Okay first thing first. My betta actually did send me the previous chapter but I never recieved it :( so it was all a mishap and a misunderstanding. Good news is I actually got this chapter.

so special thanks to my betta Clareandeliforever

And special thanks to OhMyMunro who sent me a FANTASTIC review. it totally brought up my spirits. And if i EVER need any help I will be sure to message you. :) you made my day so a million thanks :)

Eli's POV

I drove in utter silence. The wind hit the wind shield as the blue sky was swallowed by darkness. Lights flickered on and off in the road in an erratic rhythm. I sighed and turned to look at Clare. She looked nervous as she bit on her nails and stared at the window.

"You okay ,Clare?"

She looked startled when I spoke but quickly answered. "No."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Are you sure?"

She sighed. "Of course I am. I mean, I know it's not the first time we've had to lie to our parents but still…what if they find out?"

I grabbed her soft hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. "They won't."

Her blue eyes looked up at me with such fear that I knew she was really terrified. "They never do so why would they find out now?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "Secrets always find a way to come out."

I laughed. "No they don't trust me."

Clare raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "And what secrets do you have that I don't know about, Elijah?"

I shrugged, "Plenty."

"Such as…?"

"Well," I scratched my head and suddenly I felt the conversation took a bad turn. "The whole point of secrets is that well….they are supposed to remain a secret."

She frowned. "And what secret is bad enough to keep from me?"

I sighed. "Remember that bunny you had? The brown one?"

"The one that died from a heart attack?"

"Yeah, that bunny."

She looked at me quizzically but nodded. "What about him?"

"I might've accidentally…suffocated him."

"WHAT?"

"I sat on him by accident. I swear."

Her blue eyes were wide as she stared at me. "How could you 'accidentally' sit on a bunny the size of a shoe box?"

"I thought it was a pillow!"

"You are so stupid."

"That's why it was a secret."

She glared at me through narrow eyes. "That big butt of yours is dangerous."

I smirked. "But you love my butt."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not so sure anymore."

"Yeah, you were singing a different tune yesterday." I winked and in girl voice screamed, "Oh Eli your ass is so-"

"Oh shut up Eli."

"Ha, funny Clare. If I remember correctly, you were begging me to not shut up yesterday. In fact, you kept on demanding that I scream out your name. Scream my name Eli, scream it!"

We arrived at the small town we once lived in years ago. I sighed and turned off the car.

"Ready Clare?"

She shook her head. "No, but I got no other choice."

We stepped out and walked to the door. I leaned down and pecked her lips one last time before I slammed my fist to the door and knocked.

The wooden knob turned and Bullfrog's face appeared.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Very funny dad. Can't believe you forgot your kids were coming, but they do say people tend to lose their memory as they get old."

He chuckled. "I was kidding Eli. And I'm not old."

"Sure you were. And you're not old. You're only eighty, right? Give or take a few years." I said sarcastically.

"Shut up Elijah."

Clare and I walked in and immediately warm air engulfed us both.

"Kids!" Helen came running towards us. She had a white apron on and a spot of flower on her cheek. She wrapped her arms around Clare and hugged her tightly. Clare responded to the hug and patted her back. "Hey mom." She mumbled into her shoulder.

Helen then yanked my arm and pulled me into the hug. "You two look so different."

"Mom, I have only been gone two weeks." Clare stated.

"But Eli has been gone two years."

I rolled my eyes. "You act like me going to college is a bad thing. You two should be proud of me."

"Oh honey, we are. We just wish you would visit more. Like on Christmas or Thanksgiving perhaps."

I shrugged. "I'm atheist."

Helen cringed at the word. "You weren't always atheist." She mumbled under her breath.

"Okay, so kids. Why don't you two go up to your rooms and unpack. Today we will have a fancy dinner," Bullfrogs nose crinkled in disgust as he said that word. "And get all fancy and what not. We have guests coming over."

Clare raised an eyebrow. "Guests? Anyone we know?"

Helen laughed nervously. "Oh honey, of course. You know all our friends."

"Who are these guests of ours then?"

Helen waved her hand as if the question wasn't of importance. "Just go upstairs. You'll find out soon enough." Suddenly I felt very guarded. Helen was up to something. She had that guilty look written all over her face. I stole a glance at Clare and noticed she was looking pretty suspicious to.

"Okay then. Come on Clare lets go upstairs."

Clare quickly agreed. I grabbed both our bags and sprinted up the stairs with Clare on my heels.

"Mom's up to something." Clare whispered.

"I know."

Three Years Ago

I opened the front door and walked in with my friend right behind me. Warm air hit my face and I felt my muscles relax. The aroma of food filled the house. My mouth watered as I imagined all the delicious food my parents were probably making.

"Mom? Dad?" I called out as I removed my trench coat and hung it in the closet next to the door.

My friend quickly did the same. "Eli is that you?" Helen shouted from the direction of the kitchen.

"Who else would it be?" I hollered back sarcastically. I heard a snicker behind me and I glanced at my friend. I could tell she wanted to laugh at my sarcastic humor.

I grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen. Helen was kneading dough on the counter while Clare was stirring a spoon in a big bowel by the stove.

They looked up and a wide smile spread over my mother's lips. "Why, hello Imogen."

Two Years Ago: Eli Going to Collage

I was driving to my dorm room. It hurt that I left and I couldn't shake off the look Clare gave me as she said goodbye. It stabbed my heart.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I grabbed my phone and flipped it open. "Hello?"

"Eli!" Clare's voice shouted in response. "You forgot your lucky guitar pick!"

I smirked. "I know."

"Then why on earth did you-"

"Clare I wanted you to have it."

It went silent on the other end. "Really? But it's your-"

"I know. Which is exactly why I want you to keep it."

"Okay and Eli-"

I heard Bullfrog calling out to Clare in the background and a groan was heard from the line. "I got to go. I have to meet up with the Martins."

I chuckled. "Martins? Isn't that our mom's old friend."

"Yeah. They have a kid my age name Noah or Jake or something like that and they want us to hang out." She groaned again.

"Well at least try to have fun."

"I won't. Bye."

"Bye."

Present

I fixed my tie and stared at myself in the mirror. I wore a black suit and my hair was styled messily on my head. I smirked in satisfaction. Suddenly I heard the doorbell ring and knew that the guests arrived.

"Eli, Clare! Come downstairs."

I opened the door and saw Clare waiting patiently outside. She had a black cocktail dress that was strapless and reached above her knee. It sparkled against the lights and I felt my pants get tighter.

"You look ravishing." I purred.

She blushed. "As do you, brother dear."

I waved my hand toward the living room. "Shall we?"

She shook her head and I frowned. But her soft hand latched to the back of my neck and she pulled me down so our lips could smash together.

After a few seconds she released her hold on me. "Now, we shall." She agreed. I rolled my eyes and she only responded by a wink. We walked downstairs and I stopped when I saw two families standing in the doorway.

"Eli, Clare say hello to the Moreno's and the Martins."

Oh shoot.

This is not good. This is not good. This is really not good.

We sat on the large table. Clare sat at the right of me. Imogen sat in front so she was facing me and that Jake kid sat in front of Clare. The adults were sitting on the ends.

"So how is collage Elijah?" Imogen purred.

I looked down at the food in front of me. "Okay."

"Make any new friends?"

"Well of course. I have been gone two years." I mumbled.

She laughed sharp and loud laugh and everyone at the table jumped. "You are so funny Elijah."

"I try."

The table grew quiet and the only sound that was heard was the sound of the forks scraping against the plates.

"So Clare, want to hang out after dinner?" The Jake kid asked.

I quirked an eyebrow as Clare blushed. What the hell? "Umm, maybe. But I'm kind of tired."

The boy instantly grew worried. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Of course. Just tired over our trip."

Relief washed over him and he sighed. "Good. I wouldn't want my girl to get sick."

I chocked on the water I was sipping. "Your girl." I managed to choke out in between coughs.

Jake raised an eyebrow at me. "Yeah. Clare and I have been dating. Didn't she tell you?"

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

dont hate me? And review. Only a couple chapters left :)