CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - SALTY

(Clare's POV)

Eli and I are finally outside the hotels door. I'm wearing my bikini top, my shorts over my bottoms, and my towel is hanging around my neck to stop my wet hair from dripping down my back. Also, I'm holding the wine glasses and wearing Eli's drawstring bag that contains his clothes and my shirt and jacket.

Eli's beside me, clenching his towel to keep it from falling off his waist and exposing the bulge in his trunks. I feel guilty for being the cause of it, cause it embarrassed me just as much as him and it cut our date short.

I shouldn't have kissed him:

After dressing, I walked off the wet sand into the water water with Eli. The touch of the cool water on my foot sent a tingle through my body. I shook my head a bit then walked further into the ocean.

Eli glided over to me. The water was now up to my belly button and up to his waist. "The water feels good, doesn't it? It's a bit cool, but still warm." He smiled, I nodded. My lack of verbal communication made him attempt to continue the conversation. "So, what do you want to do now." He grabs my hands and interlaces our fingers.

I look at our hands, locked together. "I don't know." I look up at him. "What do you want to do?"

"Let's play a game."

"-I'm not playing this 'game' if there's a chance that we're possibly gonna end up naked."

Eli looks down and chuckles, flashing a half smile down at the water. His green eyes meet mine again. "No it's not that type of game. It's our first date, Clare. I'd like to keep it PG-13. The game I was talking bout was twenty questions."

I raised my eyebrows. "Twenty questions..."

"Yeah, do you not know what that is. It's-"

"-I know what it is. I'm not stupid."

"And I never called you stupid." Eli's smile faded into a twist of his lips. "I just wanted to get to know you better, like on a more personal level. Cause I don't really know much about you now that I think about it, and I don't think you know much about me either. We've never really been alone and talked about ourselves and stuff. So like, we can play twenty questions and you can ask me a anything that you want to know, then I ask you a question that I want to know about you, and we go back and forth - ten questions each. You can repeat the same question as me, but that's one of your questions used. Okay?"

"Okay."

"You go first."

"Okay, um... What's your favorite color?"

"Seriously, Clare. That's your question..."

I splashed the water at him. "I didn't know what to ask."

He smiled. "Well if you're just dying to know, my favorite color is red." He splashed some water back at me, I laughed lightly as I wiped the salt water off my face with the back of my hand. "My turn," he announced. "What's your favorite song?"

"Wow, Eli. I thought we were asking personal questions."

Eli pushed back, going further into the ocean. "Clare, you can tell a lot about a person by knowing what kind of music they listen to." He sways slowly in the water, then moves back to me. "So what's your favorite song?"

I bit my lip and skimmed the dark, but starry sky, as I tried to imagine the songs I have in the playlist of my iPod. "Um...it's a toss up between 'Heavy In Your Arms' by Florence + The Machine or 'Tighten Up' by The Black Keys."

"You gotta pick one." Eli commanded.

"I like them both though."

"One."

I groan at him. "Okay if I had to pick one, it'd be 'Tighten Up'."

"And why did you pick that song?"

"Because I like it, and it's just, good. You know?"

"No, I don't know it. Sing it to me."

"I can't sing."

"Neither can I." He smiles, "there's something we have in common now - sweet. But anyways, just sing a few lyrics for me. I want to see if I know the song. I'm not asking you to sing it good. I understand you're not freaking Beyoncé or something." He gives me a little smirk. "Okay now sing like the first lyrics or the chorus."

I rolled my eyes jokingly. "It's like: I wanted love, I needed love, most of all, most of all..." I stopped singing in my monotone singing voice and looked at Eli. "Do you know it?"

"Hmm, do I?" Eli twisted his lips, looked up, clenched a fist, then belted, "I WANTED LOVE! I NEEDED LOVE!" He unballed his hand and faced me. His voice got softer and smoother, "Most of all, most of all." He began circling me, continuing the song. "Someone said, true love was dead, and I'm bound to fall, bound to fall, for yoou." He returned to the front of me. "Oooooh, what can IIIII doo?" He pecks me on the lips.

I blush. "Okay I'm guessing you do know the song then."

"Not really. I didn't know it by it's name, but when you started singing the the first part and I'm like, okay I know what she's talking about. And you see how I made a really cute moment out of that, didn't I? We gotta tell our kids about it one day."

"Kids?" I questioned, taken aback. "This is our first date and you're already talking about having kids with me. That's a red flag."

He shines his top row of teeth at me. "I'm joking."

"If you say so, Eli."

"Ask me another question."

"What's your favorite song?"

"Oh that's a no brainer for me. 'Self Esteem' by The Offspring."

"I dont think I've ever heard it before. Sing it to me." I grin triumphantly

"Oh okay." Eli backed up. "Ahem," he cleared his throat.

"Oh this is getting serious." I joked.

"Very serious." He responds smugly.

I giggled, and thought of how I really respected Eli's goofiness. He's hilarious and has always been able to make me laugh. And I like to laugh, it makes me feel like there's nothing bad in the world. Like everything is all good.

All of the sudden, Eli began whaling, "LAAA-LAAA LA-LA-LAAA LAAA-LAAA LA-" I quickly threw my hand over Eli's screeching mouth.

"Oh god," I said, shocked at the volume of his singing. "It's okay, you don't have to sing it to me." I chuckled, then I removed my hand from his mouth. "You can ask your question now."

"Okay. My second question is: on a scale of 1-10, how attracted are you to me?"

"Looks wise, or all together, looks and personality?"

"Is that a question?" Eli grinned, "you're up to four questions now. And overall, looks and personality, me as a person."

"You're up to three questions, then," I rebuked. "And overall, on a scale of 1-10, you are a 8.74 to me."

"Ooh so you're doing decimals on me, huh? Why did I earn that though? What do you not like about me?"

"You just asked me, like 3 extra questions."

"Some were rhetorical though, not meant to be answered. But seriously, what do you not like about me that stopped me from getting a 10?" Eli frowned a bit.

"I think it's because I'm a little bit intimidated by you."

"Whys that?"

"I'm sort of confused. Why would you pick me over Julia? Actually, why would you even pick me when you know you can pretty much have any girl you want?" I grimaced. "I'm not nearly as pretty as Julia. I'm not as pretty as the girls I always see you talking to, the ones who flirt with you. So I'm just like, why are you so why do you want me, when you can get someone better."

Eli blankly looked at me. "Ask me to rate you? Ask me the same exact way I asked you?"

I stared at him. I hesitated to ask at first, but then I did, "On a scale of 1-10, how attracted are you to me?"

"About 20 billion out of 10." Eli stated solidly.

"That's not even possible."

"Doesn't matter, Clare. I really like you, and I don't like hearing you talk bad about yourself. Through my eyes, you're absolutely gorgeous and amazing in every possible way. That's why said you exceeded my scale. Don't call someone better than you. You can't. Cause truth is, no one is better than anyone. That's just an opinion - not a fact. And as for other girls, the "pretty" ones, most of them have shitty personalities, or are very high maintenance. Like, fuck them. Why would I want them, when I think I have found the most down-to-earth, funniest, kindest, most beautiful and terribly modest girl ever. You're a good person Clare, don't feel bad when you think someone's better than you cause it's just not true."

I was on the verge of tears. "Oh god, I'm crying." I wiped my eyes. "I'm so mad at you." I had hit his arm. "Why havent you ever told me this? Why haven't you told me like anything? Like how you felt about me? Before we even got here?"

He shrugged, "I guess I've been a little bit intimidated by you, too."

I don't know, what happened. But I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me. "You shouldn't have been," I say softly. "You should've just went for it and told me." I pull away from him and kiss him.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was what led me to attacking him with such fervor that it sprung up his boner.

Right at the door, Eli leaves me. He goes through the revolving door and speed walks to the front desk. He hurriedly drops the bag of our food and plates onto the counter. The woman at the desk, watches Eli confusedly. Then adds a smile as she sees him get in the elevator.

The woman looks young. Possibly my age or older. She has black hair that reaches her shoulders and bangs. She wears dark eyeshadow. She sort of resembles one of those rebel kids that you remember from high school, but she looks subtle. Possibly it's the Haiwaiian inspired dress and the flower in her hair. Her look contradicts in so many ways, but yet, she's beautiful.

The lady grabs the bag Eli set on the counter and calls over of a bellhop. "Simón," she calls flatly and a young boy staggers over. She hands him the bag. "Please take this back to the kitchen for the cleaning staff."

Simón nods, "Right away, Miss Matlin." Then he departs, heading in the direction of the hotels dining area.

i finally reach the desk myself. "Hi," I greet, approaching the desk. I skim the girls name tag. KATIE MATLIN: ASSISTANT MANAGER. I wave the glasses. "Here you go. He was sort of in a hurry to get back to the room." I set the glasses down onto the desk.

"I bet he was," Katie chuckles, adding a wink. My eyes grow wider as I stare at her. She shakes her head. "Oh no. My apologies. I think I just over stepped, I'm sorry, Clare."

"How do you know my name?" I question.

"Oh, I met your boyfriend, Eli. He seems sweet. He asked me if I could arrange the whole dinner-to-go thing for you and him. He said his girlfriend's name was Clare. I just didn't who you were, well what you looked like, but now I do. And you're very pretty." she added a genuine smile. "So if I may ask, how did it go? Well how was the food and stuff."

"It was very good - dinner and the date."

"Thats amazing, I'm glad you guys enjoyed yourselves." She grabs the glasses. "I'll wait for Simòn to come back to take care of these."

Suddenly, I notice Jake coming up beside me, speaking, "Hey Clare. I was headed downstairs when I ran into your little boyfriend walking 'round with a massive bo-," Jake looks to the side, catching a glimpse of Katie. She raises an eyebrow at him. He stutters. "-ho, ho, hello." He faces in the direction of her. He reaches out a hand to her. "Jake Martin."

She scans his hand with her eyes, deciding whether or not to shake it. She doesn't give the effort. She points to her name tag. "Miss. Matlin." She announces blandly.

I pat Jake's shoulder. "You've just been scolded, my brother." I look over to Katie and wave. "Bye Katie."

"Bye Clare."

I leave Katie and Jake at the front desk and head towards the elevator. An open elevator on the right is closing. I sprint over to it. "Wait!" I call. I guy sticks his hand through the door and the sensors reopen the doors. I walk in and say, "Thanks."

One guy says, "You're welcome."

There's three guys in the elevator with me. I didn't get good look at them before turning around to face the doors. But from memory, I know two of them had dark brown hair. The one standing in the middle of the three guys had short hair as opposed to the brunette to his right, who had long hair tied in a bun, as well as a growing beard. The other guy I remember, standing to the left of the guy in the middle was quite tall, but looked younger than both of the guys. He was about 6 foot and had wavy, golden blonde hair that reached his neck.

I click on the button labelled "21". The other button glowing says "23", their stop.
I avoid turning around to face the three guys. I stare at the top where the numbers appear. I feel us going up.

2...3...4...5...

I stand in silence, but I hear them mutter to each other, and I hear a deep laugh being stifled. I know they're talking about me. Not to be conceded or anything, just being obvious.

One clears his throat, "Ahem. Excuse me Miss." I look over my shoulder. I skim the line of guys. The one with the beard is addressing me. I let out a hum. He continues, "I don't know if you're aware," he cracks a smile, "but you're wet." He and the other guys laugh, but the blonde ceases his laughter and reaches over slap the beard-guy's beefy arm.
I roll my eyes and turn back around. I hear the beard-guy talk, "What the fuck you do that for?"

I hear a voice attempting to whisper, it's most likely the blonde, "Leave her alone. Its not funny, Jack."

"And yet, you laughed..."

"Out of impulse, but I stopped. Just let her get to her floor peacefully. Stop acting like a fucking five year old."

"Well if I'm five, you're a sperm in dad's balls right now. I'm older than you, so don't tell me what to do."

I hear a sigh. "Just don't be such a dick."

I feel a tap on my shoulder. I dread turning around. I don't feel like dealing with "Jack" again. When I do turn around, I realize it is the middle guy who has tapped my shoulder, not Jack. The middle guy has sweet green eyes that remind me of Eli. Making me want to get to the 21st floor faster. Green eyes smiles at me. "Hi, my names Ethan." I stare at him. "I was wondering if I could come to your room, possibly make you wetter." He and Jack burst into a rumble of laughter that resembles those of hyenas.

I'm not amused by this, highly annoyed in fact. I glance over to the blonde. He slowly shakes his head, seemingly disappointed with the company he has with him. His eyes meet mine. Blue eyes to blue eyes. He twists his lips and starts, "I'm sorry about th-"
I turn around and tune him out.

20...21. DING.

The doors open, I cannot get out quick enough.

Ethan hollers, "So what time should I stop by!" Followed by the hyena-like laughter.

I'm walking down the hallway when I hear footsteps coming in my direction. I swear if Ethan or Jack followed me to my room, I'm calling Jake, Peter, and Eli to kick their asses. I whip around. To my surprise, it's not Ethan or Jack, it's Blond Hair.

"Why are you following me?!" I hiss.

He awkwardly avoids answering me at first. He skims the floor, then looks back at me. "I just wanted to apologize about my brothers, they're just really douchey and stuff. It's really embarrassing. Sometimes I can't believe that I'm related to them, we don't act alike at all. I blame-slash-thank the fact that we don't have the same mothers. But yeah, I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that. I'm pretty sure that just pissed you off and ruined your night. Sorry again."

I shrug, "it's okay. Thanks for apologizing on behalf of them. But doesn't really help."

"Oh," he frowns. "Well hi, my name is Tyler. Yours?"

I'm reluctant to answer him at first but it just comes out. "My names Clare."

"So, where are you from, guessing that you don't live in Hawaii. Cause if you did, Id assume you'd be a lot tanner."

"I'm from New York."

"Oh that's dope. I'm from South Carolina. Do you come here often, well Hawaii? Cause I've never seen you, and we come here, like, every summer."

"No, I don't come here often. First time. My family just decided to come here for our vacation."

"Oh I see. Well how old are you?"

"I'm 20."

"Oh, I'm 17, but I'll be 18 in, like, two days. Almost legal. Maybe I can take you out on my birthday, so it wouldn't be creepy... Maybe like a date. I know I don't know you, but that can get me to know you and you to know me. But like, before you and your family leave."

"Tyler, I'm sorry but no."

"Why not? Is it because of my age?"

"No, it's not that. I have a boyfriend."

"I don't see him around anywhere."

"That's because he's in our room." I gesture our door.

"Well now I feel stupid. Is he gonna totally kick my ass for asking you out?"

I shake my head. "Nah he's not really a violent type of person. Plus you tower over him so I don't think he'd attempt going after you just for asking me on a date."

A door opens, out comes Vivian. She steps out of her and Jake's room. She's wearing a silk lavender robe. She's ruffling her wet blond hair off with a lavender colored towel. "I thought I heard your voice out here. Have you seen Jake?" She looks at Tyler. "Oh, was I interrupting something?"

"No, not really," I answer. "And last time I saw Jake was in the lobby. I don't know if he's still at the front desk or not."

"Oh well, okay then. Are you going to introduce me to your little friend?"

"He's too young for you." I scold.

"I'm not trying to fuck him, Clare." She replies, and I notice Tyler's eyes widen in shock of the profanity that came out of such a sweet looking mouth. Vivian folds her towel over her arm. "I'm dating Jake, duh."

I roll my eyes. Like that would've stopped her. I'm pretty sure she's never heard the word fidelity in her entire life. I bet in high school, in the yearbook, she was voted most likely to bang the whole football team, assuming that she hadn't already done that before she graduated.

She continues, "I just wanted an introduction."

I groan, "Vivian, Tyler. Tyler, Vivian. Okay now you've met. You can U-turn back into your room now."

"Why are you being so hostile Clare?" She gives me such a sinister smile. It sends a chill through my body. "Are you into him Clare? Is that why you don't want me out here? I'm ruining the moment, aren't I? Are you and Eli having problems again?"

"That's your boyfriend?" Tyler peeps.

I ignore him. "We're not having problems. He's in our room. We just got back from a date."

"How did it go?"

"That's none of your business."

"I'm guessing it went badly. What'd y'all do? Go for a late night swim." She pops my bathing suit strap onto my skin. She dusts off some salt from my shoulder. "Oh, late night swimming in the ocean, hm? How romantic."

"Very romantic, indeed." I hiss. "Best date I've ever been on."

"Oh if it went so great, why aren't you in your room banging his brains out, rather than talking to some random guy." She focuses on Tyler. "A random, but very cute guy though." She bats her eyes and smiles seductively at Tyler. She begins to rub up and down on his arm.

He blushes.

I groan internally. I cannot stand her. How dare she hit on EVERY guy she comes into contact with while she's dating my brother?! I yank Tyler's arm and drag him back to the elevator.

"Woah what are you doing?" He asks confusedly.

"Saving you from a walking, talking STD." I push him into the elevator and push the number "23". "Bye Tyler. It was nice meeting you, but I gotta go." I lean out of the elevator. "I'll see you around maybe."

The elevator begins to close, but not before Tyler can call out. "If you and this 'Eli' are having problems. My room number is 275 on the 23rd floor. We can talk or whatever."

The door closes.

I walk away from the door and go to my room. Vivian has already went back into her room. I knock on my and Eli's room door. He finally answers after the seventh knock. He has a different towel wrapped around his waist. He looks as if he's showered already. I walk passed him, into the room. "Where've you been?" He questions. "You took really long."

"I was talking to someone." I take off my bag and set it on the floor.

"Was that you I heard in the hall?"

"Most likely." I remove the towel from my neck and turn to Eli. I give him a long kiss, continued from when we were at the beach. His hands go down to my hips.

After a while, he discontinues the kiss. He ticks his tongue and smiles, "Your mouth tastes like salt."

I'm oober sorry it takes me like FOREVER to write one damn chapter. I've been hella busy with school and stuff. I got Ds man - so tragic.

But yeah, I wrote a sorta long chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it, I think I know what I'm trying to do for the rest of the story now.

please review and gimme your thoughts on this chapter, cause I'm a bit rusty on my writing skills.

But on an irrelevant note: my birthdays tomorrow B) bouta celebrate that super sweet sixteen by doing homework and eating ice cream.

-MFFITS