Hi guys...*hides behind a bunch of people* Words...words can't describe how sorry I am for practically deserting you all. I know that you may think "Oh, look at this author-says she'll never forget us and look...POOF...gone!" Truth is, I've been really REALLY intense with school, grades, and my social life. I apologize, but I did NOT forget about any of you guys, or my writing. I'm still in love with writing, and enjoy writing Degrassi fanfiction. Please Enjoy the 8th chapter of "Titanium"...
No Beta Reader, so ignore mistakes if any (:
Twitter: Cliffhanger Girl
Titanium
"What do you mean we just...cuddled, Eli? Don't mess around with me. Just because I'm smaller than you doesn't mean you can just waltz around naked and think you're-." Eli cut a ranting, raving Clare off by throwing her her clothes to put on.
"We just cuddled Clare, chill out. I haven't cuddled with a woman...in...man, I really can't remember." Eli huffed, shrugging his shoulders and tossing his shirt on over his head.
"I will admit," he began, "Things did get a little heated last night but...cuddling with you was the best thing I've done in a long time."
"Besides save me from a speeding bullet?" Clare teased awkwardly, quickly throwing on her clothes Eli had kindly given her back.
"It's funny," Clare breathed, "I didn't see you as the cuddly kind."
"You know what's also funny?" Eli teased, making Clare's blue eyes ignite with curiosity, "What?"
"Your face!"
The two had erupted in an abundance of laughter, their careless chuckles echoing the walls.
Eli Goldsworthy hadn't cuddled his ex-wife in ages, due to the fact that she was always distant-simply because she was cheating. How Imogen can sleep with a clear head next to a man whose more than dedicated to her while she's sleeping with another man, is beyond anyone's imagination.
"I-I think I'm going to head back to my apartment." Clare started off, heading towards the door, "I have a cat so um-yeah, he's probably hungry."
"Alright..." Eli lead her to the door, holding the knob and watching the woman walk down his steps.
"Wait up!" He called out, grabbing a pen and handing it to Clare, "I never got your number...can I please have your number?"
Clare smiled, writing her cell phone number down on his hand. He grinned down at the neat handwriting, before giving her a reassuring nod, "I'll call you soon, I promise."
CLARE
"So wait, let me get this straight-you were almost shot, but Goldsworthy was shot, which lead to you finding out his wife was cheating on him, and then you guys made out after a couple of weeks of knowing each other...and now you're fucking?" Ellie asked, as I choked on my wine, "We didn't have sex Ellie! I swear to God, nothing intimate happened."
"You were cuddling naked, throw me a fricken' bone here Clare." She teased, as I sat down on my couch, "I think we have a connection, I'm just..."
"Hesitant because of how things turned out with your ex?" I nodded, "You know me so well. Enough about me, how's things with Craig?"
"He's taking me out tonight and he won't tell me where. He also told me to wear my dress I bought...I-I think it's 'the night' Clare." I smiled, tilting my phone to the right so I could hold my phone up while I flipped through channels.
"You better get going Ellie, or you'll be late. Good luck, call me when you get a chance! Love you, talk to you later." I said, hearing an excited screech on the other end before the call ended.
I grabbed a blanket, and snuggled with Mr. Cuddles on the couch, only to soon fall into a deep sleep...
"Yes Luke, I'll go out with you." I whispered, staring at the floor.
"You don't sound so excited...put a little heart into it Clare." He demanded, grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look into his eyes.
"Tell me you love me." He ordered, and I shook my head, "Don't touch me."
"That's not what I told you to say." Luke hissed, as I swallowed a sob, "I've had an abusive boyfriend before, and I'm not scared to leave! Because you know what? Believe it or not, we'll be just fine without people like you! You're toxic! You deserve to rot in hell!"
Slap!
The way his fingernails scratched my skin so harshly sent tears slipping down my cheeks. My skin burned, as he gripped me by my hair, and pulled my head back, "Now, what did you say?"
"I-I love you." I choked out, as he smoothed his hand over my neck, and began inching down my shirt.
"Say it again."
Luke tugged at my hair once again, more roughly this time as I winced, "I love you, I love you."
"I'm not convinced. Bad girls like you need to be taught a lesson." He spoke sinisterly, as he pointed to the floor, "Get down on your knees and hands. Let's go, now."
"Please Luke, stop this...stop."
He raised his hand once more, and I scattered onto my hands and knees. I screamed in terror, feeling his hand run down my back, and a zipper being pulled down.
"Please...Please Luke..."
I clenched my eyes tightly, preparing myself for the worst but praying for the best.
What shocked me next, was the loud blaring of a doorbell...
I jolted from a nightmare, Mr. Cuddles fast asleep next to me. I was drenched in sweat; my neck, the back of my legs and my side were victims of the horrifying nightmare.
What worried me more was the person ringing my doorbell repeatedly outside at three in the morning. I quickly grabbed the bat I used to use in college softball, and tightened my grip when I approached the door.
"Who is it?" I called out, but no one answered.
"I have a bat!" I warned, before grabbing the knob, getting ready to swing away.
When I didn't recognize the person in the black sweater with his hood over his head, I swung forcefully, and knocked the stranger out.
"Ha! Got ya!" I cheered, and rushed to the persons side, but my eyes widened in shock.
It was Eli.
"Oh fuck." I muttered, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and strugging to my feet in order to drag him into my apartment. Mr. Cuddles rubbed against Eli's legs, making it harder for me to manuver him.
I sighed in relief, plopping Eli down on my couch. I shifted his legs, putting them up so he could feel more comfortable when he woke up.
What was he doing at my apartment at three in the morning anyways? I never told him where I lived; how did he know?
All these questions stopped short when I saw the gushing bruise forming on Eli's head. I ran to the kitchen, throwing a bunch of ice cubes in a ziploc bag. He began to stir when I sat on the couch with him, and took his hood off.
I gently pressed the ice to his forehead, and his eyes shot open immediately, while his hand grabbed my wrist tightly in alarm. I smiled gently, which eased the pressure coming from his hand, "Relax...it's just me...it's Clare."
"What the hell happened?" He asked, groaning in pain while holding his forehead.
"I kind of...you see...you were wearing a hood, and it's so dark out I couldn't see you so I just...hit you in the head with a bat...I'm really sorry Eli, I'm sorry." I apologized repeatedly, patting the ice on the wound lightly.
"Stop apologizing. I'm the weirdo who made my buddy look up where you live down at the station, then walked here in a suspicious outfit. It's fine Clare." He smirked, as I asked, "Why did you need to see me at three in the morning, anyways?"
Eli took the ice from my hand, and pressed it to the cut himself. He grunted, before looking me in the eyes, talking in a pained tone, "You see, ever since...ever since the shooting I've been having trouble sleeping. I don't know why, I just have these nightmares about-."
I cut him off, "Luke?"
"Yeah..."
"Me too, it's been really rough. You actually woke me up from a bad one when you kept ringing the doorbell. So in a strange way, thank you Eli." I smiled, awkwardly shifting on the couch as he stated, "You know, you owe me for bashing my head in with a bat."
We both laughed, but he stopped mid-chuckle, and his expression turned serious.
"Oh, um...how about lunch tomorrow, on me?" I asked sheepily, as he shook his head, leaning in towards my face. My heart stopped, as he whispered softly against my lips, "The only way Eli Goldsworthy forgives Clare Edwards, is with kisses."
Without any warning, he crushed my lips with his. For a guy who just got his head smashed in with a bat, he was quick with his lips. I smiled into the kiss, and he tickled my sides softly, causing my lips to part so our tongues could lock. I slowly moved my head to the side, allowing him full acess.
The truth was, I didn't know if I could trust Eli. I couldn't trust in my ex, but I trusted him in hopes that he would give me reasons to. I loved him, and I was hurt in every way possible. But when I was with Eli, he kept adding onto the list of reasons of why I should trust him; for the first time in my life, I had no doubt in a man.
We pulled apart, smiled widening as he held out his arms, "Cuddle with me? I'll protect you from Luke in your nightmares, I promise."
I arched an eyebrow, "How are you so sure you can do that, Mr. Goldsworthy? You can't even protect yourself from him in your own dreams."
I leaned against his chest, as Mr. Cuddles crawled onto Eli's legs. I gasped, "Oh I'm sorry Eli, I'll get him down."
"No no, it's fine...I like cats, it's cool." I shook my head, returning to my spot beside Eli. I almost fell off the couch but Eli grabbed my thigh, wrapping it around his leg so I wouldn't fall.
"You're going to just have to trust me on that one, Clare."
Eli wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my back as I closed my eyes, whispering, "...I trust you, Eli."
END OF CHAPTER 8
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Cliffhanger Girl
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A/N Again, I'm so sorry for the wait guys! I hope you can forgive me :/