Chapter 8 (Part 2)

(Adam's POV)

"Clare rejecting me is one thing, but ditching us at the last minute is unacceptable!" Eli ranted as we observed Ms. Dawes reaction to our project from our desks.

Whatever happened to the good ol' days where our conversations didn't start off with crushes' names. I already lost that with Drew ages ago, especially since his pint-sized princess came into the picture. Now Eli is getting sucked into the hole. And I thought hanging out with guys would give me more leverage to talk about things that were actually important, like how Danger Mouse's new album Rome is coming out in a matter of months. Only Clare would care about the excitement over this.

"It's like she's got a bunch of skeletons hiding in her closets," he continued. I hope he's saying that casually, not on the verge of curiosity. The last thing Clare wants is another person to know about Julian.

"I wouldn't be surprised. She does have an interest in skulls," I led on. It's not like I was lying, skull designs cover up her doodle book.

"You guys are pretty close, right?" Oh no. "Next time could you investigate?" Eli seriously needs to man up. If a girl rejects Drew, sure he does get down in the dumps but it's at most an hour. Then he bounces right back up and moves onto to the next victim, er I mean, girl. Eli wanted to keep this dragging on, didn't he?

"So I've gone from third wheel to the messenger?" I retorted but in my sarcastic way, agreed to help him. Then that big dopey, yet thankful, grin spread all over his face. Eli means well, quirky, yes, but he always tries his best to be there for people. I'm not going to ditch him, especially since he was that helping hand during my darkest hour. Plus, Clare can't keep bottling up all the grievances. They're going to come out one way or another. And I'd much rather them to slide out of her mouth, not explode if her fuse somehow breaks.

"Adam, Eli, question," Ms. Dawes motioned us to her desk. Here comes the moment of truth. Did I forget to mention we made some changes? It was of course on Eli's accord, though.

"I see you took some liberties with the material," she flatly smiled. Yeah we did.

"You mean the last scene?" Eli cowered.

Ms. Dawes rolled the tape and the scene continued until the few awkward moments before the kiss. Eli decided to cut that part out and add a minor change.

Eli's narration began:

Juliet could join Romeo in death, but selfishly, bails out and chooses life. Years later, she dies as a lonely spinster with her 32 cats. Juliet should've chosen wisely.

That is definitely spurned Eli written all over.

"It's creative," my ass, "but you know I can't accept this, right? It doesn't follow the directions," she finalized. Yeah, Eli. And I thought he was known for precisely following whatever a teacher told him to do. Come on, he's got to uphold his reputation! "Is Ms. Edwards still in your group? Maybe she can help." Is there a fire in here? Because I think Eli just got BURNED!

It's official, I've been watching too much trash TV. Stupid Drew for letting Ali play couch commando.

Eli let out a quick sigh and smile as he nodded in agreement. We both, Eli in shame, went to our seats.

"She's already helped so much."

a couple hours later... (same POV)

After making numerous attempts to beat Clare's score on her game app, Tiny Wings, from her phone, I finally gave up.

"I can never get passed the fifth island!" I cried in agony as Clare chuckled.

"You know I bet Eli could whoop your ass in this," I ran my mouth without even thinking. Her chuckle dropped but it still stayed as a quaint smile.

"You would," she commented as she buried her head in her book. My mind stayed on Eli now. As much as I loved talking about the fundamental things to life, I promised Eli I'd help him out. Here goes nothing…

"Eli wants to know what's up with your shadiness," I brought up. This got Clare's attention because I could tell she didn't want me to bring up this elephant in the room. "I didn't say anything, you know, I'd never do that," I defended myself which knocked off a bit of the intensity in Clare's eyes. "B-but you should," I gulped as I brought it up once again.

Finally she was clam and solemn and answered with, "It's best if he doesn't know." Since when is it best to, no, I am not going to fight with Clare's cliché and irrational answer.

"Why can't you just tell her? The boy is dying." I didn't really think about how poor my choice of words were until Clare's eyes flashed at me in complete fire. That was the moment I nearly pissed myself. "I mean he's hurting really bad, emotionally." That definitely saved me from Clare finding a way to kill me tonight. I know for a fact she's watched plenty of those crime investigation shows, she'd make my death look like an accident.

As my life flashed before my eyes, Clare quickly interrupted with, "And I'm trying to prevent him from hurting worse later." Huh?

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"He cares for me a lot, I know. That's why I'm acting like a shady bitch. I don't want him to lead him down this path." Got it.

"If there's anyone who can roll with the punches, it's Eli," I consoled. Despite all the things I've said about the guy, he is strong, just isn't the macho type of guy.

"When I'm around him, all I can think about is kissing that sexy crooked smirk," she admitted as I hid how repulsed I was. Her face turned into a grimmer one, "It didn't have a happy ending for me." Clare tries to put off this image that she's all scary and devious and that she's not the type of girl you toil with. But on the inside, lies a girl with as big of a heart with worries and insecurities just like the next guy. I understood where she came from but she can't push away her happiness under her fear.

"Clare…"

"Drop it," she closed up as she started playing with her phone.

(Clare's POV)

It kills me not to know this but I've all but just forgotten what the color of her eyes and the scars and how she got them

As the telling signs of age rain down

A single tear has dropping

Through the valleys of an aging face that this world has forgotten

"Savior" got cut off as I heard the doorbell ring. I'm surprised I could actually hear considering I blared up my stereo to the highest volume. It must be more important. As I opened the door, I wish Rise Against could have done its normal job and blocked any disturbances, especially doorbells from unwanted people.

"Damnit Adam," I grunted as Eli gave me that look. "You found me. Huzzah."

"You can stop playing Where's Waldo with me, I've gotten the message," Eli ranted as I stepped outside.

"More like Carmen Sandiego," I mumbled as Eli rolled his eyes.

"Women always wanting the last wor-"

"Eli, why the hell are you here?" I interrupted. I should have the right to know considering he took the time to find my house. Creep. Okay, fine, I truthfully found that really doting and romantic but there's no way he'd know that. And Julian would've done the exact same thing… Julian.

Eli's voice started going a lower, calmer yet saddened tone, "I need to know why you don't like me in order to sustain our friendship." Is this kid shitting me right now? Nope. He's dead serious.

"Eli, don't be such a girl," I argued.

"If you can't tell me your reasons, then I think we'll have to continue keeping our distances," he truthfully explained.

"Maybe it's for the best," I replied. I didn't want those words to come out but it had to be done. I couldn't lead Eli into the steps Julian took.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time then," Eli grimly said as he started walking away. This is it. Finally, it can be done and Eli will move on. He's good-looking and definitely one hell of a guy. Might be on the skinnier and timid side, but girls dig that.

But I didn't want that. He's already too much a part of my life. I can't let anything or anyone, not even Julian, kick him out like this.

"Wait," I called out to which Eli turned around with those shining green eyes. "I think it's time we went for a walk."

(Eli's POV)

I waited patiently for Clare to say the first word. I could tell through my observations that she had a lot on her mind. It boggles me on how, in the shining sun and her dark attire, she's not panting from the heat and sweat due to walking nearly a mile. I'm in a green v-neck and light jeans and I'm sweating. Please don't have body odor. The last thing Clare needs before opening up is a stench offending that delicate nose of hers.

I decided to take the liberty into helping her open up by using pathetic small talk. "Making us walk all the way for a tree? I could've clearly driven us here. You're messed, Clare," I humored. I was waiting for the quick comeback but instead, she kept staring into the moving cars, not flinching one bit.

"I know," she sighed. She obviously didn't take my terrible joke. "I can't just be your friend, I'm too attracted to you," my heart skipped a beat as she said that but I knew she didn't mean it as a hopeful thing. "But we can't be together, I don't deserve you," she cried which really caught my attention. I've never seen this side of Clare, on any girl actually. What is with all these unknown sides? Is she charading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or something? "Look, this where I killed my boyfriend." I should've known there lived a cold-blooded murderer inside of this girl's delicate body.

"Wait, what?" Clare gave me an evil smile at my reaction.

"This is where I kill all my boyfriends. Now you're next!" she maliciously laughed as she brought out a knife and leaped at me.

Daydream over. More like a daymare. I knew that vision was pure imagination because a) no one kills in broad daylight with a bunch of cars whizzing by and b) we're not even a couple yet.

I turned to Clare as she opened her mouth, "Last year, we had a fight at my house. It was like an explosion of teenage rage. I spat out things I regret now. He stormed off in his car, in the middle of the night. Got hit by a drunk truck driver." That's what she meant by "killed". I shouldn't have taken it so literally. Clare's dark and mysterious, but she wouldn't go to that extent. Now I understand this pain Clare is going through.

"From the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry," I let out.

"In a flash, the closest person in my life vanished. And it's my entire fault." Clare isn't the type to cry so I'm not expecting her to now. But watching her distressed face, was the equivalent of a million tears rolling down. And I was the one who pushed all this.

"I had no idea…"

"It's not fair," she leaned her head against my open shoulder and looked up. "When will my happiness start?" She finalized. There's really a vulnerability in everyone.

(Clare's POV)

We, including Ms. Dawes, were watching the project that completely followed the instructions. Not the one Eli used as an outlet of teenage angst. As I saw the kiss, it made me feel completely awkward because Ms. Dawes was watching the same thing. It's like watching a movie of full frontal nudity with my parents. Besides all that, I really hoped that kiss could happen again in the future.

As I heard Ms. Dawes chuckle, I knew our project was a go. After she made her comments and left, our trio started walking in sync. Funny how friendships can work in that way, even after all this "tension".

"I still wish there was a different ending," Eli added. Eli, you're cute but shutup, you got your A.

"You mean that trash you tried to turn in? I die as the typical old cat lady?" I noted which made us all chuckle. Eli sure does have a creative mind.

"Of course not. In the sequel, Juliet can get some more time," he sensitively said as he stopped and waited for my response. Damnit, Eli. I've always been a sucker for sweethearts.

Finally Adam interjected and gave Eli a pat on the shoulder, "I can't help but notice we're on speaking terms? Did SOMETHING happen yesterday?" Way too be less obvious.

"Why would you think that?" Eli has that problem as well. No wonder why I'm friends with these two.

"I finally spilled the beans on Julia," I admitted. Adam sighed in relief which gave Eli that puzzling look.

"Thank God. Didn't know how long I'd have to hide that for," he smiled. I observed green eyes and he finally caught on to Adam's comment. Now Adam's the one who has to do the explaining. Or he could walk away and avoid it like he did instead. I ignored Adam's action and got closer to Eli.

"Your sequel idea, I think it might be a hit," I hinted.

"Ditto," Eli smiled.

I know it's been a long time with this story but I didn't know you guys still liked it. But I'm glad you do! But how long do you want me to keep this story going since.. Eclare is still progressing... Until All Falls Down? Or until they break up? Or even keep it going with the aftermath of their breakup which could include Jake and *gasp* Imogen? Request please, along with your review. :) Hope everyones having a good summer by the way!