For those of you who celebrate Easter: Happy Easter!
Chapter Two: Maybe I can Change Your Mind
Eli drove to the park - a public setting that he was meeting Clare at. He's been thinking about this for a couple of days, wondering how to approach Clare and let her know how badly she and Drew had hurt him. It angered him that his "best friend" and the love of his life would go behind his back as if what they had didn't matter. It would have hurt a lot less if it was someone they didn't share a personal connection with.
Why'd it had to be Drew she was marrying? Eli thought as he parked his car. He looked over in the passenger seat at the bouquet of tulips he had lying there. Nervously, he grabbed them as he got out of the car and walked towards the park.
He spotted her instantly. Her cinnamon brown hair was blowing in the wind as she sat on the bench, looking absentmindedly ahead. Eli's heart began to pound harder with each step he took. His mouth became sandpaper dry, making it hard for him to swallow. After all these years, this woman still has the same effect on him. She makes him weak and tongue-tied. Sentences are foreign to him whenever she's around.
As he approaches her, he hides the flowers behind his back and clears his throat. Clare looks up at him, her blue eyes glistening in the sun. A small smile spreads across her face and she stands up to smooth out the creases in her skirt.
"Hello Eli," she says softly.
"Hi Clare," he says nervously. "I got you these." Eli pulls the tulips from behind his back, handing them to Clare. "They're your favorite, right?"
"Y-Yeah, of course. Thanks Eli, but you didn't have to bring me -"
"I wanted to," he says, giving her that signature smirk of his. "Want to go for a walk?"
Clare takes the flowers and nods her head, letting Eli lead the way. The park was the only place she and Drew allowed her to meet Eli at. Clare felt that this setting was calming and refreshing. Somewhere like a restaurant or cafe seemed too romantic to her, especially since Eli was the one who invited her out. She knew how his mind worked and she wasn't planning on going somewhere quiet and romantic with him. Her mind and heart was set; she wanted Drew now.
She knew it bothered Drew that she was going to hang out with Eli. Clare could see the worried look on his face. He was afraid that Eli could take her away from him, but she assured him that was not happening. She was in love with him and was sure that he was the one she wanted to marry. Just because Eli came back didn't mean anything. He was not changing her mind and that was final.
"So," Eli starts out, "you and Drew, huh?"
"Yep," Clare smiles. "We didn't mean for it to happen, but it sort of did. Ya' know? We were both each others shoulder to lean on and in between all of that we fell in love and managed to stay together."
Eli felt his blood boil in anger. Hearing Clare said that they fell in love was not something he wanted to hear. He wanted this to be a nightmare that he could wake up from, because that's exactly what it felt like...a nightmare. His "best friend" and the love of his life were getting married. He had to stop this - he needed to stop this before it was too late. Surely Clare wasn't thinking straight during all of this. She was just upset that Eli had left her and Drew was the next thing to him.
"You okay Eli?" Clare asks worriedly.
No, I'm not okay! You're going to marry my damn best friend knowing I'm in love with you! Eli thought bitterly.
"No," he admitted honestly, shaking his head. "How could you marry him knowing we have something special?"
"Had, Eli. We had something special, but you left me. I was wondering where you went and where I went wrong. I was convinced you didn't love me. After all those years of what we went through, you up and left when I wanted you the most! So don't! Don't question what Drew and I have because you know nothing! I am in love with him and I am going to marry him whether you like it or not!"
Tears are now pouring down Clare's face. Eli did not mean to upset her, but he wanted her to see he was hurting, too. After all, this was the woman he had planned on spending the rest of his life with. Knowing that she wanted to be with someone else pained him. It was a pain that was too unbearable.
"You don't mean that," Eli mumbles, tears now sliding down his face. "You don't mean that, Clare. Drew is just a rebound and you know it! You were heartbroken because I left you and you're using him as a substitute, but I'm back, now. I'm back and you do not have to continue to use him."
Clare laughed bitterly, tears still streaming out. "Do you hear yourself? I love him - I am in love with him and I will marry him. The sooner you know that, the better. This conversation is over."
Eli watched as Clare turned around and began to walk away. She stopped by a nearby trash and threw the tulips away. She stormed off, leaving Eli in absolute rage and sadness. How could he get her to change her mind?
...
Drew and Adam sat on the couch watching sports. While Clare was out with Eli, Drew needed do to something to distract him and prevent him from worrying. Every few seconds, he would check his phone and sigh loudly whenever he'd see Clare didn't text or call him. His knee would bounce furiously and his hands would tremble.
What if she changed her mind?
What if she had suddenly realized that he was no good for her and Eli was who she wanted all along?
"Stop worrying," Adam scolds. "You know she loves you."
"But she and Eli has history. She was going to give him her virginity and -"
"She gave it to you, didn't she?" Adam asks and Drew nods.
"She said yes to marrying you, right?" Again, Drew nods.
"So stop worrying about whether she gets back with Eli or not. She loves you Drew and wants to spend the rest of her life with you. Your wedding is two months away and her heart is set. Do not -"
Adam is cut off by the front door opening. Clare comes in, hysterically crying. Drew stands up and Clare runs into his arms, immediately soaking his shirt with her tears.
"What happened?" Drew and Adam asks at the same time.
"He just infuriates me!" she screams. "How dare he come back into my life and think he can win me back! He thinks your my rebound Drew," she shakes her head and continues, "I hate that he came back. I wish he hadn't."
"It's gonna be okay, Clare," Adam says. "I'll go talk to him, again."
Adam stands up and leaves. Drew kisses Clare on the forehead and strokes her hair to calm her down. She wipes away her tears and pulls Drew into a passionate, heated kiss. Her heart beats and her fingers tremble as she tugs Drew shirt, signalling for him to take it off. He breaks the kiss momentarily as he swiftly pulls his shirt off and tosses it aside.
Without making it to the bedroom, they shed their clothing off and make love in the living room. After it's over, Clare feels guilty for making love to her fiance and thinking of Eli the entire time.
...
Adam drives to Eli's parents house. He called him after leaving Clare and Drew's place to let him know that he was coming to talk.
Ever since Eli came back, Clare and Drew have been walking around frantically. Both of them meant a lot to Eli and seeing that they were getting married did hurt Eli. Like the couple, Adam thought Eli wasn't coming back. He left them all without any explanation and now he's back leaving them to question whether they should get married or not.
Adam wants his best friend and his brother together. They make a perfect couple and were there for each other when they needed someone. After Bianca left Drew, he was devastated. He planned on marrying her, but she wanted to go her own way. Then, the night of the Seniors prom, Eli left Clare. She was willing to lose her virginity to him and he left her alone in the hotel room.
Adam remembers that night perfectly, because Clare came to their house in tears. She said Eli was gone and she couldn't reach him because his phone was off. Since Dallas wasn't coming home that night, Adam allowed Clare to sleep down in his room. She begged Adam to stay with her and they talked about it until she fell asleep. The look in his best friend's face pained him. He wondered where Eli had disappeared to and why did he leave Clare. The next day, the two of them went to Eli's parents house and asked if they had seen Eli. They told Clare and Adam that Simpson called them about fifteen minutes ago and told them Eli requested his diploma be sent by mail and that he wouldn't be able to attend graduation.
Adam parked in front of the Goldsworthy's house and got out of his car. He walked on the porch and rang the doorbell, shoving his hands in his pockets. The door swung open and stood Bullfrog with a gentle smile on his face.
"Video Game Kid," Bullfrog greets.
Adam laughs. Bullfrog still manages to call him his nickname he gave him when he and Eli had first became friends.
"Hey Bullfrog."
"Come on in. Eli's up in his room. Be careful; he's mad."
"Thanks for the warning," Adam says as he goes in the house and into Eli's room.
Adam pushes open the door to see Eli lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. From the doorway he can see tears are sliding down Eli's face.
"She doesn't love him like she loves me," Eli speaks softly, his voice cracking. "I can see it in her eyes."
"Eli, stop -"
"She loves me, Adam. She's just using him."
Adam shakes his head and asks, "Have you been taking your meds Eli?"
"See, that's what you don't know. I don't need them anymore, Adam."
Eli turns towards Adam, giving him a crazed look. "I'm perfectly fine."
"I don't think you are, Eli."
"I am, Adam, trust me." Eli lets out a maniacal laugh. "Trust me."