FOURTH CHAPTER! Ok, this one is kinda...shaky. I was trying to explore with Clare and see how I think she would react to certain situations. So I hope you enjoy (:

When the World Comes Crashing Down Part 1

The screaming, the shouting. Glass breaking. All of my feeling in one song. Love the way you lie. Part 2.

"YOU MANHORE!" My mom shouted, clearly angry. I walked down to the kitchen in need of cold medicine. You know, the type that knocks you out for a good 8 hours? Yeah, that's what I needed. I trotted back up the stairs.

"Where the hell are you going?" I turned and stared straight into my Dad's eyes.

"Away from you" I snarled, and continued back up the stairs. His hand grabbed my hair and pulled, flying me down the stairs. I crashed into the couch and moaned in pain as the couches spin shot pain through my own spine.

"You will never talk to me like that again, understood?" he growled. I nodded weakly.

"YOU ASS!" My mom, screamed, yet again. She ran over to me and I pushed her away, standing up. Blood was dripping from my head, face and arm. I walked to the door into the cool, airy night.

"CLARE! Get back her!" My Dad yelled. But I didn't hear him. I walked faster, cahnting in my head. 'It's gonna be ok'. But I'm not sure I believe it.

I walked until I reached my sanctuary. Well, where he lived anyway. Eli. I knocked and waited. Then Eli's mom—CeCe—opened the door. She gasped, once she took in my sight.

Eli's POV

I heard the door being knocked on, but I ignored it. I was set on calling Clare. I needed to hear her voice. I walked downstairs for my phone. Halfway down, I heard CeCe gasp.

"What happened sweetie?" She said. Silence. Then broken sobs.

"I—He—they won't stop—the stairs" a voice choked out. I ran down the rest of the way to find CeCe holding a bruised and bloody Clare. Tears mixed with blood, breaking my hear. I ran to her, CeCe handed her off to me and I crushed her to my chest.

"What-?" I started.

"They were fighting, yelling screaming and I went downstairs for some medicine. I apparently had an 'attitude' with Dad and he got mad. He grabbed my by the hair and pulled me down the stairs, slamming me into the couch" she rushed out all in one breath. I starred at her shocked. I touched her shoulder and she winced in pain. "I just needed you...that's all" she said, after getting her breath back. She leaned against me and I lightly kissed her unharmed cheek.

"It's ok. I'm here now. I'll always will be." I whispered.

"Come on, lets get you cleaned up" CeCe said, coming to help her up. Bullfrog stood in the doorway, watching me. Clare and CeCe continued to the bathroom. I sat on the couch, my fist clenched, steam literally coming out of my ears. I took many deep breaths, trying to slow the anger pulsing through my veins. Nothing worked.

"Eli, son" Bullfrog said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Calm down" he whispered.

"Calm down? Calm down?" I said, my voice raising. "How the fuck am I supposed to calm down when my girlfriend showed up at my doorstep bloody from her Dad huh?" I yelled at him. "Her Dad did this to her. Her own flesh and blood!" I screamed, standing up. I place a hand on my forehead and counted to ten about 8 times. I took another breath and turned back to my Bullfrog. "I'm sorry, Bullfrog. I'm just..." I started. He nodded, knowingly.

"I know son. I know" he whispered. Hot tears streamed down my face and Bullfrog pulled me into a tight embrace. I let my walls down and hugged him, crying. I was surprised by this, and I bet he was too. I never cry. I never ever cry in front of my Dad. But right now, I didn't give a fuck.

"Hey Kid, it's gonna be ok" Bullfrog said, soothing me. "She'll stay here with us, till we get things figured out. She'll be safe here. I promise bro" he said. I pulled away and laughed at the way my cheesy, uber white Dad said 'bro'. He smiled and patted my back. "Things are gonna work out fine, alright?" he repeated. I nodded. "Alright!" he exclaimed. "Now go check on your girl" he said winking at me. I smirked and headed upstairs, towards the bathroom. I stood in the doorway, watching Clare wipe blood out of her hair. She saw me and we stared at each other for a while. Then she ran to me, her arms around my neck and her face buried in my chest. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and squeezed her to my chest. She didn't complain.

"I love you. Remember that." I whispered in her ear. She smiled and sniffled.

"What am I-" I coughed and smirked at her. "-We gonna do?" she said.

"Your not going back there, that's for sure. Your gonna stay here" I told her. She stared at me and sighed.

"Eli...I can't do that" she said.

"Yes you can" I replied. She shook her head, stepping away from me.

"No. No I can't. I can't—scratch that—I won't let myself invade in your guys life because my home life sucks" she whispered. "I won't allow it"

"You can and you will. You have no choice" Bullfrog said from behind me.

"We aren't going to let you go back to that. We would fail as parents and citizens if we did" CeCe said. "Face it, your stuck with us now" she said with a smile. Clare stared at all of us.

"Ar—are you sure?" she stuttered. God she's adorable.

"Of course. Now come on...It's Taco Night" Bullfrog announced, rubbing his hands together like the little kid he truly is.

I'm not sure if I want to continue this or leave it at this. And forgive me, I said this would be a harsh one, but it didn't feel right not giving it a happy ending. Sorry, I'm a sucker for happy endings... Moving on, should I write a follow up to this or leave it as it is? Tell in...REVIEWS! (:

Don't refuse the urge to review (: