The Third Salvatore (TVD Season 1)

Chapter 8

Hardin's pov:

When I get down in the drawing area I spot Damon and the perky blondie talking to Elena. Gosh how long was I up there? Damon sees me stepping down the stairs and raises his brows. Before I could move any further, I'm pushed against the nearby wall.

"I told you stay away from her. Why did you come here?" Stefan literally spits in my face. I push him away slightly.

"You're talking about your Katherine?" I smile looking beyond him at Elena. He growls. "She's not Katherine! I'm talking about Emma, you know it!" He shouts/whispers. First me, now Damon. I know it's driving him insane.

"We're friends, Stef. It's cool." I tell him smirking. He opens his mouth threateningly but Elena comes up behind him.

"Hey, Elena." I say alarming Stefan who stops abruptly, his features changing.

"Hey, is everything alright?" She asks giving a weak smile. Stefan's right, she's not Katherine.

"Everything's perfect. I'm sorry to barge in your dinner." I put on my best sorry face.

"Oh no, Emma invited you, I get it." She nods assuring me.

"That's so sweet. You know, you slightly remind me of someone. Doesn't she, Stefan?" I look at Stefan from her. Elena looks at Stefan in confusion.

"Uh. No." Stefan glares at me. "Really? Doesn't she looks like-" I start but Caroline comes squealing at me.

"Hardin! Oh I didn't know I'd find you here!" She hugs me straight and I see Stefan shaking his head.

"I'd say the same." I tell her and she laughs. She's a bit annoying. "Come sit with us, Hardin. Leave these love birds alone." She laughs again grabbing my arm.

Elena sighs and gives me an apologetic smile. Caroline drags me to where Damon is sitting.

"What a surprise, Damon. You came." I say sarcastically. He rolls his eyes. "What are you doing here?" He asks rudely.

"Hey, don't be rude, Damon." Blondie says still clutching my arm. Damon just ignores, looking past us at Elena. He smiles and excuses himself leaving me with Caroline. Fucking great.

"Hardin, you're looking great tonight." Caroline smiles slyly. I offer her my fake smile. Just then I notice the scarf she's wearing around her neck.

"That's a really nice scarf." I point out eyeing it. "Mm. Thank you, it's new." Caroline says. "Can I see it?" I ask her. She looks taken aback.

"I mean, would you mind taking it off?" I ask her. "Oh, I can't." She says strangely. I frown. Something's not right. "Why not? You ok?" I ask staring in her eyes. She's compelled. Of course.

"Um... All I know is that I can't take it off." She says fumbling. "Right." I say nodding. I see Stefan barging down the stairs. I roll my eyes. I excuse myself walking up to him.

"Done checking on Emma? Does she has bite marks on her neck?" I ask him all innocent like. His jaw clenches.

"They are people, Hardin. Emma, Elena, that girl Ruby, they're not puppets. They don't exist for your amusement, for you to feed on whenever you want to." He snaps.

"Don't chastise me, brother. Sure they all do. They're whatever I want them to be. They're mine for the taking." I tell him.

"All right, you've had your fun. You used Ruby, you got to me and other people, good for you. Now it's time for you to go." He says.

"That's not a problem. Because... I've been invited in, and I'll come back tomorrow night..." I smirk looking up the stairs.  "... and the following night and I'll do with Emma or your cheerleader whatever I want to do. Because that is what normal to me."