I promise things will not be so cannon much longer, but hopefully you enjoy these chapters.
Ch.7 A Little Bit of Bad Advice
(DREW)
"Think I'll be lucky enough for someone to set off a stink bomb during my other finals tomorrow, stop me from taking them?" I question when we're on our way home Wednesday afternoon.
"I don't think a stink bomb going off is going to keep you from finals, they'll just reschedule them. Why do you think most of the finals are finished on Thursday? It gives an extra day in case they need to reschedule or people are sick. Don't worry Drew, we'll help you," Adam says. He also pats my shoulder from the back seat as he does so. I do appreciate their help, but it makes me feel dumb that I need it.
"Yeah, we'll help you cram tonight and K.C. is meeting you during first period since neither of you have a final first period. He's going to give you a refresher on quadratics just before your final," Clare reminds me.
We get home and after grabbing snacks we settle in to study. I just hope I remember all of this tomorrow. We only break for dinner and none of us mention the stink bomb at school, though I'm sure Mom will hear about it. My sibs help me study until it's time to get to bed. I barely sleep and I'm up early and in the shower before the twins are up.
"Good luck on your finals Drew," Clare says before walking off when we get to school.
"You'll do fine," Adam assures me.
I appreciate their confidence; I just wish I felt some of it. I go to my locker to stash books and Alli finds me. She kisses me and tells me good luck before rushing to her first final of the day. K.C. and I meet just outside of the library, and we spend over an hour working on quadratics.
"My final is in fifteen minutes, I'm never going to understand all of this," I sigh.
"Try not to overthink the questions, you'll be fine," K.C. assures me.
"Maybe," Bianca's voice coos from the side all of a sudden, "you need a distraction. Like helping with my hoodie." She saunters over and bends down right in front of me. Her chest just about spilling out of her shirt. "The zipper is stuck," she says giving me a flirty pout.
"I can probably fix that," I remark taking the zipper and tugging a little. It obviously isn't stuck.
"Thanks," she winks and saunters off. I watch her ass wiggle until K.C. elbows me.
"What? I was just helping her with her hoodie," I grin.
"Right, tell that to Alli, now come on we only have a few minutes."
I sigh and nod, looking back at the book. Trying to concentrate but I can see Eli kissing my sister in the library through the window. My fists start to clench, and I have the urge to go in and pull him away from her.
"Can I go in there and hit Eli for having his tongue down my sister's throat first?"
"I'm pretty sure that if you do Clare will get pissed," K.C. replies.
"Yeah, she will, but I thought they were taking it slow, that doesn't look slow."
"You can lecture her later, come on we have ten minutes to cover the rest of this," K.C. reminds me.
I give in and look at the book, not sure how much good it will do as I am certain I'm sunk. When the bell rings I rush to class. I do the best I can on the test, but I find myself guessing a lot and there are things we're supposed to show our work for that I definitely got wrong. It's almost lunch when I finally leave the test, Fitz and I finish at nearly the same time. We're the last ones to finish, he lets me go first through the door and we both have the same defeated look on our faces.
"There you are, how'd you do?" Alli asks, coming over and wrapping herself around me as I leave class. Before I can answer she kisses me.
"I think I did okay, I'll probably barely pass," I sigh.
"Do you want to study for your biology final? I'm done except science this afternoon," Alli says.
"I think I've had all the studying I can take right now. I'm going to use the washroom and burn off some energy in the weight room," I tell her.
"Okay, guess I'll go eat lunch then," Alli remarks. She kisses me again and walks off. I go to the washroom and when I come out Bianca is standing there smiling.
"Want to take your mind off finals?" She asks in a flirty voice while fingering my shirt.
"Like you wouldn't believe," I reply. I know I shouldn't be talking to her, but I was never very bright.
"Then come with me, I'll get your mind off everything," Bianca says, taking my hand. She starts to pull at me a little, but some commonsense sneaks in and I resist a little.
"No, I have a girlfriend, and you were terrible to Adam."
"This isn't about your brother, and I don't give a crap about your girlfriend, this is about you and me and taking our mind off finals for a few minutes. Come on, you don't have to think about your girlfriend or your siblings, I'll make your head totally clear," Bianca coos. At the same time, she caresses down my chest and all the thoughts start to leave my brain. All the blood rushing to a different head. When she just barely squeezes my crotch I'm done for and I start walking. She leads me somewhere in the depths of the school, into the boiler room and pushes me against the wall.
"I really shouldn't be doing this," I comment. I don't try to move or push her away or leave. My body screaming for me to stay, my mind screaming for me to go.
"No more talking," Bianca says, kissing me hard.
I watch as she slowly lowers to her knees, slowly opens my jeans and pulls them and my boxers down to mid-thigh. Her fingers curling around my shaft sends a tantalizing chill through me. But when her lips start to take in the crown I'm done for, whatever resistance I had totally evaporates.
(CLARE)
"Just don't know when to keep your mouth shut do you goth boy," Fitz growls pushing Eli into the locker next to mine. It's lunch and we were talking at my locker. I'm sure that Fitz is angry because Eli told Mr. Simpson that Fitz set off the stink bomb, even though he knows I did it. So does Adam, he asked me about it last night. "Better watch yourself tomorrow," Fitz growls. He then turns and storms off. Eli growls and clenches his fist just as Adam walks over.
"He's the one that better watch it," Eli snarls. He starts to take a step, and I grab his clenched fist rubbing my thumb on the back of his hand.
"Eli no fighting, please. Ignore Fitz, We only have the rest of the day and part of the day tomorrow and then it's winter break. You won't see Fitz for two weeks, please just leave it be. Rather than thinking about Fitz why don't you think about attending the dance with your best friend and girlfriend?" I question hopefully.
"Girlfriend? Did I miss something?" Adam questions.
Eli smirks and takes my lips for a soft kiss before speaking, "Well, if you insist Girlfriend."
"Then I guess we're all hitting the dance tomorrow night?" Adam asks.
"I'll get tickets for the three of us. We can ride with Drew, I know he's meeting Alli at the dance," I remark.
"Cool, I should probably go over my French notes right now though. I'll see you both after my French exam," Eli says. He snatches my lips for another quick kiss before walking off.
"So, you're dragging me on your first date? And when did you two become official?" Adam questions.
"I guess we became official just now," I shrug. "It's not a date Adam, we're going as a group. I'll grab the tickets and meet you to review for the science final."
"I doubt we need to review but I'll see you in a few," Adam replies.
I smile and we part ways. Tickets to the dance are being sold at a table in the foyer. There's a coupe kids ahead of me so I wait my turn and think about dancing all the slow songs with Eli tomorrow night. When it's my turn I ask for three tickets and hand the guy manning the table the $15 it costs for three tickets. He takes the money and hands me the tickets; they are playing cards which is fitting given the theme. I take a few steps from the table when there's a voice in my ear.
"Three tickets is pretty optimistic considering your brother and boyfriend aren't likely to make it to the dance. In fact, I don't even know if Drew will," Fitz threatens. His voice is low but menacing and I'm sure he means it. He starts to walk past me; I grab his arm out of instinct.
"Fitz, please, hurting my brothers and Eli isn't going to solve anything. I know Eli told Simpson you set off the stink bomb, he did it to protect me. Don't go after them, I'm begging you to end this Fitz. I'll tell Simpson I set off the stink bomb, anything you want?"
Fitz's face changes, his eyebrow cocks, his mouth growing to a lustful smirk. I can feel the lump forming in my throat, swallowing hard to get rid of it. Wondering what door I just opened and yet determined to keep my brothers and Eli safe.
"Anything I want?" Fitz questions looking me over and licking his lips.
"As long as all my clothes stay on," I quickly caveat. I'll do almost anything to keep them safe, but giving up my virginity is not on that list.
"Fitzy needs a date to Vegas Night."
"What?"
"I thought you were smart Clare; you give me one of those tickets and I'll pick you up at seven," Fitz responds. I just blink at him, a little too stunned to say anything. His face changes again, hard and mean in an instant. "Or your brothers and goth boyfriend end up in the hospital instead of at the dance."
"If I go with you tonight you'll leave both my brothers and Eli alone?" I ask, swallowing hard and feeling my stomach sink.
"Long as they stay out of my face I'll stay out of their space."
I suck in a deep breath and reluctantly hand him a ticket. "Adam and I are coming with Drew; I'll meet you at your locker."
"Fine, wear something sexy, and I'll hold onto your ticket to be safe" Fitz grins. He plucks another ticket from my hands and walks off.
I return to the table, asking for another ticket and giving the boy another five dollars. I'm not nearly as happy or excited about the dance now though. I take the ticket and solemnly walk off to find Adam. He's sitting on the floor in the hallway looking at his science book. I sit next to him looking at the tickets in my hand.
"Got our tickets I see," he says, and I look at him. When he sees my face his demeanor changes to concern. "Why do you look like our dog just died? I mean if we had a dog. You got three tickets, right? The three of us are going tonight. Why do I only see two tickets?"
"I got four tickets, and my date tonight is Fitz not Eli," I confess. Adam's eyes shoot open and his mouth drops.
"YOU'RE WHAT?!"
"Adam, shhhhhhh," I censure him.
"How in the hell can you date that cretin bigot Clare!?"
"It's one date Adam, to a school sanctioned event, Mom is even chaperoning. You'll be there, Drew will be there, Eli will be there. I doubt Fitz even dances. I go, I stand with Fitz, he gets me some punch, I can even dance with you."
"Why did you agree to go to the dance with him Clare? You had a date with Eli, and me I guess."
"He threatened to put you, Eli and Drew in the hospital unless I went with him tonight."
Adam's eyes narrow and his face gets red. I can almost see the steam coming from his ears. "You let yourself get blackmailed into a date?!"
"He promised to leave you guys alone and end this feud if I went with him tonight. One night to end this all. He promised to leave all of you alone as long as you three also leave him alone. In exchange for one measly night," I reply. My voice laced with conviction defending my actions.
"And you believed him? I can't believe you let yourself get blackmailed into a date. He's not picking you up," Adam comments.
"I told him I'd meet him at the dance, don't tell Mom and Dad."
"You don't think Mom will notice as she chaperones?"
"I'm sure she'll be too busy nitpicking everything else and watching Drew with Alli."
"I can only hope," Adam huffs and then shakes his head, "I can't believe I just said that. When do you plan to tell Eli? At least, I'm assuming one of those tickets is for him?"
"As soon as he's out of class, will you stay with me?" I plead with my twin, clasping my hands in front of my face. Adam groans but stays with me, although we don't review science. I'm sure we're both fine and we'll pass with no problems. The French class is just down the hall and Eli sees us when he comes out, walking over until he's standing in front of us. I give Adam his ticket and he tucks it into his backpack.
"Okay, I never want to speak French again. I'll kiss it though," Eli grins. He takes my hand and pulls me stand. Adam groans at his comment while Eli tries to kiss me, but I pull away a little.
"What's wrong?" Eli asks wrinkling his eyebrows.
"About the dance tonight, we're still going it's just…see the thing is…as I was getting the tickets…" I stumble over my words.
"Spit it out Blue Eyes," Eli says. I can hear the worry in his voice, and it doesn't make it any easier. So, my brother decides to say it for me.
"Clare's going to Vegas Night with Fitz."
"ADAM!"
"Better to rip the bandage off," Adam shrugs. He then grabs his backpack and walks off leaving me to face Eli alone.
"I hope you two are playing some strange practical joke," Eli remarks.
"I want this feud between you three done, if I go with Fitz tonight he'll end it. As long as you, Adam and Drew stay away from him," I tell Eli in a pleading tone.
"You let him force you into a date."
"To keep him from beating you three up."
"I can't believe you believed him Clare."
"Look, I know this isn't what we wanted for tonight, and not a great start to our relationship but I'm sacrificing one night to stop this and to keep you all safe. My mom is chaperoning, you'll be there, my brothers will be there. Fitz probably doesn't even dance, I'll dance with Adam, stand with Fitz, play some blackjack and it's done. You can spend most of the night with Adam. When I get back you and I will go on a proper date," I tell Eli. Not only am I giving him a pleading look but I'm kind of fingering his shirt. I'm hoping it distracts him and he resigns.
"I'm pretty sure we'll be too busy keeping an eye on you tonight, but fine," Eli sighs.
"Really?"
"I hate this," Eli replies, his voice somewhat defeated.
"I'll make it up to you," I smile and kiss him before he can reply.
"I hope so," Eli smirks.
"I have to take my last final. Here's your ticket," I remark.
Eli takes the ticket and then looks over my shoulder, his face changes and he puts his lips on mine. It's not a soft kiss, it's demanding and sort of possessive. I know without looking that Fitz is behind us. Eli pulls away and I rush to class. I don't look over my shoulder, I don't want to see Fitz's face.
I finish my last final early, as does Adam. So, we text Drew that we're done and go out to the car. I take the front seat and Drew starts driving. I notice some odd coloring on his ear. I tug his ear and wipe my thumb over the color to get it off.
"Ow, what the hell Clare?" Drew gripes, as he starts the car.
I ignore him and examine the lipstick on my thumb, "This is not Alli's shade of lipstick."
"What were you doing Big Bro?" Adam questions.
"Nothing," Drew shrugs nonchalantly, as he backs out of the parking spot.
"DREW!" Adam and I censure him at the same time.
"I might have let Bianca take me to the boiler room and give me a blow job before my final exam," Drew replies quietly as he begins driving.
"ANDREW!" We holler and both smack his arms.
"HEY, I'm driving here," Drew grouses.
"I can't believe you cheated on Alli and with Bianca of all people," I huff.
"This is just great, both my siblings do things with two of my worst enemies on the same day," Adam comments.
"I'm sorry Adam, it was a dumb mistake, I wasn't thinking, and I let my dick get the better of me."
"Obviously," I reply while rolling my eyes.
"Wait, you said both of us, what did you do?" Drew questions looking at me.
"Oh, she got herself blackmailed into going to the dance with Fitz," Adam says before I can explain.
"You are not going out with Fitz," Drew growls.
"First of all, I have been out with Fitz before. Besides I have to, he threatened all of you. We won't even be alone, it's a school event. You'll all be there, so will mom," I comment.
Drew growls again but they don't say anything. No homework tonight, and we've all taken all our finals. So, we play video games until dinner. Dad is working late; Mom asks about school and we all just tell her it was fine. Adam and Drew return to the basement after dinner, but I shower and spend the rest of the night in my room.
Friday is a half day; it was meant for anyone that missed a final and had to make it up. When I set off the stink bomb and the school was evacuated several classes had to reschedule the finals for today. The dance committee would also be setting up the gym and student council would be working on things. Even if you didn't have finals, dance committee or student council you had to come in and turn in textbooks, library books, help clean up the school for winter break and other such busy work.
The school is somehow very calm and very energetic all at once. Eli spends most of the morning with me and Adam. He will be very sweet, until we see Fitz somewhere and then he will be almost possessive. By eleven I decided I've had enough, I tell Adam and Drew that I need to go home, and we leave. Adam tells Eli that our mom wants us home. The dance doesn't start until four, so we spend time in the basement and order pizza for lunch. Mom is home very briefly to change before she leaves for the dance to supervise the dance committee and their setup.
Shortly after Mom leaves I tell my brothers that I'm going to shower and pick out my clothes for tonight. I linger in the shower a bit, my mind kind of swirling with what might happen tonight. Hoping Eli behaves and that Fitz only wants me to be arm candy for an hour or so. After drying off and putting on sweats and a sweater, until I get dressed for the dance, I go to my room and begin looking through my closet. Fitz said to dress sexy, though I don't really want to. I also want to keep him happy though. I grab a little black dress; I can wear it with a shrug and stockings. It will be sexy but not too sexy.
"No fucking way you're wearing that tonight," Drew says from my doorway as I hold the dress up. I turn to glower at him, he should know better than to try and tell me what to do. Now I'm definitely wearing it tonight.
"Did you want something Drew?" I question setting the dress on my bed.
"Yeah, your boyfriend is downstairs and wants to talk to you. The one in black, not the thug," Drew clarifies.
"Fitz is not my boyfriend, we're going on one date," I huff.
"I'm going to shower," Drew says, moving from my doorway so I can get downstairs. I go all the way downstairs and find Eli in the basement.
"Can we talk outside?" Eli asks.
"You can have the basement, I'm going to go pick out clothes for tonight," Adam remarks.
He smiles at Eli and then looks at me as he walks past. A look that says, "yell if you need me" and then he goes upstairs. Eli waits until the door to the main floor is closed and then takes something from his jacket pocket.
"Take this tonight. Ipecac, slip it into Fitz's drink, he'll get sick and have to leave. If you do it early enough you'll hardly have to spend any time with him," Eli says. He's holding the bottle out to me but all I can do is look at it with incredulity.
"What? Are you crazy?"
"It'll just make him barf, instant embarrassment and he'll go home, leaving the rest of the dance for us," Eli smirks. I can see by the look on his face, in his eyes, that he's quite proud of this deceitful plan.
"I know what ipecac does, Eli, I can't believe you're asking me to poison Fitz because I'm going to the dance with him and not you."
"He's not a good guy Clare, he wants to have sex with you tonight," Eli says as if that fact makes poisoning him okay.
"So, you think because he wants it I'll do it?" I question throwing up my arms.
"He wanted you to go to the dance with him and you are."
"Oh, my gawwwd Eli, we're going to be at school, and you think I'm just going to go off and have sex with him? Your solution is to poison him, and you think Fitz is the monster?" I retort crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes at Eli.
"Which side are you on Clare?" Eli questions. I'm glimpsing just how black and white Eli's world is. People are either good or bad. I'm either on his side or Fitz's.
"Right now, I really don't know Eli. But I do know that I'm not going to poison someone. It's one night Eli, if you can't be mature enough to sacrifice one night with me after waiting this long, then I don't know what I was so patient for. I think you need to leave Eli," I demand, pointing to the door.
"Clare I…" Eli begins but I really can't hear it right now.
"Just go, Eli. I need to get ready for my date," I reply. Not waiting for him to leave I turn on my heel and march upstairs. All the way upstairs to my room and Adam hears me coming, but Drew is still in the shower.
"What did Eli want?" Adam asks, peeking his head into my room.
"You know he truly scares me sometimes," I reply.
Adam furrows his brow, but I just shake my head. He hesitates a moment before leaving my room and going into his to get ready for the dance. I close my door and start getting ready for the dance. With a vanity in my room I can do most of it in here. Which means I don't have to leave my room until we're ready to go.
Still seething over the audacity of Eli asking me to position someone I put some effort into making myself look good. I do my hair, even put on a little lipstick. It's petty I know; it's driven by anger and frustration. I can't believe Eli would ask me to poison someone. Thinking about it I doubt someone like Fitz would be all that embarrassed about puking in a crowd. Even so the fact that Eli's brain went to hurting someone scares me.
"I told you not to wear that," Drew grimaces when I come downstairs.
"Since when do we listen to you?" I shoot back and grab my coat.
Drew groans but doesn't say anything else. We go out to the car and drive to the dance in complete silence. If not for the radio and sounds of the wheels on the road there would be no sounds at all. It's cold, but it hasn't snowed, and the parking lot and sidewalk are free of ice, so I'm not worried about walking in my heels when Drew parks.
"I'll see you guys in there," I remark departing from my brothers when we're in the school.
"Where are you going?" Adam questions.
"I told Fitz I'd meet him at his locker, remember?"
"Alone with Fitz in a dark hallway? No way," Drew responds.
"Drew, he's not going to attack me. I have been alone with Fitz before. Anyway, if he tries I know where to kick. You'll see us in the dance in a few minutes."
Drew looks reluctant still, but Adam pulls at him. I have to wonder if they'd be as worried about Fitz if they knew that Eli asked me to poison someone. I find Fitz at his locker, fiddling with a corsage and I smile.
"Is that for me?" I question. He turns to look at me, looks me over and smiles. It's not even lustful, more awestruck and I can't help but blush.
"My mom made me bring it, I think it's kind of stupid," he says. I see that he's got a matching boutonniere, my smile grows a little and I hold my hand out so he can put the corsage on my wrist.
"It's beautiful, but I'm not having sex with you tonight," I tell him as he slips the corsage on my wrist. Fitz looks shocked and his eyes widen a little.
"Whoa, where'd that come from?"
"I know what you told Eli," I reply. Fitz looks ashamed and looks away from me to the floor.
"He was pestering me about taking you to the dance, I wanted to get under his skin. I bet he overreacted," Fitz comments looking up at me again. All I can think of is Eli coming to my house with ipecac.
"I think overreact may be an understatement. At least, you two didn't start throwing punches when he said that," I comment.
"Hey, I never wanted to fight, but the last time I tried to make peace Eli got me arrested."
"Yeah, he has a tendency to take things too far. Would an apology still work to end this feud?"
"Sure, if he apologizes for everything, I'll forget everything. Good luck actually getting an apology from Eli. In fact, if Eli actually does apologize I'll release you from the date, you can spend the dance with whoever you want," Fitz tells me. I'm a little surprised by this offer, but also see an opportunity to spend the night with Eli and Adam as we'd planned.
"Shall we go into the dance?" I question linking my arm with his. Fitz nods and we walk to the auditorium. Fitz gives over our tickets at the door, and we walk into the auditorium. Taking off our coats and draping them on the bleachers with everyone else's. I see Eli at a gaming table and decide to see if Fitz was serious. "Wait here a minute while I go talk to Eli," I request. Fitz twists his mouth. "I just want to see if he'll apologize," I tell Fitz. He sighs but takes his arm from mine, sitting on the bleachers just inside the door.
"Having fun on your date Judas?" Eli inquires sardonically.
"You can't be mad at me for coming with Fitz tonight so he wouldn't beat up you and my brothers."
"Fine, I'll be mad that you're here with him tonight instead of me. I hope you have pepper spray in your purse."
"Fitz is not the monster you think he is. He's willing to forget this feud and even let me out of the date tonight, he only wants one thing."
"You're going to sleep with him?!"
"No, Eli! Do you honestly think I would just sleep with a guy because he wants me to?"
"You went on a date with him because he wanted you to," Eli shoots back. I twist my mouth at him and take a deep breath to calm down. I also see Alli running out of the dance, I glance at Drew who looks dejected. She must have found out about Bianca. I feel bad for them but I don't have time to check on my brother right now.
"He wants an apology Eli, from you and you're going to do it."
"Me apologize to that cretin? For what?"
"Anything he wants, please Eli! Apologize and I can spend the rest of the dance with you," I tell him. My voice both pleading and demanding.
"Fine, two minutes in the center of all the gaming tables," Eli says with a defeated sigh.
I smile, kiss Eli's cheek and return to Fitz. "Eli's willing to apologize. He'll meet us in a couple of minutes in the center of the gaming tables."
"Yeah right," Fitz mutters skeptically under his breath. He does stand up and let's me take his arm pulling him to the center of the room. There's a roulette wheel behind us, blackjack and poker on either side and kids milling about while chaperones look on. I see Adam at the poker table, but he has his back to us. Eli comes over after a few minutes, holding two cups.
"I'm sorry for everything Fitz," Eli says while holding one cup out to Fitz. "Let's seal it with a toast," Eli smirks. Thinking about how Eli wanted me to slip ipecac into Fitz's drink I am sure he has poisoned Fitz's drink.
"Wait," I almost shriek, putting my hands over the cups. "Trade cups, it's a sign of trust," I insist.
"You're the boss," Eli shrugs.
He and Fitz trade cups. My heart starts to pound, Eli was too calm about it and my gut tells me something isn't right. It's too late, however, they are both taking drinks from the glasses. Surprisingly nothing happens, Fitz makes a bit of a face and stops after one gulp but doesn't throw up.
"No, we have to drink it all or it doesn't count," Eli says. He then tips up his cup and chugs it all.
"I need a new cup, the punch is kind of bitter," Fitz complains.
"No, has to be the original cup. Just chug it down and then I'll grab you some water while you and Clare share a dance," Eli offers. He is definitely being too calm about all this. Too insistent for Fitz to drink from the same cup.
"Really?" I inquire cocking an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" Fitz questions also cocking an eyebrow.
"Absolutely. Bygones right?" Eli responds. He's smiling and it looks sincere, but I still have a bad feeling about it.
Fitz shrugs and chugs down the cup quickly, making a face but he gets it all down. He hands Eli the cup and looks at me. "Dance?"
"I'd love to," I smile. I'm still worried but Fitz isn't vomiting or looking like he might.
"I'll grab us all some water," Eli smiles. Despite them being civil and friendly something still feels off.
It's a fast song when we get to do the dance floor, and surprisingly Fitz has some moves. The next song is a slow one, and I still don't see Eli. So, when Fitz holds his hand out to me I take it, and we dance through the slow song.
"Sorry about the wait, got held up," Eli says approaching us as soon as the slow song ends. He hands us each a water bottle and is holding one for himself as well.
"Thanks," Fitz says taking the bottle.
I take a few sips, but Fitz is chugging his, he's either really thirsty or really trying to get that taste from his mouth. Eli takes a few sips from his bottle, but he's closely watching Fitz and my gut tells me something isn't right. I'm not sure how long ipecac takes to take effect though.
"I'm a man of my word, you're off the hook Clare. You can spend the rest of the night with whoever you want," Fitz comments. He then wipes his mouth on his sleeve and walks off, tossing the water bottle in the trash can as he goes.
"Eli, what did you do?" I demand when Fitz is gone.
"I don't know what you mean Clare. I apologized, we had a toast, and I even let him share a dance with you. Now that he's let you out of the date, care to dance?" Eli asks holding out his hand.
"Just let me use the washroom first," I remark.
Eli smiles and walks with me almost all the way to the girl's washroom. I go inside and into a stall, but I don't really need it. I get out my phone and look up how long it takes for ipecac to work. I'm a little more horrified when I see that not only does it take 20-30 minutes usually, but you are supposed to drink a full glass of water after. If Eli really went through with it getting us the water was probably part of the ruse.
I leave the washroom, and Eli is waiting for me. I look for Fitz, but he seems to be playing blackjack with Bianca. He seems fine, so maybe Eli didn't do anything and I'm just paranoid. Eli offers me his arm and I slip my arm through his following him to the dance floor. We dance through three fast songs and I'm watching Fitz as much as I can. A slow song begins and Eli puts his arms around me, suddenly, Fitz stands up so fast that his chair falls back hitting the floor. Bianca looks worried and says something, I can't hear her from over here. Fitz covers his mouth and runs out of the dance.
"You did slip ipecac into his drink! Eli how could you," I gasp.
"You wanted us to switch glasses," Eli smirks.
"It was all part of your plan. I can't believe you Eli," I say with a censuring tone and glare. I turn and run after Fitz, hoping he's okay. I find him outside throwing up over the stair banister. "I'm so sorry, I should have known Eli would go through it," I apologize.
Fitz stands up and wipes his mouth, looking at me. "You planned this?"
"NO! It was Eli. I was just the fool that didn't want to believe he could do it. Are you okay? Can I get you more water?"
"A soda would be good. I need to change my shirt," Fitz comments. I see that he does indeed have some on his shirt.
"No problem, I'll meet you at your locker," I comment.
I go back inside and run to the caf, but it's locked. The only other vending machines are by the office. I go there, pay for a soda and walk quickly towards Fitz's locker. From down the hall I see him with a switchblade and I stop in my tracks.
