"Do you love me?" A five year old Clare asked.

Eli dropped his green truck and said,

"Eww, no. Gross!" He got up and walked away.

She stood there, watching him walk away, and then turned towards her Barbie doll.

"What do you think he meant by that, Barbie?" She waited for her answer. "Yeah, I think so too."

Seven Years Later

"Eli, do you love me?" She asked.

They were in middle school, walking towards their next class. He looked at her, sympathetically.

"Look, you're…nice, but I don't love anyone." A girl with brunette hair walked by just then, winking at Eli. "Whoa, wait up!"

He ran towards her, leaving Clare alone, again. She sighed. After seven years of the same answer, you start to get pretty hopeless, but she wasn't going to give up. She knew he would love her one of these days. It just takes some time.

Three Years Later

"Eli, do you love me?" Michelle asked. She was Eli's new girlfriend, and if you asked him, she isn't the greatest.

"Well, Mitch, I sort of, kind of, only like like you." He said, softly. Tears were starting to form in her eyes.

"Why?"

"It isn't you. It's just that I've never really loved anyone in my life, so I can't say it to you right now. I'd be lying if I did."

She shook her head and got up from her desk.

"Well I'm going to find someone who does."

Michelle walked out of the classroom, bumping into Clare at the doorway. She looked at her storming down the hall, wondering what got her so mad. She shrugged and went to the teacher's desk, handing her her late pass.

"Late on the first day, miss Edwards? Hmm, doctors, well looks official. Take a seat."

Eli had his head down on his desk, still frustrated over what just happened. Clare walked up to him, taking a seat in the desk in front of him.

"Eli, what's wrong? And why did Michelle just run out crying?"

Without even looking up, he answered,

"We just broke up. She loved me and I couldn't say it back."

"Why?"

"Because I don't love her. She's great, but I just don't feel it."

"Oh, do you want me to talk to her?"

"No thanks, Clare. I think its better this way."

He finally lifted his head, his eyes growing wide once he looked at her.

She changed a lot during the summer. Her glasses were gone, her long hair was cut short and her clothing changed drastically. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Something wrong?" She asked.

"N-no. You changed a lot."

"Oh, yeah. Alli convinced me to get a makeover. Like?"

"Love." He replied, still not blinking.

"Thanks, well uhm, we better get to work. Our papers are due when the bell rings."

"You have pretty eyes." He said, randomly.

She blushed, her plan was working.

"Thanks, again."

A Few Months Later.

"Eli, do you love me?" She asked.

She was lying on his bed, his arms wrapped around her, holding her to his chest.

"You know I do and always will. I'm just sorry I didn't realize it ten years ago."

"It's okay. I always knew you did. Thank god I never gave up."


Kay so this is going to be a threeshot now because my friend, Sam thought I should add it in as a tribute, so it'll be up tomorrow or Monday at best.

Hope you guys liked this one, though. R+R!

Nicolle 3