CLARE'S P.O.V.

"Well, I guess he's not coming." Alli said, with a playful smirk on her face, packing up her stuff. "And I have to be home by quarter after seven, so, as much as I would love to wait with you longer, I have to run."

"Alli- come on. Five more minutes." I said, pleading. Alli had agreed to wait with me until Eli came, so I wouldn't be so… well, alone.

"I'm sorry, I've really have got to run. I'm already grounded for the weekend, so I really wouldn't like to add to that." She said, slinging her purse and her bag on her shoulder, as the bell above the door jingled. "But look," She said, a satisfied smirk on her face like she had planned it, "Eli's here."

I began to wave, but quickly put my hand down. I hadn't seen Eli this angry since his last spat with Fitz. But he looked positively rabid as he sat down.

"Something… wrong?" I asked, not knowing exactly what to say in a situation like this.

"Nothing." He remarked. "Do you guys want anything?" He asked, pulling out his wallet.

"Umm… I actually just leaving." Alli said, shooting me a confused look.

"Alright then." He said, "Clare?"

"I'm alright too, thanks." I said, shrugging my shoulders lightly at Alli.

As Eli went up to the counter, she walked to the doors. "Good luck." She mouths. I smiled lightly at her twisted humor, watching Eli's rough movements as he ordered his drink. Something had obviously shaken him up, a task not incredibly difficult to complete. He walked back to the table with his drink, and sat down, staring out of the window, glancing at his car parked at the end of the street.

"Eli, are you okay?" I asked gently, trying not to draw attention to us in the small, but crowded restaurant.

"Just dealing with those of a lower caliber really sets me off." He said, sipping his drink, smirking.

"It's not anything I should be worried about?" I said, my mind instantly flashing back to KC.

"No, Clare." He snapped, and then looking slightly apologetic, we added, "I'm fine. You're fine. Everything's fine."

"If you say so," I said, my mind focusing on trying to read him. But Eli, like I've mentioned so many times previously, was never an easy book to read. He was a closed book, letting no emotion other than the ones he proudly displayed showing.

"And I do." He said; a playful smirk on the side of his mouth.

At least he's slightly back to normal now… I thought, and our evening progressed as usual. He drove me home that night, and not wanting to stir up any trouble, I didn't bring it up again. I walked home in the twilight, an early dusk setting on our town. I reached home safely, and trumped up the front steps, thinking about what it could be that had gotten Eli so angry. My safest bet was KC, I admitted to myself, but I'd like to think that he would tell me if something about that was going on. Probably his dad; or his step-mom. Yeah, I thought, agreeing with my latest guess. That's probably it. I was greeted at the front steps with an unusual silence, lacking in my parents usual nightly arguments, and I noticed the note that sat of the counter.

Clare, me and your father went out to the church fundraiser tonight. It said, in my mother's neat, block-style handwriting. We'll be back around midnight. You can heat up the pasta from last night if you get hungry. Xoxo, Mom.

How fortunate, I thought- heating up the pasta. I can finish my English assignment in peace, call Alli to talk about what happened tonight, and get an early night's sleep. I was in a generally content mood as I hopped up the stairs, dragging my backpack behind me.

I logged on to the computer, ready to start up my English assignment that I had been neglecting this whole afternoon.

Suddenly, I received a message, a message that I shouldn't have been surprised by at all, but yet- still sent my heart into a flutter.

Footballman14 : Clare?

KC obviously wasn't playing any jokes on me, but I answered reluctantly. The last thing I wanted to do was lead him on.

ClareE55 : Yes?

Footballman14 : Did your little boyfriend tell you about our little encounter today?

So, I was right. KC had obviously said something to set off Eli. I couldn't help but feel a little relieved, as Eli had said that he wasn't too worried about it. Still, my old worries flooded back.

ClareE55 : KC, leave Eli alone!

Footballman14 : I would've. I really would've. But he has you, Clare. The one thing I want.

This was getting a little too serious for me.

ClareE55 : If you "wanted me so bad"; why didn't you talk to me today in gym?

Footballman14 : Didn't have a chance too.

That was obviously a cover-up; a lie of some sort. But I didn't know what else to believe.

Footballman14 : Clare, if you don't believe I'm genuine, I'll show you somehow.

ClareE55 : KC, I don't really want you to show me. I have a boyfriend.

This was all getting a little frustrating. KC oblivion really irritated me.

Footballman14 : Well, not for long.

Footballman14 is now offline.