[*Chapter Six*]

"Rise and shine!" Darcy barged into Elena's room about to wake up her dear sister, only to find her moping, standing over her cheerleading outfit wearing a sad pout. "Oh, you're awake. What's with the long face?"

Elena sighs, turning to her sister and pointing to the outfit, "I don't think cheerleading is me anymore."

Darcy walked closer, rubbing her arm in comfort, "That's okay, El. Sometimes things change, and that's okay. You don't want to cheer? Then that's fine, don't stress about it. Oh, actually maybe worry a little, cos if Care gets hold of you she'll probably strangle you." She sniggered, walking out of Elena's bedroom to get ready.

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Darcy walked across the school parking lot, tossing her car keys into her bag, "Well, look who it is," she heard Stefan call out to her. "The not so cheerleader doer."

"Nope, that's all, Elena. I and cheerleading is a big fat no." She said with a sarcastic grin, making Stefan laugh, that's all he seems to do when he's around Darcy, she has a special warmth surrounded her. He likes it, makes a change from being around depression, blood and a murderous brother.

"Why not? You seem like the sporty type," He continued, seeing as she's got an athletic frame.

Darcy and Elena had just finished getting a lecture from Caroline when Stefan walked up to them.

"Ooh, look at you. You look hot in your jersey," Elena said, eyeing her boyfriend's jersey-clad torso.

Darcy looked him up and down, nodding her head in approval, fist-bumping him when she raised her fist, "Hmm, you look awesome. Bet you're glad you cashed in my advice, huh?"

"Mmm, I don't know, I'll get back to you after the game." Stefan teased then paused, seeing Elena not in her uniform, "What happened? No more cheerleader?"

"I quit. I'm a quitter." Elena said with a careless shrug.

"You're not a quitter, El. You're just a different person this year." Darcy said frowning at her sister.

"She's right, you know. You suffered a great loss. You both did, you're not going to be the same person. You both should be looking ahead." Stefan said, holding her hands, looking between the sisters. He turned to Darcy, dropping her hands and raised a curious eyebrow. "Don't you cheer?"

Darcy laughed, motioning up and down her body, "Does it look like I do?" She's decked out in leather pants, black and red corset/vest, black leather jacket and her typical combat boots. Stefan shook his seeing her point, "Besides, I'm more of an archery girl." She winked, walking backwards, leaving the love birds alone.

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Later on that evening, Darcy was sat with Jeremy having a beer together, observing the football players getting ready for the game. She's missed hanging out with him since they've been back, Vicky dug in her claws, now they hardly see each other, only in fleeting passings. "I miss this Jer." Darcy sighed, looking down at her boots.

Jeremy gave his sister a sad smile. "Me too. I promise to spend more time with you." She nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder, watching the jocks huddle around and the cheerleaders flaunt themselves.

All of sudden Jeremy jumped forward dislodging Darcy as Tyler came storming over.

"Tyler, stop it!" Vicky shouted, gaining everyone's attention, alerting Darcy. She rushed ahead assessing the scene in front of her. Tyler was throwing punches at Jeremy, causing rage to light its fire inside her. Jeremy held his own, throwing hits back. Lockwood boy was about to lay into Jeremy again when Darcy had enough, tackling him to the ground reigning down punches on his face and head. "Who the fuck do you think you're touching my brother, huh? Don't like it, do you, huh?" She seethed, the anger growing into a furnace, heating her insides, twisting and curling, steam was practically blowing off her in waves as she continued hitting whatever skin surfaced through her blazing cerulean haze. No one touches her brother, no one! 

The Jock had enough his aggression surfacing, throwing her off him, causing her to get winded from the power and landing hard on her back. She scrambled back to her feet just as Tyler came again and crashed his fist upon her face, the strength cutting her cheek. She crashed to the ground, stunned and breathless.

Stefan heard the commotion, just witnessing Tyler punching Darcy in her face, a strange, intense protectiveness took over as her ran over, shoving the angered boy away and picked up Darcy off the floor "Hey, they're down! Enough!" He yelled at Tyler. But Tyler was blind with rage and took a swing at Stefan's stomach. He looked shocked when his strikes did not affect Stefan.

Darcy looked for her brother and caught him smashing a bottle; he was about to rush towards them. She looked between Her, Stefan and Tyler and realised if Stefan did not move he would get sliced. The raven-haired teen made a rash decision hoping karma will not bite her ass later on. She jumped out of Stefan's arms and pushed him out of the way. Jeremy ignored her and went straight for Tyler, one thing running through his mind. No one touches Darcy.

Tyler caught onto his intentions and jumped out of the way, causing Darcy to get sliced with the broken glass.

"Fuck, shit!" Darcy cursed, hold her throbbing, bleeding hand to her chest, her eyes were leaking from the immense pain.

Jeremy let out a choked gasp when he saw what he caused, "Darce! Shit! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you." He came forward pulling her hand away from her chest, to see the damaged he caused.

"It's okay, Jer. It was an accident." She reassured in a soft whisper, knowing he was beating himself up.

He shook his head adamantly "No, it's not. I hurt you." Tears ran down his face; guilt was eating him alive, making him feel like he was being hit with a sledgehammer.

Stefan stood, frozen in shock, not able to anything but gape like a fish. Darcy had just pushed him away, saved his ass. His green eyes shined with gratitude, locking onto Darcy's watery blue. He nodded his thanks, walking forward, to see if she was okay. A different sort of shock took place as he found Darcy's blood wasn't affecting him like other humans. He took over from Jeremy peering into the deep jagged cut. Glancing back up, "You're gonna need stitches." Darcy nodded calmly, watching as Elena stepped up behind Stefan. "Put you're head up Jer,"  She said, tilting his head up to the dark sky. "I'm fine!" Jeremy yelled, pushing her away. "Leave me alone." He growled and glanced over to Darcy sending her a sorry pleading look. She nodded, knowing he wanted to get out of here, "It's fine, Jer. Go home. I'll be okay, I promise. I'm not mad." Darcy assured watching as he stalked away from the field with his shoulders slumped.

"Thank you for saving my ass back there. I owe you," Stefan whispered, rubbing gentle circles on her injured hand, walking them away from the growing crowd. Unknown to them, Elena followed like a lost puppy.

Darcy shook her head, "If I hadn't your secret would have gotten out, and we can't have that can we?" She peered up, her gaze flickering between his intense probing and the gravel of the parking lot.

"But why? Why would you protect me?" Stefan questioned. Don't get him wrong he's indebted, but can't get over protecting someone she hardly knew.

Darcy looked down, kicking the loose pebbles and blew out a shallow breath, "Elena. I did it for her since she met you she's no longer depressed, hiding away in her room crying to her journal. You make her happy Stef. I want it to stay that way." Although she can't help wonder if she was telling the truth.

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