Like I said. This is my first. Be gentle ;). Heehees.

So this is before season 10. About 3weeks post KC Clare breakup.

Clare's POV

She hoped Alli was right.

That another makeover- one that was way more drastic- would help.

Clare and Alli spent the weekend recreating her image.

Alli insisted this was what Clare needed.

It would show KC what an idiot he was for dumping Clare for Jenna the easy, fake, backstabbing, overdone, Barbie.

This new and improved Clare would have guys looking twice. Clare would have a jump on finding someone new and be able to get over KC and that bitch (heehees) Jenna.

So Alli said.

Clare was positive that this most certainly wouldn't work. That a haircut, contacts and new wardrobe couldn't fix her broken heart.

On Monday morning Clare went to school with short, curled hair that was a light brown-ish and reddish color. She had in contacts that allowed more of her face to show with the absence of her glasses. They brought out her b-e-a-u-t-iful blue eyes out of hiding.

She wore a baby blue tank and a short- but not too short- jean skirt with a pair of shiny black flats.

Basic and beautiful- or as Alli put it, and most would agree, simple and hot!

Alli was right about the second glances. Better put, gawks from guys and glares from girls that felt threatened.

Clare tried to pull false confidence from the pain and anger she still felt.

It worked while she walked down the Degrassi halls to her locker, well aware of the stares. She couldn't help but blush and smile from the attention. It was actually kinda nice. Perhaps this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

She was about twenty feet away from her locker in the not so crowded hallway when she spotted KC and Jenna eating each others faces at his locker. His locker that was located right next to hers.

Oh joy.

Everything was real again and flooded into her head.

She was hit with so many different emotions in a rush that for a second she didn't feel anything. It was a nice second.

The two people that had hurt her so badly were happily together. She felt like they were mocking her.

She wanted to turn around, run, go home and take off her ridiculous outfit, but she didn't. Instead her feet had her walking past her locker without even stopping.

Right before she past by, KC and Jenna detached long enough to take notice to Clare.

Jenna looked shocked but her expression quickly changed to one of annoyance. Clare's inner smile shined.

KC was barely able to choke out "Clare?"

She walked past without fully focusing her eyes on either of them.

On the outside she looked unbothered by it all. On the inside she was breaking down.

She found herself walking toward the ever peaceful Zen garden. She looked inside to see that it was, luckily, unoccupied and not many people were around the area.

She opened the door and took a seat on one of the benches. She sat still and didn't think for a minute.

Slow, silent tears began to track down her cheeks.

Why?

How?

How could they do this to her?

KC was one of her best friends on top of being her boyfriend. Why would he do something that he knew would- that does- hurt her so badly?

Was there so wrong with her that he had to leave her for Jenna?

Jenna.

Jenna was suppose to be her friend.

Clare couldn't believe she'd been so trusting of her. She should have listened to Alli when they first met Jenna. Did Jenna even want to be friends with her or was it just to get closer to KC the whole time?

So much for friends.

As Clare sat and let her emotions leave through her tears, someone noticed her while they were walking by.

Her tears made him stop. He looked into her striking eyes to see pain and sorrow laced by anger.

He felt bad for her. What had this poor girl so upset? Why did he care?

Because she looks so alone.

He didn't just feel bad for her anymore. He felt sorrowful. Just by watching such a beautiful girl dispirited, alone, and crying.

He realized he somewhat knew her.

Her name was Clare.

Her hair was shorter and a little reddish and she lacked her glasses, but there was no mistake.

Before he could control himself, he was moving toward the door of the garden and opened it.

Her head rose to se who had entered. She couldn't tell who it was because her tears were fogging her vision, but she was able to make out it was a guy.

Great. Just great.

He sat down and her head went down in embarrassment.

He surprised her and himself by putting his hand on her back and moving it up and down in a comforting movement. He had no idea why he did it but her did. He just wanted her to stop crying.

It reminded her of what her mom did when she was upset from a nightmare.

"Clare?" he asked.

It took her a second but the voice clicked and she knew who was there. And it seriously surprised her.

"Reese? W-what are you doing here?"

Reese?

"I don't really know. I saw you crying I guess."

"Right. Um." She sniffled.

"So…what's wrong?"

"What?" He looked into her wonderful blue eyes.

"You know. What's got you all glum, cutie?"

She gave a half laugh in disbelief at the fact that Reese could even care about her feelings.

"What?"

"It's just…you're not exactly the person I'd even imagined I'd be talking to right now."

"Yeah. Well that makes two of us, eh?"

Clare bit her lip.

"So what are you doing here?"

"My question first." He smiled.

Reese?

She searched his eyes. What could be his motives? He looked pretty concerned.

Hmp. She had stop crying by then and wiped away any wetness from her face.

"Well…" She sighed. "He shattered my heart."

"Who?"

She swallowed. "KC."

"How?" How could an ass like that make Clare so sad?

"He dumped me…he dumped me for my ex-friend. Jenna." She said the name with disgust.." He chose her…over me." She sniffled again.

Reese raised his brows. "Wow."

"Hmmm?"

" I thought he was supposed to be a brainiac. But from what you said he sounds like a big dumbass."

Clare tilted her head to the side.

"Clare, there are things even I wouldn't touch, believe it or not. And Jenna Middleton is one of those things." He paused and looked into her eyes again "Especially if there was something better right in front of my face."

She looked down at her flats. Was this even real? Was Reese, of all people, truly comforting her?

"You mean that?"

"I do."

He looked away. What was he doing? This wasn't exactly his style. But he felt better by doing this. By making her feel better.

Her voice caught up with him.

"Seriously?" She was in total disbelief.

" A girl like that. Total walking disease. Probably has more crabs than a beach." He gave a fake shudder. All Clare could think was So this is about putting out? Great.

"But a girl like you has way more to offer. Better things, too."

So this wasn't all about sex?

"Like what?"

"Well you're hotter." Then he whispered, "Beautiful"

She almost didn't hear him.

She laughed.

"Hotter? Really?"

"Totally. And-"

DIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

They were interrupted by the bell.

"Well I ,uh, guess we should get to class. I should clean up, too." She got up. She looked at him and bit her lip.

"Thank you, Reese."

"Yeah. Anytime." If only he knew the truth to that.

"Bye. I'll see later." She turned to leave.

"Wait." He said softly.

"Yeah?"

"Just. Promise you wont cry. Again."

She smiled and that made him smile.

"I promise."

"Good. Later Clare-bear." He walked past her and out the door but not without winking first.

She gave a pleasant sigh.

He called her Clare-bear. She actually liked it.

She was standing there grinning like a fool when she remembered she had a class to get to.

She rushed down the halls and into the first girls bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and dried it with a paper hand towel.

She looked better. The tear tracks were gone and there was very little pink left in her eyes, the evidence she had been crying was fading. She looked fresh and , like in her eyes, the pink in her cheeks was vanishing.

She hastily made her way to the MI room. As she did she thought of Reese.

Why had he been there to comfort her? He never had told her why. She'd ask him again next time.

Would there be a next time? Did she want a next time?

She decided that she did. She felt he was sincere. Hopefully next time she wouldn't be crying.

She walked into the classroom smiling a smile that made her glow. She wondered if she had a chance with Reese. He was very attractive. His eyes were a charming milk chocolate brown. The rest of him was pretty great, too.

Leaving her thoughts, she took a seat next to Alli. She made it a minute before the second bell, which was more than enough time for Alli to question her.

"Where were you?" she said a little harshly.

"Well, hello Alli. I'm doing great and you?" Clare said sarcastically.

"Clare."

She sighed.

"I was in the Zen garden. Geez."

Alli opened her mouth to say something then closed it.

She started again.

"Were you with someone?" she playfully asked.

"Maybe."

"It was a guy! Who! Who?" Alli was grinning.

"Uh, you wont believe me, but-"

BRRRIIIIIIING!

The second bell signaled class to begin.

"Great!"

Clare laughed and mouth 'later' to her as the teacher began the lesson.

I hope it wasn't that bad. If anyone wants more I just need one review saying so. Constructive criticism is highly encouraged. :D