Damon Salvatore: I will always choose you.

The Bonfire

    EDITED// 11.01.21

"The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Ms. Bennett?" Mr. Tanner droned on during one of our history lessons. 

"Um... a lot? I'm not sure. Like a whole lot." Bonnie replied innocently, making Matt laugh and my daydream to come to a halt.

"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Donovan? Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?" Mr. Tanner went on.

"It's okay, Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it." Matt grinned cooly, taking the stereotypical jock status in his stride. He turned around to me and held out his hand for a high five which I did half-heartedly, his goofy smile making me roll my eyes at his actions but nonetheless bringing a smile to my face. 

"As you seem so happy with Donovan's answer, I suppose you know the answer, Lily."

No one knew the answer but I wasn't going to give Mr. Tanner his satisfaction of basically calling us all stupid. Clearing my throat, I looked him in the eye,  "Hmmm? The answer? Yeah, I don't know. Neither does anyone else. So what does that say about your teaching, Mr. Tanner?"

The emotion around the room was mixed. Some were covering their mouths to stop their laughter and others were in disbelief at my honesty. Some one had to say it. 

"You better watch your mouth, Miss. Gilbert. Another wrong move and I'm heading straight to Coach and removing you from the soccer team." Tanner growled, furious that I made him look like a fool in front of the whole class. I glared at him for a few seconds before turning my attention to my desk in defeat. Soccer is too important and is probably the only reason I'll get to college.

"As you found that so amusing, Elena, surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?" Tanner challenged.

"I'm sorry, I--I don't know." She said nonchalantly .

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. Lily. But the personal excuses ended with summer break." He scolded, being insensitive and a dick.

"Heartless prick." I scoffed under my breath. 

"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians." Stefan answered, stopping the argument that was about to erupt.

"That's correct. Mister...?" Tanner said, sounding surprised.

"Salvatore."

"Salvatore. Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?" He questioned.

Stefan nodded, "Distant."

"Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle." Tanner corrected, trying to teach us. Main word - trying.

"Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts, Mr. Tanner." Stefan replied cockily. The new kid already roasting Tanner. This Stefan guy is starting to grow on me.

•—•

The annual bonfire party. A lame excuse to make-out with random people, get drunk and wake up with a killer hangover. But who's stupid ass still decides to go anyway? Me of course. Any excuse to drink alcohol and I'm there.

Bonnie, Elena and I were talking about the intriguing new guy around the bonfire as the party started to chill down a bit, the crackling of the flames disguising our conversation from those nearby.