DISCLAIMER: I do not own Degrassi or its characters.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote this fan fiction back in September on a Word Document, but I finally decided to publish it. It's basically my version of the Eclare relationship beginning with Clare's discovery of her parent's divorce and it kind of goes in its own direction after that. This story switches back and forth between the POV's of Eli and Clare and I will indicate to you whose POV each section is coming from. This is the first fan fiction I have ever published, so I hope you enjoy it and please review.
Be My Escape
Chapter 1: Be My Escape
-Clare's POV-
It was official. My parents were getting a divorce after being happily married for almost 20 years. I didn't even know how to comprehend this unbelievable news. The concept of divorce never crossed my mind before my parents started arguing all the time, which made this pill especially hard to swallow. It all began with "We need to talk," the four words every kid fears when placed my situation. I don't really remember what happened after that because everything just seemed like a blur. I just knew that my parents' marriage is over and I was crying into my pillow up in my room. I thought of my sister Darcy and how much I missed her. She was still in Kenya and probably doesn't even know what's going on. Part of me wanted to call her, but I didn't think I should be the one to tell her our parents are getting a divorce. My cell phone rang. Maybe it's Darcy. Wrong. Eli. I do not need to talk to him right now. I was a mess and I couldn't let him think something was wrong. I hesitate, but I answer the phone anyways.
"What do you want Eli"
"Hi Eli. Thanks for calling how are you?"
I can imagine him smirking on the other end. I bite my lip to hold back my tears.
"I'm sorry. I can't talk right now, Eli. Now is not a good time."
I don't say anything for a few moments. A few tears stream down my face.
"Is everything ok?"
Eli asks trying to sound sympathetic. I really don't want anyone to hear me crying, especially Eli. I mean, he is my friend and I like him and all, but I'm just not ready to pour my feelings out to someone I just met.
"Clare. Are you still there?"
I wiped the fresh tears from my eyes and sob.
"Yeah. I'm here, but I have to go. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
Before I can hang up, Eli speaks again.
"Don't move. You sound like you need to get out for a bit. I'll be at your house in 5 minutes."
"Eli no! I told you now is not a good time."
But it was too late. Eli was already on his way over.
-Eli's POV-
I knew something was wrong when Clare answered the phone. Even though I don't like her like that, she is still my friend. She's Clare. When I pulled into her driveway, I expect that she would already be waiting for me, but no one was there. I called her cell.
"Clare where are you?"
"Eli, I told you not to come over."
Clare appears at her window and sighs.
"Clare I drove all the way over here. I'm not leaving until you come outside."
"Fine, give me a few minutes and I'll be right down," Clare says before hanging up.
When she gets into my hearse, Morty she bursts into tears.
"Ugh! I'm such an idiot for crying like this in front of you."
I can't help it, but I just laugh. Clare punches me in the arm.
"Ouch. What was that for?"
"I'm crying my eyes out and all you can do is laugh. Thanks a lot Eli.
"I wasn't making fun of you. I was laughing because you are worrying too much about what I think of you. I don't care if you cry Clare, but why don't you tell me what's going on."
Clare stops crying. She is still sobbing, but at least she is starting to calm down.
"My parents argue all day long and I've been falling behind in school because of it. And just now I found out they are getting a divorce."
Now I'm not the one a person would normally turn to when they are need of a shoulder to cry on, but I can't really help myself with Clare. I put my arm around her to comfort her as she gets the last of her tears out.
"You could have told me sooner you know, about your parents arguing. I had no idea what's been going on," I say.
Clare breaks from my grip and stares out the window with sad eyes.
"I didn't want you to worry about me. School was my escape from all the shouting. When I'm at home, I can't concentrate because all they do is fight. It would be nice to have some peace and quiet for once."
I smirk.
"What? Do you have any suggestions?" Clare asks.
I think for a moment and then I remember my noise blockers. I grab them from the backseat of my car and Clare gives me a confused expression.
"Noise blockers? How are they supposed to help?"
"Whenever my parents fight over stupid things, I put these on. I don't hear them fighting, so I can pretend that nothing is wrong."
"I just can't ignore it, Eli. My parents are getting a divorce."
"Just take them anyways. They might come in handy someday."
Clare smiles and takes them from me.
"Thanks. Maybe I can use them to block out your sarcastic remarks."
"Ouch," I say pretending to sound offended. Clare laughs. At least I got her to laugh.
"Ok. Eli. Let's get out of here."
-Clare's POV-
It felt good to cry, even if it was in front of Eli. He actually understands where I'm coming from. I would of never been able to cry like that in front of KC, even when we were dating. Eli and I aren't even dating and I can pour my emotions out to him. We are just friends brought together by a writing assignment.
"You haven't said a word since we left your house." Eli says, seriously.
"I have nothing to say, Eli."
"I don't know. I guess I want to get to know Clare more."
I roll my eyes. "You want to get to know me. And this is coming from Mr. I keep my feelings inside and use noise blockers to ignore my problems."
Eli smirks. "I like to keep you guessing. It keeps things interesting."
Ugh! Why does that crooked smirk have to be so cute? Why is it that every time he looks at me I fall for him? I shake myself out of my fantasy. No Clare. You cannot like Eli. Not now. Not after KC and not when your parents are going through a divorce. A relationship is the last thing you need.
"This is it. You are the first person I've brought here since, never mind," Eli says as he pulls into a deserted parking lot.
I look around for a few moments so I can figure out where we are. I know this place. I have never been here before, but I remember hearing about it somewhere, in English class I believe. No way. I breathe. This is the place Eli talked about in his essay. The place he goes when he needs to forget about everything. I smile. He probably comes here when he misplaces his noise blockers, but why would he bring me here? Does he really care about me, in that way? Ugh. I am not sure if I'm ready for that.
-Eli's POV-
I wanted to take Clare's mind off of everything. I hope she doesn't think I'm moving too fast, but I decided take her to my place. She is just my friend, but I don't like seeing her sad.
"Where did you even find this place?" Clare asks, looking around at the deserted land. I shrug.
"I'm not really sure. One day I was really bummed, so I hopped into Morty and just drove."
"But we are in Toronto and you aren't from here."
I laugh. "I was really upset."
"About your parents?" Clare asks concerned.
I shake my head solemnly. "It's a little more complicated than that."
I take a seat on a rock and burry my face in my hands. Clare takes a seat next to me and puts her arm around me.
"Eli, is everything ok?"
I pull away. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. Something is wrong and I can tell."
"Nothing is wrong. Now can we just drop this?" I shout.
Clare looks really upset and I could tell I hurt her more than she already is. I didn't mean to yell at Clare. I just can't let her find out my secret. If she ever did, she would never speak to me again. And I couldn't let that happen.
"So your saying you are not going to tell me what is going on after I spilled my heart out to you!"
"Clare I already told you, its complicated."
Clare crosses her arms. She is definitely angry now.
"Well if you can't be honest with me, then maybe we need to end whatever has been going on between us."
"Clare there was never anything between us! We are just friends!" I shout.
Clare throws her purse at me, tears streaming down her face.
"Well maybe you shouldn't of taken me here and lead me to believe we could of been something more!" Clare screams. I hated the fact that I was hurting her like this. "Just take me home, Eli. And after that never call me or talk to me again."
That was all she said before we got into Morty. The drive to Clare's house was completely silent.
