The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Twenty-Seven

BounceBounceBounce lickCatchBounceBounceSwishCatchStefan stood on the free-throw line of the empty basketbal court, mechanical y dribbling and throwing the bal through the net. He tangle empty inside, an automaton making perfect identical shots.He didnt real y love basketbal . For him, it lacked twain the satisfying contact of footbal and the mathematical precision of pool. But it was something to do. Hed been up al night and al morning, and he couldnt stand the endless pacing of his own feet around the campus, or the sight of the four wal s of his room.What was he going to do now? There didnt seem to be much point to going to school with answer to the fore Elena beside him. He tried to block out his memories of the centuries of wandering the mankind al whizz, without her, without Damon, that preceded his coming to Fel s Church. He was shutting down his emotions as hard as he could, forcing himself numb, only if he couldnt help dimly wondering if centuries of loneliness were in store for him again.Quite a giving you got on that point, a shadow said, stepping away from the bleachers. We should permit recruited you for the basketbal team, too. lusterlessness, Stefan acknowledged, making another basket, whence tossing the bal to him.Matt lined up careful y to the basket and shot, and it circled the rim before dropping through.Stefan waited while Matt ran to get the bal , then false to him. Were you looking for me? he asked, careful y not asking if Elena had sent him.Looking surprised, Matt shook his head. Nah. I alike to shoot baskets when Ive got some thinking to do. You know.Whats going on? Stefan asked.Matt rubbed the underpin of his neck, embarrassed. There was this girl who I kind of liked, who Ive been thinking about for a while, penurying to ask out. And, uh, it turns out she already has a boyfriend.Oh. After a few minutes, Stefan realized he ought to respond with something more. Im sorry to come across that.Yeah. Matt sighed. Shes real y spec ial. I thought I dont know, it would be nice to have something like what you and Elena have. Someone to love.Stefan winced. It matte up like Matt had twisted a knife in his gut. He flung the bal at the basket, not aiming this time, and it bounced back at them hard off the backboard. Matt jumped to catch it, then moved toward him, property out a hand. Hey, hey, Stefan. Take it easy. What is it?Elena and I arent seeing each other anymore, Stefan said flatly, trying to switch off the stab of pain from saying the words. She I saw her kissing Damon.Matt looked at Stefan silently for what felt like a long time, his pale blue look steady and compassionate. Stefan was struck sharply by the memory that Matt had loved Elena, too, and that they had been together before Stefan came into the picture.Look, Matt said final exam y. You cant control Elena. If theres one thing I know about her and Ive known her for our whole lives its that shes always going to do what she wants to do, no matte r what gets in her way. You cant stop her. Stefan began to nod, hot tears burning coffin nail his eyes. But, Matt added, I excessively know that, in the end, youre the one for her. Shes neer felt the way she does about you for anyone else. And, yknow, Im starting to discover that there are other girls out there, but I dont think youre going to. Whatevers going on with Damon, Elena wil come back to you. And youd be an idiot not to let her, because shes the only one for you.Stefan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He felt breakable, like his bones were made of glass. I dont know, Matt, he said tiredly.Matt grinned sympathetical y. Yeah, but I do. He tossed Stefan the bal and Stefan caught it automatical y.Want to play Horse?He was tired and heartsick, but, as he dribbled the bal , thinking that hed have to harbour it a tiny bit easy to give Matt a chance, Stefan felt a inspiration of hope. Maybe Matt was right.Are you crazy? Bonnie shouted. She had always thought that seeing red was rightful(prenominal) a metaphor, but she was so angry that she actual y was seeing the faintest scarlet touch on everything, as if the whole room had been dipped in blood-tinged water.Meredith and Elena exchanged glances. Were not saying there is anything ruin with Zander, Meredith said gently. Its exclusively that we want you to be careful.Careful? Bonnie gave a mean, bitter little antic and shoved past them to grab a duffel bag out of her closet.Youre just jealous, she said without looking at them. She unzipped the bag and started to dump in some clothes.Jealous of what, Bonnie? Elena asked. I dont want Zander.Jealous because Im final y the one who has a boyfriend, Bonnie retorted. Alaric is back in Fel s Church, and you broke up with both your boyfriends, and you dont like seeing me happy when youre miserable. Elena shut her mouth tightly, white spots showing on her cheekbones, and turned away. Eyeing Bonnie careful y, Meredith said, I told you what I saw, Bonnie. Its nothing definite, but Im afraid that the person who attacked that girl top executive have been Zander. Can you tel me where he was after you two left the party last night? focalisation on stuffing her favorite jeans into what was already starting to seem like an overcrowded bag, Bonnie didnt answer. She could feel an teasing tel tale flush spreading up her neck and over her face. Fine, this was probably enough clothes. She could grab her toothbrush and moisturizer from the bathroom on her way down the hal .Meredith came toward her, hands open and outstretched placatingly. Bonnie, she said gently, we do want you to be happy. We real y do. But we want you to be safe, too, and were worried that Zander might not be everything you think he is. Maybe you could stay away from him, just for a little while? objet dart we check things out? Bonnie zipped up her bag, threw it over her shoulder, and headed for the door, brushing past Meredith without a glance. She was planning to just walk out but , at the last minute, wheeled around in the doorway to face them again, ineffective to bite back what she was thinking.Whats kil ing me here, she said, is what hypocrites you two are. Dont you remember when Mr. Tanner was murdered? Or the tramp who was almost kil ed under Wickery Bridge? She was actual y shaking with fury.Everyone in the whole town thought Stefan was responsible. Al the evidence pointed at him. But Meredith and I didnt think so, because Elena told us she knew Stefan couldnt have done it, that he wouldnt have done it.And we believed you, make up though you didnt have any proof to give us, she said, staring at Elena, who dropped her eyes to the floor. I would have thought you could trust me the same way. She looked back and forth between them. The fact that youre suspecting Zander even though Im standing here, tel ing you he would never hurt anybody, makes it clear that you dont respect me, she said coldly.Maybe you never did.Bonnie stomped out of the room, hitching the strap of the duffel bag higher on her shoulder.Bonnie she heard behind her and turned to look back one more time. Meredith and Elena were both reaching after her, identical expressions of frustration on their faces.Im going to Zanders, Bonnie told them curtly. That would show them what she thought about their suspicions of him.She slammed the door behind her.