CHAPTER FIVE || DATE

Aelia wore an oversized jumper as Stefan walked her home, Aelia was surprised she wasn't grounded from the arguments she'd had with her dad before she left the house. And she wasn't exactly excited to be on her way home. Yet a few extra minutes with Stefan, that she was excited about. 

"So this founder's party," Aelia started unsure of how to go about asking him to go with her, Unsure of how to go back on her words from the other night. "How do you look in a suit?"

"I can pull one off" Stefan smiled, His smile radiated a type of warmth Aelia wasn't used to yet somehow it was comforting. almost easing her nerves enough to ask: "Would you come with me?"

"I'm surprised they still do that" He sighed his shoulders tensing as he turned to look at Aelia who cocked a brow,  "Have you been before?"

"Uh-  No, The Salvatores don't get invited anymore" Stefan revealed with a shrug as Aelia just stared at him confused before continuing to explain: "This year's different. There's this heritage project that's really important to Elena. I know it sounds really boring-"

"I would be honoured to accompany you, Miss Miller" Stefan smiled, his voice, his voice was like velvet, and the way he spoke was just heavenly. A smile tugged at the corners of Aelia's lips as a soft blush dampened the pale skin of her cheeks under his strong gaze. 

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Salvatore" Aelia smiled her blue eyes staring into Stefan's. his eyes a shade darker. as if forces around the pair grew stronger... Forcing them closer together with each second they spent together. 

*****

"Blue? or yellow?" Aelia asked as she sat at the table in the Gilbert house getting ready for the Founders Day party, Her eyes flickering between the two nail polish colours she'd plucked from Elena's bag. 

"Yellow obvi" Bonnie chuckled as she looked at two colours of her own trying to decide what colour Elena should paint her nails, "you two getting all pretty for your dates."

"Tonight's gonna be a good night, But don't let that stop you from Telling us whatever it is you've wanted to tell us as soon as you walked in the door" Elena spoke as she sat down at the table causing Aelia to look up from her nails. 

"What if I say in the morning? I don't want to ruin the night" Bonnie shrugged her eyes not lifting from the nail polishes in her hand. Aela and Selena both cocked a brow and Aelia urged Bonnie to reveal more: "you can't just say that"

"Yeah, Bonnie out with it." Elena urged. if there was something up they wanted to know, they had to know. Bonnie sighed a heavy nervous sigh as she looked between the two girls: "Okay, but it has to go in the vault or Caroline will kill me if it gets back to Damon that she squealed."

"Our lips are sealed" Aelia confirmed waiting for more information, her heart rate increasing as Bonnie began: "Apparently the boys have an interesting back story. do you know what happened with their exes?"

"Elena knows more than me, Me and Stef haven't spoken about that stuff yet" Aelia shrugged painting her fingernails a yellow-ish Gold as Elena added what she knew about Carson: "I know Katherine and Holly dated Damon then chose Stefan and Carson that's why they have issues"

"They dated her but Katherine chose Damon, And that drove Stefan mad so he did horrible things to try and get them to break up. Even using Holly who chose Carson. But Carson helped Stefan. Manipulating both girls. Filling their heads with lies until it worked."

"That sounds like one person's side of the story" Elena defended, Aelia shook her head in disbelief. Not the Stefan she knew, not the boy who was so well mannered, well spoken that had to be Damon's lies. 

"Yeah Stefan- I don't think he's capable of that" Aelia shrugged her brows furrowing as she thought of all the ways stories could be twisted so easily while Bonnie shook her head: "I just wanted you to know."

"their past is none of our business" Elens shrugged her eyes flickering to Aelia who nodded, She knew she'd have to have the ex's conversation with Stefan at some point especially if the strong, mesmerizing feelings she had for him didn't disappate soon. and in all honesty, she didn't want those feelings to fade. Stefan made her feel good.

"Unless they're calculated manipulative liars that go for best friends that is your business" Aelia sucked in a breath at Bonnie's words and both Aelia and Elene spoke in unison, 

"Stefan is none of those things"

"Carson isn't like that"

"yeah? how do you know?" Bonnie countered with a raised brow, Aelia's chest flooding with what could only be described as worry as she stuttered: "I- I just do. I have this feeling about him"

Bonnie's brows snapped together her head jerking toward Aelia in confusion, A feeling? Aelia couldn't even describe it herself. but it didn't feel real. none of it did. She'd never felt so consumed by a boy, Not Jay, Not anyone. But Stefan she could feel his presence even if he wasn't within her view. 

*****

Aelia had spent the whole afternoon getting ready for the founder's party with Elena and Bonnie, she'd curled her beautifully her blonde locks falling perfectly over her shoulders and her flowy light blue dress accentuating each curve of her body in such a way it made the boys drool as she walked past. Yet she was only focused on one. She waited outside the Lockwood house,  Elena had already gone inside with Carson-- and he'd promised Stefan wouldn't be long. 

And he was right, Aelia could see Stefan walking toward her dressed in a suit, Black slacks, Black blazer and his Dark blue shirt had the top button undone. He looked unbelievably handsome. Aelia smiled walking toward him. 

"You look beautiful" Stefan complimented as he stopped in front of her, A soft blush heating her cheeks as she tucked a  stray strand of hair behind her ear with a chuckle: "Thank you, Mr Salvatore. you look quite handsome yourself"

 "Thank you," He smiled holding an arm out for Aelia to take nodding toward the Lockwood house, "Shall we?" Aelia Happily interlocked her arm with Stefan's as he led her up to the mansion doors, tightening his grasp around Aelia's arm as they climbed the stairs making sure she was steady before they reached the door.

"Hey Major Lockwood" Aelia smiled offering the major a small smile as Stefan stopped at the door as if waiting for something. Major Lockwood turned from his position talking to his wife to greet the pair: "Hey guys, come on in. Have fun"

"Thank you" Stefan nodded as Major Lockwood walked past the pair. Stefan and Aelia ventured further into the house, People were everywhere, Talking, and celebrating. Aelia took her arm that was entangled with Stefan's and loosened her grip, Her fingers lightly travelling down his arm as they walked through groups of people her hand found his, their fingers intertwining in such a natural way, Their hands fit together perfectly making Aelia bite back a soft smile. she was ready for a relationship. 

The evening grew more lively as time passed and Aelia barely left Stefan's side, Shed never felt so alive than when she was with him, As if his touch filled her with energy. An energy she couldn't even begin to explain, But it was like-- it was like when he was near the world shifted beneath her feet pushing her toward him.

Aelia stepped away from Stefan for a while just to stand admiring the table of goods dedicated to the Gilbert family, a family that had looked after her better than her own. Elena's parents had become Aelia's parents over the years they'd known each other, They'd become Aelia's escape from her own father. Aelia sighed as she looked down at the table, little historical trinkets littered across the table cloth when she felt a gently hand on her back. 

"Elena's parents?" A familiar voice asked-- Stefan. 

"Yeah, There's a lot of history here" Aelia responded turning her head to look up  at Stefan, a soft smile displayed across his lips as he asked, "What about your parents?"

"Oh, My dad's busy he doesn't come to this stuff" Aelia's body stiffened at the question as she stepped away from Stefan,  his hand falling from the small of her back, his fingertips gently brushing down her forearm to find her hand. Their fingers intertwined. Aelia trying to distract from the topic of her parents led Stefan over to the memorial pieces plastered on the walls. 

"The founding families of Mystic Falls Virginia, welcome you to the inaugural Founders Council celebration, on this, twenty-fourth of September. in the year 1864" Aelia read the words aloud remembering where the town had come from-- and trying to distract Stefan from the previous conversation. Then something caught her eye, "Wow Stef look it's the original guest registry... all these familiar names"

Stefan cocked a brow taking a step toward her: "Sherrif William Forbes, Major benjamin lockwood--"  Aelia took a breath as she looked intently at the words hung on the wall, "Is that- Carson Salvatore? Damon Salvatore... and Stefan"

"The original Salvatore Brothers" Damon's voice echoed from behind Stefan and Aelia, Aelia turned noticing Caroline attached to Damon's hip with yet another scarf wrapped around her neck as Damon continued, "Our ancestors, truly tragic story actually."

"We don't need to bore anyone with stories from the past" Stefan announced taking a step toward his brother, his eyes scanning the room in search of Carson, as Aelia shook her head, "It's not boring Stefan. It's your family."

"Well, I'm bored. I wanna dance" Caroline interrupted Aelia's attempt at getting to know Stefan better. Aeliaa would've preferred to learn more about Stefan and get to hear about a family that actually cared about each other... yet the way it seemed between Stefan, Carson and Damon contradicted that. 

"Damon won't dance with me." Caroline fluttered her eyes at Aelia, "Could I borrow your date?"

"I don't really dance" Stefan announced his eyes glued to Damon as Aelia's brows furrowed at Caroline in confusion. Damon spoke again before Aelia could get a word out: "Yes he does. You should see him. Waltz, jitterbug, the moonwalk. he does it all." 

"You wouldn't mind? would you Aelia?" Caroline smiled as if every ounce of her emotional intelligence had been drained from her, Aelia sighed, 'It's up to Stefan"

"Well I'm not taking no for an answer" Caroline giggled taking Stefan's arm and dragging him toward the dance floor leaving Aelia with Damon 

*****

"I wanted to speak to you for a moment. about my brother?" Damon stepped forward, edging Closer to Aelia his eyes staring into her soul so deeply it almost filled her with anxiety. She nodded remaining weary of what Bonnie had told her earlier on. 

"You feel things for him, is that correct?" Damon asked, Aelias brows snapped together taken aback by his question, "Uh- sure, I guess I do"

"It's strong, isn't it? You feel him even when he isn't there" Damon's words caused Aelia to take a step back from him beyond confused her heart racing as Damon outright explained her own feelings, "I've got to go and find Elena"

Aelia took another step back only for Damon to take a step toward her his pupils dilating as he spoke again, "You want to hurt Stefan, Carson and Elena--"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Aelia countered cutting him off, His eyes widening as if he'd expected her to fully whole-heartedly agree. His eyes flickered to the necklace Stefan had given her as she turned away from him disgusted in a way, "I know you and your brothers have this thing, but I am not getting in the middle of it"

****

Aelia walked back out to the dance floor her eyes scanning the abundance of people for Stefan, and there he was, getting a drink with Caroline. Aelia approached him her hand instantly weaving its way under his arm, Her hand resting around his bicep and he turned to look at her with a smile, "Are you okay?"

"Dandy" Aelia lied forcing a smile upon her face before Damon followed her approaching Aelia, Stefan and Caroline with a smirk, "What did we miss?"

"We were just chatting," Stefan responded his hand falling upon Aelia's which rested on his Biecep as if reassuring her in some way, before he offered Damon a drink, which he instantly declined. 

"Stefan, do you have another dance in you?" Aelia asked turning to Stefan, wanting to get away from his now in her mind, deluded brother. Stefan nodded with a smile, "Absolutely." Aelia took his hand in hers, their hands moulding together as if they were made for each other as she led him to the dance floor, Weaving between a few people before they found space. 

Aelia turned to face him her arms falling around his neck, Butterflies exploding within her stomach making her feel giddy as his strong hands fell on the small of her waist-- Gently, Remaining respectful, not letting his hands fall any lower than her waist. Which no other man on the dance floor seemed to be doing with their woman. Stefan slowly began building Aelia, Guiding her hips to match his and the sway of the music as they began to dance. A soft blush heated her cheeks and dampened her pale skin. 

A smile couldn't help but appear on Aelia's lips as she danced with Stefan, Their faces inches apart, So close she could see just how perfect his skin was, His hair. She could smell the heavenly scent of his cologne as he swayed their bodies to the music. Another wave of emotions she couldn't explain washed over her at the close proximity. she'd never felt such a strong desire to kiss someone. To be close to someone. someone so effortlessly beautiful, Handsome even. 

"I hope Damon didn't drive you too crazy." Stefan spoke, his velvet voice adding to the frantic butterflies surging around Aelia's stomach and she shrugged, "He just asked me about you"

Stefan hummed, his hand finding Aelia's as they danced so he could spin her around-- Which he did. Aelia span, Her golden hair flowing against the breeze before Stefan pulled her body back into his. 

"It all goes back to these girls, Holly and Katherine? What happened? Tell me about them?" Aelia asked gently rubbing his arm as he held her close again swaying to the music. The blonde carefully fished for more information as Stefan shrugged, "It's not something I like to talk about"

"I get that, I do. But I just need you to know that you can. You can tell me anything. I mean I probably burden you with my drama, Jay, Tyler... I want you to do the same" Aelia sighed as they kept dancing, Stefan nodded biting his lip, "Um... Thank you"

"The truth is Stefan... I don't really know that much about you. and I'd really like it if you opened up to me a bit" Aelia continued as she kept dancing with him, His expression falling as he asked, "Damon said something didn't he?... He likes to play games and cause trouble Aelia."

"This isn't about Damon, This is about me trying to get to know you better Stefan." Aelia sighed, trying to get Stefan to see her point, "You're the mystery guy, and I like it... but that means secrets. And these girls, Holly, Katherine."

"Let it go Aelia, I don't want to talk about it" Stefan sighed his voice harder than she had ever heard it, Aelia sighed loosening her grip on him everything bonnie said about him rushing back, "Then tell me something else about you Stefan, or I'm just let with what other people say about you"

"Don't you see what Damon has done here?" Stefan asked a sense of frustration and desperation in his voice, " he's trying to get you to turn against me." He sighed hoping Aelia would calm down, Yet her jaw tightened. How was she supposed to let herself like him if he wouldn't tell her a single thing? 

"I guess it's working" Aelia scoffed carefully pulling away from him, The butterflies in her stomach dying as she walked away from him. She knew, She knew if she was going to commit to a relationship, Stefan had to be all in. 

******

"This is my fault, I plated doubt. I'm a doubt planter" Bonnie sighed as she sat beside Aelia on a bench at the party, Aelia shook her head, "It's not your fault. I just- I threw myself at him too quickly. and I feel terrible I said I wouldn't get involved and I did"

"No, Aelia, you've never let yourself like a guy. This isn't your fault either." Bonnie explained as they sat on the couch going back and forth with ideas about the Salvatore brothers and Aelia's feelings that she wasn't quite convinced were real. The way Damon had described it had been all too real. she was drawn to him, Too drawn to him. like Stefan was a beacon. 

"At least Elena and Carson are having fun" Aelia sighed running a hand through her beautifully curled blonde hair wishing the night away, She wanted to fight her feelings. She cursed herself for letting Stefan in too soon, But she couldn't help it. 

After a while of Talking Aelia went to the bathroom splitting off from Bonnie to re-apply her nude lip combo, Entering the bathroom she could see Caroline standing in front of the mirror raking her fingers through her hair, Aelia sighed really not wanting to get into the Caroline type conversations. Aelia mumbled a quick "hey" As she approached the mirror which Caroline returned before asking, "How are things with Stefan?"

"Great, Just great" A twinge of sarcasm lingered in Aelia's voice as she began swiping her lipstick carefully across her lips. Caroline giggled after a few seconds of silence, " really? Well, my radar must be off then. because I was getting all sorts of other vibes."

Aelia stared up at Caroline, Watching the girl lean forward applying her mascara, The scarf on Caroline's neck shifted to the side and Aelia could see a speck of blood, "What is that?" She asked lifting her hand to remove the scarf from Caroline's neck but Caroline instantly jumped back, "Don't"

Aelia didn't listen, She lifted the scarf from Caroline's neck to reveal a dark bruise in the shape of a bite... A gasp escaped Aelia's lips, "Care- What- What happened?" Caroline jumped back instantly brushing off her friend's concern, "Nothing!"

"That isn't nothing! Did someone hurt you?!" Aelia exclaimed concern and worry lacing her voice despite the way Caroline tried to brush it off, "No- It's nothing okay?" Caroline tried to keep her composure leaning forward to keep applying her makeup and acting like everything was fine. Yet Aelia pulled the strap of Caroline's dress down just a fraction to reveal another bruise, Anxiety trickled through Aelia's veins like acid burning her from the inside out, "Did Damon hurt you?"

"No! Of course not! Leave me alone Aelia!" Caroline exclaimed pulling the strap of her dress back up and storming out of the bathroom frantically. Aelia stormed out of the bathroom, returning to the dancefloor searching for only one person. Her heart pounding violently as if a stampede lived beneath her ribs, Anger surging through her veins as she scanned the floor, Searching for Damon. And when she found him she rushed toward him, A huge smug smirk on his face that instantly disappeared as Aelia shoved him, "What the fuck is wrong with you? God, you're sick!" She exclaimed. 

"You stay away from Caroline or so help me god I will go to her mother, The sheriff. You got it?  Stay. Away. from her." She spat, poison dripping from her lips as she stared at him. She shoved him again one last time before walking past him, She couldn't make a scene, she knew she couldn't. All because of her father's reputation. 

*****

"Stefan, I'm sorry," Aelia said approaching him, As he stood his back facing her alone in the gardens of the Lockwood mansion. Upon hearing her voice he turned to face her as she continued, "I take it back, you were right about Damon."

"What did he do?" Stefan asked, concern lacing his voice as he took a step toward her waiting for an answer, "There are bruises all over Caroline's body, Bite marks. And he has her all confused and messed up in the head." Stefan looked down blinking slowly. 

"You don't look surprised." Aelia sighed urgency in her voice, Stefan shook his head, "I'm handling it" 

Aelia scoffed in disbelief shaking her head as she gulped, "Handling it? Stefan, he needs to be arrested." Stefan took Aelia's hand guiding her closer to him, "Aelia, Please. I don't expect you to understand--" Aelia cut him off, "I don't understand any of it Stefan. so tell me. Make me understand"

"There are things that you don't know, okay? Things I want to tell you, but I can't and I may never be able to. But I need you to trust me." Stefan reasoned, Urgency laced within his voice as Aelia shook her head, "I trust you, You Stefan. Not Damon. And if this keeps happening, If you don't do something.--"

"I'm sorry, I have to go" He cut Aelia off, a twinge of pain in his voice and for a fraction of a second that pain travelled to his eyes as he broke the connection between his and Aelia's eyes looking behind her. Then he left... Walking away. Leaving Aelia alone, with the dangerous thoughts that plagued her mind.