The next day was a Saturday, and it was a gorgeous day outside. Clare and Eli had planned to spend the day together, but he told her he had a huge project to do, so their plans were delayed until the evening. He told her that he'd be getting her at 7, promptly, and that she should wear something nice. She spent her day doing homework, and wondering what on earth Eli's plans were for her.
6 o' clock rolled around, and Clare began to get ready for the evening. She found a floral skirt, with a pretty ruffled blue blouse, and wore a pair of flats. Her hair was curled, and her make-up was light. By the time she'd finished putting on lipgloss, her doorbell rang. She ran down the stairs, and opened the door to find Eli, smirking, his hands deep in his pockets. She smiled at him, and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.
"I'll be right back, I just need to grab a coat." With that, she turned and ran to the closet, grabbing a simple fleece, and she ran back to him. She slid out the door, closing it behind her, before proceeding down the stairs. She felt a tug on her arm, and she turned back to Eli. "What, did I forget - "
Her thoughts and speech were stopped by his lips, pressed to hers in a heated kiss. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him, and she slowly brought her arms up to wind around his neck. He broke their kiss, smirking, before leading her to Morty. He opened her door for her, and ran around to the other side of the car, hopping inside. She chuckled, and once he got in, she turned to him with a questioning gaze.
"Where are we going? And why are we all dressed up?"
He chuckled, and grabbed her hand, running his thumb over it.
"Well, there's this new hotel that's open for business. It has a really cool restaurant and everything. I hear it's four stars."
She gasped, her mouth wide with shock, and he couldn't help chuckling again. He released her hand only to start the car and turn around, and then it was back in his, his calloused thumb running over her knuckles. They drove in silence, the soft sound of some indie band running through the speakers of the hearse. When they pulled up to Eli's house, Clare noted the lack of other cars in the driveway. She looked at him with a querying gaze, and he shrugged.
"Oh well. My parents must be out. Come on, dinner's waiting."
He jumped out of the car, opening her door for her and helping her out of the car. He walked her to the door, and opened it, revealing a candle-lit living room. There was soft music playing, and he'd set dinner up on the coffee table, two pillows serving as their chairs. He escorted her to her seat, and sat down across from her. He smiled at her through the candlelight, and she couldn't help but smile back.
As they ate their meal, they talked. They talked about anything, and everything, laughing and enjoying the other's company. When they had finished, Eli took their plates into the kitchen to clean them. Clare walked in behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing his shoulder.
"So, Eli, might I ask what this is all about?"
He turned to her, after putting the dishes off to the side to dry, and wrapped his arms low on her waist. He smiled, kissing her softly, and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Well, there's this girl, ya see. And last night, she told me she was ready to be with me. Now, I'm really worried that she's doing this for all the wrong reasons. But she's telling me she isn't. So, tonight, I decided that I'd trust her judgement. And I'd make tonight special. For her."
He kissed her softly, again, and Clare wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers twined into his hair, and his breathing quickened. One of his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her closer, and the other came up to cup the side of her face gently. Before she could deepen the kiss, however, he pulled back. He took her hands, and kissed both of them. "Now, Blue Eyes. I need you to do me a favor, okay? Just stay right here, and don't move. Oh, and let me do something."
She nodded, and he whipped out a black cloth. He darted behind her, tying his makeshift blindfold over her eyes, before pressing a quick kiss to her neck and running off.
Clare stood there, her nerves abuzz with dozens of emotions. She held onto the kitchen counter, and tried to count her heartbeats. However, her heart was racing, and she couldn't keep time with it. She tried to distract herself with thoughts of what Eli could be doing, but she hadn't the slightest idea.
Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, the throbbing noise keeping her occupied. And then, she felt a warm body pressed up against her back. Eli. She sighed with relief, sagging against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and turned her around to face him, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. He opened his mouth to speak, and drew in a shaky breath. Only then, did she realize that his hands were quivering on her hips.
"Now, Blue Eyes...I need you to trust me. We're gonna go upstairs, and then...just trust me, okay?" His voice was raspy, guttural even, and she just nodded, awash with worry for her boyfriend.
He took her hands into his own shaking ones, and slowly lead her out of the kitchen and to the stairs. He stood behind her then, guiding her hand to the rail, and slowly prodded her up the stairs. They reached his door, and he held her hands outward. She pressed forward, and pushed the door open.
The first thing that met her senses was the smell of cinnamon. And when Eli untied her blindfold, she gasped. Red candles were spread all over the immaculate room, giving it an intimate glow. There were rose petals spread around the room, over the floor and even on the bed. She turned to Eli, and he looked at her, a small smile dimpling his face. She pressed a kiss to his lips, and he returned it. As she turned into him, he walked her into the room. He stopped for a moment, and sighed, holding her hands in his.
"If you're sure you're ready...this is what I have to offer you, Clare. I know it may not be what you want, and I'm sorry for that. But this is me, trying to make this perfect for you."
She chuckled, and smiled at him. She leaned in and kissed him, fisting her fingers in his hair. And with that kiss, she affirmed what they both knew. He broke away from her, only to close the door, and to let the night begin.