Summary: How did Eli know Clare needed help with the school paper? Takes place during last night's episode.

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi.

Mr. Snuggles

Ali mustered up all the courage she could manage, and made her way down the hallway. She couldn't believe she was about to do this. She shook her head at herself, and sighed. Why was she doing this anyway? For Clare? But why? Maybe it was because she had looked so desperate and maybe because deep down, Ali knew she would always be there for her and vice versa.

Ali neared her destination – the locker with the two boys leaning against it, laughing and talking. They wouldn't want a single thing to do with her, but she had to at least try – for Clare, after all.

"Hey," Ali approached them.

"Um, hi?" One waved to her.

"I think your confused," the other one crossed his arms over his chest, "Did you just try and talk to us?"

"Yes," Ali sighed, folding her arms over her chest, "But there's no mistake or confusion. Eli, I need to talk to you."

"You mean you'd step off your high horse for a little while to talk to little ol' me? I'm so flattered! Did you hear that, Adam? Ali wants to talk to me!"

"Shut up, Goldsworthy," Ali growled, "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh, so you need something?" Eli smirked his classic smirk, "That's what you came over here for? Not to ask me how I am, not to say hi, but to ask a favor of me."

"Eli…"

"And what makes you think I will do said favor?"

"Yeah," Adam perked up, "You better dish out some serious cash for this!"

Ali rolled her eyes, "Adam, would you excuse us, please?"

"Um, no!"

Eli held up a hand, "You should probably go – just in case this gets messy."

Adam eyed Eli for a moment before heading down the hallway. Ali turned to Eli and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Look, Clare's in trouble."

"What?" A shadow of worry crossed his face, but as quickly as it had happened, it was replaced with a suave hand through his hair, regaining his cool demeanor, "I mean…what does she need?"

"She got in over her head…"

"As always," Eli smirked.

"Yeah," Ali smiled, sensing that his shell was cracking, "You see, apparently she singlehandedly decided to take on the entire holiday edition of the school paper."

"Ouch," Eli winced, "There's no way she can do all of that on her own."

"Yeah, so she came to me for help. A couple of us are going to meet up in the journalism room after school if you'd like to join us…"

"Ali, something tells me that Clare doesn't want my help."

"Eli, she's desperate. She came to me for help. I thought I was the last person she'd speak to."

Eli nodded, "I guess you're right. But Ali…I don't even know what I'd say to her?"

"You guys were so close. Don't let this be the end of it. Come on, Eli. Fight for her."

"The last time I fought, it didn't work out so hot."

"I mean just do what you can to help get her back! Like, helping her with the school paper."

"She doesn't want me back," Eli shook his head, "Face it Ali, it's over between the two of us."

"Nothing as strong as what you and Clare had could ever really be over," Ali persisted, "You two had something so…special."

"I know," Eli's eyes seemed to moisten, "But that is all in the past, and that's where it's going to stay."

"What are you so afraid of?" Ali asked.

A shadow crossed Eli's eyes, "I am not afraid, Ali!"

"Then what is it? Why don't you just go to her and do whatever you can to get her back in your life!"

"Because, it's not that simple."

"Fine," Ali shrugged, "Suit yourself. Stay here and brood and I'll go help Clare. After I'm through helping her, I'll post on my Facerange page that you happen to still like to sleep with a certain teddy bear named…"

"She told you that?"

"Yes," Ali smirked, "So what'll it be, Goldsworthy?"

"Remind me to kill the both of you," Eli rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips, "Alright. Let's do this."