I do NOT own Degrassi or any of the characters!

Clare's POV

Little Miss Steaks seemed to be my second home the past few days. It was the only place I could go to think things through. My mother and step father are always out. My step brother, Jake, has a new girlfriend every few weeks. Right now, I think her name is Jenna? Who knows. If he likes someone, he goes after them. It's kind of how we met.

We dated for a while, and I thought I loved him. Only he decided he didn't want a serious relationship and ended it. After our parents got married he pretended I didn't exist and decided to start dating a bunch of sluts at Degrassi. When our parents got together he refused to switch schools, and we lived closer to my school. Now, we would be going to the same school.

My mother decided to switch my school when she found my current boyfriend, Fitz, in my room. Fitz and I have been dating for about a year now. My mom didn't know that Fitz actually went to Degrassi. He always ditched last period so he could drive me home. Whatever he said, I did. Unless I wanted trouble, and right now, I didn't want trouble.

Tomorrow was my first day at Degrassi and I am completely terrified. I needed to cool down and I told Fitz that I was stuck home for family night. Every Thursday, my mother and step father stayed home for the night and tried to have a family night. It never worked. Conveniently, Jake was always on a date that night, and I would never want to stay home and hang out with my mother and stepfather.

So Thursdays, I would come to Little Miss Steaks. I sat in my regular booth, which was in sight of the door, but I could leave quickly if needed. Fitz didn't like it if I disobeyed or lied to him. I didn't like lying either, but he would always want to kiss or more. Sometimes I didn't want that. I just wanted to talk right now. I had no one to talk too.

All my friends from my old school were scared away by Fitz. I've thought about ending it with him multiple times but he does really care about me. Even though he does get violent sometimes and really gropy other times, he promises that won't ever happen again, and he really does care. I just wish that I could talk to him about tomorrow. I mean it's terrifying knowing that I will be transferring schools halfway through the year. My new school was only across town but our town was big. I only knew a couple kids from Degrassi because of Jake, and they didn't seem the type I would be friends with.

Definitely not the people Fitz would approve of. Don't get me wrong, Fitz is a great guy. I love him. He is my first love, and I didn't really know what love was until I met him. Honestly I never really thought that I would ever find love. See, I am really shy and I didn't know how to branch out, but when I met Fitz at the Dot, I figured that I could try. Fitz helped me realize how easy it is to isolate myself.

He told me that he would always be there for me and he would never hurt me. He reminded me that I could isolate myself from everyone, as long as I was happy. And I am, aren't I? Fitz is by my side and that is all I need. I love him, and love conquers all, right? Fitz told me that I didn't need friends to be happy.

He was truly right with that one. My old friends didn't understand Fitz. They didn't realize how sweet and kind he is. They couldn't see how much he cared. When they saw the bruise on my cheek, they thought the worst. They never gave him a chance after that. I mean it wasn't his fault. I should've called him about not going to school for a doctor's appointment. He had a right to be angry. But I did learn a valuable lesson; always cover my bruises up since then. Sitting here helped me clear my head.

I didn't really need to talk to anyone, like Fitz had told me. I could always figure things out on my own. I never needed anyone for that. Just my own mind. Fitz was right, like he always was. I glanced at my watch, and noticed it was near eleven. Little Miss Steaks would be closing soon.

I left money on the table and headed for the back door. I never went through the front, just in case Fitz was passing by. He and his friends would hang out by the Dot until late, which was right down the street. I walked swiftly down the alley towards the road, keeping my short auburn curls in front of my face. I never wanted to be caught in a lie with Fitz, so I had to hide my face. I never wore my regular clothing when I went out. I never wanted to be spotted in the same clothing that he last saw me in.

I picked up speed as I rounded the corner and I continued walking on the grass near the sidewalk. I didn't want to be bumped into, and whoever passed me, wouldn't get a good look at me. Unfortunately, this time, I wasn't pay attention enough that I bumped into two guys. They were coming out of a house, and heading to a car. Both of them were taller than me, and they both looked startled by me. One was wearing really baggy clothes that you would normally see a skateboarder wearing, while the other one was wearing almost all black. The one in all black had grabbed my arms to stop us both from stumbling.

"Whoa. Neat magic trick, care to share?" The skater asked.

"Wh-what?" I asked confused.

"Are you okay?" The guy wearing all black asked.

I was about to answer when I noticed the car. It was a hearse. Fitz always told me, if I bumped into a guy with a hearse, to get away.

"I have to go." I replied, removing myself from the guy's hands and retreated in the direction I was heading. I pushed passed them and continued walking.

"Where's the fire?" The skater called after me.

I ignored them, and turned the corner. My house was a few streets away still, but I hurried along quickly. The moment I spotted my house, I practically ran to it. I noticed only Jake's car parked in the driveway. Meaning he had company. I opened the front door and didn't see anyone, meaning they were already upstairs. I swiftly rushed up the stairs and into my room.

I slammed the door loudly, signaling Jake to know I was home, and for him to keep it down. I haven't talked to Jake directly for months now. Not since he started bringing girls over when our parents were actually home. They didn't seem to care about what he did, only that their Christian daughter stayed away from that stuff. My mom and my real father showed me the path to Christianity, but for some odd reason my mother backed away from it, to marry an atheist and his non-believing son. I changed quickly into pajamas and slid into bed. I need some sleep and I didn't want to think about tomorrow any more than needed.