I know this chapter is heavily filled with dialogue that we've already heard in the episodes. Things will definitely get better though! Hopefully in the next chapter! I'm gonna incorporate a lot of new dialogue and more inner thoughts. I promise :) PLEASE REVIEW!

"I think they're dead..."

"It's - uh - okay... I don't need them anymore. Got... laser surgery."

"You have pretty eyes."

"Thanks. I'll - uh - see you around?"

"I guess you will..."

Clare's POV -

Although Eli and I had crossed paths several times since the glasses-crushing incident, we had yet to speak to each other. I spent a full hour of each school day sitting directly behind him in our Advanced Englsh class. Despite the lack of any verbal communication, we would share a glance at the end of each class and occasionally, he would shoot me a clever little smirk. I admit... I 've thought about talking to him many, many times. Possibly a little tap on the shoulder? Followed by a question about the assignment? But let's face it, I've never been one to be forward.

And in this fasion, a few days quickly passed. I found myself once again seated behind Eli, trying not to stare at his raven black hair. I silently began drawing spirals on the cover of my notebook as Ms. Dawes passed our latest assignment back. I was shocked at the grade I received.

"Ms. Dawes, there must be some sort of mistake. I've never gotten a C. How did this happen?"

"Well, your early assignments were divine, but recently your writing has become distant, impersonable."

"I used complex sentence structure and advanced vocabulary."

"But your assignment didn't tell me anything about who you are. You can't hide behind vampire fiction forever."

"I'm not hiding."

"Then prove it. To your writing partner."

"Me?" - Eli had spoken in a slightly shocked tone.

"Yeah, you. You write well, but you're a little wordy. You and Clare will be editing each other's work this semester."

"Great. That'll be fun." - I sarcastically chimed in.

"We may have a very special partnership on our hands people! Like Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes!"

"Sylvia Plath killed herself."

Excitement lay deep down in my gut at the prospect of working with Eli but at the moment it was heavily masked by anger and resentment toward my grade and Eli's somewhat cocky behavior. As I walked towards the door at the end of class, Eli stepped into the door fram just as I did, causing him to bump into me. He looked at me, smirked, and walked away, shaking his head. Ugh. He was getting on my nerves.

That evening, I attempted to put all my effort into my English assignment. However... it was impossible. Mom and Dad were fighting again. Lately, Dad just seemed so distant, and angry. I just needed to know what was going on.

The next morning, I hurriedly tried to finish my English assignment in Media Immersions. But once again, it was a failed attempt. When I finished, I knew the words I had written were still not up to par. At lunch, I met up with Eli in Ms. Dawes classroom. I sat on top of a desk, facing him as he read my paper on gun control. I grew increasingly nervous at what his opinion would be.

"So, what do you think?"

"It's uhhh..."

"Awkwardly constructed, filled with hyperbole, and generally sloppy."

"The title's centered...?"

"Dawes is right! I have writer's block!"

"So don't hand it in."

"And what? Tell her the dog ate my homework?"

"Or you could take off?"

"You mean skip?"

"If you wanna get official."

"... It would give me time to write a better assignment."

With that the bell rang, and decision time arrived...