Couldn't stop writing, so here's another chapter.

Longest Chapter so far! (In any of my stories)

I hope you appreciate Quincy, I quite like him. =)

Even if you didn't, tell me what you think!

NOTE: I do have a reason for a slow start. I want you to get to know Clare and Eli, together and seperately. I promise, things will speed up eventually. Just sit tight, it'll be worth it in the end!

•••••

Mystery, a well-known provoker of curiosity, overcomes the mind with wonder.
She was vague, intriguing, and disappeared too quickly.
Her blue eyes lit a spark in my mind that would not fade away.
Her voice, never above a whisper, spoke words of confusion.
Her actions, bizarre and unexpected, left me interested and surprised.
Oh, how I longed for more.

Brilliant start, but similar to you, I'm looking for more.
Send me a revised copy by tomorrow, and we'll revisit your grade.

I smirked at the paper in front of me. Of course she wanted more, anyone would, if only I had more to tell.

It had been a week since I'd had met Clare. I'd seen her in a few of my classes, but I hadn't spoken to her since. She certainly knew how to capture someone's attention. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I know many would agree that our meeting was unusual to say the least. I mean for Christ's sake, she crashed into me, silenced me, dragged me into a classroom, gave me her name, and left! That would be the cause of interest for anyone.

A knock at the door made me look up. In the doorway stood a short man clad in a light blue button down, a tan vest, flared jeans, a red scarf, and a black fedora. He'd perched a pair of square glasses upon his nose and a small smile soften his expression.

"Can I help you?" Ms. Dawes asked.

"I'm looking for Clare Edwards, Ma'am."

"Clare." She said, tilting her head towards the door. All eyes followed her as she slowly made her way across the room.

I was dying to know what that was about.

•••••

Studying Eli had become a favorite pastime of mine.

We'd just gotten back our assignments and he was currently engrossed in his. A smirk appeared on his face and I instantly wanted to know what he'd written about. Something about him had me hooked. It was the way he went along with what I did, and didn't know or care who I was. Of course, his sexy smirk and gorgeous eyes didn't hurt either. Even from the brief conversation we'd had, I could tell he had a good sense of humor. So far, he was really was gold-worthy. I silently chuckled at my pun, before hearing a rapping at the door.

I recognized Quincy immediately and began to pack up my stuff, knowing that I would have to make a quick exit. I tried to draw as little attention as possible as I left, but I could feel everyone's eyes on me.

I waited until he'd shut the door behind me before greeting him. "Quincy!" I cried, "What are you doing here?"

We kissed each other on both cheeks. "Darling! You look fantastic!" He replied, eyeing my grey skinny jean and red v-neck ensemble. He paused for a couple seconds, glancing into my eyes, never a good sign.

I sighed, "What is it, Quincy? Just tell me."

"Guilty as charged." He said, raising his arms, "I'm sorry, honey, but as you've already guessed, I'm here on Randall's orders. You have a potential new mommy to meet. He's flown her out for dinner tonight, and requested that I dress you for the occasion, though I doubt you'll need my help. Look at you! I've taught you well."

I groaned. Would the madness ever end? I'd thought it was bad enough with half the campus obsessing over me, but my dad had just put me in the fast lane to the insane asylum. Ever since mom had gone, he'd tried to fill her place, always insisting that this was the one before kicking her to the curb. This was his sixth possible wife in the past three years, and every single one had only survived one dinner with me prior to a quick breakup that usually left her heartbroken.

"Lead me to your lair." I half-heartedly joked.

I was lead back to my own dorm room, and before I could even ask how they'd gotten in, Alli had already answered the question.

"Clare! Living with you is like being a celebrity! I come back from calculus and see your very own personal stylist waiting to be let in! So of course I do, and oh my god these clothes are gorgeous! Can I borrow?"

I laughed at her giddiness. "Of course, Alli. Want to try some on?"

"Really, Can I? You are the most amazing person in the Universe, Clare, thank you!"

We spent almost an hour putting on outfit after outfit until finally Quincy decided one was good enough. I'd always hated the process, but Alli seemed to be having the time of her life. I didn't want to end her fun, so I invited her along. After a lot of squealing, I'd managed to convince her that she couldn't make the night any worse, if not better.

She almost died when she learned that Quincy would do our makeup and absorbed each and every tip he dished out like she was a sponge. But by the end of the night, I had to hand it to Quincy; he always knew exactly what to do.

Alli was rocking a knee-length black strapless, red pumps, and a red shawl. Her eyes were covered with a smoky grey color, her lips were coated with a deep red, and her cheeks were dusted with a pale pink blush.

In contrast, I had on a pale blue dress and a pair of white flats. I had a thin coat of silver shadow on my lids and a pink gloss on my lips. I blushed too much already, so nothing had been applied to my cheeks. My old stylist never took my opinion into account, so most of the world had only seen me in slutty attire. I mean, just because clothes weren't my biggest topic of interest, didn't mean I didn't have a style. When I'd found Quincy, I'd immediately pleaded with my father to hire him, and of course I'd gotten my way.

"Quincy, I swear, you've outdone yourself!"

"Thank you so much!" Alli cried.

"It was nothing, girls. You two look stunning no matter what, I just added a little Quincy touch."

"And it was exactly what we needed." I praised.

"Knock them dead, Clare." He grinned, before shooing us out the door.

"Ready to step into my world, Alli?"

"Bring it." She giggled.

•••••

"Dude! You are so out of it!" Adam cried, pulling me out of my thoughts of Clare.

"Sorry, I'm just distracted. What were you saying?"

"It's not important, what's got you so twisted?"

I chuckled, Adam's word choice were a constant source of entertainment. "Would it be cliché of me to say a girl?"

Adam grinned, "Who's the lucky lady?"

"Her name's Clare, she's another English major, who took me hostage one day. I haven't stopped thinking of her since."

"I don't even want to know about the kidnapping, but dude, you've got it bad."

I sneered, "Yeah, right now I do. Look I'm going for a walk. Clear my head."

"See you later."

It was already dark when I went outside, and I decided to venture off campus. I was walking along a fairly busy street when a coffee shop caught my eye. The sign read 'The Dot' and it didn't seem too busy so I went inside. I ordered a coffee, black, and took a window seat. I'd been there for about twenty minutes, observing the outside world, when I suddenly spotted Clare walking down the road, talking to another girl. I nearly spit out my drink it surprise; she was breathtaking.

Even from afar, I could see that the blue of her dress went perfectly with her eyes. Her outfit was sweet, unlike her friend's, and I preferred it so much more. She was talking animatedly, and the other girl was laughing at her words. Of course, I was curious. What was she talking about? Why was she out and about? Who was her friend? She glanced towards me, and then at her friend, and when she quickly looked back again, an unreadable look on her face, my heart almost stopped.

She stopped suddenly, staring at me. Part of me wanted to look away, part of me didn't, and all of me couldn't. Before I could even register what was going on, she was waving her friend along, who looked quickly in my direction and flounced off, grinning. She slowly walked over to the door and pulled it open, heading straight for the counter. I heard her order a glass of tap water, and nothing else. She thanked the man, and paid him an unnecessary tip before spinning on the spot and walking towards me. Her small black purse swung as she walked, and her curls bounced around her radiant face.

"Well I've had a shitty night." She stated, sliding into the booth. "Distract me?"

I stared for a second, half in shock, half in admiration.

Before things became awkward, I cleared my throat. "Did you know that Maine is the only state in the U.S. that has one syllable?" I blurted out.

Holy fuck. What was that?

•••••

Of course, the night had been a disaster.

The second I saw her, I knew we were in trouble. Long platinum blonde hair that fell across her noticeably fake breasts, coupled with a blindingly white smile. Crystal was no different from the others.

Alli and I survived about an hour of her, before she crossed the line. But when she casually showed me the new ring she'd found in my room and refused to give it back after I politely asked for it, all hell broke loose. We left the restaurant quickly, choosing to walk back to the dorms. I'd been doing a pretty darn good impression of 'mommy dearest' when I spotted him. At first I didn't even realize who it was, but at a second glance I stopped. Our eyes met, and we stared at each other for what felt like eternity. I muttered some nonsense excuse to Alli, and she thankfully understood after following my gaze.

"Good luck!" She squealed, before bouncing off, beaming.

I walked straight to the counter, trying to figure out what I was doing.

"Water, please." I ordered, doubting I could stomach anything else. It was free from the tap, but I left a little something in the tip bar. I slowly made my way over to him, grinning at his puzzled expression. All of a sudden I was sitting down and asking him to divert me from my awful night. He looked at me, perplexed, and I could hardly blame him. I inwardly cursed myself.

I looked up when he coughed. "Did you know that Maine is the only state in the U.S. that has one syllable?" He quickly said. His eye's widened, as if shocked at his own words. He bowed his head, embarrassed.

I burst into laughter; the whole situation was hilarious. He gaped up at me for a moment, still slightly horrified, but his expression quickly softened and a chuckle built up in his throat.

I could feel the presence of the customers' stares on us as we cackled like mad men. We must have been quite a sight; two strangers looking intently into each other's eyes, gasping for breathe.

We slowly gained back our sanity and stayed there, smiling, curious, and confused.

"Clare," Eli whispered, leaning in. "Who are you?"

•••••

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