Author's Note: Sorry again for taking so long to update. But as promised, I am still going to update. Life's been difficult lately. My boyfriend broke up with me after five years, and I've been having more health problems, and I have to move back in with my parents. Life's just been a mess and I haven't really felt like sitting down to write. I haven't had the focus.

But I promised you I would update, so updates you shall have!

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight

"Well, that's it," Eli announced proudly, smiling at the computer screen at his completed ending, "I've emailed it to Mrs. Dawes so she can look over it and tell me what she thinks. But I think she's going to like it."

He was actually beaming. Neither Clare nor Adam had seen Eli that happy since prior to the accident. And it was a nice change. A welcomed change. They both exchanged glances as Eli turned back to his computer, scrolling through the script with a huge grin on his face.

"Thank you," Adam mouthed to Clare.

She didn't know why he'd thanked her. She hadn't done anything. Sure, she'd given Eli the idea for the ending, but she hadn't exactly been responsible for how happy he appeared now, had she? Clare watched Eli - he had his legs tucked underneath him and he was biting his lower lip as he read through the script's ending for the fiftieth time. He was smiling, and she watched his eyes dart back and forth as he read. He seemed to have completely opened up out of himself. He looked and radiated genuine happiness. Something that Clare had really missed from him. She'd been worried she wouldn't ever see Eli so happy ever again.

But was it going to last? Was this a calm before the storm? With Eli, there always seemed to be a storm.

"Do you think she'll like it?" Eli asked, spinning back around his chair, "I hope she likes it. She doesn't really have a reason to not like it. Thanks, Clare. For the ending. It'll be great. I just know it!"

"You're welcome," Clare couldn't help but return his smile. God, it was so good to see Eli happy again, "I-I better be going though," she said, glancing at Eli's alarm clock on his bedside table, "It's getting late and my mom will be worried about me."

"Yeah, I need to be getting home too," Adam sat up off Eli's bed, "See you tomorrow?"

"Sure," Eli gave Adam a little wave. Adam was quick to head out of Eli's bedroom - leaving Eli and Clare alone as she gathered up her purse and her coat.

Clare dug around in her purse and retrieved her phone. No missed calls or texts from her mom - thank goodness - so she still had a little bit of time. She didn't exactly have to rush. Eli turned back to his computer, not saying a word to her, as Clare shrugged her coat over her shoulders.

"Well, I better take off," she said, not really sure what to say to Eli. It was so frustrating how difficult it was to speak around him. She used to never have to think about what to say or what to do. It used to all just come so naturally.

"Damn it, Adam," Eli gritted his teeth.

"What happened?" Clare was confused. Adam was gone already. He hadn't done anything.

"He left without walking you home."

"Eli..." Clare was taken back, "I've walked home a hundred times before. It's perfectly fine."

"No it's not. It's dark out. And it's late."

"Eli, I've walked home late and after dark before."

"Well you aren't if I have anything to say about it," Eli stood from his desk chair and shrugged on the leather jacket that was hanging on his closet door knob, "C'mon. I guess I'm walking you home."

"You don't have to," Clare protested, "Really. I'll be fine. You don't have to go out of your way to help me," she wanted to add 'any more' but chose better of it. Eli shoved his hands into his pockets and rolled his eyes. Clare already knew he'd be walking her home. There was no arguing with him.

"Fine," Clare gave in. She and Eli headed down the stairs together. Clare paused when she got to the last step. Bullfrog and Cece were sitting in the living room watching TV. She felt her heart stop in her chest. Why did everything have to be so difficult, so complicated.

Eli slipped past her and announced, "Hey, I'm gonna walk Clare home, okay?"

"Alright honey," Cece turned from the television set, "Be back soon okay. And be safe. Clare, it was a pleasure having you over."

"You're welcome to come over any time," Bullfrog added.

Clare thanked them and slipped out the front door with Eli. She shoved her hands in her pockets, and they walked side by side in silence down Eli's street. Finally, at the end of the block, Clare decided it'd at least be worth it to try saying something to him. Anything.

"You really didn't have to do this," Clare looked up at Eli. He kept his eyes straight forward, his hands buried deep in his jacket pockets, but he was walking in step with her perfectly. Clare could feel the energy of his arm almost brushing up against hers. There was something between them - that electricity. It sent goosebumps up her arm.

"I'm not letting you walk home alone in the dark. Uh...you were really helpful back there with the ending. I like it. A lot."

"Thanks," Clare smiled, keeping her eyes straight forward too. Neither one of them really dared look at the other, "To be honest, I am a little freaked out about playing Alice. I-I never expected I'd get the part. I've never acted before. Not on a stage in front of hundreds of people at least. What if I absolutely screw up?" Clare felt strange opening up these feelings to Eli. But at the same time, he was the only person she really wanted to share these thoughts with.

"Don't get in your head like that. You'll do great. We'll practice a lot. Like I said, I'm a perfectionist. You know that. And I'm not going to let you mess up. Because I am not going to let you mess up my play. Got it? Tomorrow after school, we're going to start running lines. If that works for you?"

"Sure," Clare nodded, "Where should we meet up?"

"Well, you could come over again," Eli shrugged, nervous to suggest that but knowing it was worth a shot, "I mean, it'd just be to run lines."

"Of course."

"Because we're still keeping things just civil and then..."

"...going back to pretending the other doesn't exist," Clare finished for him, "Easier said than done," she admitted, rolling her eyes.

"Who are you tellin'?" Eli inhaled sharply, "Learning brain surgery in a day would be easier than learning how to pretend you don't exist."

They walked a little further, continuing their previous silence. Clare reflected on Eli's words. He was right. How could they possibly pretend that the other didn't exist? It just wasn't possible. They had had too much between them to just forget. And Clare couldn't help but sense there was too much between them still. There was so much Clare desperately wanted to say to him but knew she couldn't. How would she even begin? It took all the strength she had not to reach out for his hand that was now swinging beside hers. It's what she'd always done in the past - reached for his hand. It felt unnatural to not do so now.

They reached her street, and Clare said, "I should probably say bye now. My mom...doesn't really want me around you anymore."

"Ouch," Eli winced.

"Well, can you really blame her?"

"No, not really. Alright, so I guess this is goodnight, then."

"Good night," Clare turned to continue on to her house.

"Wait," Eli leaned a little harder on his cane, "What time do you want to meet after school?"

"Just after school is fine. Like, right after we get our stuff from our lockers. Good night, Eli."

"Wait!" Eli called after her, "Where do you want to meet? I mean, we could come to my house again, or the library..."

"Library," Clare nodded. That'd be the safest bet. And then she wouldn't have to face Bullfrog and Cece again. God, that'd been hard. She missed them so much.

"Works for me."

"Good night, Eli," Clare rolled her eyes as she turned back around. If he wanted them to keep things civil, why wasn't he just letting her go home?

"Good night, Clare."

Clare pulled her coat tighter around her and headed towards her house. She could feel Eli's eyes on her and wished he'd just turn around. He wasn't exactly making this whole thing any easier on her. She felt butterflies in her stomach and heart had been racing since she'd gotten to his house that evening. And now thanks to this dumb play, she'd have to work with him pretty much every day after school. How was she expected to explain that to her mom? Not to mention thanks to her brilliant idea, there'd be a kiss. Clare got chills at the thought.