I apologize for the wait. I can only say writers block,then my computer was hacked :( Be patient with me :) xoxo Hopefully even with my writers block,this chapter lives up to being 25. I've decided to continue the story,just cause it is my last fanfiction ever :\
Chapter 25
Just to see you again
Here,I'm the day of my release. "Mr Goldsworthy" I stared at the judge blankly,as the satchels were unlocked from my feet. I can't really
think straight. Being in prison for a little over 3 years does that to you. I looked at his lips waiting for him to say it. "You're free to go" He said
it. I let the breath out that I was holding onto for almost 2 minutes. A sigh of relief followed by my fingers lifting up my eyelids. I barely got
any sleep last night.
I hear the noise of the door opening,a loud buzzing sound,followed by fast approaching foot steps. Her arms swung around my neck,as
she held me close. "I've missed you" I smiled softly,as she picked up my belongings. "Do you have a place to stay?" Can't say I have that
figured out yet. "Are you alright?" I don't really have an answer right now.
"I have Dustin he's waiting in the car. I promised I wouldn't be that long." She smiled lightly. "I've missed you" I say as she takes my hand
and we exit the prison. "What?" She questions as she looks at me at the stop light. "Nothing,it's just you're so beautiful" She rolls her eyes
and laughs. I don't think she even knows how beautiful she is. "I've missed you" I have to say it one more time.
*snap snap* "Eli snap out of it!" Drew says in an annoyed tone. I shut my eyes once again and look at the bill. That didn't happen. Stupid day dream. 2 years
ago, Clare met someone new,and things haven't been the same. I don't know if she still loves me. For all I know she could be disgusted
with me. Here I'm working as a bus boy,just until I can gain enough credit to return to teaching. I really miss it.
I really miss her. That you already know. You can't except things to go back to normal after you're separated that long. I guess she finally
understoodd what I was saying 'I'm no good for you' I rolled my eyes,and picked up the wash bucket,slamming it on the counter,as I
patted my face with my apron. "Things are going to get better" Drew patted me on the back,as he swung out the door with his
briefcase. "pre law" Who knew? Extensive surgery seemed to have helped his leg.
"Excuse me?" I was stopped dead in my tracks by a soft familiar voice. "Sir?" There's that voice again. I swallowed hard,as I grabbed a
notepad and walked over to the table. "Yes,you rang" She smiled sweetly. "What are your specials?" I've read that damn black board
outside the restaurant almost everyday. "Well,there's fried chicken,shrimp scampi,ceaser salad with french onion soup,lobster bisque,corn
chowder,turkey club" I tucked the pencil behind my ear,wondering if she recognized me.
"Ceaser salad,cup of corn chowder" She handed the menu back to me. Guess not...sadness nearly came over me. "Anything to drink?" I
scratched my head and tried to avoid eye contact. I guess she really is disgusted by me. "water" She replied and with that I walked off to
the kitchen,handing the actual waiter his order. He didn't seem too happy. "Can I just please finish this table?" I asked,knowing he would
see something in my eyes. "You like that girl that much?" I nodded,and he shoved the notepad at my chest.
I balanced the soup and carried the salad flat on my palm,setting it down softly on the table. "Thank you" She picked up her fork,and
started picking at it. Please say something,Edwards. I sat the drink down,leaving her to stare at the rings on my fingers. "Eli?" She looked at
me,and barely could say anything.
"The one and only" I announced. Our eyes locked for a brief moment. "How ya been?" That's the only conversation starter I can think of at a time like
this... "I'm okay. I'm in college now,and you..." I rolled my eyes. "Let me finish that sentence for you..." I started to speak. My voice seemed to be
decked in knives. "I'm not even a waiter." I said disappointingly. She reached for my hand. "It's okay,you'll get back on your feet. I just
know it" There's that supportive optimism,that I've missed soo much.
"Cut the crap" I muttered as I looked straight into her eyes. "Where's your boyfriend?" She looked down at her finger. "He's long gone,Eli. I
made a mistake. I made a lot of them. The worst being leaving you." Oh yeah Clare,just cause a scene here.
"And you're just realizing that now! I begged you to stay with me,and you said this guy was promising you everything. You could finally
be set apart from your parents. I told you,you were being naive,and you told me..." I tried not to raise my voice. She opened her mouth to interrupt me. "I had to
leave,Eli. The thing is, the only thing I was running away from was myself,and you know what here I'm." I must be dreaming.
"It comes down to the words you deserve better" I shut my eyes,as my chest puffed out. I walked away leaving her to finish her lunch. I
found myself hiding in the back room crying. You think you've been in love,but you haven't until seeing the girl you never stopped loving
walk into your restaurant and tell you everything you've been waiting to hear. My mind was going take her back,but my heart had other
thoughts. I walked out of the back room,and returned to the table,after thinking everything over. She was gone. There sitting on the
table was a note. "You always were good enough for me,even better..." I crumbled the
note,and flung my apron off,as I exited the doors and ran after her.
"Clare!" I yelled and ran into the parking lot. "You're really not with anyone?" She glanced down at her ring. After about 12 seconds
slipped it off her finger. "You remember this?" She asked,showing it to me,holding it up to the light. "Yah,the ring from the drive in." She
shook her head. "You know for the past 2 years people have asked me where I got it. I say someone I love very much got it out of a vending machine,and well they say andwhy hasn't it turned your finger green?" She slipped it back on.
"So either the people who work in processing cheap metal rings made a mistake,or..." I smiled. "you gave me a really expensive ring,Eli!"
Clare playfully shoved me. "Yeh,I did,and it only took you 3 years to determine that. I thought you were smarter than that." I teased.
"So..." She stopped me in my thoughts. "So... Why did you come back here? You had everything,so why are you back here?" She rolled
her eyes. "Ally told me she saw you working at the Dot." She knew,all this time she knew. "I have been for like 2 months." She nodded. "It
took me that long to gain up the courage to see you again. It took every once of strength I had not to kiss you,and pick up where we
left off. I made a mistake Eli. I really don't care if you're working as a bus boy,or a telemarketer,or whatever. All I care about is that I love
you,and I never stopped" Those words looked like they were difficult for her to say. I've dreamt of this apology. How do I know,I'm not
dreaming?
She rolled her eyes,and grabbed me,kissing me passionately. I couldn't help myself as I kissed her back. "It was my mother's ring. I carried
it around with me everywhere,and when I saw the gumball machine,I decided to slip it in a plastic case and give it to you. The blue
sapphires were like your eyes,and what good was it in my pocket?" She smiled. "You're such a romantic" That sounded sarcastic. "Only for
you,Ms Edwards" I felt like I did 3 years ago,happy with a girl that I shouldn't be with,but now it was okay to be with her.
"Well,hopefully you won't mind that I might be unemployed." I glanced over at my boss giving me the evil eye. "I got a go." She
nodded,handing me a piece of paper. "Here's my address. Here's my phone number. Call me." I smirked,as I tucked the paper in my shirt
pocket. I intend to keep that promise. The promise made to my Juliet.
*2 months later*
"Mr Goldsworthy, I have to say out of all the acceptable essays that come across my desk. Your's is by far the best." I pulled my tie loose,as
I tried to keep from sweating. "Thank you" I replied and downed my water bottle. "Despite your criminal record,despite your presentation
needing work." Here it is...goodbye thanks for coming..We'll call you,don't call us. "I understand...It's okay" I got up to leave. The man shook his head at me. "I'm not saying this is going to be an easy transition,but..."
"I believe that our university will benefit from your
experience. You have excellent recommendations. I think you'd be a valuable asset to our college." My eyes bulged out of my head.
"Really?" Don't be teasing me. "Yes,Mr Goldsworthy,now let's talk salary." I tried really hard not to celebrate.
I skipped out of that building like a happy little school girl. "Why Hello,Professor Goldsworthy, guess who?" Clare covered my eyes,and
whispered in my ear. I smiled,and turned around. "Could that be my extremely gorgeous girlfriend?" She laughed. "oh so you're seeing
someone?" I laughed as I pulled her against the wall for a kiss. "So,I guess things are working out" She smiled.
"Everything is perfect" She played with a strand of her curly reddish blonde hair. "So,I was thinking we have to celebrate" She reached into
her purse,checking to see if anyone was looking. "How do you want to celebrate ,Ms Edwards?" She smirked,as she picked a box out of
her purse. "oh" My eyes popped as she whispered in my ears. "I'm ready" Wow,wasn't expecting that. She pulled my tie and led me back
to my car. We started making out on the side of the car. She giggled,as I nipped and nibbled at her neck. "Eli..." Her finger nails trailed down my back.
"Oh how cute. A professor and his student." I caught a breath,afraid to turn around and see who had that voice. "What are you doing
here? You should be in jail!" Clare yelled,dropping something on the ground. The young male took his hoodie off. "Sometimes life gives
you second chances" Clare and I stood dumbfounded,looking at each other. We were shocked to say the least...
to be continued...