In a world of just in time

Chapter 11

7 weeks pregnant

Damon's POV

Me and Elena have now been having lunch nearly every school day for a couple of weeks. She hasn't wanted to talk about the pregnancy or any personally topics so for the time being we have avoided them. Completely. It's almost like she isn't pregnant which is ridiculous because the whole reason that we are hanging out together is because of the baby. But whatever. If she's happy, the baby is happy.

My parents haven't said much else about the whole situation. I told them she's really struggling and they seemed to accept it. It is known Elena's mum died is child birth and my mother was in the same classes at school with Elena's mum. So I may have told a white lie that Elena is missing her mum and is worried about also dying in child birth and that I am helping her cope. Helping her deal with all the worry and fears she has. And once she has reached 12 weeks everything should be sorted. Which both my parents believed. I know it is wrong to make up a lie like that but it was the only way I could get my parents to lay off me.

Honestly I don't know what is going on with Elena to be acting this way. Like I know obviously I'm not pregnant so my look on the situation isn't the same as hers but I am still becoming a parent in school, changing my behaviour a lot and adjusting to life with a kid. But I am coping. It's quite easy really. I am reading books about the pregnancy so I am quite well informed about what is happening. I have a lot of money from my parents so I can buy whatever the kid needs and I overheard my parents saying they may sort out a college fund for my kid. And right now I can still go to parties at the weekend and make out with girls at the grill after school. By the time the baby is born my teenage behaviour will be out of my system and I will be a dad. Easy.

The bells rings signalling it's the start of lunch. Class I don't find challenging but with the amount of professional tutoring I have, no one would.

I walk out of class ignoring most of my friends. They don't know I have been hanging out with Elena at lunch answer since most days we eat in this room inside the library filled with old chairs and tables so no one sees us. I guess I am a little glad since right now I have a good reputation I don't want to be known as the guy who knocked up Elena Gilbert. I know I will eventually but right now I am enjoying no one knowing.

Once I get to this library I walk to our usual spot and wait for Elena. She walks in 10 minutes late and sits near me.

"I thought you was going to to ditch me. What took you so long?" I ask casually as I take out the lunch I brought for Elena. I go to pass her the lunch but when I look over to her I see her hunched over looking at her hands barely making a noise. My mind instantly thinks there is something wrong and I begin to panic thinking something has happened to the baby. Maybe she has miscarried. I quickly move closer to Elena and kneel down next to her. As I approach her she brings her knees up to her head. We are sitting on the floor, for some reason Elena prefers it. I go to place my hand on her knee to comfort her but she has a weird thing about touch. A couple of days ago she has something in her hair but when I went to remove she kinda freaked out. I quickly pull my hand back, "Elena talk to me. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." She doesn't say anything, continuing to stay curled up. "Has something happened to the baby?" I hear she sniffle, "Elena is the baby okay?"

She looks up from her knees and what I saw was something that I will never forget. The right side of her face has a large bruise over it and her eye closed where it had swollen. Her lips are dry and cracked as if she is extremely dehydrated. I felt an instant need to protect her and ruin whoever did this to her. I move my hand slowly to her chin lifting her head slightly so I can fully look at her injuries. I lightly caress her face with my thumb. I see her wince in pain but she doesn't move away.

"Elena what has happened? Please." I was almost begging her to tell me.

Elena's POV

Last night was awful. I got to school as soon as I could and I have spent the whole day hiding. When lunch came around I knew I shouldn't go to lunch with Damon. I don't want him finding out but I need someone. Especially now in my condition.  I have never told anyone is my life but maybe I should tell Damon? Then he will understand why I don't want to raise the baby. I have decided when the baby is born I'm giving to him. He's rich and from what he has told me about his parents I know they will be amazing grandparents. They sound amazing. The baby will be able to have a better life than I could ever give it and if he doesn't want to raise the baby without a mother then adoption. Hospitals are safe havens for babies. If you leave one there the parents automatically get regarded as unfit and they baby belongs to the state. And babies get adopted easily.

I wanted to move away from his touch, it hurt and I hate touch but I was craving a soft touch from someone who cared. I know I should be more on the defence and not let Damon in but maybe I can trust him. But I can't even bring myself to talk about the baby, how can I talk about this?

But he has seen my face. I can't exactly say that I fell over and hit my face on the floor.

I place my hand over Damon's because for the first time I need someone's support.

"You have to promise not to say anything." I say in a half whisper. I am not even sure if he heard considering when I spoke I started crying. I don't really get why I am so emotional considering I have lived like this for years. Maybe its the hormones.

"Elena..." he begins but I stop him. "You have to promise." I say. He sits there silently, if I do tell him I have to know that he won't tell anyone.

I let go of his hand and go to stand up but he quickly speaks up making me sit back down, "I promise Elena. I promise I will not tell anyone unless I get your permission."

We sit there silently for awhile. During this time I am going over exactly what I should say to Damon. He sits next to me leaning against the wall but so close he is practically on top of my leg. He is looking straight at me while I am looking down at my knees which I still have up against my chest.

I think Damon realised I didn't know what to say so he started the conversation back up. "Who did this to you?"

I wrap my arms around my legs, trying to comfort myself. I take a deep breath before I whisper out my answer, "my dad."