Wreckage of Morty and the Heart

Chapter Two:

Swirling

~Clare's POV~

The morning seemed like any other Saturday morning with my mom. Sun rays were creeping through the shades on my window, the smell of coffee circulated through the air, songs of MichaelBublé were bouncing off the walls, and my mom was humming along.

Usually it was pretty happy because she'd often pour me a cup of coffee with French vanilla in it, make me a cinnamon roll, put on my favorite songs, and we'd just talk. Not about Dad or Eli. Just talking about life.

It's been a few months since the separation and she's doing rather well. She told me that the church and her friends have been helping her. I'm glad she has outlets that get her moving forward.

But this morning I didn't want to get up. I wanted to go to sleep and wake back up on yesterday morning. Before the dance. So I could meet Eli at the bench and tell him to just go without me, or to convince him that the dance would be fun. Anything other than what I really did. Unfortunately, it was Saturday morning. My first love is in the hospital, my heart is in pain, my knees are all scraped up, and my mom is downstairs waiting for me.

I got up reluctantly from my bed and headed to the bathroom. I ran a brush through my hair, brushed my teeth, cleaned off the remaining make up from last night, and I was about to wash my hands until I saw something on them.

The heart Eli drew on my hand in Sharpie in English Thursday.

My eyes were stinging from the tears starting to form but I quickly rubbed them with a wet towel. I scrubbed at the already faded heart until it was gone and the back of my hand was red.

I'm sorry.

I slowly walked downstairs and saw my mom doing exactly what she does every Saturday morning. She was in front of the toaster oven containing the cinnamon roll and swaying her hips along with the music.

I stirred her from her moment when I said, "Morning, Mom."

She quickly turned around and smiled, "Oh Clare you scared me. I'm glad you're up, your cinnamon roll is on its way."

I felt like I wanted to smile but I couldn't.

I hope she doesn't try talking to me about last night.

"Clare, sit down. I need to speak to you." She said to me with her back turned and getting the delicious treat out of the toaster oven.

Oh great.

I sat down and had my eyes follow the plate with the cinnamon roll as it slid across the counter to avoid eye contact with my mom.

"Clare, I do not exactly know what happened last night but I'm just letting you know I don't want to hear about it... yet."

What? Is she serious? She really isn't trying to butt in for once?

"A… Are you for… real?" I stumbled to even say.

She looked down at her cup of coffee and nodded.

"Yes, obviously whatever it is, the effect on your emotions is great. I don't want to pressure you into talking about them like we tried to do with Darcy throughout her dilemma." She said sadly obviously thinking about Darcy.

Wow, that actually makes sense.

I attempted my best smile and thanked her.

The rest of the breakfast was quiet and awkward. I then got up after taking one bite of my food and one sip of my drink.


I had already fixed up my look but I felt lazy today so I decided to dress without showering first.

I did last night right before the dance anyway. Less than 24 hours ago.

I got chills thinking back to before the dance. I quietly had gotten ready. In my mind I was imaging the perfect scenario. I would be dancing with Alli and Eli would come in. He'd take my hand and lead me to the hall. He'd tell me that he's sorry for the possessiveness and plans to go to therapy. He would place his lips on my hand that would still be in his and ask for a dance. We'd have a great, care-free time. Then he would drive me home and tell me that the trip is off and he will be cleaning his room for the next week while I have my space. He'd kiss me gently on the cheek and leave. And as soon as he would pull away I'd get a text from him saying, "I still love you, Clare Edwards. This will make us stronger and happier." I'd go to bed with a hopeful smile and in the morning he'd send me a text saying good morning and that he was only going to text me once in the morning and once at night. Then after the week was over and he already saw his therapist at least once, it would be like when we first started dating.

Too bad that wasn't what happened. Eli is too stubborn to let that happen. He had to make things difficult.

I put on some comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt with a t-shirt underneath. I figured I should get dressed in case my mom wanted to take me out, but also something comfortable in case she didn't. I sat down on my bed and opened my email. Other than spam there was nothing.

Eli must not have his computer with him in the hospital… and his phone was lost in the crash. He doesn't have anyway to reach me unless through his parents.

I logged on to my facerange. Alli sent me a message late last night asking how I was feeling. I replied, "Alli, I will call you sometime today or tomorrow." I looked at my notifications. They were almost all just photos from last night I was tagged in. Key word: almost.

There was one, from Adam who wrote on my wall this morning.

"Clare, something really bad happened. You need to come to the hospital asap."

Thoughts were swirling around my head. It was written around six this morning. Adam is never up this early on a weekend. And he hates hospitals, so he'd only go if there were a real emergency. Something must have happened to Eli. He was lucky to be alive. But he was torn up so badly, and I'm sure the emotional pain I put him through couldn't help. The look in those beautiful green eyes was just heartbreak.

Is there some kind of blood clot?

I hurried to my shoes and put them on.

Did his doctor say his injuries are going to take him long to heal?

I shut my computer and rushed out of my room.

Can he not walk anymore?

I started down the stair when the most horrific thought came to my mind. It was one that I wouldn't even try to imagine.

Did he kill himself?

Oh god.