Clare and Kc were now at the Dot, laughing their heads off, she had had fun with someone who wasn't Eli for once. Kc had spent the past two hours playing basketball with Clare and even invited her to his next game, The next evening Clare had of course said yes and she and Alli were going shopping that afternoon after Alli spent the night a Clare's house. Her phone began to ring again and she sighed, giving Kc a apologetic look. ''I'm sorry I have to get this, Its Eli.''. Kc nodded.
' 'No problem''. he said giving her a smile. ''I'll miss you''. Clare blushed and smiled as she walked into the woman's room. She was still smiling as she leaned against the wall She then dialed the phone number hoping that Eli wasn't mad at her.
''Clare!'' Eli sounded relieved and a little bit upset. ''I've been calling you and calling you, but you didn't answer''. She sighed not knowing what to do, If Eli was her best friend he would understand. But if he didn't she didn't want to lose him as a friend. '
'Eli listen, do you know how you asked if I was OK with us being so close that we didn't hang out with any other friends?''She said, wanting to break it to him slowly and carefully as not to hurt him to badly.
''Yes...'' he said slowly as if he knew what was coming and he didn't sound happy about it at all. ''What about it?'' She took a deep breath, hoping Eli wouldn't lose it at her because she just couldn't lose him as a friend.
''Well, I wasn't exactly truthful, i didn't want to hurt you''. She closed her eyes, knowing that she was. ''The truth is Eli, the people I've met at school are all great people, and I'd like to be their friend''. There was paused if Clare didn't hear his breath she'd think he hung up on her. ''Eli?'' She said in a small voice. ''Eli, speak to me please!'' he didn't for a second, but then he did and his voice was full of anger.
''You promised''. He accused. ''You promised we wouldn't turn into you're mom and Glen!'' She felt tears fill her eyes she KNEW he'd over react. ''You LIED to me!'' She began to cry harder. ''So you're will Alli, Kc or Conner and Dave are you?''
''Eli_''
''Save it Clare, I know how this ends, I'm sparing myself the pain now''. with that, he hung up on her. Clare began to cry, she couldn't believe that he'd freaked out on her! Didn't he KNOW that he was her best friend? That NOBODY could ever replace him? Obviously not. She sighed and dried off her eyes and thought about Kc. Now there was someone out there wanted to spend time with her and for now she would forget about Eli and do something for herself. She walked back to the table and sat down and he smiled at her.
'How'd he take it?'' He asked sounding genuinely concerned. Clare sighed and gave him a genuine smile and shook her head. She just didn't care about Eli right now when KC was right in front of her. She'd probably break down tonight when she was home.
''That doesn't matter right now i'm with you''. He smiled at her and then all of the sudden he threw a french fry at her mouth dropped open. And Kc began to laugh at her face. ''Oh its on now Guthrie!'' She said and they began throwing food at one another. She felt better right now her life was about Kc she'd deal with Eli later. They began to laugh and then Kc looked Serious.
''I really like you Clare.'' He said giving her a soft smile. ''I've never cared about anybody, so much''. She wondered what had happened in Kc's life that made him say this. She hadn't know him long at all. At the moment she wasn't thinking about Kc at all but she believed him. ''Um...'' he seemed up able to get the words out she found it attractive that he was so unable to to speak to her like she was to him. ''I'm sorry, I don't meet to be so...''
''No its OK''. She put his hand on his and smiled at him. ''I like it, you're not just popular you're a normal human being''. He smiled at her.
''I should walk you home''. She smiled back and stood up.
''Lets go then''. She replied, He linked her arm with hers and together they walked home. Clare felt really happy to have this boy walking her home. As they walked home Clare and Kc talked.
''Is Eli mad at you?'' Kc asked, giving her a look of concern.''I don't want to come between you two, it seems like you have a amazing friendship.''
''We do, Eli just needs to process the fact that I want to have other friends. '' She knew Eli would get over this, her and Eli would make up once Eli realized that she wouldn't abandon him. That's what he was worried about.
''I know how that is, the people I hung out with in middle school aren't my friends now.'' Clare nodded how did this happen to everyone? What if it DID happen to her and Eli? It would crush her if she and Eli lost what they have. How could she be so selfish? She should have called him! She had broken both her promises to Eli from now on Eli would come first in her life no matter what.
''I promised Eli that that wouldn't happen to me and him''. She replied. She had truly meant it, she would do whatever she could to keep their friendship and make it work through high-school. She couldn't lose Eli if she did, she'd be lost. He was her other half, her rock. ''I think it'll be hard, he's so clingy and I feel like he'll get mad at me no matter what I do or say to expand my friend group. '' '
'If he does, then he's not really a friend.'' Clare supposed he was right, but she didn't want to think Eli would do this to her. She wanted to think of him as her best friend and have him support her one hundred percent. ''You don't need a friend like that''. She felt slightly let down Kc was right but she didn't want Eli to become a friend like that.
''I'm sorry, I'm bringing down the mood with my problems''. She said kicking a rock with her feet. ''It's just that I don't WANT to loose Eli''. Kc shrugged.
''Its not a big deal I understand I just enjoy talking to you''. She smiled at looked at her feet as they made it to her house. She stopped as she saw Her mother greeting a teenage boy and her boyfriend at the door. So THIS was the kid, she'd wanted Clare to meet so badly. She didn't know what to do she thought she'd have Eli here to support her when this moment came. He leaned in and got closer and closer to her face and she knew he was going to kiss her. She remembered Eli if her and Kc started dating Eli would NEVER forgive her. She moved her head all the sudden and he pulled away a she coughed and remembered she had to go in.
''Do you wanna come in?'' She asked hoping she'd say yes. He shook his head and her heart filled with disappointment. If Eli couldn't support her she wanted KC to she really liked him as a friend or as a boyfriend.
''curfew''. She nodded.
''I get it maybe next time''. She smiled warmly at him. ''He nodded and smiled back.
''See you tomorrow night''. At lest Alli was coming over later that night she'd vent to Alli.
''See you!'' She walked up to the door where her mother turned around to face and gave her a smile. She wanted to scowl, but she didn't she just gave her mom a fake smile back. She noticed her mothers boyfriend and some teenage boy she recognized standing behind her. ''Who's this?''
''Clare! This Jake, Glens son''. Her mouth dropped open at the face of the boy who'd made her miserable all through elementary school. The boy who had thrown things at her in middle school. The boy she'd hoped to NEVER see again. She narrowed her eyes at him all he'd done was make her cry in middle school, she would NEVER EVER get along with this boy. He was glaring back at her probably thinking along the same lines.
''YOU!'' They both said at the same time glaring at one another. Clare glared into his eyes he'd made her angry all through her life and now he could be her new step brother. Their parents both looked at one another nervously.
''Clare why don't you show Jake the back yard?'' her mother said giving her a look that told her she didn't have a choice. She huffed and her and Jake took off outside together. She couldn't believe this how could her mother do this? She knew how much Clare hated Jake.
''I hate you''. Jake said and Clare became angry with him, his dad was happy, how could he not care?!
''I'm not ANY Happier about this then you are''. Clare said. ''I hate you just as much as you hate me''. She told him as they glared at one another. ''But if our parents are going to date, we have to be mature about this''. He sighed at glared at her again, he wasn't happy at and Clare didn't blame him. Again she couldn't wait till Alli got here.
''Whatever''. Clare huffed this boy never failed to make her angry the worst part was that he enjoyed doing it.
''Whatever, that's ALL I get?! Look, Jake, we have to try to get along for our parents!'' She wanted her mother to be happy and she was happy with Glen no matter how much Clare hated Jake and that was A LOT. But Glen made her mother happy. He ignored her that made Clare even madder. ''HELLO?!'' Jake's head snapped up and he glared at her.
''What do you want me to say Clare?''. he asked, shrugging. ''Fine we'll be civil , but don't expect us to be friends or anything.'' Clare rolled her eyes he thought she wanted to be friends with him. Because she didn't he was such a ass!
''Oh don't worry about that! I'll NEVER want to be you're friend Jake Martin!'' She snarled in his face. They sat down next to one another on the grass and out of nowhere Jake threw Grass at her. All the sudden they were ten years old again. She picked up a hand full and dumped it on his head. He glared at her and stepped up his game and tossed mud at her. She growled like some wild animal what was wrong with him? She tossed some back and before they both knew it they were up on there feet having a mud war both of their faces red with hate.
''I'm gonna get you Edwards!'' He tossed more at her she couldn't help but smile mud was allover his face and all over his face. She hid her smile and spoke to him.
''Bring it on Martin!'' He put his arm around her giving her a hug with his muddy arms getting her clothes all dirty. And then rubbed some onto her face with his hands. He began to tackle her and she fell on top of him making them both even more dirty. She tried to glared at him but mud was all over their faces so she couldn't She got off him and they both looked at one another for a second, then they burst out laughing they were back to themselves forgetting the past in that moment.
''You look ridiculous Edwards!'' He laughed picked a chunk of mud out of her hair. He smiled at her and yet again she felt free being with someone besides Eli and forgot all about their fight. ''We where such stupid little kids...'' He hugged his knees and looked at her he'd grown up well not bad indeed not that he was her type. ''Wheres you're friend Goldswothy? I though you two were attached at the hip''. She sighed feeling guilty once again. She needed to make up with Eli she couldn't just forget about him.
''You should talk Martin... '' She picked mud of of his hair making him laugh some more. ''And Eli and I are no longer speaking''. She said picking some grass out of her hair. His face changed. He seemed to feel sorry for her. When they were kids Eli and her had never been without one another on the play ground. Whatever one did so did the other and they NEVER fought.
''Since?'' He looked at his hands probably thinking the same thing she was.
''Today''. She turned away from him and sniffled. ''He got mad at me for hanging out with other people''. She still had trouble believing that she and Eli were growing apart already. Jake had taunted them in middle school, saying they would't be speaking by the time they were in high_school. She saw he was smiling and she knew they were both thinking about the same memory. She couldn't help but smile at him, and she saw he had the most smug look on his face in the world. Out of habit she uttered the worlds she only said to Eli without thinking about it.
''Could you be more smug?''
''Of course I could!'' They began to laugh again and they began to catch up and from then on their old school yard fights were over. They were laughing so hard Darcy came out.
''OH MY GOD CLARE AND_'' she paused and narrows her eyes at Jake she wan't used to Clare having other friends besides him. ''I don't think I've met you''. She said raising an eyebrow at Clare.
''Jake''. He said simply ''Jake Martin''. He waited until Darcy went into the house then spoke. ''Wow Darcy used to be fun''. She laughed and shook her head.
''She got popular''. Clare explained. ''Shes too cool for us little people now''. It was true Darcy never came home any more Clare was sure she'd move out at some point. ''Shes not like she was when we were kids''. Clare looked down at the grass missing the old Darcy. Jake seemed to notice she was down and put his arm on her shoulder.
''Hey, you don't need her, you're way cooler, you're real shes pretending to be someone shes not for everyone else.'' Clare smiled a little bit maybe having Jake around wouldn't be too bad after all.
''Thanks Jake, I needed that''. All the sudden Jake was talking to Clare about when they first met l and they laughed hard so hard Darcy came out to yell at them another 3 times.
''You know Clare, I think we could be the best of friends...'' He said putting a arm around her and winking at her. ''What do you say... bestie?'' She grinned and forgot about Eli again.
''I say that sounds great... bestie.'' Clare heard the sounds of the door to the outside gate click and whens he turned around, nobody was there so she continued to talk to Jake and waiting for Alli to come over. She didn't even know that Eli had come home home early to apologize because she never called him that night. Nor did she notice he had been watching from the time Jake and Clare had sat down in the grass or that he had left in tears.
Eli POV.
Eli had decided to come home early because he just couldn't loose Clare as a friend. His mom and dad were still in the next town over, but Eli had taken a bus and not even spent the night there. He heard Darcy yelling at someone and when she came through the door she was smiling. Eli walked up to the screen door and Saw HIS Clare out their with another boy and they seemed to be really close.
''Since?'' It was a strange male voice must be one of Clare new male friends. Eli found him very unlikable. He was dressed like a lumber Jack.
''Today''. Eli saw Clare turn to face away from him like she always did when she was about to cry. Eli noticed both of then were head to toe covered in mud and grass. ''He got mad at me for hanging out with other people''. Eli felt like someone was twisting a knife around his already hurting heart. She was talking to some new friend about how HE had hurt her. The tone changed at Clare turned around and watched the boys face.
''Could you be more smug?'' That cracked Eli how could she?! She only said that to HIM! It was THEIR joke. He didn't even know what Clare was talking about.
''Of course I could!'' He laughed and they were silent for a second. But then they began to Joke around again, the way he and Clare did, how could she become friends with Jake so fast? Then Darcy came out from the front door and began to yell Eli almost laughed this girl never changed.
'OH MY GOD CLARE AND_'' Eli was upset again as Darcy seemed shocked to see some that wasn't Eli next to Clare. ''I don't think I've met you''. She sounded coy as if she thought Clare liked this boy, Eli knew she didn't Clare never had a crush on a boy and never would as Clare had told him a million times Just like Eli.
''Jake''. He said simply ''Jake Martin''. He waited until Darcy went into the house then spoke. ''Wow Darcy used to be fun''. She laughed and shook her head. Eli watched her storm up the stairs remembering when She would play with him and Clare. Darcy was a touchy topic with Clare and he flet her mood change and Eli wanted to go tell her she was better then Darcy but he didn't have to.
''She got popular''. Clare explained. ''Shes too cool for us little people now''. There was a bitter tone to a Clares face and Eli felt horrible for her.
''Hey, you don't need her, you're way cooler, you're real shes pretending to be someone shes not for everyone else.'' Clare smiled at him even Eli could tell he was already starting to loose it Clare didn't need him any more she had all her new friends.
''Thanks Jake, I needed that''. Clare used to say that to him, Eli leaned against the wall they were like all the other high schoolers now...
''Hey do you remember the first time we met?'' Eli narrowed his eyes it didn't seem like this kind was talking about the last few days. It was like he was talking about the past. No one had known Clare longer then him and Clare never had any other friends besides him. Clare and him laughed out loud.
''The first thing you did was throw a dead frog at me in grade 5 on the play ground.'' Eli felt his blood boil that was HIM! This was the kid that sent Clare home crying every day. And now she was all chummy with him?
''After that Eli pushed me off the jungle gym and I broke my arm''. Eli almost laughed sure he had, Jake had deserved it. Ever since he joined Eli's class when both of them were Eleven and in the sixth grade, Eli had hated him. He didn't hate Jake any less now. Clare laughed too.
''You kind of deserved it''.
''Ouch Lady''. Jake said putting his hands to his chest. ''You wound me''. Eli listened to them talk for awhile and Darcy coming out to yell another three times before he heard Jake say the worlds that made him want to kill the boy.
''You know Clare, I think we could be the best of friends...'' He said putting a arm around her. Making Eli want to go over there and punch him. He just KNEW Clare would say no HE was her best friend and ONLY him. ' 'What do you say... bestie?'' Nevertheless he felt a little nervous. What if she DID say yes? Who would he have then? NOBODY that's who.
''I say that sounds great... bestie.'' Eli felt his heart break into a million pieces, he never though she would to this to him! crying and in tears he went home. What was happening to them? WHY was this happening to them? He'd never felt so lost... Was she getting that tired of him? Was he smothering her that much? What happened to it being JUST Eli and Clare Eli didn't like that there were other people in her life now.
He didn't know half the people she was hanging out with, Alli of course who Eli thought was pain in the ass, some kid who wanted to 'Study' with Clare some kids named Dave and Conner All these kids were in the gifted Class were her new friends. Now there's this kid who was clearly becoming what Eli was to Clare and it hurt. ''Hi Eli''. Eli huffed he didn't want to talk to Imogen right now she would tell him how right she had been and he might hit her this time, and not just think about it. She saw his tears and a look of genuine worry crossed her face. ''Whats wrong?'' Eli KNEW she would just gloat if he told her what was happening in his life Imogen liked him but hated him at the same time. She didn't like his closed off moody attitude she'd love to say I told you so.
''None of you're damn beeswax Imogen ''. he picked up his bike and started walking away. He knew she would just walk away, she had a crush on him but she didn't care about him at all. ''Do me a favor and leave me the hell alone, you'll just abandon me like Clare did''. He heard her gasp as Clare and Jake's laughs were heard again as they walked down the side walk probably going to that stupid party at the Dot.
''Eli stop please''. She whispered as she walked in front of him taking the handles of his bike so he couldn't walk away. Eli was surprised she looked into his eyes giving him a sorrow filled look. He did stop he was surprised she'd cared enough to chase him. ''I know Clare OK? Clare would NEVER abandon you Eli, I think she just wants to have other friends, you'll always be her BEST friend Eli and its OK for you to have other friends'' Eli broke down at that moment and began to sob and dropped his bike he fell to the ground and Imogen hugged him close to her.
''It's all my fault, I'm way to insecure Imogen, I just care about her so much she's my best friend and if I loose her, I'll die''. She only hugged him tighter. ''I yelled at her for hanging out with someone else and now I'M the bad guy and HE is the one helping get over what I did to her!''
''Oh Eli''. Imogen obviously didn't know what to say because she only hugged him. When he finally stopped. He felt humiliated for crying his eyes out in front of this girl.
''I'm sorry Imogen I just_'' She shut him up by crashing his lips onto hers and Eli didn't know how to respond so he kissed her back. He now had another girl in his life and Eli didn't know how to feel about it.
Clare POV
That Monday at school Clare walked into the building with KC, Alli, Conner and Dave and Jake Her and Alli had had a good time at their sleep over the night Jake came over and Clare had gotten new Clothes at the mall and wasn't wearing her uniform. Her and Kc had a great time on their Date and Clare was sure they were about to cross the line between friendship and Boyfriend/ girlfriend. She saw Eli walking up to Clare holding hands with Imogen, Clare felt something wash over her, dread this was the girl who stalked him all the time now he was dating her?!
Worry for Eli's feelings filled her heart, she would hurt him Clare knew it. She was taken out of her thoughts when Eli ran up to her and hugged her.''Clare I'm so sorry about what happened the other day, I didn't mean to be a jerk, you're right we do need to have other friends!'' She thought she saw Eli sneer and Jake but she ignored it as she hugged him.
''Oh Eli, I'm soooo happy you feel that way! You're always going to be my number one''. She couldn't help but feel smug when she saw Imogen shift and look at the ground when she and Eli shared that moment. She hated the girl, but she gave Imogen a genuine smile if she was dating Eli, she had to be nice to her. Eli was happy.
''And you'll always be MY number one''. She felt sorry for Imogen as she turned around and walked away after Eli said that. Eli should be more careful when he said that. She nudged Eli's shoulder. Her eyes fell on Kc who also looked down.
''Eli''. She nodded towards Imogen walking down the hall. Eli glanced over.
''Awe Shit''. He said giving Clare one last hug and running after her, she saw him talking to Imogen, and Imogen waving him off saying things to him sounding totally peeved. He then began to yell at her as she yelled back. ''WHAT THE HELL IMOGEN?, SHES MY BEST FRIEND! OF COURSE SHE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY LIFE!'' Clare shook her head as she rejoined her group of friends they'd been dating for under a week and they were already fighting.
''MORE IMPORTANT THEN YOU'RE GIRLFRIEND?!'' Imogen screamed at him.
''CAN'T I LOVE YOU BOTH THE SAME?!'' She said something to him and Eli dashed after her, giving Clare a smile she shook her head trying to get him to keep going after her. She smiled up at Kc.
''I'm glad Eli and I aren't dating, there would be too much Drama''. She said this only to make him feel better about the situation of the hugging. ''He didn't even notice my outfit''. It had been the first thing Kc had said to her when he met her at the door. ''Walk me to class?'' He gave her a smile and together she and Alli walked to Class together. It was then that Eli joined Clare and almost shoved Kc as he tried to get between them and then wrapped his arm around Clare forcing Kc to walk behind them beside Imogen.
''Everything's good''. He sighed as she watched Imogen walk up to them Clare felt awkward as Eli and her walked arm in arm while KC and Imogen walked behind them. She turned around and gave Kc a apologetic look, he gave her a smile back as if he understood, after all she had told him how possessive Eli was. He was OK with new friends he was just trying to make sure he was always number one.
''Eli?'' She said taking a breath hoping he would listen to her. ''Can you take Jake to homeroom?'' Surprisingly he nodded and gave Jake a fake smile only Clare could tell was fake. Sure she'd only done this to get rid of Eli, but she wanted to apologize for his behavior.
''Imogen, Kc I am SO sorry about Eli''. Both of them shook their heads giving Clare understanding smiles.
''He just has to get used to this Clare, it'll change soon.'' Kc said. Imogen nodded.
''I have to get to class''. Clare sighed knowing the girl was hurting so much and she felt as if it was all her fault. ''See you after school Clare''. She said as Eli popped up and put his arm around her. Clare felt better but she knew that Eli was only doing this because Clare wasn't around.
''Ready to go to Class guys?'' They all started walking to the gifted kids Classroom. ''Oh Clare do you want to spend the night?'' She asked. ''My mother wouldn't mind.'' Clare knew for a fact that her mother would on a school night. And she knew for a fact that Eli wouldn't be upset with Clare but he'd be upset if she did. She needed to go to Eli tonight after forgetting him all weekend.
''I can't I need to spend the night with Eli''. Alli nodded understandingly. Clare began to walk to class feeling happy that Eli was Ok with her hanging out with other people, but upset that he seemed to want to spend more time with her the with his girlfriend.