XFurubaX: Ok guys…It all comes down here. Will Eli finally settle things with Clare? Will Clare have complications while performing? Will her family be retied? Will Jake go too far and break Eli? Think you can handle it? Brace yourselves.
"1...2...3...4...5"
Eli always counted to calm himself down. The weirdest thing happened to him that morning.
He was stressing himself about Clare again that morning. He kept trying to force himself to get his butt to the production studio and sign up for tech even though it was a day before show. Then while he was thinking about Clare, Jake came to his mind. What if he showed up and he tried something on Clare? Out of no where these awful, exaggerating thoughts collaborated in his head of what if he already tried something and Clare was with him? Or what if Clare was the one trying something on him? Or What if he's not who he thought he was and raped Clare? Then Fitz came to his head on top of those thoughts. Suddenly, he wasn't in his room, he was in the hallways of Degrassi, lights dimmed Fitz coming toward him with the knife.
He suddenly couldn't breathe. He felt himself light-headed and slowly suffocating as he was sure he was collapsed on the floor when in reality, he was sitting at his desk, leaning over the table sweaty and panting relentlessly. When he finally snapped back into reality, he was calming himself down. Counting to himself in his head.
It was an anxiety attack he realized. He hadn't had one since he was about 12. He forgot how terrifying they were. He was now telling himself Clare was fine, Jake was too 'fragile' to try anything and Clare still loved him. And he loved her. His heart beat slowed as the adrenaline in his hands decreased. He started to remember what hell those attacks put him through.
Therapy, pills, drowsiness because of the pills. His parents always over his shoulder, making sure he wouldn't suffer another attack, always worried about him. It seemed there was always something about him that his parents had to worry about. Other than anxiety disorder, he had anti-sociality for a while, he stopped talking for months for what reason he'd never remember as a child. When he was 10 he never came out of his room, not even when his parents begged him to. He didn't know what was wrong with him, and at times he desperately wanted to know, if he had some personality disorder or if it was just the way he was raised. If that was the case it'd be impossible for him to turn out that way with the fun-loving parents he had.
Then of course there were times where he wanted to leave it alone and deal with it. Knowing if that's how it is, then that's how it is. He remembered some time after high school started, sometime after Danny was arrested in fact, he went through this strange depression where for some reason, he couldn't fight. He'd smile and laugh in front of his parents, then lay on his bed whenever he was alone. He finally figured it out that it was because he was afraid of ending up like Josh or Danny. He was able to get his dad to sit down and talk to him about it and his father told him that unlike his brother, he raised Eli with sense.
So how come Eli currently didn't have the sense to talk to Clare every chance he got? He didn't know. He'd never know, but he was finally calmed down now, watching the snow helped a little, he wished things would go back to normal. If he had a time machine he'd definitely change many things. Currently it was meeting Fitz in the first place.
xXx
It was the day before show, Clare was in her room practicing her Sugar Plum Fairy dance. Not much space to run around but it was the most she could do. She'd be at the studio by 6, show didn't start till 8. Her parents would be in the center row. Hopefully no one tall would be in front of them. It was 1 in the afternoon, she had been practicing for over an hour. Clare drank 6 cups of water so far that day, there was no chance she'd almost pass out on stage again. She ate a banana also that day, it didn't effect her much, she weighed 90.4 pounds. Her stomach hadn't felt cramped up since she did. She was thinking of having a small lunch but was too focused in her dance. Right at the end of the song there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" she yelled, squeezing her foot, already cramped by the wooden block. Running down the stairs, she glanced at the peep hole. It was Alli. She unlocked it, opening it up.
"Hey lady!" she hugged Clare.
She smiled, "Hey."
Alli pulled back with a shocked expression, "Oh my god…" she scanned Clare up and down.
"…yeah." Clare did not feel flattered at the moment. However she's known Alli long enough to know she isn't the complementary type.
"Well…don't you look…like a twig."
Clare rolled her eyes, "But I did it didn't I?"
Alli shook her head "Yeah ok. Anyways," she pulled something out of her pocket, "Look what I got!" it was a ticket to the ballet.
"You bought it?"
Alli nodded with a giddy expression.
"But they cost 100 dollars a piece!"
"Yes, but my mom talked to yours and I'm going to the show with them!"
Clare smiled then Alli raised a hand,
"But, unfortunately, Jake's dad wouldn't let him go. He even insisted paying for it himself but nope. His dad's an ass, I swear," Clare was trying to say something, "How does someone like him live with such a-"
"Alli!" she finally got her to shut up. "That's too bad and all, and I'm happy your coming I really am but, I need to practice."
Alli winced in confusion, "Don't you practice before show?"
Clare sighed, "No, we get our costumes on and make up, tech has to work on lights the microphones for the orchestra and tune the instruments, all that crap."
Alli stood there, looking at the floor like she was deep in thought, then brought her head back up, "Ok. I was just letting you know. I would've called but I was way too excited." She whirled around to the door, "I'll see you tomorrow." and she was gone. Clare smiled, then dropping it, running back upstairs, however half way she stopped, peeking into the office, her dad had an old video camera in his hand and was looking through it,
"Ok, do you think I could use this one Helen?"
Her mom looked, "Oh my god that's ancient." her father slowly rotated it around the room, "Yeah, but it works. It's got a great focus."
"Does it zoom?"
"Yup, I see a close up of the painting, I see the day planner," he turned to the door, not expecting Clare, he smiled, "And I see a beautiful girl!" Clare snickered. He put the camera down, "What are you doing?"
She walked in, "Breaking from practicing my dance." she childishly wrapped her arms around her mother's neck from the back, rarely getting to love with her anymore. Helen lovingly held her hand, a little suspicious.
"What's gotten into you?"
"I'm in a good mood I guess."
Her mother looked at her, "I'll take free hugs any time." she kissed her cheek.
"Ok, we are using this one to film our daughter in action, not because it works well, because it's the only camera we've got!" he reminded Helen.
Clare drooped her head on her mother's shoulder lovingly. She heard her mother laugh. She couldn't believe it. She had a family again. And it was thanks to her…well, also thanks to Jake. She never would've thought of it if it wasn't for him. She had an idea. She let go of her mother, saying she was going to go practice some more, picking up her phone as she got upstairs.
She scrolled through her contacts, she slowed down the speed trying to find his name, then she saw "Eli". She stopped. She looked at the contact, holding her thumb right above it. She pressed it.
Sliding her thumb upward, moving it out of sight. Still looking for Jake's name. She found it. She hesitated for a second, then pressed it. She closed the door and put it to her ear, looking at the snow fall outside her window. It rang about three times. She wondered if he would answer until the fourth ring was cut short.
When it answered, she could hear a loud collaboration of noises in the background.
"Hello?"
"Jake?" God it was weird. This was the first time she'd called him.
"Clare?"
"Hey." she said, trying to add a smile to her tone.
"Hey." he seemed thrilled to hear from her.
She plugged her other ear up trying to hear him clearly, "Can you talk?"
"What?"
She raised her voice a little, "Can you talk?"
"Oh yes! Just, let me get somewhere quieter." there was a short pause and the sounds in the background were suddenly gone. "Sorry, my dad always watches the races."
"It's fine," she sat down on the chair, "There's actually something I wanted to say-"
"Before you do, I'm sorry I can't come to your show. My dad he's…lets just go with ass hole."
"Oh no! It's ok," she began picking at her nails, a habit she had sometimes, "I wanted to say something else."
"What is it?"
She took a second, "Thank you."
There was a moment of silence, Jake was confused on the other end.
"Thank you?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"For…the idea of, seeing what my parents had in common. If it wasn't for you…I never would've had a family again. Just, thank you ok? Thank you so much." she explained as sincere as possible.
There was another moment of silence. Jake was smiling on the other end, happy he finally did something, as his dad would never say, 'useful'. "Your Welcome. Clare, I'm coming to your show."
Clare stood up, "But your dad sa-"
"Screw what my dad said!" she's never heard him talk like that, "I'm 16 years old I think I can decide if I can go to a 2 and a half hour play or not."
She started twirling her hair, "The tickets cost 100 dollars!"
"I don't work a part time job for nothing Clare."
She was hesitant, the last thing she wanted was for this guy to get in trouble with his dad, "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. I'll see you tomorrow."
"…ok bye."
"Bye."
They hung up. Clare did not know what he and his dad were going to do in the next 30 seconds. She turned on her music player however, and began practicing one last time. But she stopped in the middle of it. She paused her music player and plopped on her bed. For some reason she was thinking of Jake. How kind he's been to her from the start, how he's only been trying to help from the start. If only there was a way she could help him, with his dad being tough on him, yet still turning out as this, sweet individual, she'd buy him something. Maybe…a gift card…she couldn't afford a ticket to the show for him, she didn't know, an iTunes gift card? Everyone likes music. She'd buy it for him on the way to show the next day.
Her phone suddenly vibrated, she expected Jake but it was a text message from Alli, it read,
"Want to go out for lunch later?"
"Sure, I'll get ready."
"K! Meet me at the dot at about 2-ish!"
Very descriptive Alli…
She didn't feel like staying home all day with nothing to do anyway. She left her leotard on however and threw on a shirt and jacket on over it. She unlaced her ballet shoes and pulled off her stockings grabbing some jeans and socks.
"Mom!" she called slamming her sock drawer closed, "Alli invited me to lunch!"
"Ok! What time?"
Oh how she loved it when Alli described times, "About, 2 she said!"
"Ok!"
She couldn't feel any more secure with hiding her bony figure underneath her baggy, oversized jacket. Her jeans helped a bit, however she now had to put on a belt to keep them from slipping. She pulled the tie out of her hair, running her fingers through it trotting down stairs. She realized the time was 1:52 and Alli was probably standing outside already. She rushed on a pair of boots, "Bye mom!"
Inside the dot, all Clare ordered was an iced water (in which the waiter gave her a strange look, as how could any insane person want iced water in snow?) and a salad. Alli ordered a grilled cheese.
"So you nervous or excited?"
"A little both I guess." she shoved more lettuce into her mouth.
"Don't be, once you get on stage and get into character its so much fun…" she realized Clare was zoning out.
"Hey!" she waved a hand in front of her.
She shook her head, "Sorry."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important."
Alli raised an eyebrow, "Are you scared it won't work?"
Clare snorted, "Trust me, it's working." she sipped her water, although her body was craving hot chocolate.
"Then what is it? I've seen that look before. Your sad about something." She bit out of her sandwich.
"Just…Jake if you must now."
Alli smirked, "Ooh…" Clare threw a hand at her,
"No no! I mean. Him and his dad, I feel sorry for him. And he's so sweet."
"I know. He says we're lucky we haven't met him in person." she commented adding her usual sarcastic tone.
"He told me he's going to try and buy the ticket on his own but I'm afraid of what his father might do to him." she was getting into her dramatic princess moment.
Alli sat up, "You mean hit him?"
"Yes! You heard what his father said to him just for asking to go to a show."
Alli leaned forward, "Clare, it's not that bad. If he knows something will go wrong, he'll avoid it."
Clare pushed her hair behind her ear, sipping her water again, "Ok…just, all the drama lately finally hit me I guess."
Alli laughed, "I was wondering when it would."
Clare smiled, then she looked out the window at all the snow, "This day has been dragging on forever is all."
"All days before show drag on forever. Trust me." she took another bite.
Clare rested her cheek on her hand, "Why do I feel so bummed?"
Alli shrugged, "Why would you? It's your first ballet show, you should be excited."
Clare sat up, she was thinking again. She was staring at the table when Alli noticed her, "What?"
Clare snapped out of it, "I was…thinking about something else."
Alli raised her eyebrows, "Clare, you'll do great!"
Clare nodded, "I know.." she said quietly, "I know." she wiped underneath her eye, but calmed herself down before causing a scene in the middle of the restaurant. The two ate the rest of their meals.
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
It was now night and Eli hadn't moved from his spot. He was still at his desk with his head down, shaking cold. He listened to his parents leave for work, come home from work then have small chats downstairs about their day. Eli actually did nothing all day.
Literally, nothing, he didn't read, he didn't go to sleep, play music or watch television, nothing. He remembered always being exhausted after having such attacks as he finally had enough strength to lift his head up. He kept looking at his hand to see if it was still shaking but it had stopped, albeit a few twitches every few seconds. He wiped his hair out of his face, it was pitch black out with the exception of the neighbor's house lights and the street lights. He couldn't see snow falling but there were even more piles outside than from the day before.
He watched a few cars drive by every 15 minutes listening to the TV that was on downstairs. However, a mini-van pulled up into their driveway. The mini-van looked vaguely familiar but he didn't think hard enough to remember who's it was. He saw two shadowy figures step out. He couldn't see their faces but he saw them walking up to his door. Then of course he heard a knock on the door. He still didn't have the strength to get up but he listened as the door opened and heard an almost hysterical greeting from his mother. He was sure it was the good kind of hysterical. He struggled as he pushed down against his desk as he lifted himself. He stumbled once toward his door but was able to make it down the hallway fine. He looked down the stairway and saw his grandfather in a tight embrace with his mother. He was happy to see that he was doing ok since….wait, he saw someone holding his father.
It was his grandmother.
Eli still watched from the top of the stairs. A little freaked out as his heart pounded a few times upon seeing her. She then embraced his mother once his grandfather was done. It came to him…maybe his grandfather on his dad's side died…she was the only member left in his father's immediate family…up until now. That would've explained the awkward visit from his uncle.
He heard his mother, "I'm so happy you could come!"
Eli wanted to hug her himself, as he could've used one anyway but didn't. He watched them have a mini-reunion for about five more minutes and walked back into his room. He stopped however, walking into the upstairs office, he looked up the address of The Star Kirov and had a plan…even though he'd get into deep shit if he got caught.
~X~
At last it was next day, the day of show.
It took Clare hours to get out of bed however, last minute stage fright as her mother called it. She remembered her mother yelling how proud she was all the way across the parking lot when Clare was walking in with her bag full of her ballet gear. If she was that proud of the fact she was in it, then wait until her parents saw her perform. All of the other performers including the kind old woman greeted her once she walked into the usual rehearsal room where she began stretching. It was 6:30, and show didn't start until 8 sharp. After a good half hour of stretches, Mrs. Alvaraz walked in, wearing even what Clare admired, the most gorgeous black dress she'd ever seen.
"Everyone!" her voice echoed, "Tonight, is opening night. The most important night next to closing night! I know, you will all put your up most effort, all your courage, and all your strength into this production." She looked at Clare more specifically, "As you all have, during rehearsals." she smiled at Clare, "Thank you. Now get in costume and make up!" She exited.
Clare smiled, tying her hair back into the shortest bun possible. She walked into her dressing room where both her costumes hung. She slowly slipped into her Sugar Plum Fairy dress, knowing she wouldn't have to be out on stage for another 20 minutes. She put on the eye shadow and lipstick, before sprinkling the glitter all over her face and hair. She didn't leave the mirror until she was sure she was perfect and walked back stage, standing in the wing where she'd exit. She was right in the interlude of the March. Clara has just met the Nutcracker who is now a prince, and is taking her to a far away land. She had to stand through two more songs not including that one. She kept silent and in perfect posture until she felt a finger tap her shoulder. She turned around.
"Clare?"
She was shocked, "Jake?" she whispered as loudly as she was aloud to.
He smiled brightly, "Hey."
She was both delighted but surprised to see him, "How are you here?" he held a finger in front of his lips telling her to shush,
"I snuck in back stage, told my dad I had to work Anderson's night shift 'cause he missed."
Clare smiled, she looked back out, the March was over and it was time for the snowflakes to come in.
"So what are you now?"
"Sugar Plum Fairy."
Jake nodded, "Got it!" he whispered, trying to show he was excited for her. Clare couldn't move any farther from the tape line behind the curtain showed, she wanted to see the audience, or at least find her parents and Alli.
Happily, and unfortunately for Clare, one of two songs ended too quickly, anxiety built up in her chest as the second song began. It was her elementary school pageant all over again. She loosened her shoulders, breathing out. She heard Jake from behind her,
"You ok?"
"Now I am."
Eli was just sneaking in back stage, no one was there but he could see lights from behind the walls, he also heard the music…he snuck into the left wings making sure no one noticed him. He couldn't find Clare until he saw her on the other side of the stage. She was barely recognizable as she looked like a twig compared to when Eli last saw her. But it was here…the same pretty eyes. He didn't bother trying to get her attention as he'd surprise her later. The song ended, the prince took Clara to mid-stage right as Clare was supposed to enter about then. Clare breathed out one last time. Stepping out onto stage.
She smiled kindly at Clara and the prince as the song began. She walked out to front stage and began her dance. She didn't look for Alli or her parents as she was scared by the audience. She stared at the spot light directly ahead of her even though it was blinding her. Until she did her first twirl of course.
Her parents and Alli were in the fifth row, her father video taping her and her mother and Alli with bright smiles on her faces as Alli leaned forward in her seat over the head rest of the other despite the man sitting there.
Eli and Jake both watched in awe. Jake couldn't stop looking at her as she was so graceful…so confident. Eli then noticed Jake on the other side of stage as he was watching Clare. He kept moving his eyes back and forth between the two. Before anyone of them knew it, the song ended, and the audience clapped and cheered, her mother clapping the hardest. Clare smiled as she gracefully trotted off the stage back to where she and Jake had been standing. The girls who were playing as rat minions patted her shoulder as she walked farther into the wing,
"That was great!" a girl whispered before they ran out on stage. She smiled, exhaling.
"That was amazing." Jake smiled.
Clare smiled, her hand on her heart, "Thanks. I have to change into my other costume." She walked past him back to the dressing rooms,
"Do you need me to go with you?" he said…truthfully wanting an excuse to be with her.
"No, its ok."
Eli saw her walking backstage. He followed her, but stopped as he saw her opening the door to the dressing rooms.
"Clare!"
The door had already shut. Clare stopped. She thought she head something. She'd see later and rushed to her dressing room. Touching up her make-up and slipping on her Danish Shepherdess costume. Victor was to have a fake wooden flute in his hand for some of the dance. She began looking for hers unable to find it, she sighed aggravated and ran back to her position in stage. Eli was standing by the door that led to the dressing rooms she opened it, Clare rushed past him,
"Clare…"
She looked back at him for a second and ran to her stage position. He stood there as the heavy door next to him slammed closed, although no one would hear it. He saw what role she was then, Dance of the Reeds he remembered…didn't she need a flute? He then saw one, sitting on a box of other props in the corner of a wing. He picked it up, back on the opposite set of wings of Clare and Jake.
Russian Dance was just beginning. The song right before Clare and Victors, three girls danced merrily and rapidly along with the song, using an over the roof amount of energy. He was about to walk over and hand her the flute when she noticed, Victor was next to her, and he brought her one. Clare was getting last minute fright again. Jake rubbed her shoulders,
"Don't be nervous."
Clare nodded, "Ok."
"Your gonna do great."
"Thank you."
All Eli saw was Jake rubbing her shoulders…not sure if it was flirtatious or out of preparation. However it was…he found himself on the verge of breaking the flute in half…with one fist. He stopped tightening his fist when Clare looked at him for a second as she went to retie her ballet laces. He smiled warmly to let her know he was there for her. She simply pursed her lips at him and went to retie.
The song ended, the audience clapped. The girls bowed to the prince and Clara and skipped off stage. Clare stepped forward with Victor behind her, her serious expression snapped to cheerful and gleeful as she stepped out. They were in position. The song began. Alli leaned even more forward (if that was possible) her father zoomed in the camera and her mother smiled, taking pictures with her phone.
Eli watched, impressed by her dancing as Jake continued to admire. Clare however wasn't so sure. She prayed she wouldn't get dizzy like last time. She felt fine however. Confident, comfortable…the hot feeling in her chest began to fade as she became lost in her part. It was time for the 20 second on her toes scene where a 'rat' appeared. As Clare backed all around the stage high on her toes, Eli and Jake looked at each other for the fist time. Eli gave him his typical 'death stare' as Jake's smile faded into a rather 'competitive' face. He ignored it and looked back at Clare, as it was the last verse.
The song was over. The audience clapped and whistled. Victor and Clare trotted off the stage. Victor smiled at her, rubbing her shoulder in pleasure and walked to the other set of wings for the final song which would be coming soon. Clare smiled, a little too much for her own liking. She did it. She thought. Her mother and Alli were clapping as her father whistled, unable to clap with the camera in one hand.
Jake put a hand on her shoulder, "You were incredible." Clare looked at him, "Thanks…" she sighed, looking up at him as usual, "For everything." Jake lowered his head, in both embarrassment and modesty.
"It was no problem…anything for a friend I guess."
Clare smiled, waiting for the finale to come although it wasn't for another four songs.
After the long while, it was finally the finale, the defeat of the rat king, Clara and the prince began the song, then the Chinese jumped right into the song, then the Arabs, Clare and Victor jumped in afterward, Clare had never twirled so much in her life. Nor had she smiled. She felt herself actually enjoying herself. The song was high in spirit, full in energy, filled with happiness and at the same time, had that 'the end' feeling to it. The song ended, everyone in their traditional positions. The audience clapped, cheered, whistled, many people stood up. Clare's eyes looked around in the audience, she finally found her parents and Alli, who were among the standing people. She smiled at them, nodding her head letting her know she saw them.
Her father finally shut off the camera as it was low on battery. Him and Helen looked at each other…for once smiling. Helen leaned in and the two kissed. Clare's stomach flipped…she watched them. When her mother finally pulled away, they smiled and went back to clapping. Alli smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up. Clare was so happy she could cry. The entire cast forgot about bows. They stood there bowing without the song. As did Clare. She sucked up her crazy happy sob and walked back to where Jake was. Eli looked over the cast to see her.
She wiped a forming tear.
Jake smiled…although he was concerned, "Are you ok?" he talked at a normal pitch as no one would hear him over the cheers and claps.
"They love each other."
"What?"
"My mom and dad are going to stay together."
Jake smiled, "It's all because of you-"
"No-" she raised a hand stopping him. He was confused, before he could question her, she spoke, "It was because of you…thank you."
He smiled, "Clare I-" she stopped him, she stood on her toes and kissed him. Eli could finally see…unhappy by what he saw. It was a deep, passionate kiss. She pulled back, Jake both delighted and shocked.
A wide smiled on their faces, "Your welcome." Clare got back down on her feet still smiling. The rest of the cast began to head to their dressing rooms, crowding in the wings. Eli's fist was tightening, forgetting he head the flute in his hand, he was sure he heard the wood crack. He didn't know who to blame, Jake or Clare?
It was Clare's doing…she was the one to kiss. He couldn't believe it…he was loosing his mind although he was just standing there. He watched them stand there for another second, then Clare walk back to her dressing room. He saw Jake still standing there. Smiling, rubbing the back of his head.
Eli was finally going to settle this, dropping the flute and following her to her dressing room. The door wasn't locked and Clare was dressed, fortunately otherwise they would've had an awkward settling. She was washing her make up off with a wet towel.
He had calmed down by the time he found her room, and let a breath go, "Clare."
She looked at his reflection through the mirror,
"I know after all the Fitz issues you were mad at me. And again, I'm sorry…" he took a second…trying not to yell, "But that doesn't mean you can just-leave without talking to me first! You kissed that…whatever his name is and I saw it! I can't believe out of all people you-"
He stopped, Jake was behind him, "Clare! Alli found me, your parents are looking for you!" He was even angrier than he started, Clare stood up, finally rid of the makeup,
"Tell them I'm coming."
Jake walked back to the stage, Eli looked back at her, "Look, can we please finish talk-" however Clare walked off.
Clare walked…right through him.
Literally, she didn't push past him or anything, not even take notice. Through him like he wasn't even there. Eli was horrifyingly confused, he turned around and watched her walk off as if nothing happened. He stood there, confused so much his head was starting to hurt. He backed up into the room. He noticed something on the counter…her wooden flute.
However, he recognized it as the two flutes were different colors (one white the other turquoise) that was the exact same turquoise flute he was going to give Clare…so that wasn't an extra he had? Or thought he had?
He backed up from the counter, head in his hands…he was breathing in and out, announcing the world he was confused, he was knocked back into being unable to talk. He was unable to breath…not another one. He stood there for a second…he stopped…he had to…he had to…
He felt around his stomach.
And he felt the edge of something…something smooth, he felt as if he was reaching into a hole to grab it. He felt tears in his eyes as he grabbed it…pulling it slowly. It was out…he recognized it. It was Fitz's knife. Leaving a bloody hole barely visible in his stomach. He exclaimed frightened, dropping the blade onto the floor…covered in his blood. He backed up against the wall. Heavily in tears. He looked at the mirror…no reflection. None. He sat in the chair, reality finally hit him. He was finally crying. Burying his face into his hands. It was slowly coming back to him,
"Ok, look Fitz-I'm sorry! For Every-"
"Quiet!…"
He finally had him cornered at a locker. "Someone's gotta make you shut up."
He lunged the knife at him. Eli jerked back, and Clare screamed and…nothing…
Eli felt like he had been punched in the stomach…and suddenly, his body twitched as he gagged…He saw Fitz with a smirk backing away. Clare ran up to him, shoving him violently,
"WHY?" She screamed with no mercy. She attacked him.
He sunk to the floor, the blood in his mouth tasted like bile. He was breathing in hopeless pain. He could feel the handle of the knife. He tried to pull it but had no energy. He heard the loud clacking of heels and suddenly he was in someone's arms. He could see Clare,
"Eli?"
He coughed up some more blood, but not a vomit amount. He couldn't talk at the moment,
She breathed in, nearly in tears, "Eli?" she said with an unbelievable high pitch.
"I'm fine." he forced out, his body aching with each word. "I'm ok…just don't touch it."
She held Eli closely, "I didn't mean what I said-"
"No! I deserved it…" He dropped his head backwards, eyes completely focusing on the ceiling,
"Eli?" she held him tighter, he pulled his head back up,
"Clare…he was able to lift a hand to tilt her eyes into his, "Remember the good times…only the good. Ok?"
She nodded, tears creeping out, "Ok." she mumbled barely able to hear herself,
"And please…when the time is right…move on…I want you happy."
She scrunched up, "What?"
"Find someone, who makes you happy. Please…I want you happy."
She closed her eyes with even more tears seeping out, "Yes…when the time his right." she gently rubbed his head.
He was in too much pain to even cry.
She suddenly breathed in, "But why are you telling me this? Your gonna be ok!" she half yelled with a nearly hysterical tone.
"No…" he held her hand.
"I'm not…thank you Clare…"
"For what?"
"…everything." he slowly leaned his head back in the crook of her arm, she slid a hand over his eyes, holding them closed, her lip quivering.
"It doesn't hurt anymore…"
His hand slowly slid out of hers as he laid silent for about five seconds. She couldn't do it but she forced herself, she slid her hand off of Eli's eyes, closed. More tears kept coming as she held him tightly close,
"Wake up Eli." she went hysterical into his shoulder, burying her face, "Wake up. Eli."
"I want to see your eyes!" she breathed and twitched with all of her tears, "Please show me your eyes!"
"Please!"
XFurubaX: This is not the end. Please leave kind reviews!