I know I put you all in a frenzy from my first chapter. I know it was very unexpected, but I do have a story for it that I'm prepared for some to love and some to hate. But I hope you will all at least stay a long for the ride. It's not going to be terribly long, not like "4 Guys and a Clare". But it's only going to last within a few days instead of a semester. So here's the second chapter. Don't forget to READ, REVIEW, and ENJOY!
Eli awoke with fuzzy vision. His limbs felt like stone as he struggled to get up. He sat on the end of the bed, rubbing his throbbing head. He slipped on his boxers, jeans, and shoes before heading out of the bedroom. He glanced back as he stood at the doorway, lying naked under the silk sheets of the bed with porcelain complexion of beauty and long black hair. He managed to get to the living area and buttoned up his shirt before throwing his jacket on. He looked around the room, a place just yesterday he had never even seen, and now was full of too many memories. He noticed a notepad on her desk and wrote a quick note before leaving the apartment.
The sound of the front door slam caused Imogen to wake up. She slipped on a t-shirt and undergarments to walk around the apartment. The whole place was empty, except her, when she recognized the note Eli had left on her notepad, reading, "I'm sorry. –Eli"
XXX
"I can't believe I'm getting married in two days!" Alli squealed as she and Clare put together the gift bags. She hugged one of the bags. "Things are just so flawless for once. These last few months have been so hectic with planning the wedding. I can't believe everything is just falling into place." Alli giggled once again. "I mean Adam and I are getting married, you and Eli, Jake and Wanda. Everything is just…perfect."
Clare couldn't help but laugh at her giddy friend. "I know what you mean. After all the drama last year…it's nice to have things be…good for once." The front door opened, in walking Eli stomping off the snowfall from outside. Clare glanced at her watch before speaking. "Hey, Eli. You're home early. I thought all you guys would still be passed out."
"Yeah, I woke up, so I just left," he walked over and pecked a kiss on Clare's lips.
"And leave Adam to clean up after his own bachelor party?" Clare tried to guilt.
"Drew can clean it up. I mean he is the best man." He sauntered over to the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee, and dumping some aspirin into his palm.
"Awe…are you still jealous Adam chose his brother over you for best man?" Clare poked fun at him, causing Alli to giggle.
Eli glared over at her while he took a sip, as he swallowed the pills. "I'm just saying, he threw the party, I was just a humble guest." He collapsed in the chair next to the couch.
"A guest who enjoyed the strippers," Clare kid, as he let out a quick breath and looked down at his cup. "You didn't hook up with any of them, did you?" Alli and Clare started to laugh as he started to choke on his sip of coffee. Clare got up and patted his back until he stopped coughing. "You okay?" she said as she handed him a napkin.
"Yeah…" His voice was scratchy from the hot liquid. "You're…just funny…" He wiped his chin. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower."
Once Eli was out of the room, Alli spoke up, "Well that was weird."
"What?"
"Don't you see it? Something is up with him."
Clare walked toward the kitchen repeating, "No, No, No, No!" She threw away the napkin as she continued, "Last time something was up with him; he wound up getting shot. And I am not going to get in the middle of stuff again."
Alli went back to the bags. "Alright, but if you don't care what's eating away at your boyfriend. You better be prepared when it blows up in his face."
Clare bit her thumbnail with anticipation. "No. He's fine. If something was wrong, he would tell me." She handed Alli a fresh cup of coffee.
"Whatever floats your boat, Clare." Before she could take a sip she stated. "How have things been between the two of you anyway?"
Clare froze, hesitating to answer, "We're fine…just fine." Alli gave her a look. The look a best friend gives when they know they're lying. "It's nothing. We've just been tough on each other lately. We get on each other's nerves at times. But it's nothing serious."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Clare had venom in her voice.
XXX
Eli pressed his forehead against the tiled wall as the rain shower poured down his back. He quietly pounded a fist on the wall, as he tapped his head hard. He angrily shouted at himself in a hushed tone, "God dammit Eli! What's wrong with you?" He slammed his head a couple of times against the tile, before he just sulked down onto the floor of the shower. He stared down grabbing tuffs of his hair to hold his head partly up. He watched as all the water poured down his face and off his nose and lips. He took a longing, deep breath, before shutting his eyes.
XXX
"You must be hungry. How was your shower?" Clare asked setting a plate covered in scrambled eggs and sausage links on the table.
Eli shook his wet hair around, keeping it from clinging to his face. "Starving! Thank you." He sat down and started to eat the meal. "Mmmmm… This is delicious Clare."
She smiled at him as she joined him with a cup of tea and jam covered toast. He almost finished when he suddenly slowed. He started to push the last few bite of eggs around on the plate. "So I was thinking of maybe selling Morty."
Clare dropped her piece of toast shocked. "Wha-what?"
"Yeah. It's about time I get rid of that car, and grow up."
"But, you've had that car since high school. You love it!" Clare argued kindly.
"Yeah well, sometimes you just have to stop being so juvenile. You always say how much you hate the hearse. Why are you defending him?"
Clare's eyes widened. "Are you saying this all for me?"
"No—"
"Yes. You can't give up your favorite car just for me!"
"No one said it was for you!"
"But you implied it!" She rose out of her seat to yell. "What's wrong with you?" Her voice softened.
He stared at her for a moment before scooting out and stating, "I'm going to take a nap." And with that he left to the bedroom.
XXX
"Eli! Eli! Are you okay?"
Eli's eyes slowly opened, letting his eyes adjust to the light, and seeing Clare looking down at him with a worried look that switched to a relieved smile. Eli struggled to sit up as he was lying on Clare's lap. "Clare?...What happened?"
She inched closer as he leaned himself forward; she pulled a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around his shoulders. "I have no idea. I came in to get the laundry, and you had fallen off the bed curled up into a ball and…what seemed like shivering." Eli observed her face before blinking a few times and rubbing his face. "Eli—are…are you alright?"
"Yeah…" He let out with a heavy breath, standing up and looking around their bedroom. "I'm fine…"
She waited a bit, kneeling on the floor thinking about what had just happened before getting up. "E-Eli?" She asked. He looked back in concern, from the sound of her quaky voice. "What did you mean when you said 'I'm sorry'?"
He stared at her befuddled by her statement. "What do you mean?"
"When you were passed out…you kept mumbling 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' What are you sorry about?" Clare blinked her eyes rapidly for a second to prevent any oncoming tears and her common sincere droopy-eye stare.
Eli sighed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Clare looked down at her feet. "You're right. You were asleep. Sorry for bringing it up."
He watched her leave their room when he kicked a nearby sneaker. Then turning back around, he crossed his arms atop their dresser, pressing his forehead against them. Biting his tongue to hold back any regretful sounds or words he may let out.
Clare sat reading her book with their two kittens running about the room when Eli walked in and over to the kitchen to pour himself some coffee. "Eli?" Clare's voice said from the couch, making him turn vigorously to look at her. "You sure you're okay?" He didn't reply, making Clare continue, "Eli…I know you. I know when something is wrong. And something is definitely getting to you-"
"It's nothing Clare!" Eli grunted, biting his tongue again.
"Why can't you talk to me about this?" She hollered.
"Because there's nothing to talk about!"
Clare groaned loudly with a squeal. "What's wrong with you?"
"Apparently you!" He slammed his bottle on the counter, making beer spill over. Marching his way toward the door and yanking his jacket off the rack. "I'm going for a drive!"
"Can't we just talk about-!" Clare yelled, but he slammed the door before she could even finish. There was a high pitched meow coming from the couch, and Ted was rubbing his head against Clare's hip. She scratched his head lightly, "Don't worry. Daddy's just being irritable right now. He'll be back…and hopefully in a better mood…" She sulked back on the couch and continued reading her book.
XXX
There was a knock at the door, opening it to see Eli standing on the other side. "Well if it isn't Eli Goldsworthy. What brings you back here?" Imogen stated with a stern look.
"Clare and I got into a fight."
"Is that so? So why come here of all places?" They stared at each other before she continued, "Alright come in. I was just making some tea."
Eli followed her into her apartment, kicking the snow off his boots. "Thanks Imogen."
"So…to avoid the elephant in the room. Tell me; what has got you and Clare in a frenzy?"
Eli sighed. "That's it. The elephant is what caused it."
Imogen bit her lips together. "She figured out?"
"No. I'm keeping it from her. And she knows that something is up. I don't think I can keep it from her for any longer." Eli walked to the table, but paused and went to sulk on the couch.
"It's been not even 9 hours sense you left me this morning with a note saying 'I'm sorry'." Imogen sighed setting a cup of tea in front of him on the coffee table. "You must be really ashamed and guilty about being with me."
"Oh no Imogen. It's not like that!" Eli placed a hand on her moped shoulder. "It's me…and Clare. If I wasn't with Clare. Last night would have been great. But…"
"You cheated. And it's my fault. I led you on. I knew you had a girlfriend and I still went after you. I'm horrible." She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. "I'll never forgive myself."
"Don't be too hard on yourself. It's not your fault. It's mine." He pulled her into a consoling hug.
XXX
"That was a great lunch," Alli said as she held on to Adam's arm as they walked home from the diner.
"Only the best for you, Mrs. Torres." He nuzzled his nose into her hair.
"Not for another two days."
Adam smiled, until something caught his attention. "Is that Morty?" They walked up to the hearse. "What's Eli doing here?"
"You didn't invite him over or anything did you?"
"No." He pulled out his phone. "No messages from him."
"Oh, I bet Clare and him got into another fight."
"Another? They've been fighting," Adam asked.
Alli stared at him. "Man, you guys just don't talk do you?" They walked to the front, and through the glass doors they noticed Eli go into one of the apartments on the first floor. "Funny. Who lives there?"
"Imogen," Adam stated. "This girl that has this stupid crush on Eli all semester."
"You don't think?" Alli said.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions right now." They quietly went inside and up to their room on the third floor.
What did you think? Please tell me in the reviews. Here I'll make a deal with you. Chapter 3 will be out Tuesday. But, if I get up to 30 reviews in enough time, I'll post it on Monday! And if I get five more, I'll post it on Sunday, and so on. So don't forget to tell your friends and ya! I love you all! :*(^_^) ~Eli
