A/N: OK, my chapters usually aren't this long, but I've written a lot of this in my English class, so it's been expanded. This is probably going to end up ending in roughly… 2 to 3 more chapters? I have a feeling this is going to be finished quickly, but the deadline for this English assignment is in about a week so I'll have to hurry it up if I want a good grade. P.S. Do you think my teacher will like it? D:

"Mr. Goldsworthy?"

Eli looked up, confused, and idiotically said, "Huh?" Mrs. Dawes stared down at him, her eyes examining him closely from behind her glasses. "Are you alright?" She questioned. "Yeah. I was just… thinking about last night's English assignment." He lied, ignoring the unconvinced smirk on her face.

When class ends, Eli feels Clare's eyes boring a hole into his head. "Staring is impolite," He grumbled, right as Clare was about to poke his arm. She scoffed and put her hands on her hips. "You're one to talk! I've caught you staring at me a billion times!" He grinned sheepishly and looked down at the buckles on his tennis shoes.

"Hey," Clare frowned, touching his arm. "What's going on?" Eli's smile fades, and he sighs, burying his face in his hands. "You and Adam have to meet me afterschool. I have… news." Clare nodded slowly, releasing his arm.

He breathes slowly as he watches her walk down the hall and turn the corner, vanishing from sight. After school, Adam and Clare walk over to Eli, who's sitting anxiously on the front steps. "So?" Adam speaks first, his eyebrows shooting up curiously.

Clare remains silent, her eyes staring straight into Eli's. He had been dreading this moment all day, constantly looking at the clock in hopes that the day would go slower. But no, the remainder of the day flew past, and now he was stuck in the middle of the most awkward conversation you could ever endure.

"Hi guys." He gulped. "Hey." The two replied flatly. Two more minutes of utter silence. And then Clare spoke up. "What's killing you?" Eli shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and stared down at the pavement.

"Eli," Adam laughed, putting a hand on his shoulder, "speak." "I'm moving," He grumbled, peeking out at them from behind his bangs. Adam's goofy grin had faded. Clare's eyes no longer sparkled. "You're lying?" She mumbled, though it came out as more of a question.

"Why would I like about that?" Eli scoffed, narrowing his eyes at her. Adam watched the scene in anger. Leaving? No way was he gonna let Eli leave them. There had to be some way to get him to stay. Couldn't he live with one of his cousins? He had about five of them scattered around Toronto.

No, his Mom would never let him live with them. Adam sighed and returned his thoughts on his two bickering best friends. "Where are you going?" Clare finally asked, exasperated. Eli frowned and glanced at Adam.

"L.A." "California?" Clare groaned, her eyes as wide as plates. "The Golden State," He confirmed with a nod. "This bites," Adam muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, no duh," Eli rolled his eyes, getting up.

"Save the sarcasm, Elijah. Adam and I have to figure out how we're gonna survive without you." Clare grumbled. "You won't," Eli smirked, earning a shove from the tiny brunette. "On second thought, I think we can manage." She laughed weakly, nudging Adam.

There's a faint knock on the door, and Eli looked up. Mr. Goldsworthy stood in the doorway, a slight frown on his face. "Hello son," Eli acknowledged his presence with a nod. "So," He glanced down at the paper in his son's hands.

"Homework?" He asked. Eli shook his head and reached for a red pen. "English assignment. I have to edit Clare's paper." He replied, his eyes darting back and forth as he read the paper.

Mr. Goldsworthy raised an eyebrow at the mention of Clare. "You're English partner?" Eli raised his eyes to his father's and scoffed inwardly. Had he not been listening when he said Clare was his official girlfriend?

"Yes, dad. My partner." He rolled his eyes as his father nodded understandingly. "Does she know?" Mr. Goldsworthy questioned, gesturing to the empty cardboard boxes that sat by Eli's computer desk. Eli sighed, "She knows."

With a frown, Mr. Goldsworthy placed his hand on Eli's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Elijah." "It's Eli." He growled through gritted teeth. "Eli. Right, sorry." Eli shook his head, annoyed. "Dad. I know this probably won't matter, but I don't want to move."

"Son-" "No! I packed up my life in Whitehorse because you got a promotion. Now, sixth months later you expect me to do it all over again! No!" Eli jumped up, angrily, and exited the room, slamming the door shut behind him. Mr. Goldsworthy sighed. What was he going to do now?