StarStruck
Chapter 14 - The Wedding
Eli's POV
Clare looked amazing! She was wearing a short black dress that had a blue ribbon at the waist that complemented her eyes. She looked amazing! I know I've said that a million times, but it's true. She truly looks amazing. The dress shows her curves, and her accessories match perfectly too. I must have been staring at her for a while because she asked,
"Eli? Is something wrong? Do I look okay? I don't? Oh, okay. I'll go change my dress, be right back." She started to run off towards her room. I grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"No, Clare, don't change. You look so beautiful." She blushed.
"Thanks Eli. You look good too." I smiled back at her. We were staring into each other's eyes for a while until we heard yelling.
"Randall, hurry up! It's time to go! We're going to be late!" Mrs. Edwards shrieked to her husband.
"Well Helen, maybe if you stopped yelling at me I would move faster!" Mr. Edwards shouted back.
I looked over at Clare, her smile faded and her eyes were watery. "Come on, Clare. Let's wait in the car." We walked outside the house and Clare led me to her parents' car. She opened the door and we sat in the backseat. She started to cry a little bit, so I let her cry into my jacket until her parents came into the car.
Clare's POV
My parents are fighting again. I'm used to it, but I didn't think they would do it when we had company. This is horrible! I can't wait until we get to the wedding, then I won't have to listen to them argue. About 5 minutes later, my parents walked over to the car. They got in and started driving to the wedding. They didn't even acknowledge that Eli was here. They could at least say hi. They're embarrassing me in front of him and they don't even notice or care! And worst of all, they're still fighting. This is going to be a long two-hour car ride to Stratford.
xoxoxoxoxo
I must have fallen asleep on the car ride because I awoke to Eli lightly shaking me. "Wake up, Clare. We're here."
"Mmmh." I mumbled.
"Come on Clare." Eli said. I just shook my head. Eli then lifted me up then put me down, so I was now standing next to him. The light from the sun was blinding me.
"Ahh! Why is the sun so bright? My eyes hurt." I complained. Eli just laughed.
"Come on, let's get you inside then." He said, still laughing. I got up and followed Eli into the wedding. It was such a pretty sight. The colors of the wedding were light pink and white, there were beautiful pink roses everywhere, and there was a beautiful view of the ocean from here.
"Whoa this is amazing." I told Eli. He nodded. I started looking around when I heard someone call my name.
"Clare! Clare!" I turned around and saw my cousin Noah and his friend Jake waving me over. I grabbed Eli's hand and dragged him with me. I gave Noah a big hug. I haven't seen him in two years.
"Noah I missed you so much! It's been two years!" Noah is one year younger than me, so he's fourteen.
"I know, two years too long. How have you been doing C?"
"Good, how bout you?"
"Great, I have a girlfriend, Sabrina. She couldn't come today, but you have to meet her."
"Aww, young love. I'd love to met her." I teased a little. Noah started laughing. But then Jake cleared his throat. That was a little rude.
"Oh hi Jake." He came over to hug me. Jake's my age, and he had a crush on me last time I saw him. I thought he was over it, but I guess not.
"Clare. It's so nice to see you." He said happily, then he looked over at Eli and glared. "Who's your friend?" Eli was about to answer for himself, but I cut him off. I had a plan to get Jake away from me.
"Noah, Jake. This is my boyfriend Eli." I stretched the boyfriend part so that Jake would back off. I looked over at Eli, to see his reaction. He smirked. I'm pretty sure he gets what I'm doing.
Eli's POV
When we got to the wedding, Clare was waved over by these two guys. I'm guessing the first one, Noah, is her cousin because she hugged him. The other guy, whose name I don't know yet, just stared at Clare. I think he likes her. He better back off, she's mine. Well, not yet, but she will be. Clare and Noah were talking animatedly to each other when the other kid cleared his throat, obviously trying to get Clare's attention.
"Oh hi Jake." Clare said. So Jake is his name. Jake hugged her, and Clare clearly looked uncomfortable.
"Clare it's so nice to see you. Who's your friend?" He said as he glared at me. I was about to introduce myself when Clare cut me off.
"Noah, Jake. This is my boyfriend Eli." She stretched out the boyfriend part. So, she's trying to shake the kid off her tail. Well two can play this game. Clare turned to look at me, blushing, and I just smirked.
"No way are you dating this freak Clare! I mean look at him!" Jake shouted. This kid obviously doesn't see that Clare doesn't want him.
"Jake, calm down. I know you have a crush on me and all, but Eli's my boyfriend, so I would appreciate it if you backed off." Clare said while putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine, only for you Clare." Jake's face turned mischievous. "So..." he started. "How long have you been dating?" Clare started to hesitate, so I decided to answer.
"Three months." That seemed like a reasonable answer. Plus I have only known her for about three months.
"Interesting." Jake said. This kid is a little bit creepy. I looked at Clare, and I could tell she was thinking the same thing.
"Oh sorry Jake, we have to go. Aunt Em is calling me over. It was nice talking to you guys. Bye Noah!" Clare quickly told them. She then dragged me away until we were out of their sight.
"Sorry about Jake. He's had a crush on me since we were nine. It's kind of annoying." She told me.
"It's fine, Clare." I smiled at her and she smiled back.
Clare's POV
Jake is so annoying! I mean he doesn't take a hint. I mean I made it really obvious that I have no interest in him whatsoever, but he doesn't give up! Good thing Eli here's though, he can help me keep him away. I was about to say something to Eli when music started to play. The wedding was starting soon, so we went to find our seats.
xoxoxoxoxo
Scarlet, my cousin, looked so pretty in her wedding dress. It was a simple white wedding dress with a short train and a sweetheart neckline. She had a veil too, and on the crown of the veil there was a border of pink and white flowers. It was so beautiful. I want my wedding to be like this. It's so perfect. I looked over at Eli, he wasn't paying attention, as usual. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something though...
Eli's POV
Clare's cousin's wedding is really great. I wasn't really paying attention though. I was thinking about my future. Back in L.A., I always thought it would be Julia and me up at the alter saying our vows. All of our friends in the seats at the wedding, and the theme colors hot pink and black, our two favorite colors. But now, I see a different future for myself.
Eli's Thoughts
I'm standing up at the alter waiting for my bride to come. The music starts and the flower girl and the bridesmaids come out. Last in the line, is my beautiful bride. She walks with her father down the aisle to the alter, and I take her hands.
"I love you." I mouthed to her.
"I love you too." She mouthed back.
"We are all gathered here today to join this couple in holy matrimony." The wedding official said. My bride and I looked into each others eyes as he said, "Do you, Elijah Thomas Goldsworthy, take this woman, Clare Diana Edwards, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." I said, and smiled at Clare.
"Do you, Clare Diana Edwards, take this man, Elijah Thomas Goldsworthy, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Clare looked over at me. "I do."
"By the power vested in me, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." I grab Clare's waist and pull her towards me. We lean closer, and closer to each other and I ki...
"Eli! Come on let's go the reception!" Clare said to me, knocking me out of my daydream.
"Okay, let's go." It's going to be a little awkward for me now with Clare because, after all, I was just daydreaming about marrying her.
Clare's POV
The reception was really fun. In the beginning everyone was going over to Scarlet and her now husband Max. Then, Scarlet threw the bouquet into the crowd of women, my Aunt Emily caught it. After that, it was the couple's first dance as husband and wife. They were dancing to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. Last time I saw Scarlet, she told me this was the song that was playing when she met Max, so it fits perfectly as a wedding song for them. After a few minutes, a lot of couples joined Scarlet and Max on the dance floor. I was watching the many couples dance, including my parents, when I looked to see Eli standing in front of me. He held out his hand to me and asked,
"Can I have this dance, Clare?"
"Of course, Eli." I took his hand and he led me onto the dance floor. I put my arms around his neck, and he put his around my waist. He pulled me close and we started slow dancing. We were staring into each other's eyes, it was like we were the only ones there. Subconsciously, we both started leaning in slowly, it was a perfect moment, and nothing could ruin it. That is, except for Jake, who just had to come over and ask to cut in. "Sorry Jake, but no. Can't you see that I'm already dancing with someone?"
"Yes, but that's the whole part of can I cut in Clare." God, this kid won't give up.
"You know what Jake, it doesn't matter anyway. Eli and I were just about to go get something to drink, so maybe some other time." I stormed off, Eli following close behind. I hate Jake, can't he just leave me alone for once. He ruined my perfect moment. Eli and I were about to kiss for God's sakes! Kiss! Eli Goldsworthy was about to kiss me, Clare Edwards! Eli walked over to me with two drinks in his hands, he handed one to me. "Thanks. I'm sorry about Jake, again. I just really don't get why he won't leave me alone. I've already told him I'm not interested. Why won't he take a hint?" Eli looked over at me,
"Clare. He won't leave you alone because he's jealous. He's jealous that he's not the one your calling your boyfriend. It's also because your beautiful, Clare. Anyone would be lucky to call you his girlfriend." That was so sweet.
"Do you really mean that Eli?" I asked him.
"Yes Clare. You're beautiful." He said sincerely. I gave him a hug and then we sat down. We started talking about random things while the music played behind us. All of a sudden it stopped, and Scarlet's voice rang through the speakers.
"I would like to thank you all for coming tonight. I remember when my cousin Clare was 10 years old she asked me to do her a favor. She asked me if at my wedding I would play her favorite song for her." Oh gosh, I completely forgot about this. "I said I'll do it, and I asked her what her favorite song was. She said she would tell me when she figured out. Last year, when she was 14 she called me and told me she picked her favorite song. Now I'm not sure if this is still her favorite song, but I'm going to play it for her anyway. This is for you Clare!" I can't believe she actually remembered. This is one of the nicest things she's ever done for me. And, I knew exactly what song was going to play.
Eli's POV
Scarlet made a speech about Clare asking her to play her favorite song for her during her wedding. I kept thinking the whole time, "That does sound like something only Clare would do." At the end of the speech, I turned to look at Clare who was smiling. A song came on that sounded really familiar to me. I heard my voice come out from the speakers. Shit. Clare's an Elixitz fan. Clare stood up, grabbed my arm, and dragged me to the dance floor. We started dancing again and Clare started to tell me something.
"Oh my gosh, I can't believe she actually remembered to do this. I love this song! It's Just Love You by Elixitz. The singer, Goldz, wrote this for his girlfriend Jules when they were in love. It was my favorite song by them. I wonder where he is now though, he left the band and no one has heard from him since. Don't you think that's weird Eli?" Oh crap. Oh crap. Why out of all songs, this one? Why? This was the song I wrote for Jules, right before I found out she cheated on me. This song brings up horrible memories, I have to go. I have to clear my head. "Eli?" Clare asked. "Are you okay?"
"Uhh, yeah. I just need some fresh air I'm getting a little stuffy. I'll be right back." I ran out of the wedding, and towards the beach. I stopped hen I got to a little pathway. I sat at the top and just thought. About Jules, about the band, about my whole life back in L.A., everything. I thought about how I hate having to keep this secret from Clare, since I'm actually starting to like her. I thought about how Adam left the band because of me. He was so happy back in L.A., and he left just because I left. I thought about it for a while when I felt someone sit next to me. It was Clare.
"Are you okay? You just ran off. I was worried." She said, voice full of concern.
"Yeah, it's just that song brings back a lot of memories. Not good ones either."
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's my fault it came on anyway."
"Don't blame yourself Clare, it's not your fault. It's just memories of my life before Degrassi."
"Oh okay. Well I'm sorry that you had to leave wherever you lived before. But, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't happy that you came here." I looked over at her, what was she getting at?
"What are you saying?"
"Well, Eli. I don't really know how to say this, but we've been friends for a while now, and um were pretty close, so um I might have kind of, um," She started, she was nervous. I could tell, she was blushing, stuttering. What was she going to say though? I could barely understand what she said next because she said it so fast. "I might like you more than a friend, but I know you don't feel the same, so forget what I just said." Whoa, wait. Did she just say she liked me?
"Clare, I-" I started, but she stopped me.
"I get it Eli, you don't like me back. It's okay, we can still be friends, I mean I'm perfectly fine just being friends. It was stupid of me to even say anything, we've only know each other three months, so I get if you think I'm moving to fast. Sorry, I wont bring it up again, and we can just go back to being frie-" I leaned in towards her and she stopped talking. "What?"
"Clare, stop talking." I said as I leaned in and kissed her. She kissed back, and we put all our passion into the kiss. It was what we've been holding back for the past three months. And, man, was the kiss amazing!
Clare's POV
Holy shit! Sorry God about my language, but this is totally a situation for this. Eli Goldsworthy finally kissed me! I'm in heaven!
AN - Hey guys! I hope this chapter helps make up for all the time I didn't update. It's a really long chapter, over 3,000 words! I hope you guys liked it! But, where is the story going now? Will Eli tell Clare about his secret past? Will they finally get together? And hey, what about Julia's plan? I'm not sure at all when I'm going to be able to update again, but I'll try and do it next weekend. If not, I'll post another chapter whenever I can. Thanks, so much for all of the favorites and story alerts! They mean so much. I have a question for you guys though. Which story do you guys want me to try and update first? StarStruck, High School Musical - Degrassi Style, Those Misfits or Seven Minutes. There's a poll on my profile if you want to vote. Thanks so much. Also, review please!
- eclare1024