The Day The World Came Crashing Down All Around Me

Clare's POV

It was just before Spring Break and we were having a dance. A real one. The last time we had had a real school dance was the Night in Vegas dance. That was a dance I wished I could completely erase from my memory. My boyfriend had nearly gotten stabbed by his nemesis and school bully- Fitz. Then I had also gone with Fitz because he had threatened to hurt Eli. I had told Eli how scared for him I was- and he brushed it off as if it were nothing. I didn't have to worry tonight though, because this time- Eli was my date, Fitz was gone, and it would just be a fun event. I was sure everyone would be going to the dance since it was the first real dance in a while and no one wanted to be stuck with the school uniform all the time. The crackdown had happened because of Fitz and Eli's fighting, and for a good cause. I didn't like it- but I didn't want Eli to be hurt by Fitz- not ever.

Eli picked me up in his hearse, and I rushed outside seeing his car, quickly saying bye to my father, who was at home with me this week. He opened the door for me, and I climbed into the passenger seat, but not before I smiled at him and gave him a hello kiss. He closed the door and went around to the driver's side. I noticed he was wearing the red suit he had worn to the previous dance. I tried not to think about it too much.

We drove to Degrassi and I could see all the people going in. I didn't wait for Eli to open the door this time, and I stepped out as he did, and he locked the car before coming over to my side. He held his arm out, and I looped my arm through his. He kissed my head and we went in.

It was worse than I could've imagined. It seemed I had been right when I had exaggerated the whole school would be here. The room was packed. And it took awhile to find our friends.

We eventually found Adam with Fiona by the drinks. Fiona held Adam's arm with one hand, and in the other, was a glass of punch. She kept drinking it, glass after glass and Eli and I exchanged a nervous glance.

"Adam, don't let her drink all the punch. There will be nothing left for anyone else!" Eli joked.

"Eli. Don't be harsh." I laughed, and I leaned my head onto his shoulder.

"So. It's the lovebirds." Adam clapped his hands together.

"Oh shut up Adam." We both said.

"Don't worry, I'm just teasing." He still teased.

Then in the middle of Fiona's possible 10th drink, she saw Holly J. and Sav and squealed. She took her half-full cup and pulled Adam along with her to the seniors.

"Looks like Adam's too cool for us now." I mused.

"Yeah. He's moved onto the older crowd." Eli smirked.

I loved his smirk, and his sarcasm made me slightly giggle.

We found Jenna and KC next.

"Hey Jenna!…KC." I went from happy…to…well- I can't really explain it. But kind of…angry I guess.

"So this is Eli." I told them, introducing them.

"I've never seen him around before." KC said.

"He's a junior. He's really smart- in the advanced class." I showed him off, just a little.

"Clare. You are in the grade lower, and you're taking grade 11 advanced English." He reminded me.

"Don't be modest Eli." I told him. Even though it didn't make much sense.

KC seemed shocked that I was dating a junior. He seemed afraid of Eli too- and I smiled.

So the ex meets the current.

"Pleasure." Eli held out his hand and KC shook it. Eli knew who this was. The ex who had dumped me for another girl and gotten her pregnant. But Eli knew how to act, so he acted kind.

After more awkwardness between the four of us, we went our separate ways and Eli pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly fighting back anger.

"Eli. What's wrong?" I looked at the punch table in front of us, kind of hoping he wouldn't take the drinks and do something with all of them- like throwing them in KC's face.

"No. Nothing's wrong." He told me, trying to reassure me.

I touched his arm. "Eli." I said knowingly.

He sighed. "I can't believe that guy used to be your boyfriend. He got your friend pregnant!"

"Eli. Why does that bother you so much? You knew Jenna was pregnant already."

"I'm just glad it wasn't you that's all." He looked at me, sincere.

"Eli. I'm smarter than that. And it didn't happen. I guess I wasn't hot enough for him."

"Clare. Stop right there. You are so beautiful. Don't you dare say that you're not good enough. You are the sweetest, most honest, good, beautiful girl I've ever met. KC is the one missing out."

He made me smile. "Eli, you don't know how cheesy you are. But really, I'm smart enough not to do that,"

Then he turned on me. "But we've done it. I still can't believe you broke your promise to "God." He laughed.

"It's my life. Plus, you were the right person. And we're smarter than that. Protection." I reminded him. I touched his cheek and smiled gently.

"I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be back." I kissed him on the cheek and went through the crowd, leaving for some peace and quiet.

Eli's POV

Where was Clare? I checked my watch- 15 minutes. Why was she taking so long? I wanted to go look for her- but I gave her a few more minutes. Worried, I got up, dropping the empty, plastic glass and went in direction that I'd seen her go in 20 minutes prior.

I got to the girls room and stopped. I couldn't exactly go in there after her but I could wait her out.

I stood by the lockers a few feet down and waited- the only source of light- the moonlight that shone through the doors.

Then something stepped out from the shadows. Fitz.

So many questions raced through my mind.

How could he escape juvie? Why was he here? For revenge? Forgiveness? Clare? Me? Adam? I couldn't tell. But then he said something that froze me.

"You're dead."

Then I realized he had a gun.

Clare's POV

I stepped out of bathroom, ready to go back to the noisy, crowded room. I didn't know how to explain to Eli why I'd been so long- I knew he was probably worried by now. The door swung open and I saw Eli slowly backing up, looking grim and helpless and someone else was there, I glanced quickly and saw it was Fitz. Immediately, I ducked my head back in the girls room and pondered different explanations.

But it was obvious Fitz was here, and was going to take revenge on Eli. I peeked again, and saw Fitz had a gun. My worst nightmare was coming true.

I heard my name, and listened closely.

"I am going to kill you Eli- it's not a joke. For real. You know how annoying that place was! It's all your fault. And Clare's of course. So, when you're gone, I'll take her, and we'll run off someplace. Far away- and nobody would be the wiser."

What? Kill him? My heart seemed to stop. And how dare he think he could get away with it. And how could he think that I'd just go off with him? After everything!

I heard nothing from Eli, so I peeked again. He was completely in the corner now, nowhere to run. He didn't speak. But he looked like he wanted to run, find me and go someplace. And knowing him, that probably would be his plan. Try to save me. He made no attempt to fight, or run, and I felt so awful. I considered several options.

I could come at Fitz with everything I had, I could sit here and wait it out, or I could make a break for it, running to get help.

Option 3 seemed the most dangerous. But Eli's life was on the line, and I had to find help. So I closed my hands tightly, and then I sprung out the door and sprinted down the hall, going to where everyone else was. I was only down the hall before the heavy footsteps came after me. A shot rang out, along with Fitz cursing me off.

I fell to the ground to duck and then I heard Eli. He was running too. "Clare! Run!" He called to me. I listened to him, and stumbled up and raced around the corner.

"Fitz. Please. Don't hurt her. It's me you want. Just don't hurt her. Kill me. Only me." Eli pleaded.

"No. She knows too much- she'll tell first chance she got. I'll have to kill her first."

"NO!" I heard Eli.

I knew why Eli was being so weird. He couldn't lose me. He'd lost Julia, and it was the anniversary of her death. If he lost me, he could worsen his hoarding, just when it was getting better, he could even kill himself. I stopped thinking about that.

Then it was quiet for an instant, before Fitz started yelling at Eli.

I looked around the corner and saw Eli was on Fitz's back, reaching for the gun, but also trying to stop him, and give me a chance to get help. They struggled and rounded the corner, back to where they originally were- out of my sight. I looked down the hall, help seemed far. I could've kept going, but I was scared for Eli, so I ran back to them.

And in time to see Fitz throw Eli at the wall. Eli was getting up, using the wall to climb, when Fitz shot him. Eli looked at Fitz once, and sunk to the ground.

"ELI!" I screamed, tears running down my cheeks. I ran to him, past Fitz, not even thinking what Fitz might do to me.

Fitz just stood there. Clearly shocked out of his rage enough to realize what he had done.

"Get out!" I yelled hoarsely. "He was just trying to protect me!"

He dropped the gun and bolted past us, out the door.

I turned my attention back to Eli.

"No no no no no no…." I kept saying.

I looked at his right side, opposite of where I sat, and saw the blood.

"Eli. Talk to me. Please!" I begged. I took his hand and started sobbing as I held his hand up to my cheek.

"Clare?" a weak voice questioned.

"Eli." I breathed a bit more now, smiling through my tears. "You're okay."

But he wasn't. I was just glad he was talking.

"You're okay." He repeated me.

"You saved me…Why?" I asked, shaking my head.

"I love you Clare. I'm so in love with you." He smiled through his pain.

"You don't know how much I love you too." I breathed. I closed my eyes.

"You have to go get help." Eli whispered.

"I won't leave you. What happens if you're not here when I come back?"

And he wouldn't move. But I meant if he would still be alive. I ran my fingers through his dark hair.

He saw me trembling. "You have to. Clare. Listen to me. It's the only way…" He trailed off. He didn't have to finish, not really. I knew.

"I'll be back as soon as possible." I was shaking. "But you have to promise you'll still be here when I get back."

"I'm not going anywhere Clare."

I let out a small cry. "I'll be back. I promise." And I leaned in to kiss him.

His lips still felt just right, even when I pulled away. I could melt, just kissing him. Even though he was clinging to life, he was reassuring me, kissing me…I couldn't take it.

"Umm." I bit my lip as I stood up. "Soon." I whispered and I ran to get help.

Eli was my rock and without him…what was I? I kept going, faster and faster. I wouldn't let this be a tragic remake of Romeo and Juliet.

I got into the dance room and thought how could everyone be partying…when Eli was dying?

I found Jenna, KC, Adam, and Fiona.

"Jenna. KC." I panted. "Go tell Mr. Simpson, a student has been shot and to call the police and an ambulance right away."

They nodded, scared and ran, seeing how desperate I was.

I turned to Fiona. "Oh shoot. I didn't tell them where he is. Okay Fiona, go tell Simpson that Eli has been shot and is in hall 2D." She nodded and headed off.

Adam was left and he looked like he wanted to strangled somebody. "Eli was shot?" He asked.

I nodded, wiping my eyes, knowing the tears would come back.

"Who…"

"Fitz…he got away…we need to hurry. C'mon! I need to see Eli again!"

I hoped we wouldn't be too late. Adam followed me, scared for his friend and also for me. If it was hard on him- he could only picture how I felt….

It seemed like the world wanted to make me miserable, since it seemed to take forever to reach Eli.

Adam gasped, taking it all in, but I kept going until I reached Eli. I didn't bother to stop and sit. I just collapsed onto my knees and crawled over to him. I kneeled and I shook his arm.

"Eli. I'm back." I smiled.

But he didn't open his eyes, he didn't smile, he didn't speak.

"Eli?" I shook his arm harder. "Eli, it's Clare." My throat began to tighten. "Eli?" I asked hoarsely. I put my head down on his chest, crying, taking his hand in mine.

Then Simpson appeared. "We found them." He said into a walk-talkie. Fiona, KC, and Jenna came following; Fiona took one look and ran to comfort Adam, who was now sitting slumped against the lockers, dazed.

KC and Jenna stared…pitying me…him…us.

I cried and tears fell onto his suit and I whispered, " I love you so much. You can't leave me. You promised."

Then the police rushed in, talking to Simpson- who pointed to me.

Simpson spoke. "Clare…you'll have to give your witnessing."

I didn't look up or move. "I won't leave him. I can't be apart from him right now. I need to be with him right now. I'll spend whatever time he has left with him- please another time. Mr. Simpson please." As I spoke, I gripped Eli's suit in my hand, as if someone would come out from behind me and take him away.

Mr. Simpson sighed. "Alright Clare…The paramedics are here to take Eli to the hospital now."

I didn't want to let go. 'This is what he needs' I told myself. If he were to make it….

Simpson pulled me off of him and the paramedics put all this stuff on him, they lifted him onto a gurney and carried him out.

"Clare. What happened?" an officer asked.

I told them the whole story as quick as I could- but they seemed to get it all. And I had started when Fitz damaged Eli's car.

"Clare. You need to get in that ambulance with Eli." My friends told me. I looked at everyone and nodded. I took off and just made it.

"Will you be riding with us?" a medic asked.

"Yeah." I stated. He held out his hand and I took it. He helped me in then the doors closed behind us. The medics got to work.

I looked out the windows of the doors and saw Degrassi grow smaller and smaller in the distance.

Some relaxing, fun night.

I looked back towards toward Eli and my vision blurred. I saw through the cracks of all of them working on him- the spaces in between. And it was painful to see him like that. Why would Jesus want to hurt me like this? This was a thousand times worse than my parents fighting- because then I had Eli. It was all a part of his plan as Jesus Club put it. I smiled at the memory of Eli saying his plan sucks.

Then my smile disappeared as quickly as it had come. Eli had been right, like how he was about so many things- His plan did suck.

In the hospital, I sat in the waiting room, my head in my hands, pleading silently- while Eli in surgery.

I was alone for only ten minutes before CeCe and Bullfrog rushed in.

"Clare!" Bullfrog boomed, but for once, he had no smile on his face- but I looked up and saw, they were confused.

"Clare…what's wrong? What's going on?" CeCe asked, walking over to me.

I shook my head. I hated having to be the one to tell them. "He…was shot/ Trying to protect me." I frowned. "It's all my fault." I told them, feeling awful. CeCe gathered me into her arms, and I hugged her back. "Oh Clare. It's not. Eli's a fighter. He'll make it- he always makes it out of trouble. He won't leave you. He's so happy with you…" CeCe smiled, and wiped her eyes, before tears could come.

I looked down after she let go, not wanting her to see my face. I was the unofficial killer of my boyfriend. How could I turn into such a monster?

Adam and my parents ran in- Adam leading them.

"Adam, you didn't have to go get them." I imagined him tracking down my parents. My dad was home, but my mom- Adam didn't know where my parents lived- alone, and one at a time of course

"Fiona helped." He admitted. The picture became clearer. Fiona hiring someone to find my mom.

I wanted to laugh- but I didn't have the hope and strength to.

"Clare-bear! We're so glad you're alright!" My parents stood there, next to eachother, smiling. I ran into their arms and started bawling.

"I'm not though. Eli's in there…because of me…He was protecting me…"

My parents stroked my hair and stood there- soothing me.

I moved my head a bit. "Until I know he's going to be okay, I won't be able to really breathe." I told them how I really felt.

"You really care about this boy don't you?" They asked.

"I do…More than you could ever imagine. I love him…I can't be without him…he's like…my life source you know?" I tried to sum up my feelings to no avail.

"I do." My mother looked at my father when he wasn't looking.

I let go. I couldn't have my parents protect me anymore. I wanted someone else to. But that person could be gone now. My Eli.

I started to walk across the room, back to the chair I'd sat in ever since I had gotten here. But Eli's parents interceded. "Clare. Eli loves you. He never stops talking about you. It's the happiest I've seen him in a while."

"I know. He told me loved me." I wanted to smile at the bittersweet moment, but I couldn't.

"I think he loves you more than…" The nurse came out.

"Eli is out of surgery now- the family may see him now." And his parents went in. The door clicked shut behind them. And Alli came flying through the elevator and ran into the room. She brushed her hair to the side and looked around.

"Clare!" She squeaked. She came over and hugged me tightly. "What's going on." Her smile disappeared, replaced with seriousness.

"Eli was shot by Fitz at the dance." I was telling everyone this because? Couldn't someone else fill everyone in?

"Omigod. Are you alright? Well of course you're not. That must be so hard on you right now- you love him." She knew so well.

"You…have…no…idea…" I sobbed into her shoulder.

Adam went in next, and I was being comforted by everyone. His parents put on a smile- but they had to be hurting like I was.

His parents said he was asleep the whole time they were in there. I prayed slowly, he couldn't die! My life would be over if he did.

Adam finally came out, and I jumped up and ran over, everyone around me was sleeping- with good reason. It was the middle of the night. I couldn't sleep. I was too scared to go to sleep then.

I had told Alli to go home when she's been struggling to stay awake. She wanted to be my support system, but I told her to go home. I had a big enough already support group. So I had her call a taxi and she went home. I didn't want her to get in in trouble with her parents and Sav. They'd be worried if she stayed out any longer. She had after all, run away, not too long ago.

"Adam- is he okay?" I whispered when I got to him.

"He looks really bad." Adam looked up, not wanting to make eye contact with me. Looks like Adam wouldn't lie to protect me.

I shook my head and ran into Eli's hospital room. "Oh God." I whispered. Eli looked so pale, lifeless, ad helpless…

Adam pat me on the back and walked out, closing the door behind him.

I started hyperventilating, and made these small gasps of air, from when you've cried so much and you need air.

I moved quietly across the linoleum floor and sunk into the chair beside his bed.

"Eli." I smiled through my tears, and I made my wobbly fingers through his hair. I traced his facial features, and moved my hand down his arm, until his hand was in mine.

"I love you…you can't die…Not now…not here…not for this reason." Behind, in the background was the beeping that monitored his heart.

I put my head down on his chest to his heart and listened.

The steady boom calmed me.

I moved from the chair onto the edge of the bed. And I sighed.

"I should've gotten help when I first had the chance. If I'd gone sooner- maybe you wouldn't be here. In here- clinging to everything." I closed my eyes and breathed out a ragged breath, as I let more tears come. I tightened my grip on his hand as well.