A/N: 13 reviews? Thank you, so much. Sorry I took a while, was distracted this weekend. I tried my best on this, I hope I don't dissapoint. And as always, please review and tell me what you think! I luv love feedback. But not as much as you guys (L)


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Seems So Long

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Jake and Clare were currently on their way to the city, since it was her last day. It was Friday and she would be leaving tomorrow, first thing in the morning.

Inside the car, it was silent. With the exception of the air turned on and the puffs it trickled out of its sides. As well as the radio that played soft music on a low volume. Clare rested her head against the passenger's window as she fiddled with her thumbs. She wasn't really thinking of anything at the moment. To be honest, she was simply staring off into space.

Jake occasionally glanced between Clare and the traffic in the road. She sighed a bit and shifted in her seat lazily. Jake took his eyes off for a second as he honked at the slow drivers in front of them.

"Clare?" He gently tapped Clare's arm.

Clare sat up straight and gave him a soft smile, "Hmm?"

He furrowed his eyebrows and said, "You've been awfully quiet. Is something wrong?"

Her eyes seemed tired and she didn't have that normal radiant smile she always carried, "I didn't sleep well last night. I guess I'm a bit tired, that's all."

"Why? Were you having dreams about me that kept you awake?" Jake teased.

Clare grimaced, because she did have dreams the night before, now that she remembers. But they weren't about Jake. They were about Eli, in this dream she was reliving events that happened between them. Nothing out of proportions, but still, definitely uncalled for.

Clare stayed quiet and dodged his question, "Where are you taking me?"

"It's a beautiful Friday and you're leaving tomorrow. I thought we should do something extremely special, hence a surprise." Jake grinned, as he drove a bit faster when the traffic gradually cleared up.

Clare smiled at him in return. But, she couldn't deny the hesitation to be with Jake and away from Eli.


When Eli woke up, his body was spread flat out. He groaned as the rays of sunlight beamed in his face, bothering him. He got up and scratched his head. Then, he walked out of the door, to down the hallway, and passed by Ted.

Ted glanced up and gave him that cheesy grin Jake had inherited, "Hey Eli. Why are you up so early?"

Eli stretched his arms, groaning in the process, "How early is it?"

Ted finished knotting his tie and glanced at the watch on his wrist, "Mm well, it's about time for me to head to work. Seven-thirty."

"Shit." Eli muttered to himself, "Then what the hell am I doing awake?"

"Sorry? I didn't quite catch that?" Ted squinted his eyes at him, "Is everything alright? Your mother told me you have been acting strange lately."

Eli shook his head, "It's nothing—just couldn't sleep last night."

"Well, I've got to go now. It's a big day at the office, once again. Catch you later, sport." Ted chuckled and messily ran a hand through Eli's hair.

Eli rolled his eyes; he hated having his hair touched. It was a compulsive annoyance. Along with being called sport, he wasn't an activity that meatheads like Jake played with. Wait a second

Eli knew he couldn't go back to sleep, and he thought of the one person who would be awake at a time.

He walked towards her door, and gave a quick knock. Once he saw that no one answered, his fist made tougher contact with the wood. There was still no response from her and he touched the doorknob slightly, giving it a turn. He saw that it wasn't locked and he entered the room. Eli saw that the bed was made and her suitcase was neatly tucked to the side of a wall. He walked around and didn't find her. Then, he grew suspicious. He went downstairs and saw Nancy polishing a glass vase in the living room.

He walked to her casually, "Nancy."

The maid tilted her head at him and smiled, "Yes?"

"Do you happen to know where uh-" Shoot, he had to act normal, "Do you know where Jake is?"

She nodded, "Him and his girlfriend went to spend the day in the city, since it's her last day."

Eli indifferently muttered, "Oh, I see. Thanks." He walked away and for some reason, he was hoping he could spend more time with Clare before she would leave.

Eli didn't really speak to her since Tuesday, with the acceptance of occasionally passing by each other in the hallways. But only a few words were exchanged. Due to the fact that Jake wasn't heading to the office anymore, and the two were practically attached at the hip.

Eli didn't bother anymore and locked himself in his room. He didn't have anything to do, and decided that instead of being stuck at home another day like a parasite, he decided he should go out do something.

He dialed a number and they answered, "Yo."

Eli rolled his eyes, "I assume, Adam lost his phone, again?"

Drew chuckled, "It's not like he uses it—the guy gets zero calls. Anyways, he went to meet up a girl for something—you needed him?"

Eli sighed, "Guess not. Just bored, do you want to meet up?"

"Well, Declan has been bugging me to check out a swanky bar downtown. He was thinking of inviting you too, why don't we just meet there?"

"Sure, I could go for a scotch without my mom glaring at me around the house. Where at?"

"Great. I'll text you the directions, see you there."

Eli rushed in the shower and buttoned a dress shirt with black pants; he walked out of the door, ready to distract himself.


Jake parked in front of an elegant French restaurant. He got out of his car and Clare opened her door to step out. She looked at it and it seemed extremely expensive at just a glance. There was a huge line of people at the door, who were dressed very formal. It seemed restricted, considering that from the windows, very few people were inside and many were outside, being denied entrance.

Clare sighed and gripped Jake's arm tightly, "We could go somewhere else, if it's trouble for you. This place seems so-"

"Exclusive?" Jake grinned, "Exactly. It's the best restaurant in town. But don't worry. My father is good friends with the owner."

Clare looked at him worriedly, "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Jake said with a confidence he always had since he was a child.

He held Clare's hand and walked to the front of the line. Many glared at them, and some groaned that they were doing so.

"Sorry." Clare muttered at them, feeling rude.

Jake walked up to the hostess, behind a booth, who was wearing a slick uniform. She had a serious face and seemed stressed, annoyed with everything. Until, she saw Jake approach her, and she grinned greatly at him, "Jacob! Our favorite customer! Please come, come! We will give you and your lovely date the best table."

She snapped her fingers, ordering someone to come, "Hurro? Someone, pronto! We need the best table for Jacob Martin and his-"

The hostess looked at Clare, and waited for a reply.

"Girlfriend." Jake grinned at her, and Clare avoided everyone's gaze landing on her. She hated to be in the spotlight.

The waiter, named Hurro, led Clare and Jake to the far corner, where there was candle in the center of the small table, with a window viewing the entire city.

"Well, do you like it? Please, tell me you love it." Jake grinned at Clare, when they sat down.

Clare blushed, "Sometimes you overwhelm me with these fantastic things you do. But yes, I appreciate it."

Jake extended his arm to her side and caressed her face, "That's wonderful."

The waiter came by and they placed their orders, while Jake sipped some wine and Clare only drank water.

"Mm. You should really taste this, Clare. It's from Italy. Greatest vineyards, you'll find there. I went there when I was thirteen, family vacation. Best time, I had that year."Jake boasted.

Clare smiled, "You told me before. It seems beautiful, but no thanks, you know I don't drink."

"Nonsense." Jake teased, "Take a risk."

"Maybe someday." Clare giggled at him, and he stared at her, "I'm going to miss you Jake, so much. This week with you has been great."

Jake frowned, "There's always other times we could do this."

Clare shifted in her seat and softly replied, "Speaking of other times, when do you think we could see each other again? I was hoping that maybe you could visit me in three weeks, both my dad and aunt have been asking about you."

Jake cleared his throat and nervously glanced around the area, "I need to talk to you about that, babe. Something I discussed with my father on Tuesday night, when I came home really late from work."

Clare grew worried and arched an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"I mean, it's nothing bad. But, I have a huge construction project that I am leading!" Jake exclaimed with bright eyes, "Clare, I'm the one calling the shots in this. People are going to follow my orders. And not because my dad is the boss, but because I initiated the deal, I signed the blueprints. It's all me." Jake grinned enthusiastically.

"Jake! I'm so proud of you." Clare beamed at him.

But Jake continued, "I know, I am too of myself. I've worked nonstop for it." His face then switched emotions to shameful and he said in a low voice, "But, it's in Quebec. I have to go back and forth constantly, even though it's not that far from here. But, it means I'll be busy, and not being able to visit you. I have to go the office constantly now."

Clare's smile faltered and she stayed silent, trying to take it all in, but she raised her head and ignored the decreased beat of her heart-rate, "I-I get it."

Jake grabbed her hand from the other side, "That doesn't mean we can't see each other. I mean, just like every month and a half or two. It's not so much, once you think about it. I'll visit you, and you can visit me."

"Just a month and a half?" Clare attempted a timid smile.

"I'll do my best to make sure it's that way. I swear." Jake kissed her hand.

She silently nodded, and was thankful that the waiter had arrived with their food, so she wouldn't have to talk to him anymore.

Inside, a sudden feeling began to surface. It was safe to say, that Jake had made her upset. She knows, she shouldn't be and try to act understanding. But, she also begins to think about what Eli said, Jake putting everything before her. It's not that alone which bothered her—just the fact that at times the only effort Jake made for Clare had to do with money. And it made her feel like an object.

She didn't look at him, and barely touched her food. Because, she was too busy trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She also began to feel a glossy coat forming on her eyes, and she didn't want to cry, not in front of him.

So, she got up quickly and mumbled, "I need to go use the restroom."

Jake was eating and busy checking his phone for business calls, "Okay." He didn't notice the weariness in her voice or the rapid steps she took to get away.

Clare entered the empty restroom and took a breather. She had a tear slip here and there, soon making her eyelids tuned into a blotchy red. She walked over to one of the porcelain sinks and rinsed her face cool water, hoping it would go away so Jake wouldn't notice.

"Don't be selfish, Clare. It's for Jake, he's worked so hard and he deserves it." She whispered to herself, attempting to calm down.

She straightened the hem of her blue dress and stepped out. She found Jake, with his hands closed and eyed her happily. Clare smiled back at him and took her seat, but in front of her, she found a black case, with a silky exterior.

Clare looked at it, but didn't touch it, "What's this?"

"Why don't you open it and find out." Jake teased.

Clare's hands trembled as she opened the case. It made a slight popping sound when it stretched.

Inside, she found a golden bracelet with tiny sapphire crystals embedded into it. It was thin, but beautiful. However, she wasn't feeling the reaction Jake hoped she would have.

"Wh-why did you get this? It must have cost you so much…J-Jake?" She stammered surprisingly.

Jake shook his head, "Think of it as an apology for leaving you on Sunday and Tuesday all alone. I should have been with you 24/7, but you know how it is. I'm sorry."

Clare's aunts voice came to mind, invading her conscious, "Boys like Jake buy you a dress and maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day they'll come up to you and ask for something you can't give in return."

Of course. That's what he's buying: her forgiveness.

Clare shakily breathed, and bowed her head down, "Jake, thank you so much, but I can't accept this. I really can't."

Jake arched an eyebrow and took some breath in, "Clare, please. I want you to have it."

"No, Jake. If you bought this because you think it'll make things better then…I don't want it. I love it, and I appreciate the trouble you went for it. But, please, understand me." Clare whispered.

"Please, take it, for me." Jake continued to object.

"I-I can't." Clare stammered lowly.

Jake glared at her, "You're acting…unnecessary. This is unnecessary. I bought it for you, and you will take it. I won't take no for an answer, Clare."

Clare didn't know what to say. This side of Jake was alien to her. Was this what he was really like? She didn't reply, ignoring what he said, because she felt uncomfortable and her spirits weakened.

Jake sighed and rubbed his temple, "Okay, I said that like an asshole. I just—Clare, I love you. I'm sorry. I bought it because I love you, because I felt like a jerk leaving you alone when you deserve my attention."

She still stayed quiet and Jake grew a bit worried, "Babe?" He tugged on her arm.

Clare simply nodded, but kept her mouth clamped shut and she licked her lips in agony, as she tapped her foot, to prevent her from crying again, "Okay, fine. I'm sorry for overreacting," She mumbled.

Jake looked at her sadly, "Great."

Clare breathed shakily, "Let's put this behind us, please. I don't want to leave with you mad at me. I just want to spend time with you. That's all that matters to me."

Jake softly smiled, "Yeah, whatever you say."


"He can't go one day without fucking a girl, can't he?" Declan whispered to Eli, as they sat in a booth, watching Drew flirt with a random girl from afar.

"You're certainly one to talk." Eli snorted.

"Hey, I have control. I'm not a hormonal addict like Hugh Hefner, over there." Declan sipped his whiskey.

"And…" Eli looked at Drew and saw him kiss the girl on the lips, "He's a goner. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5…" Eli muttered as Drew approached them, the smell of beer on his breath.

"Hey, I'm not coming back with you guys. I have a sudden change of plans, 'fellas." Drew chuckled.

"Wow, four seconds ahead of your usual record, Drew. I'm impressed." Eli smirked at him.

Drew high-fived an annoyed Eli, and laughed.

"Go on, get out of here you horn-dog." Declan laughed at him and Drew gave them the finger as he approached the woman and put his arm around her, both of them exiting the bar.

"Picking up a girl from a bar? That boy has no idea the trouble that awaits for him." Eli muttered as he shook his head.

"Ha!" Declan shortly laughed and they drank their beverages for a while.

But soon, Declan broke the ice, "So, Eli? I've been hearing that you were lip-locking with Emily the night of the party. I thought I told you, I was into her." Declan smiled, mocking him.

Eli made a gagging face, "First of all, I was drunk, and second, don't worry. I didn't touch her, thank God. You can have her, no scratches, bruises, or bite marks to worry about."

Declan nodded, "Splendid. She has this great body, and I've just been dying to go for it."

Eli rolled his eyes, "And here you are, judging your non-biological brother. You two are just as bad as Jake."

"Speaking of Jake, I saw his girl. Quite a looker, I might say. Damn." Declan hissed, "No wonder Jake's settled down, she's so-"

Eli interrupted him, "Don't finish that sentence." It was only a matter a time before Eli realized, that he had said something unnecessary, leaving Declan intrigued, and worst of all, suspicious.

"Something's going on between you two, huh?" Declan bit his lip, "Some high-class infidelity, Jakey-boy should bust a nut for?"

Eli scoffed, "Don't say idiotic crap. She's not my type. Come on, sure she's cute, but really? This is someone Jake is dating; you know that Jake and I have always had different tastes in everything. What I love, he hates. Likewise."

Declan nodded, content with the answer, "Yeah, sir. Whatever you say." He glanced at Eli, and chuckled, "So, when is she leaving?"

Eli drained the rest of his scotch, the alcohol burning his throat, but intoxicating him pleasurably, "Tomorrow."


The day went by quickly and it was already around eight at night. Jake and Clare had arrived home and they walked inside the house holding hands.

Clare smiled at him, "Today was great. Thank you."

Jake kissed her forehead, "I don't want you to leave."

"I don't either, but we could spend the rest of the night with each other, talking." Clare grinned.

Jake was about to respond, but Ted came out of the hallway, with a loosened tie and stressed eyes with big bags under them, "Jake! There you are! I called you this entire afternoon."

Jake checked his phone and saw that it was turned off, "Sorry, dad. I was out with Clare. She's leaving tomorrow."

Ted smiled at Clare, "Yeah, it's such a shame." But he turned to Jake, "I need you back at the office. It's urgent. The composite sketch for the interior design is screwed up, I need your help, son." His voice grew desperate, and Ted was nervously biting the end of his glasses.

Clare didn't make an effort to surface any sort of emotion upon her face, but Jake looked at her, with pleading eyes that she'd let him go. Clare nodded. Jake turned to her and whispered in her ear, "I'll do my best to hurry up. I'm sorry. So sorry." He muttered and quickly pecked her lips.

He then descended with Ted out of the front door, and left Clare, once again alone.

She sighed and looked around if Cece was around, maybe she could keep her company. But when she approached Miriam, she had told Clare that Cece went to visit a cousin of hers that was around the area.

"Are you hungry? We have some leftovers from dinner today." Miriam kindly asked her.

Clare gave the tiniest and most brief smile, "No thank you…Jake took me out to eat earlier. I lost my appetite."

Miriam nodded, and left towards the eastern half of the house, where the kitchen was.

Clare went up to her room, and made sure once more that everything was neatly packed for tomorrow. She didn't have anything to do, but to sleep. When she walked out of to her balcony, she saw the backyard had bright lights at its corner. It was huge enough to distract herself, and maybe she would go look at the lake one last time.

She walked downstairs and opened the back door; her steps were lazy and indifferent.

It was already night. Every corner missing any illumination, was pitch black. She could hear insects buzzing, owls hooting, and the leaves of the willow trees gently brushing against one another. It was what she exactly needed: peace and solitude.

She reached the farthest end, where no one could probably find her unless they knew where she was, and they didn't. She bent down and sat on the grass, Indian-style, against a tree.

She looked up at the stars, above the sky, and it was a beautiful view from where she sat. There weren't many shown because of the city lights, but back at her home there were clumps generously scattered across the sky at its every corner.

She rested her hand on her knee, and rubbed it to soothe herself. She looked at her wrist and saw that bracelet, its sapphire crystals were mocking her morals, and the golden chain suffocated her wrist. She felt the bile rising in her throat, burning, and she could barely breathe. Her palms were shaking, vibrating, and succumbing to her jittery emotions.

It killed a part of her to find herself like this, accepting fancy dinners and jewelry she never dreamed to have. Not because of having it, but the reasons behind them. She felt as if Jake was buying her morals, her standards, and she accepted it bit by bit. It scared her, because maybe if she didn't hold back to certain things with him, maybe he would put her before his work. It's not like she wanted to be his only priority, but she wanted to be an important one, if he loved her as much as he said he did. After all, that was the type of idea she grew up with.

Her breathing quickened and she was hiccupping shaky breaths of warm air. Her eyes were drowning in a small pool of tears, and then one slipped from her eyelid, rolling down her cheek. After that, she couldn't control it anymore.

Her emotions took over and she sighed, "Jake."

She cried and her body grew goose bumps on top of that smooth skin.

Maybe he was growing tired of her, and she barely began to realize it. But it didn't matter anymore, because Clare whimpered as she buried her face in her palms, crying those blue eyes out mercilessly.


When Eli arrived home, he didn't want to find both Clare and Jake being together inside his house. He didn't want to be in his room, because he would probably run into Clare in the hallway. So, he stepped outside and decided to skip a couple of rocks into the lake to calm himself.

When he was there, he let out a deep breath of air and walked around. He dug his hands in his pockets and held his breath.

It's been one week with you, Clare Edwards.

Eli thought and smirked, his heart swelled by just thinking about her— what the hell did Jake do, to get himself someone, like her?

His eyes flickered to the water on the lake and he saw his reflection, he threw a couple rocks into it, to make it scatter into multiple ripples waving around.

"I'm going to miss-"

He didn't get to finish the sentence, because he was alarmed by a sound coming from something, or rather someone. Eli wondered if someone had trespassed his property. He grabbed from the ground a large stick and held it behind his back.

It's not like he wasn't going to harm anything, but just in case.

When he listened more, he heard it coming from the far back. He took careful steps, and he heard a shuffling sound. When he turned around a tree, he found Clare.

His hands let the piece of wood fall to the ground, and he felt silly for carrying it around.

He noticed that she seemed to be silently crying. She was balled up, with her face resting on top her knees and her arms holding herself as she trembled slightly.

Eli was speechless. He walked to her, but made his steps aware so he wouldn't scare her, "Clare." He softly said.

She didn't raise her head and sniffled, her palms rubbed her eyes and she cleared her throat, "Hello, Eli." She attempted a smile.

Eli sat on the ground next to her and mumbled, "I'm not Dr. Phil, but you can talk to me."

Clare dryly giggled, "It's nothing. I just…I'm very tired."

Eli looked into her eyes and shifted his eyes forward, "He did something, didn't he? Jake always leaves that face on the people he makes upset. The—I'll get over it—face."

"It's not him." Clare rubbed her eye.

"Then what did he do?" Eli knowingly asked.

Clare mumbled, "I shouldn't bother you with my problems, you have nothing to do with this."

Eli reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, "I have experience."

Clare held her wrist out and showed Eli the bracelet. Eli grimaced and glared at it, "So, he bought you a meaningless piece of jewelry, I thought girls loved that stuff. What else?"

"That's the thing," She said quietly, "it's meaningless. He said to think of it as…an apology. I want his apology, not this." She breathed, "And he says I won't be able to see him that much, because of work. I understand that, but ever since I've been here he's been telling me he loves me, it's so…he just doesn't show it to me. I'd rather have him feel it, than simply saying it,"

Eli sighed, "Well, that's Jacob for you. But, there's something more, you're just holding back."

"I can't tell you, you're his step-brother."

Eli darkly chuckled, "You should know by now, that Jake doesn't consider me as a living person and I don't acknowledge him as anything of mine either."

"What happened between you two?" Clare whispered.

Eli questioned, "What do you mean?"

"Jake and you. Why are you two so...distant?"

Eli shook his head, "No one ever believes me. So why should I tell you?" His voice cracked a bit, "You're his girlfriend for crying out loud, the same way how you know I'm his step-brother. How do I know, you won't think I really am a manipulative jerk, like he tells everyone?"

Eli gritted through his teeth, as bitter memories surfaced his mind.

Cece scolded at him, "Jake is a sweet boy. Elijah, be nice to him. He is now considered to be your brother, and the way you are behaving...I don't even recognize you anymore."

"Just because you aren't my biological son, doesn't mean you have the right to treat Jake with unnecessary behavior," Ted glared at him.

"He's one of the coolest guys I've ever met, Eli. Why do you have to be such a...jackass." Julia muttered under her breath.

"Jake is one of the most respected students Degrassi has to offer, if he says you plagiarized his work, Eli, I'm afraid you rebellious record doesn't defend you." Principal Simpson frowned.

Clare softly spoke, pulling him out of his train of thoughts, "There are two sides to every story. And even if what Jake says about you is partly true...since the beginning you have been a good person to me, and I don't think nothing could ever change that."

Eli looked at her and his heart was about to pop out of his chest but he cleared his throat, "Stop avoiding the question, what else is there?"

Clare stretched her legs a bit, and sighed, "I've never told this to anyone."

"There's a first time to everything." Eli calmly replied.

She nodded and took a deep breath of air before speaking, "Since I was young…my father and aunt grew this belief inside of me of what love really was. I thought I had it all figured out. But, now I have no idea what it's supposed to be ever since I've been with Jake." She let out a shaky breath of air, "I thought it was supposed to be to do anything for each other, just to be together." Clare muttered and looked at Eli, she let out a dry chuckle, "I remember when I was ten, my father once told me of how he worked so hard his whole life in school; my grandparents didn't have any money and said that the only way he would go to college was if he got a scholarship. So he studied hard, and was accepted into Harvard Law School. But—

"Did you go Daddy?" A ten year-old Clare asked on the edge of her bed, when she asked her father of how he married her mother.

"I wanted to…but I didn't." Randall smiled as he patted her head.

"Why?" Clare said, her eyes were dilated as her interest was growing by his story.

"I met your mommy in my senior year in high school. And I fell really in love with her, you know what love means right?"

Clare giggled, "You mean like Snow White and Prince Charming?"

Randall tickled her belly, "Clare-bear, you silly goose. Real love is more than that, but yes, something like that."

"And then what happened?" Clare asked.

"Your mother got accepted into a small school around this area, and I either had to be away from her for a very, very long time. Or stay, marry her, and have you." He smiled.

"So, which one did you choose?" Clare gasped.

Randall playfully rolled his eyes, "Well, what do you think I chose? Since you're here with me, alive?"

"The school! Because you say that education is really important." Clare grinned.

Randall shook his head, "I chose your mother."

Clare was left with her mouth open and her eyebrows scrunched up together, "Why?"

"Because that's real love, Clare." Randall said and hugged her tightly, "It's about sacrifice, and caring about the other person as much or even more than yourself. It is not a selfish feeling; it is a complicated feeling with its good and bad. But, if you find the right person, it's worth it all in the end." Randall kissed her cheek.

Clare sighed, "Ever since then, I thought that one day I would find someone like my father and marry them. But I thought that it would be with a person who would sacrifice for me as I would for them. Jake has been wonderful, but I feel that I'm not so important to him. Besides him buying me meaningless objects and fancy dinners."

Eli thought about what she said and didn't know how to reply.

Clare mumbled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I dumped all of this on you, and you're probably bored."

Eli abruptly said, "No, not at all. I understand where you're coming from, and I get that. But, do you…do you love Jake?"

"To be honest…" Clare muttered, "I'm not sure anymore."

Eli nodded, "Then you shouldn't worry about this at the moment then. You're still young, not everyone finds who they're supposed to be with at this age." He paused and continued, "But Clare, don't worry. Everything will work out its way if it's meant to be, with time and effort from Jake if he really does care."

Clare nodded, "Thank you."

Eli rambled on and looked at her, "I don't see why Jake would treat you like that. A girl like you deserves real attention, the best a guy could offer."

Clare's eyes fixated on her trembling hands, as Eli asked, "Is it bad, because things are serious between you two?"

"I don't know anymore, at first I did think it was. But now, he seems to be getting tired of me."

Eli stared at Clare, and scooted closer to her, whispering in her ear, "It doesn't seem possible, you're perfect."

Clare closed her eyes and gripped her hands around her waist, "Why do you do this to me?"

"Do what?" Eli breathed down her neck.

"This." Clare whispered, "I appreciate that you're nice and polite to me, but sometimes the way you treat me it's…inappropriate."

"Elaborate, please." Eli huskily said.

Clare shakily replied, "You compliment me a lot, you flirt with me, and sometimes you're too close to me. Like now."

He stayed still for a minute or two. Until, he did something.

Eli pulled away and grabbed her hand, to hold it, "Fine." He cleared his throat and deeply looked into her eyes, "Enough with the bullshit then. I'll be honest." Clare's shuddered at his serious tone,

She was about to pass out at the next words that came out of Eli's mouth.

"I'm strongly attracted to you Clare, since I first saw you." Clare stayed quiet, her lips parted with shock, as Eli continued, "And I think you are feeling the same for me too. Don't lie."

Clare thought if she ever led Eli to believe that. She couldn't think of one time, but her feelings betrayed her and she didn't want to reply to his statement.

She was trembling, and her palms were sweating. Her body stiffened, and she didn't know where to look, with her currently confused mind.

"Help me out here, Clare." Eli whispered as he inched to her face, and Clare couldn't pull away.

"How?" Clare replied in the lowest and softest voice.

"Please," Eli said, "Please," His hands cupped her cheek, and she forced herself to not look in his eyes. But Clare looked up and her mouth quivered, nodding unsteadily.

Eli pressed his lips against her cheek, and she froze. He breathed in her scent, being intoxicated by her. She closed her eyes and was hoping it was all a dream. His fingers gripped the bottom of her chin, tilting it to turn to look at him. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and Clare's breathing turned uneven, as she had tears streaming down her face.

Eli's hot breath pressed against her collarbone, "You know, I understand why I like you. It's because you're beautiful." He pecked her chin, "You have an innocent look in your eyes, so pure. And when I look into your blue eyes, I can feel something. I can't describe it. But, it's there."

Clare's eyes tilted upward and she turned lifeless, in harmony, when she saw the way he looked at her.

He licked his lips and she bit hers.

Eli's nose brushed against Clare. And he could feel her beating heart against his chest. He kissed her. And she replied.

His lips synchronized with hers and his tongue coaxed hers, once she had parted her lips. Her lips were soft and moist; his were rugged, but intoxicating. It was an irresistible desirability, opposites attracting, not supposed to happen, wrong, and it was the universe unfolding one step at a time with them.

His hands trailed down her body and she wrapped her arms around his neck, he leaned down, pushing her back to the grass beneath them. They were lying down, kissing on the grass, behind the lake. It was electric, wonderful, pleasurable, perfect, immoral, and cheating.

Clare allowed his hands wander wherever they pleased, when he cupped her bottom from underneath, and she moaned into the kiss. Eli was already drunk by the sound. He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth, claiming her. Jake couldn't come between.

His mouth pulled away for air, and his eyes looked at her. Her face was flushed and Eli was gasping. His hair was a mess and her curls were vibrant with full color. But he continued, by nipping at her jaw and collarbone. Clare sighed in what the hell was going on.

What the hell is going on?

No, no, no. This, it can't be happening. Jake.

Clare sharply gasped and she pulled away in horror, pushing Eli's body away from hers.

Eli looked at her in loss, "Clare?"

Clare had tears streaming down her face, trying to form the words she couldn't speak. "I'm s-sorry. This…" She hiccupped, "Can't—shouldn't happen."

She bolted up from the ground and frantically ran away from him, not sparing a glance. Her feelings have betrayed her; she had turned into someone with no morals and respect for Jake and their relationship.

But she didn't regret it.

Eli stayed there, because it happened. It finally occurred, and he's angry that Jake came in the way. He's furious that he enjoyed that more than he should have, because he knows he's gotten himself into something deep and unchangeable now.

.

.

Clare locked herself in her room and she couldn't think. Once again, Eli made her numb. She lied in the bed and tossed, turning with anxiety and wariness.

But someone knocked at her door, and with guilty eyes, she opened it and Jake entered.

He looked at her briefly, but was able to catch her flustered face, anguished with bother, "Hey, I'm back. What's wrong, Clare?"

She muttered quietly, "Nothing. Nothing is wrong, Jake."

Clare lied. And she's not aware of it.

"I just wanted to make sure you're alright." He grew closer to her and grinned, "And to tell you that I love you."

Clare felt guilty, she felt like dirty cloth. She couldn't say she loved him after what she did, "I'm really tired Jake, I have to leave first thing in the morning." She walked to him and gave him a deep hug.

Jake grinned at her, "Whatever you say."

He leaved the room, and she was alone with thoughts consumed of Eli.


A/N: I'll let you guys do the thinking and judging. Review?