This part is short BUT it brings it together nicely. Next part will be an Epilogue!
Time, I always need more time
To figure what I've lost, to learn what I should find
Soon, I'm always hoping soon
I'll figure what to add, I'll learn what to remove
New sunrise, new sunsets
New stories I haven't lived through yet
With you, it's always been you
There's never been good days
There's never been bad days without you
Choose, I'm always made to choose
I'll figure what to share, I'll learn from what I've used
New sunrise, new sunsets
New promises I haven't made quite yet
~YOU~ Collective Soul
Chapter 3
Clare walked into her room after suffering another bout of nausea she crawled tiredly into her bed.
Downstairs there was a knock on her door and her mother answered it quickly wondering who would be visiting at this time of night, "Eli?! It's nearly one in the morning!" her mother said not liking this late night house call.
"I m sorry, but can I speak to Clare?" he asked his voice shaking
"Clare is in bed, you can see her tomorrow," Helen replied about to close the door
"Mom, it's ok…he can come in," Clare called from the top of the steps
"Clare?" Helen was about to take a stand but, decided she was way too tired to fight with her daughter.
"Fine, come in…20 minutes tops. I m going to bed, I trust you can let yourself out," her mother warned hinting that Eli was not to spend the night.
Helen made her way up the stairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Clare and Eli stood silent for a moment, "you can come up," she said finally.
Eli followed Clare into her bedroom and stood in the middle of the room. The two were silent, not knowing how to start this type of conversation.
"Eli, I don't want to hold you back and so I am prepared to do this on my own," Clare said breaking the silence
"No," he replied simply
"No? I don't...what do you mean by that?" Clare asked confused and a bit frustrated.
"No, I m not letting you do this on your own," Eli replied firmly
"Well, then I don't know what you want from me. I am giving you an out here, Eli please just take it because I can't handle you hating me or thinking I have ruined your life or something," Clare cried
"I don't hate you. I could never hate you, Clare. God, don't you know what you mean to me! I should have handled the news better but, you have to admit it was a lot to digest," Eli replied hating seeing Clare so upset.
"I know…I m sorry, I should have told you sooner but, you were so happy about getting into NYU and I just couldn't…" Clare trailed off sitting on the side of her bed
Eli watched her and his heart sank further knowing this had been eating away at her for the past week.
Eli walked over to her and sat beside her on the side of the bed and took her hand, "this baby is not just yours to stress out about and I am so sorry if tonight I made you think I was blaming you. I love you, more than a stupid school in NY. Ya, NYU was a dream but, you are a much more important dream," he said honestly
Clare watched him as he spoke and sniffled. He kissed her forehead and held her closely, providing the comfort she was desperately needing.
"What happens now?" Clare asked her head on tucked into his chest.
Eli sat silent for a moment and sighed, "no we have to tell our parents," he said realizing that was next step.
"My mom is going to hate me," Clare acknowledge
"Your mom loves you….I m pretty sure it's me she will want to kill," Eli replied trying to lighten the mood with a small, but true joke.
Clare squeezed his hand, "we'll be ok right?" she asked searching for confirmation that things weren't as bad as she thought.
"We're together, no matter what and that's all we need ok," Eli said trying to not convince her but him as well that everything will turn out alright. He kissed her forehead again and rubbed her back.
Tell me what you think...Epilogue will be up either tonight or tomorrow!
