Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi! Though I wish I did!
Author's Note: This is my first experimentation with Clare and Eli. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I enjoy exploring their characters! Get ready! =]
Clare's POV
September was finally upon us.
As I woke that morning the sunlight shone through my window and speckled my face. I arose with a smile and leaned against my ivory headboard, the slight breeze wafting in and filled my mind with the exhilarating scent of a new morning.
"Clare! Are you awake?" I heard my mother yell from her "dressing room" formerly known as my sister Darcy's bedroom. Ever since Darcy moved to Kenya to work as a missionary, and my parents had split up, my mother and I tried to make subtle changes to our home to make it a friendly and feminine environment. Hence, our "dressing room" complete with vanity tables for each of us.
I lightly trotted down the hall and peeked in to see my mother sitting in front of her dark oak wood vanity applying her lipstick. My mother had been in higher spirits since meeting Ben, her "not quite boyfriend". Returning to work was also very helpful for her. She was keeping busy, and we even enrolled in yoga classes together! Slowly but surely we were picking our lives up and putting them back together the best way we knew how.
"Morning Mom." She smiles at me and reaches over to ruffle my messy curls. I finally took the liberty in getting a haircut. It was apart of the "reformation" I was undergoing. With this hair cut I was no longer Clare Edwards, the gawky freshman, but Clare Edwards the sophomore with the bouncy curls and the sassy attitude!
Okay, maybe I'm kidding about the sassy attitude, but I can be saucy when the time is right!
"Clare, Ben is taking me downtown today to see that new art gala that just opened up. Did you want to come with us? You're more than welcome, NO WEIRDNESS! We could even stop by that cute little cafe and try all of their strangest teas!"
"That's alright Mom. I think I'm going to finish out my last days of summer delving into a few good books. I just want to sit outside and enjoy the weather while it's still here."
"Are you sure honey? It's not burden to us! Ben LOVES discussing all those novels you're always reading. He told me you two had planned to talk about some Palahniuk book next...is it...something...club?"
I chuckled at my mother's innocence, which is funny because to everyone I knew, I was a saint, a real Pollyana. Now I knew where I got it from!
"Fight Club, Mom! We'll do it some other day. Don't worry about me. Go! Have a blast!"
She smiled and kissed my head and gave me a coddling hug before bouncing down the steps. It was nice to see that spring back in her step. "Okay honey! Be good and call me if you need ANYTHING! And don't wait up!"
"I won't!" I chuckled and brought my palm to my forehead. My mother was regaining her light, and I couldn't be more glad.
I sauntered downstairs, still dressed in a pair of light cotton pajama pants, white with navy pin stripes, and a navy camisole. I wasn't one for matching sleep wear. For all I cared, I could sleep in a tee shirt! But once in a while I liked to act like I had someone to look good in bed for.
A rosy blush splashed across my cheeks as I thought of my ex-boyfriend, KC. I didn't have those kinds of feelings for him anymore, but I had always wondered what it would have been like if we took that next step.
We had only shared a few innocent kisses before he ran off with Jenna. At the time it was all very appropriate. We were freshman, and I was especially celibate! I still wear my promise ring, and intend on keeping my vow. I stare at my ring and it shines, as if God is telling me I am making the right decision.
I often wonder if I'll break my promise. I wouldn't be opposed to entering a level of intimacy if I loved someone enough, and if the feelings were reciprocated. I believed that God was there for me, no matter what, and if I cared enough to love someone, mind, body and soul before becoming intimate, then I think God would respect that.
I stepped into the living room and turned on the TV. A short bald man in a cheesy suit was yelling something about used cars and big sales...Joey Jeremiah automotive, reliable and economic! He flashed a toothy smile that only a used car salesmen would have. I flipped through the channel and left something teenage on the TV as I skipped to the kitchen.
I grabbed a piece of toast and poured a glass of orange juice before I heard my cell phone go off. It was Alli, my very best friend.
Alli: What are ya doing today? I responded
Clare: Oh just basking in the dwindling glow of summer!
Alli: Want to get together this afternoon? Lunch at the Dot? Trip to the mall? Fun, fun, fun!
Clare: Sure! I'll meet you at the Dot around 1?
Alli: Sounds good! C ya then! =]
I glanced at the time on my phone, it was already noon! I ran up the stairs to take a shower and get dressed.
I decided on a light cream chiffon blouse, which was accented with turquoise gems around the neck line. I paired it with a pair of deep blue skinny jeans, and light tan sandals. Now that it was september, it wasn't sweltering anymore, so I figured light yet covered was the way to go!
I dried my curls and applied a light coat of makeup. The natural pinkness of my lips only needed to be accented with a light gloss. Mascara and a bit of eyeliner completed the look.
Feeling fresh and satisfied with my look, I slammed the front door behind me and began to stroll to the Dot.
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Later
Alli and I sat at a corner booth sipping unsweetened Iced Tea and munching on caesar salads. We both loved to eat healthy food, but I had a sweet tooth! We each decided to have a scoop of cookies 'n cream ice cream for dessert. That really hit the spot!
"So how are things going with you and your beloved?" I asked teasingly.
A huge grin splashed across Alli's face. "Oh we're doing swimmingly! Ha ha ha! We're in love, if I do say so myself!"
I giggled and shook my head, but a corner of my heart was slightly pained. What was this? A sudden feeling of longing overcame me, and Alli waived her hand in front of my face.
"Earth to Clare!"
"Oh, sorry Alli! Got a little side tracked for a moment!"
"That's alright Clare-bear! I know there are always a thousand different scenes playing out in that writer's brain of yours!"
I laughed. Alli knew me too well. If there was one thing to know about me, it was that I was famous for day dreaming. It's as if my mind is overflowing with stories and characters and themes just begging to be thrown onto a page!
I often indulged in writing for pleasure. Vampire fanfiction had been my thing last year. This year I was writing a lot of poetry. I was very fond of prose writing. I had learned to turn my romantic story lines into cryptic little lines that only I could enjoy. A smirk came across my face as I thought of the one I had written the previous night.
Suddenly, the table started to buzz. Alli flipped open her phone and giggled.
She looked up at me with puppy dog eyes..."Clare, how ma..."
"It's fine, Alli! Go! If I were you I'd be doing the same thing!"
"You are really the best friend a girl could have!"
"I know."
"I promise to make it up to you! Sleep over at my place tomorrow night!"
"You're on!" I smiled and Alli and I paid our bill. We walked outside and she quickly gave me a hug before hopping down the street to Drew's house. Our little mall excursion would have to take place on another day. I really didn't mind though. I was actually glad now that I'd have some time to myself.
I skipped across the street to the old book shop. I let myself in and the string of bells jingled. "Hiya Jerry!" I yelled as the shop owner looked up from his inventory sheet to see the girl who had grew up in this shop.
"Clare-bear! How is my favorite bookwork?"
"Doing well Jerry! Got anything new that would tickle my fancy?"
"I just so happened to have received a donation from a woman this morning. The box is right on the counter over there. Help yourself! I think you'll like what you see!"
"There is a reason why I've been coming here my whole life!"
"You've got it sweetheart! Now hurry up and help yourself before my other favorite customer comes in!"
Jerry winked at me and I skipped over to the large brown box sitting upon the front counter. So many classics in beautiful condition. The bindings were barely cracked, most had gold plated pages along the edges, and some were even wrapped in plastic! Jerry helped me bag up the ones I wanted.
"Give Mom my love, Clare!"
"Will do!" I smiled at him and stepped out the door, cracking open one of the books as I slowly shuffled down the side walk. I decided I would sit in the park and read till my heart was content.
The birds were chirping and I was taking in the sight of a humming bird buzzing around an old oak tree as I searched for a spot to settle down. I was enjoying taking in the scenery before I noticed something out of place in this very cheery setting...or someone.
I sat down against the old oak tree and ran my hand through my curls. I looked over at the park bench, the boy sitting there seemed incredibly out of place. I heard him clear his throat and realized that he was staring back at me. I immediately blushed and darted my gaze back to my book.
I couldn't help but feel exhilarated as I stare at the pages of my book re-reading the same sentence over and over again. The boy had a piercing green stare, but there was a gentleness in his eyes. His black hair smooth framed his face. He had bow shaped lips, almost too pretty, like the soft mouth of a girl. His body was long and lean, complexion slightly sun-kissed, naturally darker than my own for sure. I had noticed through his black button-up that he had broad shoulders and a well toned physique. My mind wondered to the vision of his forearms. If I had a weakness, it was a boy wearing a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
My face felt hot, and all I could think of was kissing every inch of his skin. I took a deep breath, trying to allow the cool breeze to clear my mind. I blinked and noticed a pair of black shoes in front of me.
"It's not polite to stare, you know."
I looked up and saw the same gentle green eyes gazing down at me. I couldn't find the words.
"Hello? Anybody in there?"
"Sorry, I gushed! My mind kind of wanders off sometimes." I smiled nervously at him and a smirk crossed his face. It was a devlish, crooked smile, one like I had never seen before.
Okay, I lied before. I have TWO weaknesses. A man's forearms for one, and the second, a smirk that left my heart pounding! I only wanted to dart up and release the tension of my body by smothering his incredible mouth with my own. What was wrong with me?
I noticed he was still smirking at me.
"It's fine, really. Perhaps you'd like to join me?"
"I guess I could take you up on that offer." A gentle smile appeared on my face.
I stood and introduced myself. "Clare."
"Eli." We exchanged hand shakes. At first, he slightly raised my delicate hand, as if he were going to kiss it, and my heart raced. He noticed the awestruck look in my eye, and gave my hand a gentle squeeze before letting it fall back to my side.
For a moment, I was intoxicated in this stranger. His presence made me nervous, and I felt lightheaded each time our bodies came into contact in slight brushes.
We sat there in silence for several moments, reading our literature and exchanging glances every so often. I heard Eli clear his throat, and knew he wanted to say something. I looked in his direction.
"Clare?"
"Yes, Eli?" I turned my head fully toward him when I noticed his face was DANGEROUSLY close to my own. My heart stopped.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" He asked.
"Su-sure" I stammered, as this beautiful creature had me fully enamored in his essence.
We stood from the bench. I smoothed out my clothes, and heard a light chuckle come from his throat.
I grabbed my bag of books and we set down the path.
I wasn't sure where we were headed, but I knew that I was glad to be with him. I had no idea what brought on this instant attraction, or why I was so intoxicated by him. Did he notice? Oh Lord, I hope he didn't!
Or did I?