I pulled out my cell phone and sent Clare a text telling her I found Lidia and would bring her home soon. Once my phone was away I put everything down and walked into the gym.

"You know your mother is worried sick about you?" she stopped dribbling the ball and looked at me. Once she saw it was me she rolled her eyes and shot the ball into the net. I walked over to stand under the net. I caught the ball and threw it back to her.

"No she doesn't she doesn't care about me" she said as she threw the ball back into the net. "Lidia you now that is not true" I said as I threw the ball back to her.

"You don't know anything about my mother." She shot the ball again and I caught in. " I know that she loves you so much and right now she is a mess because she doesn't know where you are." I tossed her the basketball and she just held it for a moment before she started yelling.

"You don't know what she did to me! You don't know what it's like to never be able to see your own father again!" she threw the ball right at me and started to storm off.

"Actually I do." She stood still and slowly turned around. I could see the tear roll down her cheek. I walked over to the bleachers and sat down. I nodded my head towards her and she sat on the step in front of me.

"Unfortunately I didn't get to see my dad as much as I wanted to, he was always so busy. But every Saturday he took off work and it was our day together. He would take me to basketball games and soccer games. Sometimes we went to see a movie. I loved Saturdays with my dad more than I loved Christmas."

I stopped to take a breath before I continued.

"When I was 7 my father left. My mom told me he had to leave and take care of some things and wouldn't be back for a while." I almost started crying just thinking about it.

"Did you ever see him again?" Lidia asked me. "No I haven't seen him since he left. I asked my mom to tell me where he is and when he was coming back but she wouldn't tell me. I was so mad at her for a while but as I got older she explained to me things I didn't know about him. I now understand that him going away was for the best."

"But my dad leaving wasn't for the best things have gotten worse since he left." Lidia started crying and I didn't know what to do. Hugging her would be crossing the student/teacher line but she was just kept crying. I decided to fuck the rules and I sat next her. I rubbed her back and tried to calm her down.

"Lidia there are still some things about your father that you don't know. I understand that you're mad that your mom has kept you from him but you need to listen to her. One day you will understand why everything has happened." She looked up at me and nodded her head. We got up and headed out the door for my car.

Clare's POV

Where was he? Eli sent me a text like 20 minutes ago saying he found her but he's still not here. I was about to call him again when I saw his pull in the drive way. I ran out the door and ran to Lidia as she stepped out of the car.

"Oh Lidia thank goodness you're ok" I hugged her like there was no tomorrow.

"I'm so sorry mom for everything" she looked me in the eyes and I knew she meant it. I cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "It's alright sweetheart go inside I'll be in in a minute so we can talk." She smiled and walked into the house. Eli came and stood in front of me.

"Eli thank you so much I don't know how to repay you" he smirked and looked me right into the eye. I felt like I couldn't breathe. "Clare you need to explain to her some things she doesn't know about Jake."

My smile faded and he could tell. "What did he do that makes you so scared to tell her? Please Clare I want to know so I can help you get over it so you can tell Lidia." he was rubbing my arm and we standing so close I could feel his breath on my face. I was looking down at my feet until he grabbed my chin and lifted my face so I was looking him right in the eyes again.

"I know right now isn't a good time to talk about it because you have a lot of talking to do with Lidia, but tomorrow are you doing anything?"

I shook my head and he smiled. "How about I pick you up tomorrow around 4 and we can talk?"

"ok tomorrow at 4" I smiled and was about to walk away when he pulled my arm so my body was up against his and our lips were only inches apart. He looked at my lips than my eyes and then my lips again before crushing his lips to mine. It was a sweet simple kiss but it felt like fireworks were going off. He pulled away and smiled.

"See you tomorrow Clare" he winked and got into his car. I couldn't help but smile. Eli is such a nice guy not a bad kisser.

/

Lidia and I were lying in her bed. After our talk she asked me if I would stay in her room until she fell asleep. I told Lidia that I would explain more to her about her father when she's older and she understands. I really hope this means we are going to move forwards.

I was almost asleep when my phone started vibrating. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Eli. I made sure Lidia was asleep before carefully getting out of her bed and leaving the room.

"Hello?"

"Hey sorry did I wake you?"

"Nope I was still awake"

"I figured. Someone as beautiful as you doesn't need much beauty sleep." I could feel myself blushing at his comment. I just wish he was here now so I could kiss him.

"Anyway I just wanted to know how things went" I could tell he felt embarrassed by what he said.

"Good really really good. Did you talk to her before you brought her home? Because she's acting like a whole new person."

He was chuckling on the other line. "Yea I did talk to her but I'll tell you about it tomorrow on our date"

I was a little caught off guard when he said date. "Oh so this is a date?"

"Well I mean if you want it to be I it doesn't ha have to be bu" I cut him off because he was stuttering I could tell he was nervous.

"Calm down Eli it's ok. I would love to go on a date with you" I could almost hear the excitement threw the phone.

"Great I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yup see you tomorrow" I was about to hang up when I heard his voice one more time.

"Oh and Clare?"

"Yea?"

"You really are beautiful." I smiled as big as I could.

"Good night Eli"

"Good night blue eyes."

That night I had a hard time going to bed because I was too excited about going on my date. I felt like I was in high school again with a crush. But yet I was still really nervous because I had to tell Eli all about Jake and the hell he put me through. I just hope it all goes well because I falling for him. Fast and hard.