Clare's POV
"Ugh." I huffed as I sat down at a bar. I buried my face in my hands, being consumed in shame. How did I let this happen to me? Here I was, sitting at a random bar in Vegas, I don't even know why I'm here! I mean I brought clothes, thinking I could just travel the States, but...
" What can I get you Miss?" I bartender asked me, interrupting my thoughts.
" Just surprise me." I said pulling my face from my hands, looking up at him. The first thing I noticed were his piercing green eyes. He smirked and turned around to get my drink.
" Here you are…" he said handing me my drink.
" Thanks." I said taking a sip.
" This is really good, what is it?" I asked after I had drank half of the glass.
" Margarita in Paradise, it the house special." He responded, wiping down the clear counter top.
I looked around. I was the only one here. Wow.
" Um, do I need to leave? Are you guys closing?" My voice was laced with concern.
" Nah, your fine, you still have about ten minutes. So if I may ask, what brings you here?" His eyes pierced through mine.
" I made some mistakes a while ago that blew up in my face recently." I said.
" That sounds familiar to me. By, the way, my name is Eli." He extended his hand.
" Clare." I shook his hand. His huge had engulfed mine.
" Well Clare," Eli said as he gathered some things from behind the counter, " it is closing time." He said as he took my empty glass and placed it in the sink. I stood up and grabbed my purse off of the side of the chair. Eli was holding the door open for me. I thanked him and walked outside into the warm night air. I started to walk down the street, not knowing where I was going. I made it only a couple steps down the street when I heard Eli call out.
" You know its not very safe to walk these streets at night." I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face him. I smiled.
" Come on, get in." He stood holding the passenger door open. I figured why not, he seemed like a nice guy. I usually wouldn't do this, but now I was feeling bold.
I walked over to the car and slid into the seat. He closed the door and jogged over and jumped into his seat. He had a nice car, I had to admit.
" So Clare, where are you staying?" He asked a few minutes after silence.
" Um… i don't know." I scratched my head, realized I was screwed.
He chuckled. He looked at me like I was crazy.
" So you came to Vegas, not knowing where you were going and not knowing where you were going to stay? Do you have someone that you know around here that you could stay with?"
I shook my head.
" Well I know that we barely know each other but would you like to come and stay with me till you figure things out? Eli was being really sweet.
" Sure but I have just one question; you aren't going to drug me or hurt me are you?" I smiled.
" No, I wouldn't do that to a pretty woman." He said as we rounded a corner in the nearly empty streets.
I felt a deep blush creep onto my cheeks.
" Tell me about yourself." I said sternly.
" Well my name is Eli Goldsworthy, I live here in Vegas, I am a bartender, I am 23 years old, and um I think those are just the basics. Now its your turn." He turned to look at me.
" My name is Clare Edwards, um I am from Canada, I have no clue what I am doing here, and I'm 22. I think I covered everything." I said just as we pulled into a parking lot of an apartment complex.
"Here we are." He opened a wooden door with the numbers 482 on the top. I walked into the dark room and heard the door shut. A flick of a switch and lights lit up all over the apartment. It was a big apartment! There was even a decent sized balcony.
" Hey, do you need anything to drink? Eat? Anything?" Eli asked me.
" Nope, thank you. Do you have a blanket for me so I can sleep on the couch?" I set my small duffel bag down on the floor along with my purse.
" I have another room that my friend used to stay in if you would like that better than the couch?" He rubbed the back of his neck.
" I guess the room is fine." I picked up my things and he showed me to a decent sized room with a queen bed in the middle with a bed side table, a dresser, and a small t.v.
" Well here you are."
" Eli, thank you for letting me stay here." I gave him a hug. It didn't mean anything; just a friendly hug. I felt his arms wrap around me. He felt safe.
" Its no problem." We pulled apart and he smiled at me. He headed towards the door and turned around.
" Good night Clare." I saw him smile at me for one last time before the door closed. I ran towards the door.
" Oh Eli? Where is the bathroom?" I giggled.
" Down the hall and to the right." He smiled. I smiled back as a thank you and watched him disappear from my sight. I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I changed into a pair of flannel shorts and a tank top. I wrapped the warm bed spread around me and drifted into a deep sleep.
So there you guys go! Tell me if you want me to continue this, I wasn't to sure about this chapter! Don't forget to review!
