Welcome to the new short story! This is dedicated to AJackson16 who requested it.
Legal: I am not associated with DeGrassi or Epitome and this story is for entertainment purposes only.
This story contains possible trigger warnings.
Important things to know before reading:
*This begins with Drop the World.
*Eli was more coddled after Julia's death and has been fairly spoiled by his parents his whole life.
*Owen already apologized to Drew, Adam and Alli for his behavior last semester.
*Fitz still works at The Dot.
*Jenna is not pregnant; she did not get pregnant nor will she get pregnant.
This chapter jumps around povs a bit.
Ch. 1 A Picture is Worth 1000 Words so I'll Picture You With Me
(CLARE)
"How ya feelin'?" Alli asks as I sit on the school steps to get my heels back on.
"The walk back helped," I reply putting one shoe on and trying to get the image of Eli in the hospital out of my mind.
"Are you sure you want to be here I can walk you home," Alli offers sitting next to me as I get my other shoe on.
"No I want to be here, I want to dance, I want to have fun," I tell her closing my eyes a second and seeing Eli's crazed eyes as I left the hospital, "at least I want to try."
"Then let's go have fun," Alli says with a smile putting her arm around me and we walk back into the dance.
Alli takes my hand and we run out to the dance floor. We start dancing to the song that's playing. After a moment Adam and Jenna join us, dancing with us and no one asks about Eli. I'm sure Adam wants to know but I'm sure that he'll go by the hospital tomorrow morning if not tonight. I do try to have fun, dancing for a couple of songs with my friends but it's incredibly hard to get Eli off my mind or the events from the last few days. When Alli goes to get something to drink and Adam begins talking with K.C. while Jenna goes to the washroom I slip away and sit on the bleachers. I look at my dress, fingering the material and lost in a multitude of memories. I barely notice that someone sits next to me until they also begin fingering the fabric of my dress.
"Your dress is fascinating but it can't possibly be more fun than the dance," Owen comments and I giggle.
"It's not at all I'm just a little preoccupied," I tell him but I do stop fingering my dress and look at Owen.
"Yeah I heard something about Eli trying to commit suicide. I'm surprised you even came back to the dance," Owen remarks.
"He didn't try to kill himself, he purposely hurt himself so that I would come and see him. I broke up with him because he was smothering me and he crashes his car, putting his life in danger so that I will see him in the hospital. He thought I'd get back together with him," I sigh.
"That's seriously messed up and you shouldn't be sitting here alone thinking of your crazy ex so," Owen says standing up and holding his hand out to me, "Clare Edwards may I have the honor of this dance?"
The way Owen says it makes me smile and I take his hand. We go out to the dance floor and a slow song comes on. I don't know Owen at all and what I do know of him is pretty terrible. Right now though he is being very sweet, he takes my hand, his other goes to my lower back and we dance to the slow song. It makes me smile the way we dance and the way he looks at me. When the slow song ends a fast song comes on and we stay on the dance floor. Adam sees me dancing with Owen and he smiles. After dancing with Owen we dance in a group with K.C. and Jenna, even Adam and Alli join us.
Despite the interruption and rushing to the hospital after hearing that Eli crashed I had pretty good time tonight. I danced a lot with Owen and Adam, some with Jenna and Alli, a few times with Wes, once with Connor and even once with K.C. at Jenna's insistence.
"We should have a girl's night at my place," Alli says when the dance is over and we're walking out.
"You better clear it with Mom and Dad," Sav tells her.
While Alli calls her mom Jenna calls her brother and I call my mom. Mom says if it's okay for me to stay at Alli's if it's okay with her parents. Alli's parents are fine with it so we all get into Sav's car and go to Alli's house.
"So you seemed to be having a good time dancing with Owen," Alli grins as we're getting into pajamas.
"He was surprisingly sweet but I just broke up with Eli and after his crash I just need some time."
"That doesn't mean you can't get together with Owen over break," Jenna grins.
"All I want to do over break is relax and not think about Eli."
(ELI)
"You should rest in bed I'll bring you some lunch," Mom says when we get home from the hospital Sunday afternoon. They kept me all day yesterday for observation even though the crash wasn't that bad.
"I'm not hungry the only thing I want is Clare," I reply as I begin hobbling up the steps on my crutches.
I make it to my room and lie down on my bed, taking my phone out and scrolling through all the pictures of me and Clare. After losing Julia I never thought I'd love anyone again, until I found Clare. She's my soulmate and I refuse to lose her.
"You need to eat Eli, you need your strength," Mom says putting a tray on my bed with some food.
"I don't want food I want Clare, I need Clare," I assert.
Mom gives me a look of commiseration before leaving my room. I push the tray away, I'm not hungry, I didn't eat anything in the hospital either but they fed me through an IV. The only time I get off my bed is to toss the pills the doctor gave me. I spend the rest of the day looking at pictures of me and Clare.
"Eli you need to eat," Dad says when he comes into my room.
"No I'm not hungry. I won't eat until I have Clare again."
"Son you have to eat and keep up your strength. You have to take your pills with food."
"I tossed my pills, I won't need them as long as I have Clare back."
"Elijah you need to…"
"No," I cut my dad off sharply, "the only thing I need is Clare! The only thing that will make me better is Clare. I need her here with me."
Dad doesn't say anything but he takes my tray and goes downstairs. No one comes back to my room until Mom tries to bring me more food and Dad brings me more pills.
"Eli you need to eat and take your pills or you won't get better," Dad says as mom sets down my tray and Dad puts the pills on the tray.
"I ALREADY TOLD YOU THE ONLY THING THAT WILL MAKE ME BETTER IS CLARE! I NEED CLARE!" I yell upending the tray sending the food and pills everywhere. "If I don't have Clare I have no reason to live," I say calmly as I lie back down again.
My parents quickly pick up the mess on the floor and leave my room. I keep looking at pictures of me and Clare and picturing her here with me. After a while they come back to my room, Dad opens the door slowly and they come in sitting on my bed.
"If Clare is what you need to get better then we will bring you Clare," Mom tells me and I grin.
Soon I will have the one thing I need in this world.
(CLARE)
I wake up late Monday morning and Mom is already gone at work. It's March break so I don't need to go to school. The only thing to eat for breakfast is eggs or cereal and I don't feel like either one. So I leave the house and walk to The Dot to have breakfast. When I walk in I see that Fitz is working and Owen is here.
"I heard about Eli, I'm really sorry Clare. I'm also sorry for ambushing you at your house the other night. I was worried about you and Eli and I wanted you to know how I feel but that wasn't the way to do it. I didn't mean to push the way I did."
"Thanks for the apology Fitz. I do wish I'd listened to your warnings about Eli, not sure it would have kept him from crashing his car but I wish I would have listened."
"Any word about Eli?" Owen questions.
"No I'm trying to get some space from Eli. Thanks for getting me to dance again on Friday night, I did have fun."
"It was a dance you were sitting there looking at your dress, it wasn't right. I'll happily dance with you any time," Owen smiles and it makes me smile.
"Well I'm guessing you didn't come just to chat with us so what can I get you?" Fitz asks.
"Orange mocha and a chocolate croissant please," I order and Fitz rings it up. Owen is leaning on the counter, drinking coffee and talking to Fitz when he's not ringing people up. Fitz gets my coffee and croissant and I eat at the counter next to Owen. "Are you still living at home Fitz?" I ask as I begin eating.
"Actually Spinner helped me find a studio apartment, it's really small but it's all mine or it will be. I can't move in until next month," Fitz tells me.
"And until then he's living with us so he's not at his house anymore and away from his stepdad and stepbrother," Owen tells me.
"Good I'm glad you won't be around them anymore. I'm really proud of the way you've turned your life around," I tell him and he grins.
"Thanks, unfortunately it took me going to juvie to figure out that I didn't want to be a bully all my life. Unlike Owen who just stopped being a jerk," Fitz comments.
"When you went to juvie after Vegas Night it was a bit of a wakeup call for me. Plus, just being a better example for my brother. He'll be at the school next year and me having the rep as the jerk who threw the trans kid into the door is not the legacy I want my brother coming into," Owen admits and it makes me smile.
"That's really mature of you Owen, I'm really proud of both of you," I say and they both grin proudly.
"Any plans this week?" Owen asks.
"Just taking it easy and trying to forget about Eli. I'll probably hang out with Adam a bit and Jenna and Alli. How about you guys?"
"Just working," Fitz says.
"Hanging out and working out probably, sleeping in," Owen shrugs, "and keeping Fitz company while he works."
I stay for about half an hour eating, drinking my coffee and chatting with Owen and Fitz. I say goodbye to them and leave with a smile on my face. Fitz has really changed and he was really sweet at Vegas Night, until Eli poisoned him. Owen was nice at the dance and he was nice today, I always thought he was a jerk but he's actually quite sweet and noble. I decide that I might spend some more time hanging out with Owen and Fitz over break. I'm caught in my thoughts, Eli is not at all on my mind as I walk home and then I feel a painful shock through my back. I sort of scream but it comes out strangled and then I get shocked again going unconscious.
I'm not sure how long I'm out, I wake up with a groan, my arms are raised above my head slightly. My wrists hurt and my back hurts, as I begin to be aware of my surroundings I feel someone stroking my hair. I turn my head and am horrified to be met by the vicious viridian eyes of my ex.
"Eli what's going on? What are you doing?"
"I need you Clare, you're the only thing I need," Eli tells me still stroking my hair.
"Eli you can't keep me here. People will notice I'm missing, what will your parents think when they find me here like this?"
"My parents brought you to me Clare. I needed you and they brought you to me," Eli tells me with a conniving and maniacal grin. I realize that his parents are the ones that shocked me and brought me here, although I suppose it would have been very difficult with Eli's injuries but it's a horrifying realization to know his parents are a willing part of a kidnapping!
"Eli I can't stay here, people will notice that I'm gone, my mom, Adam, Alli they'll all know I'm missing."
"We've taken care of that Clare, we've taken care of everything. They won't know that you're missing," Eli says holding my phone. I realize he intends to text people, possibly e-mail even from my phone as me. He could tell them anything and no one will worry. This single thought devastates me and I break into tears. "Don't cry my love, now we'll be together forever," Eli says stroking my cheek.
"NO LET ME GO! HELP! HEL…" I scream until Eli clamps his hand down on my mouth.
"Quiet or I'll have to gag you," Eli says his tone taking on a virulent growl.
"Eli please let me go, I won't tell anyone what you did. You just got out of the hospital, you have a broken foot, you're not thinking clearly."
"I'm thinking more clear than ever. Being with you is the only thing that's made me feel good, made me feel alive since Julia's death. I need you Clare you are the only thing that can make me better Clare. You're my muse, my life and you can never leave me again. We'll be together forever."
"Eli I can't stay here you're crazy you need to let me go," I plead.
"Don't call me crazy," he hisses with a venomous and almost spiteful tone. His eyes go dark and it sends a chill up my spine and then just as quickly he lets out a breath and becomes calm again. "I'll make sure you have everything your heart could desire. I love you Clare, I need you, I need your love Clare."
I begin to cry again, I feel totally helpless and hopeless. Eli has me captive, his parents kidnapped me for him, he's going to communicate as me and he says he's doing it all out of what he calls love! I burst into tears again wondering if I'm going to die handcuffed to Eli's bed.
(OWEN)
I hung out at The Dot for a few hours before leaving to play football in the park with Julian and some of the guys. After football I went to Drew's house, I thought Bianca might be here and figured I'd see what she and Drew were up to. I go to the basement and the door is unlocked, the brothers are down here but I don't see Bianca and Drew doesn't look happy.
"Why do you look so bummed?" I ask Drew sitting on the sofa. Adam waves at me as I sit down but he doesn't say anything, he seems to be texting someone or playing a game on his phone I'm not sure.
"We were in the square and the radio station was giving away concert tickets to the best dancer so B got on stage and won us the tickets. We were celebrating until her ex Anson appeared and we got into a fight."
"Anson is an asshole, he was Bianca's first boyfriend after her parents died and she was trying to self-destruct. Fitz and I had to break them up. Don't let that asshole destroy what you and Bianca have."
"Is that why she seemed so…"
"Dammit," Adam says cutting off his brother and standing up quickly, "I'm going to Clare's house."
"I just saw her this morning at The Dot what's wrong?" I query.
"I texted her to see if she wanted to hang out. She texted me back and said she didn't feel up for it because she was upset over Eli."
"She seemed okay at The Dot this morning," I remark.
"Yeah and she was okay yesterday too, and Saturday. She was upset over what Eli had done and all but she was talking about having a nice, easy relaxing break. So I asked her what changed and she said she realizes how much she really misses Eli. She told me she just wants to stay home but it doesn't really sound like her. When I tried calling her she wouldn't pick up. I just have this feeling that something isn't right so I'm going to walk over there."
"I'll give you a ride over if you want," I offer.
"Yeah thanks," Adam replies.
"I'll come too, it's better than sitting here thinking about Bianca," Drew comments.
We all go out to my car and Adam tells me how to get to Clare's house. I park and we all get out. There's no cars in the driveway which just means her parents are gone. Adam rings the bell twice but no one answers so he sends her another text.
Adam: I'm at your house but you aren't here.
Clare: At my dad's house that's what I meant by home. Have to go will talk to you later.
"See she's at her dad's house no need to worry," Drew shrugs.
"But she was so insistent on never going to her dad's house because she didn't want to ever meet his mistress," Adam replies with a worried tone.
"Well she said she'd talk to you later you can try to get her to hang out then or ask her why she wanted to go to her dad's," I point out.
"Yeah I guess," Adam nods but I can tell he's still worried.
"Come on let's go to Above the Dot and I'll text B to meet us," I offer and Drew smiles at me.
Drew's happy now but Adam is still worried, I think he's overreacting but I don't really know Clare so maybe his worries are validated. If something was wrong though why would she be texting him?
The next update is Thursday, November 3rd and will pick up in Clare's pov the next morning most likely.