A Mirror's Reflection

Chapter 12 : A Game of Trust

"I really am sorry!"

And I was. I hadn't wanted him to be hurt. Not really. I didn't think it made up for all the horrible things he did. Would do, but— I glanced up again and he was gone. I licked my lips, blinking through the dim-darkness. It couldn't be too far off sunrise and I turned around sharply, hurrying back inside.

The house smelled faintly of the sickly saccharine Marijuana and when I passed Jeremy's room, my shoulders locked together. The scent was coming from the crack beneath his door and I wondered absentmindedly when he'd started smoking. Then again— some things you couldn't change. The door of my bedroom shut quietly and I slid down the wall.

I took a shuddering breath, tears burning in my eyes and it took me longer than it would have normally taken, for me to remember the sodden state of my muddy pajamas. I swallowed, with difficulty, and twitched my nose. I didn't sleep at all the remainder of that night, feeling far more guilty than I should have.

When morning arrived, it had stopped raining, dim light pouring in through my windows. I dared one look outside to find out the world looked cold, grey, and washed out and I breathed out harshly before pulling the curtains closed again.

Even closed the fabric let enough light through and I made quick work of dressing myself. I opted for a pale button-up, deep-blue denim pants, and a dark-blue bomber-jacket. Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I rushed down the stairs and breezed into the kitchen, smiling when Grayson and Miranda greeted me, instantly moving over to prepare a thermos of coffee. Grayson was sitting on a stool at the kitchen. I almost ran straight into Miranda as I rushed to the door and swung it open.

"See you tonight," I called in an afterthought, just before stepping outside and shutting the front door behind me. The ground was still damp from the night's worth of rain, but the sun scattered through the leaves of the trees, illuminating my hair with undertones of gold and red.

I'd managed to keep the shorter strands out of my face with a wide, white headband. I felt a bit depressed, my bag slung carelessly over my shoulder. I got into Grayson's car (who had a day off) and drove to school with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.

During the time with Elijah, we'd agreed for me to go about my daily activities as I used to. It surprised me. I'd expected him to drop me in his car and take me away, not drop me off at Elena's house and tell me to live (for the time being) as I usually do. However, going about Elena's usual routine, I did.

I parked the car in the school lot and trudged wearily to the school grounds. The glass of the double doors at the entrance twinkled and the air was chilly. I wrapped my coat tighter around my body, pushing inside. Half-way along the corridor, I realized I was tiptoeing and I snorted.

I really was losing my mind a bit. I hadn't expected Damon's insinuations either. He acted like I gained enjoyment out of his pain (I didn't; I really didn't), but perhaps him not believing me, wasn't the only reason why I hadn't told him. Perhaps a part of me had thought him focusing on Katherine while I contacted Elijah was easier. I didn't know. It hadn't been a conscious decision.

However, I was surprised, Damon seemed to care for me. And he shouldn't. I'd been so careful with Stefan, I didn't think I'd even given Damon an opening at all.

"Elena?"

"Hi Bonnie," I greeted and stuffed my bag deep into my locker.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just slept really bad."

"Oh," Bonnie smiled, her lips creating a pained, tight line.

"Just, a bit of stress for the upcoming tests." I tried and Bonnie nodded. She wasn't believing me.