A/N: Hi! First off, please R&R. Second off, this story has three plots in it, and all of them get intertwined eventually... This first chapter is basically just the introduction of the three different plots, but from now on, all of them will be split up into different chapters (like one day I'll post a Plot 1 chapter, and the next Plot 2... So on). The plots are as follows - Plot 1 involves Adam/Alli/Fiona/Drew. Plot 2 involves Eli/Clare/Fitz. Plot 3 involves Owen/Anya/Wesley/Riley. And finally, this takes place after the two week break, and the uniform thing isn't happening, because that would just take away from the main plot(s). Anything that's happened/is happening in the new episodes so far, hasn't happened and won't happen in this story. So anyway, I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading. :)

(Living Room, Torres Household – 7:08 PM)

"So, you're going to tell her, right?"

"Kind of have to, don't I? I mean, this is definitely something I want – need to do," Adam hesitated, "Might as well… Just get over with."

"Rip the bandage off, as you'd say."

Drew sighed as he put a firm hand on his younger brother's shoulder. He accepted Adam, but he still saw Gracie sometimes when he looked at him. And this was not one of those times. Drew was going to support Adam one hundred percent with this one, he promised himself. "Stay strong," he assured, "Adam."

Adam gave him a tiny smile in return. It was nice to have someone on his side about this situation. Somehow it gave him more confidence. He turned towards the door to the dining room and announced, "I'm going in."

Drew followed closely behind his brother as they entered the dining room together. They both took their seats at opposite sides of the table across from each other, sharing the occasional glance throughout their meal. Drew's gaze seemed to say, "Tell them!" while Adam's responded with a stubborn, "Give me time!"

Unfortunately, Drew didn't have time. Drew looked at his parents and shot them an award-winning grin. "So," he began, to catch their attention. Adam watched closely too, as he scraped up a fork full of rice. The boy assumed that Drew was just going to start up a conversation and ease the weight on Adam's shoulders off. Oh, how wrong he was.

"Yes, Drew?" Mrs. Torres asked. Adam was anxious, he was really waiting to get this out, but it was a known face – you couldn't just ask Audra Torres to help you get a start up for surgery and testosterone treatment money when you were born Gracie Torres.

There was a silence across the table, the only sound being the sound of Adam's fork dropping to his plate and his hand grasping his glass.

"…Adam wants a sex change." Drew suddenly blurted.

Adam spit out his drink into his plate. "Gracie!" Mrs. Torres shouted, not even realizing what she'd said. When Adam looked over at her, she had a face that clearly said she wished she could take it back.

"My name is Adam… And I don't want a sex change!"

"Whatever, boob removal, same thing," Drew defended himself, though it was hard to do with food shoved into his mouth.

"Adam…?" Mrs. Torres waited for an explanation.

Adam was bright red, staring down into his plate. "I was just thinking that maybe I could, start saving up for treatments and… It's expensive, so I just… I wanted to… I just…"

Mrs. Torres shook her head, "I can never have a nice, normal family dinner," she stated, emphasis on the word 'normal'. Adam understood that she still thought this whole boy thing was a phase her daughter was going through.

"Adam's part of the family too, Mom," Drew said innocently.

Adam just stared down at his plate and didn't say anything. He remembered the day when he came out to his parents – compared to this, it seemed so much easier. This would change his life completely and he knew it. Drew knew it, his parents knew it and that's why Adam figured that he wasn't getting anywhere.

"Let's not talk about this now," Mrs. Torres said sharply.

The rest of the night was spent in silence.

(Bathroom, Fitzgerald Household – 7:52 AM)

Mark Fitzgerald was hardly one to stand in front of the mirror and admire what he saw staring back at him. Why, to most and the boy himself, there was nothing to admire.

He was a monster.

After the Vegas Night incident, he was going to go back to school and kids were going to be watching him very closely.

Mark Fitzgerald, oh, he's the kid who brought a knife to Vegas Night. He ruined it, he ruined everything. I can't believe he's showing his face around here again. I heard he had to do jail time. He tried to kill that emo boy!

He's practically a murderer.

Fitz would have thought it himself, but he wanted to begin a whole new life. Clearly, Eli wasn't going to befriend him, but Fitz wasn't going to drag out this fight any longer.

He would leave Bianca and Owen behind with his old ways, be nicer to Adam and all the other kids he had previously mocked.

But most importantly, he would walk right up to Clare Edwards and say nothing more than,

"I'm sorry."

(Degrassi Community School – 7:55 AM)

"Anya? Are you listening to me?"

"Hm? What about Zane?"

Riley sighed and gave a small shake of the head. "What are you daydreaming about now?" he smirked. Anya didn't find what he was smirking about, she just remained serious. "Dr. Chris?" Riley tried.

"I don't want to hear it, Riley," Anya said, turning and walking away. Riley was quick to follow – he wanted to know when something was wrong with his best friend, of course.

"Anya, I always come to you for help with Zane, or when I just need someone to listen, you're that someone," he stated, as he stopped her from advancing into the school, "And I want you to feel like you're able to come to me too."

Anya just blinked and stared at him for a moment. But finally, she broke, and with a sigh, gave into both Riley and her emotions. "My mom has cancer, Riley," she tried to remain calm. But as every word came out of her mouth, her tone just got sadder. Anya couldn't believe she was saying this. "All I can do is hope for her, hope it'll go away… But what if it doesn't? What if that's not enough? What if she DIES, Riley?" Anya was almost shouting through her tears now.

Riley was next to her in an instant with an arm draped over her shoulder. He knew that every time Anya smiled, she was still just dying inside – she'd be dead with her mother – Riley didn't want to think about it as much as Anya didn't. His best friend had once been so full of life but now she was just this crying mess, lying in his arms.

"Like you said, you can just hope," Riley said, "Hope for her. You're her rock, Anya; you're going to get her through this…"

"She's going to die!"

"Anya! Please, just listen…"

The final bell rang, and Anya jolted upward instantly. "We have to get to class," she told him, wiping tears with the back of her hand and letting out the occasional sniffle. "Don't want to be late again, come on!"

Riley felt like a failed friend, Anya was just acting like they never had that conversation and completely ignoring his thoughts. "No, Anya," he grabbed her wrist, stopping her again. Although her face was tear-free, it was still obvious that she had been crying – especially since a large amount of the student body had witnessed her breakdown, "Take the day off."

"I'll be fine," Anya shot him a weak smile and bolted inside, only to bump into someone on her way – "Ow!"

"Oh, Anya! I'm so sorry…" a familiar voice rang out. She sat upward and looked straight into the eyes of Wesley. Great, just the person she wanted to see. "Have you been… Crying?"

"Allergic reaction," she lied, grabbing the book he'd offered her, "Thanks. It was nice bumping into you, Wesley, goodb-"

"Anya, did we ever discuss… Er… Date… Dates?" Wesley stuttered as he stood up and reached to help her up – she ignored his hand though and he awkwardly withdrew it and shoved it in his pocket, his face reddening. Obviously, Wesley knew that they hadn't discussed a proper day for the date they were supposed to be going on.

Anya faked a smile. "How about… Um… Tonight?"

Wesley grinned, "Oh! Okay. I'll uh, pick you up at seven then? I mean, my Mom and I will… I mean, I will, but my Mom's driving… She's not, coming on the date or anything… Why would she come on the date? She's my Mom! I just can't drive… Because I'm too young and I… I… Okay, bye, Anya!" and with that he ran off.

Anya just watched him run for a moment, feeling bad for Wesley – she knew that the boy really had it for her.

He was so happy to go on the date tonight.

She was so happy just to get it over with.

Next chapters are as follows -

Plot 1: Fiona, anxious to get over her own problems, listens on an "interesting" conversation.

Plot 2: Fitz is ready to man up and say sorry to Clare... Not noticing who's watching from afar.

Plot 3: Ever since coming out of the closet, Riley's been having a little trouble of his own.