Hey guys! Chapter 7 up! Haha, 7- up… get it? No? Okay… haha! Anyways, I'll cut this short because of the long Author's note at the end! Enjoy the chapter, lovelies! :P

ELI

The day has finally come. I haven't seen or spoken to Clare since she told Adam she wanted to press charges. I wanted her to have her space, so she could prepare for testifying against Glen. Adam said five days ago that her lousy excuse of a mom came over and tried to guilt Clare into dropping the charges. How could someone's mother do that to their own child? How could she not see the fear and pain that was so blatantly obvious in her eyes? That woman deserves all the backlash that's going to come at her for ignoring her daughter's pain. All I can think about is the bruises I've seen on her, angrily blooming over her delicate, porcelain skin. All I can think about is the way she said, "He's touched me, Eli." She said it so despairingly, I felt my heart break even more.

She lost her innocence, her trust, dignity, self-respect, love, and mother because of him. She very damn well nearly her life because of him. I don't know if she'll ever be able to fully move on, or trust anyone after this; but seeing Glen be put away will help her heal. I'm sure of it. I'm so proud of her for telling the truth, because if she didn't, I don't know if Clare would be alive today. Tears prick at my eyes as this thought crosses my mind, but I push them away. I guess I'll never be able to understand why Clare would protect others before protecting herself. Yes, I know she was watching out for everyone's mental health, but she neglected her physical health. She neglected herself. Nobody knows how heartbreaking it is to see someone self-destructing, especially when you haven't gone through it yourself.

The night we found her, the night I found out her secret, her beautiful eyes were completely lifeless. It suddenly hit me. Clare had been pretending to be happy in order not to rouse our suspicions, to protect us. Me. She was sobbing that night, other than that her eyes were dead. They say your eyes are the window to your soul. I guess that means Clare's soul died along with her happiness. It makes me so sick that I was of the reasons she never spoke up. It's like survivor's guilt, except I'm not the survivor. I want to find a rewind button, and go all the way back to before 'Glen came around. I want to go back to when Clare had no pain. No sadness, no fear. This guilt is swelling up inside of me, eating away at my mind, my heart. I don't feel any warmth, any solace.

I feel cold. The blood running through my veins is cold, the blood pumping my heart is cold, I just feel cold and empty. I hope that this trial brings closure not just for Clare, but for me too. I'll always live with this guilt inside me, but I hope that this justice being brought forth will minimize it. I know Clare will just tell me that it's not my fault and that I shouldn't feel guilty, but it is my fault. I walked away from her because I was scared, and it turns out she's getting hurt for me. She wanted to save me from more pain, by adding more to hers.

She knew how difficult it can be for me to handle things, so she thought she was helping me. Well, she didn't. I feel more pain and guilt than I ever have before, because she was looking out for me. She was expecting me to freak out, but I finally got control over my emotions. I'm grieving for her, and she's not even dead. She risked losing herself to protect everyone she loves. I don't know how long I sat on my bed, before a gentle knock came at my door.

"Yeah," I answer softly, and the door slowly opens. My mom comes in and shuts it behind her, before taking a seat next to me. Her usually wild hair was tame and swept up in a neat updo, and she had minimal make up on. She wore a dark green dress, and black heels. She looked professional, not like my mother at all. I raise an eyebrow and shrug. Maybe she just wanted to look presentable in court. I don't know, it isn't really important.

"We're leaving for the courthouse in five minutes, baby boy. Are you ready?" I look down at my black suit and maroon tie, before realizing I didn't have shoes on. I must've been too deep in thought about Clare.

"Let me just get my shoes on, I'll be right out." I let out a shaky sigh. She must sense that I'm nervous and scared, because she runs a hand through my hair, and kisses my cheek.

"It's going to be alright, you know that? That sick son of a bitch is going to rot behind bars. Clarabelle will be fine."

I know she's right, but I just feel that deep down, maybe Glen going to jail isn't enough. I just nod at her, and I feel her hesitate, before she gets up and leave. I slip on my shoes and stare out the window for a moment. A thought dawning on me, and troubling my mind. Would Glen get an appropriate sentence? Would it be without the possibility of parole? Would the jury and the judge believe Clare in the end?

I can't help but feel a lack of faith for the justice system. They seem to never do their job right. Long sentences are assigned to those who don't deserve them, and short ones who do. People are acquitted, or found not guilty, when they should be found guilty, and vice versa. I guess a little part of me is scared that Glen will somehow weasel out of this, and his actions will bear no consequences. I'm scared that if this does happen, I'll lose Clare forever.

I break myself out of my thoughts, and make my way down to the car. I get in the back seat, and CeCe and Bullfrog turn around to pat my knee comfortingly. They don't say a word, because they know I'm too deep in thought about what's to come. All I can think about is if Glen is found not guilty, how can I save Clare from destroying herself? How can I save her from disappearing completely?

All I do know is that I will do everything I can to protect Clare, just like she did for me. I'll sacrifice everything, and do what it takes to ensure that she's not scared or in pain, and that she's safe. She'll never have to go a day worrying about whether that monster will come back for her or not. Not only will she have me at her side, but she'll have Adam, Drew, Dallas, and even Owen. Not to mention Audra and Omar Torres. We're her family now. We're the family she never had. I'm not too sure about Owen yet, but I know the rest of us all care for her deeply. I'll get her through this, no matter what it takes.

Because I love her.

ADAM

Today's the day. Clare finally will get justice served to her, These past few days have been tense, I've been tiptoeing around Clare's emotions because she's already a nervous wreck, I don't want to upset her even more. I sincerely hope that from all of this, Clare gets the peace and closure she deserves. I'm still in complete shock over her mom's actions. What kind of mother walks away from their own daughter? What kind of mother takes their partner's side over their own flesh and blood?

I don't think I'll ever get an answer to these questions; but then again, I'm not sure I want them. I'm very nervous about testifying on her behalf, even though I've practiced with Dad. I don't want to see Glen's mocking, sociopathic face staring at me as I testify against him. I definitely don't want to see Helen's horrified and angry face as I help destroy her marriage, rightfully so. It just amazes me that Helen held up the façade of being the good Christian mother for so long. Underneath her fake exterior was a cold-hearted, manipulative, ignorant woman. I find myself very lucky to have the mother I have.

My mom may be strict and somewhat aggravating, but I know she loves me, and Drew. Clare has never really had anyone. Darcy left for Africa years ago, her Dad left her behind, and she hasn't had a real mother in years. My family is her family, and she is ours. It really hurts me to know that she let herself be treated like a punching bag to spare our feelings. I was so sure she knew that she could come to me with any problem she had, but she never came until I found out on my own. That hurts a lot, too. I feel guilty that she didn't trust me enough to tell me, even though she also thought she was protecting me. I know it isn't my fault, but maybe if I had pressed harder, she wouldn't be in the condition she's in today.

I've had nightmares ever since that night her injuries were shown, and when she was curled up and screaming on the ground that her ribs hurt. I've never been so scared and angry in my life. Nobody should ever have to know pain that severe. Nobody should ever have to know pain at all. Especially my kind-hearted best friend. She's known pain that I will never be able to understand. She has scars on her soul and heart that will probably never be able to heal. She's not entirely broken, but she's not entirely whole. I know Clare will probably never be completely the same again, and for that I'm also grieving. When he took Clare's innocence, he also took away my best friend. She'll always be my Clare-bear, but now she'll always be different. I hate Glen for taking whatever issues he had out on her. I hate him for gaining clare's trust and breaking her in the aftermath. I hate him because he took away everything she was, is. I hate him for having no remorse for what he's done. I hate him simply because he's living. I hope Glen gets every ounce of pain he caused her returned to him.

All of my memories of Clare being truly happy are tainted because of him. I'll never know if she was actually happy, or if she was faking it to keep up the façade. I walk down the basement steps to my room, to check on Clare. She's been staying in my room, and I've been staying in Drew's room, while Drew bunked with Dallas. Dallas used to sleep down here, but I like to play ocean sounds to help me sleep, and well, Drew didn't appreciate the noise. Whatever. Anyway, as I walk into the room, I see Clare sitting on the ground. She has her head in her hands, but lifts it up as she hears me enter. Her face is stained with tears, and her nose and eyes are red from crying. I get on the floor next to her, and I speak up.

"What's wrong, Clare?" I have a slightly worried tone, because this is supposed to be a good day for her, she's supposed to be relieved. If her mother tried to speak with her again, so help me…

Clare looks at me, and I can't help admire how beautiful she is, even when she's crying her eyes out. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand, and lets out another sob.

"Adam, What if… what if Glen doesn't get found guilty? What if these people don't believe me, and he goes free?" She stares at me with such fear in her eyes, so I grab her hand in an attempt to comfort her.

"Clare, no. Don't think like that. Like, fucking don't think like that. That bastard is getting put away, whether he likes it or not. I'm testifying, Eli's testifying, Drew's going to testify I think, and even Owen will testify. You have four people supporting you, not to mention mom and dad. Everything is going to be fine. Relax, okay? Please." She gives me a small, wobbly smile, and wraps her arms around my neck. I know that everything is going to be okay, she won't have to suffer anymore. She won't have to feel any more pain, I'll make sure of it.

"You always know what to say," She whispers sadly, still smiling.

"You're my best friend, Clare-Bear. I love you, of course I know what to say." Before she can reply, footsteps sound on the stairs, and Clare tenses. I squeeze her hand to let her know it's alright, and Drew emerges from the staircase. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, so he must've been eavesdropping. Typical Drew behavior. Oh well.

"Uhh, I hate to ruin this Hallmark moment and all, but we kind of have to…go. Like, now." He makes a motion to the door, as if we don't know what 'Go' means. Drew can be pretty weird sometimes. I love him anyway, though.

Clare just nods at him, and gets up to gather her purse, since she's all ready to go,. I get up with her, holding her hand every step of the way. We were in this together. She will never be alone.

Drew and I seem to be on the same page thought-wise, because we both blurt out the same question.

"So, are you ready to nail this bastard?" We both stare at each other in shock, and let out a small laugh. I turn and stare at Clare expectantly. She wipes away the tears from her eyes, and clears her throat. Steely determination and another emotion I can't place wash over her face. She squeezes my hand tightly, nodding curtly.

"I've never been more ready for something in my whole life."

We all share a confident smile, and continue to ascend up the stairs to finally obtain peace for Clare.

Finally.

Chapter 7, one week later! Hope you guys enjoy, this chapter was really hard to write, because I'm still working through some really emotional, tough things. Sorry for the wait! I'll be updating again really soon! Don't forget to drop a review, and check out the author I mentioned, Princess-Xion! Also, I would like to give a shout out to two of my favorite readers, ForeverAndAlways37, and OhsnapitzLexi! :D

ForeverAndAlways37: I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter, so you're very welcome! What I'm not glad about is the fact you've experienced something like that with your own mother. I'm very sorry to hear that, and I hope for nothing but the best for you! I also hope that this chapter was the least bit cathartic for you, because to know you aren't alone in a negative, nasty situation is one of the best feelings ever. Thank you for being such a devoted reader, and I most definitely will update soon. (:

OhsnapitzLexi: Oh no! ): I hope your dad is doing well, surgeries can be risky and rough! My thoughts are with him! I'm also sorry you've had to experience rough times. No matter the situation, they aren't fun ): Trust me, I love myself the dramatic stuff too. Probably because it's easy to relate to, ha. (: If you like Drama you should definitely check out the author I mentioned in the previous, and current chapter. She's a great writer! Thanks for being such an awesome reader/reviewer You make the updates come faster! :D Love ya too!