Disclaimer= I do not own Degrassi.

"We could go to the movies, grab some dinner and then maybe afterwards - -"

"Dave, STOP."

"What's going on?"

"I was only pretending to be your girlfriend."

"You like another guy, huh?"

"Yes - - "

"Who?"

"... I'm getting so much attention because you are my girlfriend... People are talking to me and I'm getting noticed."

"...Would you hate me less I help maintain your rep?" Dave and Jenna mutually agreed that they would "break up," by which she would sob over the fact that Dave dumped her etcetera while Dave was still cool with his friends. The whole, um, Klarenna love triangle was blossoming into a pyramid, none of which was positive. Clare was told by a birdie that K.C. and Jenna were making out. Grounded by her principles, she did not want to believe it until she actually caught them in the act. Clare did not have to wait long because after school one day, she indeed caught them making out. Clare didn't tweak out or anything; she remained calm as she said the following:

"K.C., you and the skank deserve each other. We are done." K.C. didn't attempt to run after her or anything, no. He had the audacity to continue making out with Jenna. Speaking of Jenna, she had the gall to whisper in his ear that they were going to finally be together. It sounds monotone, but the way she said it... yeah. Anyways, about 6 weeks pass by and Clare is still numb. She forgave Alli and K.C. for kissing. She saw through his criminal past and saw someone that was sweet and caring. She thought that they were destined to be together for a long time. Clare's other friends were there to comfort her but soon grew tired because she would talk about nothing but K.C. when with them. To get them to talk to her, she would have to swear not to make any reference to him at all. It was sad really because if they were real friends, they would get her talking to someone she could confide in. One of Clare's teachers brought in Ms. Sovet to observe her behavior one day in class.

"Okay Clare, you are next. What will you be discussing with the class?"

"Nothing."

"Did you prepare something for discussion?"

"No I didn't."

"If you just say whatever is on your mind, I wouldn't mind because I'd still pass you for this assignment - -"

"I DON'T WANT TO TALK. WHEN I TRIED TO TALK, NOBODY WOULD LISTEN TO ME. I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE!" Clare gets up to leave and her ex-friend Jenna grabs her arms and tries to prevent her from leaving.

"Clare-bear, you need to talk with somebody and tell what is wrong so they can try to help you."

"I think you know what is wrong, since you wrecked everything you WHORE." Clare pushes Jenna away, runs outside the classroom and through the hallway, outside of the front entrance and sat on the stair steps, burying her face in her hands. While heading to this spot, Clare was being followed by Ms. Sovet, who comforted her. Someone else stepped outside the classroom to see what was up. The guy went back to class, content that Clare had been brought back to her class and seemingly was feeling better.

Another few weeks pass by and things were getting back to normal for Clare. It was the first time she had felt that sort of pain of being cheated on by the first boy she really liked. Since that pain resonated in her for the first time, it was understandable that she was not able to handle herself well. Now we turn to Dave, who still on the DL but reactivates himself. He was in class one day when K.C. pulls up beside him.

"So whats up man, where have you been?"

"I've been here why?"

"Nothing really, just seeing if you wanted to play some Risk over at Connor's after school..." This was the opportunity Dave was waiting for.

"Yeah, I'd love to play some Risk with... who else is coming over besides us and Connor?"

"Jenna will be there, its her first time playing."

You fell right into it.

"Okay, so should I mark a check in the victory box?"

"Very funny dude, I'll see you afterschool." Dave was fortunate that K.C. and Jenna were not in the cafeteria during lunch. He saw Clare and Alli sitting in their usual spot. Clare was back into her schoolgirl uniform and ponytail. He hoped that she would be in good enough spirits to talk to him.

"Sup Alli, how are you doing Clare?"

"Dave."

"Hello Dave, I'm doing good."

"You look, eh, different..."

"Davey boy Smith, now is not a good time - -"

"Actually it is. I mean, do you mind if I talk to you for a minute Clare?" Clare signaled for Alli to leave and she obliged, hopping over to the adjacent table to flirt with Blue.

"Clare, I know you been through a lot, so I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to Connor's for some Risk..."

"I've stayed away from his house for obvious reasons..."

"Its going to be just us and Connor. I really think that you should come over because it will be fun and also because you deserve it."

"Thanks for the offer Dave, but - - "

"You sure ate very messy today..."

"Huh?"

"You got a piece of bread crumb on your cheek."

"Really? I'm usually care - -" With his thumb, Dave softly wiped Clare's cheek where the 'crumb' was. There was no bread crumb on her cheek.

"All I ask is that you think about it." Dave got up and left. Alli hugged Blue and went back to Clare, who was spaced out.

"Clare wake up, lunch is almost over. Where's Dave?"

"I think Dave just indirectly asked me out."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, he wants me to go play Risk with him over at Connor's."

"So are you? You haven't played Risk for a long time and you haven't been over there for obvious reasons."

"I might... I think I will..."

"Is that why you spaced out? Were you agonizing over a decision?"

"Well, no. Dave touched me..."

"Details please."

"He said that I had a bread crumb on my cheek - -"

"Stop right there. You are a careful eater Clare, you would never get a speck of food anywhere near your face..."

"I know."

"Tell me the real reason why you spaced out."

"Call me crazy, but when Dave looked into my eyes as he used his thumb to softly wipe my cheek, my heart did somersaults. My hand wanted to embrace his thumb. The feelings that I just experienced were far greater than anything I ever felt with K.C. Am I sounding weird?"

"No its not weird at all. The way you described what Dave did and made you feel, its very cute. I think you should go."

"Yeah I will go." They get up to leave, but Clare pulls Alli aside.

"Should I change my clothes?"

"Just go how you look right now, you'll be fine." The school day whizzes by and Dave exits Degrassi and walks towards Connor's when Clare calls out to him.

"Dave, I reassessed the Risk situation and it wouldn't be so bad to go."

"I'm glad you are going."

- - -

"Hey Dave and... CLARE? Its been a long time."

"Hi Connor."

"Ready to play some Risk?"

"Yes, although I'm going to be rusty."

"Its no problem, I'll take it easy on you - -"

"COME ON DOWN." The door opens and Clare nearly jumps out of her skin. Jenna and K.C. are heading down the stair steps. Both are equally shocked to see Clare in the present.

"CLARE-BEAR?"

"What are THEY doing here? Whats going on Dave?"

"Yeah man, why is she here?"

"Why is the SKANK here - -"

"ENOUGH EVERYBODY!"

"I brought Clare here K.C. because I was tired of her being sad and alone all the time. She doesn't deserve to experience those kinds of feelings."

"She's my EX man what the hell?"

"Yeah she's your ex, so what? I didn't court her the day after you two broke up. I waited until the time was right to talk to her."

"Davey boy, you are just using Clare - -"

"Like you used me Jenna? Just shut up because you have NO room to talk. Go duct tape your mouth or something."

"Don't talk to her like that man she's my girlfriend."

"Exactly, you are using Clare for status purposes only."

"Is that true Dave?"

"What? No, of course it isn't true."

"Then why did you touch my face in the cafeteria earlier?!" Clare got her purse and left. Dave was seething.

"You two are really something. How could you hurt Clare like that? K.C. couldn't keep his hormones in check and Jenna couldn't keep her legs SHUT!"

" Clare wait a minute!" Dave dashed up the stairs after Clare. He didn't search for long because she was sitting on the bench waiting for a bus.

"Clare thank God I found you..."

"Go away Dave."

"I cannot go away; I won't. I'm sorry about what happened back there. I honestly had no idea they would show - -"

"Liar."

"I'm not lying," Dave countered as he sat down beside Clare, "I'm being honest."

"One thing you can expect from me is honesty. I'll always keep it real with you."

"Did Connor know about them coming?"

"No."

"Why did they come then?"

"Since they came, I figured that I should help soothe things over - -"

"Wait, what?!"

"Every time you three are nearby each other, its like the ambience darkens."

"It was a long shot, but I wanted to make things right..."

"... then why did you touch my face earlier?" Dave sweat drips as the ambience around them changes. He uses his thumb to caress Clare's lips in a swiping-like motion, leaving twinkles in her eyes.

"I... I just wanted to turn that frown upside down." Clare's breathing was becoming labored, so labored that she didn't notice until near lip lock that Dave was going in to kiss her on the lips. She snapped out of it and pushed Dave away.

"Dave I'm sorry but I can't with you."

"What do you mean?"

"Its just that... all of this... Risk... the drama... I just can't, I'm sorry." A car halted nearby Clare and Dave. She made out the people to be Alli and Blue.

"Clare hop in, Blue and I'll give you a ride home."

"Okay." Clare left Dave sitting there on the bench. Before the car left, she did a Darcy: she looked back at Dave, who looked back at her with sadness in his eyes.

A/N= There will be at least one more chapter. I'm confident that I got Dave and Clare's personalities down on this one. Let me know your thoughts of this chapter in your review if you want to give one.