"Everything I own looks like something a nun would wear." Clare said, annoyed with the results her closet was producing.
"Well, I've been telling you that for forever" Ali replied
Clare continued picking through her closet, while Ali flipped through a magazine on Clare's bed.
"You know…it really doesn't matter what you wear in all honesty. He is just going to be taking it off you anyways" Ali said slyly
Clare flicked an old t-shirt at Ali's face and laughed.
"Im only speaking the truth…I cannot believe you are no longer going to be a virgin as off tomorrow! I never thought I'd see the day!" Ali said as she playfully flicked the shirt back at Clare.
Ali got up and walked over to the closet in an attempt to help her desperate friend.
"What about this?" she asked, taking out a plaid blouse "Its cute and casual and you can just wear in along with that black skirt!"
"Really?" Clare asked, still feeling bewildered
"Clare, it's not like you are going to a gala or something. Im pretty confident he does not expect you to be dress up. Besides the more casual you are about it the less nervous you'll be…because no offense you're doing a crap job at trying to cover it up"
"Im not that nervous" Clare said, unconvincingly.
Ali smiled at her and handed her the blouse, "Trust me on this. Eli is not going to care what you're wearing; he thinks you're beautiful either way, I can tell by the way he looks at you."
Clare sat down on her bed; folding the shirt in her hands "Im honestly really excited" Clare admitted "I've had sex on my mind 24/7. Every time I see Eli I want to jump his bones…I feel like you!" Ali gave her a look and then smiled "But I am wondering…what's it like?" she asked curiously
Ali sat down beside her "Im not exactly the best person to be asking. If you recall correctly I lost my virginity in the ravine to a guy that could have potentially given me a STD. But I wasn't ready though, I did it because I thought I had to…to keep Johnny you know? But it's not like that with you guys, Eli wouldn't care if you didn't have sex with him. He loves you."
"You're right…" Clare sighed, "I guess what Im really asking is how badly it hurts or how uncomfortable it is."
"It isn't exactly pleasant at first. But once again I didn't find it pleasant either way. I really don't think you should me using my first time as any type of example. Like I said, it's going to be different for you."
Ali's words did reassure Clare a little bit, because she was right. This wasn't just a random night where she felt pressured into having sex, this was what she wanted.
"I do want this in case you're thinking im making a mistake. You know I wouldn't rush into anything I didn't want to do."
Ali nodded "I know you're always the level headed one, which is why I know if you're doing this, you're doing it for you too. Which is why im totally jealous! You need to call me as soon as possible afterwards with every detail…and I mean every detail" Ali winked at her
Clare shoved her and laughed "Yeah sure, no problem…I think what im most freaked out about is taking my clothes off, I mean if you've seen the pictures of his ex you'd understand. Im most definitely not her…"
She stood up and walked over to her mirror, and started fixing her hair. Ali followed.
"Clare, don't be ridiculous. You have an amazing body and you know it. You're just too afraid to admit it!"
"It's just, I've never really been any bit naked in front of him before and it's slightly nerve wracking."
"Yeah, its all good when he is the one getting naked but as soon as it's you, a red flag goes off" Ali laughed "But you really have nothing to worry about!"
Care shook her head, "Okay, I don't want to discuss it anymore, im going to go change!" she said smiling and hurried off into the bathroom.
A few moments later she came out, there was nothing particularly special about her outfit but she was too frustrated to change now. Unfortunately for Clare, she had never been the type to by fancy clothes or fancy undergarments. She had to make due with what she had, which sadly disappointed her. But as Ali had said, it would all be coming off anyways. Clare giggled a little at the thought of this and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"So, if my father calls…"
"I tell him you're either in the bathroom, downstairs in the kitchen or asleep. Don't worry about it, I got you covered!" Ali replied
Clare's father was currently staying at the house this week and Clare had told him she would be staying over to Ali's that night.
Clare finished throwing whatever else she needed into her overnight bag.
"Okay" Ali said as they were leaving Clare's bedroom "Let's go get you deflowered!"
"Ali, keep it down would you!" Clare said, laughing.
When they made it downstairs, Clare found her dad sitting in front of the television.
"Me and Ali are off, dad!" Clare said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
Clare's father hardly looked up from his hockey game, "Sure thing, Clarebear. You girls have fun."
Ali started giggling and Clare pushed her through the door.
Meanwhile over at Eli's, he was having a mental pep talk of his own.
"So, you have all the necessary precautions" Adam said casually on the telephone
Eli smirked "You have no filter do you? And yes."
"How intense" Adam laughed to himself "Do guys usually give other guys the details afterwards?"
"Not that I know off" Eli said
"Oh no matter, Clare will tell me everything im sure. So, you nervous?"
"No im not nervous" Eli said defensively "It's not like im the one losing their virginity tonight. I mean its sex you know? Nothing to be nervous about" Eli attempted to play it cool,
Adam didn't buy it.
"Dude, you're a nervous wreck! I've never seen this side of you before" Adam laughed
Eli decided to give up, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, im going to try and seem cool with Clare here but im probably just as nervous as she is."
"Im sure you two will make fireworks together"
"Im glad you're so confident" Eli said smiling, that's when he heard the knock on his door "That's her now, talk to you later"
"Play safe" Adam yelled into the phone
Eli shook his head and hung up and proceeded to answer the door, Clare bounced in with a smile on her face.
"Well someone's happy…did you get laid or something?" Eli smirked
Clare playfully shoved his shoulder before leaning up to give him a quick kiss.
"How did you get here?" Eli asked
"The bus. Ali and I got it! I wanted to make it seem as believable as possible to my dad that I was staying at her place."
It became silent.
"So what now? " Clare asked. She didn't really think about how it was all going to go down. Were they just going to jump into it?
"Now…we eat." Eli responded and led Clare into his kitchen
"You cooked?" Clare asked surprised "I mean you can cook?"
"I happen to be an excellent cook." Eli smiled "Besides, I thought you'd like it."
Clare grinned, "I do. Thank you" and she gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Well, it smells amazing. Im starved honestly, I haven't been able to eat all day!" Clare felt stupid after saying the last part. Now Eli was going to think she had been some sort of nervous wreck not able to eat all day because of this.
After they had finished eating, they talked for a bit. Just casual conversation, neither of them knowing when exactly was the best time to propose going upstairs.
Silence befell the room once again.
"There's cake in the fridge if you want some" Eli finally blurted out.
"Oh, no im full! I don't think I could eat another bite right now. Ill definitely need an intense work out to after eating all that!"
Eli's faced became amused, Clare blushed and averted her eyes from his.
Oh god, she thought, why the heck did she even say that.
There was another brief silence.
"Eli"
"Clare"
They had both said the others name at the same time, they laughed.
"You go" Eli said
"Okay, look I just want you to know that im really sure about tonight. I know you probably feel like im making a quick judgment call on it but im not. I talked it all out with Ali tonight and I know that's this…" she began running her foot up and down his leg, causing Eli to look slightly startled "is what I want." Clare finished
Eli leaned over and kissed her on the lips, cupping her face with his hands.
"What, um, what were you going to say?" Clare said breathlessly, breaking the kiss.
"I was just going to make sure that this was what you wanted, but you answered it for me." He smiled
Clare smiled back, "Should we go upstairs then?" she said innocently.
Eli stood up; "Give me about ten minutes, okay?" and he kissed her lightly on the forehead and went upstairs.
Clare sat in confusion, waiting for him to return. Her mind was spinning; this was it. Her hands began to tremble from excitement and nervousness. She stood up from her chair and gave herself a final check in her reflection in the window.
She began bringing the dirty dishes over to the sink when Eli finally returned.
She turned around and saw him leaning against the wall, smiling at her. She put the dishes down and walked over to him.
He took her hand in hers, "You ready?" he asked one final time.
"Absolutely" Clare replied.
They went upstairs.
Author's note: Yes, I know. The cutoff was an evil one! But good things come to those who wait :) lol I should hopefully have the next chapter up within the next few days! Once again, thanks for all the great reviews!