Hey there folks! :) This is a new story I've had in my mind for a while now. It is dedicated to all my readers and reviewers of my previous story Love is a Battlefield. As always, please enjoy!

"Clare, can you grab the last bag from the car please?"

"Sure Mom." I respond. I'm finally home from my grandmother's house after spending the majority of my two week break watching soap operas and Wheel of Fortune. There are perks though; my grandma bakes the best cookies. Better than any other grandma's, I'm sure of it.

I turn around and walk back out the front door towards my mom's sedan. Where's my dad you ask? Oh, he's at work. Again. Guess the fact that I've come home after two weeks means nothing to him. Since I escaped to my grandma's, I left all my problems back at home. I have no clue how my parents are doing since I left, but honestly, I don't know if it is possible for their relationship to get any worse. If it does, they should write it in the record books. I can see it now: Most objects thrown in a fight: Randall and Helen Edwards. I sigh to myself. As if I needed to worry about anything else, there's still the Vegas Night Incident.

I haven't spoken with Eli since I left. He hasn't spoken to me. I guess you could say we've given each other some space. He's given me time to digest what happened and I've given him time to decide if he's willing to "call off the dogs." Oh, and also to get over Julia if he's not over her yet. Why is it that when I finally find someone who I care so much about, it has to be this complicated? If you're going to ask me how I feel after what happened, I don't know how to respond. I'm severely frustrated with Eli, but I can't help but feel relief that he is safe. He was in the wrong and yet I feel that I didn't help by agreeing to go to the dance with Fitz. Eli put Ipecac in Fitz's drink because Fitz threatened to have sex with me. I guess you could say he was protecting me? But seriously, did he have to be that juvenile in his tactics? I mean it isn't completely Eli's fault Fitz brought a knife on us. Some of it is Fitz's total lack of logic. And Eli did push me away and made sure I was safe. I'll never forget the look in Eli's eyes when Fitz called me a bitch. He knew that he put me in a risky position. And I know that I care strongly for Eli. That's why I almost can't be mad because I could have lost him. I want to be appreciative that God kept Eli with me, but it was so terrifying. Do you know what ticks me off though? Eli tried to justify what he did by telling me his dealings with Mike when he was nine. As you can clearly tell, my emotions and thoughts are in a hopeless tangle.

I finally reach my mom's car and I tug at the black gym bag lying in the trunk. What did my grandma put in here? Rocks? I grunt and strain myself to pull the bag out but to no avail. Suddenly, my eyes spy a third hand grasping the straps. "Need some help?" I jump in place. I could spot that voice anywhere.

I tilt my head up and my blue eyes meet his green eyes. Eli. I slowly nod my head. "S-sure." I'll never fully comprehend how this boy has such a strong effect on me.

He grabs the bag and easily lifts it up and out of the trunk. I gently close the door. "Would you like me to take it inside?" He asks.

"N-no. I um I'll take it." I shakily respond. He shrugs and hands me the bag. I grasp it as tightly as I can and take it along with me as I re-enter the house. I drop the bag in the hallway and bend down, breathing heavily from the strenuous activity.

"I just don't understand why you can't come home for five minutes to see your own daughter! Clare hasn't been here in two weeks and you act like you don't care Randall!" My mother shouts from the kitchen. Oh boy, a telephone fight.

I pause and wait to hear more. My mom is briskly pacing in the kitchen. "You're calling me unreasonable? Do you honestly think I'm asking too much of you to come see Clare? I can't believe you Randall!" I can't take this anymore. I grab a pen and pencil off the small table in the hallway and scribble something about hanging out with Alli and charge right back out the house. Why do my parents have to fight so much? I don't understand why God is doing this to me. I've tried to lead my life with morals and values. I've cared for others. I've volunteered at my church. I'm loyal. I try my strongest to always be kind and forgiving. And yet God decides to have my sister get raped. None of the other girls at the ski lodge. No. My sister. And my first boyfriend had to cheat on me with my best friend. My parents have to act like they hate each other. They have to act like the past twenty years of a loving marriage meant nothing. And my current boyfriend had to almost be killed right before my eyes. Really God? Why me? What have I done to deserve so much heartache?

As I'm walking toward Eli my breaths are coming quickly and I feel the tears coming. I'm just so confused and lost. I don't understand…

I look up and see him leaning against the passenger side of Morty. Head down. Hands shoved into his pockets. He looks the epitome of Eli. Black jeans. Black boots. Black shirt with a gray button-up layered over it. I guess he hears my footsteps because he lifts his head up to look at me. Now the next action you can blame on teenage hormones. Or the fact that I am on the verge of breaking down. Take your pick. I rush over to him and wrap my arms tightly around my boyfriend's, or I think he's still my boyfriend, neck and I cling as tightly as I can to him. He stiffens clearly startled by my impulsive embrace. I'm positive he was expecting angry Clare, but no he gets emotional and confused Clare. Slowly, he returns my embrace; gently wrapping his arms around my waist. I don't know how long we stayed that way, but it felt nice to finally be back in Eli's arms, as cliché as it sounds. I'm the first to pull out of the embrace.

"I take it you missed me?" He asks with my favorite smirk. Typical Eli. I gently slap his shoulder. "Ouch!" he responds. I give a small smile and look down at the cemented sidewalk. His facial expression shifts to one much more serious. "Clare, is something wrong?"

Seriously. Is something wrong? I don't know Eli. I've spent the past two weeks crying, confused about me, about our relationship. My family life is slowly but surely crumbling around me. No, Eli nothings wrong. I glare at him. "Are you serious?" I snap.

He looks pained. I immediately regret taking out all my anger against my parents at Eli. "I'm sorry Clare. Stupid question, I know." He pauses. "I think it's safe to say we should talk?"

I contemplate this. I want to get away from all the drama at home, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to talk to Eli. I have to face him sooner or later. I prefer later, but hey since when have I gotten what I preferred lately? "Yeah, um can we just go somewhere else? My parents…" I trail off.

He nods, understanding. "Of course. I actually have the perfect place in mind." He opens Morty's door for me and I slip into the passenger seat. He jogs over to the driver's side, enters, and starts the hearse.

Thanks for reading! I'll update it soon with the final chapter. Reviews are as always much appreciated =)