what is this? An update? I don't believe it! Well believe it. I finally got around to posting this chapter. I'm not going to say much, but sorry for not being around. Super tough to find "Me" time. But I want to tell you all, if you want updates about my videos or stories. Follow me on Tumblr(link is on my homepage) Or Twitter. Twitter will have automatic links to my tumblr posts. So I will post my updates there. If one will be soon or if you will have to be a little more patient. Sorry again. I don't mean to leave you all hanging. Well READ, REVIEW and ENJOY!

"Clare. Clare!" Eli's voice spoke. She shook her to wake her up. "Clare!" She jumped awake almost whacking Eli in the face. "Whoa! Edwards, watch your right hook." He smirked at her surprised face, as he took a seat on the edge of her bed.

"What are you doing here?" She grabbed her clock to see it was almost nearly ten the next day.

Eli stared at her face in unbelief. "I should be asking you where you got that black eye." He lightly stroked it with the tips of his fingers. "Who did this to you? I just saw you yesterday and you didn't have this then."

She grabbed a mirror to look at the purple blotch on her cheekbone. "I…uh…I fell."

"Clare. Even I know that's a lie. Tell me the truth." He held her hands.

She kept looking away, uncomfortably; refusing to look him in his eyes. "Fitz." His eyes widened after her weak voice spoke, "Excuse me?"

"Fitz. He showed up yesterday… I got scared and slapped him. So he did the same." She said nervously. I can't let Eli know the truth. He'll do something horrible and I can't lose him, she thought to herself.

Eli jumped to his feet, brushing his bangs with his fingers. "What the hell is wrong with you Clare? Do you not remember what happened less than two weeks ago?"

"Of course I remember! Why I slapped him!" She yelled back throwing her covers off and standing up.

"God Clare! Could you be more stupid?" He grunted, slamming his fists on her desk. Clare sighed loudly angrily; crossing her arms as she stared at him with resentment. Eli caught his words and twisted back to face her, "Clare, I didn't mean it like that." She glanced away, unconvinced. "I'm sorry. What I meant was why didn't you just run when you saw him? Or call me?"

"Because I can stand up for myself."

"Clare," he sighed. "I'm your boyfriend. I have to be there to protect you. You can't do everything on you own. Especially against someone like Fitz. Plus, he's my problem. He doesn't have the right to pull you into it."

"How do you know that for sure? What if I am a huge involvement to this all?" She defended for some reason; she wasn't sure why she was.

"Yeah, because your my girlfriend! If I lose you, it gets to me. Fitz is going to use you Clare to get to me!" He reached for her hands, but she pulled away and crossed her arms again.

She opened her bedroom door, "Get out. I have to get ready for Church anyway. I'll call you later and we'll talk about this. And don't go looking for Fitz!"

"Clare? He hit you. I can't let this go-" Eli's eyes were sincere.

"I'm serious Eli! Now just go." She said grimly. Eli's mouth dropped in a gasp. He exited her door and trotted down the stairs boisterously; slamming the front door as he exited.

"I never liked that boy," Helen said to Darcy from the kitchen.

"I thought he was nice… We should go talk to her." Darcy suggested, and they both started to head upstairs. They opened Clare's door to see her looking in her mirror, putting cover-up over her black eye. "Clarebear!"

Helen ran up to her to look at the black eye. "Did Eli do this to you?"

"No mom! Eli didn—"

"Don't defend him! We heard you two fighting. I forbid you from ever seeing him again!" Helen interrupted Clare.

"Mom! That's not fair!" Clare rose to her feet, but Helen ignored her and stormed out of her room.

Darcy spoke up, "Maybe it's for the best Kid-o."

She looked at Darcy with surprised animosity. "Darcy, he didn't do it!"

"Oh yeah. Then who?" She was genuine.

Clare pressed her lips together, scared to tell her the truth. If I tell her Fitz did it, they'll go find him and they'll figure out why he hit me in the first place. Fuck! Clare thought.

"I know you love the guy and he was your first. But, if he's willing to hurt you. He doesn't deserve you." Darcy consoled.

"Fine. I'll break up with him. For you guys." Clare stated.

Clare sat on the swing with her hands in Eli's hoody pocket; lightly swinging back and forth. Tracing her foot through the woodchips as she dragged them. The famous leather jacket appeared in the corner of her eye. Eli sat on the swing next to her. "I'm really sorry Clare. I didn't mean to get mad at you like that. It's just, I care about you. Love you, and when things like this happen. I have to be there to stick up for my lady."

She looked up, smirking at Eli. "I know. And thanks. I was just a little Edgy this morning. But I need to talk to you."

"What about?"

"My mom and Darcy saw my black eye and think you did it," she quietly replied.

"What? Why didn't you tell them Fitz did it? You could send him back to Juvie and get him out of our lives for good." Eli ranted, but she didn't say a peep. "Clare? Is something wrong?"

"If I tell them Fitz did it…they won't believe me." She took a moment to gather her thoughts. "I think we need a break."-Eli's eyes widened-"But not for real. Fake a break up. Just until all of this passes over."

Eli thought about it, "Smart. Act like we are broken up for a little bit. You rents forget about the black eye fiasco, Fitz stops going after you. Win Win."

Clare chuckled up a smile, "We can just meet here every other night when no one is around."

"You little devil. See this is why I love you." He pulled her up to her feet and planted his lips upon hers. Her cheeks flourished all shades of red. "Now let's talk a plan."

What did you all think? Just review! You know I love them :D Well I'm going to say again, if you want my updates and etc. follow me on tumblr/twitter. Both on my Profile. Thank you for reading and Reviewing! I appriciate it so much. Love you all :*(^_^) ~Eli