CHAPTER 1

"…and remember, auditions for the school musical, Grease, are next Wednesday. Thank you and remember to stay classy Degrassi..." Alli read as she was finishing reading the school announcements and I turned off the camera.

It was the first day back to school after summer vacation. I spent the summer at my Grandma's cottage in Myrtle Beach. My grandma stayed indoors most of the time because her medication made her very tired. That's why my mother sent me there for the summer, to help her around. I didn't mind at all though, because I love her. But then it happened.

He happened. Eli Goldsworthy happened. I was pulled into a daydream just thinking about him. Not so much a daydream but a memory. I started thinking about walking along the beach with him. But then Alli drove me back to reality soon enough.

"Clare! Tell me again, why you won't audition!" she pretty much screamed at me.

I really like singing and acting but I get stage fright.

"Mrs. Dawes said I could be stage manager if I wanted to, did you finish the summer reading?" I replied, trying to change the subject

"Manager-Schmanger Clare, you have a really good chance at getting a part" she told me as we started walking to get our schedules.

It wasn't long until Connor came up to us and told us there was a new kid here at Degrassi. He didn't know much except he was a boy from the United States. Everyone knows everyone here so people like fresh faces so they can start fresh drama.

Of course Alli was very interested in finding out more about him. "Is he cute? Is he single? Is he rich?" Pretty much the same questions she texted me when I first told her about Eli Goldsworthy. When we finally reached the office to get our schedules, we ran into Jenna who was gushing about the new guy, Elijah James. She was going on about how dark and mysterious he was. Alli was listening, wanting to know more about him and wondering if she had a chance but to tell the truth I could care less. I needed some time to get over Eli Goldsworthy. Just thinking about his name brings back more unforgettable memories of the summer

"C'mon Eli! Please, do it for me!" I pleaded. "You know I can't say no when you're giving me that puppy dog face" I squealed, happy that I convinced Eli to take me to Broadway at the Beach. I needed to go shopping and since my grandma was always hopped up on medication I needed a ride. When we finally got there Eli and I raced out of the parking lot to the center plaza. We took a picture of our heads in a cardboard cutout, my head on a chunky guy lifting weights and Eli's head attached to a hula girl with a coconut bikini top. The rest of the day we spent trying on funky hats, Bob Marley shirts, and trying to find the right pair of sunglasses. That was also the day that Eli told me his secret. I was really surprised he trusted me so much but I didn't question it. He told me-"

"EARTH TO CLARE!" Alli shrieked, once again, bringing me back to reality. We picked up our schedules and headed to first period.

It was the first day so we didn't do any work in any classes. Alli begged me to help her find this new Elijah James kid. As much as I love Alli, she's a LITTLE boy crazy.

Soon enough lunch came. I was on my way to go sit with Connor and Wesley when Alli pulled me away towards Jenna's lunch table. I groaned picturing how annoying this lunch is going to be, listening to Jenna babble on and on about God knows what.

"We're not starting off our sophomore year sitting with the dorks, and besides I need Jenna to point out Elijah James to me" Alli whispered as we sat down. It was really hard maintaining a conversation with Jenna and her friends but I just mostly listened in. I learned that Jenna was hoping to be Sandy in Grease. I guess she looks the part, and can probably sing the part, but she cannot even pretend to be shy and innocent.

Jenna's table was made up of mostly cheerleaders and athletes. There was Jenna, Chantay, Marisol, Drew, KC, Owen, Fitz, and Bianca. Jenna was going on about how hard it would be to juggle being the lead in the musical and co-captain of the power squad at the same time. Wow her life must be so hard, give me a break.

"Are you going to work backstage again Clare-bear?" Jenna said with fake interest.

"Yeah probably" I replied quickly not wanting to hold a conversation with her. She seemed to have got the message and started talking to KC.

But Alli noticed, "Clare's a really good singer, I'm trying to get her to audition instead" she told the table. Jenna looked up at me hiding her shock.

I think I kind of intimidate Jenna. I mean, KC and I dated for a while before they went out (that didn't work out very well), and then there was that time I stole her solo at the dance recital, and now finding out that I can sing I could tell made her a little nervous.

"I'm not auditioning" I assured the table. "Aw Clare-bear! You should! We can hang out at rehearsals" But once again the conversation changed when Jenna started calling someone over.

"Elijah, Elijah over here! Come sit with us" she yelled over the rest of the cafeteria.

"I told you, call me Eli" I heard a deep, hypnotizing, yet slightly familiar voice reply

"But Elijah sounds more sexy" Jenna replied confidently "Don't you agree Clare-bear?"

That's when I looked up and saw my summer staring right back at me.

A double gasp. "Eli…?" I managed to say but it came out as a whisper. "Clare?" he said breathlessly, not taking our eyes off each other.

The first one to take their eyes away from the other loses. "And what does the winner get?-"

"Uhh you guys know each other?" Jenna said interrupting our somewhat unspoken conversation. I couldn't find my voice to answer her.

"Yeah, we met over the summer" he glanced away quickly to answer Jenna but then went back to looking at me.

"Whoa wait up… Clare, this is Summer Eli? From Myrtle Beach?" Alli said.

"Myrtle Beach? Elijah, you told me you were from California"

"I am"

"He is"

We managed to say at the same time.

"Uhh, Clare can I talk to you for a second? Alone." Eli asked me.

"Sure" I said as I lead him out to the hallway

After a few quiet moments he spoke and said "So how are you?"

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. All the things going on this moment and that's what he wanted to talk about?

"Why are you here?" I asked quietly.

"My parents dumped me here with my uncle while they're off working in Costa Rica" he said as he itched this back of his head nervously. I knew what he meant. I could tell he was curious about how much I told Alli.

"I didn't tell them" I assured him. I made a mental note to make up an excuse to Alli about why Eli had told me a "false" last name.

After we were both quiet for a few moments Eli spoke up

"So what are we then?"

I still remained quiet, not sure what to answer. I just kept looking into his deep emerald eyes hoping to find the answer.

"What do you want? I mean you are new here. Do you want people to say 'Oh that's the new kid dating Clare Edwards' or 'Oh that's the new kid Eli Goldswor- I mean James, yeah he's cool'"

"I don't care what other people think of me, Clare"

"Well I had to go through freshman year as Little Edwards, I know what it's like. I don't think its best we're together right now" I said a little hesitantly.

"C'mon Clare, don't do this. Didn't this summer mean anything to you?"

"Of course it did, Eli, but maybe that's all it should be. Can we still be friends?"

"Certainly. You're the only normal person I've met here so far. What's up with that Jenna girl?" Eli asked casually.

"I usually steer clear of her. Are you going to try out for Grease? You'd be the perfect Danny Zuko" I told him.

"Hmm, sounds like something I may be interested in" he replied smugly. Eli has the voice of a god. No surprise though really considering his –never mind.

"Hey Eli" I said getting his attention. "Welcome to Degrassi."