Over 100 reviews! I love all of you guys. Really. Sorry for taking forever with this chapter! Thank you to we-will-not-fall-down for reminding me that I was taking forever to update. Haha.

Clare's POV

I started reading Eli's list, and by the time I finished, I was crying. But, for the first time in a very long time, they weren't sad tears; they were tears of happiness.

Smiling, I put my letter in my pocket and walked to the cafeteria. I looked around for Eli, and saw him eating alone. I made my way to his table, sitting across from him. His head was down so he didn't notice I was there until I cleared my throat.

Eli's POV

"Clare! Hey, um, di-did you get my no-note?" I stuttered. Damn. Get yourself together, Goldsworthy. Just calm down, I thought, not wanting to make myself look like an idiot by stammering.

She nodded, and smiled. "It was the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Thank you so much, Eli," she said sincerely and I could feel my cheeks heat up.

"N-No problem," I stuttered again and mentally cursed myself. Why was I getting so nervous around her all of a sudden? Probably because you told her you LOVE her and she didn't say it back! I reminded myself. That's because you were such a dick to her!

Oh, God. Here I am, talking to myself. Maybe I really am crazy…

Interrupting my thoughts, Clare spoke, "Eli?"

"Hmm?" I said, distracted.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" She asked and I shook my head no.

"I said that it's going to be hard to trust you again. That list was so sweet, and made me feel like I was actually…worth something. I want to give you another chance, but I'm scared. I-I just don't want to get hurt again, Eli," she finished.

"I won't hurt you, I promise," I said, and she smiled sadly.

"I want to believe you, Eli, I really do. But-"

"Clare, I swear to you that I will never hurt you again. Please, give me another chance. Just one more," I pleaded, and she looked down.

I sighed and stood up, moving to the seat directly next to her. She was still avoiding my gaze, so I titled her face up to mine. "Please, Clare. I'll do anything to prove to you that I will not hurt you," I said and she bit her lip.

"Alright…One more chance," she told me and I beamed. My heart fluttered as I realized I actually have a chance at fixing my life, with Clare by my side.

"One more chance," I repeated, and pressed my lips to hers.

Clare's POV

When Eli kissed me, it was different than the first kiss. That first kiss was tentative and short, whereas this one was passionate and long.

I broke away to breathe and looked at Eli. He was still grinning, and he gave me a quick peck on the lips before pulling me up.

"What are we-" I began to ask, but Eli answered me before I finished.

"Getting food," he stated simply and I felt my stomach drop.

"U-Uh…" I stammered, and Eli seemed to understand.

"Clare, you need to eat. Come on," he said, pulling me to the line.

"I can't. Eli, I can't," I whimpered, tears blurring my vision. The thought of eating almost made me have a panic attack. My breathing became labored and my heart rate sped up.

"Yes, you can. I'll be right here with you."

I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. They were full of love, and that made me feel stronger. "Okay."

He smiled. "Okay!" He got me two fried eggs with toast. We sat down at the table and I hesitantly grabbed my fork.

I took about three bites when I had the urge to run into the bathroom and throw up. I set my fork down and pushed my plate away.

"I'm done," I announced.

"I think you should eat a little more," Eli said, looking at my plate.

"I'm not hungry."

"Just eat one egg and you can be done," he told me, using a voice a parent would use with his toddler. I sighed and did as he suggested.

I was contemplating sneaking away to the bathroom when Eli spoke once again. "Clare, I just want to let you know that I'm proud of you. I know this can't be easy, and I just want to let you know that I lov-…I mean, I'm here for you."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling guilty for even thinking about throwing up again.

We cleaned up the mess, and were walking in the hallway when I saw a huge spider crawling next to me.

I. Hate. Spiders.

I shrieked and grabbed Eli's arm, causing him to groan. I barely noticed this, though, as I was focused on that hairy spider that could possibly crawl all over me. "Kill it! Eli, kill it!" I yelled and watched in satisfaction as he stomped on it.

I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to thank him, when I saw that he was holding his arm, face contorted in pain. "What's wrong?" I asked, and he didn't answer.

I grabbed his arm, and he tried to yank it away from me but I had a firm grip. "Don't," he said, but I ignored him. I lifted his sleeve up to see long, pink cuts.

There were so many. Some were long, some were short. The majority of them looked to be old, but there were others that looked recent. "E-Eli…Wh-What-" I couldn't finish, because he ripped his arm away from me.

Without a word, he ran away from me. I turned around, bumping into Dr. Johnson, causing her papers to go flying everywhere.

"Sorry, sorry," I said as I helped her pick everything up.

"Don't worry about it. I was actually looking for you. I have good news!"

I didn't reply, just stared at her in confusion. "Your dad called. He'll be coming by to see you tomorrow!" she exclaimed and my eyes widened.

"M-My d-dad?" I choked out and she nodded. "Great," I said meekly.

"Mhmm. I have to go now, but don't forget about our appointment in an hour!"

"I won't," I replied and went back to my room, lying on my bed.

My dad was coming tomorrow. My dad, who abandoned me, who never sent a birthday card, or called, or came to visit, wants to see me tomorrow.

Fantastic.

A/N: Next chapter, you meet Clare's piece of shit dad! And so does Eli! You all know what that means! CLARE'S CRAPPY DAD + PROTECTIVE ELI = DRAMA.

********Also, someone said she wanted to read the list of the 25 mean things & the 25 nice things, and I was wondering if anyone else would be interested in reading that? Let me know in a review! :) & tell me if you'd want to see it actually incorporated INTO the story, or if at the end I add the two lists on as bonus chapters or something. THANKS! :)