So sorry its taken this long to update. I just wasn't feeling very Eclare ispired, but I started working on another project. Anyway, I will try to post more frequently now, at least for the next 5 or 10 chapters. And I hope you guys like what is yet to come.

Chapter 8

She was nowhere to be found the next day. If it hadn't been for a few text messages at various times of the day, he would have been freaking out. But during second period she finally responded to him.

-Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Taking the day off for some R&R.

-Didn't feel up to it.

-See you at school tomorrow.

He was at her locker again the following morning, this time before she even managed to arrive. After having a mental argument with himself about whether or not to stay and wait for her, she suddenly appeared.

"Good morning," she almost seemed pleasant.

"And to you. You seem to be in a better mood." He leaned against her locker to try and seem more casual.

"Nothing a Vampire Diaries marathon and bucket of ice cream couldn't cure," she said. "It looks like all I needed was a little time to myself to relax and sulk."

His face dropped. "Oh, well I'll leave you to it then."

She grabbed his arm. "What are you talking about? I feel better, Eli. That means I can actually be good company now and not have to worry about being such a drag to you."

"You weren't really worried about that were you?"

"Well, no. But that doesn't make it less true," she said.

"Come on, Clare. You know you've always been a drag to me. Nothing will ever change that."

She shook her head and smiled while she reached back to tuck his flipped up collar back around his neck. "Walk me to class?"

Her day seemed to carry on normally and she did her best to keep her spirits high. Getting a day or two off really allowed her to reanalyze things and to realize how much she missed school. She discovered that what she really needed was a friend, especially Eli.

"And so she returns," Alli said when Clare entered the classroom. "I figured you had to be dying to miss a full day of school."

"I just needed a little alone time," she responded.

"Alone time?" Jenna said in disbelief.

"Yes. I wasn't feeling great. Now I'm better."

"You are so weird." But Clare didn't really care what Alli and Jenna thought. Obviously they didn't know or understand what she was going through and she wasn't about to share. Instead, she allowed the day to pass quickly, eating lunch with Eli again and heading to the theatre stage after the final bell rang.

This year they had all decided on doing a same sex version of Romeo and Juliet in hopes of opening the public's minds. She was behind the stage sorting through a few props and paint buckets when she felt a presence behind her.

"Hey!" Eli had snuck up and turned her around at the waste, holding her tight as he attempted to startle her.

"Eli!" she called and smiled up at him while he continued to hold her. He stared for a moment. She almost felt as though he were about to draw her in closer, maybe even try to kiss her again, but she couldn't quite be sure because of an interruption.

"Eli," Fiona was calling from behind a curtain. "Eli, I need you to approve these color swatches for Imogene."

"I'm glad you're here, Edwards" he said before heading back over to Fiona.

"Me too," she said quietly.

All he could think about was kissing her. Even just to graze her soft lips would be ideal. The thought of her in the kitchen still resonated with him every night. Those cute little skirts she wore all the time certainly didn't help either.

"Earth to Eli. Are we ever going to decide on the set design?" Fiona nagged.

"Sorry, I'm just a little distracted."

"No kidding. But Imogene worked really hard on all this stuff. You should show her some appreciation."

"Oh just go make-out already," Eli said. "She knows I appreciate her."

Fiona stormed off in a huff. He eventually calmed her down and the three of them made the final decisions on all of the designs before Dave and Tristan started running lines. The rest of the rehearsal seemed to run smoothly with the exception of a few shrill cracks during the vocals. He gave them some extra notes to practice at home and decided to call it a night.

Eli began to gather his things and look for Clare to offer her a ride again, but she was nowhere to be found. He had expected her to be in the props room but everything was tucked away neatly and looked as though it had been for a little while. She must have left early. Disappointed, he headed outside to meet his dad. Morty was in the shop yet again, resulting in the need for Bullfrog to give him a ride home. He hopped in the passenger side.

"Hey buddy. How was rehearsal?" he asked like a good concerned parent.

"Pretty good. I like being in charge." They began to drive off when he spotted Clare sitting on the front steps. "Bullfrog, wait a sec."

Worried that she may be upset because he tried to kiss her again, he had Bullfrog pull the car up right in front of her. "Clare, you alright?"

She looked upset, but as expected, tried to hide it. "Fine," she said sharply.

"Do you need a ride?" he asked.

She got up sharply and grabbed her bag. "No, I'll just walk."

"Clare, it's like 15 degrees outside," Eli rationalized.

"You need a ride, kiddo?" Bullfrog jumped in.

She stared at him for a minute and unhappily caved. Then she slammed the door while hopping into the back seat.

"You must be freezing. How long were you out there?" Eli asked with legitimate concern.

"A few minutes. It's no big deal," she was still speaking shortly.

"You're practically blue."

Bullfrog could sense the tension and took the opportunity to butt in and save Eli from further pissing her off. "So Clare, are you in the play?"

"I do props, Mr. Goldsworthy."

"Oh no, you have to call me Bullfrog. Everyone does, even Eli," he said politely.

"Like the guy on the radio? My parents can't stand him," she said, checking her phone.

"That's me actually," Bullfrog said awkwardly.

She perked up a second. "Really? Will you say something really obnoxious for my ringtone?"

"Uh…"

"Clare," Eli quickly tried to change the subject. "Have you started on our new essay yet?"

"What new essay? I wasn't in class yesterday. Remember?"

"Right. Well we have to argue about the legalization of marijuana."

"Sounds easy enough. I'll just interview Jake."

"So I guess we're in favor of it?"

"Why not? It's not like anyone actually cares what we do anyway," she seemed like she was trying not to scream.

They approached her house and Bullfrog pulled to a rolling stop. "Clare, you're dad by chance wasn't supposed to pick you up today, was he?" Eli asked.

Clare looked up from her phone and shot daggers at him. Her whole face flushed red with anger and she shot out of the car, slamming the door behind her.

"She seems nice," Bullfrog said.

"I wonder if I should go after her," Eli thought out loud.

"I really don't think that's a good idea. Right now that girl's got a lot of rage and she thinks you're the perfect target." He sighed. "You like this girl, huh?"

Eli turned to look at his dad. He really didn't see the point in lying to him about it. "I think so, yeah."

"Eli, I'm so glad that you're finally moving on, but did you have to pick the most volatile girl in your school?"

"She's not usually like that. Well, she usually is towards me but that's because I've gotten a little too good at provoking her."

"This sounds like a great combination," Bullfrog mused.

"Look, her parents just got divorced last year and her dad hasn't been around much since. I'm sure him not showing up today was what set her off."

"Man, that's got to be rough on the kid. So, you think she'll come around?" he asked.

"I hope so. But I'm not going to give up easily if she doesn't," Eli declared.

"Just be careful. It sounds like both of you are at risk of getting hurt here."

"You don't have to be worried, dad. I'm taking my pills. If things go south, I can handle it."

"I hope you're right," he said.