Hey everyone; thanks for all the feedback. You guys are so totally cool. Anyways, I LOL'd at some of your reviews.
To those who left a review with a suggestion/request, I thank you. I picked out a few, but not all. I actually merged two together. I'll probably post something tomorrow afternoon, as well as at night. I hope you all enjoy my next few chapters!
Note: In this fic, they are not dating.
The minute I saw those two boys talking to Clare, I knew that there was trouble.
They had her backed against the lockers, and they were standing too close to my likings. Way too close.
I made my way over to them, my speed picking up as soon as one of the meatheads put a hand on her shoulder. My blood was boiling.
Call it over protectiveness or possessiveness, but I didn't like anyone touching Clare. Well, maybe Adam. But that was it. I especially didn't like it when someone was touching her and she didn't like it. This needed to end. Now.
I slowed to a stop, nearly five feet away, as I saw Sav Bhandari intervene. He stepped in between the boys and Clare, glaring. She peeked at the boys from under Sav's outstretched arm.
I could hear Sav telling them to back off, that if he caught them even standing near her, he would personally make their lives a living hell. I frowned. I felt like was the one who should be saying those things, defending my girl.
I froze. Had I really just thought my girl? I shook it off and continued to watch the scene unfold.
To my surprise, they backed off, sneering. One of them muttered that 'she wasn't worth it.' When they rounded a corner, Sav turned to Clare and smiled.
"You okay?" I heard him ask. She nodded and threw her arms around his torso.
"Thanks, Sav. You're the best, you know that?" She asks, staring up at him with a bright smile. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to prevent the scowl that was threatening to form. He chuckled deeply.
"I know." He agreed. My heart sunk as I saw him kiss the top of her head. She scrunched up her nose, but her smile had not faltered. "Stay out of trouble, okay? If you have any more problems, you know where to find me." She released his hold on him and nodded. She turned and walked in the opposite direction.
What the hell was that? Did Clare….
No. There was no way Clare and Sav were dating, or even liked each other. Maybe they were friends…
I froze as Sav turned, spotted me, and smiled.
"Eli! My man!" He called. He slapped his hand against mine, but my mind elsewhere. "I've been meaning to ask, if you aren't busy tomorrow, do you and Adam want to hang out at my place? My parents will be gone and I have nothing to do."
Automatically, I nodded my head.
"I-I'll go ask Adam now." I pulled out my cell phone and quickly texted Adam.
"You okay? You look a little, I don't know, peeved."
"I'm fine." I snapped. His eyes grew wide and I backed down, feeling like an ass. "Sorry, rough day, you know?" He nodded sympathetically. I looked down when my phone suddenly vibrated.
"Adam wants to know what time you want us to come." Sav grinned.
"How does three o' clock sound to you?" I quickly texted Adam.
"Cool." I responded, smirking. Sav nodded and then frowned, staring at something in the distance behind me.
"I gotta go. Student council stuff." He makes a face and I chuckle. "I'll catch you guys tomorrow." I nod in a way of goodbye.
When I can no longer see his bright blue shirt amongst the crowd of high school students, I let out a sigh and decided to take the rest of the day off. It's the last period and who would actually miss me in Art class?
At home, I can only let my mind wander. No one was home, so the house was eerily quite.
What was going on between Sav and Clare? I could feel my heart sink. I was being a jealous and petty fool, but the thought of Clare with Sav of all people totally freaked me out.
I didn't even know they were friends. Hell, I didn't even know they knew each other existed.
She couldn't like him could she? I had been getting some pretty good vibes from her. I had even gotten my hopes up to think she might actually like me, though I had no proof, other then the fact that we constantly flirted.
And despite the fact that I liked Sav and thought he was a cool guy, I couldn't picture him with Clare. Not at any social event, or even on a date for that matter.
I closed my eyes and spent the rest of the day in bed, letting my music lull me into an unconscious state.
Around seven-ish, my mother came in and announced that dinner was ready. I ate as fast as I could, not wanting to let my foul mood damper on my family's seemingly happy atmosphere. When I finished, I quickly excused myself.
I found myself tired and weary. Gym was never fun. Especially when you put Fitz and dodge ball into the equation. Just because we were on the same team, didn't stop the abuse I had received from the round, red, rubber ball. Not a way I had wanted to start off this morning.
I knew that I should probably get started on my homework, but I knew I was going to procrastinate until Sunday night anyways.
So, I took a shower, stripped to my boxers, and went to bed. I would have to talk to Sav tomorrow.
The next day, I arrived an hour late. Whether Sav didn't mind or notice, I couldn't tell. He just greeted me and led me into the living room. Adam was already there, looking completely at ease with a bowl of chips in his lap.
I took my seat and watched as Sav brought out his guitar and amp, exclaiming that he had to show my how clear the guitar sounded on his newest 'baby.'
After he played a few different rifts, he and Adam started to play Dead Hands' "Fulfill My Dreams" on their bass and guitar.
I looked up when I heard thumping coming from the staircase. My eyes widened when Clare came into view. She wandered into the kitchen, not noticing me.
She was wearing a pair of baggy gray sweats and a small tank top. When she walked out of the kitchen, she saw me and smiled.
"Hey, I didn't know you'd be here." She greeted, standing behind the couch. I turned my body to face her.
"I could say the same thing." I mumbled; my brow furrowed. What was Clare doing here?
"Clare, pass me those chip, will ya?" Sav asked, extending his hand. She nodded and handed him one of the bags in her hand.
She was acting…so…casual. What was this, the Twilight Zone? Since when did Clare go over to Sav's house dressed like she was ready to go to sleep? Anger sizzled inside of me. This was crazy! I stood up abruptly and grabbed her arm gently, directing her into the hall.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss angrily. Clearly, she didn't see any reason for my anger, because her eyes widened.
"I'm hanging out. Why? What's wrong? Why are you mad?" I almost stop being frustrated right then and there. The way her blue doe-eyes widen and her lips part slightly makes me want to stop. She wears a face of pure confusion.
But, I was too angry. Too jealous.
"I'm mad because-"
"Hey guys, I was wondering if-" Sav had interrupted me, but stopped midway when he seemed to grasp he was intruding.
"Everything okay?" He asked, his eyes darting from Clare to me rapidly.
"Peachy." I mock sarcastically. Clare looks so damn confused. Doesn't she see why I'm so upset? Could she blame me? She was hanging out with Sav. She was dating Sav! Of course I'm not going to like it. Not one bit.
I knew I shouldn't be acting like a total ass, but I couldn't contain it.
"Dude, what is your-" I turn and yank the door open, not wanting to talk to them anymore.
"Eli, wait!" Clare called. She followed me, barefoot, into Sav's front lawn. I finally stopped when she grabbed my arm.
"What the heck is wrong with you? Why are acting like such a jerk?" She asks me. Staring into her blue orbs, I can't help but feel a tad guilty. I can see the pain and uncertainty in there.
"You're dating Sav!" I finally spit out, not wanting to beat around the bush. Her eyes grow wide as she knows she's been caught red-handed.
"No, I'm-" She begins, but I cut her off.
"I saw you two together at school yesterday. And today, you were at his house, acting so at home! Don't try to lie to me, Clare." To my surprise and annoyance, she starts to laugh.
These aren't her usual shy giggles. No, these are full blown cackles. She's supporting herself, placing her hands atop her knees to keep herself upright.
I can't help but feel pained. She's laughing. At me. At my feelings.
"Wow, Clare, I didn't know my feelings for you were just jokes in your eyes." I don't bother to hide the pain in my voice. Part of me feels like a spoiled, jealous little kid, but a bigger part just didn't care.
I know it's silly for me to even dream of being with a girl like her, but is it so silly that she actually has to laugh?
I freeze suddenly. Why? Because, one minute, she's laughing her head off while I scowl, the next, she's kissing me. It's short and sweet, but it doesn't change the fact that my heart starts to race.
She pulls away and grins and I'm so stupefied that I can't form coherent sentences.
"I'm not dating Sav, you idiot! Alli is Sav's younger sister and she is my best friend! We hang out all the time, so I grew to see Sav like an older brother. I harbor no feelings for Sav whatsoever!" She lets out a small breath.
"Oh." I mumble stupidly. I feel like throwing myself in front of a moving vehicle. She puts a hand on my cheek and I'm pretty sure my heart leaps at the contact. Oh, what this girl does to me.
"How could you think I liked Sav? Gosh, that is so far from the truth!"
"I'm sure it wasn't that unreasonable. I mean, I didn't even know you knew the guy." I mumbled sheepishly. I felt like kicking myself. I never really jump to conclusions, and I did that today, and look where it got me. God, I'm an idiot.
"Eli, I've practically fallen for you since the day you handed me my broken glasses! If I like anyone, it's you, stupid!" She laughs and shakes her head.
"Though, now that I look at it, it's kinda cute that you were jealous." She starts to giggle. I roll my eyes, but smirk.
"Shut up, Clare…" I mumbled and kiss her again. But, this kiss was more zealous than the one before. Soon enough, I have my tongue wrestling hers for dominance.
We pull away and stare into each other's eyes. Her cheeks are colored crimson and she's breathing heavily. But, that smile that I adore so much is plastered on her face.
I know I'm grinning like a goof, but I can't help it. I've got my girl.
"Come on, let's go back inside. And, you, mister, need to apologize." She jabs a finger into my chest. I grab her hand and kiss her fingertips.
"I know." I sigh, leading her back into the house.
Explaining to Sav why I was being a total jerk was easier than I thought. Though, my explanation ended with Adam and Sav in tears, laughing like maniacs.
Alli came down, complaining that Clare had yet to come back upstairs with her chips. When she took in the sight of all of us, Adam and Sav on the floor, laughing hysterically and me, with an arm wrapped around Clare's waist, she just shook her head and retreated to the safety of her room.
Hope I didn't disappoint you there, escaperealityforawhile! I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it everybody! Reviews make my world go round.
~S.S.