Eli's POV

She looked at me like I was completely insane. I smirked and fiddled with my house keys. When I finally opened the door, I grabbed her hand and led her into my dark house. I walked in and shut the door then I grabbed her other hand and spun her around so that she was facing me.

" So do you like my big, empty house?"

" Yea, but where are your parents?" Clare asked with a worried look.

" They leave for business for a month, then they come back for a week or so."

" Oh."

I looked at her and smiled as I pulled her lips to mine. I could feel the tension in her lips for the first few seconds, then she started to relax. Without braking the kiss, I pulled her onto the couch. She snaked her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, if it was even possible. After what felt like minutes, we pulled away, breathless.

" Are you okay?" I was starting to worry.

" It's nothing."

" Clare, you can tell me anything, I just want to know what's wrong." I said as I took her soft, pale hands in mine.

" I can't do it any more! I can't take all the fighting.!" She cried into my shoulder.

" Shh, shh, shh. It's going to be okay. You can stay with me for awhile if you want to."

" I couldn't.."

" Why not?"

" I would be taking advantage of you."

" Clare Edwards, I want to do this, I'm not just asking you to spend the night just because I feel sorry for you."

" Oh, I'm sorry, I just kind of jumped to conclusions."

" It's okay. So do you want to go get some clothes from your house for the next couple of days?"

" Eli, I never said I would." She said with a small smile.

" But you know you want to."

" Okay fine, but I can only stay for a few nights." She smiled.

I smiled as I stood up and took her by the hand and led her out Morty. As we drove down the street, I could see the pain and nervousness in her face. I reached over and took her hand and squeazed it slightly. I hated to admit it, but I was nervous to face her parents too.