Hullo, my lovelies. Here's another chapter for you all. I'm glad all of you liked my mini trilogy, by the way. Though, I won't be adding anymore follow-ups to that.
Like I stated before, all of the chapters do not relate unless I specifically state. So, the last three chapters may not necessarily be the same story line as chapter seven. I killed off Clare's dad in chapter ten, but he will be alive for the next chapters. I know I've said this before, but some people don't listen...read...whatever, you get my point.
Anyways, I love the reviews, guys. They rock my world. Thank you all so much for being supportive. I don't know how frequently I'll update once school starts, but don't expect a life-changing occurrence. I may miss one day, but I'll probably make it up over the weekend. Other than the fact that I'll probably post these babies earlier in the day, don't expect a lot of change. Unless I lose my muse, of course, but that isn't likely to happen. Shutting up now!
Enjoy!
Something is obviously wrong.
Clare thought for the umpteenth time, resisting the urge to reach over and shake Eli senseless. He had been distant all day. It aggravated Clare slightly. His usual snappy comebacks were dull and he only smirked once that day.
They were hanging out at The Dot right now. Clare had tried everything to get a decent reaction. She surprised him with a visit that morning. He opened his front door, forced a smile, and asked her to wait while he prepared. But as they sat, an uncomfortable silence fell over them.
"Is there something wrong?" She suddenly snapped, trying to keep the aggravation out of her voice. His head snapped up and he met her eyes.
"Hmm? No, nothing's wrong." He offered a false half smile. She gritted her teeth and let out a sigh.
"Obviously, your mind is elsewhere. So, I'm going to leave now." She huffed, gathering her things. If he was going to be a lying, unresponsive robot, she wasn't going to stick around.
"Wait!" He responded, reaching out to grip her arm gently. She looked down at his hand and slowly raised her head to stare into his eyes. For the first time, Clare saw a frightened, child-like emotion in his jade orbs.
"I, uhh, was just thinking. But, I've made my decision. I need to take you somewhere." He concluded. He stood, dropped a twenty to pay for their drinks, and led her out of the door. She followed begrudgingly into his hearse. Once safely seated, he sped off.
It was a long, quiet drive. She stared at him for the majority of the time. His jaw was clenched and he looked deep in thought. His eyes darted to her for a minute.
"It's rude to stare, sweetheart. Even when you do look as good as me." She rolled her eyes, but inwardly cheered that he was starting to return to his old self, if only for a moment.
A smile touched his lips as he reached over to hold her hand. As his fingers intertwined with hers, a shock ran up her arm. He brought their conjoined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles, making a light shade of pink dust across her cheeks. Clare didn't think he'd ever lose his affect on her.
"I'm sorry. I've had a lot on my mind." He quietly apologized. She nodded, watching as his brow furrowed.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She questioned tentatively, letting her thumb rub his hand gently. He smirked, though it wasn't sarcastically. It was more like there was some inside joke she didn't know.
"We don't have to, we're here." He slowed the car to a stop and shut the engine off. Looking out the window, Clare noticed they were at a cemetery.
He opened the passenger door for her. She stepped out. It was pretty quiet. Looking up, Clare read the sign as Eli stood behind her silently. Mount Hope Cemetery: West Wing.
"Why are we-" She began, but stopped when she turned and saw his glassy eyes. He sniffled and turned his head to cough awkwardly. Clare smiled tenderly. Reaching over, she grasped his free hand tightly. The other hand gripped a bouquet of sunflowers. He followed her gaze to the flowers.
"They're for the grave. They were her favorites." Clare nodded solemnly.
He blinked rapidly before nodding to himself.
"Let's go." He murmured. He dragged her though the gate and led her through the rocky terrain. Hundreds and hundreds of tombstones dotted the grassy area. For some odd reason, Clare was nervous.
Finally, he slowed to a stop. He turned to Clare and took a deep breathe. Clare's breathing hitched when he bent down and placed the floral arrangements on the ground, in front of a tombstone.
Bending down, Clare kneeled beside him. She let her eyes wander over the gravestone. It was simplistic, a simple stone that stood straight with a curved head. Her name was written beautifully at the top. Julia Parker. A quote followed soon after. "Never born, Never died: visited the planet earth between December 18, 1995 and, April 22, 2009."
A picture frame rested beside the small headstone. The sunlight reflected, making Clare unable to see the picture inside.
Reaching over, her hand shook as she her fingers neared the picture. She turned to Eli, who stared blankly at the stone. He nodded in approval. She picked up the frame and brought it to her.
A headshot of a beautiful girl, as Clare suspected. She had long, straight black hair, with a large portion colored an electric blue. Her bangs were brushed to the side. She had her chin resting in her palm comfortably as she smiled softly at the picture taker. Her hazel eyes expressed nothing but pure happiness.
"Julia." He called, addressing the tombstone. Clare set down the picture and watched as his hands shook. "I know it's been a while, but I'd like you to meet someone very important to me. This is Clare Edwards." Clare smiled softly.
"It's an honor to meet you, Julia." Clare greeted. She reached over and touched the tombstone in a way of greeting.
An eerily peaceful and comforting aura surrounded them, as though the teen were with them in spirit.
Clare had constantly visited cemeteries when she was younger. When her grandfather died, a part of her died with him. For a year, every Saturday morning, she would make the hike to St. John Cemetery and visit her grandfather. She would talk about whatever was on her mind to the unresponsive headstone. On the first anniversary of his passing, Clare had cried as hard as the first time she heard the dreaded news.
"Julia was a beautiful person. She was very smart, very spiritual. She was always asking questions. A lot of the time, she would find an answer, or make up her own. You would've loved meeting her, Clare. This, I can assure you." He turned to her and smiled. "She was my best friend, you know. Before we decided to date, she was my best friend. The first time she asked me out, I rejected her, stating that I saw her as a sister." He let out a small chuckle. "But, as time went on, I began to see her in a new light. So, we dated. It was natural, like breathing. Albeit, it was sort of strange and exciting to kiss her, but I grew to love it. Our conversations weren't always the best though. She was beyond her years. She was always questioning her existence, while I just learned not to delve to deep and to just enjoy life as it is." He reached over and fingered the inscription.
"When she died, I didn't just lose my girlfriend, I lost my best friend. And it broke my heart. But now, I can't help but think that the tragedy that was her death, held a small miracle. If she hadn't died, I wouldn't have met you. Or, Adam and Sav. She helped me grow, in some way. Sometimes, I think she sent you to me, to help me figure out who I am and who I'll become."
Clare smiled before tears welled up in her eyes. A lump caught in her throat. She turned to Eli, who was smiling while crying.
Tears streamed down her face as she hiccupped.
"Silly girl, why are you crying?" He asked, moving to wipe away her tears. His thumb stroked her cheeks lovingly.
"B-Because, I'm sad and h-happy, and I miss her even though I've n-never met her!" Clare choked out, crying harder. When he started to laugh, she joined in.
They laughed and cried like fools until the tears wouldn't come out anymore. Eventually, they calmed down enough.
"I'll miss you, Jewels. Always will." He murmured, standing. Clare smiled softly before standing up beside him. He wrapped his arm around her waist, leading her to the car.
"I'm glad you met her, Clare. I really am. I feel like I've received some sort of closure." Clare nodded understandingly as she opened the car door and slid inside.
"I'm glad you took me, Eli. I'm sure she's looking down on you, happy that you've grieved and are in the process of healing." Care responded when he slid into the driver's seat and started up the car.
The drive back was comfortable, the late afternoon sun streaming in through the window. Eli turned to Clare, whose eyes were closed and lips pulled into a smile.
Guess so much crying puts her to sleep. He concluded.
His breathing caught in his throat at the breathtaking sight of her. She was beautiful. Eli smiled when they reached a stoplight.
Leaning over, he pressed his lips to hers in a small, sweet kiss. She stirred slightly, moaning in her sleep. Eli pulled back and chuckled lightly.
He took in a deep breath of air as the light turned green and he pressed on the gas. He would always miss Julia, but she had left him a parting gift.
Clare Edwards, his gift from above, his blessing in disguise.
What did you think? Oh, by the way, Julia's epitaph (inscription on tombstone) is actually on Osho's tombstone. Osho is an Indian mystic and spiritual teacher. I don't know him or his teachings too well, I just know I adore his epitaph and though it was fitting for Julia. Reviews are loved.
~S.S.