Chapter Nine

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I was going through some things, and it just could not be done. Also, sorry for the crap chapter. I know it's not my best. To make it up to you guys, I'll hope to update again later on tonight or tomorrow. I'm also planning to do an M two or three shot, so keep a look out for that.

Eli and Clare exited the Chuck Palahniuk reading, smiling and laughing. He had to admit, this was a side of Clare he didn't know existed. And he loved it. Loved it? Yeah, he was feeling something worthwhile. He couldn't get enough of it.

"God, I love Palahniuk's prose, his characters are so raw and forceful and dark." Eli grinned walking backwards facing Clare. She continued, "Not as dark as his characters, geez they're sociopathic."

Eli grinned pulling her close pulling her close to him. He smiled a smile just for her when he saw her blush. It wasn't the first time that night where he completely lost himself in her eyes. She looked away for a second before she looked back into his eyes smirking. "So what else is in store for tonight?"

Eli wrapped his arm around Clare protectively. She snuggled closer to him when he said, "I'm full of surprises, Edwards."

She giggled when he stopped outside The Dot. "Back here, Elijah?"

"Doesn't matter where you are. As long as you're in good company," he motioned to himself.

They talked softly for a while until Clare tugged on Eli's hand humming softly to the music playing at Above the Dot. "I owe you a dance."

For once, it was Eli who blushed. "I was kind of joking about that one." He continued when he saw the look of rejection on her face. "Not that I don't want to dance with you, I do, I just, uh, don't. Dance. Like I can't"

She giggled and kept tugging, "Everyone can dance."

"I'm a nobody," he said as she finally got him up. She rolled her eyes and said, "Elijah Goldsworthy a nobody? Doubt it."

She put a hand in his palm and placed his hand on her waist before finally resting her free hand on his shoulder. He looked down the whole time, and when she tried to get him to look up, he stepped on her foot.

"Told you I was bad."

"In all fairness, you did warn me."

Instead of pulling away, she removed her hand from his palm and held the back of his neck gently as both of his hands went to her waist. They swayed softly immersed in their own little world. "What else is on your list?"

"Get a piercing, write a best seller," she smiled softly. "Witness a miracle."

"What's number one?"

She smiled playfully but shook her head. He smirked amused but continued, "My number one is getting out of this town."

"I don't think getting out is the problem. It's more like figuring out what you're going to do when you get somewhere."

He looked perplexed by her response. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you can do anything."

Eli stared into her completely serious eyes, and he inhaled sharply. He heard time and time again how much of a screw up he was. Not once did he ever hear something like. He smiled and pulled Clare closer to him.

"Told you it wouldn't hurt," Eli and Clare sat outside the bench outside a tattoo and piercing parlor. She gingerly touched the ring in her cartilage. "My father would kill me."

He faced her and stroked the back of her neck. "It's just a clip on. I'm the one who went through any real pain here."

She giggled at his exaggerated tone and playfully swatted at him, accidentally brushing his red and tender ear. "Ow!"

"Oh!" She cautiously took his face in her hands to get a better look at his ear. "Man up, Goldsworthy."

He faked hurt. He poked her sides teasing, "I could say the same about you, Edwards. Thought you were a risk taker."

She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. She suddenly stood tugging him up. "Come on."

Before he could say anything, she was dragging him back into the tattoo parlor.

"You lied, it does hurt," Clare pouted as she gingerly touched her newly pierced ear. "But thank you. That's one more off the list."

Eli looked uneasy at her. He wasn't sure if piercing her ear on their first date was the smartest thing to do, but she reassured him that it was her choice. She also gave him a kiss on the cheek to distract him. Even though, he still was on thin ice with Reverend Randal. "Your dad's gonna kill me."

Clare grinned. "Yes."

Eli shook his head as the girl just giggled stepping out onto a path.

"Are you cold?" Eli asked as they walked hand in hand by the lake.

She didn't answer but just remained quiet as if in complete bliss. She released his hand walking a few paces ahead of him and looked out into the water. The wind whispered softly through her curls and danced around the hem of her dress. She closed her eyes inhaling deeply and said, "How can you be in a place like this, in this moment, and still not believe?"

He knew what she was referring to and sighed. He ruffled a hand through his dark hair and answered, "You're lucky to be so sure."

"It's like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it." She embraced herself in serenity.

"What do you feel?"

"Everything. Wonder, beauty, joy and love."

Although Eli didn't believe in God, he looked at Clare and knew that something out there created something amazing and wonderful when they created Clare. He quietly stepped behind her and ran his hands up her arms slowly turning her.

Her eyes stared up at him in curiosity and amazement. Out of every guy in the school, it was Eli who made her feel hot and cold at the same time. Safe yet rebellious. She looked scared and fragile in Eli's hands. He leaned his head in whispering, "I might kiss you."

"I might be bad at it," she shakily replied.

"Oh well, I don't know . . ." Before he could finish the sentence, Eli pressed his lips firmly against hers. She gasped at the suddenness of it but reveled in the rightness. She let out a whimper and let her hand fall on his shoulder. Although brief, the kiss left them both breathless. Clare could barely form complete sentences. Eli looked deeply at the beautiful girl in front of him and felt complete. He felt as if no one else mattered. No one except Clare.

In a surge of emotion, he blurted out what he felt. "I love you, Clare."

Her eyes widened and her breath hitched. Her mouth was partially opened, and she felt as if her heart slowed down significantly. A minute passed, but for Eli it felt like hours. His face reddened and he croaked out, "It would be a good time if you said something."

"I told you not to fall in love with me," she whispered.

It wasn't quite the response Eli was hoping for, but it wasn't necessarily a rejection either. He felt elated when Clare leaned her head forward meeting Eli halfway.

Both of them were elated in the feeling of sharing their real second kiss.