CHAPTER 2

When I woke up I felt pure bliss. I didn't have a care in the world. I wondered how much different my relationship will be with Eli. I hope it wouldn't change too much because I love the way our relationship is now.

I got up and slowly got ready. I really couldn't stop smiling and I felt like an idiot, but I liked it. It was a better feeling than I ever got with KC. I can't believe I ever liked him.

I decided to day was such a nice day I would walk to school.

"Yo, Clare!" I looked over to see Adam looking out of him car window. "You want a ride?"

"No, thanks though," I said and smiled at him. I watched his van drive off until I couldn't see it anymore.

I got to school and still felt amazing. That was until I saw Alli rushing over to me. I really don't need her Drew drama right now.

"Clare! Oh my God, I have to tell you something," she shouted as she ran in her high heels.

My smile still didn't falter. "What?" I asked and sounded more cheerful than I usually would.

"Did you hear about your friend Adam?" She said excitingly.

"Yes, I did. What's your point?" I asked.

"I thought you'd be more excited about it than this," she replied with a sad face. What am I supposed to be excited about? Sure, it was a little bit of a shock, but it's who he is.

"Yeah, I gotta go Alli," I said and hurried off before she could start talking again. I saw Eli walking down the hall and I joined him.

"Did you know that everyone knows about Adam?" I asked him. I really was concerned for him.

"I've been hearing people talking about it all morning. I hope Adam's okay, though," he said as he walked. His arm kept brushing up against mine, but I didn't mind. It felt nice to be so close to him.

Just then we heard the bell ring.

Eli looked at me, "May I escort you to English class?"

"Yes, you may," I said back and smiled mockingly at our formality.

We took our usual seats. Everyone seemed to be looking at us.

"Hey, Clare," some girl I didn't really know whispered to me, "Is Adam really a girl?"

I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore everyone around me. Why can't they just let it go? I swear they'd think gossip in this school is like the last beer at some stupid party. They have to hang on to it for their dear life.

"Alright class," said Miss. Dawes while clapping her hands together. "Get back to work with your writing. They will be due tomorrow, no exceptions!"

Eli turned around. "Did you already write your essay?"

"No." I am stressing out now.

"Oh," he said a little disappointed, "I finished mine so you could edit it tonight if you wanted."

He handed me his paper. It was pretty lengthy. I was excited to see what sarcastic things he had to say about me.

"Hey, Eli," I said. He looked at me ensuring that he was listening. "You don't think Adam will… change just for other people, do you?"

"I don't know, Clare," he said and I think he could tell I was really worried about him. "I wouldn't worry about it."

"Right," I said, but wasn't totally convinced. Before I could think too much about it I decided to start my writing.

Elijah Goldsworthy is a guy who…

This was going to be tough. I couldn't find the right words to describe him. He's a guy who stands up for himself. He's a guy who can make me feel happy. He's a guy that can give me good advice. The list goes on and on, but I don't think that's what Ms. Dawes wanted. I guess I'll read his for some inspiration tonight.

I put my pencil down. "You're done already?"

"No, I'm just going to do it tonight," I replied. With that he turned his body back around so he was facing me.

"And why is that? You still have a while," he said.

"I don't know what to write," I admitted shyly.

"Just write what you feel, it's not hard," he said, "For example, in mine it says, 'Clare Edwards does not make it very hard to get under her skin'"

I stared at him, "Is that supposed to be an insult?"

He shrugged, "However you interpret it." That's reassuring.

"Fine. So what, am I supposed to write that you are annoying to no end?" I shot at him

"Whatever you would like," he replied as if it didn't bother him. He looked down at my paper and cringed, "Why did you write Elijah?"

I looked down at it, "Because that would be your name,"

"You can just put Eli," he said implying that he didn't like Elijah.

"Can I?" I asked, "So thoughtful of you." I didn't change it, I just kept writing.