*Clare's pov*

"Your Dad actually threatened you like that?" I asked in shock when Eli told me what his Dad had told him last night.

"It wasn't as much of a threat as it was a statement." Eli said. I didn't understand how he could be so calm about it all.

"Eli that's a threat." I said, trying to emphasize 'threat.'

Eli just shrugged and took a sip of his Coke. "There's not much he can do as long as my mom's there." We both knew that wasn't true. He could come into Eli's room last night. "Well nothing serious at least."

That last part had me a little worried "And what do you consider serious?"

Eli thought for a second. "Oh you know, anything that involves blood, black eyes, or me being unconscious."

His definition of 'serious' worried me. What worried me even more was that he kept rubbing his arm. I knew he didn't want to talk about it but I felt like I needed to ask. "Umm Eli . . . he didn't . . . you know . . . hurt you did he?"

Eli didn't answer me right away. I had a feeling he was deciding whether or not he should tell me. Finally he sighed and said "Yeah but it's just a little bruise. Nothing I can't handle."

Knowing someone had hurt Eli just last night was like a knife to my heart. While I was safe at home he was being hurt. It was almost unbearable.

"H-how bad?" I asked, stumbling over my words.

Eli gave me a slight smile. "Like I said Clare, it's nothing I can't handle."

I kept looking at him, implying that I wanted more than just that. He sighed and took off his jacket revealing a dark purple bruise across his arm. I tried to find the right words but I couldn't come up with anything. Instead I traced my fingers along the outline of the injury. He winced when I pressed to hard. I mumbled a quick apology and pulled my hand back quickly.

"Clare." He said grabbing my hand across the table. "It's okay. I'll be fine. That's nothing." He said looking down at his arm. Still holding my hand, he used his free hand to run his fingers through my hair.

After finishing up at The Dot we spent the next few hours hanging out at Adam's house. I laid on Adam's couch while they sat on the floor playing video games. Not really what I would consider 'fun' but there were my bestfriends, I would do whatever they wanted.

I spent most of the time we were at Adams trying to figure out how to get Eli to let me come over. I needed to see how bad things really were.

"Do you think I could come over?" I asked, trying to look as sweet as possible. "I really don't want to go home."

"Clare I don't think that's really a good idea." I was afraid that's what he would say.

"Please? My parents are fighting again. I can't listen to it anymore." That wasn't entirely true. They were fighting but I didn't really care. I was used to it. Now I was able to completely ignore it.

Eli thought about it for a minute and gave in. "Yea I guess." After thinking for another second he added "But I don't want you out of might sight. I'm sure he wouldn't do anything to you, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take." I really hoped he was right.

I was surprised when I saw Eli's Dad. He wasn't anything like the man in my dream. He looked normal. He didn't have any tattoos or piercings. He wasn't one of those people you'd see on the street and go out of your way to avoid. He was polite too. He insisted on shaking my hand and even took the time to start a conversation. The entire time Eli had his arm around my waist and had me pulled close to his side. I tried to act as casual as possible. I didn't want him catching on to the fact that I knew something. Finally Eli excused us, claiming that we had homework to do.

"Well he seems…" I tried to think of the right word, "Nice."

Eli nodded. "Doesn't he? It's part of his charm." He spit out charm as if it were a dirty word.

"There's something not write though…" I said mostly to myself. I was thinking out loud. I had a tendency to do that.

"Really? I can't think of anything." Eli said with thick sarcasm. After realizing that came off as rude he smiled at me. Usually I would have said something about it but I knew he was under a lot of pressure.

"No he just seems so normal." I began. "I mean he seems like every other Dad I've ever met. How many people out there are like that? I mean in situations like yours I thought it'd be obvious but it isn't."

Eli nodded in agreement.

I'd been at Eli's house for at least an hour and we were laying in his bed and watching a movie. That's what I loved about Eli. We could do things like this without it involving sex or making out. He was different all the other guys I knew.

"I'll be right back" He said standing up.

"I thought I wasn't allowed out of your site." I said jokingly

"Lock the door behind me." I laughed until I realized he was serious. "Please just do it Clare."

I got up and followed him to the door, locking it after he left. I thought he was over reacting but I didn't question him.

A few minutes after he left I heard yelling. I was tempted to go see what it was but I knew Eli would be mad if I did. I waited and the shouting stopped. Five minutes later there was pounding on Eli's door and he was yelling at me to open it. I jumped up and hurried to the door to get it. Eli pushed me back in and locked the door. It was then that I noticed he was holding a bloody dishtowel to his lip.

"It's nothing Clare." He said before I could answer.

"Eli what happened?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

"Just a little accident. I'm fine." It was clear he wasn't fine. If the towel to his mouth wasn't a dead giveaway the fact that his voice was shaking was.

I led him to the bed and we sat on the edge. I took the towel from him and pressed against his mouth, making sure not to hurt him.

"Can you ask Adam if I can stay there tonight?" He asked, his voice muffled from the cloth. I nodded and dialed his number.

"Adam its Clare." I said hurriedly. I explained the situation to him and he agreed to let Eli stay there.

"Thanks Adam." I said before hanging up.

"I'll drive you home." Eli told me as he stood up. The bleeding had finally let up. "My Dad left. He'll be back soon though."

Eli drove me home. When he pulled up to my house I leaned over and hugged him tight not letting go until he told me he needed to go. I kissed him one last time and got out.

"I love you Clare."

"I love you too Eli."

A/N:Two chapters in one night? Yea I'm good. I did this in a hurry because my friend basically forced me too. Sorry if it's not the best. I'm tired.