learn the truth made getting through all of their I'm sorry looks a bit easier. She appreciated the sentiment but pity wasn't what she needed.

Perhaps that is why Mr. Saltzman's class went by so quickly. She focused more on learning than the people who were sneaking looks at her, including her best friend. For just a few minutes more she'd wanted to remain in her own little world, thinking back to her time with Damon.

She was extremely nervous to talk to Elena and actually come clean about everything she'd been doing. They'd had brief words before Mr. Saltzman's class started, but nothing more than a whispered hello. However sitting out by the picnic tables with her bag on the ground by her feet, she knew it was only a matter of time before the brunette exited the side door and came to ask her how she was doing. Last night she'd wracked her brain for a suitable answer…one that didn't sound fake or whatever.

In the end she decided the truth was her best option.

Sure enough seconds later Elena Gilbert made her way outside, her big brown eyes scanning the area. Upon landing on her friend, she hurried over and sat down in front of her. "Bonnie, hey. How are you? How is your family?"

The witch smiled softly. "We're dealing but it's been hard you know? I suppose since it was so sudden—Gram's passing and all."

Elena nodded. "Yeah. Well if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." A beat. "I've really missed you these past few weeks. I'm so glad you're back."

Bonnie reached over and gave her wrist a squeeze. "I've missed you too. And—and I wanna thank you for being so understanding. And for leaving me that message about the vampires and the tomb."

"I know it's not what you wanted to hear." She sighed. "It's not what any of us wanted. Oh Bonnie, I have somuch to tell you and I don't even know where to begin. Things have just been so crazy."

Okay it's now or never. "Can I go first?"

Her friend nodded. "Sure. What's up?"

Taking a deep breath, the pretty witch cleared her throat. "First I want to say that after Grams died I—I felt hollow. Nothing made sense and all my Aunt wanted to do was feed me cake and other stuff she'd made. It was nice but it wasn't what I wanted. I didn't wanna talk or—or think about the good old days. I just wanted to forget and pretend I was someone else for a while." Pause. "So…after about a week there I—I came home."

"What?" A brow rose. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have came over and kept you company."

She smiled softly. "I know but I just wanted something different." Here it comes… "I didn't go home though, not to my house. I went to Damon's."

Big brown eyes stretched wide. "What? All this time you've been at Damon's?"

"Yes."

"But I've been there and I haven't seen you."

"I hid."

"From me? Why?"

"Cause…I didn't want you to know I was there. I didn't want you to be disappointed in me."

"I'm not disappointed just really shocked. It kinda seemed like you hated him, especially after your Grams died. I thought you blamed him and Stefan."