AN: Sorry it's been a couple days. I've been trying to listen to some new music to hopefully get inspired. I'll seriously take any recommendations you guys can give me. I don't know about this one. It's pretty much the same chapter from my Chivalry is Alive and Kicking story but I like that one better. I also got caught up in a Twilight story that is quite good. It's called Words with Friends if you're interested.
Thanks to maralita and Miss-Song-Bird for your continued reviews. You guys are seriously super cool. :D
This chapter is inspired by the song Collide by Leona Lewis. It's been awhile since she's been around hasn't it? lol It's a good song. I don't own the rights to the song or the characters.
Clare wasn't having the best day. She had overslept because her parents were up late fighting and she couldn't fall asleep. In her rush to get to school and not miss anymore of class she had forgotten to print out her English paper. Great, now she'd have to take the zero. She really liked her paper too.
She made her way down the deserted hallway to her English class. She really hated being late. As soon as she'd open the door everyone would turn to look at her. She took a deep breath before opening the door and entering the classroom.
Ms. Dawes turned from the board, "Ah, nice of you to join us Miss Edwards."
Clare blushed as she sat down in her seat. "Sorry." Eli turned to look at her, a smirk on his face. Clare glared at him with a look that said "not now". He got the message and turned back around.
The bell rang and class was over. Clare got up and left before Eli could talk to her. She wasn't in the mood to talk about why she was late and she knew that she would probably snap at him if he asked. She didn't want to do that so she just avoided him. Eli watched her leave with a confused look. He'd have to ask her about it later.
The rest of her day didn't get better. She had a pop quiz and was assigned a huge project. She was at home now in her room starting the project she was assigned. The front door slammed followed by screaming. Her parents were home. Just what she needed to deal with today. She gave up trying to work, grabbed her phone, and went down the stairs. The yelling was louder and a tear fell from Clare's eye as she shut the front door behind her. She didn't even bother to tell her parents she was leaving, they wouldn't notice anyway.
She started walking, no particular destination in mind. She stopped at a bench outside the Dot and sat down. The stress of the day finally caught up with her and she started crying.
Eli was inside the Dot and saw a girl that looked like Clare outside. He paid for his coffee and went outside. "Clare?" The girl turned, it was definitely Clare and she was crying. "Clare!" He rushed over to her and sat next to her on the bench wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into him. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Clare pulled back. "Yeah just a bit overwhelmed you know? Life's been a tad stressful lately."
Eli's face fell. "You wanna talk about it?"
Clare shrugged. "It's just, everything in my life seems unfamiliar."
"Hey, I'm here for you. You can count on me." He looked into her eyes.
It was quiet for a minute before Clare spoke again. "He cheated on her Eli. How can I trust him again? How can I trust anyone again?" Tears threatened to fall again.
Ouch. "You don't have to worry about that with me Clare. I'm not like that. You're all I want. You're the one."
Clare smiled. "Really?"
Eli laughed. "Yes really." He kissed her.
"You really know how to pick a girl up when she's down." And he did. Eli had turned her whole day around.
"I guess I'm just in tune with how you feel." He smirked down at her. "Come on." He got up from the bench and held out his hand to Clare, "Let's go eat." Clare got up as well, placing her hand in his. They went into the Dot to eat and Clare forgot all about her parents fighting.