''This way.'' I turned and looked at the forest he was pointing to. The trees were close to each other, I looked left and right but it seemed to go on without an end.
''Are you afraid?''
''For what? Trees?'' I fixated my eyes on an oddly shaped tree so I wouldn't notice it when I entered and tried to avoid walking in a spider web. Some places had vines I needed to break in order to get through but sometimes, they were already snapped. Somebody must've been here before, taken the same road. I tried a couple of times to let him go first but when I slowed down, he did too. It made me nervous, walking in front of him, not knowing the way. He sometimes gave me short instructions, to move more the left or right but we were silent most of the time. It didn't feel awkward, it felt good. We listened to the noises of nature, the birds spreading their wings, water rushing over the ground, leaves in the wind. But after half an hour, he broke the silence.
''Now stop.'' Jake walked past me and pushed branches and green plants away. A gate appeared which went open with ease. He stepped over one of the roots in the middle of a pad behind the gate and gestured me to follow him. Out of curiosity, I did. The further we followed the path, the more civilized the environment became. We walked past the most beautiful garden I had ever seen, if it was a garden. It could be a park or something else, I wasn't sure. There was a small pond with fish and a tiny waterfall, bubbling and roaring, uninterrupted. It was a pattern of endless rhythm, the sound that makes you fall asleep when you're having trouble sleeping, a sound of nature that everybody likes. I felt a sudden jealousy rush through me, that he could come here whenever he wanted, away from everything. I was always being watched by someone, never alone and this place, it was mesmerizing. Sighing, I followed him further, into the woods. We let the small peaceful world behind and came to a beginning of another path, created partly by a human and partly by nature. The tree roots formed steps that led up the hill, the branches with their leaves formed a roof against the rain and the rocks on the sides gave you something to hold on. You could tell someone had cleared the path, took out all the weed and sharp pointed rocks that were too big to stand on. Another long walk until we were on top of it, looking over the city. Little lights were everywhere, like the city was one big living organism, which it actually was. Everything was connected to everything and everyone was connected to everyone. People might not realize it, nor had I. But I knew now. I looked at Jake, not seeing the wolf from my dream, but just Jake, human Jake.
''Who owns this place?'' I asked, looking back to the path we'd followed. He shrugged and kicked a little stone of the hill.
''I don't know.'' He looked at the city and sat down. ''I found it when I was running around, when the gate opened, I got curious and went further. That's how I came here for the first time. I've been visiting it ever since.''
''It's beautiful.'' I sat down next to him.
''It certainly is.'' Jake looked in my eyes but I turned my head.
''Have you ever asked why he was fighting my brother?'' I wanted to know what was happening, Elijah wouldn't fight without a reason.
''Yeah, I asked about it but he didn't give me a clear answer. All he said was that the vampire had accused him of something he didn't do. He also said it was none of my business and to not get involved with vampires.'' His face grew serious.
''Which made me wonder something else. How can you be human while your brother is a vampire? ''
I sighed. I had expected this to come but I didn't want to bore him with our past nor make me vulnerable by telling him things. I didn't know a thing about him and he didn't about me, until I trusted him enough, I'd tell him nothing.
''How do you know I'm human?''
He laughed.
''Then what are you? A troll?''
''Well thanks, I appreciate that.'' I couldn't feel insulted, even though I would've been if it hadn't been for him.
''I'm just a miracle, that's all. '' We both started laughing and forgot about the earlier subject. Half an hour later, my phone buzzed which interrupted our talk about our dreams. It was Willow.
''Hello?''
''Elena! Get your damn ass over here! What are you thinking, that Damon nor Stefan will notice it if they don't see you longer than an hour? They're already looking for you, I can make up an excuse for a quarter, but that's it. Another thing, have you guys already kissed?'' I rolled my eyes and Jake started laughing. Damn his werewolf hearing.
''I'll be back soon. I promise. Thank you for everything. '' I hung up and laid back down. Jake frowned.
''No offence, but I don't want to be attacked by your brothers because they think I kidnapped you.'' I smiled. ''You're right. They'd do that.'' I let out a long breath and stood up. We walked past the little pond and it made me wonder again who it belonged to. How can one let this place be, if it were mine, I'd be in it every day. Seeing the motor, my stomach started to feel odd. It wasn't out of nausea, I didn't feel sick on the previous ride. It was probably nothing. He handed me a helmet and we left to school again, the feeling in my stomach became even more present when we were riding and I was pressed against him, eyes closed. When we got off, I felt sadness but also normal again. I ran back to Willow and gave her a hug. She didn't hug me back but pushed me away.
''I'm not the sentimental type, I don't do hugs.''
''I don't care. It has been so long since I've been alone, doing what I want to do. It was amazing and without you, it wouldn't have been possible.''
''Yeah, yeah, now tell me about it.''
''So, are you ready?'' Caroline asked, practicing her routine again. I nodded and started biting my nails but Bonnie slammed my hand away.
''I still don't get what got into you, why the sudden interest in cheerleading?'' I shrugged and Caroline didn't even answer. The uniform didn't cover much of our bodies, our stomach was shown and the skirts were mini. I didn't mind it though, I'd never gotten this much attention from boys which made me realize, this might 've been Caroline's reasoning.
''Caroline Forbes?'' Caroline turned and shrieked. Me and Bonnie laughed, Caroline wasn't good at handling stress.
''You'll do great.'' I said, trying to encourage her. After inhaling deeply, she walked to the cheerleaders and auditioned. After she returned, it was my turn. I wasn't very nervous for the routine, I've always liked dancing and ballet so I got lots of lessons, but I was afraid they wouldn't think I'm beautiful or skinny enough. I mentally slapped myself, it didn't matter what they thought of me, or whether I made it. I was good. And that was all that mattered. I was thankful though, that no one else could see my audition. I never told Bonnie nor Caroline I was agile. Didn't have a reason to. But they'd soon find out anyway. After my audition, Stefan found us. Great. ''Going for the cheerleader lookalike?'' he asked. His gaze drifted to Caroline and he looked at her from hair to toes. Caroline looked back, in the same way. Apparently, someone got over her anxiety of vampires.
''Get lost.'' I told him, and wanted to walk past him but he grabbed my arm.
''Ladies, if you'll excuse us.'' Bonnie and Caroline waved goodbye and left. I crossed my arms and sighed. ''What?''
''No need to be a bitch, little sis. You're really going to try out for the team?'' He asked, eyebrows raised.
''Yes, I am.''
''You know Elijah won't let you, don't you?'' This confused me. What was wrong with doing sports?
Stefan smiled and softly shook his head.
''There can happen lots of things at cheerleading that could hurt you. Sometimes, I wonder if you even know your brother. '' With that, he walked away and greeted some other guys who had been waiting for him. I gritted my teeth. Stefan was right, a lot of accidents happened at cheerleading. Maybe I shouldn't tell Elijah but Stefan would be needed to kept quiet and I had no idea how. Seeing Damon walk on the other side of school, was a reminder that also he was a problem. Damn it. As if he could read my thoughts, Damon spotted me and stood in less than a second behind me. I turned around, startled.
''Why are you wearing-'' He interrupted himself.
''No, the question is, why are you wearing nothing?'' I looked down at my skirt.
''This is not nothing.''
''It is also not something. Everybody can see everything, where is your dignity?'' I got a headache and wanted to change, and clean myself up from the hard try out but no rest for me. My brothers definitely knew when to bother me.
''Where were you at lunch break? I've been looking for you to tell you to go home with Stefan.''
I nodded and hoped he wouldn't go further on the previous question. I'd forgotten to ask Willow what she made up as an excuse. Damon crossed his arms, apparently, not buying it. I tried to look for Willow as subtle as I could but Damon made me look in his eyes.
''Well?'' Keep looking in his eyes, keep looking in his eyes. If I turned my gaze, he'd know I was lying.
I opened my mouth to answer but Willow cut me off.
''I already told you, we had lunch together and she was ten minutes away, looking for her science book, which she found. I still can't believe you left it in the hallway, even though I would try to get rid of it too, but-''
''Yeah, yeah. I know. You told me. Well, see you at home. '' He rushed through my hair like I was a little child. I slammed it away. Willow wanted to start talking but Damon wasn't far enough. I put my finger against my lips and waved my hand. She frowned but let it go.
It was Friday evening and I didn't have a plan yet to get to Tyler's party. I was texting Caroline but her suggestions were always doomed to fail. I sighed and hung back on the couch. There was one thing I hadn't thought about, until Stefan brought it up. I almost screamed Stefan was an angel but I kept quiet and distant until I ought it time to mingle.
''So, if Stefan goes, I can go too, can't I? I mean, he'll be there so-'' I stretched the 'o' until it silently disappeared into the air.
''I didn't know you wanted to go,'' Elijah said matter of factly. Did he really not see this coming?
''You know, some girls invited me, a couple of students.'' Damon smiled. ''I almost said yes. '' He winked and I grimaced. Those were things I needn't know and it was also a huge ego boost for his already too big of an ego.
''They did? How can they be so-'' I tried to look for the right word for girls who asked their teachers out, ''-presumptuous.'' Stefan gave me a weird look and Mikael explained the word.
''Why don't you just say without shame or something like that? You don't need to act like you're smart.''
''I am smart.''
''That's what dumb people say.''
I rolled my eyes and turned to Elijah.
''Can I?'' I could only hope he said yes.
''Can you what?'' He asked.
''You know what. Go to the party.'' Elijah sighed and paced around, looking for something.
''Have you seen a triangular shaped stone with an eye on it? '' It ringed a bell somewhere in my head but I was too focused on the party, which was in two hours. I needed to know now.
''Don't change the subject. Let me go with Stefan, please!'' I almost sat down on my knees with my hands folded but kept myself standing.
''You're definitely not going with me, that's for sure.'' Stefan intervened.
''Shut up.'' I looked back at Elijah, which was handy for Stefan because I hadn't seen him coming but in a second I was lying on the floor with my arm pulled behind my back. I screamed from the pain, he loosened his grip a little bit but it still hurt a lot.
''What did you say?'' I couldn't see his face but I bet a thousand euros he was smiling like hell. The pain kept on coming and I couldn't speak, until he let my arm fall on the ground. I tried to stand up but he kept his foot on my back.
''Well?'' I looked at Elijah, hoped he would say something before I needed to apologize for nothing. Unfortunately, Elijah was still looking for that thing he had asked about earlier and didn't feel like intervening. Great.
''I'm sorry.'' I said. If I had any chance of going to that party, Stefan needed to be in a good mood and if saying sorry was all it took, it was fine by me.
''There you go. Why do you always need to choose the hard way?'' Stefan said, as if learning me a lesson.
Since asking Elijah hadn't helped, I tried a different way of getting what I wanted. I said it a little louder than necessary.
''I'm going to get ready for the party. Can I stay at Caroline's afterward?'' I hoped he would focus on the second part which needed to let him forget he hadn't said yes to the first.
''No, you'll sleep here. I'm off, I'll see you when you get home. '' He left where after all my siblings, including me and Mikael, fell silent.
''That was weird. '' A couple of ''tell me about it's'' confirmed Rebekah's statement.
''I'm not complaining though.'' I shrugged and got ready.
I was ready to go when Damon knocked on my door.
''Come on in.''
''About the cheerleading-" he paused and I looked expectantly at him, wondering what he was about to say, ''-I know if Elijah knew, he wouldn't let you but I think it's good if you do some sports. Just let me know when practice is and I'll take care of Elijah. ''
''I need to make the team first.'' I said, not knowing what else to say. Sneaking around behind Elijah's back was not something I liked doing, I'd hoped I'd be able to pursue him but even Damon thought it wouldn't happen. Why was he helping me? I was sure it wasn't because he thought I should do sports, I ran occasionally.
''You'll make it, you know it too. Caroline was pretty good herself at the auditioning. '' I looked up, surprised.
''You saw the auditions? '' I asked a little insecure. If I had known back then, I would've been nervous as hell.
Damon laughed.
''That's why I didn't tell you. Calm down, your heart is speeding like a racing car. ''
Stefan sneaked in the room and started looking around with a disapproving look.
''If you don't like my room, get the hell out. If you do, also get out.''
Stefan raised an eyebrow.
''If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be able to go this evening. '' He laid down on my bed.
''I'm leaving in an hour but I'm going to run. I don't want some drunk kids to damage my car. So ask someone to pick you up. ''
''I'll bring you. '' Damon suggested. I smiled thankfully at him where after I gave Stefan a surprise attack and kicked him off the bed.
''That's my bed, vamp.'' I said, feeling though for surprising a vampire.
Stefan got out with only a sigh and went to irritate Klaus who had just gotten home.