Damon had been walking with Minnie talking about everything that had happened earlier that day. He sighed at sat down. Then he got a look around, "You have got to be kidding me!" He sighed, this was where he had met Taylor. A huge stab hit him. Why was everything always leading back to her.

Marie was lost. Serves you right for thinking you were all that, she thought, why didn't you ask for directions. As she turned a corner she saw Damon down the hall. Thank goodness, a friend! Marie quickly walked over. "Damon!"

Damon looked over at the first year... Can't I even get privacy here anymore? He sighed, "Yes?"

Minerva followed Damon until they were at the Dungeons, she had actually never been here before. hmm why had she never seen this... She looked at him, "What? What is it Ash?"

"This is where we met..." He looked down, "The day Taylor had really just accidentally stumbled upon a gothic boy who as far as she knew was just being lonely..." He covered his mouth, why the crap had he just said that?

Minerva looked at him and just shook her head "Why are you covering your mouth, you told me that once before." She wasn't sure what to say to him. "If you need to go somewhere else we could find another place to talk." she looked at his nose. "Did you have someone look or fix that?" wondering if she needed to..

"It's not something I care to have people know about me." He sighed, "Like you've seen most people know a Damon who's happy and somewhat carefree. Always believes things'll work out for the best. They don't know what's really there." He shifted, "No... I'm fine with being here." And he shook his head to her question, "There's no point in getting people worried over nothing."

Minerva sighed "Damon, I'm your friend, I'm okay with knowing all sides of you. I want to know all sides of you. I don't want you to hide who you are to me." she then pulled her wand tapping his nose in a whisper "espiskey" there that's better..right? "Mom taught me that one last summer."

Damon nodded reluctantly, "But it truely wasn't that bad." He looked around again, "I can't believe this is where it all started." He felt another stab, his heart was breaking, though he knew what was going to happen when he told her... He knew she's reject him... So why did it bother him so much? Damon realized that he had a tear trailing down his cheek, he sighed, removing the eye-liner again. He couldn't stop the tears that were falling now. Christ, what is wrong with me?

"Ash what.." she didn't get to say anything before she saw tears go down his face. She felt horrible. She put her arms around him and let him rest his head if he wanted on her shoulder. "Ash it's okay, it's hard to love someone that doesn't feel the same way.. "Talk about whatever will help you.." she wanted to be there for him as much as he would let her.

He clung to her, he wasn't sobbing but the tears were falling, "It's like everything's falling apart already..."

*Bounce. Bounce. Bounce*

Ronnie bounced down by the dungeons, yes, bounced. She was in a....bouncy mood today. She didn't know why. She didn't even know there were such things as 'bouncy moods'. But apparently there were! Well in her book that is.

As Ronnie...bounced along, something caught her eye. She stopped bouncing and stood a little taller, eyeing it. Ooo! A secret passage! Exploring time!

WAIT.

Was she allowed? She looked around herself. Nobody was in sight. It was just her...so..what nobody saw wouldn't hurt them, right?

Right!

Ronnie excitedly took a little leap to the passage, and went in. After a tiny bit of walking, she was already at the end. WHAAAAAAT? No more passage? Darn! Maybe it was someone had magically done something to it so that students couldn't go down the passage. Ronnie sighed in disappointment and walked out of the passage.

Minerva hugged him letting him just get it all out. "Damon dear..It just feels that way. You have been through a lot. Even if you were expecting it, it doesn't change how it feels. It will be hard for awhile, I'm not going to lie, but you can get through this."

"Not just with her." He sighed, "I'm sick of hiding it... My mother died, then my father remarries two months after she died... Bringing another woman trying to replace her, not to mention that woman is the aunt of the girl I love, finding out I have a brother, having to deal with Maxwell..." He sighed.

Minerva listened "I understand Ash, it's crazy how much can happen to one person, but you know what I think will help." she hoped her advice wouldn't be to pushy. "Think about school right now, fall into classes and maybe avoid Taylor for a little bit, I don't want to break our group, I would hate to see that, but it might be best and if you think you can be around her, but not Maxwell then just avoid when he is around and remember you have the mirror if things feel like they are to much to handle, I don't care if it is the middle of the night."

Damon shook his head, "They're my problems... I can handle them myslef." He said sternly, "I don't need to try to throw them off on other people... and maybe if it does end the way it was about to last year..." He sighed, his stomach churning as he said the rest of it, "Maybe that's what's supposed to happen... For me not to be here anymore..."

Minerva shook her head "Damon, stop that.. I am your friend and I am here to help with anything you need. Your problems are my problems if that helps get you through this. You might not know this, but you guys really helped get me through the loss of my family and this summer. Without even trying you gave me something to look forward to. Please let me help you.. Don't ever say those words or think those words, this place would not be a good without you."

Damon shook his head, "I can't help but feel that the only reason I'm here is to be a pain. My Dad hates me, my mom's gone, the girl I love probably can't stand me now, Rowan hates me... Sage is getting more distant, Maxwell can't stand him." He didn't know why all of this was coming out now but he was, "I mean think about it Min... Everyone would be better off if they hadn't met me."

"Damon they would not" it came out a little harsher then she meant it. "Sorry, that came out mean, but it's true. Taylor is your best friend and will be after the awkwardness goes away, Maxwell will get over it once you have moved on.. and you will we are all young, Puck loves you very much and said it so at the station today, Rowan likes you even if he doesn't want to admit it. Your new to each other it's going to need time to set in. Your uncle just fell in love, that's all his concern is going to change more to the girl it doesn't mean he loves you any less. I would not be better off if I hadn't met you.." she finished, yeah he didn't mention her name, but she wanted to add that.

"You're probably the only one of those that makes any sense." He pushed himself back, he was sick of this, he pointed his wand to his eyes, "Deseratus." He stated simply, the tears drying and no longer falling, "Chelle made that one."

Minerva gave a smile about the spell, and then sighed taking her hands to his face she moved his head to look right at her. "Damon it all makes sense all of it. It's just a hard time that's all. At one time I didn't think I could ever like living with the Blazes, that Justin and I would never be friends, and that I would ever fall for an older boy that wears eye liner.." she hoped he would smile at her little joke "but it all happened. Right now it hurts and it hurts bad all of it. I understand with your mom, I'm there right now.. It feels like your heart has been taken out and is being stomped on everyday..You would give anything to hear her voice, see her smile, hug her. I get that. The rest will work itself out. As time goes on you will see that."

He looked at her with a kind smile, "I know you understand," He took her hands in his, yes his heart still felt a little hollow but he did like her, and he had promised... "and it's amazing to have someone who does." He kissed her.

Minerva started kissing back, but then pulled away, as much as she wanted this his heart was not ready. "Damon, you don't have to. Give yourself time. I'm here for you whether you decide you want to be with me or not. I do understand, I understand it all even the liking someone who likes someone else " she smiled at him and gave him a hug. "You know my feelings and you know well everything, but I know your upset and I don't want you being pushed to me just because you think you have to."

Damon looked at her, "I know Min..." He sighed, "But you know mine as well. I do like you." He smiled at her, "Truely, and I'm ready whenever you are."