A/N: First, I've been getting reviews, and these sweet people left me long amazing reviews that literally put the biggest smile on my face. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to : Thesidkidd, Ayanna Rene, DegrassiCat, Summersetlights, AislinnChambersMunro, Eclarerocks, and Yellow12345. I love everyone else who reviews too =)

UPDATED JUNE 5th 2019!


You found me


The scorching sun had slowly drifted under cloudy gray skies and a dim essence of earthy rainfall in the air doused each students senses as they descended down the steps of the yellow school bus when the vehicle pulled to a stop in a parking lot.

A large building sat on a well groomed rural lawn. A flagpole encroached with the American flag was mounted precisely in the center of the lot, adjacent to the school surrounded with evergreen trimmed grass.

It was already halfway through the school year in January during Eli's second year attending South plains Degrassi and Julia's first year as a freshman. It was the only Highschool within fifty miles which meant that any parent living in that region had no other option but to enroll their kids there.

A broodingly dressed Eli and a more posh Julia passed normally towards the school's entrance as they did many times before. The halls were neat and uncluttered. Despite being a lonesome school within miles, the student population was fair and drama was tenuous. Status quo cliques were still a norm with the athletics, the bookworms, the slackers, the hipsters, etc. The most controversial crisis that had bestowed the school was when a senior pulled the fire alarm as a prank and was given two weeks of detention.

"Behave." Eli chastised after his younger sister began heading the opposite direction.

Julia rolled her eyes in response and had quickly disappeared turning the corner.

The class bell rang five times as Eli went to his first period class. He entered the medium sized room and sat at an open desk next to his friend whom he'd spotted once he walked in.

"Hey." He greeted casually. "Drew's not coming today?"

"He should be around. You know he's never on time." Adam shrugged.

"Don't you two live together?" Eli asked sarcastically and Adam nodded his head with a chuckle.

Class was over as fast as it began. Eli, Adam, and now Drew who had shuffled fifteen minutes late into the seminar gathered their belongings and walked into the crowded hallway.

"Charles Bauldier is a genius. So Prophetic in his critique of Dacroix."

"You should join the thespians. Maybe you'll finally find yourself a decent girl to take to Little Miss Steaks." Drew joked.

"My father says women are nothing but trouble. Besides, I have a love for poetry, art, and literature, not Theater." Eli turned his head mordantly.

"Maths so much better. It's just formula with numbers. I'm a simple southern man." Adam brought his hand over his chest.

"You're sixteen. You're as manly as the two hairs on your chin." Drew punched his younger brothers bicep.

"Ouch! Girls fancy my chin hairs! Eli, tell him."

"If by girls you mean Mrs. Trudgewall who's dentures fall out of her mouth every time she smiles at you, sure." Eli egged on.

"Atleast I can get someone of the opposite sex to look at me. You're the one getting a job this summer at the Edwards property in hopes that your drawn out crush will come to your woeful rescue." Adam placed the back of his hand over his forehead Shakespearean style.

"I'm gonna need money for college in a few years!"

"Right, that college in - where is it...California?" Drew chimed in.

"You guys are nuts."

"Elijah." An older woman stopped the students playful banter. "I'm going to have to send a letter home with you today." She extended a yellow slip to the teen. "I don't think the last two attendance forms ever made it to your parents and Julia missed first period again."

Eli sighed. "I apologize, Ms. Dawes. I'll get this home to Cece and Bullfrog and make sure she doesn't do it again."

The teacher smiled warmly and nodded. was his favorite English teacher during ninth grade. She had helped his writing develop and encouraged him to submit his works to different writing in competitions.

"That's the seventh time this month she's skipped class." Drew whispered as the three boys continued walking forward.

"Yeah and I bet it has something to do with them." Eli glared angrily at the group of people before him including Julia who's face flung back toward the ceiling as she laughed.

The Haves Posse were a group of kids with affluent parents in the community. Julia was quickly drawn to them and it was obvious that her association was nefarious.

Eli had absentmindedly marched over to her, not a care in the world if he was intruding her socializing.

"C'mon, I'm taking you to class." Eli stated, grabbing the raven haired girl's arm.

She shoved him back and Eli lost grip on her arm. "I'm not handicapped, I can walk myself." She snapped, turning back to her friends.

He noticed her significantly drastic appearance where she had replaced her floral skirt and cardigan to flaunt expensive attire he knew she nor his family could afford. It enraged Eli furthermore knowing that she was so eager to change herself for nothing but provisional approval.

"Julia, if you don't let me take you to class, I swear I'll-"

"She said she can walk herself to class." A tall, lanky boy interrupted him, putting his arm around Julia's shoulders.

Eli flipped furiously towards the boy, glaring warningly at him. It was Mark Fitzgerald. He had become a notoriously feared and hated figure at South Plains Degrassi. His grandfather was an old ranch investor who was running for Congress that year and was left raising his grandson as a result of an unplanned teen pregnancy.

In September, Fitz took her to the Annual Foodie Festival where all the locals in town stirred up their best dishes into food stands and shared the decades old recipes with one another. That was when Julia had been gradually initiated into the group. It wasn't until this moment that her brother realized she was with him.

She kept her eyes low to the ground avoiding Her brothers eyes.

"You're with him? Out of all people? I'm sure mom and dad are thrilled."

"I haven't told them..."Julia trailed off guiltily.

"Yeah, and she'd like to keep it that way." Fitz winked patronizingly.

"It speaks."

Fitzs face fell at the sparring teens comment.

"Too bad I don't take orders from orphans." Eli exerted his arms into Fitzs' chest, shoving him back.

"Piss off." Fitz frowned, beginning to engage physically with him.

"Eli! Be nice!" Julia defended, distancing the two boys from each other.

"Yeah, Eli. Be Nice. We're practically family now." Eli was disgusted at his crude implication. Eli stared at Julia wide-eyed, waiting for her to disregard his claims.

Before the barbarous older brother had a chance to charge at Fitz, two arms ceased his actions pulling him back by his forearms.

"Don't. You're gonna get yourself suspended." Drew intervened rationally, looking out for his friend before a defeaning voice consumed the overhead speakers.

"Attention: The National Weather Service has declared a regional tornado warning. Students and faculty are to immediatley evacuate the hallways and assemble in the auditorium on the first floor. No one is to leave the building. We are on lock down until further notice."

Eli vaulted up, shutting the surging water off once he felt the hot running water digress to a polar chill that woke him. He hadn't realized he drifted off to sleep while he was taking a shower.

He grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist and made his way back briskly to his room before his mother complained about drops of water all over her wooden floor.

He dressed himself in a pair of his ragged jeans and a semi-long sleeve white shirt, matched with an unbuttoned green short sleeve button down.

He sat on his bed, staring at the vacant twin bed opposite of him. He was plagued by the memory that followed itself into his subconscious as a dream and dropped his head into his hands exhaustively.

That was so long ago.

Eli lifted his head, briefly numbing his thoughts when his nose detected an aroma of eggs and coffee. He lethargically stood up and made his way into the source of smell.

Like every morning, his mother stood over the stove preparing a nourishing breakfast in the kitchen.

"Morning Cece." He yawned.

She served his food and set the plate in front of him, pecking the top of his head.

"You slept all day yesterday after mass, young man." Cece said.

"Yeah, I know." Eli replied as he took a bite from his buttered toast.

"Just want to make sure you're okay. Don't want you gettin' all hermit on us like you did after Julia. I'm a worryin' wallaby. " Cece assured, turning off the stove.

She sighed, sensing her son was uncomfortable. "Your father and I saw Clarebelle again." Cece started again, attempting to lighten the mood. "She's a beauty, ain't she? Has her mother's smile."

Eli curled up a smirk trying to keep his eyes shyly averted. "And her dad's eyes." Eli added. "That's my favorite thing about her."

"Is that so?" Cece mirrored her sons signature smirk, hand on her pointed hip.

"Yes- I like- no Not like that I." Eli added quickly. "I just think blue eyes are nice..."

Cece cocked her head, enjoying his son's embarrassment as she gave him a delicately playful look.

"Don't start." Eli groaned, begging his mother to stop.

She put her hands in guard defense, giggling. "I'm not doing anythin'."


The base of Eli's boots pounded onto the dusty, scratchy ground as he hopped out of his truck. He dug the car keys to the bottom of his pocket as he walked towards the Edwards home, climbing up the steps to go inside.

"Good morning Lucy, Ian. Is Clare still asleep?" Eli greeted opening the screen door.

"She should be out in the barn with Adam. It's a darn miracle she woke up early and put herself to workin'!" Ian exclaimed.

Eli's eyebrows jolted up impressively and made his way out to the barn where he spotted Clare sitting on a bucket, in conversation with Adam. That's when Adam noticed a shadow and averted his attention recognizing Eli at the door.

"Morning, Eli." Adam interrupted. Eli greeted back, and turned to Clare who hadn't acknowledge his existence.

"Good morning, Clare..." Eli said and she simply nodded not taking a look at him.

Adam fidgeted awkwardly before he clasped his hands together. "Well, let's get to work. The barn's already clean and organized and the horses have all been groomed since Clare called me in early to help her."

"Is that so?" Eli questioned surprised, expecting her to answer. Adam fidgeted again.

"Yeah, you know good 'ole Clare. It's not her first rodeo and she just needed a little push from an old friend to get her back in the arena..." He said nervously.

Eli cocked an analytical eyebrow at both of them. "I took a look at the task board." He changed the subject casually. "We still need to check the chicken coop for egg nascency. Drew's going to feed the animals once he gets here."

"We're still going into town today, right?" Adam asked his friend.

"A little later. Ian needs me to pick up a check from the grocery store that they owe-"

"Great, we'll join you." Adam interrupted merrily.

Eli shifted his eyes curiously when Clare and Adam exchanged quiet but meaningful glances. He mentally shook his head and they proceeded to all walk out towards the large chicken coop.

Once Eli unlocked the door, loud and obnoxious clucking erupted from the enclosure. Eli tried to explained what needed to be done and how to do it, but was brazenly neglected when he noticed Clare gazing at her nails, twisting her hair between her finger or asking looking at Adam to re-confirm and explain everything to her.


An hour had flown by and Eli had already gathered a couple dozen eggs from the row he was supposed to be working on. He made his way down the entire row and crossed into the next where he spotted her placing a few eggs into a wooden crate.

He contemplated for a few moments if he should approach her or not since she was so enthralled on the task at hand.

"Clare!" Eli shouted over the bustling animal commotion.

It was obvious she hadn't heard him as he approached her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to him, acknowledged him briskly and nonchalantly before picking up her crate and proceeded to shift the distance from him.

Eli watched after her as she strut away swiftly. She took a brief glance back before turning outside. He sighed and trailed after her in pursuit.

"Clare- Clare stop." He yelled as she picked up speed towards Eli's pick-up truck. He barely managed to grab her arm and spun her around.

"Are you really shutting me out?" He was wordlessly atingle with the sight of her features.

She scoffed at his choice of words.

"It's not easy for me to just talk about things but, that's no excuse for how I treated you the last week and I'm sorry."

She silently glared at him while he searched her eyes waiting for something, anything.

Nothing.

Eli sighed in defeat, his gaze gleaming with mischief at a cracked egg that was discarded on the ground. He let go of her arm and sighed. "Fine, don't accept my apology. Go on." He turned around, feigning hurt.

Clares face contorted miffedly and spun around. In mere seconds, she had slipped and lost full balance. She yelped out in surprise as a few more eggs popped out of the case as she lost her grip on the box while Eli quickly caught her. He grasped her in a dip position.

"Either you accept my apology or I'll have no other choice but to drop you." He stated, propelling his strength to keep her from any attempt of getting herself out of his grip.

Clare's mouth was agape and Eli could draw out a small grin on her lips.

"Fine." She finally spoke up, clutching his shirt. "You're forgiven."

He smirked, satisfied as a deep smile broke between her lips. The two paddled tenderly into each other's presence that Eli didn't know just how long he held her that way.

"Guys?"

Eli rushed and lifted Clare up, positioning her back to stand. Clare secures the dropped crate and turned towards Eli's truck like nothing happened.

This is awkward...

Adam raised a dainty brow, sensing the tension between his two friends as Eli cleared his throat and scratched the back of head to occupy himself.


"So this is about your crush on miss Matlin." Eli accused, his eyes on the road. "And you didn't tell me? I'm hurt."

"It's not a crush and I never outright told Clare, she just made a lucky guess." Adam shrugged, in reassurance that he wouldn't leave out his friend.

"Lucky guess? I'm offended." Clare said. "I'm a connoisseur of love, an expert in this field and you my friend are an open book of body language."

Eli rolled his eyes mentally, growing accustomed to Clares aberration.

"I'm not obvious. Eli, tell her I'm not obvious..."

"I have to agree with her on this one. You're one of the easiest people to read. I figured you'd come to me once you were honest with yourself." He chuckled knowing that's not what his friend wanted to hear.

Adam pouted and sat back in his seat. "I am not obvious." He grumbled.

The car came to a stop as they reached their destination. The three exited the vehicle, and completed their tasks of distributing the boxes of eggs to the local market, and Eli signing some documents before obtaining a check written for the Edwards. Soon they were walking through the streets of the pastoral town.

"Clare, I can't do this." Adam began resigning as they approached the antique store Katie worked in.

"You're not backing out now." Clare grabbed him.

"What if I mess up? What if she laughs?"

"If you think like that, you'll always wonder what if." Eli said calmly.

"I can't do it alone – I think I'm gonna be sick..." Adam craned his body to the side, leaning some body weight onto Eli.

"Oh, man up." Clare rolled her eyes, placing both hands on either side of her friends shoulder. "Just tell her you want to take her out on a real date. You may have a questionable sense of style for my taste but, nevertheless you're one hell of a guy. You're handsome, amiable, and have a pair of utopian brown eyes that any girl would be lucky to wake up to everyday."

Adams face softened. "You really think that about me?"

"I don't think much about anyone." She responded quickly, and Adam chuckled. "You don't give yourself the credit you deserve. Confidence is sexy. So, go in there and seduce her!" She encouraged, pushing Adam towards the door of the antique store.

"Please don't." Eli criticized the last part.

Adam pulled himself together and gave Clare and Eli one last look before disappearing into the store.

"Clare Edwards dispensing flattery to someone other than herself? Big day." Eli chuckled deeply, looking at Clare.

"Guess I 'm not completely self-centered." She pursed her lips.

"What's the plan now?" He asked.

"We wait?" She shrugged. "What else is there to do?"

Eli's eyes wandered around as he thought before he snapped his fingers as an idea hit him. Clare jumped back, startled at his sudden burst.

He grabbed Clare's hand and pulled her into a direction.

"Where are you taking me?"

Clare

Clare and Eli stepped into a meridional styled restaurant labeled Little Miss Steaks. The food establishment wasn't completely full. It was predominantly occupied by seniors and old couples lounging around. Waiters were clad in cowboy or cowgirl outfits.

Clinking noises of silver utensils against glass plates could be heard as Eli searched around until he found a table at the front for the both of them which was set in front of a stage.

"How does a glass of Iced tea sound?" Eli asked as he pulled out a chair, gesturing her to sit. Clare smiled warmly and sat down.

"That sounds refreshing."

Eli turned and walked to the bar. Clare slipped off her sandals under the table, giving her toes some air. He walked back quickly with two cups of iced tea and a basket of sweet rolls. He sat down and Clare took a sip of her drink.

"No one makes rolls like Little Miss Steaks." Eli said as he took a bite out of the bread and groaned in satisfaction. Clare snickered as she watched him chew with his eyes closed.

"What?" Eli opened his eyes.

You're cute.

Clare shook her head, containing her laughter and thoughts.

"Here, take a bite. You'll know what I mean." He stretched out his arm across the table, with his bitten piece of bread in hand. "I promise you a bite of this bread won't make you gain weight." Eli continued when Clare hesitated. He watched carefully as Clare slowly opened her mouth and grabbed a bite of bread between her pearls.

"So?" Eli asked.

"It's actually pretty good." Clare nodded as she chewed on the sticky, sweet treat.

"What'd I tell you?" He teased, as Clare grabbed a roll for herself from the basket in the middle of the table.

"Afternoon everyone! Travis here." An old hefty man suddenly appeared on stage, his voice echoed through a microphone. "Ya'll know it's Karaoke Monday and anyone is welcome to sign up." He chuckled deeply, hooking a thumb on his oversized belt buckle. "Aw hell ain't nobody needs sign up. Who wants to come up and entertain us?"

Eli looked at Clare, grabbing her attention and Clare saw a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "You like Taylor Swift?" He whispered with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Uh, our fathers are good friends bu-"

"No one? Anyone? Aw c'mon." Travis continued on stage.

"Hand that over." Eli announced, climbing onto the stage and grabbing the microphone.

"That's the spirit!" The man acknowledged with a pat on Eli's back. Clare watched shocked and amused as Eli whispered something to the large man on stage before he walked off.

Is he crazy?! I'm impressed...

"Howdy everyone!" Eli greeted enthusiastically over the microphone, earning fits of laughter from the small crowd.

"I said howdy everyone!" Eli repeated.

He got a few shouts back and whistles from others, as more began paying attention to him. Clare surprised herself when she was one of those people who yelled back to him.

Eli threw an affectionate wink Clare's way from the stage as the sound of a guitar begaab playing and she blushed lightly. His smile seemed to light up the entire room for her.

Eli started to mildly shake his hips and brought the microphone to his lips once he saw the first word on the screen change color.

"You're on the phone with your girlfriend - she's upset, she's going off about something that you said, but she doesn't know your humor like I do"

He got through the first verse as the pre-chorus lead the way to the chorus and Eli pranced around dramatically as he sang. Clare covered her face in her hands, feeling slight second hand embarrassment.

"If you could see that I'm the one who understands you, been here all along so why can't you see, you belong with me."

He stretched out his words terribly. She knew he was forcing his voice to sound scratchy because he was just having fun being ridiculously loud. As he proceeded with his act, her weariness subsided and she no longer cared. She began enjoying herself so much that she succumbed to singing along, waving her hands up, and signaling Eli a thumbs up as he pranced on stage, belting his heart out.

Soon enough the song finished and everyone clapped nonetheless.

"Thank you, thank you very much." Eli did a poor quality imitation of Elvis before placing the microphone on the stand and retreated off the stage back to Clare.

"Don't tell anyone, but I love that song." Eli said breathlessly as he sat down and brough his cup up to his mouth, taking large gulps of iced tea.

Clare motioned a zipper closure over her mouth. "My lips are sealed."

"So, what's the verdict Simon? Is it a yes?" Eli winked.

Clare choked on her drink. "It's a no from me." She replied sarcastically with a grin on her face. Eli furrowed his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side.

"Like you could do better."

"I probably can." Clare retorted smugly.

"You don't say? - Hey Travis over-"

"Elijah Goldsworthy, don't you dare." Clare gasped, placing her hand over Eli's mouth in silence.

Eli retracted Clare's hand. "Tell me I have the moves of a rock star and the voice of an angel."

"Do I look like a judge who fills someone's ego with false hopes and dreams? I crush them before they even begin to inflate."

"Look, there's Travis." Eli bribed teasingly.

"Uhg!" Clare sighed. Eli watched in delight. "Eli, you have the moves of a rock star and the voice of an angel." She said apathetically annoyed.

"Come to think of it, I think I like the voice of a goddess instead." He said smugly with his hands folded under his chin.

Clare kicked him playfully. "Don't push it."

"I was just kidding." He batted his eyelashes, earning himself a giggle from Clare.

"You don't get nearly enough credit for being as unhinged as I am." She brushed her leg against his under the table. He smirked lovingly at her as they merely communicated with their eyes, leaning into each other from across the table.

"What do we have here? Eli on a date? I was beginning to think you played for the other team." Clare watched Eli's face go from elation to malice.

"I was beginning to think my prayers were answered and yet here you are." Eli spat with animosity.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Might need to rethink your faith. Don't mind me, I was just picking up important paperwork," He looked to Clare. "Randall's daughter, right?"

"Depends who's asking." Clare retorted.

"When's the last time you checked the trending page? Last I heard he was out on a family vacation with his wife and children."

"You've misread. Audra has no kids of her own." Clare slowly stood from her seat glaring wickedly at him.

"Miscommunication is common among family affairs. Aren't you supposed to be part of that family?" He finished.

"Back the hell off. The only person who should be questioned on their parental legitimacy is you." Eli instinctively jumped from his seat and shoved Fitz back. He had a sudden flash of Déjà vu. Eli stood his ground, leaving very little space between he and Fitz.

"Bring back any memories?" Fitz grinned devilishly. "Be nice, Eli." He sing-songed, boiling Eli's blood little by little.

Eli's nostrils flared and his fists clenched tightly, trying to tame himself from not breaking Fitz's face.

"Looks like your little girlfriend ditched." Fitz nudged his head behind Eli with a chuckle. He looked back and she was gone.

Eli turned his back to give Fitz one last nasty glare before running out to look for Clare. He saw her walking away, presumably towards the truck and chased after.

"Don't listen to that idiot. He's always antagoniz-"

"I don't care." She interrupted, crossing her arms. "Just...take me home, please." She looked up with saddened pleading eyes that only filled Eli's heart with sympathy.

"Okay." Eli sighed. "Meet me at the truck while I go find Adam."

Clare nodded, inhaling deeply to brace herself with self consolation. Eli smiled sadly before they both turned opposite directions.

Clare reached the vehicle and slant back against the truck. Fitz was an unexpected cause in her mood swing.

Why does this imbecile want to see me crumble? I don't even know him.

Eli soon made it back to the truck alone pulling out his car keys.

"Where's Adam?" Clare asked, as she opened the door once Eli unlocked it.

"I'll pick him up later." He said, as he disappeared into the truck from the driver's side. Clare got in as well and shut the door.


They were promptly enough on the road. The drive was silent, mostly because Clare was evidently still bothered by the preceding events at the restaurant.

She sighed and thought about the phone in her pocket. Clare decided to pull out her iPhone and connected herself to the internet. She quickly typed in her name in the search engine to read the latest news on herself.

She furrowed her eyebrows as she read a report that she clicked on. The implied rumor about her being adopted was the least of her concern. She tried to process the repulsive photos of her ostensibly happy father with Audra on his arm and two kids on a cruise.

Audra's children...This is beyond absurd.

As much as she wanted to curse Fitz away until the edge of the world, he didn't lie. In that moment, she had never felt more alone. She felt like she not only lost her mother but, she was losing her father. Her lungs began contracting and she forced the tears prickling at the corner of her eyes away.

Not even rumors hurt like this.

And that's because it wasn't a rumor. This was her flesh and blood. Her father making her feel invisible. The feelings were starting to become overwhelming for her.

"Stop the car. Stop the car!" Clare was hyperventilating inwardly.

From the corner of his eye, Eli saw Clare unbuckling her seat belt."What's wrong..Clare-"

"Just stop the car!" She demanded.

Eli jammed his foot down on the brakes. He pulled to the side of the open, deserted road and Clare rushed out of the car.

"I think you're blowing this a little out of proportion?" He scurried out of the car worriedly, confused.

"It's true, Eli!" Clare flailed her arms as he stopped in front of her with a waiting brow raised. "What Fitz said! I searched it up!" She held up her phone which was still connected to the page she read.

Eli squinted his eyes, scanning the devices screen momentarily before he sighed, putting her hand down to calm her.

"Let's get back in the car and talk about this."

"No!" Clare gently nudged him away, walking backwards.

Eli winced at her sudden aggression. She began fumbling with her phone and brought it up to her ear. Eli watched in anticipation trying to figure who she was calling.

"Hi, Clare Edwards. This is an emergency. I need an immediate flight from Phoenix and a car to pick me up. I'm stranded...Yes, a private jet..."

A discontent Eli frowned and Clare averted her gaze to a sign a few feet away that was placed on the side of the road. "I'm currently at the intersection of West highway 95 an-"

Eli yanked the device from her ear, cutting her off from her phone call.

"Are you a psycho? Give me my phone." Clare gasped, beginning to grow impatient.

"Give me one good reason." Eli tested.

Clare's small body jumped at him, attempting to retrieve her phone but, Eli cunningly lifted his long arm up making it difficult for a five foot two seventeen year old.

"I'm not in the mood to entertain your amateur games."

"I'll give it back if you just calm down and talk to me." He said.

Clare stopped reaching for the electronic device and crossed her arms sternly. "Fine, let's talk."

Eli smiled and brought his arm down. Clare quickly took advantage and threw her arms towards him reaching for her phone. Unfortunately Eli was just as quick and brought his arm out to the side.

As Clare fought to get her phone, she accidentally pushed the device from Eli's grip, throwing it out to the road.

Before either of them could understand what happened, a speeding car drove by, killing the item into oblivion an crushed th screen into tiny pieces.

The air the vehicle accelerated gushed Clare's locks and clothes as she stood there outraged. "You see what you did!" She screamed. "You low class moron!"

"Clare, I didn't do that on purpose."

"Just shut up! I have a life beyond this! I have aspirations and people who look up to me and you broke the only thing that kept me sane from this nightmare!"

"I'm sorry, okay. I'll pay for a new one, just look at me and calm down." Eli apologized again, pulling her arm and attempting to relax an emotionally distressed Clare.

"Is that what you told Julia?" She snatched her arm back and he hissed in frustration. "That you were so sorry after sticking your nose where it didn't belong and ruined everything! Is that why you're sooo mysterious about her!?" She spat so coldly, it stung.

"Watch what you say. Julia has nothing to do with this." Eli warned, his face and emotions suddenly shaky.

"Well, I'm glad she is where she is because that means she's far away from YOU!" She turned around, walking to the middle of the road.

Eli flipped, clenching his jaw. Those last words were insensitive and had struck the final nerve.

"You want to leave? GO! I don't care!" He flailed his arms angrily. "No one wants you here anyways. You're a snob, treat people like crap, and to make matters worse," He walked towards the pick up truck. "You're nothing but an ungrateful BITCH!" Eli growled ferociously, his veins visible around his neck as he jumped into his pick-up truck, slammed the door and started the engine.

Clare stopped walking and turned around. "FUCK YOU!" She yelled, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. "I wish I never met you!" She wiped her face brokenly as she turned and kept walking in the opposite direction. "I hope someone would just do the world a favor and kill me!"

Eli's red, puffy eyes saw something from a distance in his rear view mirror coming from behind on the road. The speeding freight liner without a trailer attached inched closer, swaying from side to side occasionally and Eli couldn't tell if the driver was falling asleep or intoxicated.

He hopped out of his truck signaling the conductor to slow down. When he realized the hauling vehicle paid him no mind, he sprinted towards Clare who had her back turned as she paced in the middle of the road.

"Clare!" He shouted breathlessly, his adrenaline rushing as he raced against the truck.

"No, stay away! You've spoken your truth and this is mine. I HATE YOU!"

When the words left her mouth, Eli excelled all of his force into Clare's body, pushing her to the outside of the road and into the dirt as the vehicle in full speed nearly hit and killed her before his eyes.

His heart pounded painfully in his chest, keeping his arms secured tightly around her in protection. Clare wrapped her arms around Eli's waist, digging her head into his chest. Her body had given in and she was sobbing uncontrollably. The fact that death skipped right before her didn't even matter.

"I-I'm losing everything. Everything." She whispered against his chest. The way her voice trembled so delicately shattered all of his will power and his heart twisted and turned. He rocked her back and forth while running his hands over her hair.

"Not me. I'm not going anywhere." He tightened his embrace as he spoke softly, resting his cheek on her head. With those words she clung onto his shirt, wrinkling the fabric in-between her fingers. He rubbed her back, neither of them loosening a grip from each other.


"I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I was just...I was so upset, so hurt – I still am."

Eli sighed. "No hard feelings." He smirked. "I'm just glad you're alive and...I know what it's like to feel like you're slowly losing someone you love." Eli brought his hand up, pushing her hair from her eyes.

Clare smiled warmly. "Why are you so nice to me?"

He gazed lovingly at her, refraining from saying what his heart wanted to.

"Will you be okay?" Eli asked. "I fell on you pretty hard."

"I'm a little sore but, I'll be fine." Clare began opening the passenger side door of the truck which was parked in front of the Edwards land. Eli put his hand softly on her to stop her.

"We used to be friends." Eli shrugged. "I wondered for years if I would ever see you again and now that you're here, let's use this opportunity to start fresh. No more arguments, belittling, and...no more cell phone."

"I don't think that's going to be a problem." She giggled.

"Well, if you really need to, you can use mine - emergencies only."

"You own a cellphone?" Clare's smile was lifted up in mischief.

"I have one year on you, not fifty." He smirked.

"And yet you still drive this." She looked around the cars interior. "Although, I'm beginning to understand the appeal."

"You're a tad neurotic, you know that?"

Clare shot him a knowing look as she sat upright and extended her arm, motioning Eli to take it. "Hi, my name is Clare Edwards, a tad neurotic and the crème de la crème, pleased to meet you."

Eli chuckled, shaking his head. "Likewise. I'm Eli, levelheaded and as unhinged as Clare Edwards." They shook each other's hand and laughed for a few seconds together at the enlightened mood.

Clare suddenly pulled Eli carefully towards her and leaned into his face. She avoided his lips, marking her lips on his cheek with a gentle kiss taking Eli by surprise.

She leaned back and gave him a compassionate smile. "You should probably get going. Adams waiting." Clare exited the vehicle. "And be careful on the road. Crazy drivers." She finished from the window and walked towards the farmhouse.

Eli's lips were slightly parted, not tearing his eyes from the girl walking away until she was inside and fired up the engine.


Chapter title : You found me by The Fray

So beautiful, amazing, and lots of Reviews will make me happy for when I make my big return. I have many things in store for you all ;D