It was very dark out when Eli's eyes opened. Where was he? He looked to his left and seen Clare asleep on his arm. He tried to move it but it was asleep. He looks at his watch. It read 2a.m., he and Clare would be in so much trouble, and he knew it. The school does a head count after dinner, and they would be unaccounted for.

"Clare? Wake up, we fell asleep." He tapped on her arm. Man, she was so beautiful with her brown curly hair spread across his arm and her face seemed to brighten up even in the dark. He wanted nothing more than to lay there with her and just watch her. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face grazing her cheek. She moved slightly from the touch. "Clare wake up sweetie." He tapped her once again. She stretched and her eyes opened. They just stared deeply into each others eyes. She touched her with the back of his hand. Her face was cold. He just stayed there half on top of her and wished he could just kiss her. Her lips were in a pout and Eli couldn't resist himself, he leaned down and his lips barely touched her and she let out a small moan that seemed like it was stuck in the back of her throat. He pressed his lips firmly on hers and waited for her to kiss back, and she did willingly. They just kissed for what seemed like minutes even though it was seconds. Eli lifted up and just stared at Clare with want and need in his eyes.

"Clare? Are you okay?" he asked quietly

"Yes Eli, I'm perfect, that was amazing. That was the best kiss of my life. I feel alive and it was so small, I can't imagine sex."

"WAIT! You're a virgin Clare? How is that possible you're amazingly beautiful, and the greatest person and I've only just met you?"

"It's not that I've not had the opportunity I just wanted to wait till marriage but, then I learned my parents were divorcing, and now sex doesn't seem that big of a sin, but I still want to wait till I'm in love and ready. Does that mean you're not a virgin?"

"I can see that point of view and I want you to know I respect that fully, but I am a guy and yes I have had needs that I have fulfilled with women."

"Can't you just say you've had sex before? And when you say women, how many is that exactly?" I asked him while I gave him a very suspicious look.

"I've been with two girls. Obviously Julia and then after her I drowned my sorrow with a bottle and Imogen this girl who left at the end of last year, she was a great girl but we ended things kind of weird. We haven't spoken since." He looked at Clare with honesty in his eyes that she has never seen before not even in her parents. It was nice to see it, especially in Eli; it made her safer than she had in a long time.

He leaned back down and kissed her once more, very lightly she held her breath and just let it be, and she loved it.

"We need to go Clare." He said lifting her head with his arm pulling it out from underneath her, he stood up then grab her hand and helped her up.

"Thank you Eli." She said as she dusted herself off and fixed her hair as much as possible. He took his jacket off and placed it over her shoulders and held her close to him. They shared a secret bond in that moment, realizing that this was possibly more than what either one of them expected; that they needed to share this moment together, and many more.

They walked back to the school hand in hand. When they reached the school, Eli pulled on the door handle but it wouldn't open.

"Shit! I forgot it gets close after dinner." He hit the door with his fists making the glass shake.

"What are we going to do Eli?" Clare said clutching his jacket around her.

"I don't know. Clare I'm sorry about all of this." He said grabbing her and holding her trying to keep her warm.

"Wait, I think I hear someone coming. He cupped his hands around his eyes and look inside the door. He saw a figure coming closer to the door.

Click, the door opened and there stood Bianca, man I've been waiting for you guys to come back all night. I covered for you two with Mrs. Strout, when she came into your room I placed the blankets up to look like you both were in your room. No need to thank me now, just go upstairs before we all get in trouble." Bianca stepped aside and Eli and Clare rushed quietly upstairs to her door, Eli leaned into Clare pressing her back on her door, placing his hand on the small of her back and kissed her, pressing his tongue on the tip of hers, she opened her mouth more and allowed his tongue to explore hers.

"Bed! Seriously guys, I covered for you once I'm not doing it again." B said with her hands on her hips standing at the top of her stairs, before she proceeded to her room.

"Clare, I think I might love you. I know it's soon but I haven't felt like this before." Eli said holding her closely

"I think I may love you too, I think this feeling inside of me is love, I know I've never felt like this either. I want to be with you so much it hurts."

"I have to go now, but I will see you in the morning. I promise you."

"No, I want you to stay with me tonight."

"Are you sure? I don't want to rush this more than we have already." Eli looks into her eyes, searching for fear or regret, he didn't see any.

"Yes Eli, I want you to stay with me please."

He didn't ask again he just opened the door and followed Clare inside and they laid on the bed spooning together falling asleep, arms in arms. Their hearts were beating in unison, knowing that this was only the beginning.

A/N – So I hope you enjoy this chapter and more to come. This was very hard to write without giving up so much in the future chapters to go. This is a day by day story, so if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to write me. I take all ideas into consideration. Also I would like to dedicate this chapter to the people who has reviewed or followed/favorite this story. Have fun and enjoy reading.