Properly Thank You
INT. Eli's Locker
(This takes place the day after ELI and ADAM'S fight with Fitz and CLARE'S stink bomb incident. ELI is getting his books from his locker.)
CLARE: So what happened yesterday with Fitz, other than you helping Adam fight instead of talking him out of it like you told me you would?
ELI: Clare, you don't understand guys. Adam wouldn't back down. His mind was made up. When your bud is in trouble, you help him out.
(ELI shuts his locker)
ELI: (accusingly) I'm sure you understand exactly what I'm talking about.
(CLARE gives ELI an offended look)
CLARE: And what is that supposed to mean?
(ELI smirks at CLARE as ADAM walks by them)
ADAM: (at ELI) Dude, yesterday was epic! I will never forget the look on Fitz's face as I kneed him to the ground.
ELI: Same here, man! Now Fitz knows what it's like to have damaged "nards".
(ELI and ADAM bumped fists)
CLARE: I wouldn't be so high and mighty about this. Don't think for a second that Fitz is gonna let this go. He'll be back for you guys.
ELI: Hey, Adam has more than proved that he's able to handle Fitz. (in a smug tone) And as for me, well…
(CLARE rolls her eyes. ELI, CLARE, and ADAM start walking to class)
ADAM: The only thing I'm lost about is who the genius is who set off that stink bomb that stopped the fight?
(CLARE looks nervous)
ELI: Well Adam, let's think. What genius do we know who has the scientific brains to create a stink bomb and who else knew about the fight along with knowing where and when it would be?
(ELI stopped walking, turned around, and faced CLARE. CLARE stopped walking and gave a nervous smile. ADAM stops)
ADAM: Hold the phone.
(ADAM turns around and faces CLARE)
ADAM: (shocked) Clare? You…
(CLARE gives a satisfied look and taps ELI's and ADAM'S shoulders)
CLARE: You're welcome.
(CLARE lightly pushes through ELI and ADAM with her hands and continues walking straight ahead of them. ELI and ADAM watch CLARE as she goes)
ELI: You go on. I'll catch up with you.
ADAM: (still in shock) Yeah. Go, go, go…
(ELI exits as he follows CLARE while ADAM walks back to class)
(ELI jogs to catch up to CLARE)
ELI: Hey, Clare! Wait up!
(CLARE smiles as she hears the sound of ELI'S voice. CLARE turns around, facing ELI)
ELI: So you admitted it. You're the criminal mastermind.
(CLARE looks around and then pulls ELI into the empty library)
INT. THE LIBRARY
CLARE: You haven't told anyone else, have you?
ELI: (smirks) Well, I was just on my way to Simpson's office to… (in a mock tone) "express concern over your mental stability."
CLARE: (folding arms) Ha. Ha. Very funny, Eli.
ELI: Your secret is safe with me and Adam.
(CLARE notices ELI'S partially healed bruised lip and touches it with her thumb on his lip and her index finger under his chin.)
CLARE: Don't you find it boring how Fitz always hits you in the same spot?
ELI: (smiles) It has its advantages.
(CLARE blushes)
ELI: (smirks) So, obviously I'm rubbing off on you.
CLARE: (laughs) Excuse me, but you didn't know me last year. I had many bad-ass moments then.
ELI: And I'd love to hear them. But right now, I think it's more important for me to give you the proper thank you that you deserve.
CLARE: (curiously) Really? And what would that be?
ELI: (pretending to think) Well…I don't know…
(ELI leans in quickly and kisses CLARE. CLARE gasps in surprise and kisses him back. ELI slowly pulls away. CLARE looks down in shock from the kiss.)
ELI: I have a French exam.
CLARE: (looking down) I think you just passed it.
(ELI smirks at her and walks out of the library with a satisfied look on his face. CLARE smiles as she watches ELI leave, lightly touching her lips.)
The End