Clare inspected herself in the mirror. She had a gash on her cheek, and the eye above it was blackened. She flipped her hair over to the other side, concealing her marks easily. She winced every time she blinked.
Someone was bound to notice.
But then again, it's not like she was popular or anything.
There was just one problem.
Eli.
She had been such an ass! Hanging up on him like he was just as good as a toenail clipping.
He probably hated her.
She huffed downstairs, avoiding her father who was probably having one ugly-ass hangover. He got up from his bed and moaned. She ran outside, and down the street.
A pair of hands caught her wrist.
"Woah..." Eli stated. Clare sighed.
"Hey, I was just um...taking a walk." Clare sputtered. Eli looked at her strangely.
"Isn't your hair usually on that side?" he asked slowly. Clare forced a smile.
"Yeah, same different. Well um...I gotta go to Alli's, I'll see you around." she said. Eli grabbed her wrist.
"What's going on with you?" he asked. She slumped into a hunched position.
"There was a crash yesterday on the phone, you're avoiding eye contact, and you flipped your hair." Eli explained.
"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." Clare said.
"Really? Then move your hair." Eli said, not believing her. She put a hand over her covered cheek, swiftly moving the hair from her eye. Eli gasped.
"What? It's just smudged makeup." Clare lied. Eli scoffed.
"Wipe it off, then." he ordered. She shook her head.
"Clare." he growled warningly. She flinched.
"Okay, it's not makeup. Congradulations, Eli wins!" she barked, throwing her hands up and walking in the other direction.
"Clare-" Eli started, but that only made her walk faster. He sighed.
"This girl, will be the death of me." Eli said, before chasing her down. He caught up, panting.
"Clare-you need-help-if you're getting-hit" he breathed. She laughed incredibly.
"Do you think this is easy to go around saying? I don't want him to get busted. Then where will I go, huh? Group home, foster home..." she said, her breathing rate accelerating rapidly. Eli put an arm around her.
"Clare, you can't let him hurt you." he said softly. She looked up.
"But what if they decide the case isn't strong enough? He'll kill me." she croaked. He rubbed her shoulder.
"If it comes to that, you can stay with us." Eli soothed.
"Now c'mon, we'll go somewhere to get your mind off of things." Eli said, leading her to Morty.
"I know just the place.." he said out loud. Which was a lie, because he was going to drive to the first place that was open.
"Ice skating?" Clare asked. Eli looked at her.
"What, you don't skate?" Eli asked.
"No, I do, but you don't." She said. He shrugged. She ordered the ice skates, knowing his size from a game of 20 questions.
The guy behind the booth was basically undressing Clare with his eyes. Protectively, Eli put his arm around Clare's hips. The guy looked at Clare, then Eli, then his arm. He slid the skates towards them awkwardly and went into the back room.
Eli plopped himself on the seat as Clare tied her skates.
"Coming?" she asked.
"Nah, I'll watch." he said. She shook her head, grabbing the headphones from his neck.
"Hey!" he said standing up.
"Gotta catch me to kill me!" she sang, backing onto the ice. Eli followed despite the fact that he wasn't wearing skates.
Clare glided backwards, smooth as ever, while Eli skid messily on his sneakers. He landed flat on his butt, sending Clare into giggle fits. She skated next to him. He grabbed for her ankle, but she was too fast.
"I don't think so." she said, skating farther. He sighed, leaning on his elbows. Clare looked back at him and pouted.
"What good are you sitting down?" Clare asked, pulling Eli up.
"Go get your skates.." Clare pleaded. He sighed, putting them on. He glided fairly well.
"Who knew you had it in you?" Clare laughed. Suddenly, a chubby six year old whizzed past, sending Clare straight into Eli's arms. Blushing, she pulled away.
"Sorry." she said. Eli shrugged.
"You don't see me complaining." Eli said, smirking. He leaned into Clare, kissing her softly. When she responded to it, he couldn't help himself but pull her in closer. His arms were snug around her waist, her fingers tangled in his hair. Feeling bold, Clare traced Eli's lips with her tongue, earning a moan. Clare took it as an opportunity to seize into Eli's mouth. He pulled her in as close as humanly possible, and she smiled against his lips. His fingers traced patterns on her hips, and out of nowhere, there was a noise of disgust. Both lovestruck teens pulled away.
"Get a room." said the chubby kid, circling them. Clare smiled, staying in the same position. Eli chuckled lowly, reaching down to entwine fingers with Clare.
"Remember what I asked before? If that kiss meant more than what we said?" Eli asked. Clare nodded.
"I don't need an answer anymore." Eli said stupidly. Clare giggled.
"You ready to go?" Eli asked. Clare sighed dazily and nodded.