I apologize, this is not the last chapter. This thing has become much more massive than I ever expected. I have no idea how long it will end up being now.

As for this chapter, I am not exactly happy with how it turned out as a whole. Also, it is much shorter than last chapter. So to make it up, I will post another short chapter today. Enjoy! :)

It was bright out when Eli was awoken to a vibration coming from his pocket. With his eyes still closed, to block out the light, he pulled his phone out. He opened his eyes slowly to read a text from Adam, "11:27 – Dude, where the heck are you?"

CRAP! Eli thought as he looked around and realized where he was. He was sitting on Clare's bed and she was still curled up to his side. Oh no. Eli was on the verge of a mini panic attack when Clare looked up at him and smiled.

"Good morning," Clare yawned.

"Uh…" Eli was shocked that Clare wasn't shocked.

"Did you sleep alright?" Clare asked.

"I'm sorry, Clare. I didn't mean to sleep here. I was going to leave last night. I really didn't mean to stay." Eli was acting frantic.

"Eli! Calm down. It's okay. I'm happy you stayed."

"Are you still drunk, Clare? You don't have to pretend that you want me around. I'll get going right now."

"I'm not drunk, maybe a little hung-over. How did I get drunk last night without even knowing it? Only me." Clare laughed, "but I really am glad that you stayed. I hope this means we can work on our friendship?"

"I'm not sure that's such a great idea. We were never any good together. I should just let you get back to your normal life," Eli said.

"Yeah, because that is so wonderful. Let me tell you, I am not looking forward to leaving this room today," Clare said, thinking about how awkward it would be when she ran into Jake in the hall.

"Oh no. I'm in your bedroom," Eli began to panic again, "Your mom. How am I going to get by her? She's going to find out that I stayed here then we're both going to be in big trouble. Isn't she going to be getting you up for church? Oh no. It's late. She probably already came in and caught us sleeping in your bed together. She's going to kill me!"

"Hey, relax! I got up last night and locked the door. No way she came in. And she and Glen went to church last night, they were leaving early this morning to go antiquing," Clare explained.

Eli started to relax a bit. It was then he realized that maybe Clare did still care about him. She had gotten up, locked the door, and snuggled back up to him when he was still asleep. She had to have been sober when she did that. Maybe she wasn't lying about being happy that he stayed, Eli was trying to reason with himself, yet still trying not to let his hopes get the better of him.

"So, would you like me to make you some breakfast? It's the least I can do for you. You took such good care of me last night, made me feel better and kept me out of trouble." Clare was extremely thankful that Eli helped her not get caught coming home drunk.

"I would love for you to make me breakfast, but I'm pretty positive that Adam is at my house waiting for me right now. He and I always spend Sundays together and he already sent me a text asking where I was." Eli honestly told Clare.

"Oh, Adam. I hope he can forgive me for running out on him last night," Clare felt bad for how she had acted toward her one and only friend.

"I'll tell him you're sorry. I'm sure he will understand. Adam is awesome like that." Eli laughed.

"Yeah, he is. So… does this mean… can we… I mean, are we… friends? Can we try to be friends? Please? I really miss your friendship. You are way too good to me." Clare was hopeful that her request would be granted.

"I guess we could try, but Clare, if I ever get too intense for you please let me know." Eli begged, "I really can't bear to lose another friend like that."

Clare shook her head and looked lovingly at Eli, the only boy that she knew ever loved her.

"Okay," Eli jumped up, "I've got to go before Adam sends out a search party for me."

Eli burst through his front door, out of breath after running back home.

"I'm here!" He gasped. "Adam? Adam, where are you?"

Eli made his way into his living room to find Adam and Bullfrog on the couch, playing video games and yelling obscenities at each other.

"Dammit Adam! How do I change my stupid weapon?" Bullfrog flung his fists in the air in frustration. "Stop killing me and tell me how to use the damn grenade!"

Eli couldn't help but laugh at his best friend and his father. He was happy that Adam felt comfortable enough with his family to act himself around them.

"Cheating on me with my father I see?" Eli interrupted their intense game. "I should have known better than to leave you two alone," Eli laughed.

"Maybe if you didn't ditch me this morning I wouldn't have to hang out with the cooler Goldsworthy man," Adam retorted as he put his controller down and bumped fists with Bullfrog.

"I always knew there was a reason I liked you, video game kid," Bullfrog added with a laugh while Eli rolled his eyes at the two of them.

After some more jabs about how Eli would never be able to match his father's level of coolness, Bullfrog left the two boys to get on with their Sunday ritual of comics and trying to find the best burger joint in Toronto.

"Since it's almost lunchtime, want to grab burgers first then go to the comic book store? I'm starving," Adam was just about whining.

"You and your stomach… Yes, fine." Eli agreed.

Twenty minutes later Adam and Eli walked into a restaurant, on the other side of town, that they had never been to before. It was way too fancy for their taste. They actually got funny looks when they walked in wearing jeans and t-shirts. They weren't holding out much hope that it would deliver the best burger in the area, but they figured they couldn't decide on the best without first having sampled all there was to offer.

When they were seated at their table, Adam couldn't control his curiosity any longer, "Dude, so where were you this morning?" Adam asked.

"Um… I was… out." Eli stammered. He wasn't sure how his friend would react if he said he was with his ex-girlfriend all night and all morning.

"Don't give me that! Bullfrog said he didn't think you came home last night. He though you stayed at my house. We were worried."

"Yeah, you two sure looked worried when I waked in," Eli laughed.

"Don't change the subject, Eli! You were with Clare, weren't you?" Adam pushed.

Eli smiled. Yes, he was with Clare. Yes, he spent the night with Clare. Yes, he kissed Clare. Eli's face fell when that thought crossed his mind. He kissed Clare. After that drama with her trying to proposition him for sex he had forgotten. Did she remember that? Would that change her mind on wanting to try and be friends?

"Okay… I'll take that as a yes, you were with Clare this morning. Why the sad face now? You obviously spent the night with her. How is that a bad thing?" Adam asked.

"How did you know I was with Clare?" Eli was surprised Adam got it on his first guess. And surprised that Adam's initial reaction was that of praise.

"I was spying on you at the party last night," Adam said, proud of himself.

Eli shook his head, "Of course. Ninja Adam would strike when I'm talking to Clare. Yes, I spent the night at Clare's, but I didn't mean too. I just kind of fell asleep once I got her to bed."

Adam's eyes almost bugged out of his head as he gave Eli the most surprised look ever.

"No, not like that, man. She was just drunk and I helped her up to her room. She basically begged me to help her to her up the stairs. I couldn't say no." Eli tried to defend himself.

"Well that's good, I guess," Adam was a little disappointed. He really wanted details, but he didn't want to push Eli.

"I'm just not sure," Eli responded, "I mean she was telling me she loves me, and that she misses me. But that was just because she was drunk, right? She didn't mention any of that this morning when we woke up. She just asked if we could try to be friends again."

"Well remember what you told me about Fiona: Alcohol makes people speak the truth," Adam tried.

"I don't know. Look where that got you with Fi," Eli shot down.

"That was an unusual situation. I've never been convinced that Clare ever got over you. That whole thing was just an act, I'd bet money on it. I think she just got scared and ran... I heard what she was saying to you outside last night; Jake did too. She was drunk, but she seemed very convincing to me." Adam explained.

"She did? I thought it was just my crazy mind playing tricks on me. I wanted to believe it, but I knew I couldn't let my mind get the better of me," Eli thought out loud.

"No, dude, Jake was so pissed when he heard what she was saying to you. He ran off after I told him that I didn't think she loved him." Adam said.

"Why would you say something like that?" Eli asked, genuinely confused.

"Because that's how I feel, plus he doesn't deserve her. He's been cheating on her. Drew set him up with some girls last night." Adam admitted.

"He's a jerk. I'm glad Clare finally realized that last night. I really hope she remembers everything now. I didn't want her to at first, but now that she wants to be friends, I won't be able to deal if she runs back to Jake again." Eli said honestly.

The waiter came over just then to take their orders, Eli could barely concentrate on what he was saying. He was so wrapped up in thinking about the events that took place last night. Eli smirked as he thought of Clare's kiss. When the waiter left, he figured he should tell Adam what else happened last night.

"So… She kissed me last night…" Eli said with a huge grin on his face.

"Why did you wait so long to tell me!" Adam yelled at Eli, causing everyone else in the restaurant to look at them.

"Sorry," Adam said to the restaurant, then asked Eli again, "Why didn't you tell me? That's big."

"She was drunk. I got confused. I let my emotions get the better of me and I kissed her back. I am so embarrassed, Adam. What if she thinks I took advantage of her?" Eli was beginning to feel uncomfortable with himself.

"I'm sure she doesn't think that at all. She kissed you; you just said that. Clare is not one to do something that she doesn't want to. She must have wanted to kiss you." Adam reassured his friend.

"She did something else too…" Eli thought he might as well tell Adam everything now.

"What! What else?" Adam gasped.

"She kind of attacked me. She jumped onto my lap and asked me to have sex with her." Eli whispered that last part.

"You didn't, right?" Adam asked before he had a chance to think about it.

"Adam, really? What do you think?" Eli said, feeling a little hurt.

"Sorry, I know you wouldn't do that. Just had to check," Adam apologized to his best friend.

"Can't say I didn't want to, though," Eli smirked, letting his teenage boy side shine through his usually mature exterior.

"Okay, enough of that. I don't need to know," Adam laughed and covered his ears playfully.

Adam uncovered his ears when Eli stopped laughing and asked, "But does this mean that you guys are getting back together?"

"I don't think so. She said she wanted to try and be friends. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle that though. I already told her to let me know if I'm getting too intense. If that happens again we won't be able to even be friends anymore. And I really do miss her friendship. She was my best friend." Eli thought that he would love to get back together with Clare. He would do it in a heartbeat, but he knew that neither of them were ready to take that leap of faith again. At least not right now.

"Ehhem!" Adam interrupted.

"Best FEMALE friend. Better?" Eli laughed.

"I just don't know if you to can be friends," Adam said, shocking Eli.

"Why not?"

"Come on, dude! You know why not. You both love each other way too much to just stay friends."

"No, Adam. It's not like that. It can't be like that this time." Eli said, trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince Adam.

"Yup, okay. Whatever you say, Goldsworthy." Adam said as he took a bite of his burger as soon as it was placed in front of him.