salvatore school } { of coffee dates and getting to know each other

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [and after a long facetime consultation with her best friends in which she was bound to immediately tell them everything that happens on her date, which she is trying to get them to not make a big deal out of this, she knows why they're happy. it's a sign she's moving on and she very much wants to move on. Still, she finishes getting dressed and makes her way to the predetermined coffee shop, aiming to arrive a little early]

Ben: [and he will show up on time, smiling when he sees her. He's completely chill, but dressed up a bit nicer than his normal flannel and jeans attire.] Hey. You haven't been here long I hope?

Elena: Nope. Just got here. [she glances towards the coffee shop] Inside or outside?

Ben: Inside? Unless the music is too loud. [he goes to open the door for her]

Elena: [she shakes her head] No, that should be fine. [And she'll head in and find a table by the window. Caroline says she looks great in natural light]

Ben: [is a boy and oblivious to those kinds of things. She looks beautiful in any light. When they sit, he'll hand her one of the paper menus tucked between the sugar and creamer containers on the table] So how was your day today?

Elena: Not bad. I went in for an interview at one of the local clinics.

Ben: Oh? Looking for a part time job while in school?

Elena: Yeah. I did some volunteering while I was in undergrad under this doctor I knew, and I figured why not try again. Get practice talking to patients and things like that.

Ben: Good idea. I don't know if I could handle that and school. It's already a lot.

Elena: [she nods] Yeah, I guess I still feel a little behind, so I'm trying to make up for it as much as I can.

Ben: Just don't burn yourself out. I mean, if you do that, who's going to try and take me on as class nerd?

Elena: [she laughs] I'll do my best to rein myself in. What about you? Anything interesting today?

Ben: After my simulator run, I was able to get into a pick up game of baseball with some undergrads.

Elena: How'd you fair?

Ben: I didn't die, but got a nice reminder about how out of shape I am.

Elena: I know that feeling well.

Ben: I think I'm going to start hitting the gym before class now.

Elena: Probably a good plan.

Ben: I may regret it. If I look like I'm dead in class, just tell the professor I learn better when I'm asleep.

Elena: [she laughs] I'll keep that in mind. But I'm told it gets easier as you get used to it.

Ben: I hope so.

Elena: You know, yoga's good for burning calories without giving you that lazy worked out feeling.

Ben: I thought it was only good for flexibility.

Elena: [she shakes her head] It's good for your core too. And stamina. Though the flexibility doesn't hurt.

Ben: Maybe you can give me a lesson?

Elena: A real lesson or we're just calling it a lesson but it's actually something else? [she doesn't sound opposed, but she wants to be clear]

Ben: [and he is confused] Something else?

Elena: [... oh so we're not flirting.] Never mind. [she's too used to Damon, who always made his innuendo obvious] But yeah. I can definitely give you a lesson.

Ben: [he's clueless, Elena.] Cool. [and hey someone comes over to take their order]

Elena: [oh good, she can do that. she orders some food and waits for the waitress to leave before continuing] So are you from Indiana?

Ben: Yeah. Born and bred. I actually live about thirty minutes from here.

Elena: Oh wow. It must be nice to be so close to home.

Ben: It is. My mom says I'm only doing it for the free room, board, and laundry service. Though when we hit residency, I'm sure that will become true.

Elena: Everything will be medicine and sleep?

Ben: At least my mom will yell at me to eat on occasion.

Elena: That's true. [or to order food, in her mom's case]

Ben: I told her that it's just part of the package when she said her son could grow up to be a doctor. [smiles]

Elena: My dad would tell me stories of how if it wasn't for my mom ordering him pizza on occasion, he would have probably starved to death rather than getting through med school.

Ben: So should I assume you'll need someone to do that for you while you're here?

Elena: Probably. Though Poe's been pretty good about shoving food at me occasionally.

Ben: He... seems like a good friend.

Elena: He is. It's nice having a neighbor.

Ben: I'm sure. That's a downfall for not living in the dorm apartments, I guess. I don't really get the chance to know people. [and he's going to stir sugar into his coffee when it arrives]

Elena: You know some people. You're getting know me. And you know your mom which is one up on me because my entire life was back in Mystic Falls.

Ben: I mean in the school. I know a lot of people in town. I just need to talk to my classmates more. I'm... [he bites his lips, thinking what the right word is] I've got blinders on, and get too focused to see what's really going on around me. Or at least that's what I've had people tell me.

Elena: Tunnel vision?

Ben: Yeah, that.

Elena: Yeah, my problem was more ... my personal life can sometimes overwhelm the rest of my life? Not intentionally just ... it was situations where if I didn't figure out how to resolve it nothing else could move forward. So I didn't either. Honestly, I'm surprised I even graduated high school and got into college.

Ben: Are you still in that kind of a situation?

Elena: No, thankfully. I figured it out, and now I'm trying to move forward, but sometimes that mindset is hard to let go of. Keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then the sky to fall along with it.

Ben: That's good. I mean, I don't think there's anything wrong with diving head first into love, but at the same time, you shouldn't let them become the end all, be all. [shrugs]

Elena: Yeah, I ... had to learn that the hard way a couple of times. [she shrugs] But that's also who I am? If I'm in your life, I'm ride or die. Not just with my romantic relationships but with my friends too. So it's ... really hard for me to ignore my friends when they're in trouble.

Ben: [grins] You warn all your prospective friends about that before or after they get to know you?

Elena: [laughs] Well, all my other friends I've known since I was five. They've already accepted and love this about me. It's been a while since I've been in a position to make new ones.

Ben: Well, I hope I can worth that ride or die mentality.

Elena: Guess we'll have to see. [and she will sip her coffee because she would like it if he was, at least so far]

Ben: [and since she gave him a hint of her bad relationship] ... It's been a while since I took a girl out for coffee. Or on a date.

Elena: It's been a while for me too. A really long while. [and then, because that's not the point] We can take this slow, if you want. There's no rush.

Ben: I know. I'd like that.

Elena: Good. [a deep breath] My life can be kind of a lot too, so if anything I'm telling you is ever too much, you can tap out. I know it will ... probably come up.

Ben: [chuckles] We're living in the county I've lived in my entire life. I think it's more likely that my life will come up a lot more.

Elena: [she laughs] You might be surprised. [word's gotten round of Katherine's demise but Katherine's been dead before so.]

Ben: I can't believe we're trying to compete on who's tragic backstory will appear first.

Elena: [she laughs] I don't know, I think I win peak sadness with a five year coma, but you're more than welcome to try.

Ben: Yeah, I can't really beat that. [laughs as well]

Elena: [there's more, but baby steps into Elena's tragic backstory] But that isn't to say your stuff didn't hurt. I guess if nothing else, you can tell me and I'll get it?

Ben: Which is nice. Not a lot of people get some of the stuff in my closet. [yeah, he's got nothing on her, but there are a few whoppers]

Elena: Well, you're welcome to talk about it anytime. I'm sure you'll hear about mine and fair is fair.

Ben: [licks his lips, looking out the window a moment] Let's just go with that there's a group of women in town who are not my biggest fans and do everything they can to let me know. It's why I went to undergrad out of state.

Elena: [her brow furrows] That's terrible.

Ben: [shrugs] One of the downfalls of small town life.

Elena: Yeah. That's kind of why I ran away to Indiana.

Ben: See, we have so much in common. Med school, crazy high school years, trauma from living in small towns... [bright smile]

Elena: [she laughs] Already off on the right foot.

Ben: I'm glad. I was afraid I screwed up the first time we talked.

Elena: So was I, honestly. I thought maybe I was a little too intense too soon.

Ben: You were passionate. I just, like I said, have blinders. I was looking at it logically and didn't account for personal experience. Sorry.

Elena: It's okay. And to be honest, I do not condone romcom level theatrics in real life. It's just nice to escape for a while.

Ben: That's what movies should be for everyone.

Elena: Exactly. [a pause] Maybe we should go see a movie at some point? Maybe on a day where are brains are too tired to hold a real conversation?

Ben: That'd be fun. We could just pick the funniest movie at the theatre so we don't have to think even.

Elena: Sounds perfect.

Ben: Good. [and he's going to sip his coffee because he has no idea what to talk about now]

Elena: [and she's just going to fill the space talking about classes, because it's the common thing they have at the moment. Elena's good at idle chatter, and apparently this skill hasn't completely atrophied]

Ben: [good, because he tends to fill voids with looking at his phone and trying to find a meme to share. But he can respond to other people's conversations like a pro]

Elena: [fantastic. but eventually they'll run out of time for one reason or another and Elena will glance down at her watch] Wow, it's late. I should probably get back.

Ben: Yeah, same here. [and he will grab the check and put cash into it for the tab and tip] Do you want a lift?

Elena: [she shakes her head] I'm not that far. But I'll text you when I get back.

Ben: Okay. [he'll stand and hold out a hand to help her up]

Elena: [and she will take it and follow him out the door]

Ben: [and when they get outside, he'll lick his lips as he looks around them. Is it too early for a quick kiss? Should he try? Should he ask? is it dumb to ask?]

Elena: [also wondering the same thing and she'll linger for a second, playing with her hair as she tucks it behind her ear] So. I'm this way. [thumb jerk over her shoulder]

Ben: Yeah, my car's that way. [totally opposite direction] Um, okay this may be awkward, but is it too early for us to kiss? Because I want to but I don't want to come off like 'that guy.'

Elena: [smiles softly before shaking her head] I don't think it's too early.

Ben: Oh good. [and he'll relax, stepping closer, smiling]

Elena: [and she'll let him come closer, one hand resting on his shoulder as she leans in to meet him]

Ben: [and he will gently cup her cheek and lean in to kiss her, gently]

Elena: [man she missed being kissed. Elena's always been an affectionate person so she melts into it easily, noting the differences to the men she's kissed before, the ones who kissed her like se was something they wanted to claim, when this is something easier. This is something that meets her more in the middle]

Ben: [so has he, and surprisingly, every kiss he's had was someone trying to get something out of him. So this was nice, just kissing because you wanted to]

Elena: [she doesn't let it wander far, though, so after a moment, she pulls back with a smile] I'll text you later.

Ben: I'll be waiting. [grins, rubbing his thumb along her cheek before stepping back as well]

Elena: [and off she will go to return to her apartment, and when she gets there, she'll send off a quick "made it home safe" text]

Ben: [and he will send her a batman gif in return]

Elena: [she laughs] See you later, Batman.

Ben: Yup. Have a great rest of your day.

Elena: You too. [and with that she will then inform Bonnie and Caroline on all of the details of their date because that's what they do]

Ben: [and he might get a bit of an interrogation from his mom]

Elena: [Lisa stands a chance of liking her in this verse!]

Ben: [yes, she will! Just treat her boy right]

Elena: [she will do her best]