As we neared the porch, a voice called my name from behind us. We span around and saw Stefan at the end of the pathway.
“Bonnie, why don’t bạn go inside?” I said, and she nodded in agreement. Soon I was standing with Stefan and he looked into my eyes.
“Elena, what Damon said…about not wanting to see bạn risking your life…I agree. I can’t watch bạn do that to yourself either. I tình yêu you, even though it’s clear bạn no longer feel the same way towards me as bạn did before. So, while this idea is still in your mind, I won’t be around to help out with anything. And neither will Damon. When bạn realise what you’ve agreed to and decide not to do it, let me know,” I opened my mouth to speak but he put his finger on my lips. “No, Elena. Nothing bạn can say will make me change how I feel about this situation.” And with that he was gone. A tear ran down my face. I was hurting them. Both of them. They were scared of losing me. But they didn’t understand. I HAD to do this.

I went inside and found Aunt Jenna holding a hot/cold pack on Bonnie’s injured arm. As I walked in they both looked up and smiled at me.
“My arm’s better now,” Bonnie đã đưa ý kiến to me. I sat down beside her and took the hot/cold pack from Aunt Jenna. I held it firmly against her arm.
“Elena, I have to go into town for a while. I’ll be back later. I hope your arm feels better soon Bonnie,” Aunt Jenna đã đưa ý kiến as she grabbed her car keys from the phòng bếp, nhà bếp work top. When the door shut I searched Bonnie’s face for any inkling of her remembering what I’d told her.
“Elena, I’ll help you. I know I đã đưa ý kiến I wouldn’t but I’ve…changed my mind. I see now that it’s…for the best,” she đã đưa ý kiến calmly, smiling. It hurt me that this was the compulsion talking, not my best friend. If she hadn’t been compelled she would be totally against the idea.

Later that day, after Bonnie’s arm was nearly back to normal, I drove her home. As I drove away I was sure I caught sight of Katherine in the trees. When I looked back at the place I thought I’d seen her, there was no one there. She was following me. I shivered and put my foot down. When I finally got trang chủ I fell onto my giường and breathed out heavily. I opened my eyes to see Damon staring blankly at the floor. I gasped in shock. Eventually I calmed down.
“Damon….I’m sorry…” I đã đưa ý kiến softly. He didn’t look at me.
“Why…why would bạn do this Elena…” he đã đưa ý kiến quietly. I saw a tear roll down his cheek and I watched as it hit my carpet silently. I went to him and tried to hug him but he pushed me away and still didn’t look me in the eye. “What if I lose bạn Elena? What if it doesn’t work? What if…you die?” he choked the last two words and he wiped his eyes on his sleeve. He was truly upset.
“Damon…Damon, I’m sorry! I can’t explain it, but this is something I feel – no I KNOW – that I need to do,” I replied, tears beginning in my eyes. I crushed me to see him hurting this way, but this wasn’t to do with him. This was my problem, and I was dragging him down in it. He was hurting due to me.
“Are bạn willing to risk your family and your Những người bạn losing you? They may never see bạn again, and bạn may never see them. Think of how many people bạn could be hurting!” And he slammed his fist on my side board, causing it to crack. He didn’t seem to care. “I won’t be a part of bạn killing yourself, Elena. I refuse to see it. Until bạn come back to me and tell me that you’ve changed your mind, bạn won’t see me again. I can’t chịu, gấu hurting any thêm than I already am,” I reached my hand out to him, unable to speak. He rushed out of my window and disappeared. I broke down into tears. He didn’t understand. No one did.