Author's Note: Here's my update for today! I'm glad that you guys like it so far. I may or may not be able to get another chapter up today, cause I have to babysit tonight -_-. But anyway, I'll make this one longer just in case I can't update. It's kind of a filler but something interesting might happen, who knows. Thanks for reading guys! Xoxo.

Clare's POV

Was that seriously Jake Martin? Our parents were friends when we were young…but then he moved away. What was he doing here?

"Jake! Hey!" I stood up to give him a hug and Alli gaped at me. I felt her elbow nudge me as she cleared her throat. "Oh, sorry. Jake, this is my friend Alli, and Alli, this is Jake."

"How do you two know each other…?" questioned Alli.

Jake answered before I could. "Family friends when we were younger. I moved back last week! My mom was planning on getting together with yours once school started again."

I smiled. "Well, I'm sure you could come over with her tonight if you wanted." The problems that my parents have been having completely slipped my mind for the moment. But if Jake and his mom came over, they'd have to be on their best behavior. My dad probably wouldn't even be home anyway.

"Yeah, sure. I think that would be great, Clare. You've grown up so much since I last saw you…" said Jake.

"You have too! Really, you look so different." And by different, I meant completely adorable.

Riiiiiiiiiiing.

The bell rang so the three of us took our seats as class began. I couldn't help but to notice Jake staring at me the entire period. I decided to sneakily slip him a note about later today.

Jake,

After last period, come to my locker. Number 3481. It's close to this classroom.

We can walk to my house together?

-Clare.

I put the note on his desk, he read it, and smiled. I took that as he was coming over after school.

It wouldn't be too hard to get him to hang around me…and make Eli jealous.

And it didn't hurt that he was cute. My mom would like to see him too after all these years.

There was only one period left in the day, and it was English. With Eli. I zoned out the entire period because frankly, I would have only been able to think about Eli if I didn't. Luckily, the class went by fast and I raced to my locker to wait for Jake.

He showed up pretty quickly too. I realized I should give my mom some kind of heads up, though, to make sure that her and my dad weren't in the middle of a fight as we walked in.

Clare (3:00pm): I'll be home in ten and I'm bringing a friend, okay?

Mom (3:02pm): Okay honey, see you soon.

"Ready to go, Jake?"

"Sure. So…how have you been?"

"Alright I guess. And yourself?"

"I've been good. I'm glad to be back here though." The small talk between us continued for a few minutes until we began reminiscing about our childhood together.

"And remember when we went to the beach and you buried me?" he asked.

"Yeah! I left you to look for sea shells and then forgot about you! Sorry about that…" Both of us burst out laughing and didn't stop until we reached my door.

When we walked in, my mom was waiting for us. She saw him and her face lit up.

"Jake Martin? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

"Mrs. Edwards, we just moved back! My mom's probably going to call you soon for lunch. Clare said it would be okay if I came over today though."

My mom was giddy. She hasn't been this happy in ages. "Call your mom! Tell her to come over; you both can stay for dinner." Jake nodded and left the room to call his mom. My mother then looked at me.

"Clare, aren't you happy to see Jake after all of these years?"

"Yeah mom, really happy. I was so surprised when I saw him today at school." I answered.

"He's cute, honey. Maybe you two…?" I cut her off.

"MOM! Not when he's in the house! He can probably hear us!" I tried to yell whisper, but I really did want Jake to hear it. I had to remember my plan – make Eli jealous with Jake.

Jake returned to the room saying that his mom would be over in a half hour and that she was excited. The afternoon went by quickly as we all talked about everything we used to do together. Jake's mom and my mom were best friends – they tried to keep in touch after Jake's family moved, to no avail. It was difficult. But now that they were back, I could see things would go back to the way they were years ago.

As we were finishing dessert, Jake's mom said, "Thank you so much for having us over, but it's almost 8 and we still have unpacking to do. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" She smiled and we all got up from the table. I gave Jake an extra-friendly hug and they left.

My phone had been on silent since after school, so I finally checked it.

7 new texts.

Alli (3:10pm): Is he coming to your house?

Alli (3:22pm): Clare? Is he there right now?

Alli (4:13pm): CLARE IF YOU DON'T ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW I WILL ASSUME YOU'RE DEAD. You better be having a TON of fun with Jakey.

Alli (5:25pm): Is he still over?

Alli (6:47pm): Are you guys having sex or something? Answer me!

Alli (7:04pm): WHAT THE HELL CLARE! WHERE ARE YOU?

Eli (4:16pm): Who was that guy you walked out of school with?

Eli texted me?

Eli.

Texted.

Me.

Damn, Alli really knows what she's doing here. This was already working, and I had only walked with him out of school once. I had to answer him, but what to say?

It would be easier to respond do Alli first.

Clare (7:50pm): Sorry, my phone was on silent. Jake was over and his mom came too.

Alli (7:51pm): CLARE OH MY GOD how was it? He's HOT

Clare (7:53pm): Fun I guess, like old times. You'll never guess who texted me.

Alli (7:54pm): ELI? WHAT DID HE SAY?

Clare (7:54pm): FWD: Who was that guy you walked out of school with?

Alli (7:56pm): IT'S WORKING! (;

Clare (7:50pm): Yes! You are a genius. But I gtg, talk to you tomorrow more about it, k?

Alli (7:52pm): k! See you tomorrow xoxoxo

And now to take care of Eli…would it be better to just not respond at all? I don't want him to stop trying though…I better respond.

Clare (7:57pm): Um, my old friend Jake. Why…?

Eli (7:58pm): Oh. Where did you guys go?

Clare (8:00pm): What's it to you?

Eli (8:01pm): I don't know. Never mind.

I didn't need to respond to that, because I had him right where I wanted him for the time being.

Author's Note: I know it isn't even that long…but it felt like it went on forever to me xD sorry if it was a boring chapter. Something exciting will happen in the next one! And I'll try my best to get another chapter up in an hour or so but I don't know, we'll see. Thanks for reading! As always, reviews please? :D And I promise I'll start switching POVs in the next chapter so it isn't just Clare.