Elena's POV
When Caroline came bursting into the hall, her mischievous smile gave me the feeling that I would dislike what she was about to say.
"His full name is Damon Salvatore. He's 22, goes to college, and is majoring in teaching." Caroline reported.
"You found all that out in two minutes?!" I asked, dumbfounded.
"Caroline! You can't just ask a substitute teacher his first name!" Bonnie practically yelled.
"Shhh!" Caroline hissed, ushering Bonnie and I down the hall, further away from Damon's classroom. "I didn't! His name was on the sub notes. I saw them on the desk."
I shook my head. Caroline was very determined and she could figure out pretty much anything about a person in a short amount of time.
"And also," she said, the mischievous smirk returning to her face as she turned to me. "You have a date this afternoon."
"What?! You have got to be kidding me!" I knew that smile was a bad sign.
"Oh my gosh! Caroline, we barely know him! For all you know he could be a mass murderer. Or a kidnapper!"
"Bonnie, you are so overdramatic! He's a nice guy! You have to have a background check before you can work as a substitute." Caroline informed her. "And besides, they are fated to be together, remember?"
I rolled my eyes. Caroline was a hopeless romantic. Boys were pretty much the only thing she talked about and she almost always had a boyfriend (but they never lasted very long). I'd had boyfriends too, however, unlike Caroline, I dated boys for more than just fun and excitement. For me, having a boyfriend was a test to determine whether I could see a possible future with them and so far I never have, so I was kind of taking a break from boys for a while. But obviously that didn't stop Caroline from trying to set me up with whoever she thought I might be compatible with. Caroline seemed to know what I was thinking.
"Elena. High school is a time for exploring. If you don't give every guy a chance, your soul mate could walk right by without you noticing!"
"I'll know when my love comes along. I've imagined every bit of him. The calm steady voice and loving heart. He'll be a straightforward and honest man. I'll know as I run to his arms that at last I've come home safe and sound. I don't know when I will find him, but I'll know when I do, and until then, I'll wait."
"No offense, but there's not a man alive who could hope to measure up to the Disney prince you've created. Who are you expecting, a white knight?"
"No, not a white knight, but not a self-centered, substitute teacher, college guy either."
"Come on Elena! It'll be fun! Just go!" Caroline pleaded.
"If you don't go, I will! He seems nice, not to mention hot!" Bonnie interjected. I felt the same annoying pang of jealousy I felt when Caroline was talking with Damon.
"I guess I'll go. But just to prove that he's not my soul mate!"
After school, Caroline and Bonnie came over to get me ready for my date.
"I can't go on a date! I have nothing to wear!" I complained as the three of us climbed the stairs to my room.
"Yes you do!" Caroline said quickly. When we reached my room she ran to my closet and pulled out the blue dress that I had worn to homecoming that year.
"Wear this!"
"I don't know if that still fits me." I said.
"It has to! Try it on!" Caroline insisted. I changed into the dress and it still fit perfectly.
"I guess I haven't grown since homecoming." I commented. Bonnie and Caroline laughed. After about an hour of make-up, hair curling, and finding a matching purse and shoes, Bonnie announced, "Go now! You're going to be late!" So my friends wished me luck and I got into my car. Before I could leave, Caroline ran over to the car.
"Wait! I forgot to tell you! It's a blind date! He doesn't know who you are and technically you're not supposed to know who he is either."
"Caroline!" I accused.
"Sorry! Just pretend you're surprised to see him. And remember, you only know him as Mr. Salvatore, so don't call him Damon until he introduces himself!"
"Okay, fine." I said, internally kicking myself for agreeing to this.
"Have fun!" Caroline and Bonnie yelled as I pulled out of my driveway. I took a deep breath and headed for the Harmonia Gardens restaurant.
