Author's Note: This story is centered around OC Danielle Riveres (or Dani Goldsworthy, I guess XD) who is fifteen and new to Degrassi as a Grade Ten. I'm planning on eventually writing a ''prequel'' chapter, to better explain Dani's background, but in the mean time, most of everything you need to know to follow the story will be given to you through the story or through an A/N at the beginning of the chapter. I tend to be the kind of person that writes backwards, planning a small scene in detail then working back to the explanation and all that other important stuff, and since this is just for fun I figured I'd just do that. The idea of Dani just sort of came to me one day and I wrote a small little scene (which later evolves into one of the main chapters), and I couldn't stop going! I have a big plot planned out and can't wait for it to all fall together! I am so excited to just get right into it, but I'll give you guys a little background on her before I get started - Dani was born when Eli was just two years old, but Bullfrog and Cece were not financially capable of having two children at the time. They decided to give their daughter Danielle up for adoption before birth, so Eli would never see her and he wouldn't ask any questions. As soon as Dani was born she went to her adoptive parents, a young couple unable to have kids of their own. Long story short, Dani winds up finding her birth parents and their older son, Eli, fifteen years later and is immediately welcomed into the family by Bullfrog and Cece. She moves in with them because of her messy situation at home and then begins to attend school at Degrassi, too. It goes without saying Eli is not too fond of being a big brother to "this little home-wrecker" and is angry at his parents for this whole situation.
Please give me feedback, I love knowing what I can improve on in my writing.
Oh, also, in case it wasn't obvious: I do not own Degrassi, any parts of such, or any form of media that contains/contained the following characters (with the sole exclusion of Danielle (Dani) Riveres-Goldsworthy. I do have any part of plot lines (past, present or future) that appear on the television program, nor do I claim to have any ownership of them; if they are referenced, it is purely for the sake of keeping cannon. Any likeness of characters living or dead is purely coincidental unless said characters have been portrayed on Degrassi during it's 31 season run. No rights reserved, excluding my original character.
Chapter One ~ The Little Devil
"Hey big brother." Dani said as she pounced from behind Eli onto the side where the inside of his locker door faced. She leaned onto the locker next to his as she flashed a friendly smile.
"Don't call me that." He reminded, gathering up a textbook and some folders.
"Oh good lord, Eli. Are you still on that?"
"On what?" He practically shouted. "I'm not your brother because I don't have a sister." Dani rolled her eyes. Just because he didn't want to believe his parents had a daughter, didn't mean Dani was just gonna disappear into thin air. He slammed his locker shut and walked off hoping to shake the annoying tenner off; but she didn't give up so easy.
"Are we really talking about this now?" She sighed. "Look, I know you don't exactly "approve" of my presence-"
"That's an understatement." He said sarcastically and annoyed. "I didn't exactly wish for long lost little sister to wind up on my doorstep but guess who got a surprise!"
"Whatever, you win. I get it." Dani said exhaling. "Anyways, I came to talk to you for a reason."
"Really?" Eli looked at her, raising an eyebrow. He was still paying minimal attention, not deeming her worthy of his full patience.
"Yeah. I met your girlfriend. She seems nice..."
"Oh really?" The grade 12 chuckled, obviously only half listening. "Wait, girlfriend?" He stopped out of surprise.
"Uh, yeah... remember her? Short, brunette, glasses, kinda quirky. A bit odd, knows everything about you..."
"Imogen?" He breathed.
"Sure, I guess that works." She shrugged dismissively. "As I was saying-"
"Imogen's not my girlfriend." Eli corrected, cutting his little sister off. They started walking again.
"She isn't? Well she seems to think the two of you are awful close. Wait," She extended her arm, stopping him again. "is she stalking you?"
"No. And besides. Who are you to be concerned with my life?" He scoffed. "I have a Physics quiz. I'll see you at home." He adjusted his backpack higher on his shoulder before starting off, walking faster this time.
"Eli, wait!" She called after him, making him stop and turn his head. He raised an eyebrow. She debated telling him what she had originally intended, but quickly decided against it. It wasn't a big deal. Instead she decided on asking a much more important question. "I'm sorry about this whole, ordeal. Do you totally hate me?" She asked meekly. He eyed her for a minute before giving an ever so subtle smirk.
"See you at home." he repeated before leaving again. Dani let out a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was her and Eli to be at odds. She honestly felt bad about invading on the Goldsworthy's home, upsetting their lives and turning their worlds upside down. Everything Eli knew had been put to the test in the few hours after he had first met his sister. And she felt bad about that.
Of course, not bad enough to leave. She'd had her fair-share of troubled times, and besides, she only wanted a DNA test, Bullfrog and Cece had been the one's to invite her to live with them and go to Degrassi with Eli. Well, after she had told them her sob story. Minor details. In any case, she hadn't really liked Eli when she first met him, she only wanted to make sure he was on her side if there was ever a battle at home. Of course, as she originally expected, that hadn't gone over so well. But, he was starting to grow on her, he was her brother after all, what good would he be if he hated her? Better yet, what good would Dani be if she had someone hating her? She had already won over Bullfrog and was now "Daddy's perfect little princess" (she was totally taking advantage of his guilt, but so what?), and Cece had totally taken over as her new "best-friend-mom" (she wasn't complaining too much, it was a nice change of pace) and was quickly establishing how sorry they were. The only one missing was the protective older brother, but he'd come around sooner or later.
All of a sudden Dani heard a familiar voice. It was a kind sweet voice, but it took a minute for Dani to recognize who it belonged to.
"Hi, Dani." The bright and sunny voice said.
"Clare," Dani answered. The two had met on the younger girl's first day as she wandered into the wrong math class. Clare had stopped her during lunch and the two seemed to hit it off pretty well. Dani refrained from telling most people about her older brother (his wishes, not hers), this included her new friend, but she figured it'd slip soon if the two remained social. "I was just thinking about you."
"Really?" She tilted her head in both bewilderment and curiosity.
"Yes." Dani answered matter of factly. "I have two tickets to the community performance of Beauty and the Beast, I really wanted to go but unfortunately the tickets I have are for Friday night and I have a prior engagement. I remembered you saying something about being into theater, do you want them?" She asked sweetly. She was going to give them to Eli but he wouldn't even give her the time of day. Plus, she figured on account of Imogen "not being his girlfriend" or whatever that he'd just wind up going alone. She wasn't about to have that. But, Clare seemed nice, and if she didn't have anyone to go with maybe she would just give the other ticket to big bro...
"Um," Clare said a little caught off guard. "I'd love to, but two days..." She thought about Jake; she couldn't possibly ask him to go, could she? He wasn't really a theater guy. Maybe she could ask a friend, like Eli. No, defiantly not. Though, he was her only friend she knew was as into drama as she was. No, she couldn't. "I'd love to," she said hesitantly. "but I wouldn't have anyone to go with. I don't want to waste your tickets."
"Nonsense," Dani assured, trying not to look too shocked. This would be perfect. "how about this, I'll hold on to the other ticket just in case I can get myself out of what I'm doing, and if you find someone to go with you, I'll give you the extra ticket. Sound like a plan?" Clare nodded and grabbed the ticket from Dani as she pulled them out of her purse. "Great. Well I gotta get to class. See you around." She said brightly before walking off to Geometry as the first bell rang. This couldn't be more perfect. She'd give the other ticket to Eli as an "apology" gift, tell Clare she was sending someone in her place, and have then magically fall in love. Dani had never seen the too talk so she was fairly certain they were perfect strangers to one another. Oh, and with him not dating that crazy 'Imogen' chick? Jackpot! Clare was such a sweet girl, and honestly seemed to have a lot in common with her brother, the two would make such an adorable couple. Plus, with Eli's mind on his new girlfriend, he wouldn't be on Dani's case all the time, maybe he'd lighten up? The plan was flawless... right?