(I know. LAMEST chapter title EVER!)

I've actually started updating daily? *le collective gasp* But you're all so sweet. Seriously, this fanfic is dedicated to you all! (I'm in a loving mood right now, if you couldn't already tell.) Ah, I love Eli. And I miss Clare. And I'm mad at Alli for hanging out with Jenna! (Jenna isn't terrible, but she isn't my favorite.) And I also love Adam! Penny for your thoughts? Add 'em with a review!

This is dedicated to anyone who has a best friend. If you don't, I'll be your best friend! (Also, this fan fiction takes place after the first chapter!)

Enjoy!


"I'm in love with Eli Goldsworthy. " Alli Bhandari looked over to her best friend, Clare Edwards and smiled.

"And…?" She trailed off suggestively. Clare sat up and looked at Alli.

"I just confessed that I'm in love. Isn't that enough?" She asked with a laugh and resumed her comfortable position on her bed. She popped a grape in her mouth.

"Well, I kinda knew that already. I mean, it's good that you finally admitted it to yourself, but it isn't something new." Alli received a playful shove from her friends.

"I was talking to Darcy the other day and she explained to me that the feeling I'm feeling is love." Alli turned to face Clare.

"How is Darcy, by the way?" She asked. Clare shrugged.

"She's fine. She's going to pay us a visit before she chooses another assignment. You know, more 'cleansing of her soul.'" Alli nodded before shoving another grape in her mouth.

"Drew's a manwhore." Clare burst out into laughter while Alli pouted.

"Well, that was random." Clare managed to choke out. Alli shoved her friend.

"It's true! All he wants to do is make out! I wanna talk to someone, have them understand me! I don't want to be someone's play toy." She sighed. Clare rolled her eyes.

"So don't. Stop seeing him. I know plenty of guys who could treat you like a princess, if you gave them a chance." Clare had the urge to add 'Screw Drew,' but she refrained.

"Really?" Alli asked, surprised. Clare nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! You want me to make a list? Some, you may know. Others, you'd be shocked." Alli laughed, elated.

"List on!" The duo laughed until tears came to their eyes.

"So do your parents know that you're in love with a hot, punk-rock, hearse-driving junior?" Alli asked suddenly. Clare shook her head.

"They're so wrapped up in their petty arguments, they didn't even know he came up to my room two nights ago-" She stopped suddenly, revealing her secret. Alli started to scream with delight.

"Wait! Are you serious? What did you two do? What did he say? Spill everything, Clare!" Clare buried her face in her pillow. She was so embarrassed.

"Okay, okay." She said after several seconds of Alli's pestering. "He was, in his own words, 'in the neighborhood' and decided to pay a visit. He only stayed for a little bit!" She quickly defended. Alli gave her arm a small squeeze. "And you did…?" She prompted. She needed to know the juicy details!

"Nothing!" She exclaimed and felt her face heat up. "We just…" She wanted to say kissed, but it went a little deeper than that. "…made out a little bit." She groaned when Alli started to giggle uncontrollably.

"My little Clare is growing up!" Clare groaned again and hit her over the head with a pillow. Alli quickly retaliated and grabbed a pillow of her own. The two traded insults while hitting each other with pillows. Their insults quickly dissolved into laughter as they tried to steady their breathing.

"You said…Eli would…" Clare couldn't even continue as a giggle escaped her lips. Alli wiped away her tears.

The two suddenly jumped when Clare's bedroom door opened. Mrs. Edwards raised an eyebrow at her daughter and her daughter's best friend.

"Hey, mom!" Clare chirped a little too cheerfully, a sign that she and Alli were up to no good.

"I wanted to know if Alli was staying for dinner." Mrs. Edwards said carefully, turning to her. Alli smiled brightly, another dead give away.

"Sounds great, Mrs. Edwards!" Alli replied. Mrs. Edwards quietly left with a perplexed expression. The two shared a smile and a knowing look before charging down the stairs for dinner.

An hour later, the girls walked into the bedroom and plopped down on the bed.

"Oh my gosh, Clare, your mother is trying to fatten me up and eat me!" Alli exclaimed with a content sigh.

"She always makes too much food when you come over. Though I don't think she wants to eat you." Clare added with a laugh. Alli looked over at the clock and sighed.

"I really don't want to go home right now. Sav is having a talk with my parents about some blah blah blah with an extra helping of blah." Clare giggled.

"Wow. That's really descriptive. But if you want, you can stay here for the night. I just need to ask my mom." Alli laughed.

"Are you sure you won't be having any…midnight visitors?" She asked suggestively. Clare rolled her eyes.

"Hush up about that!" Clare hissed. "If my parents find out-"

"Which they won't." Alli interrupted. Alli pushed her to the door. "Now go ask your mom so I can do the same." Clare rolled her eyes, but went down nonetheless.

Two minutes later, both girls were in their pajamas and setting up for the night.

"If Eli comes, just let me know and I'll be out the door in a flash." Alli laughed. Clare sighed.

"It was a one time thing that will never happen again." Clare growled.

"Never say never, Clare!" Alli giggled, earning another whack on the head from a pillow.

"Hey! I was just joking." Alli pouted. Clare smiled to herself.

"Goodnight, Alli." Clare said as she shut the light off and snuggled into bed.

"Goodnight Clare." She responded and crawled into her makeshift bed on the floor. After an hour passed, Clare spoke.

"Are you asleep, Alli?" She whispered in the dark.

"No. I couldn't sleep. What's up?" Both girls sat up.

"Are you religious?" Clare asked. Alli snorted.

"How long have you known me, Clare? You know I'm not. Well, not as much as I should be. Why?" She asked. Clare sighed.

"I haven't told anyone about this, not even Eli, but…" She let out a sigh before continuing. "I think I'm loosing my faith." She murmured. Alli scoffed.

"Saint Clare? Losing her faith? How?" Clare sighed.

"I don't know. I kinda started when my parents first started arguing. I mean, how am I supposed to believe everything they said when they can't follow the rules themselves? My parents always taught me to save myself for marriage. They also taught me that a man and a wife promise to love each other forever, yet they got a divorce. Eli told me it was hypocritical of them, but I just don't know anymore." Clare finished. Alli sighed.

"Clare, this isn't about Eli, or your parents, or anyone, but you. I chose not to follow my parents' belief because it wasn't what I believed. Believe in whatever you want. Do whatever you want. Just don't let your parents' decisions waver your beliefs." After a moment of silence, Clare started to laugh.

"Wow, Alli. I never expected you to give me such good advice." Alli feigned hurt.

"I am so surprised, Clare!" The two laughed quietly.

"Thank you, Alli. I feel better. Goodnight." Clare said, hugging her pillow and closing her eyes.

"No problem. Goodnight." Alli responded, feeling drowsy. Alli, happy she could help her best friend, and Clare, satisfied with Alli's explanation, fell asleep.


Yay! A friendship fic! Your opinions make me wanna dance!

~S.S.