Chapter 2

Clare/Morty

"I am so happy that finally they are letting you go. You've been in the hospital for the whole month. Way too long if you ask me. Do you want to stay with me for a while?" Fiona asked. "Please Clare, I love your company. Just for few days. Don't make me beg you."

"What about Eli?" Clare asked back.

"Oh well, he will just have to deal with it. Anyway, handsome is busy with his summer job, and his precious computers. I swear, sometimes, I think that he'll marry one of the PC towers, or whatever they call those things. Don't laugh at me! I am deadly serious here. For his attention, I have to compete with a computer. Isn't that a bitch?"

"Okay" Clare said, laughing. "Just promise me no wild parties, and remind Eli to always lock the bathroom door, so I don't see him butt naked ever again."

"Your wish is my command. I have a surprise for you waiting," Fiona said mysteriously.

-"I am afraid to even ask, what it is" Clare replied and they both left the building laughing.

Declan was on the phone with his parents to let them know that he decided to stay with the sis for the whole summer when Fiona and Clare walked in together.

"Is that mom on the line? If it's her pass me the phone, I need to talk to her," Fiona said extending her hand.

Declan handed her the phone, and was staring at Clare since the moment she walked in. When Fiona left, there was an awkward silence.

"It's good to see you again," Clare spoke first.

"I am sorry," Declan said. "Sit down with me so we can have some privacy," he pointed at the couch.

"Fiona asked me to stay over for few days, so you must be the surprise that she was talking about."

"Fiona always has been a wild child. Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?" Declan asked.

"Just stay here. I am fine," Clare said who smiled faintly.

"I heard from Fiona that you already got accepted to Yale. Congratulations, I always knew you could pull it off."

"Yeah," Clare said with sad voice.

"You don't want to go there anymore? Is it because of me?" Declan asked.

"Declan please, don't be silly. I wanted to proof everyone around me that I can make it on my own. That I can get in to Yale without your help or money. I was so upset when I found out that people at school where gossiping, and calling me a gold digger behind my back. It sounded like I was using you, just to get what I wanted. That was never a reason for me to be with you. I started to date you because of you, someone who is charming, smart, and wicket. When you left, I had so many doubts in my mind like what if I don't get in, or have enough for tuition. When my mom told me that nothing came without the price, and you tried to buy me then you said to me in the car that we were going to the airport, I just lost it," Clare paused for a moment, and she looked at Declan with sad eyes then continued, "It was really hard for me to keep up with your pace. I did get in on my own, but in the process my parents got divorce, the house that I grew up got sold, and I lost my boyfriend. I really don't know anymore, but I am sure of one thing whether or not at the end we are together, or not I'll always love you. That is one thing that will not change."

"Clare, I have my own share of mistakes. I've never stopped, and listened to what you were trying to say. I never once tried to understand how you felt. That was selfish of me. I wanted you to be with me, but I never thought how hard you have to work to get there. I still want to be with you. Declan said, and shyly took her hand then he kissed her on the cheek.

"Well, it's a good start, you are listening now," Clare said, and kissed Declan back.

The next day Fiona was talking with Eli over the phone when she entered Declan's bedroom.

"Have you heard of knocking woman?" Declan asked.

Fiona never had a chance to answer because her jaw dropped on the floor. In Declan bed, there was one more person which was Clare.

"Oh, ha, ha" - she nervously chuckled. "I need to check on something in the kitchen, and she walked out."

"I have a feeling that us getting back together, it's not a secret any longer," Declan said to Clare, and hugged her.

Later on both of them went to the kitchen for breakfast. Fiona had her mouth stuffed with blueberry pancakes.

"Sorry, about earlier. I'll pretend it never happened. Morty got sick, so Eli is staying home. He asked me to help him out, but I don't want to go by myself.

"I'll go with you," Clare volunteered. Declan didn't look too excited, but he nodded his head for yes.

Eli was in the garage, working on a car.

"Handsome, I brought you help," Fiona said, walking into garage

"I remember calling only you for a favor," Eli replied, who raised his eyebrow.

-"Eli listen, the only thing that I know about cars is how to drive them. I figured that Declan can help you out while Clare and I will go to the shopping mall and spa. I haven't been to the spa with Clare for a whole month. It's too late to cancel the appointment."

Declan looked like his head is ready to explode from anger, but he kept it to himself. I will get you for that sis, he thought.

"Fine princess, if that is your desire. But you still own me a favor."

"No, I don't," Fiona argued. "You asked me for help, and I brought you one, my brother. You never said that you want me to work on your car. Anyway, I promise that I show Clare some good time. So, bye boys, have fun." She said, walking out with Clare.

"So," Eli said.

"Is this Morty?" Declan pointed at the car. "Hearse is your everyday car? Please don't tell me that there is a coffin inside as well. There is no way that I will touch the casket." Declan said, who looked already pale on his face.

"Don't worry, Declan. There is no corpse inside the back, at least not yet," Eli said, with a smirk on his face. "All I want you to do is hand me the tools, and I do the rest," Eli slit it underneath the car, "Pass me 8mm socket."

Declan looked around the garage, and saw first better thing and handed to Eli. Eli slit out, and looked at Declan like what the hell.

"This shiny object that I am holding in my hand is called a nut. Don't confuse those with the nuts in your pants. Declan were you cutting classes when they had TOOLS 101?" Eli asked. "Oh well, since your sister ditched me, I'll try to be nice to you for a change. Let me show you what I am talking about."

After few hours of hard work, Morty was ready to roll from the garage.

"Eli you're not as bad as I thought. You just need to work little bit more on your first impression. Can I ask you for something in exchange for my hard work? The girls are not here yet, and I have an appointment at two pm. Can you give me a ride?"

"Yeah, why not. Just let me take a shower, and change my clothes even though you worked so hard and I was just goofing around," Eli joked.