Chapter 3: Lunch

…Clare's point of view…

Eli and I walk to my locker after English class before going to meet up with Alli. Why did I invite him to eat with us ? Oh right because it just slipped out, everything slips out when he's around. Next thing I know I'll be telling him my most precious secrets.

"So, where are we eating? The cafe?" He asks.

"If that's all right with you." I reply smoothly as I can.

"Do you think Alli will mind that you asked me to join you?"

" I don't see why she would. She's always up for meeting new people."

"Well technically Clare, we've already met."

My heart skips a beat when he says my name. How is it that he has this effect on me when I just met him yesterday. " That is true."

Eli walk to the cafe while having some more small talk, obviously I'm doing most of the talking because for some reason I can't seem to shut up when Eli is around. When we get to the cafe, Alli is already there sitting at a table by herself.

"What took you so long?" Alli asks and then realizes who I'm with. Eli and I sit down

Eli holds his hand out across the table. "Eli" He says looking at Alli.

"Alli." She replies then turns to me. " So how was eleventh grade English?"

Eli drops his hand.

"It was okay, except for the fact that I have to deal with this guy all year." I say pointing to Eli. Wait is it too soon for jokes, will he think I'm serious.

Eli laughs. "Ouch Clare, that hurts. "

The three of us continue to talk for the rest of the lunch and when the bell rings I tell Eli I will see him tomorrow in English. He replies by saying "Not if I see you first" and then winks.

As Alli and I walk to our next class she asks for details and I spend the whole walk and half of the next class explaining every detail to Alli.

…Eli's point of view…

When the bell rings I follow the beautiful Clare to her locker where she drops off her books. " So, where are we eating? The cafe?" I ask, trying to make small talk.

She answers by saying "If that's all right with you?"

"Do you think Alli will mind that you asked me to join you?" I wouldn't want to get Clare in trouble with Alli.

"I don't see why she would. She's always up for meeting new people."

"Well technically Clare, we've already met." I say smoothly. Loving the way her name rolls off my tongue.

"That is true."

For the rest of the walk we make more small talk. Once we get to the cafe we walk over to Alli. "What took you so long?" She asks as if I'm not even there. Clare sits down and I follow suit.

I hold out my hand "Eli."

"Alli" she says and then turns back to Clare ignoring my hand. "So how was eleventh grade English?" I put my hand on the table.

"It was okay except for the fact that I have to deal with this guy all year" Clare points to me.

I laugh. " Ouch Clare, that hurt."

We continue to talk until the door rings. Then Clare says " See you in English tomorrow." Which I reply by saying " Not if I see you first" and then wink. I regret I after, and start wondering if she thinks I'm weird now.

As I walk down the hallway all I can think of is Clare, things are about to get very interesting.