I don't own Dierks Bentley (unfortunately) or his song Draw Me A Map, but I highly suggest listening to it. It is beautiful. I don't own Eric Church's song Like Jesus Does, but I may be a bit obsessed with that man, he is an amazing lyricist. I had to murder his words a bit to make it fit better for Clare/Eli, but you should check him out.

I want to apologize for such the delay in updating. This chapter has actually been finished for awhile, but as those of you that follow me on twitter probably know, I've been having some technical issues with my computer. This chapter was trapped on my laptop and I just now got it off.

Now, because of that whole fiasco I have a question for anyone reading this. I have not yet written the next chapter of this story (not giving up on it, just didn't have access to it), BUT I have about 4 chapters of a new story that I have been working on.

QUESTION: Would you rather me finish this story first or should I start posting the other story now and work on updating both stories at the same time? Either way is fine with me, I'll go with whatever you guys want.

OKAY, If you read all of that then I love you. Now enjoy this chapter. I hope it was worth the wait! :)

Eli and Clare had been friends again for a full week now. After his run-in with Imogen on Monday afternoon, Eli's week was shaping up to be okay. Eli had gotten Imogen to, at least, not complain about Clare. Now Imogen was more intrigued in Eli and Clare's relationship. Imogen loved trying to figure people out and these two sure were a challenge. They would each say they were only friends and then act as though they were lovers destined to be together forever.

Eli didn't even have to worry about Fiona protesting his revitalized friendship with Clare. She knew how much he cared about Clare and she knew that he would always put Clare first. Fiona knew how difficult it was to find someone that you can love and care about and she figured that her friend deserved her acceptance and support. It was the least she could do after everything that he had done for her.

Eli was enjoying his friendship with Clare. She had eaten lunch with him, Adam, Imogen, and Fiona each day this week. It appeared to Eli that everyone was beginning to get along. He would have loved it if Imogen and Fiona would be more open to Clare, but he guessed that it wasn't a good idea to push the subject. Clare and Eli had also worked on their English project with Adam. It only took them two afternoons at the library after school, but they enjoyed the time they got to spend together.

It was now Friday afternoon and Clare, Adam, and Eli were sitting in English class. It was the last class of the day and it was unseasonably warm out today. No one could concentrate on learning this afternoon, they all just wanted to get outside and enjoy one of the last warm days. Miss Dawes decided to take pity on her favorite class and gave them a poetry assignment and left them to work among themselves.

Eli was scrawling some lines in his notebook when Adam snatched it off of his desk.

"Dude, trying to write over here!" Eli was a little pissed off that his friend had interrupted his creative flow.

"I'm lost. I don't know what to write about. I need some inspiration!" Adam told his friend as he glanced at Eli's messy handwriting.

"NO! Please, no, don't read that. It's uh… not finished. Don't read it," Eli said grabbing for his notebook.

It was clear to Adam that Eli was trying to hide what he was writing about. That only intrigued Adam even more. He had to read it now. Adam turned his back to Eli and attempted to read his writing. It was pretty difficult with Eli swatting at the notebook every two seconds, but Adam managed.

Staring deep into your eyes

Searching for answers to questions I can't find

If I took for granted that I held your heart

I'd beg forgiveness but I don't know where to start

Draw me a map that leads me back to you

I don't know where to go, please tell me what to do

Help me find the road you're on

I just need directions home

Draw me a map that leads me back to you.

Adam finished reading and dropped the notebook to his lap. He was shocked. Eli had written this? Adam was positive that it was about Clare. Eli was finally admitting his feelings, to himself at least. Adam was excited. He knew this day was coming; it was always only a matter of time. Eli and Clare could never just be friends.

"Please don't say anything," Eli whispered, defeated.

"This is beautiful." Adam said, turning back to face his friend. "And I knew it!"

Eli looked up in confusion. Now he was intrigued, "You knew what?"

"I knew that you were still in love with Clare. You want to get back together with her!" Adam whispered, leaning in so only his friend could hear. "You should give this to Clare, she would love it."

"No! And you are not going to tell her anything about this." Eli said pointing to his notebook that he had stolen back from Adam.

Just then Clare interrupted their exchange.

"Hey guys, it's so nice out. Want to go get ice cream after school today?" Clare asked her two best friends.

"Sure! We can walk over right after school. Ice cream sounds perfect right now." Eli said sounding a bit more excited than he had planned.

"Sorry, I can't. Mom'll be mad if I'm not ready when she gets here to pick me and Drew up." Adam knew he could tell Drew to let their mom know he didn't need a ride home and that she probably wouldn't care, but this was the perfect chance to get his friends to spend some time together without any distractions.

"Oh, well, we could wait for you, Adam. We could go after dinner later." Clare wanted to be accommodating to her friend.

"No, no, you guys go. Have fun!" Adam was mentally patting himself on the back. This was going to be perfect!

"Adam, I don't want you to be left out, it's fine. We can wait for you." Eli told his friend.

Eli knew what Adam was trying to do here. Adam was not as slick as he though. As much as Eli would love to spend some alone time with Clare, he did not think that it was such a good idea right now. They hadn't been alone since last weekend and Eli didn't even want to think about what had happened then. He could not afford to let his mind wander back to kissing Clare. Or to having Clare straddle him and push him down on her bed and lean over him so desperately... ENGLISH CLASS! You are in English Class. Eli mentally scolded himself.

Eli gave Adam a look that he hoped said "I know what you are doing and I hate you right now" but Adam just laughed.

"Just go. Have fun. Enjoy the nice weather for me while I have to deal with Drew and my mother." Adam was not backing down. Eli and Clare were going to go get ice cream alone together, there was no way he was going to play third wheel to their relationship today. They needed some alone time.

Twenty minutes later, the final bell rang and Clare, Eli, and Adam packed up their things and headed towards the classroom door.

"I need to stop by my locker. I'll meet you out in front, okay?" Clare asked Eli.

Eli shyly shook his head. He still couldn't believe that he was basically going on a date with Clare right now. A friend date, but a date none-the-less. Eli was getting nervous. What if he couldn't think of anything to say? What if he said the wrong thing and ended up ruining the friendship he had barely had any time to enjoy?

"Ugg… Thanks, man. Why did you do this to me?" Eli was getting worried and it was all Adam's fault.

"Do what? I have to meet my mom. Sorry, I can't go be your crutch with Clare." Adam was not sorry at all.

"Don't give me that, Adam. I know your mom doesn't care what you do on Friday afternoons! You need to come and save me. I can't be alone with Clare right now. I might do something stupid, like try to kiss her." Eli pleaded with Adam.

"Nope. I am not going to save you this time. I think you and Clare need some alone time. This will be perfect." Adam laughed at his friend's obvious distress. Eli would live and then he would thank him for this.

When Eli and Adam made it to the front door Clare was already there waiting. Adam said his goodbyes and ran off to meet his mother. Eli was left standing next to Clare and feeling quite awkward. Last year he would have held her hand and walked slowly to the ice cream shop, enjoying her company while discussing anything and everything. Right now, he couldn't even form a full sentence when he was alone with Clare.

"Let's, uh… get going." Eli managed to get out between sneaking glances at the girl he loved but could not have.

Clare had to stop herself from grabbing Eli's hand. She was letting the old familiar-ness of the situation get the better of her. Just friends, she kept reminding herself.

It was difficult, but Eli and Clare made it to the ice cream shop without holding hands. They did, however, fall into the rhythm of their usual conversations. They had both forgotten how nice it was to just talk to each other.

"Do you still like vanilla with rainbow sprinkles?" Eli asked remembering Clare's usual order.

"Of course," Clare smiled. Of course Eli would remember something like that. Eli remembered everything she liked. He remembered everything about her. She doubted Jake even knew what color her eyes were.

Eli stepped up to the window and ordered, "One vanilla with rainbow sprinkles and one vanilla with chocolate sprinkles." Eli paid the nice girl behind the counter and then handed Clare her ice cream cone.

"You didn't have to do that. You didn't have to pay for me. Here, let me pay you back." Clare said trying to grab for her wallet with her free hand.

"No, my treat," Eli placed his hand over Clare's to stop her, "Consider it a 'congratulations on my friendship' present."

Clare couldn't help but laugh. "Still so smug I see, Goldsworthy!" She shook her head. "But, no really, thank you. You didn't have to do that." Clare was beginning to remember the Eli she had left behind last spring. He didn't do things for her because he had to; he did things for her because he genuinely wanted to. Eli was one of the great ones. How had Clare ever let him slip away?

"Well are you just going to let your ice cream melt all over the place, or are you going to eat it? This was your idea. Don't tell me you don't want that now. I don't think I'll be able to finish TWO ice cream cones right now." Eli joked.

"Oh sorry. No, I want it. I was just… thinking about something." Clare said slightly embarrassed that Eli had caught her off guard. She was only glad that he couldn't tell what she had been thinking.

Eli noticed the slight blush that was forming on Clare's cheeks and couldn't help stare at her. He thought that she was way too cute for her own good.

Eli decided to start walking; he needed to take his mind off of the overwhelming feeling that he wanted to lean in and kiss Clare. Clare followed close to his side. They spent a few minutes in comfortable silence walking through the familiar streets. They were both thinking about how they had not felt this comfortable with another person in such a long time.

"Where are we going?" Eli wondered out loud, realizing that they were walking about aimlessly.

"I was following you," Clare giggled. She loved the relaxed nature of their relationship. She loved that, after all they had been through, they could still laugh together.

Eli realized that they were in front of a park. He spotted a picnic table and headed towards it to sit down. Clare followed suit. They threw their bags on the table and proceeded to finish their ice cream cones. Eli, of course, finished his first and ended up staring at Clare while she finished hers.

"You staring at me right now is becoming a bit creepy," Clare finished eating and looked right at Eli.

"I can't help it that you are so beautiful," Eli said before he could stop himself.

Clare blushed and looked away from Eli's piercing gaze.

"I didn't mean that! Well, yes I did, but I didn't mean to say it out loud." Eli couldn't believe he had said that. He had been trying too hard not to screw this up and now look at him. He couldn't even keep his stupid thoughts to himself.

"It's fine, Eli. Really. That is a wonderful compliment. Thank you. I can always count on you to boost my ego." Clare's face was beaming.

Okay, Eli thought to himself, maybe it wasn't a total failure that he let his feelings slip out. Clare seemed to love the compliment. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe she was feeling a little more than friendship for him, just like he was feeling more towards her. Now he just had to figure out a way to find out for sure.

"Clare, you are the most beautiful girl that I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with," Eli admitted.

"That's can't be true. You are friends with Fiona Coyne. She's like the prettiest girl at Degrassi." Clare couldn't believe what she was hearing right now. How could she, plain old Clare, be prettier than The Fiona Coyne?

"Fiona is great, but she has nothing on you. You are beautiful inside and out. Fiona may be pretty, but she can also be pretty snobby. No one is as nice as you, Clare." Eli told her flat out.

"Oh Eli, no, I haven't been very nice lately. I definitely don't deserve all of this praise." Clare tried to explain.

"That girl, that 'mean Clare', she's not the girl I know. We may have lost you for a little while back there, but underneath it all it was always the sweet girl I knew. And now you are back, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will end up being even nicer than ever. That's just who you are, Clare. I guess I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it," Eli said, letting a little bit of that sarcasm that Clare always loved shine through at the end of his speech.

"Eli, what did you write about for your poem for Miss Dawes' class?" Clare asked.

"Changing the subject now, are we?" Eli countered.

"No, it's just, I was wondering what you wrote about." Clare had a very specific reason she wanted to know. She really just wanted an excuse to be able to show him what she had written so far. It was about him. She wanted to thank him for how nice he was being right now.

"I, uh, didn't finish the assignment yet. I didn't really write anything," Eli was wondering why she had to bring this up all of the sudden. It's not like she could have known what he wrote about her, right? Eli began to think he would re-do the assignment. He didn't want to hand in the poem that he had written this afternoon.

Clare was wondering why Eli couldn't take a hint today. She was going to have to be more direct, "Well, would you mind looking at mine? I could use some of your editing skills."

Clare pulled her poem out of her bag. She was now second-guessing her plan to show Eli what she had written about him. What if he doesn't like it? Clare could handle constructive criticism about her work, what she wouldn't be able to handle is if Eli totally hated that she had written about him. It was too late to take it back now.

"Give it here, Edwards. You know I love putting my amazing editing skills to good use." Eli snatched the paper from her hand.

Eli started reading and could not believe his eyes. This was Clare's handwriting, alright, but it didn't seem possible that these were her words; they can't be about him, must be about someone else. That's the only explanation that could make any sense. No way that this was about him.

I always thought he'd give up on me someday

Wash his hands of me, leave me all alone

But I thank God each night

That he loves me like Jesus does.

All the crazy in my dreams

Both of my broken wings

Every single piece of everything I am

He knows the girl I'm not

He forgives me when I can't

He loves me like Jesus does.

"That's nice," Eli told her when he was finished reading?

"Nice? No criticisms? No sarcastic remarks?" Clare was a tad taken aback that Eli had shown no reaction, "No comment on subject matter?" She had to know what he thought, even if it meant asking him flat out. Clare was sick of playing games.

"It's beautiful, that's for sure. I just… who is this about?" No sense in being indirect. Might as well find out right now who it was that she had these feelings for.

"Is it not obvious?" Clare murmured.

"Is it about Jake? If it is I really don't want to know-"

"NO! No. Come on. Do you not see it? It's about you! What you were saying to me before, about how I'm back to being nice and how you knew I would come back, that's what I was getting at with this poem. You are always there for me. You know me better than anyone else and you believe in me. You always see me for what I am. You still love and care about me, even when I am at my worst. That, my friend, is why I need you in my life. And that is why… why… I still… I love you."

Eli didn't respond right away. He was taking in everything Clare had just said and everything that her poem had said. She was right. He did love her. He was mad at himself for being so transparent. He should have known. He was never one for wearing his heart on his sleeve, but when it came to Clare it was too hard not to let his emotions show.

Eli was trying to think of an adequate response when an idea hit him.

"Here," Eli said pulling a notebook from his bag and opening up to the page where he had scrawled his poem during English Class. After pausing for a brief second to make sure this wasn't a crazy idea, he handed the notebook over to Clare, "Read this please. Just don't be mad if it offends you. I didn't mean for it to come out as an offensive thing. It's just how I have been feeling lately."

Clare cautiously took Eli's notebook in her hands. She didn't look at it right away. She stared directly into his eyes and could tell that this was difficult for him. Whatever he had written must be something extremely personal, he had never had any hesitation sharing his writing with her before.

Clare finally looked down when Eli turned his head to try and hide his discomfort. The familiar scribbles that made up Eli's messy handwriting immediately brought a smile to her face. She never realized how much she had missed something as simple as this; something as simple as being able to sit here with Eli and discuss writing and share their work with each other.

As she began reading, the first line stood out to her right away. This was about a girl. No wonder Eli had told her he didn't write anything for the assignment, he hadn't wanted to share the feelings he had for another girl. As Clare continued reading she began to realize that this wasn't about another girl. Eli's poem was about her. Leave it to Eli to find the perfect way to express their situation. Clare felt tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Oh, don't cry," Eli had finally looked back up at Clare so that he could try and gauge her reaction. Tears were nowhere near what he had been expecting. He was prepared for yelling and screaming and accusations of suffocation, but he was not prepared for tears.

"This is the most beautiful thing I have ever read! This is about us, right?" Clare said as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.

"Yes," Eli looked down. He couldn't bring himself to meet her watery eyes.

"Eli... Eli, look at me," Clare demanded and Eli obeyed. "Eli, this is perfect. Thank you so much for showing it to me. This poem, your words, this is how I feel about you also. I love the part about needing directions home. That's my favorite, because that's how I feel. You are my home. When my life was falling apart, you were the only one that was there for me. You became my comfort and the only place I felt safe was whenever I was with you. I just forgot that for a little while, but I won't forget again. I promise."

"Where do we go from here? This is a bit unusual… Aren't we supposed to be just friends? I'm pretty sure that friends don't openly admit that they are in love with each other. That is what we are doing right now, right?" Eli asked.

"We are friends," Clare clarified. She needed to make sure that Eli knew, that no matter what, they were friends first.

Eli gave Clare a disapproving look. She was not this naive.

"You know what I mean, please don't play dumb."

"I'm not playing dumb. We are friends first. I don't want to lose what we have. I can't lose you as a friend again. If that means that's all we ever are, then fine." Clare explained herself.

"I don't want to lose our friendship either, but I also don't think that we should be lying to ourselves."

"I do love you. I've already said that. I told you about a million times last weekend and I told you today. Not even five minutes ago. The only one that is not admitting their feelings here is you." Clare was pretty sure he felt the same way, but she needed to hear him say it.

Clare was right. He hadn't explicitly stated his love for her. Sure Eli told her she was beautiful, but he thought that was more of a fact than him admitting his feelings. Plus, he hadn't actually meant to let that slide out. That's what had started this whole thing. He could have been happily ignorant to Clare's feelings, but now he knew and now he just wanted to act on them.

"I thought my feelings were quite obvious. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to come off as suffocating. I have never stopped loving you." Eli verified.

"Oh, right," Clare had momentarily forgotten all of those horrible things she had screamed at Eli over the phone last spring. As the memories came rushing back her tears turned into sobs.

Eli couldn't stand the sight of Clare being so upset. He walked over to her side of the table and sat down next to her in order to comfort her. Eli took Clare's hands in his and tried to talk her down from her crying fit.

"I'm sorry I brought that up. It's in the past. We agreed to let that go. I just can't get over my feelings that I am going to do something to hurt you or to make you run away again. I don't want to scare you." Now Eli was getting emotional. He was trying very hard to hold back tears of his own. It killed him to watch Clare cry and not be able to do anything to stop it.

Clare sniffed and looked him in the eye.

"I love you, Clare. I have loved you, pretty much, since the day I met you. No matter what happens between us, there will always be a special place in my heart for you." Eli pulled Clare's hands up to his face and gently kissed them. That only started a whole new wave of tears for Clare. Happy tears this time.

Clare's heart was floating. Eli's lips touching her skin set something off inside her. The only thing she could think about was that she wanted was more. She needed to be closer. She pulled Eli into a hug and hid her face on his shoulder.

"More," she mumbled into his neck.

"What was that, Miss Mumbles?" Eli couldn't help but chuckle at her cuteness. He held his arms around her back, but pulled away a few inches so he could understand what she was trying to say.

Clare kept her head down. She wasn't sure if she should repeat herself, but she really wanted to feel his lips against her skin one more time. She slowly looked up at Eli.

"I said, more," she whispered.

"More what?" Eli was confused.

"Kiss," Clare turned her head and pushed the side of her forehead to Eli's lips.

Eli's mind was racing. He couldn't believe that he was sitting here with Clare, his lips pressed against her soft skin and his arms wrapped around her so tightly, and she was not just okay with it, she was flat out encouraging it. This time last week they were not even talking. Things were moving so fast, but he couldn't help but realize that nothing about this felt wrong. This is where Eli was meant to be.

"I love you," Eli whispered into Clare's hair when he pulled her in closer.

They sat like that for a long time enjoying the feel of the other's warm arms wrapped tightly around them. Eli kept his face buried in Clare's hair and couldn't get enough of the intoxicating smell of her shampoo. Neither one of them dared to move, they were afraid that if they let go then the magic would be lost.

It was only when the sun started to get lost behind the trees, and Clare's body betrayed her and started to shudder at the change in temperature, that they slowly moved out of their embrace.

"I had better get you home, you don't have a jacket. You'll be freezing when the sun goes down." Eli said as he rubbed his hands up and down Clare's arms in an attempt to warm her up.

"I don't want to go home. It's the weekend. I don't want to deal with my mom… and Jake. I want to stay with you." Clare whined and hid her face against Eli's shoulder again.

"Clare, it's going to start to get cold and you are only wearing a skirt and a short sleeve shirt. You need to go home and put on warm clothes. I'm not keeping you out and letting you get sick. Plus, your mom will be worried if you don't come home for dinner." Eli said trying to reason with Clare. He didn't want to let her leave anymore than she didn't want to leave, but he only wanted what was best for her.

Clare just lifted her head and pouted.

"Come on, I'll walk you home." Eli stood up, put all of their things away, and picked up both of their bags. He was now standing next to Clare and waiting for her to get up off of the picnic table bench.

"Clare, you going home does not mean that this is over. I'd like to hope that this is just the start. You need to go home, though. I don't want your mom to worry." Eli held out his hand and waited.

"I see Captain Curfew is back!" Clare giggled as she finally gave in and stood up to take Eli's hand.

As they walked home hand-in-hand, Clare couldn't help but think how easy it was to fall back into the familiar rhythm of this… relationship? Of this friendship? Of… whatever this was right now.

When they reached the sidewalk in front of Clare's house she didn't want to let go. She pulled Eli in for one last hug.

"Okay, you better go now," Eli said when she let go.

Clare went against her desires and started to head towards her front door.

"Clare," Eli called after her. "Your bag." He held out her bag that she had forgotten he was holding.

"Thanks for carrying it," Clare smiled.

As she reached out and took a hold of her bag, Eli pulled it back towards his body and Clare was dragged along with it.

"What did you do that for?" Clare asked, surprised.

Eli didn't respond. He just pulled her back in close with his free arm and looked deep into her eyes. He couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned down an inch and waited for any sign of hesitation on Clare's part. When he didn't find any he went for it. He did the one thing he had been longing for. He kissed Clare. Not on the hand, not on her forehead. He kissed Clare right on the lips and, as cheesy as it sounds, he would have sworn that fireworks erupted when her lips met his.

It was a simple kiss, not one full of lust and desire. It was a kiss between two friends, a kiss that offered a promise of tomorrow.

"Wow," was the only word that Clare could express when Eli pulled away. Clare stood in front of her house, lost in a daze. Eli kissed her once more on the cheek and turned to walk away, leaving Clare alone with her hand now touching the place his lips just left.

Eli was practically skipping on his way home. He didn't want his time with Clare to end, but he had to get out of there before he lost control. He needed time to think everything over. He hoped that they could move forward from here. As long as this did not ruin their friendship, then Eli could make himself be happy even if this was only a one-time thing.