A/N - Hi. (: So I've really wanted to do a story like this for a while. It's not a one-shot, and will have approximately 20 chapters.. Haha. Warning you now. Anyway. This is the introduction to it. I got the idea after my cousin told me about this Phantom Of The Opera fanfic, that's kind of similar.
The song that helped inspire it - Cross My Heart - Marianas Trench.
Prologue
She may not remember her best friend from preschool perfectly. But neither did he. Clare Edwards meets and old friend, at a new school. Will their old relationship turn into something more then they ever imagined?
Chapter I
Flashback
September 1, 2000.
"Come on, Clare!" Hellen, Clare's mother called. "Coming mommy!" Clare called back, finishing putting her sandals on. She grabbed her sky blue Power Puff Girl's backpack, and ran down the steps of her house, and got into her mothers car.
The drive to her new preschool was quiet. Clare looked out the window, taking in her new surroundings while Hellen paid close attention to the road.
After about 15 minutes of driving, Hellen parked her car on the street in front of the preschool.
Clare quickly jumped out of her car seat and ran to the front steps of the school. It was rather large for a preschool in Clare's opinion, but that's what it was. Clare turned on her heels to tell her mom to hurry up, but her mother was already there, holding up a camera to take Clare's first school picture.
Clare smiled from ear to ear, a cheesy smile, and placed her hands on her hips, her attempt at a good pose. Hellen smiled proudly after taking the picture, and proceeded in walking Clare to her first class.
The moment Clare stepped into the classroom she became worried. What would the other kids think of her? Would she have to play all alone?
She clung to her mothers leg, begging her not to leave, as well as all the other kids.
She smiled mentally a bit knowing she wasn't the only one who was scared but then went back to trying to convince her mom to take her home.
"Clare I can't stay. I have to go to work." Hellen pried Clare off her leg and sat her down at one of the small tables for the kids to do craft at.
"I'll be back to pick you up. Promise." Hellen kissed Clare's head and practically ran out of the building.
Clare huffed and leaned back a little in her chair, watching all the other kids calm down after their mommies had left too.
"Okay class." Mrs. Anderson, her teacher, started. "We are going to have a long recess since its your first day, we should get to know each other. Okay?"
"Okay!" a few kids shouted.
"Everyone grab your jackets!" Mrs. Anderson reminded her class.
Clare grabbed her light purple jacket and slipped it on, and ran for the door leading to the playground with everyone else.
Once outside, Clare looked around at her surroundings yet again.
On the far left side of the gated in playground was a swing set, on the opposite was a 4 square plot.
To the right of her was a slide, and a sandbox. On her left was a small basketball court.
She sighed lightly and finally noticed the kids playing together. Everyone seemed to have a best friend except her.
She walked over to the 4 square plot, where a few boys were playing 4 square together. The biggest looking one eyed her carefully and shook his head. "No."
"No what?" Clare asked curiously.
"No you can't play." he replied simply and bounced the ball once.
"Why?" Clare asked, trying to fight back her tears, to no avail, her vision was clouded over a bit by a tear. The boy seemed to notice and started laughing and pointed at Clare. "She's going to CRY!" he mocked and clutched his stomach, laughing.
Clare wiped her eyes quickly and glared at him. "I'm not crying!"
"Yes you were!" he said, trying to catch his breath. Clare's eyes fuzzed again and she quickly turned on her heels, running away from them. The head boy continued to laugh, as well as his friends just like she expected him to.
She ran to the abandoned part of the playground and sat in the swings alone, away from everyone, trying to dry her eyes a bit. She buried her toes in the sand and sniffled, then she heard a voice.
"Are you okay?"
Clare looked up and was met with intense green eyes. "I'm fine." she sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve.
"They're just mean. Don't listen to them." The boy sat down beside her and began picking handfuls of sand and letting it slip through his fingers.
"Thanks." Clare sighed and looked back up at the boy. His gaze was still on her and she blushed slightly.
"I'm Clare."
"Eli." he replied and smirked a bit.
Clare swallowed hard and couldn't hold back a smile. "Do you wanna play ball then?"
Eli looked over at her and grinned. "Of course."
That same year, Eli had to move after his mom got a job promotion in a different city. Clare had lost her best, and only friend until meeting Alli Bhandari in 2nd grade. As the years progressed both Clare and Eli eventually forgot about each other until finally meeting again on Clare & Alli's first day of Degrassi.