(Eli's POV)

The next day at school, I glumly walked to my locker. I had barely slept last night. All night I thought about how I had ruined my chances with Clare by beating up KC. I wouldn't be surprised if she chose him over me, I deserved it. I grabbed my books out of my locker and slammed it closed.

"I sorta told Clare something I shouldn't have yesterday." Adam said. His voice made me jump and drop my books. I was so lost in thought that I hadn't noticed Adam standing right next to me.

I crouched down and gathered my books once more. "And this would be, like, the tenth time you've told Clare something you shouldn't have." I said, standing and giving him a warning look, "What did you say this time?"

"Well…I kinda told her…you love her." Adam said bluntly.

Anger flooded through me, "How could you tell her that? When I told you I loved her, it was never supposed to leave your mouth!"

Adam shrunk with fear, "I know, I know. It just sorta slipped out."

I was about to yell at Adam some more when I saw Clare walking towards me down the hall. My anger vanished and was replaced with nervousness. Adam saw Clare coming towards us. "Good luck," he said and walked away, giving me and Clare some privacy.

"Hey Eli," Clare said looking down.

"Hi," I said.

"The thing is—," she started, but I interrupted,

"Clare, you don't have to say anything. You choose KC, I get it. Now I'll just save you the trouble and leave." As I started to walk away, she grabbed my face and kissed me.

"I choose you," she whispered in my ear.

Joy and disbelief instantly filled me, "w-what?"

"I told you, I cho—,"

I then kissed her, my hand resting on her cheek. She wrapped her arms around my neck and we stood in the hallway; our embrace seeming to last forever.

Clare broke away, looking down, "I…I love you, Eli." she said.

I paused. Was I ready to ever love someone again after Julia? I looked down at Clare, who was looking up at me with those beautiful, blue eyes. I was ready. "I love you too, Clare." A tear rolled down my cheek as I remembered Julia. Our lips met once more.

I slowly pulled my lips away and rested my forehead on Clare's. I smiled; this was the best day of my life.

(KC's POV)

I heard it going around school, yet I didn't want to admit what it meant. Clare and Eli had been spotted making out in the hallway, which I could assume meant she had chosen him over me.

I decided to skip my last three classes and head home. It took almost all my will power not to rear end half the cars I angrily passed on my way there.

The slamming of the front door announced my arrival. Fortunately my mom wasn't home so I could be as pissed as I wanted with out her questioning me.

I collapsed on the couch and stared at the black screen of the TV. I scanned the room, and my eyes fell upon one of our mismatched dining room chairs. This particular one was the one I brought from the group home. I remember Clare sitting in that exact chair as we shared a kiss during one of our many study dates.

That made me snap.

I launched myself off the couch, grabbed the chair and hurled it across the room. As I watched it splinter into pieces, I realized it felt good; really good.

I grabbed a lamp and threw it on the ground. I smiled as I watched it break into a million pieces at my feet.

Then I thought of Eli. His face swam through my mind. I roared and front kicked the TV, sending it crashing to the floor and causing a giant crack to appear across the screen.

No matter how much I ripped up the couch cushions, no matter how hard I smashed my foot through the glass coffee table, no matter how loud I screamed out in anger, no matter what I broke, my rage wouldn't leave me.

Right as I was about to smash a vase filled with lilacs, my mother walked through the door. She stood at the doorway and dropped the groceries. Her face was frozen with – what was it – anger, disbelief, worry?

"KC, what have you done?" she asked. Her voice was distant.

I set the vase back on the end table and said nothing. I stared at my mother, all my anger showing in my eyes.

Then I realized I shouldn't take my anger out on my mom's furniture. I pushed past her and out the door. I rode my bike all the way back to school; I would be there just in time for the last bell. Enough time to find Clare…or Eli.