Ugh, next Friday is too far away. Clare, what's going through that pretty little head of yours? Anyways, my ranting would take up too much time, so I'll cut it short. Clare's attitude is understandable, yet disappointing. Fiona is hilarious. Holly J. should just get back together with Declan, and, dear reader, did you think it was rape, as implied by the promo? I didn't. But, that's only because she could have fought back. Persuasion does not equal rape, imho.

Enjoy!

As soon as the door closed, the fighting commenced. Clare grimaced as she heard her father's harsh tone and her mother's accusations.

"It's your fault she's acting like this!" She heard her mother yell trying—but utterly failing—to keep her voice down. Two minutes ago, they were both so…united. They were both angry, but they were finally on the same page. They were finally agreeing on something, working together to try and figure out their daughter's crazy behavior.

Clare was grinning now, the newfound revelation hitting her hard. The more dangerous and disobedient she became, the more her mother and father agreed. If they agreed, they weren't fighting, inevitably equaling in no divorce.

A small, sensible part of Clare tried to reason that it was wrong and that she shouldn't o this. But it was too good to be true. There was a way to save their marriage! All she had to do was misbehave.

With the high that came with her epiphany, Clare yanked her phone out of her purse and texted Eli, asking him to meet her at The Dot. Tossing her phone back in her bag, Clare didn't even bother to see if he responded.

Pushing her window up as far as she could, Clare eased her way out and down. Once her feet were planted safely on the ground, Clare praised herself silently for accomplishing the task of sneaking out.

Then, she ran.

Clare slowed to a stop when The Dot came into view. It was closed, of course, but a faint light from the inside illuminated the area.

Her breathing was shallow and her heart thumped erratically in her chest from the run. Clare walked slowly, a smile stretching across her face as she saw Eli waiting for her.

"Hey." She said, approaching him. He turned to her and smirked, his eyes questioning, confused.

"Hey there, Edwards. Didn't know you couldn't resist even so much as half an hour without me." He responded with a wink. Clare's cheeks flushed slightly, but her smile didn't leave.

Instead of answering, Clare stretched up on her tip toes and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. His lips were warm and smooth and his teeth grazed her plump lower lip.

Eli's hands cupped her cheeks as he deepened the kiss, his tongue massaging hers. His hands slowly traveled down, resting comfortably at her hips.

Standing there, in the dark, kissing the only by who made her feel so good, Clare felt amazing.

They both pulled away, reluctantly, as they gasped for air. Clare was grinning up at Eli, but his expression was unreadable. He held her close, and looked down at her face, scrutinizing her.

"What?" She asked, a nervous giggle bubbling through her lips. Eli's brow furrowed.

"What's wrong with you lately? I mean, it's cool that you want to hang out, and kiss, and be with me, but you're making your parents worry. Don't you think you did enough for tonight?"

After every word he spoke, Clare's smile fell a little bit, until she was full-on frowning. She all but yanked herself away from him as she backed up slowly.

"Fine. Go home." She spat, distancing herself from him. Eli's expression went from confusion, to realization.

"Clare-" He began, but she shook her head, cutting him off.

"I don't need you. I'll go find some else to occupy my time." She kept her head held high, but tears were already starting to trickle down her cheeks.

Without waiting for him to respond, Clare turned and started to walk away, in long strides, to get away from him.

"Clare, wait!" She heard him call after her, but she kept walking, picking up her speed.

I don't need him. She thought bitterly. I can go anywhere. As long as I'm out, my parents will still be mad; meaning all of their anger will still be directed at me.

So completely wrapped up in her thought, she yelped when a hand suddenly clamped down on her shoulder. She whirled around and came face to face with Eli.

She tried to pry herself free, but Eli efficiently pinned her wrists against the side of a building. Eventually, she ceased her thrashing and stayed silent, fighting back tears.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Clare? You aren't acting like yourself! Why are you doing this to us, to your parents?" He asked, confusion and pain mixed into his dark green eyes.

"Because it's the only way!" She answered, hanging her head.

"The only way to what?" Eli asked, beginning to grow desperate.

"If I stop now, they'll keep fighting and they'll get a divorce and we won't be a family anymore!" Clare sniffled as she fought the constant flow of her tears.

Eli sighed as he released her wrists and pulled Clare into a hug. She pushed against him, however.

"No," She responded firmly. "I need to go. I don't need you. I'll…go to a bar! Or…vandalize something!" She tried to pull away, but Eli held on tight.

"Are you saying you'll get mixed in with the wrong crowd? You'll start hanging out with thugs who will only want to use you? You'll make me and your parents and your friends and your sister miserable? Maybe, you'll get raped, or beaten, or-"

"Stop!" She cried.

"No. You need to hear this. Or maybe, you'll just become something you aren't: a loser. A good for nothing. A slut. Or, you can stop trying to avoid the truth. You could go home, talk to your parents, and sort this out. You'll still have your sister and your friends. And, you'll still have me. You can get through this, Clare, I just know it."

"I can't." She argued feebly. "I…" She trailed off, shaking her head. She buried her face into Eli's chest, weariness and sadness kicking in, draining all of her energy.

She felt Eli start to pull her along. He led her into his hearse and drove her home. They were silent the whole way.

A dozen questions plagued Clare's thoughts. She didn't look at Eli as she exited the vehicle and climbed back up into her room.

She didn't bother changing. She fell asleep, allowing one sentence to drift in her mind.

I can't let mom and dad get a divorce.

Well, I think after the next episode comes out, I'll write a part two to this chapter. Yup, I'm sticking to the storyline for now. Once this whole, Clare/Eli thing gets sorted out, I'll write more fics, and better ones. Review?

~S.S.