So, this is where the plot thickens. It's the part that I was referring to in the summary and I'm pretty sure you guys are going to like it.

Chapter 3

Monday morning neither of them knew how to act. They somehow felt more connected now, but they weren't about to call themselves friends. So they just settled for ignoring one another as much as possible. When Clare walked into English and headed for her seat behind Eli, he noticed right away and sat up a little straighter.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Monosyllabic banter seemed to be enough to satisfy both of their needs for communication for the rest of the day.

"Ok class. I need you to turn in your assignments," Ms. Dawes announced. Clare grabbed her paper and attempted to get up when she felt a hand on her desk.

"I'll get it," Eli said, holding his own.

"Thanks," she responded and sat back down. She spent the rest of the period staring at the back of his head, his loose dark curls and the folded back collar on his shirt. Meanwhile, he was sure he could sense her eyes on him from affront. He then began to wonder what facial expressions she was making or what was going through her head. For a few brief moments, they both seemed to be content in their thoughts.

"So how was it?" Adam whispered.

"What?"

"Your day of doom and gloom at Casa de Edwards?" he hissed.

Eli was silent at first but he knew Clare could hear everything. "Um, it was alright?"

"You mean the two of you actually didn't kill each other? I bet she flipped after you left that stink bomb."

Clare sat up straight. He could feel the movement behind him as he sank lower in his own chair. After the bell rang, she grabbed her books and darted straight for the door and he didn't do anything to stop her. There wasn't much point. She wouldn't forgive him, not that he really cared. At least, he shouldn't care. But maybe he did a little.

"Whoa! Simmer down, sister," Jenna said when Clare nearly slammed right into her.

"Sorry. I just can't believe him!"

Jenna and Alli stared at each other and then spoke in unison, "Eli."

"He was going to set off a stink bomb in my house," she explained.

"What?" Jenna's jaw dropped.

"On Saturday?" Alli asked.

"Yes! Adam just asked him how it went and if I freaked out."

"Wait, so he didn't set it off?" Jenna asked.

"No. I had no idea."

"Well, why didn't he do it? Did something happen between you two?" Alli looked at her skeptically.

"Of course not! Like what?"

"Well, there has to be a reason he changed his mind."

"I don't know and I don't care," she declared.

"Ok ok. Time to calm down, because we've got great news!" Alli seemed a little too excited. She paused for dramatic effect and said, "Drew Torres is having a party this Saturday night!"

"Awesome!" Jenna squealed.

"Oh great. Drew Torres is Adam Torres' brother, which means that Eli will be there," Clare rationalized.

"That's wonderful, Debbie Downer. Now buck up and avoid him, because you are coming with us and we are going to have a fabulous time!"

Clare was able to successfully avoid speaking to Eli for the rest of the week, and aside from asking what grade she got on her paper, he didn't bother to address her either. They both got A's, although, Clare still felt she didn't deserve it. Like she told Eli, there were still things she couldn't bring herself to put into writing. Momentarily, she felt the need to express this to him, but she chalked that up to temporary insanity and went back to ignoring him as much as possible.

Saturday rolled around and she found herself sitting on her bed while Alli picked through her closet. After about fifteen minutes of staring at her wardrobe, she finally grabbed her reserves out of her own bag.

"This will have to do," she said holding up a blue and white polka dotted dress with a high-waist. "But you're letting me accessorize."

Clare put on the dress, which had become shorter than she remembered, but was still conservative enough for her to be slightly comfortable, and then put on the belt, boots and jewelry that Alli provided.

"Perfect! You look hot, but not hotter than me."

Clare smiled. "You know, I do look kind of hot."

"Alright, we've got to hurry if we're going to meet Jenna there. Let's go."

When they arrived, Clare could only describe the party one way- loud. There were red cups everywhere, girls in skanky outfits, girls in bikinis even though she was pretty sure there wasn't a pool, and lots of guys with baggy pants.

"I'm going to go find Drew," Alli ran off into the next smoky room before Clare had the chance to argue. She let out a loud sigh knowing she would be on her own for the rest of the night. Even if she managed to find Jenna, she, too, would probably be curled up around some guy.

"Well," Clare thought to herself, "if I'm here, I may as well try to have a good time." Then she headed off to find the keg. There was a line in the kitchen which clearly went to the beer. Ten minutes waiting led to her sipping from her own red cup in a nearby corner.

"Clare Edwards drinking a beer at a party? What would your minister say?" There he was across the room, drinking from his own plastic cup.

"I have a pastor, not a minister. And Jesus drank wine which actually has a higher alcohol percentage than beer."

"Unbelievable. You're drinking underage at a party and you still find a way to be a conceited know-it-all."

"Why are you even talking to me?" Clare asked rather rudely.

Eli wasn't about to put up with that. "Sorry for trying to make conversation. To hell with this," and he walked away.

"Great," Clare thought. She managed to scare away the one other person at this party that might be willing to talk to her; not that she really wanted to talk to Eli. She buried her sorrows in her cup and asked for a refill before heading outside and finding a vacant bench in the backyard.

It was kind of cold but she hadn't bothered to bring a jacket. So she just sat curled up against the armrest and sipped on her beer while staring up at the stars and pretending that the little alcohol she'd consumed hadn't gotten to her yet. That's when she spotted her ex.

"Clare?"

"Dallas?" she responded. He sauntered over, spilling out the contents of his drink, and slopped down on the bench next to her. He tossed his arm around the back of the bench and cupped his hand around her shoulder. "What are you doing here, baby?"

"Sorry, I didn't realize this was in your domain."

"Nah, I'm glad you're here," he slurred. "I've been wanting to tell you how much I miss you."

"You're drunk Dallas. You probably miss your dog right now, too."

He laughed and scooted closer. "That's what I mean. You're so sarcastic. You got a great sense of humor," and he began to sniff her hair.

Clare wasn't really bothered at first, since they had dated briefly before. Dallas, however, was dangerously close to crossing the line. "Dallas, I'm not your girlfriend anymore."

"Come on, baby. For old time's sake," and he began to kiss at her neck.

"Mike, stop," she said and pushed him away.

"I'm sorry, Clare, but you smell so good."

"Well you reek," she said, holding her hand to her nose to cover the smell of beer and cigarettes.

He chuckled once more and began to run his fingers through her hair. Then he tried to kiss her cheek and neck again. "We were so good together."

She pushed at him again, "No, we weren't and we barely even dated. So you need to stop."

He grabbed her face and tried to kiss her full on the lips this time while he ran his hand up her leg towards her thigh. Clare wasn't exactly sure what was happening and started to enter panic mode. About to scream, she tried to push him back again but she had to face it; he was stronger than her. Feeling trapped, she was finally able to force him off and then slap him across the face, hard. He seemed to sober a little and was possibly even a bit shocked at his own actions.

"Clare! I'm so sorry. I…" he trailed off and realized that she was trying to get up and leave, so he forced her down to get her to listen.

"Dallas, stop it!" That's when the blow struck. A fist came crashing down, colliding with Mike Dallas's face. He was plastered square in the nose. Clare looked up to see Eli, red in the face and fuming. Unsure of what to do next, she fled.

Across the backyard and through the house, she fled. Out the front door and into the street, she marched, ignoring everyone and everything. The cacophony of loud music and drunken laughter seemed like a hazy background as she disregarded her surroundings and stopped at the end of the street. She was lost with nowhere to go. That's when she felt the soft tug on her arm.

"Come on," he said, but Clare just stared at him with an empty expression. "Clare, come on. I'm taking you home."

She stood rooted not moving an inch.

"Damnit, Clare!"

She still didn't know what to do.

"Clare, remember what you said about everyone leaving you? Well, I'm not going to leave you, not right now."

That was when she broke. The flood of past events of everything from the evening became evident as it dripped down her face. She nodded slightly and climbed into the hearse.

Author's Note: I just wanted to clarify the reason I chose Dallas for this part. Originally, I thought of Fitz or Owen, but after the drunk scene in the props room while Clare was flipping out about Asher, I thought that they could actually be a couple. I know that this chapter was a little cliche, but I tried to make it as realistic as possible and I will continue to do so for the next couple chapters. Let me know if you feel differently in the R/R.

Author's Rant: I'm really upset about he way the break-up went down during last week's episode for Eclare. I respect the break-up, I'm just disappointed that they tried to pin everything on Clare and make it seem like she was being the bad guy. Eli messed up and he used her as an excuse which I don't respect. That being said, I will forever ship Eclare and I know and believe they will find their way back to one another.