Clare woke up and went down stairs, not caring if she looked like a mess. Eli wasn't attracted to her, so what did it matter. Eli was in the living room eating cereal when he saw he Clare come down the stairs. He looked her up and down and smirked. Clare had gone to bed in shorts and a tank-top, but had put the robe on before she came down stairs.

"Sleep well?" Eli asked, putting his food down.

"Yeah, that bed is nice.

"It's never been slept in. It's a guest room and I don't get a lot off guest."

"So, do you live alone? Because you look a little young to be living by yourself." Clare asked, sitting beside him.

"No, my parents are just gone a lot. Dad's a shock-jock and has to work mornings and afternoons. Mom goes with to help."

"So, you're alone most the time."

"Yep."

"Well, then let's go out and have some fun!" Clare jumped up and smiled. Eli looked up confused, but then smirked and stood up to.

Clare skipped out the door and Eli followed behind slowly. Clare got to Morty and turned to see Eli walking sluggishly over. Clare crossed her arms and pouted. Eli saw and smirked. When he reached the hearse Clare was pushed up against it. Clare looked up at Eli, with wonder and suspicion. Eli smirked and leaned down to ear.

"You're in the way of the driver's seat." he whispered and pulled away. Clare looked around her and saw she was leaning against the driver's seat door. Clare looked down blushing and moved away to the other side.

Eli smirked before he got in and unlocked the door. Clare got in and buckled herself. Clare looked up slightly to see Eli watching her and then quickly look down. Eli smirked once again before he started Morty up and pulled onto the street.

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"Is there a reason that you wanted to go to the park?" Eli asked, standing while Clare swung.

"If you want to go home we can?" Clare offered.

"No, I was just wondering."

"Well, when I was a kid my mom would take me here."

"I thought your parents don't live here?"

"They don't. They use to."

"Oh, well that makes sense. Why did you guys move?"

"My dad got a job offer."

"So, then how did you end up living here?"

"I meet Joe and we got serious, he was on summer vacation when we meet and he had to go home. I decided to live with him and now I'm here."

"Well, that's too bad." there was a silence, as Eli looked around the empty playground. "Wait, here." Eli lifted his head up at Clare. Clare nodded and watched as Eli disappeared around the trees.

Clare stopped herself and waited for what seemed like hour, but were only seconds. Clare started to tear up. He had left her sitting on a swing in the park. She knew he didn't like her, but to just abandon her? She probably should have seen it coming. Clare stood up and walked down to the beach. It was empty since it wasn't warm outside yet.

Clare sat and watched the water crash on the sand. Maybe I should just go home? I could stay with Alli. I can't run away anymore, I've got no place to go! Clare folded her arms on top of her knees and cried into them.

She didn't see, but Eli turned the corner of the building and saw her there crying. He jogged up and stood behind her.

"What's wrong Clare?" Eli asked. Clare turned quickly and looked up shocked.

"You're still here?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Clare looked down embarrassed and didn't answer. "Why didn't you stay at the park?"

"I thought you ditched me." Clare whispered. Eli chuckled.

"Clare I went to get some ice cream. To cheer you up." Clare looked up surprised and smiled. Eli smirked and handed Clare her chocolate ice cream cone, and sat down next to her.

"Great, choice of scenery." Eli laughed. Clare looked down and smiled. "Why do you always looked down?" Eli tucked his head down to see her hidden face.

"I'm just a little embarrassed that I misjudged you."

"Well, I don't mind. You don't know me well, yet." Clare looked up and smiled, but it faded into a frown.

"Are you playing with me?" Clare asked, curiously.
"What do mean?"

"Well, you invite me to your house, feed me, and take me to the park, but when I tried to kiss you, all you do is pull away. Why?"

"You just got out of a bad relationship. I don't want to push you or be a rebound."

"I understand that, but you need to know you're not. I've been over him for weeks." Clare lied.

"Still, I think we should get to know each other more, before anything starts."

"Alright, I can't force you." Clare pouted.

"Clare, come on."

"I don't understand why you don't trust me!"

"I do, but I don't think you should rush into anything!"

"I'm not rushing into anything!" Eli sighed and calmed himself down. Yelling wasn't going to solve this.

"I like you Clare, a lot. But I don't want you to do something you'll regret. Let's just take it slow and become friends before we try to start a relationship." Clare sighed and nodded. He brought her in and took care of her, and she yells at him.

Eli held his hand out and helped Clare up. They walked around on the beach talking and eating their ice cream, before they went home.