Bad Feelings (Zach's Daughter series, Book Five, The Vampire Diaries)

Chapter 1__I Know What You Did Last Summer

Since Stefan had left before the summer had started, he hadn't contacted anyone, not even me. 

 I was worried about him. 

Damon had told me repeatedly that I didn't have to worry about it, that he had just needed some time and space away from everyone. 

I walked into my home, seeing Elena sitting on Damon's lap and making out with him. 

Elena jumped off of him, turning toward me, running a hand through her hair. "Hey, um, sorry, I--I thought you left." 

"Yeah, I did," I told them. "Five hours ago." 

Damon gestured for me to leave.

"Hey, Nicola, I know, this is your house and all, and I'm sorry . . ." Elena trailed off when I left the room without another word. "Right." 

God. 

~~~~~

In the living room, Jeremy and Elena were rehearsing Jeremy's cover story for why he suddenly came back to life after their house burned down. 

"There were issues at home," Jeremy said. "Ever since I lost my parents, my aunt, I've been acting out . . . drugs, drinking. I was looking for attention, so I lit my house on fire and faked my own death." 

"Really stress the drug thing," Elena told him. "And I'd definitely say that the fire was an accident, because there's crazy, and then there's . . . well, me." 

"Or I could just not go back, considering my school already had a memorial for me," Jeremy told her.

A car horn honked outside the house.

I looked out of the window. "Caroline just pulled up." 

Damon carried a suitcase into the foyer. 

"I--I can't leave," Elena told us. "I should stay and at least wait until Jeremy settles in to school--"

"You're leaving," Damon told her. "You're going to college. You're gonna drink cheap beer and you're gonna protest things you don't care about. And I am gonna take care of your little brother." 

"Actually, since, you know, he's not really kid-friendly, I'll help out," I told her. Damon turned to give me a look. I smiled. "Trust me, you have nothing to worry about." 

"Okay, well, at least Whitmore is only a few hours away, so if there's anything you need, Jer, just call me--" Elena started.

"Hey, I'll see you on laundry day," Jeremy told her, wrapping his arms around her.

Elena smiled. "Bye." She turned to Damon. "So, how do you think this whole long-distance thing is gonna work?" 

"Well, I personally plan on forgetting about you the second you walk out the door," Damon told her.

Elena gave him, placing a hand on either of his cheeks, kissing him.

I rolled my eyes.

Elena pulled away, wrapping her arms around Damon's neck. "I love you." 

"I love you," Damon told her. Elena looked at Jeremy and me, waving bye. Damon opened the front door. "All right. Off you go." 

Elena walked out, but as Damon was closing the door, she peeked back in to kiss him one last time, then left. Damon closed the door, his smile lingering. 

"I still haven't heard from Stefan," I told him.

Damon's smile fell. "I told you before. He needs--"