First chapter of the new yearrrrr ^-^

Happy 2013 (4 days ago)!

A/N: I don't really know how I feel about how I had wrote this chapter, but I had someone (Rojjy) look over most of it and she said it was good, so I shall post it. :)

Warning: This chapter may be a bit confusing, but you'll understand it. Clare's feelings are a bit jumbled, I write it how I feel at times...so it's a bit - NO, a lot! - confusing.

But here it is anyways...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - LUAUS & LOVE PT. 1

(Eli's POV)

As soon as Clare exits the room, it only takes me a few seconds to decide that I need to go after her this time. I cannot let her get away again, I needed an answer from her, and running away every time I make an attempt to be with her was not one. All she had to do was give me some type of response stating where that left our relationship.

She could give me a "yes", an answer that would make me probably the happiest guy on the island, or a "no", an answer that would break my heart, but also an answer that I would be forced to accept, because it is what she wants, or doesn't want?

Or she can give me a "maybe", I'll even take that, it shows me that I at least have a chance.

I sigh and jog back to the door. I open it step out into the hall. I look to the right and spot Clare already inside the elevator. "Clare wait!" I holler and she looks up. The doors begin to close and I begin jogging towards the elevator, praying I can make it to her before they shut completely.

"I'll see you at the luau, Eli." Clare says softly, before the metal doors come together and she descends. My jogging comes to a halt; that was it for me, I had concluded that Clare did not feel the same way about me or even feel something for me at all. The quick escape she had just made was basically her saying "no".

Becoming overwhelmingly depressed at the moment, I drag myself back to the room and decide to rant my feelings to Adam. I whip out my phone and dial his number. As his phone rings, I eye Clare's phone on the stand next to the bed - she had left it. It's lighting up, but I don't dare touch it, especially not if she's mad at me already.

After about the fourth ring, the call is sent straight to voice mail. I groan and hang up. I fall onto the bed, my face burying itself into the sheets. I can barely breathe through the fabric, but I don't really care, I feel like dying right now.

I feel really crappy. Clare had ran away from me yet again, lowering my self-esteem greatly, and I just needed to express my feelings to someone; I needed to talk to Adam; I need my best friend.

Suddenly, I feel a brief vibration in my hand. I lift my head up and scan the phone in my hand.

Adam: Sorry. At work. Can't talk, but I can text. What's up?

I release a sigh, then I begin to type him back.

Eli: I feel shitty and rejected :| I told Clare and now she hates me.

Adam: Huh? Did she say no to you?! :o

Eli: Pretty much :/

Adam: Woe... well that's a first. But are you okay though?

Eli: Honestly, I'm not. I really did like Clare and I'm now I'm upset cause she basically turned me down.

Adam: Oh, sorry. What'd you say to her?

Eli: Yesterday, nothing. When I tried to, my tongue sort of got tied and I really couldn't talk to tell her how I felt, so I just kissed her. And he kissed me back for a few seconds, then stopped. She ended up running away from me. And now this morning, I just literally poured my heart out to her, and she left again! And never gave me an answer.

Adam: Ugh, Eli ... idk about Clare right now. I guess I'll talk to her for you. I'll call her on my break or when I get back home.

Eli: I doubt you'll reach her considering she left her phone in the hotel room.

Adam: Oh, well maybe she'll come around later. She probably just doesn't want to break you and Julia up.

Eli: What?! Screw Julia and I! She and I are wrong together, and everyone knows it. Idk why I never broke up with her, we don't have ANYTHING common. All we do is go out and fuck, we have no other connection keeping us together other than that we both like sex. And I even told Clare I'd break up with Julia.

Adam: Lol. Maybe she doesn't want to feel like she's the reason for you and Julia's breakup. Like a home wrecker or something?

Eli: But she wouldn't be if I wanted her more, right? So should I still break up with Julia?

Adam: Sure if that's what you really want to do, but I honestly don't think it'll change Clare's mind. Sorry, man.

Eli: Yeah, it's okay. I guess I'll just not bother to end things with Julez. I'll just wait for Clare to come back and I'll apologize to her.

Adam: Okay, that's good, because I still need you two to be my friends and I don't want you two feeling uncomfortable by each other because of this. I want us all to stay the same :) But Eli, I g2g. Bye.

Eli: Bye.

I exit out of our conversation and toss my phone to the side.

...

(Clare's POV)

I'm standing outside Eli and I's hotel room with the passkey in my hand.

In the elevator earlier, I had figured out that I had forgotten to take my phone with me after I had made my dash out of the room, but I just didn't want to go back; I needed to think about what had just taken place in the room and calm down, so for possibly six hours, I did some confused wandering around the island. I went to a nearby shopping area and bought two bracelets from this boutique with some cash I had on me, then - just to pass some time - I walked all the way to that little ice cream shop Eli and I had visited yesterday and spent the remainder of my money on the strawberry thing I had the other day. The brunette who was working there yesterday, had been there today. She smiled at me and as I was paying her, she asked where my boyfriend was, and I lied and told her he was still at the hotel. Which now that I think about it, wasn't really a lie, Eli was at the hotel, but I wasn't as cheerful as I may have sounded.

After I got ice cream, I roamed across the beach, then went back to the hotel; I sat at Kuhio Beach Grill's bar on the third floor. I sat there for hours continuing to drink some fruity and nonalcoholic beverage over and over and over again, charging it to Glen's tab.

I desperately didn't want to face Eli again, afraid he'd be angry at me for running out on him once again. And honestly, I'm mad at myself, I don't understand why I do things like this! I had questioned Eli's feelings for me, but in his eyes, I could tell that he was telling the truth; he did want to be with me. But as stupid as I am, I fled from him.

Yesterday was amazing and in all honesty, I did find myself getting lost in Eli and liking him more than I ever had, possibly falling for him. So when he kissed me last night, I was into it for a split second - savoring the kiss -, then pushed him away because what he was doing with me was in complete disrespect of his relationship with Julia.

But this morning, Eli had got as truthful as he could get, and he said that he had always wanted to be with me, and I dumbly pushed him away again.

I really don't know what the fuck is wrong with me, my brain and body are all so stupid when I'm talking to Eli now. Forcing me to react differently than I want to just out of nervousness. They make me say and do stupid things I don't mean to.

Wrong words come out and I do dumb things - like run away.

It all feels weird, like I'm just so nervous about just being around him now that I know this, and for some reason, I just can't tell him how I fell too.

When we were at breakfast, I came of as standoff-ish and hateful. I was just confused about what had happened last night and I didn't want to cause an unwanted scene in the diningroom. But when we had arrived at the room and before Eli confessed how he felt, I couldn't help but say things that questioned what he claimed to be feeling, or phrases that made me seem to mean or spiteful, and as if I don't even like him.

Sure, I was skeptical about his intentions at first, but after he spilled it all out to me, there was no doubt in my mind that he had like me. I just wish I could finally say or do the right thing this time to make my true feelings known this time.

I take a deep breath then use my passkey to unlock the door. I slowly open the door, dreading expression Eli'll have on his face when he sees me. I open the doo completely and I spot Eli on the bed watching tv. He glances at me, then back to the television. He clicks it off and I have a miniheart attack; he's mad.

"Eli..." I start, preparing myself to tell him how I feel now. "I-"

Eli cuts me off. "It's okay, Clare," he states, looking over to me, "no need to tell me. I know."

"You do?" I ask confusedly. How could he know?

He sits up on the bed and swings his feet to hang off the edge. "Yes, I do. And look, I'm not mad or upset anymore by your decision; I'm accepting the fact that you don't feelings for me like I have for you, and I'll get over my crush sooner or later now that I know this."He releases a sigh, then stands up and says, "I'm sorry for kissing you, Clare, and putting you in this position; I'm dating Julia and I shouldn't have made you felt like you were coming between us. Even though you weren't really getting between us considering I liked you first, and Julia and I's relationship is bogus anyway. I mean, I would've broken up with her eventually, but I still don't want you to think it's your fault. So if it's okay with you, can we still be friends?"

"Friends?" I mock internally, "No, I don't want to be your 'friend' - I want to be more!"

"Sure," I hear myself say aloud, and God, am I hating myself right now.

Eli's lips crease a smile. "Thank you, Clare." He beams, hugging me, then suddenly pulling away. "Sorry."

...

(Eli's POV)

"You look great," Darcy squeals to Clare, complimenting her in the yellow dress she was wearing, and I had to agree with Darcy - Clare did look great, but I could never tell her that because she might just think I was being perverted and trying to hit on her again because her dress attracts attention to her bust, but she really does look nice.

We're all sitting at a round table out at the Paoakalani Outdoor Pool area. The staff had closed the pool earlier today so they could set up and decorate it for tonight's festivities, the luau, covering the pool with a hard cover so it's okay for people to stand on.

So far, this night has been fun, we've eaten tons of food and watched Hawaiian dancers and fire breathers perform - which was awesome -, and now, the announcer is encouraging everyone to get rise out of their seats and dance.

Our entire table disappears into the crowd of other dancing guests - except Clare and I.

"Clare, don't you want to dance?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "No, not really." I can tell Clare is still uncomfortable by my presence, so I don't try to persuade or push her into dancing. I just let her do what she wants.

...

Ten minutes later, Clare and I are both still sitting in our seats, texting the night a way. My vision picks up a girl walking up to our table. I look up. The girl has long and curly red hair and wears dark blue Aloha dress that resembles my shirt a little. "Hi," she peeps, waving to Clare and I.

I wave back and Clare looks up from her phone and skims the girl. "Hi," she replies.

"Are you two together - like dating?" the red-haired girl blurts, Clare and I exchange looks, and before we can answer or even respond, the girl looks at me and asks, "Would you like to dance?"

"Did this girl just really ask me to dance," I ask myself. I glance worriedly over Clare. She's bites her lip, then nods. "You go ahead, Eli," she encourages with a small smile on her face, shooing me away.

The red-head grins, then yanks me up to dance with her. As she leads me to the dance floor, I'm looking back at Clare who appears to be unaffected by just happened. I mean, I still like her, and it hurts that she just sent me off to dance with a total stranger, when she probably knows I'd rather not.

"Hi, my name is Jessica," The girl introduces herself to me.

"Eli." I state.

We finally settle in a spot and begin dancing to the beat of the tropical sounding music playing. I'm trying my best to get comfortable dancing with Jessica, but I'm not trying to touch her. This is going to be hard

After about fifteen minutes of silent dancing and Jessica's body dangerously close to coming in contact with my private area, Jessica speaks. "Sorry about pulling you away from your sister," she apologizes, "now she must be all lonely over there by herself."

"She's not my sister." I respond.

"Cousin?"

I shake my head. "No."

Jessica grins, then leans in forward, making me believe she's going to kiss me, but her direction goes toward my ear and lustfully whispers into it, "Well if that girl's not your sister, cousin, or girlfriend, then maybe you could come to my room - we could talk, or do other things. Whatever you like."

She backs away from my ear and stares me down lustfully, biting down on her bottom lip. I glance over to Clare who's still sitting down, texting, unaware of the world around her - unaware of what was happening over here -, then I look back over to Jessica and gulp. Jessica may have been the cutest ginger woman I had ever laid eyes on - well maybe behind Nicole Kiddman and Bryce Dallas Howard - but I was not just going to have sex with her. I haven't even known her for 20 minutes (not like that's stopped me before from hooking up with other girls I've only known for 20 minutes)!

But truthfully, I couldn't do that to Clare, I was still her pretend boyfriend for the week. Plus, I'm actually still taken by Julia, so I can't do that to her with some random chick.

"I-I," I start to say, becoming jittery. I take a deep and internal breath, calming myself. I cut off my sentence and start fresh. I smirk at her, "As tempting as that offer is, I actually am with that girl over there; she's my girlfriend."

Jessica's mouth forms a small "o" shape. "Oh my," she blushes, "I am so sorry, I didn't - oh I'm really sorry for hitting on you like that in front of your girlfriend. But if you two are dating, then why would she let me dance with you?"

I shrug and half-lie, "She doesn't really like to dance, and she knew I wanted to, so she just allowed me to dance with you. I don't think she knew you'd... ask me to... mm, you know."

"I really am sorry about that, Eli."

"Yeah, it's okay. But if you don't mind, I'm going to go off to use to restroom."

She nods, "Okay, I'm going to the bar for something to drink. And I really am sorry 'bout that." I nod then we both weave through the dancing couples. Her, in search of the bar, and me, on my way to the nearest bathroom.

(Clare's POV)

I stare down at my phone, playing Fun Run, and daring myself no to look up to see how much Eli and that chick are having on the dance floor. God, I'm so stupid! I had the chance to tell Eli and I blew it, then now, I just let him run off with some other girl and acted as if I thought it was a good idea for him to dance with her.

On the inside, I was furious that that girl even had the guts to come up to our table and ask such a question. I know he and I did appear to be a couple due to our lack of interact, but we were sitting right next to each other and that's good enough reason to think we are dating. But I really shouldn't have let him leave; it was my own stupid fault.

As I continue to play my game and not look up, my game is interrupted by a phone call from Adam. My mouth forms a small smile, because I haven't talked to him in day, but then I become a bit worried, wondering if he's calling me to discuss the Eli matter.

I sigh and answer the phone. "Hello."

"WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM, CLARE?!" Adam shouts over the phone.

Instantly figuring out what he is blabbing about, I say, "I really don't know. I'm acting stupid right now."

"Yes, yes you are," Adam agrees. "Listen Clare, Eli's a great guy and you know that. He wants to be with you badly so why wont you at least give him a chance. Why did you turn him down?"

"Technically," I start softly, "I never did give him an answer, I just left."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I was confused and felt awkward about everything. It was weird because I didn't know Eli felt that way about me..."

"He does, and I could always tell he did like you, but never really knew until yesterday when he told me. Do you like him, too, or not?"

"I don't know, maybe..." I answer shyly. "When I left, I went walking, and thinking, and over the time I was gone, I sort of realized I did feel something, for Eli. So when I went back to the room, I was preparing myself to tell him, but when he saw me, he immediately apologized to me and said that we should be friends. I-I was going to tell him, but I choked."

Adam sighs, "Well how about you go tell him now!"

I shake my head. "I can't right now, he's dancing," I explain, then look up in the direction I had seen Eli and the girl go to dance. "Oh no," I peep. My heart drops when I notice that the two aren't there anymore. Had she and he left? If so, where'd they do?

"'Oh no' what, Clare?" Adam questions.

"I-I had left Eli dance with this other girl besides me and now they're both gone."

"What?!"

"D-do you think that...he and she...?"

"I don't know, Clare, but I suggest you go find him and tell him - and quick before he does something he'll later regret."

"Uh, okay Adam, I'm going to look for him right now." I announce, rising up from my seat.

"Good. And Clare, please find him before-"

I interrupt him. "I will," I promise.

"Okay."

"Yeah, Bye Adam."

"Bye."

I hang up the phone and take off, hoping find Eli before it's too late and he's already made it to the red-haired girl's hotel room.

...

(Eli's POV)

I finish taking a piss and I walk over to the sink in the bathroom. I wash my hands, then leave out the bathroom. Heading back to the pool area where the luau was taking place, I make it about twelve steps before a random door swings open, and a hand pulls me inside the room that the door lead to, and the door shuts.

A/N: *drinks apple juice* So what did y'all think? Sucky, right? I know.

Well if you didn't understand the last part, someone has dragged Eli into a room. *wiggles eyebrows*

Does anyone know who I'm talking about...?

REVIEW, it means the world to me!

And again, I love you all!

-MFFITS