I woke this morning, having that relaxed feeling when you know it's Saturday. I got up to shower, reminding myself to call Eli at 11:30. I told him I would call so we can go on another of our "adventures." That night, lying in the hammock, felt magical. I never felt that with K.C. Wow, I hadn't thought of him once since Eli. I always have my best thinking moments in the shower. I shut it off, steeping out and wrapping a purple towel around my body. I brushed my hair and then flipped it over and shook it out. Now that it was short, it only took twenty minutes to dry. I pulled on my blue blouse with my favorite pair of jeans and flats. I lightly patted blush on and smiled in the mirror. This was one of the first years of my life I had ever felt beautiful. I grabbed my phone and dialed Eli's cell. "What's up Blue eyes?" He said calmly. "Oh, nothing much." "Pick you up in ten for our little adventure?" he said smoothly. "If anything sooner," I mumbled overhearing my parents screaming from my room. I heard Eli grunt. I could tell he could hear my parents over the phone. "I'll leave now." I heard the phone click and I grabbed my bag. I ran down the stairs to see my mother push my father, tears streaming from her eyes, until his back slammed against the mantle. I heard Morty honk and I opened the first door to the coatroom. I grabbed my jacket yelling, "I'm going about, be back whenever." No response except them yelling at each that I couldn't even make out. I rolled my eyes and went for the next doorknob. As I was opening the house door, Eli jumped out to open the passenger seat door for me. I was standing on the stairs smiling as he opened the car door. Before I could close the house door we both heard a glass drop and my mother screaming curse words at my father. I looked at him and he didn't bother trying to look inside the house. The first thing he did was lightly grab my wrist and lead my limp body away from the wide-open door. We walked to the car and he ran back to close the house door. He helped my in the car and ran around to the drivers seat and got in the car. He instantly started the car and lifted his free right hand and rested hit, opened, on my leg. He waited my tiny hand to fall into his large one, and I lifted it up to let it fall lifelessly into his. He tightened his grip just enough to make me feel secure. He pulled into a random parking lot and looked at me. I don't know when I stopped staring off into space, but I just remember Eli pulling over the car just to comfort my sobs. He unbuckled my seat belt and let me fall into his arms. His shirt was drenched in my tears but I could tell he couldn't care less. Finally the last tear fell and I looked up at him. He wiped the tear from my cheek and I smiled. "Ugh, sorry." I said disgusted at myself for letting myself go like that in front of him. "Don't be. None of this is you're fault. And don't you ever think this is you're fault," he said sternly, looking deep into my eyes. I pressed my pink lips against his and soon he ushered his tongue into my mouth. We must have kissed for ten minutes, because I finally had to pull away to breathe. He smirked and quickly looked out the window the see Fitz approaching Eli's car. "Maybe we should go…" I said quickly. "No," Eli said quietly, locking eyes with Fitz. "Stay here," he said while unbuckling his seatbelt. He got out and leaned against the window with his hands in his pocket. I saw them mouthing words; I could tell Eli was trying to be expressionless when he talked so it wouldn't upset me. I saw the words emo and boy escape Fitz's lips. Eli stayed expressionless. He didn't do anything, and I was proud of him being the bigger person again. Then I heard Fitz yell at me through the window, "Can't wait until we have sex." I saw Eli's jaw tighten and his Fist his Fitz's fast quickly, but powerfully. Fitz started for Eli's neck but Eli opened the car door hitting Fitz in the face. He closed the door and we drove away. We pulled over and he looked at me. "Clare, I'm sorry." He knew I hated violence, especially because of my parents. "I swear, it won't happen again. He just… you know, I don't care what he says about me, but when he said one word about you, I just…" I looked down the see his fists tighten. "Oh, Eli, I know. I just, my parents," He grabbed my hand. "Clare, I'm so sorry," He said sincerely. "I know," I said and I pulled him into a hug.