I do not own Degrassi -tear-

I do not own When We Say(Juice Box) by AJ Rafael.

This is an AU fanfic. Also, there will be third person POV's, Zane POV's, Riley POV's and Drew POV's, but mainly third person and Zane.

Zane and Riley's relationship has been going great, and Zane couldn't ask for anything more, but this is mainly in private. Is the pressure of being outed starting to wear on Riley? And if Riley's insecurities get the best of him, will Zane find someone else... in Drew! ? But what happens when Riley is tempted by someone else too, someone who's come back for a visit at Degrassi? Can Zane and Riley push past it all for the sake of them being together?

Zane walked the halls of Degrassi, ignoring the stares he was so use to by now, wondering where his boyfriend could be. Anya was at the end of the hall, passing out fliers for the next big dance coming up. She smiled when she saw Zane and handed Chantay the fliers and walked over to him. "Well, good morning Zane. How are you this morning?" She smiled and flipped her reddish brown hair over her shoulder and flashed another smile. Zane chuckled. "Pretty good. Have you seen Riley anywhere? I thought we were gonna study?"

Anya frowned and thought for a moment. "No, I actually haven't seen him. Oh! You know what, I bet he's in the weight room working out." Anya smiled and Zane thanked her, walking off to find Riley. Zane pushed open the door and sure enough, there was Riley, lifting weights. Zane shook his head and walked in, poking Riley on the shoulder. The taller boy jumped and looked at Zane, before an easy grin slid across his face. "Morning." Riley said, putting down the weights and pulling Zane into a hug.

"Morning."

Zane wrapped his arms around Riley's neck and pulled him close. Riley pulled away, too soon in Zane's opinion, and stuffed his hands in his pockets and flashed a lopsided grin. "So, what are you doing here so early?" Riley nodded to the clock, which signaled there was only about forty five minutes until first period started. Zane fished his math book out of his bag, and waved it around, earning a groan from Riley. Zane laughed. "Come on, Riles, you said you needed help, right?" Riley sighed and gathered his things before following Zane out to the picnic tables outside the school. They studied until the bell rang, but Zane just couldn't help but notice was Riley was being a bit distant. When they were going to class, Riley grabbed Zane's arm just before he left and looked like he was about to kiss him, then pulled back.

"See you at lunch?" Zane felt disappointed, then reminded himself that Riley still had a lot to get use to. "Yeah." Zane smiled and Riley returned it with his own, hugged him quickly, then left. Zane watched him leave, before turning to go to his own class. He was walking, then felt a sharp tug on his messenger bag, causing it to fall and the contents to spill out onto the floor. Zane frowned and looked up just in time to see Owen high-fiving two other boys and smirking back at Zane.

Zane shook his head and bent down, retrieving his books. Another pair of hands appeared and Zane looked up to see Drew helping him. Drew gave his one sided, almost cocky smile and handed Zane his history book. "They're asses, ignore them." Drew said, nodding towards Owen and his pals. Zane laughed softly, shaking his head. "I know, and ignoring them is what I do best." Drew laughed and helped Zane stand up straight. Zane smiled, but noticed that Drew's hands lingered a bit longer than necessary.

When Drew did pull away, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, smiled, and walked away. Zane watched him leave, then went to his class. I'm over thinking this, just still a bit disappointed from what happened - or rather what didn't happen - with Riley, Zane thought while he sat down in history class and listened to teacher drone on. Zane was barely listening since he had already read about this section. He was just flipping through the pages and barely heard the teacher when she told them to pair up for a project. Zane looked around and felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw Anya. "Partners?" He smiled. "Sure." Anya smiled and moved her desk next to his. "So, what should we do?" Zane rested his head in his hand and waited for Anya to answer. "Umm... how about... A poster about the history of the World Wars?" Zane agreed and they started planning. While Zane was writing out a plan of the way their poster board would look like, Anya asked, "So, what happened with you and Riley today?"
Zane smiled softly. Anya always wanted an update on their relationship, and it was always nice to tell her and possibly get advice from her. Zane thought for a moment then looked to the reddish brown haired girl.

"Riley's getting better, it's just a slow process. He's so... scared to do things with me in public that a regular couple would do. It's kind of frustrating, honestly." Zane laughed a little and Anya nodded. "Well, Riley says he's trying, it's just hard for him to come out so suddenly. He thought it'd be easier, but it's apparently not." Zane shook his head. "I know that, but still, he could at least put a little more effort into it. He's barely trying." Zane didn't notice he was getting angry until the words escaped his lips.

Riley really wasn't putting much effort into the relationship; barely acknowledging Zane during the day sometimes, letting go of Zane's hand when people would stare, and going so far as to even bail on dates they planned if they were going to a crowded place. Zane sighed. He hated being in such a... a closeted relationship that left him unsatisfied and unhappy. Anya tilted her head to the left.

"Zane, you have to understand that he is trying. He may not be giving it his all, but he's at least trying."

Anya smiled, which made Zane smile back. "I know. So, when do you want to start on the research?" Anya didn't comment on Zane's sudden change in subject and simply went with it. A blur of tan skin and a white long sleeved shirt passed by the glass window and Zane looked up. He saw Drew stop to talk to his brother, Adam, and then turn to look into the classroom.
Drew gave him a smiled, and Zane smiled back, feeling a bit of heat in his face and turned back to Anya, sneaking glances back at Drew. He'd heard rumors that Drew was gay, but he wanted proof. Of course, unknown to Zane, Drew was about to prove these rumors true.

Zane walked to his regular table, expecting to see Riley, Anya, Leia, and maybe Sav and Holly J. He talks to some people, then continues his way to the lunch table. He slowed, confused, when he didn't see Riley. Anya got up and walked over to Zane. She knew what Zane wanted to know. "He's out on the football field. Said he wanted to work out alone for a bit."

She shrugged, and Zane decided to just let Riley be alone. He sat and talked with everyone, and barely noticed when his bag fell to the floor for the second time today. He sighed again and looked up to see Owen. Zane clenched his teeth but simply picked up his belongings. Owen kicked a book across the floor, causing Zane to curse under his breath. Owen chuckled and simply walked away. Anya yelled angry words after the football player. Zane contemplated punching the jerk in the face, then decided against it as he always had. He stood, about to get his book, when it held in front of him. Zane blinked, and looked to see that the hand holding his book belonged to Drew. Drew smiled.

"You really have some control, don't you?" Zane took the book and laughed a bit. "You have no idea." Drew chuckled and walked away, while Zane went back to Anya. "Well, that was nice of Drew." She nodded to Zane's book. "Yeah, I guess." Zane looked over and watched Drew leave; his walk seemed so... confident and sure. Zane blinked and realized he was staring and turned back to Anya, who hadn't noticed and was eating.
Zane saw a flash of curly hair out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Riley coming into the lunch room.

Zane felt a smile slide across his face and got up to meet his boyfriend half way. Riley looked at Zane, gave a small smile and waved, then turned and left the lunch room as soon as he came. Zane stopped, feeling a blow his ego and heart. Clenching his jaw, he stalked to the table, snatched up his messenger bag and followed Riley, not answering Anya's frantic calls after him. Zane caught up and grabbed Riley softly by the arm. "Hey, Riley." Riley turned to Zane and blinked. "H-hey, Zane." Zane frowned.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you being so... different around me? I thought that since you came out, we could act like ourselves around school?"

Riley sighed and ran a hand through his curly hair. "This isn't easy, Zane. I-I can't cope with knowing that everyone knows about us." Zane made an aggravated sound, alerting Riley that he just said the wrong thing. "T-that's not what I mean! I mean, them knowing that I'm, you know..." Zane clenched his jaw and frowned. "Gay." He finished for Riley.

Riley nodded. "Yeah... that..." Zane moved closer to Riley, their chests flush against each other for a mere moment before Riley pulled away. "Can we just... go back to normal? You know, before I came out?" Riley looked like he was in pain; Zane didn't care. He had been in pain since this relationship started.

"Normal? Normal! ? You have got to be kidding me, Riley!"

Riley barely even flinched at Zane's anger, something he anticipated. He sighed. "Zane, you have to understand that I'm not as... adapted this life as you are." That stopped Zane cold. He knew that Riley wasn't accustomed to this, but could he at least try? Zane looked down and Riley sighed. "Zane-"

"Hey, Riley!" They both turned and saw a few football players headed their way. Riley stepped back from Zane and greeted their teammates. Zane gave a small hi and pulled on Riley's shirt. Riley looked to him, a bit annoyed. "This conversation isn't over." Zane said, determined. Riley looked to the guys and then shrugged Zane's arm away. "Not in front of them, Zane, please." Zane scoffed. "Then can we go somewhere private?" One of the football players spoke up.

"Um, actually, we were gonna ask Riley to come to the Dot with us since lunch isn't over for another thirty minutes..."

Zane glared at him. The player put his hands up in surrender and Riley sighed harshly. "Zane, this can wait." Before Zane could even reply, Riley was walking away with the football players. Zane felt like punching something, but held it in and went back to the lunchroom, not bothering to talk to anyone.

Zane walked out of Degrassi, and looked around. Riley hadn't talked to him in computer class and wasn't waiting where he usually would after school. A hand tapped on his shoulder and Zane turned, expecting to see Riley, but was surprised to see Drew instead. Zane blinked but gave the junior a smile.

"Um, wow, hey Drew." Zane adjusted his messenger bag and looked around, wondering if Riley was just late. Drew poked his shoulder, getting his attention again. "If you're looking for Riley, he left."

Zane blinked. "What? Where did he go?" Drew shrugged. "Out with some other guys I think. You look pretty lost without him." Zane shrugged at Drew's comment. "I'm just use to waiting out here for him."

"You're use to waiting on him, period."

Zane looked at Drew, confused again. Drew rolled his eyes. "Come on, Zane. Riley has been keeping you waiting from day one. You know it better than anyone that you don't deserve this; to be in such a demanding relationship. All you do is give and Riley barely gives anything." Zane let Drew's words sink in, not wanting to believe them.

But were they as true as they sounded?

Drew hit his shoulder. "How about you come to the Dot with me? Hang out?" Drew gave his famous, almost sexy, smile. Zane weighed his options, and smiled at Drew. "Alright. Since I have nothing else to do." They started walking towards the Dot. They talked and Zane noticed they were standing noticeably close. Once at the Dot, they sat at a table across each other and both ordered coffee.

Zane was playing the menu while they talked and Drew grabbed both his hands with one of his own. "That's really distracting." He chuckled. Zane laughed a bit, but felt a small burning feeling in his skin where Drew still had his hand, though Zane had put the menu down.

Zane looked at Drew, questioning. Drew looked at their hands then took his back, folding both of his in his own lap. Zane cleared his throat, then they fell back into their easy chatter.

As they were about to leave, they heard thunder and rain started falling from the sky. Zane sighed. Drew nudged him, already on his phone. "Don't worry, my mom can pick us up; you can come over my house until the rain stops or something." Zane shook his head. "No, it's alright, I can get a cab or something." Drew closed his phone and smiled, triumphant. "Too late. My mom is on her way." Zane sighed but smiled.

Mrs. Torres picked them both up and drove back to their house. "So, Zane, you're a senior?" She asked once they were inside the house. "Mom, seriously." Drew gave Mrs. Torres a look. She shrugged. "It's just a question, Drew." Zane smiled at her. "Yes, ma'am. I'm a senior." She nodded. "See, just a question." She smiled at Drew and went to watch T.V. Drew brought Zane up the stairs and to his room. "Ignore her. She's just... I don't know." They both laughed and Drew closed his bedroom door.

Zane sat on his bed and put his stuff on the floor. A sudden burst of thunder caused him to jump and laugh softly. Drew sat beside him at a comfortable distance. "Scared?" Zane smirked at Drew. "Just... surprised." Drew laughed. "Yeah, right." Drew got up and turned on the radio. When he sat back down, he was a bit closer this time.

Zane barely noticed, listening to the radio and mouthing the words to When We Say(Juice box) by Aj Rafael. "You know this song?" The junior asked Zane. The older male smiled. "It's good." Drew nodded and started singing along. Zane listened. "You're really good. You almost sound just like him." Drew laughed. "No, not really." Drew leaned closer to Zane. "I bet you sing good too." Zane turned to reply but stopped short when he noticed how close they were.

This kid can be pretty straight forward with the signals, Zane thought. Drew leaned closer. "Can you?" Before Zane answered, Drew experimentally brushed his lips against the senior's own. Zane's breath hitched at the contact, his lips buzzing with excitement against his will. Drew smiled and leaned in closer, closing the space separating their lips. Much to Drew's surprise - and excitement - Zane gently kissed him back. Drew licked the older male's lips, asking for entrance, and Zane granted him this.

Their tongues filled each others mouths, battling for dominance, Zane winning. Zane grunted softly when Drew pushed back onto the bed and straddled him. Zane didn't object, though, and entangled his hands into the junior's hair. After a few minutes, they let go, breathing hard. Drew smiled. "Wow..." Zane laughed, since Drew stole the word from his mouth.

"Zane? You're mom is here." Mrs. Torres' voice traveled through the door and Drew sighed, getting off of Zane and helping him. "Umm...thanks.." Zane said, blushing softly. Drew smiled and kissed Zane's cheek. "No problem. Hoping you come over again."

"I wouldn't mind that."

They said goodbye and Zane got into the car with his mom. On the way back, he touched his lips, still buzzing from the kiss with Drew, but one thought intruded his mind: What would Riley do if he knew about what just happened?

So, there's the first chapter. Kinda fast paced, I know, but tell me what you think (:. Give me some suggestions too, if you want. So, what will happen? Where was Riley this whole time? Is Zane really giving up on his adorable football player? Keep reading and find out :D