DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS // CHRISTMAS CALENDAR 2020

Wednesday December 9th

I went to school at 8am. The day was spend just practicing vocals and rehearsing with the band. It wasn't very exciting. Caroline started talking to me again. Said she was sorry for being so pissed off about me getting the solos. I forgave her of course.

"We should all go ice skating in the town square after school," Elena said during the break.

"I'm in," Bonnie said.

I nodded.

"Alright. I'll text Damon," I said, picking up my phone. They all looked at me like I was insane.

"You're inviting Damon?!" Caroline exclaimed.

"Yes, Care." I said and looked her dead in the eye. "I am inviting Damon. This month has been hard on him so far. He could use some fun."

"No offense, Luna, but I kind of thought it was just gonna be the five of us." Bonnie said.

"Come on, guys. He hasn't really done any harm, has he?" I said.

"Besides from the time he killed Jeremy and everyone who got in his way," Elena mumbled. I sighed.

"He was unstable," I argued.

"Like he is right now. You said it yourself. This month has been hard on him. He's edgy. He could turn the entire town square into a blood bath!" Caroline yelled. I looked her in the eyes and felt the anger rush in my veins.

"Fine," I stated and stood up. "Then I'm out as well."

Stefan looked confused.

"What? Are you serious?" Bonnie said. "You'd rather hang out with Damon the entire afternoon, than being with us? Your best friends."

"Damon doesn't deserve all this crap you're giving him. You made me choose between him or you. Real friends wouldn't ask me to make this choice." I said. Then I looked at Stefan. The hurt expression on his face made me tear up.

"And you, Stefan." I started. "I'm sorry that you got stuck in the middle of you. I'm sorry that this affects you. I truly wanted to spend today together with you. But it's not fair. So I'm sorry, you got stuck in the crossfire. I love you."

He nodded a little. I glanced at the others and then left. Cried while sitting on a bench in the town square before going home.

"You're home early," Damon said from the living room. I nodded. He asked where Stefan was, and I told him that he was with the others going ice skating.

"And you didn't want quality time with your boyfriend?" Damon asked.

"We had an argument," I explained.

Damon nodded and took a sip of his bourbon.

"Are you two gonna be okay?" He asked.

I nodded. Explained that I was more angry with the rest of our friend group than with Stefan.

"Anyways," Damon said and got up from the leather chair. "I'm gonna go to the grill to meet up with Alaric."

"Oh," I said. "I thought you were gonna stay home tonight."

"No, we're gonna drink. Why? You want me to stay?"

I shrugged, not telling him that I gave up all of my plans to be with him.

"Are you okay?" He asked. He seemed concerned. He thought this was about my parents.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." I said.

"Call if you need anything, alright?"

I nodded and waved as he left the house. I stayed at home watching a movie until 5pm. Then I walked to the town square, watching all the people skating on the ice there. I spotted the girls and Stefan. They seemed to be having fun.

I leant against the white fence, watching them. It made me sad. Maybe because I was jealous that they were having fun without me, or maybe because neither of them had my back during our argument.

Stefan saw me and skated to me.

"Hey," He smiled. "I thought you were with Damon?"

"He had plans. He's drinking with Ric." I said. Stefan nodded a little.

"Do you want to join? I can go get you a pair of skates?" He offered. I smiled and nodded a little. He smiled widely and it lit up my entire world. He then went to get me some skates. He even offered to tie them for me, but I did it myself and then went on the ice. We skated together, close to each other as if we were slow dancing.

"I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of the argument this morning. I didn't mean for that to happen." I said and looked at him.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have stood up for you. I'll do better next time. I promise, I'll do better."

I wanted to cry when he said that. I didn't want him to feel like he had to do better. He was good enough. He was more than enough actually. He was my best friend and boyfriend and I loved him with all of my heart.

"No." I said. "Don't do better. You do you, okay? I'm fine. You don't have to stand up for me always. I can handle a fight."

He breathed out and took my hand.

"You don't have to continue to give Damon chances all the time. I've given him plenty, but he never takes use of them. Every time I give him a second chance, he does something to mess it up."

I wanted to tell him that Damon does take use of the chances Stefan gives him. Stefan just never sees it. In spite of me wanting to tell him everything on my mind, I didn't. This time I'd keep my mouth shut.