Unfortunately, I don't own Degrassi in any way, shape or form. If I did, Emma would have married Sean, Jimmy would be walking, J.T. would be alive, Drew would suffer from erectile dysfunction and Jenna would fall off of a cliff. Thanks for reading!

1.

Startled, Clare Edwards jerked her head up when the lights flashed. Shaken from her homework-induced coma, she shot a smile at Peter Stone. "Closing time?" she asked, glancing around to see that she was the only remaining customer in the Dot. Jeez, how long had she been here?

"Amen to that," he replied as he wiped down the counter. "I still have stuff to do for my 8 a.m. class. You need a ride home, Baby Edwards?"

"Nah, I'll be fine." Clare began to gather her stuff, stuffing into her backpack in an uncharacteristically haphazard way.

"Wait five minutes and I'll give you one anyway." Peter flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED and walked behind the counter. "I know it's a good neighborhood, but let's be safe on the off-chance that a crazy murdering rapist chooses tonight to roam the streets."

"It's only 10 p.m.," Clare protested with a laugh, "and I think that's highly unlikely in any case."

"Unlikely and impossible are two different things so shut up and take the ride." Peter looked up from the register, where he was neatly stacking bills. "Where's Emo Boy, anyway? He always gives you a ride home."

Clare picked up her bag and strolled over to glance out of the big glass windows at the front of the shop. "He gave me a ride home after school. I just, I don't know. With Dad moved out and Mom at work, it was too quiet. Eli had something else to do so I just came here. I needed a little background noise." She turned and flashed Peter a sad smile.

"I get that," Peter said. "Divorced parents suck." He held open the door for Clare, pausing to lock it behind him. "You know you're welcome to hang out here anytime we're open, right? I don't mind, and I know Spin feels the same way." He pulled out his keys, using the fob to unlock his sporty little red car.

Clare had no idea what kind of car it was, but she knew it was expensive. But then, Darcy had once told her Peter's dad had gobs of money. She shrugged in reply to Peter's offer. "Thanks, I guess. I just wish my sister was here. She'd know what to do." Climbing into the car, she tugged her uniform skirt down toward her knees before fastening her seatbelt. "But she's never coming home."

Peter tapped the steering wheel in time to the radio as he drove the five blocks to Clare's house. "She'll come home eventually. I think she has a lot of issues to work through before she can face being here again."

"That's bullshit," Clare snapped vehemently, surprising herself as much as Peter. He glanced over at her with an open mouth like he was going to say something, but she kept going. "We all have issues to work through. She just chose to run away."

"I wouldn't call it running away," Peter said diplomatically, slowing as he approached a stop sign. "She's doing some amazing things in Kenya. It was a great opportunity for her."

Clare snorted. "When did you become Mr. Positive? In case you've forgotten, she dumped you to go to Kenya." She shut her eyes, embarrassed by the hatefulness in her tone. "Sorry, that was uncalled for."

Peter pulled to a stop in front of the Edwards house. "Look, she'll come back when she's ready. And when she does, I'll be here." His expectant look said that he expected Clare to agree.

Clare glared over at Peter in disbelief. "Do you think that no one notices that you've put your whole life on hold since she left? Do you even date anymore? You're obsessed with a girl that you haven't seen in over a year. I love my sister, but she treated you like crap. You were the only person who stood by her, and she left you. What a winner, right?" She shook her head as she unbuckled her seatbelt and moved to get out of the car.

Peter tightened his grip on the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. "You're one to talk, Saint Clare." He practically spat the nickname at her. "Your boyfriend is a Goth freak who wears guy-liner and drives a hearse. Oh yeah, and didn't you tell me something about him still being in love with his dead ex-girlfriend?"

Clare realized that she'd crossed a line as the angry remark hit her like a punch. She knew she should be apologizing, but he had hit a little too close to home. "So you're saying that I can't get a normal guy? Look, I know I'm not as great as your perfect Darcy. I've been dealing with it my whole life. Maybe Eli is still obsessed with Julia, but at least she didn't leave him on purpose!"

"Just get out," Peter cut her off. "Now." He shifted the car back into drive, not looking at her.

Clare muttered another apology as she climbed out of the car and slammed the door shut. She stood on the sidewalk, watching as he flew down the road. When the red of his tail lights faded from view, she silently wiped a tear away and went inside her lonely house.