OH HEY. So yeah, I am back—again, sorry for the lack of update… but hopefully no lack of review?
Hm…. So I like this chapter, I think you may as well…. WINK WINK ;)
ALSO! Review my oneshot "When The Day Met The Night" FLUFF.
Enjoy, dear readers.
"We're home Eli! Brought chicken and a whole stack of Billy Idol CD's for you to lis—whoa…Who is this beauty?"
Eli and Clare quickly separated, and the latter scurried across the room, gripping the counter behind her as she tried to steady her breath, mind fluttering at the remembrance of her and Eli's proximity…
She took a glance at the sight in front of her; a middle aged couple had just burst through the front door of Eli's house. The woman, clad in leather and spandex, had a chicken roast in her hands, while the man, a little bit shabby and scruffy looking, held a stack of CD cases that went up to the bridge of his nose.
Although, Clare, who wasn't really sure who these people were, she felt very overwhelmed, yet excited with their presence.
Eli however, knew very well who rather odd pair was.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Clare; Cece and Bullfrog… my parents." He mumbled sheepishly, glaring at his parents for their very eccentric entrance.
"The…Clare?" Cece mocked in awe.
"The one and only… we've heard way too much about you." Bullfrog snorted, and Clare felt flattered, "That's me," Clare smiled nervously, "So nice to meet you."
Before Clare even knew it, Cece had enveloped her in a hug. Bullfrog smugly grinned at Eli.
"That one over there, she is a keeper. Got a nice rack," he winked, walking in to the living room after setting the CD's down on the counter. "Video game kid!" he exclaimed, and Eli groans. So many thoughts swarmed into his head, and he feels dizzy. He wonders what would have happened if his parents hadn't walked in on him and Clare, and how he would have done anything to get that moment back.
He's a coward, and he is very aware of that.
"I'd be delighted if you would stay for dinner, dear!" Cece persuaded, and every possible conversation that could occur during that dinner erases all rational thoughts in Eli's mind.
He stands there, visibly annoyed, but when Clare touches his arm, his guard is let down completely.
"This should be fun," she grins mischievously, and Eli pulls on his hair while playfully glaring at her.
"Just… be prepared." He warned, and Clare simply shrugged before turning back to talk to Cece.
.
.
.
.
Clare expected a calm dinner, with occasion filler questions about her hobbies and things, but Eli knew his parents all too well, and was practically shaking as Cece set the food down.
Everyone sat for a moment, and a roar of conversation overtook the air.
Eli wasn't ever participating in the discussion, he was simply observing.
He and Bullfrog sat on either end of the table, and Adam, (who had promptly agreed to stay) sat next to Eli, across from Adam was Cece, who had Clare next to her.
As Eli looked at her, his heart warmed at the sight of her being so…comfortable around his parents.
As Bullfrog told one of his rather animated stories, Clare listened intently, fingers entwined under her chin, elbows on the table, and she had stopped eating entirely so he could have her full attention.
Occasionally, she caught his eye, grinning, she winked and focused all attention back to Bullfrog.
Eli decided to tune into the conversation. "-I know your average Joe wouldn't peg me as a Beatles fan, and I'm was never totally swooned with them, I'm still not, but I mean, when you are standing a mere five feet away from the legend that is John Lennon—I just, who wouldn't freak out?" Bullfrog sighed loudly, and Eli realized he was telling his infamous story of how he ran into John Lennon outside an art exhibit.
Clare chimed in, "I've always been quite the Beatles fan, personally I always thought that Paul was the most fascinating—the deep emotion hidden in every word he sings…" She trailed off and sighed lovingly, and Eli was shocked; he never knew she had known all of this stuff, let alone that she actually listened to them, didn't seem like her type.
But then again, had he not learned to never underestimate Clare Edwards?
"Paul? Don't get me wrong, I—he's wonderful, but most people idolized John; he was a trendsetter without even trying! Mr. Lennon changed the world—he wrote most of the songs anyway… And when you think about all of his popular songs that changed the world, Imagine, Hey Jude… the deep meaning behind those songs… just wow. I can't even- just, he's an idol." Bullfrog's eyes were wide, and he couldn't find any more words to say.
Clare had a passionate look in her eyes, and it was a beautiful thing to look at.
"And he says he isn't a swooner…." Eli shook his head playfully and winks at his dad, who throws a potato at him.
"Watch yourself—if it wasn't for me… you wouldn't be here right now." Bullfrog retorted and Eli groans, covering his ears.
.
.
.
.
"Clare's a lovely girl…" Cece said absentmindedly as Eli helped her wash the dishes. Bullfrog, Clare and Adam had gone into Bullfrogs 'man cave' to check out his full CD collection, and the myriad of album covers he had signed. Eli glares at her, dropping his sponge into the water violently.
"MOM. She's just a friend, nothing more, nothing less." He said simply, avoiding her eyes, as he picked up his sponge and continued to scrub.
Cece grinned, "I have no idea what you're talking about… just said she was lovely. Very deep, Bullfrog certainly took an interest in her."
Eli stopped scrubbing and turned to his mom. "I… I really like her."
Cece's eyes softened and she smiled, "I know Babyboy…. She's wonderful. I like her too." She winked, and turned back to scrubbing.
Eli groaned, and he realized he seemed to be doing this a lot lately.
.
.
.
.
"I see your pattern, and I can match it. Just chase the lines of your paisley jacket!"
Adam belted the lyrics swiftly, nodding his head and playing the air guitar, which occasionally bumped into Clare's arm, and she giggled and rolled her eyes.
The three of them had squeezed into Morty and Eli was currently driving them home. At first there was silence as he drove, but Adam didn't like that, and this is where they ended up.
"Adam, you wonder why Drew plugs his ears whenever you walk into a room." Eli complained as Adam continued to coo the lyrics. Though he loved Dead Hand, Eli decided it just wasn't enjoyable when Adam was obnoxiously ruining the song. Clare looked down at her hands, laughing as she picked at her nail polish. "God Adam, you were squirming in your seat so much, you stepped on my shoelace and pulled it loose." She mumbled, and Adam chuckled, "Don't hate, alright."
He leaned over Clare's body in whispered into Eli's ear, positive Clare wouldn't be able to hear over the music. "Which is why you're dropping me off first," He winks, and Eli catches on immediately.
Eli pulls up to Adam's house and Clare teasingly shoves him out of the car.
"Bye Adam, try not to break anymore eardrums," She yelled through the window, clearing her ear with her finger.
"Eh, no promises," he grinned, and walked into his house.
Eli started driving again, and silence fell between them.
"And then there were two." He said awkwardly, glancing at her quickly.
She laughed, then said, "The first quiet moment I've had all day. I honestly am not even upset about KC anymore, you know." She stated, and the conversation was now serious.
"Hm," Eli pondered, "And what brought you to this conclusion?"
Clare looked pensive for a moment, took a deep breath, "I realized that I didn't really like him, I just was looking for someone to like because I was trying to get rid of other feelings." She said, taking a quick glance at Eli. "I seem to be changing courses a lot lately." She laughed nervously, suddenly interested in tracing the designs on her skirt.
"I see. Well, whatever decisions you make… I'm always here. Just remember that—I am the best cheerer-upper that ever lived." He stuck his head up smugly, earning himself a slap in the arm.
"Good to know…" she trailed off, and Eli pulled up to her house.
"Bye Clare, see you Monday?"
She turned to him, her face unusually red. "Um, no… we should hang out over the weekend. I mean, if you want to…"
Did he want to…. Is that even a question?
"Of course, just text me whenever, my life is pretty dull anyway." He laughed.
She pulled in to give him a hug, his arms wrapped around her slightly before he went to pull away, but she didn't move. She winced.
Her hair was caught on one of the buttons on his jacket. "Oh…Crap sorry!" he panicked, weaving her hair through the button carefully.
Then, out of nowhere, Clare leaned up… and kissed him.
It was brief, short, but oh so sweet, and his mind was in such a whirl he was dizzy. Her lips were so soft, and he found himself craving more, but held back.
He hadn't even realized he got the hair out until she pulled away, her face bright red, "Goodnight, Eli."
She stroked his cheek, leaving the car, and waving once before walking into her house, leaving Eli more dumbfounded than ever before.
SO…. Whataya think? I LIKE THIS CHAPTER.
Review? THANKS.
I love you guys, positive feedback is wonderful c:
