"Well, everything, just, seems right, right now." I smiled and pulled the phone to my other ear. "Hold on Eli, someone is at the door." "Fine, if I'm just not that important," he said sarcastically. I laughed and opened the door smiling. Then, at my doorstep, in the pouring rain, was Mark Fitzgerald. The guy who almost killed my boyfriend. My jaw slightly dropped. "FITZ?" I yelled, forgetting Eli was still listening on the phone as I spoke. I quickly tried to get a handle on the phone and then shut it off. "Why are you here? I mean, aren't you supp-" "What? You thought they would keep me there forever?" "Well, um, just come in, it's pouring." "I gesture him into my living room and he quickly walks in and glances around. He sits on my couch and stares at me. "Uh, not to be incredibly rude or anything, but, why, are you… here." "I just got home this morning, and I thought I should tell this to you face to face, because it wouldn't be, sancere-" "Sincere," I quickly correct him. "Whatever, I thought it wouldn't be sincere, over the phone." "Well," I said crossing my arms and lifting one eyebrow. "What is it?" "I'm, sorry." My jaw relaxed and I sat down next to him. "Well, as upset as I am with you," "His face narrowed angrily. "It, is in my religion to forgive," I paused. "And, forget." "Besides," before I could say anything else Fitz started kissing me violently. I quickly pulled away and jumped from the couch. "Fitz, what the-" "Don't you get it? I like you Clare, I really like you. So just go out with me." "My brow furrowed. "Fitz, you know, that I'm dating Eli." "What the hell is so great with emo boy?" "Get out." I said quietly. "Clare, come on." He grabbed my waist and tried me for another kiss. I pushed him away and pointed towards the open door. "Out," I cried. "You, you will wish, that you took me when you had the chance. You made the wrong choice Clare. You're going to wish, that you said yes." He stormed out and slammed the door. I stood there wet from Fitz, hugging my self, staring at the door.
The next morning I got up and brushed my hair, twisted one size of my hair and clipped it back. I loved my short hair so much more than my long hair, it was a lot easier to handle. I put on my shirt and assigned grade purple polo. I put on the socks and loafers. I put on some mascara and brushed my teeth. My mother was sitting at the dining room table with her coffee. "Ready to go Clare?" I nodded and we left to get in the car. Oh no. Fitz. Would he be at school? What will Eli do when I tell him? Maybe I shouldn't tell him. But, we've never kept anything from each other so far. I know about Julia and his hoarding, and he knew about my emotional insatiability due to my parents, we both agree that the only people who understand is each other. Instead of making out on the couch when we are together, we discuss what is bothering us and sometimes just sit together. Usually my head lies on his shoulder and his head rests on mine. Sometimes, if we want to, we end up making out on the couch. BUT, we talk before. I laugh to myself and my mom glances at me with the corner of her eye. She pulls into the parking lot and I grab my green bag. I get out of the car and walk out of school. I get to my locker and Eli is standing there like he usually does to walk me to class. We kiss quickly so no teachers catch us and he steps to the right so I can get to my locker. I open it up and grab my english binder throwing the rest in my locker. I close my locker and he grabs my free hand so we can hold hands. He lifts his arm so we can get closer to each other and our shoulders touch. We smile. "So, any reason why you hung up on me last night?" My shoulders fall and I look at him sadly. "You heard," "What happened Clare." "Fitz was at my door. And he apologized," Eli snorted. Instead of scolding him for writing him off so suddenly, I smiled. "Then, I forgave him, and he, tried to, kiss me." Eli's smile faded so fast it was unbelievably. "Obviously, I pulled away, and he got, mad." Eli stopped walking and let go of my hand. His fists clenched. "Clare," He said calmly. "What. Did. He. Do." "Nothing, I swear," He pushed up the arm of my sweater to see the bruise from when Fitz grabbed me. "Eli, it didn't hurt, it must have bruised over night, please, don't do anything you'll regret, he was just upset. "How could you cover up for him? "I don't want you to get into anything again, Eli." His mean expression dropped and he lightly touched my huge bruise. I cringed and I saw hurt in Eli's eyes. I hugged him mumbling that I'm fine. He grasped me tightly and we pulled away quickly to the sound of a familiar voice. "Aw, Emo boy is sad." Fitz was standing there, no books in hand, glaring at me. "Fitz, don't even start with me." I was proud of Eli for being the bigger person. "Uh, lets, go." I said uncomfortably. Fitz kept glaring until I couldn't see him anymore. Eli and I reconnected hands and walk into English.