Read before Continuing! -v

Hello all of the fan fiction readers out there! This is my first time writing something for this site in a very long time. I have taken up an interest in the new season of Degrassi: The Next Generation. I hope everyone likes this story. I'm a little bit rusty when it comes to writing, so constructive criticism is welcome.

Warning: In this story, there may or may not be an OC, and OOC will more than likely occur occasionally. I'll try to avoid OOC. Also, this chapter takes place two days before they return from fall break, therefore Eli has not reveled to Clare that he is hoarder, and there has been none of the drama that has taken place after the dance. Yet. I will determine whether I want to change that or not.

Disclaimer : I do no own the series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Nor will I ever. This fan fiction is merely a way to converge my creativeness into one big well organized piece of writing. Enjoy.

Chapter One: Forgiven

"It's been almost two weeks now.." Clare thought as she lay on her bed looking at the Colbie Calliat poster taped to the ceiling. She was thinking of Eli again. Elijah Goldsworthy. The only human on the planet it seemed that could make her laugh and smile anymore. Her and Alli were best friends, until Alli became involved with drew and almost completely forgot her existence. Clare scoffed; some best friend leaving her just when things were getting more difficult to handle at home. Now the only person Clare felt she could rely on wasn't here with her when she needed him to be. After the Vegas Night dance, where Elijah almost got stabbed, Clare hadn't spoken to him.

Clare still cared for Eli. She couldn't deny that she might even love him, but she couldn't bring herself to forgive him for just not giving up the stupid feud between himself and fitz."For Christs' sake Elijah, the kid brought a knife!" Clare exclaimed to no one but the stuffed animals laying next to her. Clare grimaced; Mark Fitzgerald. She huffed plopping her head onto a pillow. The only person she could actually say she had so much disdain for it came close to qualifying as hatred.

It was his stupid fault for damaging Morty which started the whole feud, and now she was laying in her bed contemplating whether or not she should go talk to Eli. Which by the way, she wouldn't have to be contemplating at all if Fitz wasn't such an ass hole, and if Eli wasn't so damn stubborn. Clare sighed and sat up on her bed. "Okay! I've decided. I'll go talk to Eli today" she stated confidently to herself and stood up."After all, he was just defending my honor against Fitz." Clare thought as she slipped on a pair of black flats, and new shirt.

Clare grabbed her green bag and was out her bedroom door, and down the stairs in a split second. She tried to be quick these days. Clare was greeted with silence when she got downstairs. "Hmm, odd..there's no.."

CRASH!

"Thought too soon, I see" Clare said sighing as she walked into the kitchen to see a broken china plate on the floor and dear Mrs. Edwards glaring at good old Mr. Edwards. Clare had long since given up on calling them mom and dad, since they hardly acted like it. She rather treat them like they treat her; a stranger.

"Mrs. Edwards, I'm going to go see a friend. I don't know when I'll be back, so don't ask" Clare stared as Mr. Edwards and Mrs. Edwards completely ignored her statement and resumed yelling and throwing dining ware at each other. Clare chuckled lightly, of course they ignored her; once again. Clare didn't really mind anymore. She stepped out the front door of their small quaint house and into the brisk chilled November air. She quickly reach into her the back pocket of her white skinny jeans , pulled out her cellphone, and typed a message to Eli.

"Eli. The Dot in ten? I need to talk to you – Clare"

She then quickly hid it back in her pocket, and made her way to the D.o.t Cafe.

(Scene switch)

Eli sighed heavily staring at Cece, and Bullfrog as they consistently chatted about some of the things they did as teenagers. He rolled his eyes, they were definitely not the issue at hand here. He hadn't talked to Clare in almost two weeks, and they'd be starting school back soon. He needed to talk to her. However, he knew she would try to avoid him.

He internally groaned. It was that fucking kid Fitz' fault for damaging poor Morty and starting the whole feud anyway. If he had thought for one second, that the psycho would of pulled a knife, he would have never let things get so tense. Eli grabbed his glass of water off the table and almost dropped it as he felt a buzzing in his pocket.

A glint of hope flickered in Elis' eyes as he snapped open the phone and saw Clares' name flashing across the screen with an iridescent glow. He smiled, glad that it was her name that once more was on his phones screen. He read the text, and glanced up at his folks' who were still chattering.

Message from Clare! "Eli. The Dot in ten? I need to talk to you – Clare"

Eli spoke swiftly, as he stood from his seat at the Little Miss Steak House. "Where you going, baby boy?" Cece spoke. "I need to go talk to Clare" was all he said as he left the table. He rolled his eyes, as he heard Cece exclaim to bullfrog with a giggle, "Ah young love!". He felt the chilled air of November hit him like a brick as he swiftly made his way to Morty,and the D.o.t Cafe.

(Scene switch)

Clare sighed, as she fiddled with the cross necklace around her neck. She was sitting at the Dot, and it had been almost ten minutes since she texted Eli. "Maybe he's not coming.." Clare thought taking a sip of her green tea. Just as she was contemplating whether or not he would show up, she heard loud music coming from the Dot parking lot. She smiled seeing Eli pull up in Morty. She glanced down at her cup, as he walked into the small cafe.

Eli smiled seeing Clare sitting there, absorbed into her own thoughts. Her auburn colored hair was curled and he could make out the fact that she was twirling he necklace in her fingers. He took in a breath and walked to where she was seated.

"Long time no see, Edwards" He smiled pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. Clare smiled at him,"You think so, Goldsworthy?" She retorted back. "It feels so good to see those eyes again.." She thought as he smirked at her. She then replaced her smile with a more serious look. "Look, Eli. I texted you and asked you to come here because I needed to talk to you about Vegas Night, and us." Eli gulped and stared at her, "Clare..I". She cut him off continuing her sentence, "Just shut up Eli. Listen, I like you a lot. I know what you did was just to defend me, but you could of really gotten hurt. I thought long and hard as to if I should forgive you or not.."

Eli felt so horrible. He had thought about her all break, and all he wanted to do was look at her and tell he cared and didn't mean to put her through so much worry. He listened as she continued on, never taking his eyes off of her baby blue ones. "I just want you to know Eli, these past weeks have been horrible without you, and if you promise me that this thing between you and Fitz is done with, then I forgive you." Clare smiled as relief washed over his face.

"Oh, Clare. I'm so relieved to hear you say that. I was actually going to apologize for being so stubborn, and not being there over the break. I really care for you, Clare." Eli smiled taking her hand in his, and rubbing his thumb over hers' gently. "And I promise this thing between Fitz and I will never happen again".

End Chapter One.

Hint: Something is going to happen that will make Eli question keeping his promise to Clare, when comes to the feud with Fitz. Stay Tuned in!

Love,

Alyssa.