Thank you so much everyone for reading and reviewing. Sorry this chapter took so long. I'm working on the new one now as well so the next update shouldn't be too long.

Also, who else is excited for season 11?

Chapter 10 – Thursday

Clare

After spending time with Eli the night before I had a new outlook on things. Eli was good at putting things into perspective. So when he told me that people were bound to think differently of me once I gained a new boyfriend I knew he was right. When I started dating KC the year before people had the same reaction, they were shocked just like they are now.

I was with Eli now and people had to just accept it. No redheaded girls or ex-boyfriends were going to change my mind about Eli.

Eli and I sat at a picnic bench outside the school, eating lunch together like we had been doing lately. I noticed Eli's eyes look up and he cocked an eyebrow at whoever stood behind me.

I turned around to see his friends all join us at our table. Eli watched them, just as confused as I was. We didn't usually all hang out together. Not with my friends or his.

"Hey Edwards, love the sweater." Jenna said with a wink as she sat diagonal from me. I looked down at the green cardigan I often wore.

"Thanks…" I said hesitantly and she smiled, not detecting my uncertainty. Not once in my entire existence has Jenna Middleton ever complimented me. Just another strange thing I guess I would have to get used to.

"So Eli man what are you doing tonight? We were just saying how it's been a while since you've come around the lot." Drew said looking to their friends who nodded in agreement.

"The lot" I'm guessing is what they call the parking lot outside the coffee shop I often saw them all together.

Eli looked at me and then back to Drew.
"Sorry I'm hanging out with Clare tonight." Drew rolled his eyes.

"Come on, it's one night! I'm sure Clare won't mind if you hang out with your buddies for one night. Right Clare?" Drew asked turning his attention to me. Everyone at the table looked at me and I felt myself blush.

"No...It's just one night; I guess it doesn't really matter." I said feeling nervous that he was putting me on the spot.

Eli reached across the table and took my hand in his.
"Sorry guys, I'm going to skip it. Next time though?" he said looking at Drew with icy eyes. Drew stood up, clearly annoyed and everyone followed.

"Yeah, whatever." He mumbled and then after only a few moments it was as if it hadn't happened. We were alone.

"Sorry about him. Drew's an ass. He's just upset that we haven't been hanging out as much lately." Eli said and I shook my head.

"Not your fault. But I get it. He's your best friend he probably misses you."

Eli only laughed in response. "Maybe you should go tonight?" I suggested. I didn't want to be the one to take him away from his friends.

"Next time. I would rather spend tonight with you." Eli said leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on my lips.

"Can't argue with that." I smiled, going in to press my lips against his once again.

Eli

After getting to Clare's house after dinner I realized her parents weren't home. I didn't think Clare would invite me over so soon to be alone but I took this as a sign that it was the perfect time for things to progress a little more. I really did like her a lot and despite the bet I wanted nothing more than to be close to her.

Clare put a movie on and clicked off the light before sitting down beside me on the couch, pulling a blanket over top of the both of us. We ended up watching some chick flick Clare had been dying to see; He's just not that into you. It didn't seem so bad so I kept my eyes on the screen trying to get into the movie.

I'll admit it was difficult to concentrate sitting so close to her in the dark. There's something about the lack of light that makes things seem more intense. My mind was racing and as if reading my thoughts she looked up at me halfway through the movie, her face glowing with the light from the television.

"You're beautiful you know that?" I whispered as her eyes locked with mine.

"So are you" she teased back with the same serious tone. I rolled my eyes and she let out a giggle before taking my hand in hers.

"And you're pretty adorable" I said pulling her closer. "What else?" she asked quietly.

My lips were at her neck and I felt her heart race beneath her soft skin.
"Sexy, whether you choose to believe it or not." I said smiling against her, moving my lips up to her ear.

"And you're kind of perfect." I said finally, moving my hand to her waist, feeling the warmth of her side where her shirt had ridden up slightly.

Clare turned her face and looked at me before pushing me down on the couch and maneuvering herself on top of me. As she kissed me I felt something different. She wanted this too. Her kisses were slow and careful and as she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling herself closer to me. I then realized that i felt more comfortable with her than anyone I'd ever been with.

She moved her legs to either side of my hips and I let out a slight moan, making her smile. As she leaned into me I felt her lips on my neck, teasing my skin between her teeth. Up until that point my hands stayed at her waist but now with her straddling my hips I moved my hands up her sides and beneath the pink tank top she wore. Goosebumps covered her skin at the touch of my cold hands.

I switched us over so she was underneath me and slid my hand up the front of her shirt. She arched her back into me and I smiled as I finally made my way up to her chest. I had my lips on her neck when I felt her tense up and try and maneuver my hand away. I laughed and continued trailing kisses down her collarbone.
"C'mon." I said sliding my hand beneath the fabric once again. She shook her head as my lips made contact with hers.

"No…we can kiss. Just not that right now." She said, gasping for a breath.

I let out a frustrated sigh and shook my head slightly as she stared up at me, trying to gage my reaction.

"Are you seriously pissed about this right now?" she asked incredulously.

Fuck. She was going to make this into a big deal. Quick Eli, damage control. This wasn't a new thing; I was used to girls being nervous.
"Yeah…no…just forget that happened." I said, leaning in for another kiss but this time she held her hand against my chest, pushing me back.

"I think you should go…" she said sitting up, not looking me in the eye. Clare stood up now and turned the light back on.

"Okay we'll stop. We can just watch the movie." I said holding my hands up but she wasn't falling for it. Of course she would stand her ground, she's Clare Edwards.

"I'd prefer if you just left, I'll see you at school tomorrow." She said quietly and I felt my irritation grow. I was in no place to be mad but for some reason i was now pissed off.

"Fine, whatever..." I said bitterly, picking up my jacket from the couch, she looked shocked by my attitude but followed me to the door regardless.

"See you later." I said quickly before closing the door behind me with more force than I had intended. I knew that behind that door I was leaving a stunned, fragile girl…but I had to get out of there.

I wasn't mad at Clare, I was mad at the situation I put myself in and I regrettably took that out on her. I felt bad as I drove away. I was fucking this up already. Pretty soon this would be over. There was no way I was winning this bet, so eventually she would learn the truth and never speak to me. This was my fault; I shouldn't have pushed anything on her. And now I was losing her, the only girl I ever truly cared about.

I sped up the street to the coffee shop my friends spent countless hours at doing absolutely nothing.

"Well look who it is." Drew said with a smug grin. "No date?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes as I stepped out of my car and leaned against the door.

"I don't want to talk about it" I mumbled.

Which wasn't a lie…Drew didn't get my connection with Clare. He clearly knew I had real feelings for her but to him a girl was just a girl.

"She's turning you soft man." Drew said with a laugh and Jenna walked over sitting on the hood of Morty.
"Yeah you've been so weird lately. It's like you're not even Eli Goldsworthy anymore." Jenna said with her phone in her lap, shaking her head in disapproval.

"I saw a picture of you two…on her facerange profile. She's got you whipped." Jenna said with a laugh and Drew joined in.

I could feel my blood pressure rising. They didn't know what they were talking about. Or maybe I was changing…and I just didn't see it before. I hadn't hooked up with anyone in weeks. Not exactly the true Eli Goldsworthy lifestyle.

"Then I saw that cute little comment you left on it" Drew said getting excited that he had something to mock me with. What a great friend. "You look gorgeous, Clare" Drew teased with a high pitched voice.
He was such an ass.

You love her.
She's got you wrapped around her finger already.
Are you going to start wearing matching clothes like a cute old couple?
Are you going to start going to bible club together?

"STOP! Just stop okay. No I am not in love with her. She's a child, a naïve little girl that got swept into this bet. That is all. I'm going to sleep with her and that's it. It's nothing; she means nothing, so just drop it." I said with a harsh tone that made both of them stare at me, stunned.

"Fine. Sorry, we were just kidding around…" Jenna said before hopping off of my car and meeting KC a few cars over, who just stared at me blankly.

I felt myself breathing become ragged and decided I should just leave. I needed to calm down.

"Whatever, I'm going. I'll see you guys tomorrow." I said before anybody could protest as I got into Morty and drove away.

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