Guards

The dress hugged my frame, its deep blue fabric flowing like water and catching the light with a soft shimmer. I could almost forget everything else—the tension, the strange, constant weight that seemed to follow me—just for a moment. As I looked at myself in the mirror, a sense of confidence I hadn't felt in a while bubbled up. Maybe tonight would be different. Maybe tonight I could just be…me.

When I stepped out of the dressing room, Caroline gave an approving nod. "See? Perfect. You're definitely going to turn some heads."

"Let's hope it's the right kind of attention," I said, a laugh in my voice, though I couldn't completely shake the thought of Damon. He'd probably have some sly remark, as he always did, but I brushed the thought aside.

We spent a few more minutes browsing, chatting about outfits and other light topics, and for a brief time, the world outside faded. But soon enough, the boutique was filling up, and Caroline and I both had to head out.

"See you tonight?" she asked as we stepped outside.

"Definitely," I replied, flashing a genuine smile before we parted ways.

I strolled down the quiet streets, breathing in the fresh morning air. The sunlight was beginning to grow warmer, casting a golden glow over everything and giving the town a surreal, sleepy quality. As I walked, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, an uncomfortable sensation of being watched creeping in. I forced myself to ignore it and kept my gaze straight ahead, but the feeling persisted.

Finally, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder. Nothing. Just the empty street, the occasional passerby, and the distant hum of morning traffic. I shook my head, telling myself I was being paranoid. After everything with Damon and the strange events recently, maybe I was just on edge.

With a sigh, I pushed open the door to a small coffee shop tucked away in a quiet corner, hoping a little caffeine would steady my nerves. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, calming me instantly. I ordered a latte and found a table by the window, letting myself relax as I sipped my drink.

But peace didn't last long.

The door swung open, and in walked Damon, his eyes landing on me instantly with that familiar smirk that sent a chill down my spine. He strolled over, sliding into the chair across from me without even asking.

"You know, some might say it's a bit early to be wandering around town alone," he said, his voice smooth and low. There was a glint in his eyes, something sharp beneath the charm, as if he knew exactly what buttons to push to keep me off balance.

"Funny, I don't remember asking for company," I replied, meeting his gaze evenly. I wasn't going to let him intimidate me, no matter how unsettling his presence was.

"Now, where's the fun in that?" He leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied me. "It's a small town. We're bound to run into each other, wouldn't you say?"

I rolled my eyes, focusing on my coffee. "Look, I know you enjoy your games, but I don't have time for it today, Damon."

He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Games? Me? I'm just a concerned citizen, offering some friendly advice."

"Yeah? And what would that be?" I asked, not bothering to mask the skepticism in my voice.

"Careful who you trust," he replied, his tone suddenly serious. His smirk was gone, replaced by a look that was almost…concerned. But I couldn't tell if it was real or just another trick.

I scoffed, not letting him see how his words rattled me. "Isn't that a bit ironic coming from you?"

He chuckled, though his eyes stayed cold. "Touché. Just…don't be too quick to believe everyone's got your best interests at heart."

With that, he rose from the table and strolled out, leaving me more unsettled than I cared to admit. For a few seconds, I just sat there, watching him disappear down the street. Damon's words echoed in my mind, and I tried to brush them off, but a nagging sense of doubt crept in.

Later that day, I found myself back home, getting ready for the Founders Party. I tried on the dress Caroline had picked out for me, smoothing it down and glancing at myself in the mirror. Somehow, wearing it now didn't feel as carefree as it had in the shop. Damon's words lingered, and a strange heaviness pressed down on me.

A knock on my door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I opened it to find Elena there, already dressed for the night in an elegant, deep burgundy gown. Her face lit up when she saw me. "Wow, you look amazing! That dress is perfect."

"Thanks," I said, forcing a smile. "You look gorgeous too."

She stepped inside, adjusting a bracelet on her wrist, her expression turning thoughtful. "Are you okay? You seem…distracted."

I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with my worries. "Yeah, just a little nervous, I guess. I haven't really been to one of these things in a while."

Elena nodded, giving me a reassuring smile. "It's just a party. Besides, with everyone there, I doubt you'll have much time to think."

I laughed softly, hoping she was right. We made our way downstairs, where Jenna was waiting, camera in hand, ready to document every moment. After a few obligatory photos, we headed out, piling into Elena's car and driving toward the party.

The Founders Party was as grand as ever, with the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the old stone building and casting a warm light across the sprawling lawn. Guests mingled on the front steps and beneath the towering trees, their voices mingling with the faint strains of classical music drifting from the ballroom inside.

As we entered, I couldn't shake the strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, the sensation that something was just slightly off. The faces around me were familiar, yet I felt a sense of disconnection, like I was watching everything from a distance.

Elena pulled me toward a group of people, introducing me to a few friends, but my focus wavered. I kept glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting Damon to appear out of nowhere, his gaze as unsettling as always.

And, of course, he did.

I spotted him across the room, watching me with that unreadable expression. He didn't approach, but his eyes stayed on me, a silent reminder that he was never far away. I tried to ignore him, to lose myself in the conversations around me, but it was no use. The weight of his gaze lingered, making the air feel thick.

Finally, I stepped out onto the balcony, hoping the cool night air would clear my head. The stars were scattered across the sky, a calm contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes and letting the breeze wash over me.

But my solitude was short-lived.

"I thought you weren't one for parties."

I turned, unsurprised to find Damon leaning against the doorway, his expression smug. "And yet, here you are," I replied.

He sauntered over, standing beside me as he gazed out at the darkened landscape. "What can I say? I'm drawn to mysteries. And right now, you're the biggest one here."

I shook my head, exasperated. "Why can't you just leave me alone, Damon?"

He glanced at me, his expression softer than I'd expected. "Maybe because you're the only one who doesn't pretend to understand me."

The words caught me off guard, and for a moment, the usual edge in his tone was gone. He looked almost…vulnerable. But before I could respond, his mask was back in place, his smirk returning as he stepped back.

"Enjoy the party," he said, his voice dripping with irony. And with that, he slipped back inside, leaving me alone once more.

I took a deep breath, my thoughts swirling. Damon's words replayed in my mind, mingling with everything else—the sense of being watched, his warning, the strange, unshakable tension that seemed to follow me. I didn't know what was real anymore, what was genuine and what was manipulation.

But I knew one thing for certain: Damon was right. Nothing here was quite as it seemed, and I'd have to keep my guard up if I wanted to find out the truth.