Dedicating this chapter to Victoria cause she's awesome! Here's chapter 7! :)
I was up and out the door a half hour before I usually leave for school. I couldn't wait any longer. I arrived at my locker and texted Fiona. There were hardly any students in the halls yet. I yawn and sat down against the lockers and waited for Fiona to respond. I closed my eyes and balanced my cane on the palm of my hand. I heard footsteps coming so I opened my eyes. It was Adam. He sighed at sat down next to me. "What are you doing here so early? You're usually late for class." He laughed lightly.
My laugh turned into a sigh. "Yeah, I know." I played with the watch that was around my wrist. Clare's watch. I knew Adam was wondering about it, so I decided to explain. It didn't surprise me when I looked at him that he was staring at the watch with a puzzled expression. "Adam, I tried giving it back to her. She refused to take it." I looked back down at the golden watch.
Adam continued to stare at the watch. "Really? Did she sound mad when she said it?"
"No, actually. She seemed almost happy that I kept it." I smiled a bit.
"So, what does that mean? I thought she was with Jake?"
I looked down and mumbled. "Yeah, that's kind of why I'm here early. Me and Fiona are planning on spying on them."
Adam raised his eyebrows and smiled. I looked over at him and instantly knew he wanted to go. I couldn't help but smile back at him. We both nodded at each other. It was a silent conversation only best friends could have. "What are you two smiling about?" Fiona laughed.
Me and Adam both looked up simultaneously. I stood up with some difficulty then leaned on my cane facing Fiona. "Adam's coming with us. Is that okay?"
She looked at Adam for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah sure. I could use another person admiring my outfit today." She twirled around showing off her blue-gray embroidered dress and laughed. I looked over at Adam to roll my eyes, but there was no point. He was in his own world. I smiled to myself. I was happy for him. If anything else, maybe Fiona and Adam could get back together after all this.
"Okay so Jake is the carpenter for the play, and Clare's the reporter, so they're both gonna be on set of the play after school, and since I'm not in school attire today. We're ditching." Fiona smiled at us deviously.
Adam frowned. "What's ditching gonna do? Clare and Jake are gonna be at school." I nodded in agreement.
Fiona looked at us both in awe. "How are we gonna spy on them together when we all have different classes? Come on guys. We can go to the Dot to make a plan, then at lunch we'll sneak back on campus and find them."
Adam looked at me unconvinced. I just shrugged. "Yeah okay. After you." I gestured dramatically for Fiona to lead the way.
At the Dot we didn't do much planning. I was on my second cup of coffee, and Fiona and Adam flirted most of the time. I cleared my throat interrupting Adam tickling Fiona. "So guys, let's go through this again." I set my cup of coffee down. "Why would Clare want me to keep the watch?"
Adam looked at me and laughed. "I guess you must of done something right." Fiona smiled at that.
"Yeah..." I sighed and looked out the window. My expression widened as Clare and Jake walked across the street towards the Dot. I whispered. "Guys, Clare!" Fiona and Adam immediately looked out the window.
Fiona scooted out of her seat and stood up."Quick! Let's go over to the booth in the corner." Me and Adam quickly followed her. Adam was hiding behind a menu, I was hiding behind my cup of coffee, and Fiona pulled a scarf out of her purse and wrapped it around her. Inconspicuously, we watched Jake and Clare enter the Dot.
Jake was the first to enter. His expression didn't look very happy as he held the door open for Clare. Her expression however, seemed very happy. They sat down at a table and the waitress took their order. Clare got something, but Jake waved the waitress away when it was his turn to order. As Jake began talking, Clare frowned, and it just got worse from there. They seemed to be arguing, and by the time the waitress brought Clare's drink to her, Jake stood up and quickly left. Clare was staring at her cup of coffee crying.
Adam whispered. "Eli. Now's the time. Go talk to her!" Fiona nodded.
I was frozen. What should I even say? Could I even speak? Adam nudged me."Dude! Go!" He whispered. I looked at him expressionless and stood up. "Here goes nothing." I sighed and walked carefully towards Clare.
I stood at her table."Clare?"A voice barely escaped my lips.
She wiped the tears hastily from her cheek and looked up. The expression on her face killed me inside. I couldn't take it. I sat in the seat across her.
"Eli?" She looked at me confused.
"I just- I saw what happened, and I wanted to make sure you're okay." I looked at her worried.
Her laugh contained no amusement. "I bet that was entertaining to watch. Step right up to see Clare Edwards get dumped publicly!" She looked down and cupped her coffee with her hands.
I frowned. "Clare... I hate- I hate seeing you like this." I wonder if she really knew how much it hurt me to see her hurting.
She looked at me. "My mom and Jake's dad are getting married. That's why Jake broke up with me."
It took me a minute to process what she just said. "I'm so sorry." It caught me off guard how much I meant it. I was truly sorry. For everything. Every bad thing that's ever happened to Clare. Because of me or not was beside the point. For the first time, I felt true remorse.
"Thanks." As she smiled, her eyes shifted from me down to her watch that I was still wearing around my wrist. It was too late to hide it. She already saw. "You're still wearing the watch?" She looked at it curiously.
"Yeah, um. I must of forgot to take it off." I slid my hand under the table awkwardly.
"No!" She reached across the table. "Can I see it? It's been a while since I've looked at it up close."
I stared at her for a moment, then lifted my hand back on top of the table. Clare's eyes smiled as she held my hand, looking at the watch. "You've taken such good care of it." She said quietly.
I smiled at her as she continued to look at the watch. "Well, you gave it to me."
She nodded. "Yeah. I did. Broken up or not, it's yours." She traced her finger over the circular frame of the watch and smiled.
I looked at Clare and sighed. It's insane how much my heart can relate. Broken up or not, it's hers.