ALLI'S POV

I stare at Clare and Eli as he slowly places his hand into hers and her cheeks flush. I fight my sudden urge to hop up and down and squeal. How cute! My little Clare is growing up. I beam at her and wink, again. She just rolls her eyes, even though I can tell on the inside she feel's just like me, or better. I didn't find Eli as attractive as some people did, but I did have to admit, he was C-U-T-E. But he was Clare's and I was so happy for her! Oh, yes, this year is gonna be fun. Clare has Eli, and I have my sights set on a new football player, drew. Oh, and if Clare is thinking for a second that she is getting away from me without telling me every single detail of her classes with Eli, she is SADLY mistaken. I smile mischievously. Eli leans down to Clare and mutters something in her ear that makes her blush even harder –if that was possible- and she playfully punches his arm.

ELI'S POV

My heart is racing and I begin to fear my palms will get sweaty. Real smooth. Get her hand soaked because you can't control yourself. I chastise myself.

I look over to see Clare's friend, Alli staring at us with an expression that read 'Awwwww!' and I awkwardly glanced at the hand I have intertwined with Clare's and for some odd reason, it calms me down and I don't feel as awkward. I start chatting with Dave, who has a shaven, shiny head, a cocky voice, and a red shirt with blues jeans. He was kind of typical, clearly love-struck for Alli, which I didn't quite understand, because honestly, she scares me a little. I can tell, she's devious. And I think that she will be able to pry things out of me that I don't mean to reveal. I had to keep an eye on her.

She notices that I'm looking at her and smiles sweetly, while waving. Dave stiffens. Chill dude, she's definitely NOT my type. I nearly muttered the words out loud. The almost-statement causes me to think, what exactly was my type? Clare is. I unconsciously answer. I should leave now. Save both me and Clare a lot of pain.

But I can't.

I can't leave her.

I don't know if I would be able to get through the year.

Hell, I don't know if I could get through another day. And I honestly couldn't tell if Clare was driving me insane, or keeping me sane.

I look at her and she smiles up at me, shyly. She was cute shy.

"Hey" I mutter. It's the only thing I could think of. But 'hey'? That wasn't very sarcastic or flirty. What's wrong with me today? Maybe I should flirt. Maybe I should scare Clare away, show her a glimpse of who –or what- I really am. But when she answers me back with a simple "Hey" back, I know I can't. Damn those captivating blue eyes and sweet voice. Not only is she beautiful, but her personality shines just as bright. I can see, behind her happy charade, there was depression flickering ever so slightly in her eyes. What's troubling Blue-eyes? Probably just a test she's worried about. I laugh, and she gives me a 'What are you laughing about' look.

"What are you laughing about" she says, almost immediately after I think it. I smile. Think of a save Eli, Think of a save.

"Nothing, it's just, you have pudding on your face" I lie. Then I immediately come up with a plan.

He hands automatically soot up to her face "Where?" she questions.

"Right, there." I say, as I playfully pick up a spoon with pudding on it and wipe it off on her face, laughing

"Elijah Goldsworthy. You did not just cover my face with pudding! She says, fuming.

I smirk "So what if I did" There's the little flirt I know and love.

Soon she takes the same spoon and tosses pudding on my face. I gasp and smirk widely

"You've just started a war that you'll never win" I growl

"Try me." She smiles, throwing even more pudding in my face.

CLARE'S POV

Our mini food fight turned into war and we winded up taking a few extra minutes to clean ourselves up. We wind up being a little late to our science class, which is one of only four classes we have, including lunch.

"I hope you two have a good excuse for being fifteen minutes late." Our angry teacher rants. I look at the floor with shame while Eli just begins to crack up.

He's laughing

Laughing?

I look up at him in shock. It's official, this boy is insane.