"I must say that had to be one of the greatest things I've ever seen in my life," I said pulling up in front of Clare's house with Morty.

Clare and Adam laughed. "Thank you, Eli for the five hundredth time," Adam said getting out of the car. He escorted Clare out and both stood on the sidewalk waiting for me. We entered Clare's house and plopped ourselves down on the couch.

"Did you see K.C's face? He looked like he was going to die," I said, still unable to grasp what had happened.

"Oh, Eli, it really was no big deal," Clare said flipping her hair.

"No big deal, no big deal? Clare, not only did I get the most amazing kiss from my girlfriend, but she also took down one of the biggest jerks in our school." I kissed her gently on the lips.

I saw Clare's cheeks flush to a bright pink.

Adam made a fake gagging noise. "You guys give me the runs," he said, flipping to another station on the television.

"Better you then me," I responded to Adam who grinned brightly and refocused his attention to the television.

Clare's happy expression wiped from her face a few seconds later. "Um… guys," she began playing with a button on the top of her shirt. "I really love that you're here, both of you, but my parents are coming home tomorrow morning which means-"

"It's our queue to leave," I said, somewhat disappointed. I didn't want to go home. For the first time in a long time, I was actually happy. Adam seemed to feel the same way for he stopped changing through channels and his gaze was distant.

"I'm afraid so."

Adam rose from the couch and brushed off the end of his sweater. "Well, in that case, I better head out now. I've got a bit of a walk from here."

Just as he was about to head out, I stopped him. "You want me to drive you? It shouldn't take that long with Morty." But, Adam insisted to go and with a goodbye, Adam was gone.

"Do you think he's alright?" I asked Clare.

Clare shrugged. "I don't know. I guess he doesn't want to go home. I've had a great time with you and Adam this weekend, Eli. Things just felt right."

I agreed with her and took her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together so that they were perfectly touching. "I know what you mean, Clare. It's a sense of happiness that comes over all three of us when we're together, almost like nothing could go wrong, but it's even stronger when it's me and you Clare." She leaned her head on my shoulder as I finished speaking.

"You're always welcome here Eli, but you might have to do some climbing through my window."

I kissed the top of her forehead and made sure our eyes made full contact. "I'd do that for you any time Clare."

"Thank you, Eli," she whispered. "Will you be okay at home?"

I sighed and shifted my feet. She snuggled her head up closer to me. "I really don't know, Clare. Things are rough at home. They always were." A sinking feeling filled my chest as I spoke those words. They were the truth, the brutal and honest truth that I've tried to hide just as much as I've tried to hide Bryan. I was scared to go home to see my mother. I wondered if she had noticed I was gone or if she cared even if she did. My heart did a flip inside my chest; a sense of panic was rushing over what I had just felt in my stomach.

"Whatever it is, promise me you'll be okay."

"Clare Edwards, I promise you that I'll be okay no matter what."

She moved her head from my shoulder and pulled me up with her as she lifted herself off of the couch. She tugged on my hand and I leaned in towards her. Our faces were close to each other. I could feel her breath on my lips. She pulled me in closer until our lips touched and I could feel a sense of compassion flowing throughout my whole body. Her kiss had a hundred meanings; the main one being she wanted me to be safe. My hands glided upward from her hips; outlining every curve of her body. I started to undo the top button of her shirt which was located directly above her chest. My palm could feel her heart tapping against it; the beating of a heart other than my own. I wanted to treasure Clare at this moment, make sure her heart stayed alive, to make sure it kept that gentle beating, and make sure it was never broken, torn, or lost inside her.

She pulled away for a moment and I thought she was going to be mad, but her eyes suggested otherwise.

"Not here," she said so low I couldn't have made it out if I didn't read her lips. I saw her glance down at a ring that she was wearing. I never took much interest in it before until she held it up to me in eye view.

"Pure hearts wait?"

Clare nodded and slid the ring onto the table. "Pure hearts wait, but our hearts are already pure Eli."

"Are you sure, Clare?" The last thing I wanted to do was force her into anything.

"Do you trust me?"

"With everything I have, Clare."

"Then, I'm ready."

And with that she guided me into her bedroom.