AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi guys, I just wanted to clarify here that my story is dialogue-driven, so if you're ever thinking why there isn't a lot of description of actions, then it's because I prefer creating scenes through my characters' (well, Degrassi's characters) words. I hope you guys enjoy this story!

Clare stirs through her bowl of soup at the dinner table. She sits in front of Jake, and they are with their parents, who are still unaware of the blooming relationship. Clare's mother cheerfully creates conversation with Glen and Jake while an earlier conversation between her and Eli runs through Clare's mind.

"Clara is the hero" are the words that are on repeat in Clare's mind. Eli's words were so bold, but he said them so simply. Clare reels from the rawness of that moment shared, and she can't help but contemplate what the exchange means for Eli and her.

Clare has no idea of what's being discussed at the table, and she snaps back into the scene when her mother asks, "Clare? Is something wrong with the food? You don't seem to be eating much."

Clare shakes her head and replies, "No, it's great." She glances at Jake, who has been observing her, and forces out a smile.

"Well, I hope this dinner isn't too weird for you guys," Ms. Edwards gushes. "It's just been so long since we've," she smiles at Jake's father, "had dinner with our kids."

Mr. Martin smiles in agreement. "We don't want to make you two feel uncomfortable in any way."

Clare is less concerned about this dinner and more focused on her thoughts on Eli. She remembers Jake and her first look at him is right into his eyes.

Jake says, "We're fine with this, right, Clare Bear?" He knows something is on Clare's mind.

"Right," she says too quickly.

Clare's mother frowns. "Honey, are you all right?"

"Actually, mom, I have a really bad headache," Clare lies. "If you don't mind, I'd like to excuse myself so I can lie down or something."

"Okay; if you need to, you can take an aspirin," her mother answers with a brief, worried look.

Clare walks up the stairs to her room and sits on her bed. She lies down. She feels strange, but she doesn't know why she is. She knows a weight has been lifted off her shoulder, but she can't help but feel anxious.

She hears a knock on her door and says, "Come in." She already knows who it is.

"Hey," Jake says, smiling gently.

"What brought an end to your gobbling down any food in sight?"

"Your lack of appetite, or so it seemed, kind of rubbed off on me." Jake sits next to Clare and looks at her. He reaches to touch her hand. "Clare, what's wrong?"

Clare's face flushes. She doesn't want to tell Jake that she had been thinking about Eli. She didn't want to say anything that would hurt Jake's feelings.

"Nothing's wrong," she says.

"You're lying."

"I'm really not."

"Then what's on your mind? You were distant at dinner today. Something has to be bothering you."

"Jake," Clare says softly.

She looks at him for a long time. He looks sweet and friendly, unlike Eli, who looks stolid and less approachable. She realizes how much she actually likes Jake.

She was telling Jake the truth when she told him nothing was wrong, but she didn't want Jake to get the wrong idea by admitting her thoughts. Jake's hand squeezes hers, and she knows she doesn't have the heart to hide this from him.

"You've been able to tell me a lot so far," Jake says. "So what's up, now?"

"A relationship's about honesty, right?" Clare asks.

"I'd hope so," Jake replies.

Clare sighs. "I was thinking about something Eli said."

Jake looks down at his feet. He doesn't want to make any remarks before hearing out Clare completely. But, he wants to believe that Clare is completely over Eli, and now, he's not so sure.

"I don't have feelings for him, Jake," Clare says, as if she read his mind.

"If we're gonna be about honesty now, then your interest in all the things he has to say about you in his play is unsettling for me."

"Jake, I was just worried about what you would think," Clare defends.

"You know what I think of you," Jake replies, "but it's hard for me to not think there are lingering feelings for the guy."

"I don't know how to convince you that I don't have feelings for Eli anymore," Clare says. "If I really wanted to be with him again, I think I would have been able to do that by now. I want you, Jake."

"I –" Jake stops. He doesn't want to tell Clare how he really feels because opening up to her will only make things more serious, and this scares Jake.

"What?"

"I feel like I'm the rebound guy," Jake says quietly. "And maybe I am, but I kind of want to be more than that, too."

"You are more than that!"

"You still think about Eli."

Clare is quiet for a moment. "I was thinking about Eli today because I spoke to him. I read his play, and I talked to him about it, and I think we finally gained closure," Clare explains. "The kind of closure I've been wanting."

"So it's completely over between you guys," Jake responds.

"It's been over for a while but my paranoia, I guess, about what he was saying about me got to the best of me."

"Okay."

"Are you upset?" Clare asks.

Jake feels slightly relieved. He chooses to trust Clare, and he smiles. "No, I'm not upset."

"Good, because you really don't have to worry about being the rebound guy. I wouldn't use you to get over Eli," Clare says. "I do really like you."

Jake kisses her cheek. "I really like you, too, Clare. And, I'm sorry for being insecure, I guess."

"You weren't being insecure. I understand." Clare pushes Jake down on her bed and straddles his lap. "You mean so much to me."

Jake looks at the girl in front of him, and he thinks of how lucky he is to be in a relationship with someone intelligent and beautiful. He feels lucky for simply being liked by Clare.

"And you have a great way of showing it."