For those who are new readers, this is a sequel to my previous story "Crew: A Drew and Clare Lovestory" so you might want to read that one beforehand. But you won't be in total confusion if you don't. I'll just give you a small breakdown (Skip the bold print if you already read my story):

Clare and Drew are in a relationship, already have admitted their love for each other.
Eli has fully recovered from his mental issues at his support group and is ready to start his new school year fresh.
Adam and Fiona are in a relationship but it's going to quickly change for obvious reasons
Dave and Ali have just made themselves official
KC and Jenna are still going strong with their baby

That's all the important details and here's the first chapter:

(Clare's POV)

The summer of my transition into junior year definitely changed my life. My parents got divorced, but I honestly saw it coming. Even with therapy, their fights refused to stop. The only way to have peace was to break it off I guess. But it was more bearable with Drew and my friends being by my side. I'm surprised Drew still stuck around, with his shoulder being constantly wet with my tears.

I would've spent my last day of summer with the guy, but my mom forced me to have dinner with old friends, the Martins. Scratch that, just Mr. Martin and Jake. My mom didn't give details on the whereabouts of Mrs. Martin and even when she was around, I barely even saw her. I only have the faintest memory of her helping take out the candy in my hair that Jake threw at me and grounding him for doing such a thing. I can't say I'm very fond of Jake, I mean the kid tormented me every chance he got. And I snitched on him every chance I got.

"So, how do I look?" Ali asked as she twirled around in her flowy top.

"Perfect. Dave's parents will never know the little harlot you are," I winked.

"Good. Conservative Clare saves the day!" Ali cheered. "I better get going, I do not want to get deducted points for being late."

We walked down the stairs and as Ali opened the front door, the Martins got out of their car just in time. Jake and Ali shared glances, flirty at that. But Ali quickly turned her head to the direction she was walking as he continued to do a once-over on her. Before being disgusted by this, I took the time to admire the guy myself. He had sandy hair and a strong looking physique, almost like Drew's. But Drew, from football, obviously had more tone and tan to him. Still, Jake wasn't a bad looking guy. He definitely got the best of puberty. But from our past history and his little double-take at my friend, he's now ever more repulsing than before.

"Clare, it's been a while. You've matured," Mr. Martin smiled. "Is your mom inside?"

I nodded as he took the steps into my house. Common courtesy stopped me from shutting the door in that smug kid's face. He walked up the steps and smiled at me as I did the same. Before we went back inside, Jake made a comment that made me want to smack him upside the head.

"Your friend's cute. Is she single?" he hinted. I should've slammed that door when I had the chance.

"No. Can you just be quiet so we can get this night over with?" I snapped.

"You better watch your tone with me. I might spill the secret of you wetting the sleeping bag," he whispered as I felt my face turned bright red.

It was one night when we all went camping with the youth group from church. The summer before we moved to the urban side of the tracks. Jake pulled one of his pranking rituals on me by a wake up call with a lizard. I reacted in more than screaming my head off. I didn't realize this until I actually got up from my sleeping bag, and Jake's the one who pointed it out. But in that moment of humiliation, he poured water from the thermos that lied beside my bed. When our youth pastor came in, he told him he poured water on me as a wake up call and with that, he was under cabin arrest while the rest of us could have recreational activities. It was very noble of him to make that sacrifice, but also a hindrance because he can now hold that against me for the rest of my life.

We ate dinner nearly in silence, well the silence shared between me and Jake. Mr. Martin and my mom seemed to have endless things to babble about. I would've ate my dinner but Jake's eating habits made me lose my appetite. Reminded me of Drew. Just to think, I could facing him right now with all our friends at the Above the Dot. They're all probably having fun, even Ali and Dave planned to go there after the early dinner with the parents.

"So, Jake, I hear you're starting going to start your senior year at Degrassi," my mom said.

"Hopefully not finish," Jake retorted light-heartedly.

"Ah, well, Clare's been a regular for two years. I'm sure she can show you the ropes," my mom replied. Bingo.

"Actually, a group of my friends are going to be at Above the Dot tonight. I could show him around and introduce him. It'd be a great way to start his senior year," I coaxed. His dad gave that hint of approval and then he gave it verbally.

"Alright. As long as it's okay with you," he said to my mom. I never told her about Drew being there because she already told me about the dinner plans for me to bring up the subject. But I could tell she had the feeling.

"I don't see why not. But remember, tonight is a school tonight. Be back by eight sharp," my mom ordered as we nodded.

(Drew's POV)

"I can't believe she's lesbian," Adam sighed as he kept eyeing Fiona flirting with another girl. I honestly wasn't surprised. When Adam told me about the things she did to him in her apartment, it made me wonder. Even Eli told me his suspicions. So when the cat came out of the bag, I only tried to be the supporting brother as Eli did being the best friend.

"Tough luck, man," I shrugged as Eli gave him a pat on the back.

That's when Marisol and her friend walked in. The absolutely awkward dating flashback crawled beneath my mind. But her friend didn't seem to fit her boring description. She's editor of the newspaper. After the dance, there were last minute deadlines for newspaper (apparently, not enough people were signing up) and Clare signed both of us up. I didn't take it seriously because let's face it, the best grade I've gotten on an essay is a C+. And I'm in regular English, not some accelerated program like Eli, Clare, Ali, Adam, and practically every friend I have.

Surprisingly enough, I got an interview. A personal interview with Kathy herself. She asked me all these questions and soon enough we got into the subject of sports. She's actually a hardcore soccer player herself, even more than I am with football. But we hit it off and now I'm one of the columnists for the paper. I told her about my writing skills, I have none, but she told me she'd clean up my paper until it looked legible enough. She seemed to really want me on the paper. At least it'll take Clare's mind off of things instead of the divorce.

"Hey, why don't you talk to her?" I nudged.

"Katie? Are you kidding me?" Adam looked surprised. So, that's her name.

"Why not? She's really cool. And single," I winked.

"How do you even know her?" Eli asked. "Oh, right. Editor of the newspaper." Eli and I have learned to be past civil acquaintances and become better friends so now we relate things to each other on a daily basis. Strange as it is, he's not that bad of a guy. Although, it doesn't change the fact that I will never stand those witty remarks of his.

"Yeah, and Student Body President. Why would she go for someone like me when she could go for that guy," Adam pointed out to a guy entering the door in a flannel. I would've mistaken him for a lumberjack if he didn't have that face of those guys you see in those fashion catalogs. I've been with a fair amount of girls and their magazines to know what that type of guy looks like. My thoughts of him turned for the worse when I took notice in the girl he was talking with. She happened to be Clare, you know, the girl who I'm dating. Not exactly the sight every guy wants to see.

"Isn't that-" Eli asked until I interrupted in my outburst.

"Who the hell is that guy?" I snapped as he and I made eye contact. I thought she was supposed to a nice dinner with her mom's friends.

"Drew, calm down. Clare obviously came here for you. I'm sure she just happened to meet him on the way," Jenna said as she rested her hand on my shoulder. Wait, Jenna? I turned around to find Jenna and KC standing next to our table. They gave their baby up during the summer which meant they had a lot more free time lately.

"When did you guys get here?" I asked as they took their seats.

"Since you were raging over that strapping young fellow talking to your girlfriend," KC answered to which sent me straight back to that state of mind. Clare's eyes met with mine and she flashed that genuine smile of hers. Then she started leading the piece of shit over to our table. At least I know she isn't cheating.

Wait, is she laughing? He's making her laugh? What an asshole.

"What a good friend you are. Reminding him of his jealousy," Eli said.

"Hey, I'm making him keep his eyes on his prize, that's all," KC replied.

(Jake's POV)

Walking into the "Above the Dot" place was actually kind of awesome, I had to admit. I had mixed feelings about living in this side of town instead of my homeland, but now it didn't seem all that bad. Despite how it began, it turns out Clare's actually a sweetheart. She seems a little obsessed over her boyfriend from her constant need to put him as the topic of the conversation during the walk here. But hey, committed relationships are some people's things. Not mine, though.

But when we weren't talking about Drew, I already know his name and I haven't even met the guy, she's changed into being not as uptight anymore. She still has that stick up her ass, but it wasn't like it was when we were kids. We did laugh off most of the things I tormented her with on the way here.

We entered to the premise and I looked around. Definitely a good amount of hot girls walking around this place. I even caught a blonde staring at me. I almost took it as a compliment until I noticed her boyfriend, I assume since he immediately put his arm around her, and a bunch of guys by her side giving me stares as well. One of them giving me a shotgun glare. I'm guessing that must be Drew.

"I think you've already made your presence known," I whispered.

"Oh, that is them. And that's Drew," Clare sighed. I had to make fun of this, it would a shame if I didn't.

"He's so dreamy," I remarked to which Clare started laughing. Uh oh. I could already sense Drew was stabbing me repeatedly in his head.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to them," she said as we made our way over there. What's the point? They've already made it clear they don't like me anyway from their death glares. It's better being here than at her house in awkward conversation I guess. But I do wish we left later, I hadn't finished the chicken.

"Hey guys," Clare said as Drew quickly got up and gave her a hug. He didn't miss a beat with his steady "I'm watching you" look as they embraced. Then they gave each other a kiss. "This is Jake."

"I would say I'm the new kid at school, but since school hasn't started yet, I guess I can't use that title," I introduced myself.

"You still haven't graduated yet?" the Goth guy asked.

"What's that suppose to mean?" I questioned. Are guys supposed to be wearing eyeliner in order to be defined that they're in high school?

"You look like you should be in college or something, that's all," a guy (looking a bit more feminine, not in clothing items, though, than the other one).

"Thank you, but I think lack the 'older guy' look with my clean shaven face and lanky arms," I defended as smirks went around the table. "So, are any of you guys going to introduce yourselves? Or are you going to continue to make observations of my physical appearance?" I said in a light-hearted manner.

"Adam," so he is a guy.

"Eli," as he shook my hand.

"Jenna, and this is my boyfriend, KC," he's definitely whipped, lets his girlfriend talk for him.

"Drew," he already seemed to have his expression get less tense. Good. He seemed like a guy I'd hang out with.

I noticed a plate of fries next to Adam and I couldn't help but ask, "Are you going to finish that?" Nobody seemed to be touching them, so they might as well not go to waste.

"Sure, go for it," Adam nodded. I dug in straight on, a laugh coming from Eli. I don't give a damn if my eating habits are equivalent to a trailer park owner in the midst of Alabama, when a guy is hungry, everything else but food doesn't seem to matter.

"First you walk in with his girlfriend and then you eat up his $3.75," Eli said. What?

"You paid $3.75 for a plate of fries? That's a bum deal," I admitted. Still, they were fries and a form of subsistence for my stomach. Close enough.

"That's the Dot," KC said.

They all looked like a decent group of friends, I had to admit. I can see where Clare transitioned and blossomed from. We both sat down and picked up their conversation from whatever the group of friends talk about. Eventually, Clare's friend and her boyfriend joined the table as well. Sad to know that she's taken as well. But then two cute girls came to our table as well and things took off from there. Marisol and Katie. Katie seemed to grab my attention more, though. I've always been a sucker for blue eyes.

At least I knew tomorrow wouldn't be that awkward first day going to a new school.

Thoughts? I really wanted to introduce the new characters as soon of possible so I'll be sure to adding some Drew and Clare time in the next chapter or so. Hopefully, you liked it :)