IT IS early dawn, and Eli lies awake in his bed. He traces over the area Clare – Imogen, he later realized – lay on. He needs her back. He doesn't want anyone other than Clare. She's perfect. He can't give up her on now, and he needs her to see that she can't give up on him.

Eli replays his "date" with Clare in his head. He was so erratic; he couldn't keep his cool when he needed to most, and it's highly unlikely that Clare thinks highly of him at the moment. He couldn't even tell her the truth; he couldn't admit to her that he changed the ending to have Ari and Clara back together because he wants Clare and him to get back together. It's how it's meant to be, Eli thinks.

He cringes at his reflection of last night's events. Seeing Jake show up at the Dot to wait for Clare annoyed Eli. He hated Jake even more for not being the jealous type of boyfriend and actually joining Clare for her interview with him. Jake gives Clare her space. Eli knows this is where he went wrong. Two halves of Eli's mind tug at each other, one part of him thinking that he has lost Clare forever, and the other part thinking there is still a chance.

JAKE WAITS outside Clare's house, leaning against his truck. Clare doesn't expect him to be there, but he thought she would like a ride to school with him. He wants to see her so he can give her the gift he prepared. He hopes she likes it.

He looks at his watch and thinks he is either too early, or he already missed Clare. He doesn't want to contact her, or else he would ruin his surprise visit, but he no longer has to worry about Clare's whereabouts because he sees her closing the door behind her and beaming at the sight of him.

"I didn't expect you to be here," Clare greets. She kisses him.

"Thought you might like a drive to school," Jake replies.

"You know I could've walked."

"Yeah, well, I also really wanted to see you as soon as possible."

Clare smiles. Compared to how much she liked him when she and Jake first started "hanging out," Clare likes him a lot right now. They understand each other; they can bond easily; they genuinely care for each other. She is more than content with her relationship with Jake and she couldn't ask for anything better.

The couple goes inside Jake's car. He doesn't drive away immediately. Clare notices he looks somewhat nervous about something.

"Is something wrong?" Clare asks.

"No, everything's fine," Jake says.

"What's on your mind?"

Jake reaches for a boxed gift on his dashboard and hands it to Clare. He says, "I have something for you."

Clare blushes. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I know. But, I wanted to. So, open it."

Clare tears a seal of the box's opening, and then pulls out the music box. It's simple and charming, and the box's exterior pattern is floral.

"Jake, this is really pretty," Clare says. She opens the box. The song "Heart and Soul" plays, and Clare is sent back years. Clare had been playing that song on the piano when Jake came in and threw a dead frog at her face. Now, Clare laughs. "This is amazing. I love it." She reaches to kiss Jake's cheek.

"Good. I hoped you would," Jake says. He feels relieved. His next plan was to cook Clare dinner. Lately, all Jake has been concerned about is doing nice things for Clare. He wanted to woo her, to make her happy. No other girl made him feel this way before.

"Wow, you are so good to me," Clare comments. "You're really sweet."

Jake chuckles in embarrassment. "Thank you, Clare. It's all for the sweetest girl I know."

CLARE SHOULD be getting ready to go see Eli's play. She's assigned to review it for the paper. Instead, she's busy decorating her room because she became distracted by the task. She found Christmas lights, and she decided to hang them up in her room for a quirky look.

She's on a small ladder attaching the lights on her wall when Jake walks into her room. Helen let him in; "I'm about to leave to see your dad," she said.

Jake looks at Clare's position on the ladder, and he knows that if she stretches even a bit, she'll be likely to fall. He immediately rushes to her side and says, "Step down and let me do this."

"Jake," Clare says, "Hey."

Jake takes the initiative to screw the lights into Clare's wall and comments, "You could've asked me to do this for you."

"I was doing fine myself."

"You would've fallen!"

"Well, I'm glad you were here to save me from my fall." Clare giggles. She sits on her bed and looks at Jake. His body is so lean yet strong. It's almost as if his facial structure is perfect – he is so good looking, Clare thinks. His hands look so strong and firm. His torso is long. "You're so manly."

"Am I?" Jake grins. He winks at her.

Clare smiles. "You are."

Jake finishes up Clare's decorating and he sits next to her on her bed. Clare pulls him into a deep kiss. She feels so in tune with this boy in her presence. She feels like she could melt into him at that moment.

When they separate, Jake asks, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me just comb my hair."

She stands in front of her dresser. She opens the music box Jake gave her earlier that day and lets the music fill the silence – it's an intimate silence – between her and Jake. She brushes her hair, and Jake watches. As he does so, he is suddenly filled with warmth at the sight of Clare brushing her hair. It almost feels like he lives with her, or that they're married, and Jake's heart pounds.

When Clare is finished, she turns around, smiles at Jake, and says, "Ready."