Hey Guys! As promised, here's the next chapter. I haven't even reread it, so there might be errors. There won't be after tomorrow though, so if you find any, feel free to ignore them. Lol. I'll find them when I have time tomorrow. Hope you guys enjoy anyways.

As always, Read and Review!

Clare's POV

I took the razor and pushed down, dragging it across my skin of the opposite arm I did last time. Since it had multiple blades, it created multiple cuts. However, the problem was that none of them drew blood. It split a few layers of skin, deep enough to sting, but not deep enough to actually create the desired effect.

In a split second decision, out of frustration, I threw the razor out of the shower. I wanted to break down and cry. It made me so frustrated that I now had these stinging cuts on my wrist that I didn't get an emotional release from.

Unfortunately, it bounced off of something on the sink because the next thing I heard were a few things clattering to the ground. I cringed physically, waiting and hoping Eli wouldn't think anything of it.

"Clare?" I heard Eli knock and open the door to speak through. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I replied curtly. I didn't want my voice to give away anything.

"Clare? Why is my razor on the floor?" He asked. He sounded more confused than accusing.

"I—" I cut off trying to scrounge for words.

"Clare." Eli spoke. He sounded hesitant. "Show me. Show me your wrists."

"Okay." I sighed, standing up and turning off the water. "Just hand me a towel." I waited while he grabbed one, and stuck it over the shower rod. I grabbed it and wrapped it around me before opening the shower curtain. Eli was standing there anxiously. I said, showing him my wrists. I sighed, stepping out of the shower, before showing him my wrists, letting him study them. After a few moments, I pulled them back, walking around them.

"Clare?" He asked from behind me. I had started gathering my clothes together so I could get changed. "Clare. I thought we agreed that you would come to me about this. Whenever you got like that."

"What do you want from me, Eli?" I sighed again turning around to face him. "It's too much. Too much bad stuff happening at once. I can't handle it. That's why I did it. I just wanted my mind to stop racing long enough to breathe." I noticed then that tears were falling down my cheeks.

"Clare—" Eli began, before I cut him off.

"Eli." I sighed again. "Can I just get dressed please?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "I left some clothes that you could wear over there." He pointed to the pile on the closed toilet seat, before walking out of the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

After he left, I just stood there. I wanted to break down and cry. To truly let myself go, but I didn't think I deserved it. Eli was only trying to help because he cared. And I pushed him away. While I continued to beat myself up for how I treated him, I began to dress. Eli had given me one of his shirts and a pair of boxers to wear.

I dried my hair with the towel, before stuffing my clothes into the phone bag. I cleaned up what was messed with from me, and then headed out of the bathroom. Eli was currently sitting on the bed and watching the news.

"Thanks for letting me use your shower. I'll call Jake to come get me." I spoke, putting my stuff down on the dresser beside the television.

"You don't have to go just because of what happened." Eli replied, shutting off the television.

"Eli. I'm not going to burden you with my presence after the way I just treated you." I explained turning around to meet his gaze.

"Clare you aren't a burden. You also don't have anywhere to stay right now, and I am not going to kick you out." Eli stated.

"I can always stay at Jake's place. It's not a big deal." I continued.

"Clare. Stop. You've had a really rough day. Just stay here. It'll make me feel better to know you are here rather than out there without protection." He said. I bit my lip in contemplation, while also deciding not to mention that I would have Jake and most likely a police officer at Jake's place.

"Okay." I exhaled. I walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down, next to Eli. "Do you mind if I go to sleep?"

"Go right ahead." He spoke, moving to get off the bed. "I'm going to just go say good night to my parents."

"Okay." I murmured quietly.

He stood up and walked over to the dresser, taking some clothes out before walking out of the room. This left me alone in the room. I got up and went to turn off the lights in the room, but left the bathroom door open with the light on. I couldn't seem to be in complete darkness in a room that I wasn't comfortable in. I needed to see.

I climbed into the side of the bed I was sitting on beforehand. I crawled in and faced towards the bathroom and the door. I tried to sleep, however, it wasn't happening because every shadow, every movement, every sound kept me awake and aware.

I couldn't even think to close my eyes because I didn't know what could be in the room. It was irrational and I know it. Yet I couldn't get over that fear. I decided I would remain awake until Eli returned. Then I would try to sleep when I wasn't alone anymore.

While I waited for Eli to return, I stared around the room. It was very bland and boring for what I would picture to be Eli's room. Even though he hasn't been staying here, I wouldn't expect it to be so normal. Even him having clothes or magazines out. Something to show he exists in this room. But there isn't anything.

I realize that he hasn't been trying to adjust at all. The only thing he's been doing is visiting and chatting with his parents. But even then, Adam and I had to force him into it. He never wanted to. Originally, I thought it was because he was afraid of leaving Adam and I after everything, that he was afraid of something happening to us.

Now, I believe that he is scared to readjust. Scared to be normal again. Maybe that's just part of the fact that he's been gone for five years. He might not even know how to get reacquainted. He might not even know how to act around people. His parents are one thing, but others? I haven't really seen him talk with anyone else.

He already told me he was going to have to readjust with dating me in the real world, but I don't think he realized how much he would have to. Things are very different out here, and it's his turn to learn, or in his case relearn, how to function in the real world.

The door opened then, startling me, as Eli stepped into the room. I watched as he shut the door and made his way over to the dresser, where he placed the clothes he was wearing earlier into a duffel bag, and put it inside the bottom drawer.

He walked around to the other side of the bed, out of my line of sight, and I assumed he was getting ready to climb in. I felt him sit down before moving around, he remained still for a few moments before I felt him lean over. He kissed the back of my head where the stitches were, I had taken the bandage off the day before, before scooting back and lying on his side of the bed. It took awhile but I slowly drifted off to sleep after that.