Thank you for taking the time to review and follow along with the story. As I write, I'm debating whether this story should end with Clew or EClare. Trust me, I am team both. I love Clare with both guys and I wanted to see a little more spark between her and Drew.

Anyway...are you team Clew or team EClare? Let me know in the comments.

Chapter Three: Is it Worth It?

Eli stared at the ceiling, tossing the stuffed animal that he had up in the air and catching it repeatedly. After growing bored and agitated, he sat up and threw the stuffed animal.

The pain was infuriating. How could Clare do this to him? To them? How could she think about marrying Drew?

Flashes of Clare wearing a wedding gown and walking down the aisle with a grin on her face. Eli imagines her walking towards Drew, who has tears streaming down his face. When she reaches him, their hands entwine and both of them are full of emotion. They lean in to kiss and that's what makes Eli's heart shatter.

The thought of his Clare putting her lips on another man - who was supposed to be his best friend - breaks him and makes him want to crumble.

A knock appears on his bedroom door, but Eli can't bring himself to even give whoever it is permission to come in.

After moments of waiting, the door opens, revealing Drew. His hands are stuffed in his pocket and an awkward smile is placed on his face. It took him a minute to collect his thoughts and bring himself to come to the Goldsworthy's place. The moment CeCe opened the door, guilt washed over him. He didn't mean to intentionally fall in love with Clare, but while trying to mend each others broken heart, they managed to fall in love. Neither of them thought about Eli coming back and to find them getting married. They assumed he wasn't coming back and it wasn't fair to let love slip away.

"What are you doing here?" Eli growls through clenched teeth.

"Look," Drew starts off, never stepping foot in the room, "we never meant to hurt you."

"But you did! You both did. You hurt me! You knew Clare was the one for me; she was the girl I planned on marrying!"

"Then you left, Eli! Clare was confused and hurt and she didn't know what to do. I was heartbroken about Bianca leaving me and we were each others shoulder to cry on! We never meant to hurt you, Eli. I felt guilty falling in love with Clare, because I thought that this was wrong; this is my best friend's girl. He will come back, but you didn't. You didn't come back and that left us thinking that there was nothing else we could do."

"That's no excuse!" Eli barks, jumping out of his bed and storming towards Drew. He jabs his chest with his finger. "You. Were. Supposed. To. Be. My. FRIEND!"

Drew shakes his head. It was a mistake coming here and trying to rationalize things with Eli. It was clear that he had made up his mind: he thought of him and Clare as bad people. He thought of them as untrustworthy people and that they weren't loyal.

Drew couldn't help how he felt about Clare. He was in love with her and the feelings were mutual. Eli couldn't look past the fact that he and Clare found love through pain. He looked at the fact that they were backstabbers and that made Drew question his decision. Was proposing to Clare the best choice? Did he really want to lose his friendship over the girl that they both had fallen for?

..

The Dot was always the place Clare loved to come whenever she was in desperate need of a good talking and great coffee. Spinner was still the manager of The Dot, but there was new people working here. It was every so often that Spinner would come inside to have a look.

Clare called up her two girl best friends, Alli and Jenna, to see if they would come meet her at the cafe. She needed her girls to talk to her and comfort her. This past few days have been hectic every since Eli came back. Her feelings were jumbled all over the place and she felt guilty for even thinking about whenever she was with Drew. She felt guilty that she and Drew were happy in love while Eli was sulking in misery and betrayal.

The ding of the bell signaled that the door to the cafe was being opened. Clare turned around to see both her best friends coming into The Dot. She waved them over when they caught sight of her and they skipped to the table. They took their seats and looked over at Clare, wondering why she had invited them here today.

"I know I've been distant for a few days and I apologize, guys," Clare says with a sigh as she fiddle with her fingers. "It's just that I've had a lot on my mind ever since..." her voice began to trail off and her lip started to quiver.

"Since what?" Jenna asks softly. "What's wrong, Clare?"

Clare was sure Alli knew, because Drew always kept in touch with Dallas. Whatever Drew told Dallas, Dallas told Alli.

"Eli's back," Clare whispers.

That was all it took for Jenna and Alli to gasp. They knew that trouble was going to start with Eli being back. They knew how close Eli and Drew were and how much Clare meant to Eli.

"How did he react?" Alli asked.

The waitress came over to their table to take their order. Clare ordered a latte while Jenna and Alli ordered food and shakes. It seemed as if Clare was not that hungry today. She had too much on her plate and there was no room for food.

"Not good. He's hurt and it makes me feel guilty. I - I didn't mean to hurt him, but I can't help that he left and that Drew decided to pick up the pieces he left behind! Now that he's back, he's all I can think about - even when Drew and I...you know," Clare blushes.

"Oh Clare," Alli says softly. "What are you going to do?"

"I can't leave Drew - I love him; I am in love with him. He was there for me when Eli wasn't. Eli left me when I was willing to give him my virginity. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, but he left with no words to even express how sorry he felt! Although Eli and I had history, Drew and I have chemistry. We're perfect for each other."

"Sounds like you already made your choice."

Clare froze. That voice didn't come from Alli nor Jenna; it was Eli.

Clare stood up and turned around, facing Eli. His eyes were filled with disappointment and sadness. In his hands were a bouquet of flowers.

"I saw you as I was walking to the comic store. I thought that I could buy you flowers and try to change your mind, but you've made up your mind. I guess trying to win you from Drew isn't worth it."

Eli threw the flowers on the floor and walked away. Clare's mouth was hanging open and tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them away as she looked down at the crumpled flowers.

Was it worth it?