2013

Clare Edwards walked down the Degrassi steps and ran up to her boyfriend, Eli Goldsworthy, and gave him a hug.

"How was your last day of school?" he asked and pulled away from the hug.

Clare smiled. "Great." She started walking down the street with Eli right next to her. "I can't believe I graduate tomorrow." she breathed in.

"I already have your present," Eli smirked. Clare turned to him and smiled. "But I'm not giving any hints."

Clare frowned. "Aww Eli. Just one? Pretty please?" She gave him puppy dog eyes.

He smiled and looked away. "It's expensive. You better like it."

"I'm sure that I will," Clare smiled. "Well this is my house, I'll see you tomorrow." Eli gave her a kiss then she ran inside her house.

"How was school today?" Helen Edwards asked her daughter that night at dinner.

"Boring. So on the walk home with Eli, he told me that he got me a present already for graduation." Clare told her mother.

"Oooooh," Mrs. Edwards smiled. "I wonder what it is."

Clare looked around and thought about what the present could be. "He said it was expensive. Do you have a clue?"

Clare's mom shook her head. "I'm afraid not. There's a lot of things in this world that are expensive." She laughed.

Clare laughed a little and looked up. "Now I can't stop thinking about it."

"Honey, it's just like any other gift." Helen told Clare. "Your aunts and uncles are giving you gifts."

"But it's not like that, mom."

Mrs. Edwards smiled and sighed. "I understand." She placed her hand on Clare's shoulder. "Eli's special to you. He's a lucky man to have you." She stood up from her chair. "Well, it's time to clean up. Can you wash the plates for me?"

"Of course," Clare answered and started collecting the plates from the table and brought them to the sink. She couldn't stop thinking about what Eli's gift could be. "You know what," Clare told herself. "I'll just go over to his house so I can talk to him." She smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Yeah. It sounds like a good idea to me." Clare put on her jacket. "Mom! I'm going to Eli's! I'll be back soon!" She called and heard her mother yell back. She walked outside and started to walk to Eli's. She walked up to the porch and knocked on the door.

Eli opened the door. "Hey Clare."

"Can I come in?" Clare asked and shivered. "It's cold out here."

"Oh yeah. Come in." Eli stepped out of the way so Clare could walk through the door. "So why are you here? It's like nine o'clock."

"I can't stop thinking about the gift, Eli," Clare responded. "Can you just tell me what it is?"

"No," Eli laughed. Clare groaned. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise."

"Okay," Clare sighed. "Give me one more hint."

"I'm not giving any more hints. Too many would spoil it. I want to give you the gift tomorrow, not tonight."

"Fine, I guess I'll just go home now." She walked over to the door and grabbed the door knob.

"No, Clare," Eli said softly and held up a hand.

Clare turned around. "Yes, Eli?" A smiled stretched across her face.

"Stay here for the night." Eli walked over to her and took her jacket off for her and hung it up on the coat rack.

"Thanks Eli."

They sat on the couch and watched TV for a while. Soon, Eli could tell that Clare was getting sleepy.

"Tired?" Eli smirked.

Clare shook her head and yawned again. "No, not at all."

Eli looked at ehr. "I think you are." He picked her up and carried her to his room and set her down on the bed. "Goodnight Clare," he whispered and kissed her forehead. She was already asleep and he stood there watching her, thinking of how beautiful she was.