ELI'S POV

I watch as Clare squirms in front of me, answering Ms. Dawes barrage of random questions. I'm impressed that she can really answer most of them. I look at my nails, a smirk on my face as I absentmindedly color on my nails with a black sharpie. I've never had this affect on someone before, and I really like it.

And no one has ever had this affect on you. Sometimes I really wish I could protest to my thoughts with out feeling crazy.

Okay, I'll admit it. I, Elijah Goldsworthy, find Care Edwards very interesting. Now bring on the gavel and sentence me to a semester of torture. Because no matter how much I like Clare, I can never be with her. It's too dangerous, for her and for me. She can get hurt. And I swear, if I ever see those beautiful blue eyes hold an ounce of pain, I fear I might try to kill whoever did that to her, and if that person was me…

I shake my head. You're thinking crazy, Eli. Forget about Clare. Even if you could be with her, what makes you think the feeling is mutual? I know its true, but, damn, is it depressing. Cursed with a life of no love, where I have to walk alone. It protects them, if I don't show any emotion. And I want them safe, because it would hurt to much if I let them in and they knew what a monster I am. I can imagine Clare's horrified and disgusted face when I tell her about my past, show her the scars… I become angry.

I can never be normal! I can never allow myself to feel. I can never let the hormones raging in veins to take over, and be a normal kid with a crush. Nope. Can't happen. But her smile is so tempting, and when her small pink lips part to answer Ms Dawes questions I begin to go insane. Her sapphire eyes look nervous as she answers our teacher's questions, searching through her mind for the correct answer. Jesus, Eli, I think hopelessly, you've known her for less than twenty-four hours and she's already turning you into a love-sick sap? But I can't help my self. She's so…different. She was nothing like the other girls, who spent hours on their appearance and walked, talked, and acted, a certain way because it was socially acceptable. No, Clare was herself. She was smart and her cheeks turned the most adorable pink when she was nervous. And I make her nervous. I smirk. Finally letting my thoughts get to the best of me. But just as soon as I give in, the bell rings.

Thank God. Saved by the bell. I sulk out of the class room, purposely bumping into her as I walk out. Bad move, Eli. Think sanely. I had to admit, she was sexy when she was irritated, especially when it's because of me. I see her walk over to a tan Indian girl with long, dark hair. I can hear her complaining about me. I smirk, especially when the tan girl shouts

"I get it Clare! You're in love with Eli!"

"I am not!" Clare replies hotly, her cheeks turning an amazing red. I chuckle to myself. Then I try to imagine myself, standing there, with a goofy grin, chuckling at no one. I immediately straighten up and head towards my next class. And never, not even once, did Clare Edwards leave my thoughts. Oh-no. This will be a lot harder then I thought it would be.

CLARE'S POV

I rub my temples, unable to think clearly. I sat through Algebra with the most confused look on my face. This can't be happening to me. I have to push him out of my thoughts, trying my hardest to do my work. It's not easy, but I get all the way to lunch in one piece.

I walk into the cafeteria and take my usual spot next to Alli and Connor, with Wesley and Dave sitting across from us. I sighed, rolling around my apple before I decide I've tortured it enough and put it out of it's misery by taking a huge bite out of it's side. I scan the cafeteria, assuring my self that I was just people watching, not searching for one set of gorgeous green eyes and lop-sided smirk.

"Looking for me?" A voice sounds behind me, sending chills through my body. I turn around and, sure enough, it's Eli.

"Hey, nice to see you too," I smile, proud of myself for being able to avoid the truth without lying.

"Mind if I sit here?" He gestures to the empty space next to me. Alli lets out a small squeal. What have I gotten myself into?

"Sure," I mutter looking down at my abused apple, and taking another, smaller, bite. Eli sits down next to me. Alli coughs, indicating that she wants an introduction.

"Oh- uh, guys this is Eli. He's in my, uh, English class" I say awkwardly, blushing slightly. Eli waves shyly.

I point at everybody in the order I say there names "Eli, these are my friends, Connor, Dave, Wesley, and Alli." I look down and Eli grabs my hand. Whoa. How am I not dead yet? My heart is literally beating a mile a minute.

"Hey." He mutters, not once taking his gaze off of mine. But of course, Alli, being –well, being Alli- has to go and ruin the moment.

She puts her hand out, so he can shake it.

"I'm Alli Bhandari." He takes his hand out of mine, so he can awkwardly shake Alli's. She smiles and winks at me, giving me the thumbs up signal when Eli is looking the other way. I hide my head in my hands, blushing a thousand different shades of pink.

While Eli makes small talk with Dave, he snakes his fingers between mine, intertwining them and squeezing them lightly, before looking me in the eyes and smiling. A full smile. That's a first. I blush even harder and look down at my apple, taking another bite and absentmindedly thinking about how great – or painful- this year will be.