My tears are dry and I am showered and somewhat mentally stable by the time Katherine returns from the movies.
"So, how way your.. hang out with Stefan?" She asks and grabs her pajamas out of her
dresser.
"It was okay, he was his normal.. charming self" I tell her and manage a laugh. I want to tell her about what we did but I am too ashamed. I know she wouldn't judge me but I don't want anyone to know, I just hope Stefan doesn't tell anyone, although I wouldn't put it past him. Katherine looks at me with concern evident in her eyes and I have to look away.
"Just be careful okay, you're too nice for someone like Stefan" she says and I want to hug her and cry into her shoulder. She knows Stefan better than most people and she even thinks I should stay away.
"How was the movie?" I change the subject. She tells me how Liam kept feeding her popcorn during it and that she is really starting to like him. I want to gag but I know I am just jealous that Liam actually likes her, the way Stefan doesn't like me. But I do have someone who loves me and I need to start treating him better and stay away from Stefan, for real this time.
Eventually Katherine falls asleep and I do the same shortly after.
The next morning I force myself out of bed and get dressed. I feel drained, I have no energy and I feel like I could cry at any moment. My eyes are red from crying last night so I walk over to Katherine's dresser and grab her makeup bag. I pull out brown eye liner and draw a thin line under my eyes and on my eyelid. It makes my eyes look much better. I put on a little powder just to cover under my eyes and give my skin a little color. A few swipes of mascara and I look like a new person. I am pleased with the way I look and I put on my tight jeans and a tank top. I feel naked so I grab a white cardigan out of my closet and put it over. This is the most effort I have made in my appearance for a regular school day since picture day my senior year of high school.
I stop by the coffee house and grab Ian a drink too. I am still pretty early to class so I walk slower than usual.
"Hey, Elena right?" I hear a guy's voice say. I look over to see the boy from the party, Enzo I think was his name.
"Yea, Enzo right?" I ask him and he nods.
"You coming over again this weekend?" He asks. He must be part of the frat. Of course he is.
"Oh no, not this weekend" I laugh and he joins in.
"Bummer, you were fun. Well, If you change your mind you know where it is" he laughs. "I gotta go or I will be late, see you around" he gives me another smile and walks away.
Ian is already seated and thanks me repeatedly for bringing him coffee.
"You look different today" he says as I sit down.
"I put makeup on" I laugh and he smiles. He doesn't ask about my night with Stefan and I am grateful. I am not ready to talk about it yet. Just as I begin to stop thinking about Stefan, it is time for Literature.
Stefan is sitting in his normal seat in the front. I want to ask Ian to switch seats with me but I don't want to have to explain why. Stefan is wearing a white t-shirt. I look away quickly and pull out my notes. I hope Ian arrives soon so I won't feel so alone with Stefan.
"Elena?" Stefan whispers as the class begins to fill up. No. Don't answer him. Ignore him. I repeat to myself.
"Elena?" He says again, this time louder.
"Do not speak to me Stefan." I say through my teeth and still avoid looking at him. I will not fall back into his trap.
"Oh come on" he says and I can tell he is laughing at me.
