Best Friends Forever? [Complete]

I'll always stay

"So, what's been up with you?" Eli asked as him and Clare sat at lunch again the next day, She knew Eli was trying to make things, less awkward between them by making small talk. ''Whats changed in your life?'' He wiggled his eyebrows. Clare rolled her eyes and smiled at the table he was such a dork. But she missed him and she was happy to be alone with him again.

"Since yesterday you mean? Jake invited Katie over and I'm pretty sure they got high." He laughed and they kept eating she felt like she was on a date. He smiled at her and took her hand and she flushed how could he do this to her? He didn't like her so why was he holding her hand? She wished his mind games would stop he didn't know he was messing with her mind she was sure. But it still needed to stop.

''And you?'' Eli commented and Clare raised her eyebrows, he didn't really think she would do drugs did he? He knew her better then anyone, he had to believe she wouldn't or it would mean they had drifted further apart. ''Did you have any fun?''

''Did I get high, you mean?'' Eli's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"No! I know you Clare, you'd never do drugs. What did YOU do? You told me all about Jake!'' He laughed and he punched her in the arm. ''Are you going to the dance? and what about Reese?''

''What about him?'' Clare asked, wondering Why Eli was asking about Reese all the sudden, she'd barley spoken to him, as for the dance she wasn't planning too. ''What are you trying to say Eli? I barley know Reese and he's a jackass.''

''You didn't know?! I thought Alli and Jenna would have said something!'' Eli said, narrowing his eyes and looking over at the girls.

''They probably already know.'' Clare commented, crossing her arms. ''Now just tell me what it is''.

"He's gonna ask you". She looked over at him and he waved and she gave him a small smile. " Are you going to say yes?" She shrugged. All her friends had dates except Eli, maybe Reese was her only option. If she was going to go that was. But the person she really wanted to go with was Eli, Eli was the only boy she wanted to go with.

"I don't know, there's someone else I want to go with instead, but I don't think its possible for me to ask him. Him and I just aren't meant to be together." She looked at her and Eli looked at his then into her eyes, he knew what she was talking about.

"Is it Jake?" He looked hurt and worried. She shook her head she held no romantic feelings for Jake what so ever, she had thought Eli knew this, but he didn't. Not yet. She shook her head. God they'd been through this like a million times Jake was almost her brother, they could all feel it.

"He's going with Katie". She said and he looked relieved. " And him and I are to much like brother and sister like_" She cut herself off. Her and Eli weren't anything like brother and sister and she didn't want to bring it up right now, or ever. This wasn't a good place to end up in, how was she supposed to get out of saying this? She felt so stupid.

"Me and Imogen". He said rescuing her from the words. He was telling her he didn't like her like that idea of them being just like brother and sister again. Not they they could change their feelings if they wanted to.

" Right". She smiled at Eli and he gave the warm smile she missed. ''Like you and Imogen''. Everyone was watching them but they were only looking at one another. They held onto one another's hands. ''And me and... Jake''. They both sighed with relief, this topic always destroyed them. ''Jake and I are just friends... best friends... trust me''. Eli nodded at her and smiled again he didn't mind her calling Jake her best friend anymore. Mabe t hat was because he didn't think of her as a friend anymore? He thought of her as more then a friend.

''Do you want to... go eat somewhere after school? Just us?'' He asked her this with hope in his voice, and Clare wanted to say no so badly. This would feel like a date and it would only hurt her in the end. ''Please?'' She just looked at him for a long time was he asking her out? Was this finally happening after all this Drama, would they be a couple by summer?