One: The Attraction

Eli's POV

It wasn't meant to happen. I never even thought it would. But it somehow has. I like Fitz. Why? Why would I have feelings for a guy, let alone a guy who nearly stabbed me and tried to sleep with my girlfriend? No. I don't like Fitz and I'm not gay. I like girls. I like Clare.

"Eli! Damn, where is your head?" Adam was shouting at me in English. I had apparently been daydreaming. More like daynightmare-ing.

"Nowhere. Just, uh, just thinking about things." I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear those disturbing thoughts from my head.

The bell rang, and I met Clare outside class. "Hey, Eli," she said cheerfully.

I wasted no time and kissed her fiercely.

"Whoa, Eli, who put lead in your pencil?" she said, looking me up and down.

"Just happy to see you, that's all."

She laughed. "That much is clear."

We walked down the hallway together, like a normal couple. We probably look so unassuming, so average. Like any other high school puppy love. But I can't seem to shake the thought of seeing Fitz, his face, his eyes, those muscles...

Clare's POV

Something's very wrong with Eli. Ever since we saw Fitz after he got out of jail, he's been weird. Not overprotective, like I thought he would be, but more aggressive sexually, like he's trying to keep me interested or... like he's trying to stay interested in me.

But that's insane. Eli isn't gay, especially not for Fitz. Why am I even thinking that? That's just so crazy. Maybe I'm just paranoid. Maybe I should just ask him what's bothering him. That's what she should do.

Narrator POV

Clare approached Eli that afternoon with intent. She had to find out what was bothering him, because she couldn't stand him like this.

"Hey, Clare," he said, kissing her firmly on the mouth.

"Hey, Eli. Listen, we need to talk."

His grin visibly dropped. "Oh no. That's never good."

"It's nothing bad. I'm just a little worried about you. Lately, particularly since Fitz got out of jail, you've been... pushy."

His brows furrowed. "Pushy?"

"Yeah... like you're kind of lusting after me."

He scoffed. "Lusting after you? Clare, I'm not a pig. I thought you knew that."

"And I do. I just can't help but think that maybe there's something that you're not telling me, that's all."

"Well, there isn't anything, okay?" he said, on the brink of shouting. "Nothing's going on with me and I am not gay!"

Clare faltered. "Wha- Eli, I didn't-"

His eyes widened. He rounded on the heel of his foot and walked briskly away toward Morty. He had just outed himself to Clare and he knew it. Wait, there was no 'outing' needed, because he wasn't gay. He just misspoke, that's all.

His phone buzzed, signaling a text message.

From: Adam T.

Dude, we need to talk. Meet me The Dot in 10.

Sent: 3:04 PM

Received: 3:05 PM

Great. Clare already told him, he thought to himself.

He started off toward The Dot, not exactly knowing what to expect. What exactly had she told him? Did she even mention the 'gay' comment?

When he got there, he opened the door to see Fitz working the counter, and he felt a cold flush cover him. He took a deep breath and shook it off, ignoring the thoughts churning in his head.

"Eli," Adam said, gesturing for him to sit opposite him. He did so, fidgeting slightly with his collar. "Listen, Clare told me that you two got into it. So what's up?"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong, okay?" he said, his pitch rising an octave.

Adam raised his eyebrows. "It sounds like it. Whatever's eating you, it's becoming a problem for all of us, and the faster you admit it, the better off you'll be and the better off we'll all be."

He stood up and walked off, leaving Eli sitting at the table alone. He kicked himself mentally, because he tried fighting the problem with aggression and denial. He had been fighting this feeling his entire life, and it's already destroyed past relationships. Most people didn't know that the last fight between he and Julia was about her catching him kissing a... guy. She had been so hurt, and Eli felt like a terrible person for it. He swore to himself that he would try dating girls, and maybe, just maybe, it would turn him straight.

But who was he fooling? It was clear to everyone that something was wrong, but they didn't know what exactly. How would he break the news to everyone? To Clare?

He snapped out of his reverie, and pulled out his phone and sent a message to Clare.

(New Message)

To: Clare E.

Hey. I'm sorry I've been such a jerk to you lately. Meet me The Dot. I have something to tell you that might explain it.

Sent: 3:24 PM

He took a deep breath. It was now or never. He had to explain things to Clare, and hope that she wouldn't hate him and that she would understand.

What do you think? Should I keep going? I am kind of excited about this one, cuz it's so different from the real show, but I need some feedback first, to see if there's anything to it. Please review!