A/N: New story. I haven't attempted a chapter story in a long, long time so let's see how this goes! I'm such a big fan of roadtrips. I know there's been Degrassi roadtrip stories on and I'm going to try my hardest not to copy them and make it into my own. But they were my inspiration. Reviews are my friend, it helps me want to continue!
"Eli. Eli. ELI." Somebody was hissing in his ear and Eli let out a soft groan, turning on his side. Maybe if he didn't open his eyes, they'd take the hint and go away. Let him continue sleeping. What normal people did at this time of night. For a few seconds, it was silent and Eli figured he had just imagined the voice of what suspiciously sounded like Clare Edwards in his room. Then he fell off the bed.
"Ow!" He shot up, his dark hair sticking up every which way due to bedhead. He rubbed the now forming bump on the back on his head and his emerald green eyes squinted, trying to decipher the darkened shape standing across from him. Then he blinked. "Clare?" It was her, not his imagination. She had gray sweatpants on and a bright pink sweatshirt on, her slender arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was biting down on her lip and watching him. "Clare? Hello. What are you doing here?" She freaked out at the thought of the two of them being alone in her room. What was she doing, climbing in through his window and waking him up at...He looked at the clock. 5 AM?
She sat on the bed and silently pulled him back on. He registered the fact that he didn't have a shirt on but if she noticed, she didn't say anything. She seemed to be lost in thought. Eli waited a few seconds for her to speak up, his irritation growing. Not that he didn't like seeing her in the early hours of the morning, but he also enjoyed his sleep. Especially before the first day of summer. He wanted to luxuriate in the fact that he could sleep in.
"I'm leaving town." Well. Whatever Eli expected Clare to say, it wasn't this. He blinked. She seemed more alert now and stood up, pulling open his drawers and throwing random items of clothing at him. He gingerly removed a pair of black boxers off his head before asking politely, "Are you on drugs?"
She scowled at him but continued her 'packing' for him, if he could call it that. His fingers enclosed around her wrist and he gently dragged her over to him. Clare, God bless her, wasn't what you would call an impulsive person. She thought before she acted. She chose her words carefully. She was the one you went to when you wanted to be talked out of a crazy idea, not the person you went to to do crazy shit with. That was exactly why Eli lo-felt so fondly of her. She was everything he wasn't, and he wouldn't change her for the world.
So yes. He was now concerned for her sanity because it was clear she had lost it. He knew her parents fighting had gotten worse as the year went on, and he knew she wasn't nearly as fine with as she claimed to be. He had a sneaking suspicion that was what was going on right now. Time to play the good boyfriend and talk her down.
"Clare," he began, a slight laugh in his voice. She snapped her wrist out of his hand and smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry," she laughed herself. "Did I say 'I'? I mean we're leaving. Pack." He was left gobsmacked as she pulled one of his duffel bags out from underneath his bed and started shoving clothes hapharzdly in it. Okay.
"Where are we going," he asked carefully, not wanting to upset her. She looked up at him, her blue eyes suddenly bright with unshed tears and his confused expression softened. He knelt down and silently started packing. She'd answer his questions later. Now it was just time to go along with her.
"Remember when you said you'd do anything to go on a roadtrip," she said softly, watching him empty his drawers. He turned to look at her and leaned against his dresser, nodding. He had mentioned it when they were supposed to come up with a creative writing prompt. And, he remembered, Clare hadn't scoffed at his 'reckless' idea. She had just sat quietly, a strange look on her face. Eli hadn't really thought about it at the time because well, girls were girls. They did strange things every day.
"I need to leave, Eli." Her voice was barely a whisper and he nodded. He didn't need any more information. They were going on a roadtrip. He didn't know how long. He didn't know what had prompted Clare to come to him at five in the morning, and demand he start packing. He didn't need to. As long as they were together, things were going to be okay.
When he was finally done packing, he let out a deep breath then reached into his closet to pull out his money jar. Eli had been saving his money in this sucker ever since he was eleven years old, not exactly sure what he had been saving for. He just liked knowing that there was a thick wad of cash waiting for him if he needed it. He cradled it to his chest, showed Clare, and there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Edwards," he shook his head. "You're costing me. Literally." He smirked at his own bad joke and she rolled her eyes, her fingers clasping through his.
They left his house, this time through the front door, and Eli stuck a note that simply read 'With Clare.' on his front door. He headed for Morty and Clare stopped him, pointing at her red convertible. It had been a 'sorry we're destroying your life' from her parents. She was only a junior, but she had the car that seniors begged their parents for when graduation came along. Eli stopped, his lip curling in hesitation. "No Morty?" And he knew his voice sounded slightly whiny-ish. But Morty was his baby, his best friend. Morty had been there for him forever. They couldn't just leave him.
"I'm sorry, Eli. But I think we should take my convertible. Oddly enough, it's less... noticeable." He chuckled at this and nodded. She was right. He hated that, but she was right. He was about to open his mouth when he heard a scuffle that sounded like sneakers scraping against the sidewalk. He looked up to see Adam heading towards them, a look of confusion upon his face. Eli stared.
"What is it with everyone coming to see me at 5 AM? You couldn't at least call first?" Adam snorted at this then nodded to the bags at their feet. "What's going on?" He asked and Clare said firmly, "We're leaving. Roadtrip. Want to come?" Eli didn't mind if Adam came, but he knew how sensitive the boy was to feeling like a third wheel around them.
Adam shrugged. "Sure. Cool. Adventure." He grinned and hopped in the backseat. Eli and Clare stared at him. "What?" He asked. He obviously didn't seem to notice the fact that while Eli and Clare had their bags packed, he was literally left with just the clothes on his body and his cellphone. Eli coughed. "Aren't you gonna pack, dude? We're not sure when we're coming back." Adam shrugged his shoulders once more and wrapped his arms behind his neck, leaning casually against the seat. "Nah. I can always buy stuff on the road. And Eli's clothes fit me." He grinned mischeviously at his friend and Eli glared at him. He would buy Adam some clothes before letting his friend mooch all of his clothes on him and do God knows what in them.
"Funny," Eli said shortly and took the keys away from Clare to start the car up. She was not in a state to drive tonight. She didn't protest and just got in the seat next to him, buckling up and leaning her head against the window. At least she looked more at ease than she did when she first appeared in his room. He still wanted to know what the hell was going on, but for now, decided to just let her have her peace. He started up the car and they took off the down the street.
"So," Eli said after a few minutes of just driving aimlessly down the roads of Degrassi. "Where, uh, am I going exactly?"