Chapter 1 – Cages

Hey. I'm writing a new story, because a good friend of mine, Natsuki Sato, was a 15th reviewer on one of my stories. So she got to choose a story for me to write. So here you go… and if you all like it, please send reviews and I might actually make this a full story, and not just one chapter… it depends on my mood, and what you all think (:

OOO

Clare POV

I sat down at my desk with a loud sigh, knowing that this is going to be a long and boring year. With my new haircut and my laser eye surgery, people might look at me different, I want that. Last year… everyone treated me like crap and I hated it.

I watched the kids pile into the classroom, looking at me like I am a whole new person. I smiled at all the attention and turned around, drawing designs on my notebook. I wasn't paying any attention to my surroundings, so that's why I didn't notice Drew Torres sitting down next to me.

Drew is the captain of the football team. Millions of girls are so desperate to get his attention, or even talk to him. He is one of the hottest guys in school, next to KC Guthrie. Drew has deep blue eyes, which or like a sea of diamonds and his hair is a dark brown, like chocolate.

What really caught my attention was when he slammed his books down on the table. I jumped and looked over, at the beautiful boy sitting next to me. He smiled and winked, making a small blush appear on my face.

"Hey, Clare…"
Oh my god, he's talking to me… he's actually talking… TO ME!
"H-hey Drew." I stuttered looking at him through my eyelashes.
"Look at me, please." He turned around making our knees touch, my cheeks became a darker red and I looked up at him, with our eyes locking.
"You look great Clare. Why would you be hiding such blue eyes?" He smiled and lifted his hand up, placing a strand of hair behind my ear. My breathing hitched and he scooted over closer, placing face beside mine.
"Meet me at the Dot after school, 4:30"
I nodded and quickly turned around to face the front of the room, leaving him behind with a small smile spread across his face.

This is going to be a good year.

OOOO – The Dot –

I waited in front of the Dot for Drew to show up. It was exactly 4:45, and I was beginning to think he stood me up. I waited for 10 more minutes trying to spot him, but no sign. Drew was going to be sorry tomorrow; he asked me out and then stands me up? That's not how it's supposed to work.

My eyes filled up with tears, I can't believe that I fell for him. This morning, I talked to the sweet and confident guy, and now… I can see him for who he truly is. I should've listened to Alli when she told me he was bad news. I felt stupid, desperate, for even believing him.

I walked away from the Dot and cried softly as I approached the park. I sat down on the swings and dug my feet into the light sand and swayed slowly back and forth. I placed my hands to my eyes and wiped away the loose tears. I pulled out my phone and looked through my contacts, stopping on Drew's name. I opened a direct message to him and angrily sent him one.

You lied to me; don't even talk to me tomorrow. Just, leave me alone.
- Clare

When the text sent I threw my phone across the sand area and fell to my knees. I know it's stupid to be upset about this, but I went out with KC once for almost 2 months. Once he stood me up for something, when I left the movies some girl came and nearly put me in the hospital, it was just a test to see how stupid and desperate I was. After that, I didn't trust anyone for almost 3 years, the only friend I had was Alli.

I placed my back up to the wooden pole and bent my knees up to my chest, crying steadily in my arms. I was once again interrupted by a teenager, short… had light blue eyes with a gray beanie. He cleared his throat and stood in front of me.

"What do you want?" I asked in a harsh voice.
"Oh, well… I saw that you were upset, and I wanted to see if you were… okay." He said with a sweet smile.
"Oh, well thank you… and I am going to be okay." I sniffled, not noticing the small tear escaping my eye.
"Well, to me, it seems like you're not… do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly sitting down next to me.
"I don't really open up to strangers…" I told him nervously shifting in my place.
"Well, I'm Adam." He placed his hand out, making me laugh.
"I'm Clare."
"Nice to meet you, Clare. Well, we aren't strangers anymore"
I smiled, and shook his hand.
"Now, tell me what's bugging you. I will tell you all about me." He whispered looking around the park
"You first…"
"Well… I am a… promise not to tell, anyone? I trust you, like a lot… even though I just met you, you seem like the person that doesn't give secrets away."
"Of course not, Adam… I won't tell anyone."

He sighed, gathering sand into his hands.

"I'm a female to male transgender. I have a girl's body, but I'm male between the ears."
My eyes widened.
"Oh…"
"Wow, you took that well, usually people freak out and run away…. Now tell me about you."

I nodded and took a deep breath and explained everything that happened with Drew, and last year at school… how people treated me different and now the hottest guy in school asked me on a 'date', and he stood me up. Adam explained that the next day, act like someone who people would least expect me to do, like act snobby. He told me what to do, and I agreed just thinking about how everyone will react.

When we were finished talking, I had the whole plan worked out. I was going to be a total bitch to Drew, and to some people who were to me last year. I liked the idea.

Adam seemed pretty confident when he told me about him being a transgender, and I personally have no problem with it… because my dad's brother has the same problem. Even though I just met him, he seems like he could be a really good friend. We swapped our numbers and started to walk home.

We talked for a little about school and our family. Adam is going to transfer into Degrassi next week, so now I have a friend there. It would be cool to at least know one person who truly knows me for who I am.

I finally reached my doorstep and watched Adam walk down the sidewalk into his house a row of houses down from mine, it seems like I have a new neighbor that I didn't know about. I smiled at myself and entered the door seeing my mom and dad on the couch watching a movie.

"Hey mom, um, I'm going to go take a shower…"
"Okay baby." She looked over and smiled at me.

I walked up the stairs and went inside my bedroom to get some pajama's to change into after my shower. I noticed Darcy was all dressed up and applying makeup on her flawless face.

"Hey Darc, what are you doing?"
"I'm going on a date with Peter." She said in a snobby tone.
"You're still dating him? He's like a …. Slut." I giggled at my comment, making Darcy turn around.
"He is not! You don't even know him, Clare!" She yelled making me laugh more. "I don't see what's so funny. You're the one who was desperate enough to meet Drew at the Dot."
"W-What are you talking about?"
"Everyone knows, Clare… after you got your new look, Drew pretended to like you, so he lead you on. It was all a trick."

I had enough of her! "You're such…."
"Such a what, Clare...Hmm?"
"A... Bitch!" I yelled throwing the items on the dresser down onto the floor. "You think you are so perfect Darcy. You think that everyone loves you, when really everyone HATES you!" I screamed stomping out of them room, leaving a speechless Darcy behind.

I slammed the door to the bathroom, pulling out the sharpest item I could find. I lifted my sleeves up and eyed the bright pink and purple scars going up and down my arms. I haven't cut in a long time, because life at home was good… so far. Last year my parents took me out of school for a therapy session every week and even put me in a mental hospital! I placed the blade on my wrists and put pressure making a small incision on my arm. When I first saw the small amount of blood, I stopped. I remembered the last time I did this. It was when KC cheated on my and posted videos of us together, it wasn't anything bad, but it should've only been between us… and it was embarrassing to me.

I lifted the blade watching the small amount of blood pour from the cut. I decided that I didn't need to do this to myself, not again. My parents don't need a suicidal child. When I closed my eyes feeling the horrific pain coursing through my body, I remembered the plan that Adam told me about. To act like someone totally unexpected, and maybe that will help me make more friends or teach people how I feel. I sure hope this plan works out the way I want it too.

OOO—Next day - OOO

I walked into the doors of Degrassi, wearing shorts and a long sleeved shirt. My hair has more curls in it that usual and I had a darker layer of eyeliner on. I stole some of Darcy's Victoria secret perfume this morning and some of her Stilleto's. She would be so mad at me, but I didn't care. All I cared about was to get pay back on these preppy kids, just to see a side of me that no one has seen before.

I took my usual seat in class, and got a head-start of 5th period's homework assignment. I was then, brought back to reality when Drew sat down beside me.

"Hey Drew… I bet you have something to tell me."
"Um, what? No…" He stammered making me show a sarcastic smile.
"Don't play dumb with me Drew… you know exactly what you did." I snapped at him, making him flinch at my voice.
"Okay, I'm sorry… I didn't mean too. It was a stup—"
"Oh, okay… a stupid misunderstanding? That's what they all say. 'Oh, It's was a mistake.' Blah… blah… blah… I know you stood me up on purpose, Drew. And you are going to be so damn sorry you did."
"Why are you being such a—"The bell rang before Drew could finished his sentence. I smiled, knowing that I just put him in a bad situation. I couldn't wait to thank Adam for this; he's been helping so far.

Class went by quicker than usual, and I couldn't wait to get to my locker. Usually there is 2 slutty girls, Jenna Middleton and Bianca DeSousa. They always made fun of me, and just came around to irritate me. So they were in for a rude awakening.

"Hey Clare-Bear. Did someone get their little heartbroken yesterday?" Bianca teased, making Jenna laugh.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, sounding like I didn't get the memo.
"When Drew stood you up." Jenna added
"You know what, you guys? I am so sick and tired of you all talking and making negative comments to me. No one even likes you, and Jenna… you have a lot of room to talk. Look at you! You have a baby at 15 years old. Yeah, you're a real winner… So before you start making people feel bad about themselves, you should think before you speak… okay?" Jenna started to say something, but then started to walk away.
"Wow, Clare… I didn't know you had it in your system… " Bianca said with a small smile.
"Well, I'm just tired of people messing with me, you know?"
"Um, yeah… well… I'm not doing anything tonight, d-do you think you would maybe want to come over and we could hang out?" Bianca whispered looking around.
I smiled brightly. YES! I finally got asked to hang out with one of the most popular girl in school!
"Oh, Sure… I would love to. Um, here's my number." I smiled and wrote down my number of a piece of paper handing it to her. I had a feeling that she would humiliate me, but the way she sounded and eyed the people around us, I could tell that she was telling the truth.

Adam's plan has been amazing so far, I've made the bitchiest girl in school walk away from me, and the most popular girl in school ask me to hang out! I was excited…

I know, you're probably thinking that it seems stupid to hang out with popular people, but if you were in my shoes… girls made fun of me, harassed me, judged me, everything. And now since you changed, everyone started talking to you like you're queen bee, it's really an amazing feeling.

I walked down the steps to walk home to finish the day. I walked slowly down the sidewalk, almost bumping in to a tall boy that I've never seen before.

"What where you're going." I snapped, looking up to see who he was.

He had jet black hair and deep, beautiful green eyes. His face had a small bruise on the side and his bottom lip had a scar, like he had just been beat up. He was dressed in black, with dark skinny jeans.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled looking down at me.
Our eyes locked, not moving away from each others for one second. My face got hot and I glanced away.
"You…" He tilted my chin up. "You… have beautiful eyes." He smirked, making my heart speed up.
"T-thank you." I stammered.
"I will see you around then." He gave me a gentle nod with his head and walked around me.

"Wow…" I whispered out loud to myself. "He was….."
The honking of a horn caught me off guard. I looked up to see who was honking at me. A small grin plastered on my heated up face as I noticed it was Adam sitting in the driver's seat.

"Get in… we have some talking to do." He smiled as I jumped into the car, ready to explode everything that has happened to far. With Drew, Bianca, Jenna, and this mysterious boy who might seem really interesting.

OOOO

Welll, Natsuki Sato, I hoped this is what you meant by your suggestion… I wanted to add a little twist to it, so I hope you liked it.

And I have decided to make this into a full-length story, because it seems interesting to me.

Don't forget to reviewww(: