Winter break was quickly coming to a close, and Eli was scared out of his mind. He and Clare were supposed to be talking about everything that happened at the Frotival, but he was still confused on where he wanted to be. Hhe had considered that he shouldn't worry at all, because she could have changed her mind and not wanted to tell him through text or over the phone. He was about to et some answers though, because he was walking into Adam'shouse for the New Year's party he and Drew (mostly Drew) were throwing. Eli, Clare, and Dave were the only people Adam had invited. Fiona was bringing Imogen and Dave was bringing Alli, so Adam had a few people on his guest list. Eli could hear the music from outside when he stepped out of his dad's car. "Are you sure you want to walk home? It's cold tonight, and I don't mind getting you even if it's late" Bullfrog's gruff voice brought Eli out of his thoughts.

His parents weren't as laid back as they once were, but Eli had come to appreciate their new found protectivness. It could be annoying, but he liked knowing someone wondered if he was doing well or where he was. He smirked at his dad and answered, "Don't worry so much, Bullfrog. You'll give yourself more grey hair." He liked that he could still joke around with his parents, and he was reclaiming his lost freedom little by little.

Bullfrog nodded and drove away after they said their good byes. Eli turned back to the Torres home and watched the people mulling around, hooking up, and drinking to their heart's content. This was only on the outside of the house, so Eli knew that Adam's parents must have gone on vacation at least for the night. He walked through the crowds and past the make shift danc floor in the den in search of Adam. "Eli! Glad you could make it; Clare's been talking about seeing you here pretty much since break started." Adam's words had a slight slur to them, and Eli made a mental note to check on him later to keep him out of trouble.

"Oh, cool. Where is she? I wanted to talk to her about everything." Eli had told Adam about what had happened with Clare to ask for advice. Adam had told him to be careful, but his parents had said the same thing when Bullfrog told Cece.

Adam looked around the room as if she would appear suddenly but must have given up soon after. He turned back to Eli swaying a bit on his feet. "She's not here yet I think." Adam laughed at his oddly formed sentence and took another swig of something in a red plastic cup.

Eli sighed and snatched the cup from Adam's hand. He sniffed and smelled the distinct odor of whiskey in the drink. "That's enough for now. Let's save some for everyone else", Eli joked. "If you see Clare tell her I'm waiting for her in the back yard, okay?" Eli had to ask, so he could make sure he hadn't spoken too quickly for Adam's foggy mind. Adam nodded and stumbled away, so Eli made another mental not to be sure Adam was passed out in his bed before leaving.

He walked out the back door onto a wooden deck and looked up at the sky. He had pictured a hundred ways this scenario would play out, but Clare could be so unpredictable. He was lost in the stars and his thoughts and didn't notice the girl watching him carefully from the doorway. Clare was trying to decide how to make her presence known. She thought of so many things that would start this conversation but finall settled on the simple, "Hi."

Eli turned at the sudden intursion of sound but smiled a little at the sight of Clarfe shyly looking at the ground. It was comforting to know that they were both unsure in this situation but scary knowing it was like the blind leading the blind. Eli cleared his throat to buy time and answered with, "Hey." Even to himself he sounded unsure, but that was how they were starting. "Do you want to sit?", he asked as he motioned to a bench nearby.

Clare looked at the bench and then at Eli before nodding. They sat down a fair distance apart in silence. It wasn't the comfortable silence they had once shared but an awkward silence that was unfamiliar between the two. "I guess we should have that talk?" Clare tried to sound confident, but her statement became a question toward the end.

"Yeah, I guess we should." Neither wanted to officialy start the conversation, because there was no good way to start the possible make up or break up of their fledgling friendship/relationship. It couldn't even be classified with one word.

"Do yo-"

"Why di-"

Both had started speaking at the same time and looked away in embarassment when they stopped suddenly at the same time as well. Eli being the gentleman he was said, "Ladies first." while motioning to Clare.

She wished for a moment that chivalry was dead, because then she could have made Eli continue his sentence instead. "I just wanted to know what you think about all of this. You asked that day we had lunch if I thought we could pick up where we left off, and I didn't have an answer. Now I'm wondering if you still think it could happen." Clare watched a beetle run along the deck instead of looking at Eli."

Eli thought about he wanted to answer her, because his answer wouls set the tone for this entire copnversation. He opened his mouth to speak, but Adam fell onto the deck in a fit of laughter. "Ha! Did you see that? I fell!" He continued laughing hysterically as the tension between Eli and Clare went unnoticed. Adam's senses seemed to come back to him for a short time, because he looked between them, and his eyes went wide. "Oh! You guys are having 'the talk'. My bad, I'm just going to find a drink." he wobbled as he stood but made it back inside where they heard him yelling that no one could go outside, because Eli and Clare were "having a moment". Clare blushed a deep crimson, and Eli opened his mouth to finally give her an answer.

So, tell me if you like and I'll continue. Sorry to stop it when he was about to tell her, but I hope it's not wh everyone's thinking or this is pointless.