Hey everybody :) So this is my first story, and I would love to know what you think about it. I've been thinking about the idea of this for a while now, and am just now starting to actually do something about it. I'm not sure how long it's going to be, but I'd love it if you gave it a chance. It takes place after Clare and Eli skip class together to work on their English essays. Enjoy!

The title of this chapter is named after the song Hummingbird - NeverShoutNever! I just think the beginning of the song could possibly go with the Eli/Clare relationship at first.

Clare's POV:

I'm starting to get really worried about hearing my parents fighting all the time lately. I'm sitting here at my laptop, trying to finish my English paper that was due today, but having no such luck. Too much noise for me to think. Maybe I should just give up for now and go out for a walk so I can think. Or maybe I shouldn't have skipped English today with Eli.. I look at the clock and it says it's 5:25. I sigh out of frustration and put my head in my hands.

A few seconds later I lift my head back up so I can save the progress on my paper, and I notice a FaceRangeIM chat icon pop up on my screen.

"eli-gold49: more public embarrassment tonight?"

A smile slowly spreads across my face. I respond, "Is that an invitation?"

Seconds later he replies, "do you want it to be?"

I have the biggest smile on my face and I'm about to respond and say that I would love to hang out, when I hear someone walking down the stairs.

"No, I don't understand why you have to go back to work tonight." I hear my mom say.

I don't turn around right away, because I'd really rather just stay out of their arguments..

"Because the world doesn't revolve around you and your fundraisers, Helen. I mean someone's got to do some fundraising for this family." My dad replies.

I can tell that they're trying to be quiet so I won't hear. That, or neither one of them is aware that I'm sitting right in the next room.

"We made these plans weeks ago."

"You made the plans Helen. Goodnight."

And with that my father left. I finally turned around to see my mother standing by the front door.

"Everything okay?" I decided to ask her.

"Oh Clare.." She sounded surprised. I'm going to guess that she didn't know I was sitting in the next room. "Any chance you want to sub in tonight?"

I turn to look back at the chat on my laptop screen. Eli's waiting for me to respond.. But so is my mother. I decide to respond to her first. "Tonight?" I hesitantly ask.

"Never mind. Never mind, I'll be fine." My mother replies. She doesn't say it angrily, but I can tell she wishes that I would go with her.

I take a minute to think it over. I have two options here. The first one is to tell Eli I can't hang out, and to go to my mother's fundraiser with her. Or my other option is to tell my mom I have unfinished school assignments, and go hang out with Eli. Normally, I would just tell my mom that I'd love to go with her.. But a part of me wants to find out some more about Eli Goldsworthy.

"Sorry mom, I'd love to, but I have a lot of school work I still need to finish tonight. You can tell me all about it afterwards though. I'd love to hear how it goes." I say, hoping it all came out right. I wanted it to sound like I was sorry I was going to miss it, which I was. But I also wanted it to sound believable.

"That's alright dear, I know how important it is to stay caught up on your work. And of course I'll tell you all about it later." She looked at me and smiled weakly. "There's always next time, right?"

"Right." I smiled. And then she walked back up the stairs.

I turn back to face my laptop. "I think I'll have to take you up on your offer. What did you have in mind?" I finally respond to him.

About a minute later Eli responds. "Well I donno.. I could come pick you up in a half hour?"

I feel myself start to smile again. "Sounds good to me. I'll see you then." And then I log off.

My mom should be leaving for her fundraiser soon, so until then I try to think some more for my English paper. Now that it's actually quiet for once, and I'm looking forward to hanging out with Eli, I'm able to concentrate considerably better. I'm practically finished with my paper, when my mother comes down the stairs.

"Well I'm off. I'll probably be home late. And your father.. I'm not sure when he'll be back." She looks saddened as she says that last part. "Good luck with your school work."

"Have fun!" I say as she walks out the door.

The minute she's down the sidewalk and to her car, I dash up the stairs to my bedroom. I take a look at the clock and notice it's now 5:45. Eli will be here in about 15 minutes. I head into my bathroom to brush my teeth, fix my hair, and touch up my makeup.

I hear the doorbell ring right as I finish up. There's a huge grin plastered on my face.. But I'm not totally sure why. I mean, I barely know Eli. And it's not like I like him.. Right?

I pull myself together and wipe off that ridiculous grin as I answer the door to reveal Eli standing on the other side.

"Hey Clare. Ready to go?" Eli asks me with the same ridiculous smirk on his face, that I had on mine seconds before.

"Yeah." I smile in return. "Do you mind if we take a walk though? I could really use some fresh air."

"Sure. Although that doesn't rank very high up on the "public embarrassment" scale." He chuckles.

"Oh whatever." I say as I walk out my front door, closing it behind me. "I already lied to my mom just so I could hang out tonight."

Eli raises his eyebrows at me, which means he wants me to explain.

"Well.. My mom and dad kind of had a fight. He was supposed to go with her to this fundraiser, but he ended up having to go into work. My mom wanted me to go with her instead, but I kind of told her I had a lot of assignments I still needed to get done tonight. Which isn't a complete lie. More like.. Exaggerated truth?" I shrug my shoulders. "I just didn't mention that I'd be going out tonight instead of doing all this supposed school work that I have." I look down at my feet realizing what a petty lie it really was.

Eli looks at me and smiles. "Well well, screaming in public and lying to your parents all in one day? What kind of influence am I on you?"

I look up and meet his green eyes. I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, let's go for a walk." He says.

"Really? It's not too calm for you to handle?" I sarcastically reply.

"Hey lady, I can handle anything you bring my way." He says as his smile widens.

"Alright then. Let's go."

So what did you think? I'd love to read reviews. :) I'll continue this and post hopefully in a couple days.