Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nope. I got the title from the song, "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. Another 80s mood.
A/N: I've been working on this for a while and updates will be really slow because school is hectic. Plus, this story is really hard for me to develop. Please be patient.
I got the idea from Zoey (tumblr: degrassiheavenxoxo).
Clare sat nervously by Eli's bedside in the hospital. Her hair was a mess and her make-up was smeared but that was the last of her concerns. She looked back at Eli – he looked so peaceful. She knew that feeling wouldn't last long the moment he'd wake up. Clare pushed some of his hair away, trying to get a better look at his face. He had a few scratches, but nothing serious. The only major injury he had was a broken right arm. The doctors said he was going to be sore for a few days and suggested he use a wheelchair. She sent God a small prayer and thanked Him for letting Eli survive.
She sighed and tried to push back her tears. An immense set of guilt weighed her down as memories of today flashed in her mind.
"How could you do this to me, Clare?" Eli asked.
Clare chewed on her lip, "You need to figure things out."
"You made a promise," he reminded her, "That you'd never leave me."
"And I won't," she said quickly, "I'll still be here. I just think it's best… if we were friends."
There was a small pause on the other end of the line.
"So I guess this is it?" Eli's voice started to rise, "The months we spent together were just a waste?"
Clare hesitated with an answer.
"What happened to me being your rock?" he yelled, "What happened to being stuck with each other?"
"Eli please," she whimpered, "I'm trying to help you…"
"Help me?" he scoffed, "It sounds like you're abandoning me."
She shook her head even though he couldn't see it, "I care about you and I always will. But maybe it's best if we're apart. Figure things out on our own."
Eli let out a twisted laugh, "You're going against everything you said about us! I can't believe this! When you were having troubles with your parents, I was there for you. When I started going to therapy, you were there for me. I want to get better, Clare. I put my heart and soul into this relationship but it feels like you aren't doing the same."
"How could you even say that?" Clare raised her voice, "I put in just as much effort as you! I have never felt like this about anyone and if I didn't care so much, I wouldn't have put in any effort at all! You mean so much to me, Eli, and you don't even know! I love you!"
Another silence filled the line.
"Don't say that," his voice deepened, "Don't say it if you don't mean it."
"I do mean it," she said. She really did.
"You love me but you're breaking up with me," Eli seethed, "It doesn't really work that way."
"When you love someone, sometimes you have to let them go," Clare whispered.
"You're doing a pretty fucking fantastic job!" he said, "You ripped my heart out!"
Tears were making their way to her cheeks, "I'm sorry… Maybe it's best that we are just friends. Maybe this was just too much for us. Maybe…"
"How can you throw us away?" Eli continued to scream, "After everything we have been through!"
"We're not meant to be together!" Clare yelled.
"We are."
The line went dead shortly after.
"Eli," she started to panic, "Eli! Answer me!"
Clare raced back into the auditorium to find Alli. She couldn't form any coherent sentences but Alli was able to figure out what was going on. The two of them looked for Sav who willingly drove them to search for Eli. Sav drove around the area while Clare looked through the window. Alli tried to get a hold of Adam, who was at home.
Everything seemed to slow down when they saw police cars and an ambulance at a street corner. They immediately recognized Morty and saw the damage that was done to the front. Two EMT's carried a stretcher into the ambulance. Clare briefly saw Eli before tears clouded her vision. Alli got out of the passenger seat and wrapped her best friend in a hug.
Eli slightly moved bringing Clare back to the present. She looked up at him to see if he had woken up but his eyes were still closed and his breathing was steady. With some hesitation, she took a hold of his hand and squeezed it.
"We're not meant to be together!"
She never meant that. She wanted Eli to figure things out on his own. The two of them were practically inseparable and while it was a great feeling, it was also overwhelming. They were so caught up with each other that they had lost themselves as individuals.
They had their own problems to deal with and they tried to be strong for each other, but it was proving to be harder to do each day. Clare's parents continued to fight and she anticipated the day that their divorce was finalized. Eli's hoarding was slowly improving and the therapy was helping, but the anniversary of Julia's death had been a setback.
His behavior changed – he had gotten more protective, clingy. He tried to push everything aside and only focus on Clare. She knew it wasn't good for him but he wouldn't listen. Even Adam wasn't sure what to do. They had spoken to Eli's parents who tried to help him the best they could. They thought they were making progress, but it was just a lie as Eli faked his way with a smile.
"Clare?"
She turned around to see CeCe and Bullfrog at the doorway. The older woman immediately wrapped her in a hug. Clare held CeCe tightly, no longer fighting the tears.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I pushed him over the edge… I did this… I'm sorry…"
"Shh, baby girl, shh," CeCe cooed, "You did no such thing."
"I told him… I told him we weren't meant to be together," Clare choked, "But I didn't mean it! I don't know why I said that! I didn't mean it!"
"I know," his mother reassured her, "I know…"
Bullfrog quietly made his way to Eli and took a seat. He let out a sigh, his son resembled him too much – his taste in music, his temper, his attitude. He should have seen the signs sooner.
"How long have you been here?" he asked Clare, "Do you need to get home?"
She shook her head, "I told my parents where I was and I told them that I was staying here all night, if you let me."
"Of course," CeCe answered and Bullfrog nodded.
The three sat silently as they watched over the boy they all shared a common love for.
A/N: So… how was it? I really don't have much more to say. Please review and let me know! =)
