The day decided to be extra speedy and bring me to English class sooner than I was ready for. I really did not want to deal with seeing Eli right now. Eli, Eli, Eli. Why did he have to be so…so infuriating? It was almost as if he had made it his mission in life to frustrate me! All he had to do was listen to me. The war could have ended with the simple trade of a fake I.D. Unfortunately, Eli was so thick skulled that he figured prolonging his fight with Fitz would solve their problems. You can't fight fire with fire. When you do, the whole world goes up in flames.

As I entered Ms. Dawes' classroom, I saw him. Of course he was already there. I took my seat as quietly as possible. Maybe if he didn't hear me, he wouldn't turn around and I wouldn't have to deal with his fantastically persuasive green eyes. I was absolutely certain that whatever he wanted from me, he was going to get. He knew the effect he had on me. Even if I wanted to ignore him, there was no way I could. There was a force around him that had no better explanation except that it was always pulling me in; like gravity.

Adam had not arrived in class yet, so there was no buffer to distract me from Eli. If only I didn't find him so utterly alluring. My infatuation with his entire personality constantly burned to know more. Why was he so interesting to me? Was it his mystery and air of danger? Or was it the fact that I saw past that "emo" exterior to the person that he really was? Why couldn't I stop thinking about him? Realization of my obsession trickled through my consciousness like raindrops. My body suddenly felt like ice.

Immediately when I sat down, the first thing I saw was the note. Smooth.

At least he was creative…

You still mad at me, Edwards?

Um, kind of? How was I supposed to respond to that? My adoration for Eli was pretty powerful, but there was no way I was going to let him trick me into forgiving him that easily.

Not mad. Conflicted. I scribbled before handing the paper back to him.

Over me? Clare, I'm flattered.

Shut up, Eli. I could feel him smirking in front of me. He thought he had this all figured out. He would just turn on his charm and let me fall back into his arms. Could he be anymore smug?

Not until you forgive me.

No. I could play hard-to-get forever if I had to. But I really wished I wouldn't have to.

Clare. What is it going to take for you to talk to me?

Promise me something, I finally managed to write.

Fine, Clare. I'll marry you. But I want an outdoor wedding. And I want irises at every table and doves to fly out of the wedding cake at the exact moment we say, "I do."

Eli.

. Okay, what?

You have to do whatever I say from now on until the end of eternity.

Done. He handed the paper back almost instantaneously. That seemed way too easy.

Fine, then. But there's no backing out now, you know. I have it in writing.

Eli turned back to face me with that beautiful smirk he knew I loved most. And boy, was it beautiful. I caught myself staring at him, not saying anything, but decided that he wouldn't mind all that much. After all, we hadn't seen each other for two whole weeks. Two weeks without Eli, in hindsight, now felt like an eternity. Why couldn't class just be over already? Then we could talk, or kiss, or kiss, or kiss…

Now I knew how Alli felt all the time. Once I started kissing Eli, I was immediately addicted. He was just so breathtaking. Everything he did made me want him more and more. His hair, his eyes, his clothes, his voice. Oh my god, his voice. It was the perfect blend of smooth and raspy. I loved just listening to him talk to me. Especially when he said my name. Clare. It sounded so much more beautiful when it came out of his perfect lips. Clare, Clare, Clare.

"Clare," Ms. Dawes called to me. I immediately looked up at her with confusion. The whole class was turned towards me, now. Well, this is embarrassing.

"Um, yes Ms. Dawes?" I asked, trying to act like I had a clue what was going on.

"What are your opinions on Holden Caufield?" Oh, Catcher in the Rye. Easy.

"Well, he's a loner. And, I think if he allowed people to see the real him every once in a while, he might be better off. Holden thinks that he's so much smarter than the rest of the world, but in his own self-righteousness, shuts the world out."

"And how do you think this affects him?" Ms. Dawes questioned.

"I think that if Holden let people into his life, he would realize that he needs people. People who can help him sort through some of the emotions he still has after losing his little brother."

"Interesting opinion, Clare. Anyone else have a rebuttal?"

Of course Eli raised his hand instantly. Even if he didn't have a difference in opinion from my own, I knew that he liked to argue with me and tell me why I was wrong. He just loved to push my buttons.

"Yes, Mr. Goldsworthy?"

"Although Clare makes a semi-valid point," he stated with a smirk, "I think that it is entirely inaccurate."

"Interesting," Ms. Dawes commented, "continue."

"Well, everything wrong in Holden's life has to do with other people. His parents, his teachers, everyone is always criticizing him and bringing him down. Why would he want to subject himself to even more criticism and risk getting hurt more by letting people in? That's just stupid." Did he just call me stupid?

"What about Phoebe?" I asked him.

"Phoebe doesn't count," he replied coolly.

"Of course she does! Phoebe is the one-"

"Alright, alright," Ms. Dawes intervened. "Settle down Clare. Unfortunately, it seems that we have run out of time for today. Students, we will continue this discussion next class. Good work everyone." Well, that was embarrassing. I hate getting cut off by teachers when I'm in the middle of a thought. Now it looked like my argument was weak and I was unprepared. Stupid Eli.

He was already standing by the time I had gathered my books. His grin stretched across his face when he noticed how peeved I was at him.

"So, what are we doing today, Phoebe? Public embarrassment seems to be becoming your thing."

"Well, Holden, since you agreed to do whatever I say forever and always, I figured why not give you a chance to embarrass yourself today? It's really only fair. I mean, why should I get to have all the fun?"

"What'd you have in mind?"

"Oh…you'll see." No one makes me look like a fool in English class and gets away with it…

"Well, Phoebs, unless your plan includes you getting your driver's license, you're going to have to tell me where we're going at least."

"Oh don't worry, Eli. Where we're going is within walking distance. Well, skipping distance for you."

"You're kidding me," he said as his huge smirk faded away.

"Have you ever heard of a little movie called The Wizard of Oz, Eli?" I said with a raise of my eyebrows.

"Clare."

"I thought you didn't care what people thought of you. Or did you lie to me? Now, I expect skipping. And singing. All the way to the park." I placed my fist on my hip and waited for him to link arms with me.

He sighed before saying, "And once we get to the park?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out, Scarecrow."

"Wait. Why am I the scarecrow?"

I let out a breath and then replied, "If you only had a brain…"

"Ha. Ha. Ha," he mocked.

"I'm serious. Now lets go."

Eli interlocked his arm with mine and I couldn't help but smile a little at his touch. He turned his head to face me and gave me a look that said, lets do this, then.

We skipped all the way to the park giggling and singing, "We're off to see the wizard…" Just being with Eli made me forget any sort of trouble that was going on at home. He made me feel so free when I was with him. It was hard to believe I had even allowed myself to give him up for two weeks. It was even more chilling to think that I had gone 16 years of my life without him. It was plain, even to me, that my infatuation was slowly becoming full-out love. I had let myself fall deeper into his gravity, and soon, I knew there would be no going back. Because there was going to come a point where, like it or not, I wouldn't be able to live without him. Who was I trying to kid, anyway? I already couldn't live without him. Damn it Eli.

NOTE: For some reason I had a lot of trouble with this chapter, so let me know what you think! I appreciate all the reviews and favorites!