Clare's POV

After Eli asked me what was wrong, I don't know what I was more scared of. Telling him about my parents' fight or even worse; telling him the truth about me coming here tonight, revealing to him the fact that I'm in lo- I mean in like with him.

Eli spoke again but this time he grabbed my hands as if to tell me that there's nothing I should worry about. "Clare, come on you can talk to me."

The fact that he's holding my hands at this very moment made my heart beats extremely rapid.

"My parents are talking about taking a break. And I don't know if that means taking a break to cool down or taking a permanent break and ending the marriage while they're both behind." I spoke through my tears.

This is a bit embarrassing; me opening up emotionally, crying, in front of Eli.

"Clare, it's alright. I'm sure things will work out for the best. And as long as you're here, I'll make sure that you don't have to deal with any more pain." Eli said.

He let go of my hands and before I knew it I was in his warm embrace. "Is he actually hugging me?"

My heart isn't just beating rapidly anymore. It's beating faster and slower at the same time. It's like his touch is a stain on my skin and I love it.

"Eli Goldsworthy, man of mystery." I said with a smile. He laughed at that remark. "Hey, you may have not thought this was possible, but I can be sincere too."

I sort of giggled at that. "Well does it help that I actually believed your sincerity?"

"Ouch, you didn't think I was going to be serious, did you?" He replied with his signature smirk. As if he were offended by what I just said.

All I could do was grin at that.

We laughed and joked around for a while. Oh god, when he smiles it leaves me searching for a chance to catch my breath. He's just so gorgeous. Also, he's so much fun to be around. It's like a different atmosphere when we're together. Almost as if there is some sort of undeniable attraction there and maybe he feels it too. The difference isn't only in the atmosphere.

It seems as though I'm a different Clare when I'm around Eli as well. I'm a more confident person versus the person I am when I'm near anybody else. Eli challenges me. He brings out the best in me and I love every minute of it.

Things got quiet for a few moments. This could be my chance to say a certain something to Eli. Ugh but wait? What if all I am to him is sort of a friend and his English partner? No. No bad thoughts.

I need the truth. I can't just keep assuming that he's thinking the same things as me. I can't keep chasing a dream if it isn't meant to come true. Okay… I'm going to do it! "Come on, Clare, you can do this!"

I finally mustered up the courage to say what I wanted.

"Eli? I need to ask you something. And when I do, I need straight up honesty. No jokes, no sarcasm, and no lies." I said.

"Shoot, Blue Eyes." Eli replied back to me with his gorgeous, crooked smile.

Oh… I love when he calls me that. "Well…" I paused for a second. "Okay I'm not going to beat around the bush with this. Do you have feelings for me?" I flat out asked.

"Feelings?" Eli questioned.

"Feelings as in… More than friends. And English partners."

Eli sat there for a moment, looking confused. He finally started to say something again.

"Clare… I uh… I thought that's all we were…" That was his simple reply.

"Oh. Yeah. Of course that's all we are." I said emotionless. "Well, I think I'd better be heading back home. See you tomorrow in English." Leaving him with that, I bolted up the stairs from his room and out the door.

"Clare! Wait!" Eli shouted.

I continued to run. I didn't need to hear anymore. I already felt like my heart was ripped out and shattered into a million tiny pieces… Oh wait! I felt worse than that. I felt like Eli personally took my heart, ripped it out and THEN ran it over with his hearse!

I'm definitely NOT in the mood to see my stupid English partner tomorrow.

As I was approaching my street, I noticed that there was a car parked in my driveway. I got closer and then realized that the car was my dad's jet black Toyota Camry.

Oh crap! He must've forgotten something when he left to go back to his motel and then came back to the house to get it!

My heart dropped. I walked up the steps to my front porch and opened the door.

There may be one bright side to my parents killing me; I won't ever have to look at Eli again.

Please review, favorite, go crazy! Tell me how I did. Feel free to share your ideas with me. (: