a/n: Thanks to those who reviewed! know this storyline is going slow, but I'm going to start speeding things up (hopefully). Reviews are forever appreciated!

Clare POV

I wake up with my pillow on my head, which in general is the opposite of what most people consider normal. I stare blankly at my wall for several minutes,
hoping that by some miracle, my parents had talked things out.

My parents didn't shout or throw things or get violent, but, such has my life been until recently that the elevated voices coming from
the next room kept me on edge and up all night. I strained to hear what they were saying, hoping for an opportunity, a sign, to present itself that will show me
how to make things right again.

No such thing happened.

I roll out of bed and get dressed. As my eyes fall on my neglected computer I realize I had completely neglected my English project in order to listen to a fight I didn't even understand.

Well, this was just peachy.

I rushed downstairs and through the door, with a quick 'love you!' and 'bye!' to my mom, who was sitting at the kitchen table, looking into the distance. I'll worry about it later.

I get to school somewhat early. Good. As I sit on my ball, typing furiously away before the bell rings, I hear a voice.

"SEE THIS? It's CALLED a phone. And Best friends answer it!"

Alli. Of course.

I SO am not in the mood for this

"I'm sorry Alli, I'm busy working on my English assignment right now. I'll talk to you later." I look up briefly to see her pouting, petulant face.

"But…who will I get boy advice from?

Not me. "How about a boy?" I asked, trying to shake her off.

She considered this, and slyly smiled.

"Clare….Dave is….kind of a boy, right?"

I ignore her. Dave was not who I would choose, considering how he obviously felt for Alli, but Alli has always made her own messes.

I have enough messes of my own to clean up currently.

The rest of the class passes by without me paying any attention, focusing all my energy onto my Letter. It was terrible, I know, but I was out of ideas. The bell rings and I print out the letter. It was to Principal Simpson. I said I respected the changes he's put into place, and felt he would be a great principal, contributing many great things.

This was true, don't get me wrong, but I repeated myself, it sounded forced, and honestly I just wasn't that passionate about Principal Simpson. Eli would be brutal.
I feet my heart quicken as I think his name.

Probably just the dread.

Eli's POV

I'm early. Again. This is becoming a terrible habit. I watch the door intently. I couldn't wait to see Clare again. Not because I liked her, really. I just loved how easily I got under her skin, and how she didn't take shit from anyone. Including me. It was entertaining.

She walks through the door looking…nervous? That's new. She spotted me instantly and…her face fell a little. Ouch. That…hurt more than I'd like to admit. I decide on the cocky approach, as always.

"What, not happy to see me? Embarrassed about how dull your paper will be in comparison?" I smiled widely.

Her face scrunches. Oh, so…so that is what it is.

Damn.

Now I have to be nice about it.

"Just read it." She thrusts the paper towards me. I raise my eyebrows, and start reading.

She sits on the desk in front of me, playing with her fingers. She's staring at me intently, and I feel exposed.

I take a bite of my apple, slowly, and act casual. She starts to get impatient. I take another bite.

Her paper sucks. It wasn't so much the writing. It was obvious she had talent. But there was no passion, you could tell even she was bored writing this paper.

"Well?" she demands.

I look up at her.

"uh-"

She sighs loudly. "Awkwardly constructed and full of hyperbole"

Well, somewhat. But I could tell she'd made up her mind on the matter. So I decide to make a little joke.

"The title's centered?"

She laughs, and then stares down broodingly. There is definitely more going on with her than she lets on.

"Ms. Dawes was right, I have writers block!"

I get an idea. A way to get under her skin. Maybe her eyes will flash, and her pale skin flood with color with indignation.

"So don't turn it in."

She scoffs.

"And what, tell her the dog ate my homework?"

I lean forward, smiling wickedly. I can't seem to help myself

"Or, you could take off."

"What, like skip?"

"If you want to get official." I take another bite of my apple and lean back, excited for her reaction.

She stares down at her snack container. Hmm. She looks...thoughtful?

"That WOULD give me time to work on a better paper."

Wasn't expecting that. The warning bell rings, and I make one more effort to elict a beautiful response.

"Decision time; stay or go?" I weigh my hands up and down.

She looks up and…smiles? I stare unbelievingly as she gets her things, gets up and walks to the door. She turns and smiles at me mischievously.

"Well, are you coming?"

I untwist my shocked expression. And smirk. I give a shrug, put the apple in my mouth, and take off with Clare.

This should be interesting.

It always is with Clare.