Here's Chapter Two for everyone Enjoy!
12 Hours Later: 9 AM, Saturday morning.
It was a bleary Saturday morning; the sky was gray, and the air uncomfortably cold. A Saturday where it was exactly how Clare and Eli felt; bleak.
Almost 12 hours later, and it felt like the incident that had happened that Friday night was only mere minutes ago. After they had arrived at the hospital, Clare was seen by a doctor they didn't know.
There were bruises already forming in an unsightly cluster where Fitz had hit her, and purple bruising around her neck where she had been held. It wasn't as serious or as painful as the wounds she suffered emotionally or mentally. That's what killed her inside. It wasn't the fact she got assaulted, it was the fact that it had happened to her while she had tried to diffuse a war. That her own kindness got thrown back at her.
Clare had been in such a hysteric state, that the doctor had decided to sedate her before her parents had arrived. Eli had held her hand the whole time, and had covered for her as to why she was here in the first place. Sugar-coated it so Clare could tell them when she was ready.
She was free to go hours later, and it pained her to be without Eli. It scared her. Her parents had insisted on being the ones to take Clare home, but Eli refused. He told them that he had been with her the whole time, and he would leave with her.
For some reason, they didn't argue. And that's how it came to Clare sitting in the passenger seat of Morty, Eli's hearse. Neither one of them were sure how long they sat there, before Eli spoke.
"Clare, I don't even know where to begin. I'm so sorry this happened, I'm sorry I didn't try to stop Fitz. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you…I.." His voice broke as he trailed off, tears threatening to spill.
Her sky blue eyes focused on his emerald ones and took his hand in hers.
"Eli. You have to know it wasn't your fault. It was Fitz. You were doing what you thought was right."
She wasn't sure if she truly believed the words that came out of her mouth, but there really was nothing Eli could've done to help her. If Eli had taken action, would she be here right now? Though, Eli let the stupid feud continue. That's what landed her in this mess. So, Clare wasn't entirely sure she was mad at Eli, because she was also mad at herself.
She snuck a glance at Eli, and she felt her heart give a tiny flutter. It was both their faults this happened, so she couldn't be that angry with Eli. Clare was in shock and denial that this could happen to her. A sbitter smile formed on her lips, but faded instantly as a thought came over her. Eyes filled with defeat, she asked a question she was sure she knew the answer to.
"I have to tell them what really happened, don't I?"
Eli sighed and rubbed his thumb over the top of her wrist, comfortingly.
"You do, Clare-Bear. As much as you hate it, they have to know what really happened."
"But what if they're ashamed of me? I'm scared of what they'll say if they know what Fitz did to me."
She felt the tears building up and filling her eyes again, but she couldn't fight them this time. They spilled down her flushed cheeks in agonized rivulets as she cried.
"Clare. Listen to me." He cupped her chin in his hand and wiped away her tears. "They are your parents. No matter what you do, your parents are always going to love you. You did nothing wrong, the only reason they would be angry is the same reason I am; because you couldn't be protected."
He leaned over to kiss her cheek lightly. Clare knew he was right, she was just scared that the truth had to come out. She felt dirty, like she committed a sin, but she knew she hadn't. Fitz did. Everything about her had been violated; her trust, her heart, and her innocence.
She knew that the Christian wanted to forgive and forget, but it's not like Fitz stole a candy bar, he stole a part of her. How would she be able to forgive, to forget that? But she had to come clean to her parents. Eli was right. They loved her, no matter what.
"You're right, Eli. I'm just nervous. I'm just so happy that you're here, with me."
He gave her a small smirk, and put the key into the ignition. "I'm just happy that I have you, safe and sound. With me."
A faint blush spread over her cheeks and she let out a tiny giggle, her anger momentarily forgotten. Eli had his faults, but in the end he really own meant well when it came to her. This was love, they would get through this…right? Eli started driving her to her house, and the car became silent again as they were both immersed in their own thoughts.
She was occupied thinking about what might happen when Fitz got out of Prison. Would he come after her again? Or Eli? No. She wouldn't think about that right now. Fitz was far away paying for his sins in a tiny dank cell. He would not control her life, be her fear. Everything was going to be better. She had Eli, after all.
Eli finally pulled up to her house, and he turned to her.
"Do you want me to go in with you? You know, for moral support?" She smiled up at him, but shook her head.
"No, but thank you. I need to do this by myself. Can I call you later though? After I tell them?" Eli placed an arm around her, returning her smile. "I was afraid you'd never ask, m'lady." She snorted at his comment before leaning up to peck him on the lips. Some people might find it weird or wrong that she was in physical contact with him, but she wouldn't let what happened affect her.
She was going to be strong. Eli's lips were comforting to her. His soft, warm lips fit hers perfectly. Clare couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend. Even after what happened. Eli meant the world to her. Though she was resistant to pull away from the safety of his embrace, Clare knew she had to.
"Eli, I really hate to leave now… but I have to." Her voice became saddened.
Eli sighed, and nodded. He knew she had to get this over with.
"I know. But you call me the second you're done talking to them, alright, Blue Eyes? I miss you already. He gave a small smirk as he looked at her.
"I miss you too, Goldy." Her light blue eyes glinted with amusement.
"Hey! Don't call me that, Clare-Bear." He stuck out his tongue out her, as she reached over to open the car door. She hopped out and turned to face him again.
"Well, we'll have to discuss a new nickname for you when I call you later, sound good?" Eli laughed, and so did she.
"Alright, Clare. I'll talk to you later. I love you." He pulled away as she returned an "I love you," back, before going into her house.
Her parents were sitting at the dining table, waiting for her. Both of them looked up as she closed the door, and she walked over and sat down across from them.
"Mom. Dad. There's something I have to tell you, about what happened. Her mother, Helen, turned to look at her father, and then looked at Clare.
"What is it, Honey?" Her father asked, concerned.
Clare swallowed hard, and for a second she couldn't breathe. But she had to continue.
"It's Fitz…He didn't just hit me..he.." She trailed off, trying to compose herself.
"What did he do, Clare? Please, tell us." Her mother begged, not knowing what to expect.
Clare stared at the wall above their heads, focusing on the color as she proceeded to tell them.
"Fitz… sexually assaulted me." She shut her eyes in embarrassment as her mother gasped.
"How could this happen, Clare?" Her mother cried, unwilling to think something so dirty could happen to someone so pure.
Her father turned to look at her mother, his face contorted in mild rage.
"It doesn't matter how it happened, Helen! All that matters is that it did, and our daughter needs us!" He raised his voice at the end of his sentence, causing Clare to flinch.
Her mother didn't react to being yelled at and instead asked another question.
"Why did Eli do nothing to prevent this? What kind of boy does that?"
Clare suddenly became infuriated at her mother's words. How dare she insinuate that Clare asked for this to happen, and then in the same breath blame her boyfriend? What world was her mother living on?
"You know, Mom, I thought that as my mother you would comfort me, but instead I get blamed for something horrible that happened to me. It's. Not. My. Fault." She got up from her chair, and rushed upstairs to her room, leaving her parents to start another argument, yet again.
She would call Eli later. She just wanted to sleep. School was starting again this Monday, and she needed to prepare herself for a new Degrassi.
Annnnnd, Scene. In the next chapter, I'm going to include Adam and Alli as they're going to help both Eli and Clare move on from what happened. I felt like this was a good chapter for Eclare because it made Clare really think about her feelings on what happened, and whether she thought it was Eli's fault or not. Warning: There will be Eclare fluff in the next chapter. Anyways, Read & Review! That keeps the chapters a'coming!
~~~Beccky