Disclaimer: I own nothing at all except the plot.

A/N: This was inspired by a dream I had. I'll continue the story if I get feedback.

Your Love is My Drug

Chapter 1

"Coming to America"

Clare Edwards was in a good mood as she entered the kitchen for breakfast. Her assignments for the week were finished, she'd had a good night's rest, and was running early. But her stomach dropped as she saw both her parents at the breakfast table, huddled together. They had been talking, and had quieted when she entered the room.

"What's going on?" Clare asked, looking from her mother to her father. "Are you guys fighting?"

"No, sweetheart," her mother answered with a smile. She shared a look with her father. "But we do have something to tell you."

Clare sat down without needing to be asked. She looked slowly from one parent to the other before her father cleared his throat. "We're moving."

"What?" Ali Bhandari cried. Many students surrounding them jumped and moved away from the pair. Clare nodded grimly.

"We leave Friday afternoon," she said, messing with her hair nervously.

"This isn't fair! You're my best friend. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Thanks for being so unselfish, Ali," Clare grumbled, glancing across the way at Eli Goldsworthy. He smiled, raising his eyebrows and giving a small wave in her direction. She had just gotten to the point where she was willing to acknowledge her feelings for him, and now she'd never know what could have happened.

Ali followed her gaze. "I'm so sorry, Clare. Well, look on the bright side: it would have been much harder to leave if there was more going on with you two."

"I guess you're right. Still, it sucks."

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of hot guys at the school you'll be transferring to. We'll have a little party. Just us, or more of the Nerd Herd if you want. The perfect send off. Where are you guys going to, anyway? New York? California? Florida?"

"Ohio," Clare answered s the bell rang. "Lima, Ohio."