Welcome to the new Sunday night story!
Legal: I own nothing but the idea.
Important things to know before reading:
*Pretty much cannon to "Come As You Are" with some exceptions.
*Luke comes alone his family does not move with him.
*Fitz begged Simpson to let him back. He does still work at The Dot but mostly weekends and a few nights.
*Spinner married Paige not Emma. Sean married Emma for the record.
That should do it, the rest is explained in the chapter or will be in future chapters, hope you enjoy.
Ch. 1 I've Been Here for the Show
(CLARE)
"Hey everyone," I greet Alli, Dave, Jenna, Adam and Drew as I join them at the bottom of the steps.
"Did you see who's back?" Jenna asks motioning with her head. I look over and see Fitz sitting on the bannister, he looks at me and grins.
"He sees you," Dave remarks.
"You think he's really back or just loitering at the school?" Drew queries.
"I didn't know you knew the word loitering," Alli quips.
"He can't be loitering," I reply as we enter the school, "if he weren't a student he wouldn't be allowed on school grounds."
"I wonder what Eli will think about it," Adam says with a bit of a worried sigh.
"They've both changed, we know Eli is bipolar he didn't know that last year. Fitz has changed since juvie I'm sure it will be fine. Besides Simpson wouldn't have let Fitz back if he thought he was dangerous," I comment.
"I think you shouldn't worry about Fitz or Eli because you have a whole hockey team of new romantic prospects to choose from," Alli grins.
"Can we stop talking about relationships?" Drew requests with a slightly annoyed tone.
"What's with him?" I question Adam.
"He wants to break up with Katie, he tried to do it the other night when he went to her house for dinner and her family gave him a sweater," Adam laughs.
"You're hopeless, girl after girl," I admonish Drew.
"I want to be with Bianca again," Drew replies with an offended tone.
"Well that's better at least you and Bianca ma…" I stop talking when I become overwhelming dizzy. My eyes flutter slightly and I grip onto Drew's arm as I falter and nearly fall.
"Whoa," Drew says putting an arm around my waist to steady me.
"Clare?" Adam asks with a worried tone putting a hand on my shoulder. The dizziness passes and I stand upright again.
"I'm okay just got really dizzy, guess I should have had breakfast this morning. Sorry Drew didn't mean to grab you like that," I apologize.
"It's fine I don't mind being grabbed by a cute girl," he grins, "are you sure you're okay? You look a little pale."
"Yeah I'm fine," I assure them although they're all looking at me like they think I might pass out.
"Let's get you into the assembly and sitting down just to be safe," Adam insists taking my hand.
We go into the auditorium and sit down. I sit between Adam and Jenna, Alli and Dave are on the other side of Jenna and Drew sits in front of us. Katie and Bianca quickly fill the seats next to him and Adam shakes his head. The assembly begins and Simpson announces the end to the uniforms which everyone is happy about. Then he announces the Ice Hounds, the team stands and people cheer. Owen is kind of gloating but it's understandable, since he's the only one from the school and all of Toronto to have made the team. When the Ice Hounds finally sit down I see Eli lingering in the doorway. I smile when I see him remembering our kiss before break.
"Excuse me," I comment moving past Adam to go to the doorway. "You're late," I chide him and he smirks. "How was New York?"
"Egh I hated it, all this art and culture," Eli says making a face and I giggle.
"So you loved it," I laugh.
"I'm already thinking about my NYU portfolio for next year."
"Eli that's amazing," I smile. "So…" I begin wondering if I should bring up the kiss.
"So…" Eli says slowly, "ha…" Eli gets interrupted by the bell, "so can I walk you to class?"
I smile and he walks me to my co-op class, we stop near the doorway. I look at Eli and bite my lip, I want Eli to bring up the kiss I'm afraid to bring it up.
"Hey Eli," Adam says walking up.
"Hi Adam," Eli grins at him looks back at me, "I should get to class, see you guys around."
I wave to Eli and walk into class with Adam, we of course take seats that are next to each other.
"So you two were looking pretty cozy again," Adam comments.
"Do you think it's a bad idea? After how things ended last time?" I ask Adam biting my lip. He knows the two of us better than anyone and I wonder if my heart, and heartbreak from Jake, aren't playing tricks on me.
"I think you guys are amazing together, and I think that Eli has learned a lot since he crashed his car. And I think you can make your own decisions about who to date, as you always have. As someone who knows you both and loves you like family just be careful okay? Eli knows a lot more but when it comes to you he has blinders on. Sometimes you are all that he sees and nothing will stand in his way. His medications help but that doesn't mean he won't still see you with blinders on to everything else and I don't want either of you to get hurt."
"I'll be careful Adam, and I love you like family too," I grin and kiss his cheek. Adam smiles and Miss Oh clears her throat so we look at her.
"Welcome everyone, I have all your applications, essays and questionnaires you filled out last semester to get into this class. Most of you will be placed sometime this week and until you're placed we'll be working on conduct at your placements and basic job skills. However, Clare you have already been placed. You will be working with one of my favorite journalists Asher Shostak," Miss Oh tells me and my heart races excitedly.
"I got placed with Asher?" I ask with a dubious tone. It was the placement I was dying for but I never believed I'd get it.
"Yes and they're expecting you this morning so you'll leave after first period," Miss Oh says handing me my paperwork.
"Good luck," Adam smiles and I squeal excitedly.
I can barely sit through the rest of class and I hop up running from the classroom to get to co-op. I'm in the hall before the bell even rings. I run from the classroom and down the hall, turning a corner and then I run into two people. I fall back onto my butt and a shooting pain goes through me when I hit the floor.
"Ow!" I shriek with a painful whimper.
"Dallas beating up girls is no way to attract them," Owen teases and I look up to see that I ran into two of the Ice Hounds.
"Yeah take it easy Dallas Clare is fragile," Drew mocks walking over with Owen.
"She came speeding around the hallway and hit us. Not our fault we're so sculpted we stopped her like a brick wall," Dallas replies with a cocky smirk as he and the other boy help me up. "So you're Clare, seen you pics," Dallas says and I furrow my brow at him.
"He's billeted with us," Drew explains.
"That's Dallas and Luke, they're usually only that rough on the ice," Owen tells me.
"You alright Clare? We didn't hurt you did we?" Dallas questions.
"I'm okay I just landed hard but I have to go I have to get to my co-op I got my dream placement," I smile excitedly.
The three Ice Hounds and Drew part ways and I run past them hopping in the truck and driving to The Interpreter. I text Jake that I have the truck when I park in the garage. I'm shaking on the elevator ride up to the 7th floor and The Interpreter offices.
"I'm Clare Edwards, I'm here for Asher Shostak," I tell the woman at the reception desk.
"He's expecting you go on back you'll see his office," she tells me.
I walk back down the hall, most of the people are at desks in an open bullpen area. The few people that do have offices, at least in the area that I can see, the offices are only enclosed by glass so much like our memorial garden they block sound not sight. Asher's office is easy to find, his name is on the door and I see him through the glass behind the desk. I knock on the door and he waves me in.
"Clare it's good to meet you. I hope you're ready to work Newsie because I'm throwing you right in," Asher says getting up from the desk and shaking my hand. I grin at the fact that he calls me Newsie, he's known me for a moment and he's already given me a nickname it makes me feel liked already.
"I was born ready for this," I grin.
"I love your enthusiasm Newsie and you're going to need it. Intern work is grunt work and we're starting you with fact checking. This will be your desk while you're working here," he says leading me to a desk with a stack of papers and files on it. Asher puts his hand on the stack of files, "And this is the fact checking. Do as much as you can before you leave to get back to school. If you need anything come to my office. Welcome aboard Newsie."
I smile and sit down, the stack is a little daunting but I dive right in. I work fast and stay through lunch to finish the stack on my desk before I return to school. Before I leave I knock on Asher's door and he waves me in.
"Fact checking done, double checked and e-mailed to you with corresponding notes and color coded tags in the organized papers on my desk."
"Quite impressive Newsie, I like your determination. Good work, I'll see you tomorrow," Asher smiles.
I grin back before leaving, running down to the truck and racing back to school. I'm in this sort of euphoric high after experiencing even a taste of my dream job. I'm so happy it doesn't even occur to me that I skipped lunch and breakfast, I just park and run into school barely making it to my locker before the bell.
"You look happy," Adam laughs.
"Asher is amazing and I love my internship, I don't even mind that I skipped lunch for three hours of fact -checking," I tell Adam closing my locker and turning to go to class but Adam catches my hand.
"Whoa hang on you skipped lunch? Clare you nearly passed out this morning and told us you skipped breakfast you need to eat something," Adam censures.
"I have to get to class Adam."
"Hey Eli," Adam calls and I look behind me to see Eli.
"What's up?" Eli asks coming over.
"You have a spare this period right?" Adam asks.
"Yeah," Eli nods.
"Good take Clare for something to eat she hasn't eaten all day. When you get to third period just tell the teacher you're late getting back from your co-op," Adam asserts to me and Eli puts his arm loosely around my shoulders.
"You need to eat Edwards," Eli scolds.
"It's been a hectic day," I reply.
Eli takes me to the caf and buys me some yogurt and fruit because that's what I pick out. He asks about my co-op and I tell him about it and Asher while I eat quickly.
"You should probably eat something after school but that should at least get you through the afternoon. Come on I'll walk you to class," Eli says when I finish. "So did you hear about Adam's burn your uniform party after school?" Eli questions as we start walking.
"No but I'm sure he would have told me."
"Everyone's coming," Eli says.
"I'll be there," I smile but stop walking because we've reached the media studies classroom, "well this is me. I'll see you at the party."
Eli smirks and walks off, I enter class and apologize to Miss Oh telling her it was co-op related. Since she's the supervisor for that class she lets it slide but tells me to try and be on time or inform her if I'm going to be late next time. She goes back to her lesson and I take a seat at the only empty desk in the room which is in the front row next to Dave who sits next to K.C., Luke is behind K.C. and Fitz is sitting in the back row but he smiles at me. After class I walk to fourth period, Fitz seems to be following me but I find out we both have the same class this period. He grins as he walks past me taking another seat at the back, I smile politely and then Adam walks in.
"The love triangle begins already," Adam quips.
"Adam!"
"Sorry but I have no love life and the people I'm closest too have very amusing ones. Between you and Drew I get to live exciting love lives vicariously," Adam grins and I shake my head. "Eli tell you about our party after school?"
"He did and I will be there," I reply and Adam smiles.
Class goes by quickly and when it lets out Adam says he's going to pick up party supplies. When I get to my locker Alli and Jenna are at their lockers and talking about the party. I invite them over to get ready and we all leave for my house, walking because we can't find Jake. The three of us are about the same size so they look through my clothes for something to wear.
"Is this top too clingy?" I ask them looking at myself in the mirror.
"Why? Who are we trying to impress?" Jenna asks.
I tell them I kissed Eli before break and they ask why I didn't say anything. I tell them about the kiss but that Eli hasn't said anything about it and he's had multiple opportunities today. After telling me to bring it up myself and embarrassingly getting Jake's opinion we finally leave for the party with Jake.
(FITZ)
"I'm not sure I should be here," I remark as Owen parks at the Torres house.
"Dude shut up you're at the school again and Adam invited everyone in grades eleven and twelve. What happened last year is ancient history, if they can forgive me for the things I did they can forgive you. I'm sure the only one you really have to be afraid of is Eli," Owen replies as we walk down to the basement. He opens the basement door and we walk in, of course Drew and Adam are already here, so is Bianca and Dallas and most of the Ice Hounds.
Owen gets a beer but I stick with pop, Owen starts talking to some of his team. I talk with Bianca for a short time before she goes to help Drew. Eli arrives but he starts talking with Adam and doesn't even look at me. It's not until Clare walks in that we both look at her and then exchange a look between us. Clare looks amazing, incredibly beautiful and she becomes the only other thing in the room for me, until Eli glares at me a little.
"So what's the story there?" I hear Luke asking Owen.
Owen then proceeds to tell Luke the history of me, Clare and Eli, I hear him talking but I'm watching Clare. I watch her for a few minutes as she talks with Adam and then she gets a drink. When she's getting her drink I walk over, approaching cautiously. It's not like I haven't seen her since that stormy day at her house but when I'm working at The Dot there isn't much conversation, it's more asking what she wants and that's only if I'm working in front at the time. Usually I'm in the kitchen or working the bar at Above the Dot. And of course I saw her at school today but we didn't exactly get a chance to talk.
"Hi Clare," I say with a smile.
She looks back at me with a soft and lovely smile, "Hi Fitz."
"Uh do you think we could talk outside for a moment?" I ask hopefully but my heart is pounding.
"Sure," she nods.
I offer her my arm and she takes it. I escort her outside, it's cold but there's a fire going in the fire pit with some of the kid's uniforms burning. There's a lot of kids out here too but I take her to the stairs that lead up to the second story and we sit down.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened last year and t…"
"Clare," Eli cuts me off coming over and we both look at him, "will you dance with me?"
He holds out his hand to her and she looks between him and me. She bites her lip rolling it between her teeth as she looks between us. Then she sighs slightly and takes Eli's hand standing up.
"We'll talk later," she tells me before Eli takes her inside.
I stay out for a couple more minutes before returning inside with my head hung and watching Eli dance with Clare. Owen comes over leaning on me and follows my vision to the two of them dancing.
"What'd you expect after stalking the girl?"
"I didn't mean to stalk her but Eli was dangerous. I was right he crashed just so she'd come see him and I've kept my distance since then."
"And she then broke up with Eli and began dating her soon to be stepbrother. Give her some time, in the meantime stop looking so lovesick and enjoy the party," Owen asserts pulling me away.
Bianca joins us and we talk with her a little, Dallas joins us too. Dallas seems pretty cool, actually he seems a bit like Owen although most of the guys on the hockey team seem a bit like Owen.
"I'm here," Katie announces coming through the door.
"Looks like Katie started the party early," Owen remarks while Drew goes over to her.
"Katie what are you doing here?"
"I forgive you and I'm giving you another chance," Katie replies but her words slur and she's hanging off him.
"We broke up we're done I don't like you anymore, I haven't for a long time I just didn't want to break up with you while you were in drug rehab. Now get out of my house you were not invited," Drew tells her.
"You deserve a slut like Bianca," Katie screeches knocking down the pictures on the table behind the sofa. "I am the best thing you'll ever have," she growls knocking over the food table.
"Okay I think it's time to leave," Jake says taking Katie's arms and pulling her out of the party before she can do any more damage.
"I think the party's over," Dallas remarks and Adam turns off the music.
"I have to get going anyway, curfew. I'd stay and help clean up but…" Bianca is saying when Drew cuts her off.
"No you get home before curfew don't want you to get in trouble," Drew tells her.
"Where'd Clare go?" I inquire looking around but don't see her.
"Eli took her home a while ago," Dallas informs me and my stomach ties in knots fearing that they got back together.
I stay for a while to help clean up, so does Owen, Luke and Dave and I find out Luke is billeted with Dave. After the party I go home and try to sleep but I don't get very much. When I get to school the next morning I wait near the entrance for Clare.
"Good morning," I smile when she walks in.
"Morning Fitz, I'm sorry that we didn't get to talk last night."
"It's okay. Did you and Eli get back together?" I ask with a cautious tone hoping it doesn't sound like I'm meddling.
"No we didn't we talked when he drove me home but not about that. We did talk about spending time together," she says and I smile because they didn't get back together which means I still have a chance.
"Do you think maybe you could help me in some subjects, I'm technically repeating but I'm really bad at math."
"I…" she hesitates and fear she's going to say no, "I suppose that would be okay."
"Great, after school then? Unless you have newspaper?"
"I do but we can meet after that," she smiles and starts to turn away but then turns back. "Why aren't you in grade twelve like you should be?"
"I had to beg Simpson to let me back. He agreed but I didn't have much schooling in juvie and never actually completed my grade eleven year. So I have to finish that first. I don't mind being a year behind my friends I'm just really glad to be back. Besides this way I have classes with you," I smile and she grins back shyly biting her lip.
"I have to get ready for co-op but we'll talk this afternoon about tutoring. I'll see you in third period," she says before taking off for her locker. I keep wearing the grin as I walk to my locker.
"You look happy," Owen remarks.
"Clare's going to tutor me and she didn't get back together with Eli," I smile.
"So you have a fighting chance then?" Owen grins.
"And I've never backed down from a fight," I reply.
"Good I think she's better off with you anyway," Owen says just as the bell rings. "I'm eating lunch with Drew and Bianca you should join us," Owen tells me.
"Cool see you at lunch."
I have math for homeroom and I've never been good with numbers. Dave is in the class, he's friendly but he'll barely look at me. A lot of people who were here before I went to juvie still see me as that bully, even though I've been serving them at The Dot for the last nine months. Luke's also in the class, I wasn't sure what I thought of him at first but we talked at the party last night and he seems pretty cool, we even have a few things in common.
"What's with the smile?" Luke questions.
"Clare agreed to tutor me after school," I reply.
"Does Eli know that?" Dave questions.
"He's not her boyfriend she can tutor whoever she wants," I respond.
"Yeah I know that and you know that and I would never think of telling Clare what to do. But they were getting pretty cozy last night," Dave comments.
"Yeah I know but she told me they didn't get back together."
"Maybe but all I know is I would never want to get between Clare and Eli," Dave remarks.
"Clare's her own girl, who she spends time with is her decision not Eli's. If he wants to start something over her I won't back down, not this time."
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, the update next Sunday will begin in Clare's pov either at co-op or tutoring Fitz. She'll also get to know Dallas a little better.