I sat at the picnic table with Kayla, Eli, and Adam. Adam and Kayla were debating on whether or not Kay should be a cheerleader. He thinks she should because it is instant popularity but Kay doesn't care. Right when Kay disagreed I knew it would turn into some analytical conversation and I was too stressed out to deal with that nonsense. I started talking to Eli.
"So…I heard you've been having problems with that kid Fitz." I said. I saw Kay's expression change a little bit and she jerked her head towards our conversation. Her and Adam stopped talking.
"Yeah, but don't worry about it. I can handle it." He smiled widely, his dimples were so cute. My heart was beating a million miles per hour, practically out of my chest.
"Well, okay. Just please don't go too over the top, I know you can get a little carried away."
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and my eyes started bulging out of my head and he said, "You've gotta trust me. He's got it coming to him. So anyone wanna go out for lunch? We can skip fourth period and go to the Dot? Clare?"
"Sure. Why not? Ms. Oh's been giving me a solid grade so one class won't dent my grade." He then asked Kayla and she looked at me then smiled. "No I think I'll pass. Adam and I have business to take care of." Then Eli stood and up from the table and started walking towards his hearse. He turned around and flashed those perfect dimples and he then said, "You coming?"
I smiled and stood up from the table then started walking towards Eli. He again wrapped his arm around my shoulder, I started to blush. Then, I turn around to wave bye but totally forget when I saw Kay and Adam smiling at me like crazy, then they went back to their argument. When I turned around we were on the passenger side of the hearse, Eli was holding the door open for me and his face was an inch away from my face.
"You gonna get in?" I could feel him breathing. Then I moved slyly into the car. He shut the door and walked around to get into the driver's seat. The plush red seat made me feel warm as well as the spicy scent of Eli's cologne. Eli revved Morty to life and started to drive away from the school heading towards the Dot.
"So Clare Bear, what's on your mind?" he breathed to me. His smirk was just so sexy I wanted to kiss him.
"Nothing really, just kinda how . . . err – nevermind." I mumbled while looking down at my jeans. I can't just tell him I think he is the most beautiful person I have seen in my entire life, over Dechlan and all. That would just be awkward.
"Come on, Edwards, fess up." He said in a raspy voice, urging me to tell him.
"But, you'll think I'm lame." I claimed.
His hand moved towards mine and engulfed it in Eli warmth. I almost sighed but held it in. "Clare, I could never, would never and haven't ever thought you as lame."
We pulled up to the Dot and he asked again for me to tell him in a gentle voice. I reached for the door, about to make my getaway but Eli was faster. Before I could reach the door handle, he unbuckled and nudged closer to me so he could reach the door and hit the lock. His hand stayed at my waist and he breathed the question, inches from my face.
"What's on your mind, Blue Eyes?" he smirked.
I stuttered and almost leaned forward to close the distance but we're not even dating and the last time I confronted him about his feelings he denied them. Then I ended up finding out about his dead girlfriend. After that we have been trying to keep our heat under control but it's just so hard. He's just so steaming hot.
I had to spit it out. He moved closer, trying to squeeze the breath out of me. Closer and closer, oh god I'm gonna break!
"Okay! FINE! You're gorgeous, okay!" I broke. Emotions came flooding out of me and I turned away from his face, not being able to look at his expression. I hit my hand against the door lock trying to get it open, hitting it over and over until my hand hurt.
"Damn lock!" A hand moved over mine, warm and gentle, peeling mine off the lock and caressing them with warmth. I looked down at my lap, tears falling while a soothing voice spoke.
"Clare, calm down. I'm not mad." He said, sweetly. One hand moved up to my face to hold it and let me look up at him.
"But, you hate me!" I exclaimed, sobbing.
"Clare, I could never hate you. I love you too much." He held me.
"You don't love me. Stop lying, Eli." I cried violently, trying to rip free, but unsuccessful.
"Clare. You have no idea. How much I love you." He looked into my eyes, his brown hair just barely covering his green irises.
"Eli, shut up." I turned and hit the lock and it finally opened. I pushed his arms off and got out of the car, slamming the door. Trudging into the Dot, I sat at the counter. Not looking back to see if Eli followed me in, but then I heard the ding of the bell on the door. I didn't look but kept cautious. I struck up a boring conversation with Peter, my sister's ex, who worked at the Dot.
Something poked my left shoulder, I whipped around but nothing was there. Then, I felt those damn warm hands on mine again. I turned and Eli was there, I stood up and rushed towards the door. Eli stepped in front of the door, blocking my path. Then, he brought his hand up to strongly grip the back of my neck and leaned forward, pressing his lips to my cheek and then holding me tight.
"Clare, I really do love you. But you know we can't be together." He whispered.
"Why not, why can't we give it a shot?" I asked, burying my head into his shoulder.
"Because you'll end up hurt, and I won't be able to handle it." He said.
"Well, talk to me when you can handle it." I whispered, then let go and pushed past him, leaving the Dot and Eli behind.