DISCLAIMER: After reading the blurb on the book 'Matched' and seeing the trailer for 'Never Let me go' i was struck with inspiration to write this only using our beloved Vampire Diaries lot. I have not read 'Matched' or seen 'Never Let me go' so this story will be very different. This is my first fic, i hope you enjoy it, let me know! No copyright intended.

You smiled because you knew.

2 YEARS EARLIER.

We stood backs against the wall, all thirty of us in our group, i could feel my palms were getting sweaty against the rough bricks. At sixteen years old i was about to discover my fate, who i was going to marry, where i would live, what job i would have. You see, i lived in a world where society controls everything about you. You have no choice - break the rules and theres consequences. Nobody knew exactly what these consequences were, everyone was too scared to find out. But then why would you need to? Your life was mapped out for you, no worries, most if not all found they had the perfect partner chose for them. I guess if we could choose things might be different, but we will never know.

Stalking up and down the line, was Mr. Lockwood - head of our group, he came to a stop...

"When i open this envelope, i will first read out your name, then the name of your partner, where you will eventually live, and the job you will be assigned too. You will then spend the next two years getting to know your partner, choosing a home in the area your told and practicing for the world of work."

It was alot to take in, i looked down the line some faces were familiar, others i didn't recognise at all. I found the faces of my friends Stefan, Damon, Bonnie, Tyler, Matt and Caroline. They all had similar looks of pain etched on their faces, im sure my face held the same look. In a matter of minutes it could be that i would in two years never see these faces again. Being at Pierce Boarding school since the age of five, we'd all become real close.

I looked up and met Damon's piercing blue eyes, he offered me his signature smirk- instantly lightening the mood. We'd always been closer than the others, though him and his brother Stefan constantly fought for my attention, I always felt somewhat closer to Damon. The rustling of paper made me look up, Mr Lockwood opened the envelope, i held my breath waiting for the first name.

"Bonnie Bennett to be partnered with Tyler Lockwood. Arizona. Nurse" I smiled as he said this, nursing was perfect for Bonnie she was such a caring person, plus she and Tyler had a somewhat similar bond to that of me and Damon.

"Tyler Lockwood to be partnered with Bonnie Bennett. Arizona. Mechanic..."

The list went on, name after name, then it was my turn, Mr. Lockwood came to a stop in front of me.

"Elena Gilbert to be partnered with Stefan Salvatore. Mystic Falls. Librarian." I glanced up to stare at him in shock, but he was already moving down the line towards Stefan. Stefan met my glance and gave me an impish smile. I smiled back, and was lost in thought. I vaguely processed that Stefan was to be a chef, i laughed internally, he couldn't even cook pasta!

I guess, I couldn't really complain, i could have been put with someone i didn't know at all. But if i was honest out of the brothers, if i knew i was going to be partnered with one, i thought it would have been Damon. Not that our feelings were more than that of friendship, we were just you know close... as i thought this, i heard his name.

"Damon Salvatore. Unknown. Unknown. Unknown" I stared open mouthed at Damon, he had a pained look on his face as he met my eyes, i looked back in confusion.

"Oh! A rarity Mr. Salvatore, don't worry, you are not the first to be unknown there are others like you, you will spend your two years looking for these other unknowns, and taking things from there."

Mr. Lockwood headed back to his podium, and stood tall, hands clasped behind his back.

"I hope you will all embrace your future, now that you know it. Not that you have much choice. Dismissed."

There was a shuffling of feet as everyone went to meet with their partner, Stefan jogged over and grasped my hand excitedly.

"Isn't this great Elena. I was hoping i would be paired with you! And me a chef, can you belive it? The only person that can burn pasta!" His words barely registered.

In the same corner he'd been stood in since we met in the hall that day was Damon Salvatore, hands stuffed in the pockets of his fitted black jeans, staring down scuffing his shoe. His dark hair falling into the eyes i knew so well, i didn't miss the single tear as it slid down his face, and glistened as it hit the polished wood floor.