This chapter is named after a song by The Script which most of you have probably heard. :P
Chapter Three: Breakeven
"Hey, Clare. How are you doing?" Peter still had his Dot shirt on, but I knew he was just getting off, and he sat next to be at the counter, leaning on one elbow.
"I'm... better. I'm still just confused." Another worker came up to me and I ordered a Coke, turning back to Peter. "Me and Eli are still friends, so that's good..."
"He hasn't relentlessly begged for you to take him back? What kind of bitter ex is he?" I had to laugh a bit, and we smiled at each other before I sighed.
"He tried. I... might not have handled it well." I ran a hand through my hair awkwardly, waiting for him to ask and praying that he wouldn't.
He raised his eyebrows and waited a minute for me to explain before asking, "What do you mean?"
"I kind of... ran into my ex the other day, and, I don't know, I guess I thought if I did something with KC Eli would get the idea and move on. But then we kissed, and I think I might actually still have feelings for him... it's just... ugh."
"Well, you're not dating Eli anymore, so why is that a big deal?" I sighed and shook my head. Men. They're so simple-minded.
"Because. I think I might be in love with Eli. And if I like KC, that's great, but what happens when Eli's ready to be in a relationship with me and I'm with KC? I know it's going to take a while for him to get over Julia's death, but I still want to be single so I can be with him." I was practically tearing my hair out, clutching at it and pulling violently, but it didn't hurt.
"Julia's... death? So, his girlfriend died?" Shit. I forgot I hadn't told him that.
"Um, yeah. That was originally why he wouldn't date me, then he told me he was ready, but... he wasn't. I just don't know if he realized it... When I broke up with him, he took it pretty hard. I guess I wasn't expecting him to be surprised." There was a short silence as Peter thought about this, then he spoke up.
"Look, Clare, if KC makes you happy... maybe it'll be good for you. Of course, you have to take into consideration why you two broke up..." He looked at me expectantly and I gave him a disgruntled look.
"He left me for some bitchy cheerleader. I guess I should've expected it, he was the type to only go for the popular bleach-blonde girls. But I fooled myself. But it's not his fault. So... maybe you're right."
I smiled a little, and he returned it as I got up. "Thank you. I gotta get home, but I'll talk to you later?"
-!-!-!-!-
"Hey KC, I was thinking, you wanna come over tonight? My mom won't be getting home till almost eight, so we'll have plenty of time to hang beforehand." I gave him a peppy smile, which he quickly returned.
"I'd love to, Clare. But... does this mean we're dating?" He looked at me hopefully, and I looked back skeptically.
"Let's just see how it plays out." I smirked, and he smiled sheepishly. Obviously, we knew who wore the pants in this relationship... friendship... thing. "Meet me at the front door after school."
He nodded, and we stared at each other for a moment, breathing heavily. He leaned down hesitantly, and I closed my eyes in anticipation as he closed the distance between us. We were both still for a second before he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss, and ran his tongue along my lower lip, causing me to jolt backward.
"Um... we... uh, we should get to class." He agreed awkwardly, and we both went our separate ways, me blushing and him keeping his eyes on the ground.
-!-!-!-!-
"That was close, Blue Eyes," Eli smirked as I rushed in just in time for the bell to ring out.
"Shut up," I snapped, making him look at me suspiciously, and I stuck out my tongue.
"Real mature, Clare. So, who were you at the Dot with yesterday? You two looked pretty... chummy." His eyes were narrowed a little, even though he had no reason to be jealous.
"Peter? He's my sister's ex-boyfriend, and he's like 19. I don't think you have anything to worry about." I shook my head, giggling as he became visibly frustrated. "Why?" I asked, leaning closer, "Jealous?"
He snorted, turning back around in his seat, and replied, "You wish."
Yes, I know it's short, but it's kind of a filler, next chapter will be longer. :)
