Cry Wolf

Chapter Nineteen

"What? Why?"

"Because we apparently still live in a homophobic world. It's stupid, I know."

"Oh... but if you were allowed to be my Miss Mystic escort, what would you say?"

"I'd say yes, of course. It would be great to escort my friend and I'm sorry I can't."

"Friend?"

"Yes, Elena. Friend."

"Okay, I can take the hint, but I'm still not giving up. Um, do you know anyone else who would be alright escorting me? I know it's last minute, but I completely forgot about Miss Mystic until today."

"I can ask Stefan. We both know he still has a bit of a thing for you, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. He'll probably jump at the chance to escort you. I'll ask him tonight and let you know."

"Okay, thanks. Talk soon, Cassie."

"Yep, bye, Elena."

---

The Founders' Court girls were putting their make up on. Samara was curling Elena's hair.

"Thanks for helping me." Elena spoke gratefully.

"No problem. I'm a pro." Samara joked. "Happy to help you look even more beautiful than you already are, baby sis."

"You know I remember when mom and I were first applying for this, she was so excited." Elena reminisced.

"I remember, too. She got so upset when I told her last year that Miss Mystic wasn't my thing so she turned to you." Samara chuckled. "If I recall, you were just as excited as she was."

"I was. She just made it sound like so much fun." Elena sighed. "Lots has changed since then."

"You're not getting cold feet, are you, Lenabug?" Samara noticed, almost finished curling the last section of Elena's hair.

"I don't have cold feet." Elena reassured. "I just... I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here."

"I miss her, too, Lena. Mom, dad... our happy, normal, nuclear family. But you still have me, Jeremy, and Jenna. We're always going to be there for each other." Samara pointed out to try and cheer Elena up.

"I know." Elena smiled as Samara finished the final touches in her hair. "Okay, I should go put my dress on. I'll see you down there, Sam."

Elena stood up and left to get dressed.

---

Cassandra was downstairs, grabbing a drink from a tray that was being carried around and slightly swaying to the music in her beautiful dark purple dress. She turned around, only to stop in her tracks when she saw Damon stood there.

"Can't you just walk over like a normal person instead of sneaking up on me?" Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"We need to talk." Damon muttered, looking rather serious for him, his usual humor gone from his features. Cassandra immediately picked up on it.

"What's wrong, Damon?"

"Stefan's still drinking human blood, Cass." Damon admitted, catching Cassandra by surprise.

"What? No, he's not. I would've noticed."

"I guess you're not as observant as you thought." Damon shrugged. "Amonth ago, I would have rejoiced, but with the council back on the alert, it is not a good time for Stefan to fly off the handle."

"How'd you find out?" Cassandra asked. "That he's still on the human stuff?"

"He has a fridge full of stolen blood bank contraband in the house."