(Eli)
"Claire," I sigh, glancing around me. The police officer that sits behind me clenches his fists. "They're going to keep me over night, but with the lack of proof, I can go home tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"I'm not mad. I just don't know what to think." Claire sighs, standing up.
I'm almost surprised when I yelp, "Don't go," almost impulsively.
"Eli…"
"I-I. ." I fold. "I need you."
"Time you admitted it," she smirks, and I almost smile. I love her sarcasm.
"I hate it here," I tell her in a low voice, "They all think I'm some sort of killer." Claire leans back in her chair, smacks her lips gently.
"And you say you aren't?" "I swear on it."
"Then I believe you." She shakes her head, "It's the only choice I've got."
"I'm scared," I say softly, leaning toward her. I feel like a caged monkey, stuck behind this glass. "The people here, they've done bad stuff. I shouldn't be here."
"I thought you'd work it out," Claire quotes. I shake my head gently, pressing my fingers against the cold glass.
"We'll work it out," I promise. She allows her fingers to meet mine, and smiles gently.
"Then there's nothing to be afraid of."
-
Claire sits alone in her room now, Eli's jacket covering her torso. She leans on the windowsill, her forehead against the window. In her head, she is sitting at Eli's trial. The judge asks her if Eli ever mentioned Julie to her. She honestly doesn't know what she would say.
Would she tell the truth? That Eli did confess to killing Julie, but he didn't mean it? This would mean admitting he had lied, and making it seem like he had something to hide, but she wouldn't know what to say other than the truth. She takes a deep breath and tries to forget her worries. She'll ask Eli in the morning.
(Eli)
"Hold still," Claire is murmuring. I nod through the ringing in my ears. She rubs my shoulder gently. "You're doing fine." As she runs her fingers down my back, I wince, arching my shoulder blades tightly. "Eli, what did they do to you?" "I panicked," I say softly, "my dad wasn't exactly on time picking me up, but my time in the police station was up, so they.." I shudder, "they started taking me to jail." I was terrified. I had done nothing wrong, and I'd stayed in jail before; it wasn't pretty. "I was resisting one of the cops and I guess I hit his face by accident…" I touch the bruise that covers the small of my back, wincing, "He had me pinned in all of five seconds." Claire sighs, kissing my temple.
"You have to be careful, Eli. You're not helping your case."
"I know, I know."
"I know you love stirring up trouble." Claire smiles slightly, "but for me, kay?"
"Kay." I roll my eyes at her, turning around to face her, "I'll be fine."
"Whatever you say." Claire presses the ice pack in her head against my cheek, wincing.
"You look bad," she sighs, "You're already bruising everywhere."
"I'm fine," I insist, leaning my head into her arm, "Just tired."
