I do not own Degrassi, or the characters. You know the drill.
So, what was Eli thinking before his first kiss with Clare? Here is my take:
I liked Clare way more than any friend is supposed to like another, that much was sure, but I was still at war with myself mentally about what to do about my feelings. On one hand, I had never felt this way about another person- not even Julia. But that was just the problem, wasn't it? I had royally screwed things up with Julia, and it had cost Julia her life, and I still wasn't really over that. So, it wouldn't be fair of me to pursue Clare when I couldn't give her everything she deserved, not to mention I could be putting her in danger. Clearly I was unstable; I had proved to myself that much. On the other hand, Clare was just so damn adorable- inside and out.
Good thing fate decided to intervene on my indecisive behalf.
"Okay, gentle people," Ms. Dawes started out one morning in English class, interrupting a flirty argument Clare and I were having, "We're going to be filming modernized scenes from Shakespeare. I want you to break into groups of three, and send a liaison to the front to pick up your film package." I smirked; I loved Shakespeare- the guy was classic, and I am a little old school. Not to mention, he was the world's first, and greatest, romantic. Factor in that Clare, Adam, and I would be a group, and I was pretty excited to tackle this assignment.
Just as I was thinking this Clare stood up, obviously going up to get the package for our group; that girl was always taking the initiative for our group projects. But I really wanted to contribute all I could to this project, starting by picking the perfect play. So, I got up and blocked Clare's way. "Don't worry about it, I got this one," I said confidently staring right into her bright, ice-blue eyes. I smiled, caught off guard as I often am by her beauty. A smile crept onto her face as well; she nodded, and sat down. I turned to join the line at the front of the room.
I just couldn't keep my eyes off her, glancing back at her as I moved forward in the line. She was talking to Adam about something I couldn't hear, but she was gesturing expressively with her hands. Just as I was wishing to myself that she was talking about me, she looked right at me, our eyes meeting for a brief moment. I looked away, embarrassed, but peaked back up at her through the corner of my eye; she was blushing, but continued to talk to Adam. I let a small smirk play on the edge of my lips. Maybe she actually was talking about me.
I had finally reached the front of the line, and Ms. Dawes gestured to the box full of Shakespeare's best works, and the cameras that were sitting next to the box.
"I'm sure your group will do wonderfully with this assignment," Ms. Dawes smiled I me. I nodded, and peered into the box. I was just reaching for A Midsummer Night's Dream when another play caught my eye: Romeo and Juliet. I glanced discreetly back at Clare. What if I could use Shakespeare's knack for romance to give Clare's and mine relationship a little push? I full blown smirk on my face now, I grabbed for the show and a camera. I was a genius! This was going to be perfect.
I approached Adam and Clare, but as soon as I was in earshot they stopped talking- definitely talking about me. I smiled, only more excited about our project now. "Guys, check it out," I said setting the camera down, "We get to act out Romeo and Juliet. How cool is that?" I looked at Adam, but my eyes landed on Clare, waiting for her approval. She got that excited gleam in her eye that I had begun to love, then she turned to Adam, gave him an excited smile before looking back to me, and nodding her approval. She looked almost as excited as I was to start in on this project.
We decided to reconvene for our lunch break since Clare and I were anxious to get started as soon as possible; as for Adam he didn't seem to mind either way because he knew he was more of a third party observer in this particular instance. I felt a pang of guilt for making Adam a third wheel, but quickly pushed it aside. We're friends, so it wasn't as if I wanted to alienate him like that, I was just a bit more focused on Clare these days as opposed to Adam's feelings.
Adam met Clare and me at our lockers, which were, luckily for me, right next to each other. "Where are we going to do this thing?" Adam asked us, as he hiked the bag with the tripod and camera equipment higher on his shoulder.
"I was thinking we could film it by the picnic tables that are on the green across from school. They don't get as much traffic as the ones that are located on the side of the school, so it will making for a quieter, better filming environment," Clare offered helpfully, smiling up at me. She had a good point; the more private, the better.
"That sounds like a great idea," I said smiling back at her, struck once again by the intensity in her deep blue eyes. She was too gorgeous for her own good. I had to restrain myself from leaning in right then to plant a kiss on her pink, awaiting lips.
"Yeah, great," Adam offered, clearing his throat. Whoops, it was so easy to lose the rest of the world when I was around Clare, but we had clearly made Adam uncomfortable. I saw Clare blush; ashamed as well. "Why don't we get going," Adam suggested, giving me a pointed look.
I grabbed the camera, Clare grabbed a blanket out of her locker so the table would be more comfortable while we did our death scene on it, and we headed across the street to the picnic tables.
"So," Clare started as we got closer to the tables, "obviously I'll play Juliet…which one of you wants to be Romeo?"
Before thinking, I jumped at the chance. "I will!" Then I mentally scolded myself: calm down, Goldsworthy. Be cool.
I heard Clare make a small 'hmm' noise as if to say 'I knew it.'
Come up with a save, quick, before you seem desperate… "On account that I'm pretty familiar with the material, and all," I said, making a face; that was lame, but it would have to do.
"Yeah," Adam started sarcastically, "what are you not the expert on?" He raised his eyebrows at me, calling my bluff. I quickly shot him a dirty look.
"Shall we rehearse?" I asked, directing my attention back to Clare, and gestured toward the picnic table where I set the camera down. Clare dropped the blanket on the table and sat down next t me.
"Okay. So," she said, "When Romeo finds Juliet pretending to be dead, he can't wait to start his new life with her…" She was gesturing excitedly with her hands again, an intriguing gleam in her eye as she outlined what we would be acting out very soon.
"And when it looks like she's really dead, he can't go on, and drinks the poison," I continued, equally excited that Clare and I would become Romeo and Juliet in just a few minutes. It was a shame we weren't assigned one of the scenes in which they kiss…
"But then," Clare was continuing, "Juliet wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself." She finished dramatically, mocking Juliet stabbing herself. I couldn't help myself. I chuckled. She was just so beautiful: the sun making her cinnamon colored hair glint, her ice-blue eyes watching me playfully, the way her dress fit her perfectly; accentuating her curves. And there was the smile that made my heart skip a beat every time; those lips.
Just then an idea struck me. I had to present it carefully, make sure Clare would be on board. "You'd think that Romeo would require a few minutes before the poison kicked in…" I started cautiously, catching Clare's gaze. Would she know where I was headed with this?
She locked eyes with me, a blush rising to her cheeks. She seemed almost flabbergasted that I was suggesting this, but she was, thankfully, playing along. "You make a valid point. He does die pretty hastily." She said, almost hesitantly, as if this wasn't really happening. "What if," she continued, as I smiled, "Juliet were to wake up, and find him alive for a brief moment…?" She trailed off, leaving me to make the actual suggestion.
My heart flip-flopped as I made my proposal. "They could share a final kiss." I raised my eyebrows, looking at her hopefully.
She seemed elated, an embarrassed smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, yeah I think that could work," she was clearly trying to subdue the excitement in her voice; she spoke barely above a whisper.
I looked away, amazed that it had worked. I was going to kiss Clare! I peeked up at her from under my eyelashes; she was watching me, the most adorable look on her face. My heart soared as I smiled back.
"That's cute," I heard Adam declare loudly, reminding us that he was still there too. Both Clare and I jumped just a bit, both lost in our own little world. "Let's get set up, shall we?" Adam said, clearly taking well to the roll of director.
Clare and I jumped up. She reached for the blanket, and spread it out on the table, while I ran back to the school to buy a coke that we would use as the poison. When I got back, Adam was rolling his eyes at Clare, who had taken her shoes off, and was perched and ready on the picnic table. Adam looked all set up as well, so I took my place next to Clare. We smiled timidly at each other one last time before Adam cleared his throat, signaling that it was time to get down to business.
"Okay," Adam started, "Clare, you lie down, and look dead. Eli, place your hand on her waist, look concerned. I don't think I have to tell the two of you to act like you're in love. I don't think you'll have any problems with that," he said the last part under his breath, but I still heard him. I smirked, and rolled my eyes at him. He just shook his head at me. "And, Action!" Adam called.
I placed my hand on Clare, and arranged my face to look concerned. It wasn't too hard to get into character; if Clare was dead I would be more upset than when Julia died. The thought hit me like an electric shock, but I mentally pushed it aside, and got in the moment. "Juliet," I started my line, "I will join you in the afterlife. Death come quickly so I can be with her ASAP." I lifted my hand off Clare and reached for the bottle of Coke, unscrewed the cap, and took a big swig.
Clare sat up, and delivered her line. "Romeo, you drank the poisonous high fructose Cola beverage, no!"
All I could see were those bright, blue eyes. I sincerely hoped I didn't have any lines I had to deliver next because all my senses were full of Clare; there wasn't room for anything else. I could hear her breath speed up as our eyes locked, and I leaned closer. I let my hands find her waist, and I wrapped my arms around her. I could smell her all around me- a fruity smell, mixed with the smell of her shampoo. I could inhale the sent all day. My eyes stayed locked on hers until our lips met, and all I could taste was Clare, too. I let my eyes close, losing myself in her.
Her lips were soft and warm as I first touched mine to hers; I swear my heart stopped beating. Our lips fit perfectly within one another's; moving in synchronization as if this was a familiar pattern for them. Clare's hands found their way to my hair and my neck, her fingers touching me right were my artery was; almost as if she was touching my heart. I deepened the kiss just a little before I remembered I had to die soon. I pulled away just slightly, and Clare let me slip out from under her hands. I did so with regret.
I landed on the table with a thunk, willing my heart to slow down just a little. I could still see the fireworks with my eyes closed. That was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
"Star crossed? Not for long," I heard Clare finish up the scene. I could tell she was out of breath too. I tried not to smirk while I pretended to be dead, but I was happy to hear the kiss had a strong effect on her as well. "I will see you in the afterlife, Romeo." I heard the zing of our toy gun, and then Clare hit the table, too.
"And…cut." I heard Adam say. His tone was indecipherable. I had forgotten all about him again, I bet we made him all kinds of uncomfortable.
Clare and I both sat up, and locked eyes. "Should we do another take?" she asked nervously, but hopefully.
"Uhh…" I said stalling. I wanted to suggest we do 12 more takes more than anything in the world, but then I looked over at Adam. He just shrugged his shoulders, as if he didn't care, but I knew he didn't want to watch that again. Damn. "I think we got it." I complied, smiling at her. She sighed, but resigned. I knew how she felt. That was pure magic, and I hoped I would be kissing Clare again sometime soon.
Thoughts? Should I continue with the episode, and/or do Still Fighting It- part 2? I'll leave you to decide; reviews are greatly appreciated. =)