Clare's POV

I entered my house full of excitement, anticipating everything that could possibly happen later.

I'm still curious as to what happened when my mom met with the divorce attorney today though.

Mom wasn't in the kitchen or sitting on the couch watching TV, so that means she must be in her room.

Her bedroom door was open and she was lying in bed staring at the walls.

I knocked lightly on her door.

"Hey sweetie, how was The Dot with Alli?" She asked.

"It was great. We made plans for a girl's night on Saturday." I responded happily.

"Well I'm glad to see you and Alli are spending more time together."

"So am I. It felt good to just hang out with her like old times." I admitted.

I went in and sat on my mom's bed.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" I questioned.

"Sure honey, what is it?"

My voice was a little shaky. "What happened with the divorce attorney today?"

This subject was obviously a little touchy for her. "He gave me the legal papers. The only thing for your father and me to do is sign them." She put one hand on my leg.

"Your dad and I are still discussing whether we're going through with this or not. He asked me to give him another chance so he can prove himself to me; prove himself to us." I could not believe what she just told me.

"But mom he hurt me! And then he basically blamed my sneaking out on you!" I protested.

"He was drunk, Clare. It was bad judgment. Do you think if he was sober that he would ever lay a hand on you?" She countered.

I pushed her hand off my leg and got up. I started walking towards the door.

Before I left her room, I stopped in the doorway and said something.

"When you have to cover up a black eye with makeup in front of a mirror every morning, then we'll talk." That didn't sound as harsh in my head.

"Clare-" I cut her off.

"I'm going to bed, good night." I said as I closed her door.

That was a lie. I'm going into my room to get ready so I can sneak out and see Eli.

Ironic how I told her this wouldn't happen again.

I examined the outfit I was wearing and decided that what I have on won't do. I began rummaging through my closet to see if there was anything else I might want to wear.

As I was searching through my clothes and some of Darcy's old clothes, I found the perfect dress.

An orchid halter-top dress that went a little bit above the knees. Definitely belonged to Darcy.

I slipped the dress on and it fit like a glove. It fits well but the important question is does it look good?

Walking into the bathroom, my own reflection startled me. I don't even look like myself. And, I kind of like it.

Bold, sexy. I hope not too sexy…

I can't believe me, Saint Clare, is putting herself out there this much for a guy.

Eli's not just a guy. He's the perfect guy.

Now for shoes and makeup; then I'm out of here.

Shoes… Hmm let's see. I'll keep it simple. Silver flats.

I only wore those on special occasions. Oh well, if I wore high heels I probably would've felt like a hooker.

Shoes… Check.

I put on a little bit of eyeliner, mascara, and a light touch of eyeshadow.

Makeup… Check.

I looked in the mirror one last time and messed with my hair a little.

Then, peeked outside my door to see if my mom's bedroom light was on. Nope. So far, so good.

I grabbed my key, my jacket, and my cell phone and out the door I went.

I cannot wait to see the look on Eli's face when I get to his house…

Eli's POV

Its 10:30 PM. Clare should be on her way over right now. I've never been so excited just to hang out with a girl.

What am I saying? Clare's not just any girl. Clare is the most amazing girl I've ever known.

What if I say the wrong thing or send her the wrong message?

Shit Goldsworthy, don't get nervous now. Just be yourself like you always are around her. I'm sure everything will be fine.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my doorbell ringing.

That must be Clare. I walked up the stairs expecting to see the same Clare I see every day.

When I opened the door it definitely wasn't the same Clare. She looks gorgeous… Not that she doesn't every day but she looks even more gorgeous right now.

"A little over-dressed just to be hanging out, aren't we?" I teased.

"Oh shut up. You know you love it." She smiled and teased back.

I felt pretty speechless. "Of course I do." Was all that managed to come out of my mouth. Clare gave me a look. "No need to be sarcastic. I know it's a little overdone, but-"

I grabbed her by her waist to pull her closer to me, spun her around so now we were both inside, kicked the door shut, and looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm dead serious. I do love it. You look beautiful, Clare." Damn, I could not have done that any better.

Clare's cheeks turned a bright red. "Thanks." She said with a smile.

She's getting flustered. I find that pretty cute.

"Well are we gonna stand up here all night or would you rather take me to your room?" Clare asked.

I raised my eyebrow and gave her a mischievous smile. "Oh, I see what you're getting at here, Blue Eyes." She took my hand and giggled as we walked downstairs and entered my room.

This seems like a different Clare inside and out.

I sat down on my bed and Clare sat down in my lap and put her arms around my neck. When she did this, I noticed something.

There was a red mark on her forearm.

I gently removed her arm from around my neck so I could get a closer look at it.

"What happened to your arm?" I questioned sounding concerned. Maybe I should be.

Clare hesitated for a moment. "It's… It's nothing to worry about Eli." She reassured me.

I hope it's nothing. Now I can't help but worry a little.

No. No there's nothing to worry about. If Clare told me that it's nothing, then it's nothing.

"Okay." I said as I brushed her hair out of her face. "You know if it was something you can tell me, right?"

"Of course I know that. It's really nothing. But thank you. That means a lot to me." She said.

For some reason, I'm still not buying this…

Clare's POV

Crap. I didn't think Eli would notice my arm.

I feel like a bad girlfriend for lying to him…

Wait a minute; I don't even know if we're like… Together together.

Now would be a good time to ask, Clare.

"So… Are we like…? A couple?" I nervously questioned. To top it all off, I blushed again.

Eli put a finger to his chin as if he were thinking. "Hmm. I'll get back to you on that." He said sarcastically and then gave me his favorite crooked smile.

I got out of his lap. "Well I guess I'll be going then." I said teasingly.

Eli immediately got up and grabbed my arm as if I was really about to leave. He pulled me closer to him and rested his forehead on mine. Then he whispered "Why would I want my girlfriend to leave me?"

I couldn't gather any coherent thoughts. I wrapped my arms around him and whispered back "Girlfriend, huh?"

He grinned. "Mhmm. I love you."

"I love you too." I said as I felt his breath on my skin.

Eli's POV

I looked into her eyes and then slowly inched forward, pressing my lips against hers. Whenever we kiss, it feels like magic.

I retreated and we climbed in my bed. I opened my arms and instantly Clare was in them. I kissed the top of her forehead and got up again.

"Why don't I put a movie on?" I suggested.

"Sounds good." Clare agreed. "I'll go upstairs and see what I can find." I responded.

"Hurry back." There was a suggestive tone in Clare's voice.

I chuckled. "And have you take advantage of me?"

Clare rolled her eyes and grinned. "Just pick a movie, Goldsworthy. Oh and uh, don't flatter yourself."

"Oooh feisty." I shook my head and smiled, then went upstairs to get a movie.

I picked the first thing I saw. Looks like we're watching Halloween.

I returned to my room and put the DVD in.

"Halloween?" Clare looked at me quizzically.

I smirked. "Were you expecting Twilight?" I questioned as I laid back down.

"Maybe I was!" she giggled.

Soon enough, Clare was back in my arms. We watched the movie for a little while and then grew tired of it.

"Wanna play a game?" She asked.

"What kind of game?" I raised an eyebrow curiously and looked down at her.

"20 questions." Replied Clare.

I agreed after realizing how little we really knew about each other.

"Alright. You first Blue Eyes." I said.

"Hmm... Favorite color?" She asked.

"Original." I said messing with her. "Blue." I added.

Clare laughed a little.

"You thought I was going to say black, didn't you?" I questioned pretending to be offended.

"Yes." She giggled. "Your turn."

"Same question." I said.

Clare looked up at my eyes. "Green." She quickly said.

I glanced down at her and smiled.

"Favorite flavor of ice cream?" asked Clare.

"Chocolate-chip cookie dough." I replied.

"Hey, mine too!" she exclaimed. I reached my hand up and she high-fived it, not letting go and intertwining her fingers in mine.

I caught a glimpse of the ring on Clare's finger. It said something on it. It read: Pure hearts wait in some fancy cursive writing.

That had me wondering something. "Can I ask you a serious question, Blue Eyes?" I asked.

"Mhmm." Clare replied while tracing circles around my chest with her free hand.

"Since you and your family are Christians, are you saving yourself until marriage to make them happy or because you truly believe its right?"

"I honestly don't know. That's what I've been raised to believe my whole life. But nowadays, I think it's one of those things that's easier said than done, you know?" she admitted.

I nodded in understanding.

"Am I a bad person for thinking that?" Clare suddenly asked and looked at me. Her eyes were full of confusion.

I looked back at her. "You could never be a bad person for thinking that."

"But what if I go too far one day? I'm not talking about getting pressured. I'm talking about making that mistake on my own; wanting it." She said.

"Clare, thinking for yourself isn't a mistake. The only way it could possibly be a mistake is if you don't think its right." I told her.

She sat there for a moment taking in what I just said.

"Wow, Eli. I never really thought of it that way."

"There's more than one way to think, Blue Eyes. You can either do what others tell you is right or what you think is right." I said smiling at her.

"I would never make you do anything that you weren't ready for, Clare. You mean the world to me and I don't wanna lose you."

"I love you, Eli." Clare replied almost instantly and then gave me a quick kiss.

She makes me the happiest guy alive. "I love you too." I replied.

Clare let her head rest on my shoulder and then sat up staring into my eyes.

I began staring into her eyes as well, getting more lost in them by the minute.

Wait, what's that weird mark by the corner of her left eye?

I looked closer and it was purple.

Is that a bruise?

"Clare, remember earlier when I told you if there was anything going on that you could tell me?"

She looked at me like she knew something that I didn't.

"I remember." She sheepishly said.

"Did somebody hurt you, Clare? There's a bruise by your left eye." I asked growing more concerned.

There's pain in her eyes. I can tell.

I have a feeling I'm not going to like her response…

Sorry this chapter isn't my best work. BUT PLEASE REVIEW PEOPLE! (: