Chapter Twelve

A/N: I am soo sorry for the insanely long wait. School has been hectic with final exams literally two weeks away, and I can't promise I'll update regularly until school is dunzo. Thank you for all those still reading and reviewing. I suck, but if you guys are still here, here is chapter twelve.

For a full week, Eli did the same routine every day. He woke up, went to school, did his community service, and he would sit on Clare's front steps waiting for her to open her door. Some days, he could hear the curtains rustle behind him and smirked inwardly knowing that Clare was watching him from the inside. But he couldn't help but be sad, knowing that just through the other side of the door, Clare was in there, sick, tired, and alone. Every day Eli left little gifts for her. At first it would be something small like a single flower or a box of her favourite candy, but eventually he left his trademark headphones.

Today, he sat and left a shopping bag with a new sweater for Clare. One that he had actually picked out himself. It was embarrassing for him to say the least, but he did it for Clare. Even though he didn't get passed the door, he reveled in the fact that at least she was accepting his gifts. He wanted her to have something of his just in case. He kicked himself inwardly for even thinking that thought. Clare will be fine. He just knew it. She had to be.

Eli heard the door open, and his heart skipped a beat. It was either Clare, which he hoped, or the reverend telling him to go home. He turned cautiously, and just like every day, he was disappointed in only seeing Reverend Randal at the door.

Eli tried to look past him in order to see into the house. Maybe he could get a glimpse of Clare and see how she was. But Randal shut the door and took a seat next to Eli. "Son, you need to go home."

Eli nodded and motioned for the bag to be taken inside. "I'll be here tomorrow."

"Elijah," Randal sighed, not looking like the intimidating reverend for once, but a burdened father. "Elijah, she doesn't want you to see her like this."

Eli stood up and made eye contact with the elder man. "With all due respect, I'm not going anywhere. Please tell Clare that." He shook the reverend's hand firmly before heading to his car.

For the past few days, Eli could barely get out of bed. The only thing that fueled his energy was the thought that maybe he would see Clare and somehow, everything would be better. But no. Every day he woke up and sat on Clare's porch. This particular day, Eli decided to skip school. Sure, it would ruin his probation, but right now, he didn't give a shit. It's not like Clare was going to be in school anyway so what was the point?

He had to admit, it was nice that he and Adam had reconciled and he had someone to talk to ever since Clare stopped coming to school, but it wasn't the same. Eli drove until he found himself at the abandoned church where he had taken Clare for their date.

He stayed standing, leaning against the spot where they had their picnic and exchanged words of love with each other. He closed his eyes, wishing he could hold Clare in his arms and tell her it'd be okay.

He heard a twig snap and leave rustle, but he kept his eyes closed, convinced it was just the wind. He smiled softly as he felt a light breeze move against his face. He couldn't see it, but he knew it was there. Eli opened his eyes when he heard a soft sigh and felt a presence near him. He gasped when he saw who it was.

"Hi," Clare whispered softly, standing directly in front of Eli, almost touching him. Eli still couldn't comprehend that Clare was in front of him. He hadn't seen her in so long that he was sure she was just a figure of his imagination, but she continued to speak, "Eli, I'm, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner."

Eli watched as Clare hugged herself taking a step away from him. She was pale and looked tired. Some patches of her skin were a soft yellow in colour and it was clear she was losing weight, but Eli still thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world. God, how could he be so stupid? He took her out every day and stayed out late. He shook hard as he spoke. "I should have kept you inside. We shouldn't have gone to all those places. You should have been-"

She took a step forward and touched his arm to calm him. "Eli, if anything, you kept me healthy longer."

Eli was quiet for a minute. He dared not move or blink just in case she disappeared, but he dared not touch her just in case she broke from his grip. He looked down at his skull rings and closed his eyes in cruel irony. The kid who was morbid was terrified of his girlfriend dying. "Are you scared?"

Clare put on a small nervous smile. "To death."

"It's not funny, Clare."

She stepped to Eli and put her hands around the back of his neck. Eli suddenly pulled her into a tight hug as both of their tears shed. Clare clutched Eli like her life depended on it. Her tears streamed down her cheeks and fell onto Eli's shoulder. She took a few shaky breaths to steady her breathing. "I-I'm scared."

Eli pressed their foreheads together, refusing to let go of Clare. His previous fear evaporated knowing that his arms would keep her safe. "Don't leave me," he whispered in a small voice.

"I won't," she promised.

Clare giggled as Eli spun her and brought her back into a dance formation. She had gotten her colour back in her face, and she looked healthier than ever. Clare had told Eli it was all thanks to prayer, and Eli couldn't help but have a little faith in the Big Man. He had Clare is his arms, dancing in fact, on her balcony past her curfew. There sure as hell is some greater power at play here.

Clare sighed and rested her head against Eli's chest following his movements. "Where did you learn how to dance, Elijah?"

"I'm a man of many talents. And I'm hurt that you doubt me." Eli smirked as he swayed them. He was sure to concentrate on the timing like Cece had taught him a few days prior. They had spent many hours practising Eli's technique, but Cece didn't have the heart to tell her baby boy that it was only the basic box step.

"What happened to 'I can't dance'," Clare giggled swatting him playfully.

"What happened to 'everyone can dance'?"

Clare looked up and smiled at Eli who met her with a passionate chaste kiss. They pulled apart when they heard a harsh "ahem" coming from Clare's room. "Say goodnight to Mr. Goldsworthy and come inside, Clare."

Eli pulled Clare into a tight hug and pecked her briefly. "Good night."

"Night," she whispered as she stepped back into her room. "I love you."

Eli flashed her a real smile. He loved that she loved him. And he most certainly loved loving her. "I love you too Edwards."

He was almost going to climb down the tree next to her balcony when he realized the reverend was watching him. If he knew how easy Eli could get into Clare's room, that tree would be chopped down before either of them realized it.

Clare and Randal watched as Eli exited through the front door and walked slowly across their lawn to his hearse. "Clare, I will never know what you see in that boy."

Clare continued watching out the window and smiled softly. Eli was hers. Eli Goldsworthy wanted her. She couldn't imagine living every day if he wasn't in it. She could hear her father rant about Eli, but she didn't care. She knew what he was like. Just thinking about him made her feel lightheaded. She squinted as she felt a head rush even though she was already standing.

"Clare? Sweetie, are you okay?" Randal asked taking her arm.

"Yeah I'm . . ." she collapsed to the ground hearing her father call out her name frantically. The world was spinning and becoming fuzzy. The last thing she heard was her father bellowing Eli's name out the window and smiled inwardly. It'll be okay. Eli's coming. It'll all be okay . . .