"Are you sure you don't want a bite?" I jokingly asked, holding my turkey sandwich out towards my boyfriend. Eli pretended to consider it for a second before shrugging his shoulders and leaning towards me to nibble on my neck. "I meant a bite of my sandwich!" I squealed while turning my head in an attempt to conceal the blush that had formed. I heard Eli chuckle as he slid across the bench we were sharing and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I sighed and leaned in to his chest. I smiled when the cool autumn breeze made the tree branches sway, scattering more leaves across the lawn then there already were. This was how we had been spending our lunch break everyday for the past two weeks. Eli glanced at his black leather watch with silver skulls lining the length of the band, that I had given him for our 3 month anniversary. "Fuck I'm gonna be late for my French exam! If I fail this I'm dead!" He exclaimed as he picked up his bag and ran inside the building. I couldn't help but smile. He hardly ever swore in front of me. When it came to manners Eli was more than a gentleman.
After enjoying the weather for a few minutes longer I stood up and gathered my belongings. I buttoned up my sweater that so it covered up the red satin shirt Alli insisted I bought. According to her it showed off "the perfect amount of cleavage." But when it came to things like that Alli and I didn't see eye to eye. After I looked around to make sure I had everything, I headed into the building. I made it to class with just seconds to spare and took my spot next to KC, my ex boyfriend who I was assigned to do a project with. Although we were both over our broke up it was still tense. I was upset at him for what he did to Jenna. Despite what happened in the past, we were still friends and I knew how much he hurt her. "Hey Clare" he said not looking up from the notebook he was doodling on. I didn't bother giving him a greeting. I told him what I had come up with for the diagram we needed and insisted we got to work. My next 3 classes went by fast and before I knew it the day was over.
I sat on the hood of Eli's car and played with a loose string hanging from the hem of my skirt. He should have been there 10 minutes ago and I was starting to get worried. I knew he was plenty capable of taking care of himself, but I also knew how easily he seemed to get himself into trouble. I really didn't want another Fitz incident like we had last year. Another 3 minutes passed and there was still no sign of Eli. I dug my phone out of my purse and dialed his number which I knew by heart. When he didn't answer I tried again. Another 3 minutes passed and I decided I needed to go look for him. I slid off of his car and made my way through the parking lot.
"Eli what's wrong?" I asked sitting down next to him. I had found him sitting on the concrete stairs leading up to the school, with his head in his hands. When he didn't answer I put my hand on his shoulder and gently shook him. "My dad." He said in a barely audible voice after I had repeated my question. I didn't know much about his dad. Just that he had left when Eli was 14.