Perfect Match

Chapter 14

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With its bright light illuminating the entire room, warm sun shone in through the blinds, creating thin lines of yellow along the foot of the big, white bed. The plain blankets were in a careless pile halfway on the floor and halfway on the edge of the bed. The thin, white sheet, seeming to be the only item completely in tact, was lightly resting atop Stefan and Elena.

She let out a content sigh and just stared at him, unable to hide her smile. Their legs were tangled together, hearts rhythmically beating as one. Elena couldn't look away from Stefan, who was currently still asleep, for he'd never looked more beautiful to her. With his chestnut hair falling onto his forehead and going every direction possible and that subconscious hint of a grin on his lips, he didn't seem to have a single flaw.

Last night was absolutely perfect, any girl's dream come true. Elena could still feel her heart racing, desperately trying to get back to its original, steady pace. But after her first incredible night with Stefan, she was wondering if her heart would ever beat the same again.

Elena had to admit; she'd gone into the night feeling a little nervous. After all, he was her best friend of seven years... But he was wonderful, in every which way. She couldn't even remember how many times he told her she was gorgeous, -she ended up losing count- and in his arms, under his adoring gaze, she definitely believed him. Not only did he tell her she was beautiful; he made her feel beautiful.

Maybe leaving Perfect Match was the best thing that ever happened to them. Now they could simply be, without any distractions.

"You're staring." Stefan's sleepy voice took Elena out of her pleasant thoughts. She dropped her head back onto their shared pillow and blinked slowly, dreamily.

"I'm gazing."

"It's creepy."

She let out a laugh, pretending to be insulted. "It's romantic," she rolled her eyes.

Finally, Stefan turned and opened one eye to glance at her. He chuckled softly, shaking his head before turning up to look at the ceiling. "And I'm the cheesy one," he scoffed.

Elena laughed, cuddling a little closer to him. She placed her head on his, right over his heart, where she heard the steady pulse beneath his smooth skin, though she could have sworn that it picked up a little bit the second she moved in. "Last night was...," she started.

"I know." His voice was so soft, so gentle, so loving. It made her body rush with this strange warmth she'd never felt before; it was odd, but wonderful, a perfect mix of love and companionship. Almost subconsciously, he began to play with the ends of her hair, curling a few strands around his fingers and then letting go.

This was -by far- the best morning of her life.
"I don't want to go home," Elena sighed, her foot absently running along Stefan's leg. She turned her attention to his hand that was toying with the ends of her hair, the source of all of his concentration at the current moment. "Ever."

"Why?" Stefan asked, briefly pausing, his voice full of a sudden concern, although the gentleness of the moment had not subsided. As if urging her to answer his question, he pressed his foot against hers until she nudged back.

"Don't get broody," she laughed. "I just don't want to move. And you know, as soon as we get home, it's not gonna be just you and me anymore."

Stefan nodded, letting go of Elena's hair so that he could gently caress her arm. "You don't want to see Caroline and Bonnie, and Jenna?"

She sighed. "No, I do. I just don't want to lose moments like these, you know? Especially since Alyssa said we have to convince everyone that we've broken up..."