Sorry for taking so long to update you guys. Usually I don't take this long as you all know but I had a busy couple of days. Anyway here is Chapter 23 that I promised Katietay94! Enjoy

Chapter 23

Clare's POV

At school during last period

Yet another day in English class and we were all working on projects. It wasn't a group project so everyone was working silently. Just as I glanced up so had Eli. He smiled at me and I smiled back turns out we were doing much better now. He had said that I needed to give him time to get over it and I will but I also told him that I needed time and that he couldn't protect me from everything. But what I had come to find out is that I was becoming more dangerous just like him. I didn't mind actually, it gave me strength and not the idiotic kind but the mind wheeling kind. I was waiting for this bell to ring so badly. Nowadays I really didn't have the urge for class.

Just then I was called to the principal's also known as Mr. Simpson's office. "Clare Edwards and Elijah Goldsworthy can you please report to the principals office" I felt my heart skip a beat. Both of us? That was strange but right now I was more concerned about making it out of class. I saw Eli look at me and I just shrugged my shoulders. I got up and grabbed my bags. We turned to Adam and said see you later. As soon as we were out of the class I turned to Eli and asked him

"What do you think this could be about?" He looked over at me and kissed my forehead.

"I don't know blue eyes." I saw the concern in his eyes. It made me wonder if he was worried. I then began to worry. Calling both of us in could never be about something good. I think he saw me worry because he grabbed my hand and said

"Don't worry, I got you. Just breath, it could be about anything." I didn't speak. I just nodded my head and held his hand until we got close to the office. We both walked in. We told the Mr. Simpson's assistant that we were there and she told us to take a seat in the waiting area. We sat for about two minutes holding hands since the waiting room was out of sight of staff. Then Eli was called in first. Now I was starting to worry. What could they possibly be talking about? I sat there shaking my leg helplessly. I just really wanted this to be over with. I wasn't thinking straight and to be honest. I didn't try to think about what we could possibly be in here for. I just wanted out and bad. It was about 15 minutes before Eli came out the room. I wanted to ask him what had happened but he looked to shocked to say plus I didn't have time it was my turn to go in. He kissed me on the lips lightly before I went in and whispered to me

"Tell the truth. I'll be right here waiting for you." I was confused but I knew I would find out soon. I walked into Mr. Simpson's office and he told me to close the door and take a seat. I felt like I was in an interrogation room. I had a feeling we were about to discuss something very serious. He took a deep breath and spoke

"Clare what's going on with you and Mark Fitzgerald?" It took me a minute to process everything that was going on. I froze, did this mean Eli told? Did he know everything? I shook my head.

"Nothing why?" He sighed again obviously frustrated with my answer.

"There's a video of you two fighting in the hallway. You two were seriously fighting. Now the videos don't record voices so I don't know what you two were discussing but I am hoping you will tell me the truth." He looked me straight in the eyes and I knew it was time to tell all but I didn't think I could bring myself to do it. I didn't answer him at all. I was too busy thinking. Where would I start.

" I didn't know the school has cameras. Which video are you talking about Mr. Simpson?" I didn't think when I asked that. I just simply wanted to know. He nodded

" Yes we do, installed this year as a matter of fact. But I know about both. The one where he was hitting you and KC came in and interrupted. Then there is the most recent one where you and him are fighting to the death and Eli comes and interrupts. I have spoken to Mark already about the first altercation with you and he insisted it was an accident he never meant to. But he still was suspended for his actions." I was shocked I hadn't known that but it felt good to hear that he had some kind of punishment. I turned my attention back to Mr. Simpson.

"Sir, I know that I was wrong for my actions really I do but I have good reason for it. More than enough actually." I think I sparked an interest in him because his posture had changed. He was more aware now. I had to tell someone and to be honest. I think I could tell him and he would not judge me. This was the adult I would tell everything to. I think justice was finally going to come in my direction. Maybe even happiness. He said

"I'm listening. You can talk to me Clare." I took the deepest breath possible and prepared myself for everything that I was about to say.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After I had told Mr. Simpson everything I felt myself wanting to break so bad but I didn't. I just held it in. I held it all in. I couldn't look weak and defenseless. He didn't speak for a minute. He seemed traumatized more then me at the time. He seemed like he wanted to cry. I could tell he probably would have if he didn't break the silence.

"Clare, I will handle this. I am bringing Mark in tomorrow for inspection." I immediately shook my head scared for dare life. I'm pretty sure he jumped at my reaction.

"You can't tell him I told you. You can't Mr. Simpson please don't!" I had nearly jumped out of my seat pleading to him not to say a word.

"Clare how do you expect me to do that? This can not go on without being investigated. I WILL have to confront him about this. He will not get away with such a heinous crime." He looked disgusted. It took everything I had not to argue with him. So I simply stated in question for to be aware of my safety.

" So he wouldn't be able to get to me right?" He leaned in a little closer to his desk and said

"Not a chance!" I believed him. It was something in his eyes that told me he was going to put everything he had into this. I nodded and felt a little more at ease. I got up and went around the table to hug him and said.

"Thank you Mr. Simpson. Thank you so much!" he patted me on the back and I left to find Eli. School still wasn't over we had about 25 minutes left. I rounded the corner to surprise Eli when I saw him KISSING Bianca or was it Bianca kissing him? It didn't matter I soon found out it was her doing. He pushed her away fast. I felt my heart fall on the floor. I heard him say

"What the fuck are you doing? I love Clare you slut." She didn't respond she just smiled. Thank goodness they couldn't see me from the angle they were sitting at. I was so crushed. It hurt seeing someone you love lips meeting with another girl's.

I shook myself out of this. I wasn't doing this to myself right now. I wouldn't be this weak defenseless girl. I pulled myself together and picked my heart up from off the floor. I found the strength, courage and confidence to walk right over to them. They both turned around. Bianca smiled. I gave her a fake smile back.

"Oh look Eli, its your priest." I guess she was cracking herself up. I walked right over to her and invaded her space.

"Look, if you think I didn't see you kiss my boyfriend just now you must really be as dumb as they say. This is what your going to do for me because quite honestly I'm tired of all you sluts and your baggage. You will take your diseases somewhere else because they are not wanted here. As you should be able to see, your NOT WANTED HERE! So you should really turn around and start walking into the principal's office before something accidentally happens to you. " She was no Jenna I'll give her that but still she was no match for me. Not when it came down to this. She smiled at me.

"You have more back bone then I thought, but Clare I always get what I want. You don't matter. You should know that." She put on one of those baby voices. I couldn't help but laugh at her.

"And you wonder why you're not doing well in school. You should take your head out of guys' pants and put them in books instead and maybe you'll learn something new and not old. You are a waste of my time and the earth. Eli we need to get to class something some people are not fond of. " I glared at her and smirked. Eli grabbed me by the waist as I heard her say

"Bitch!" I let out a slight laugh and so did Eli. I turned back at her and said

" Oh Bianca, I know I'm a bad bitch but it's still better than a slut any day. Don't keep Mr. Simpson waiting." I continued to walk with Eli back to class.

"Clare what has gotten into you lately?" he asked smirking at me.

"I don't know. Let me think. You!" He laughed and so did I.

"Well just don't change on me. I like how you are handling yourself when these other kids come up to you but don't let it change you. I love who you are." I smiled at him. We kept walking to class.

" I love who you are too. But if that ever happens again. I will kill you. It hurt to see that." He stopped me by gently pulling on my waist. I looked at him and he took me in his arms.

"Clare I would never intentionally hurt you. Yes sometimes I do stupid things but cheating on you will never be one of them." I looked into his eyes and smiled. He didn't smile. I was guessing he was way more than serious about this topic.

"Ok green eyes." He finally smiled at me. "I would never do that to you either just so you know." He smiled even wider. Damn I loved it when he smiled. We continued walking.

"And don't start calling me that on a regular basis Clare. I have a bad boy image to protect." I raised my eyebrow at him. He looked at me he raised his back. We laughed until we made it to the door of English. We went right back to working on the project quietly.

During that time we had 8 minutes left. I felt Eli keep looking back at me and I would smile. I knew he knew that I knew he was. I did the same back and I could tell he knew too but that's just how we were. I was learning to live again just by getting that heavy weight off of my chest but what was coming next I had to wonder.

I wonder what will happen next? Hope you guys will REVIEW! Since I left you hanging for what three days. I really hope you guys tell me how this chapter was. Hopefully good. Thanks for reading my story and once again. REVIEW!