A/Ns: I don't own of have any affiliation with Degrassi
Adam didn't die
Bianca and Drew got engaged in high school but didn't break up and both graduated the same year as Owen
Drew, Bianca and Owen are in their 1st year at Toronto University
Clare and Eli never got back together after Ray of Light and Eli left for NYU
Clare is friends with Bianca and is 18 and a senior at Degrassi
I believe everything else you need to know will come out in the story
What Happens Next?
Ch1. Wake Up To Surprises
(Owen)
I open my eyes slowly, adjusting to the light in the room, and I feel something tickling my nose slightly. What in the world is that I wonder as I shift backward and move away from whatever it is. Now that I'm further back I see that it's some kind of white fabric. I move some of it realizing it's covering something on the pillow next to me. As I move it I see a face and realize that Clare Edwards is lying asleep in the bed next to me. The problem is I haven't got any idea how either of us got here. I sit up slightly and look around the room. I see mine and Clare's dress shoes by the entry and then realize we're in a hotel room. It's then I notice a nice dark blue dress and my suit jacket lying by the bathroom door. "Oh crap!" I say out loud as I need to figure out what happened but my head hurts.
After I speak, I feel movement beside me and look over to see Clare beginning to stir. She lifts her head and moves her hand to lie on the pillow without opening her eyes. But mine open much wider when I realize she has a ring on her hand and it's not her purity ring.
I hear a knock on the door suddenly. I get up to realize I'm only in boxers and have to hold my head as my brain feels extremely fuzzy. I put my dress pants back on that I found next to the bed and then I walk to the door. I look through the peep hole to see Bianca standing outside in the hall. I open the door and we stare at each other a moment. "Have you seen Clare? Adam's worried," she asks after a minute and looks frazzled but also sort of upset.
"I have, but don't get mad at me please," I answer, and then move so she can come into the room.
"Why would I get ma…" she begins to ask, but stops when she gets into the room and sees Clare still asleep in the bed. She quickly looks up at me with shock in her eyes. "What the heck happened here?" she asks quickly, and this disturbs Clare enough for her to finally open her eyes.
"I'm not really sure," is all the answer I can give as it's all the answer I know at this point.
"Why are you both in my room?" Clare questions sleepily when she notices us.
"This isn't your room Clare, this is Owen's hotel room. But what are you doing here?" Bianca asks her and I see Clare's face become shocked when she processes what Bianca just said.
"Umm, I'm not really sure, but I'm hoping to find out very soon. Do you remember anything Owen?" she asks.
"Not really my head is pretty fuzzy," I tell both girls as I sit down in the chair by the window, and I see Bianca sit at the end of the bed. But from this view point I can now see the white fabric I moved from Clare's face earlier is actually attached to a clip in her hair. "Uh Clare, what's in your hair?" I ask her, but I'm pretty sure I know the answer and now I'm getting kind of scared.
She lifts her hand to her head and feels around for a moment before coming to the clip. She unclasps it and pulls it and the fabric together in front of her and gasps.
"Is that a veil?" Bianca questions now that she can see it and then gets a closer look. "Clare, why are you wearing my veil?" she questions. I can't see Clare's face, but I hear her sniffle slightly. I don't want her to feel bad, but I'm not really sure what to do at this point and look at Bianca. She looks back at me and then moves up on the bed closer to Clare who is still lying in the hotel bed and hasn't moved much. "Are you alright Clare?" Bianca asks, putting her hand on Clare's arm. Clare shakes her head slightly and Bianca gives her a hug.
"Owen can you give us a minute please. You can just go into the bathroom with the water running or to my room down the hall," she tells me and gets out her room card. I really want to know what happened and why Clare is upset and how we ended up in a hotel bed together, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, so I get up and decide I'll go in to have a shower and grab some of my clothes from my suitcase. As I pass I notice that both girls are upset, but I hope I can help soon.
(Clare)
I watch Owen go into the bathroom through the tears that well in my eyes. Once the door is closed I let out a small sigh, because although I know Owen is a great guy I just couldn't deal with him being in here right now. "Clare?" Bianca questions and I turn from the washroom door to look at my current best girlfriend's face. Alli had left me at the end of last year to attend MIT and Jenna had been gone a few years after moving with her brother.
"Bianca, I'm scared," I whisper to her and she has to move a little closer to hear me without straining.
"What are you scared of Clare?" Bianca whispers and then we hear the water turn on and know we can speak up a bit.
"I wake up in Owen's hotel room beside Owen, with your veil in my hair, a ring that isn't my purity ring on my finger," she gasps when I show her the ring, and then I whisper again, "and without my clothes. I also feel sore," I tell her, and I'm hoping she can help me figure out what happened.
She takes a moment to speak. "Where do you feel sore Clare?" she asks whispering.
"Down below," is really the only way I know how to answer.
"Ok, do you remember if you had sex with Owen?" she questions, and given how I feel, I'm guessing that must be the reason, but now I feel ashamed because I didn't follow through with the abstinence vow I made when I was younger.
"I don't know Bianca, I mean I don't have any previous experience to say yes or no, but I think I must have. And if I did, I really hope it was with Owen, cause if it wasn't I have no idea what I will do. I mean what about my vow, I probably lost my virginity and I don't remember it, and don't even know who I lost it to," I tell her and bow my head as I begin to cry, after trying to stay strong as long as I could.
"Uh, Clare, I know neither of you remember much about last night, and I know you're scared but I don't think you have to worry about your vow or not knowing who you lost your virginity to," she tells me, and I lift my head and twist my face at her.
"Are you kidding Bianca, I vowed to myself and God to keep my virginity until I was married, and after my sister Darcy was raped I was even more determined, and then I do something stupid and lose it, and I don't even remember," I remark, because I think she must be crazy to think I have nothing to worry about.
"Clare, turn around and look at the side table," she tells me and holding the comforter up against my front I turn my body and head to look behind me, and my eyes go wide with shock.
"Is that…?" I begin and can't even finish the question.
"Yep that's a photo of you and Owen still in your good clothes from last night, with my veil and that ring," she says pointing to my finger, "you didn't lose your virginity to a stranger, and you didn't break your vow honey. You lost it to Owen, your … husband?" she finishes questioning it, and we are both in shock at this point.
I can't help but to burst into tears. Bianca seeing my tears wraps her arms around me giving me a tight hug, and I hug her back. "So how do you feel?" she asks after a moment.
"I'm shocked at the situation and the knowledge I'm married and don't even remember it, ashamed I did something stupid, elated that if I lost my virginity it was to a friend and I didn't ruin my vow, and if I'm honest with myself, happy I'm married to Owen. Not that he even knows," I realize.
"Ya, you should probably tell him. I can stay if you'd like. I'd rather not leave for a while yet if it's alright with you," she comments.
"Yes, please stay, and why don't you want to go back to your room, or downstairs with everyone. Isn't everyone down at the continental breakfast that came with the rooms and ball room when they were booked?"
"Yes everyone's probably down there. No, after last night I just don't want to go be with everyone yet, and of course I'll stay hun. You and Owen are my friends and I hope everything works out for you both whether you stay this way or not."
"Thanks Bianca," I smile at her, "would you be able to grab my dress and stuff until I get back to my own room and can get some clean clothes please. I really don't want to stay naked, especially to tell Owen," I tell her and she nods getting off the bed.
"Tell Owen what?" he questions as the bathroom door opens. "Are you ok now Clare?" he asks and is really sweet as he smiles at me.
"Well I have something you need to know and Bianca said she'd stay while we talk to you, but first would you mind turning around so I can get dressed please. I'd rather have clothes on now," I tell him as Bianca passes me my clothes.
He gives me an odd look but is gentleman enough to turn around, and Bianca closes her eyes and I quickly get dressed. "You can turn around again, and thanks," I tell him and finish once he has. He sits down in the chair and Bianca sits with me on the bed again.
"So what did you want to tell me?" he asks looking at both Bianca and I with a curious expression. "Were you both able to work out how Clare ended up in here with me, and why she had your veil Bianca?" he asks.
"Well, uh, we uh, seem to have figured that stuff out, but I'm not really, uh sure how to say this. I mean, I don't really, um, remember anything but um, we seem, I mean you and I seem, to have uh…" I get out but I'm so flustered and not really sure how to tell Owen what happened last night, and I'm a little afraid of how he might react. I look up and notice him with a weird look on his face. Probably cause I was tripping over my words, and then just trailed off as I started worrying about his reaction.
(Owen)
"What Clare's trying to say Owen is that we are pretty sure she was wearing my veil and that ring because you two were drunk last night, and got married. And then I guess came back up here and consummated your marriage," Bianca tells me, and I'm in complete and total shock. I'm not really sure how to respond. I mean how do you respond to being told you're married and you didn't know it.
"What do you mean Clare and I are married, and consummated our marriage?" I yell in shock looking between both girls and I see Clare jump back biting her lower lip and on the verge of tears. I calm down seeing her reaction and Bianca glaring at me for scaring Clare. "I'm sorry Clare, I didn't mean to scare you, I'm just shocked," I tell her and reach out my hand for hers. "But I don't get it. Why do you think we got married?" I ask.
Then I see Clare turn around and pick up what looks like a picture frame. Then she turns back again and hands it to me and then takes my outstretched hand. I look at her a moment. "This is why we think we got married," she tells me and I look down at the photo. My jaw drops and eyes go wide. I want to scream, but I don't want to scare Clare again so I do my best to stay calm and think.
"I don't know what to say. I mean it's hard to imagine being that drunk to not remember getting married, or I guess even getting back up here," and then I think about it for a moment, "Ok, I can see how the photo is good proof of us getting married, and I'm sorry Clare but I need to ask, how do you know we consummated the marriage? I mean I know I woke up in just boxers but that and pyjama bottoms is usually how I sleep anyway," I comment, and Clare looks toward Bianca, and then drops her head into one of her hands, as her other hand is still holding mine.
"Well, Clare woke up without any clothes on and super sore down below," Bianca tells me, and I look back at Clare whose head is still in her hand and I can hear her sniffling a bit. I have to think for a moment. I mean I've known Clare, although not well, for four years and in that time she dated KC, Eli, Jake and had a date with Fitz, and then I remember Clare's ring and her vow. Was Clare still a virgin, I wonder, I mean I don't remember ever hearing she lost it to anyone, but she's also a pretty private person, and if she had I'm not sure everyone would have heard about it.
"Clare," I speak softly, and she slowly lifts her head. "I know this is personal and private but given the circumstances I need to ask. Are you still a virgin? Or given last night, were you still a virgin?" I question and I'm almost scared to hear the answer.
She looks at me a moment and then slowly nods her head, and gives an almost inaudible "yes" and I'm terrified and gulp. I mean, what do I say? She turns her head toward the side table again, I follow her gaze and now I see her purity ring. It must have been behind the picture frame.
The room is silent for what feels like a while as none of us are really sure what to say. I don't know how Clare is feeling about all this but I know I feel guilty for being so out of it that any of this happened, and as much as I like Clare as a person I'm afraid she may think I raped her as neither of us remember what happened and I don't have a clue what to do or how to make either of us feel better about the situation, I ramble in my own mind thinking about everything … "Owen?" Clare questions and knocks me out of my thoughts.
"I'm not quite sure how you're feeling about all of this but I want you to know that I don't blame you and I'm not angry with you. I'm angry at myself for being stupid but please don't think I hate you," she tells me, and I can't help but smile. Clare always was a good person.
"Why don't you tell him what you told me Clare," Bianca suggests and Clare nods and then turns back to me.
"I will, but I'd like to know how Owen feels about the situation first if that's ok?" she suggests and now I know it's my turn.
"Well I'm shocked by the situation, and I feel guilty that all of this happened. I'm so sorry you got hurt Clare, you've been a good friend to me this last year, and I really like you, and I'm glad you don't hate or blame me for what happened, but I want to know what you think Clare," I tell her.
"I'm shocked at the situation too and the knowledge I'm married and don't even remember it. I feel ashamed I did something stupid, but elated that as I'm sure I lost my virginity it was to a friend and I didn't ruin my vow, and if I'm honest with myself, happy I'm married to you Owen," she tells me. It's a lot to process. Shock is certainly understandable, and I'm sorry she feels ashamed, but I'm flabbergasted that not only she is happy she lost her virginity to me, although neither of us remember it, but she's happy she married me, and a huge grin grows on my face.
"You're really happy to be married to me and not even remember it?" I ask her as I want to make sure I heard her right.
"Yes Owen I'm happy. It may not be how I pictured getting married or losing my virginity, although technically it could be as I don't remember it, but I'm happy," she tells me with a smile.
"So you don't think I took advantage of the situation right?" I ask her just wanting to clarify.
"No Owen, I trust you and I know you're not the type of guy to do that to me. You're my friend, and as you said, you didn't remember anything either," she tells me. "Are you happy?" she asks and I smile.
"To be honest, I'm happy that you're happy. And although I'm shocked and I never expected to be married at 19 I am happy to be married to you," I tell her.
"Well I'm glad you're both happy, especially with how unexpected it was. It's kind of fairy tale in a way. But I guess that really was never for me," Bianca comments but I can hear the sadness in her voice.
Clare reaches out to give Bianca a hug. "Can we do anything to get your mind off of last night hun? I know this isn't my room but I'm sure Owen wouldn't mind if you stayed up here a while longer," she says.
"Of course not B, you're always welcome here. So what do you want to do since last night didn't work out the way you were expecting?"
"Well I don't want to go down and see everyone at the continental breakfast, so would you guys mind if we order up room service?"
Both girls look at me and I smile getting up to grab the room phone. "Hi I'd like to order room service up to room 320. We have the bride from last night who didn't end up getting married and wondered if this could be part of the continental breakfast as she doesn't want to see all of the guests and family right now. Alright thanks, we'll get bacon and eggs with hash browns and a coffee," I pull the phone away from my ear, "what do you both want?" I ask, and hand the receiver to Clare when she reaches for it.
"I'd like an orange juice and french toast with strawberries and maple syrup," Clare tells the operator and then passes the phone to Bianca.
"And I'd like Belgian waffles with a side order of bacon and a coffee please," Bianca comments and then passes the receiver back to me.
"That'll be everything thanks. Sounds good, no problem I understand," I finish and then hang up. "Breakfast will be up in about 15 minutes and it'll be a $5 service charge because we're taking the breakfast outside of the dining room," I tell the girls who both nod.
"Ok, well as we have a bit of time I think I'd like to go get some clean clothes from my room and have a shower. Are you gonna be ok Bianca?" Clare mentions.
"Sounds like a good idea, and yes I'll be fine here with my best friend. Thanks Clare," Bianca smiles giving her another hug. Clare smiles when they pull away and then starts to stand and I hear her wince and her face contorts like she's in pain.
"Are you alright Clare?" I ask, as I grab her waist to help steady her when she falters slightly.
"Yes I'm alright, just sore and sensitive I guess," she tells me getting her footing. I let go, and I feel guilty that she's in pain. She looks up at me and we both look kind of awkwardly as neither of us are really sure what to do in this type of situation. I look at her eyes another moment and then make a decision putting my hand at the side of her neck and placing a soft kiss on her lips. I expect Clare to be very reserved but her hand goes to my bicep and she deepens the kiss for a moment before pulling away.
"I'll be back soon," she comments and then slowly walks to the door and I see it close behind her, before I turn back to Bianca.
"You love her don't you?" she questions, and I'm not really sure how to answer. I never really thought of Clare in that way before and yet now I'm not sure about a future without her.
"I don't know Bianca, I mean I'm happy, and I'm elated that she's happy with me, but I never really thought about it before. Although now I'm wondering if I could ever see my life without her. But right now I don't know if I can say I love her," I tell my best friend as I think about Clare.
"Well I think you guys will be good for each other, even if you think you're young. And school is over for you now for the year so you have all summer to deal with what happened and spend time actually getting to know Clare," Bianca tells me and I realize she's right. Its Easter weekend and we came down to Vegas to see Bianca and Drew get married before they went on their honeymoon and the rest of us headed home for the summer, although Adam and Clare will be going back to school on Tuesday.
"So what do you think you'll do?" Bianca questions and I cock my head at her confused.
"What do you mean?" I ask her.
"I mean what are you and Clare going to do? Right now you're married and you both seem happy about it, but are you gonna tell your parents, and what are you going to tell your parents, or hers, or do about living arrangements. I mean we've all been living in the dorms going to TU and just moved home. But Clare is still at Degrassi and then will be going away to school, and I think she applied to York but I don't think that was her top choice. Plus your parents are expecting you to be coming home from this weekend having been a wedding guest not having your own wedding," she reminds me, and from the moment Clare told me we were married I hadn't really thought about anything past today really.
"I don't know Bianca. I guess that's something Clare and I will have to talk about. I mean my parents are probably going to be even more shocked than Clare and I were, but I think once they meet Clare they'll be happy. And it's not like I got a girl pregnant and am being forced to marry her. This was certainly not what I had planned for my life, but life is always changing our plans," I tell me best friend, and we both laugh.
"You're certainly right about that," she smiles and then it fades slowly.
"Do you want to talk about it B?" I ask her moving over to sit on the bed and put my arm around her shoulders. She leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder.
"I just don't get it. I mean I thought he loved me. Didn't we all? We all came down to celebrate this milestone, and it all blows up in my face," she lets out and then I hear her sniffle and feel my shoulder get wet, and I realize the tough girl I've known most of my life is crying. For a few minutes I just hold her and let her cry.
When I hear her begin to sniffle in the last of her tears I shift slightly so I'm giving her a full on hug, and then I pull her away from me just slightly. I use my thumb to wipe away what's left of her tears, and then remind her, "he did something stupid, and I'm not making excuses for him, just reminding you that you've both made mistakes. You are strong and brave after everything you've been through to get to this point. Don't let some stupid guy ruin that for you. You're the strongest girl I know, so after breakfast let's put the past behind us and look at what the future has for both of us. An awesome and yet unknown future for you, and some interesting conversations about marriage for me, at least to start." And I see her smiling. "See I knew there was a smile under there," I smile at her, and then I hear a knock on the door.
I tightly hug her once more and then get up to answer the door. I see a bell boy pushing a cart with breakfast and let him in and then Clare follows in behind him showered and changed, and she looks very pretty. I pay the guy the $5 for breakfast and then tip him before he leaves and I close the door. Then I come back to retrieve my breakfast.
"You didn't have to pay Owen. After all, you did come down as a guest for my wedding," Bianca comments as she sits down on the bed with her plate in her lap.
"It's fine Bianca. One of you is my best friend and the other is apparently my wife, I don't mind," I tell them with a smile toward both as I pick up my breakfast and sit at the table by the window. "It's kinda weird saying that, 'my wife', but I don't actually mind it," I comment to no one in particular.
"I actually like being called that. It's a role I always wanted to be in life, I just never expected it so soon or with you. No offense Owen," Clare says, smiling at me. I notice she isn't wearing the ring anymore but I don't say anything. As only the three of us know right now, I'm sure she doesn't want someone like Adam to see it before she has a chance to tell him about what happened.
"None taken, you weren't the first girl I would have pictured when I thought of marriage for my future. But now that it's happened I like the result. So B reminded me while you were gone, that after this weekend we'll actually have to think and talk about what happens next, like when we get home with our parents, and living arrangements and school too I guess," I tell Clare, and then I notice Bianca's face. I put my plate down and go sit on the bed next to her again. Clare is already sitting on the other side of her and sets her plate down and we both put our arms around B.
"Bianca, are you alright?" Clare questions. "You can tell me anything remember, you helped me this morning, and you're my best friend," she reminds B, and I nod.
"I guess I'm a little jealous," B sighs wiping away a stray tear. "You guys have known each other for years and barely spoke until Owen and I were seniors, and then became friends through Adam, Drew and I. And without even a relationship of any sort you did something without thinking and ended up married, but you're more happy now then I think I've seen either of you in relationships, and yet I've known Drew for the same amount of time, and we've been back and forth in our relationship, and he's the one that proposed, but I'm sitting here not married and without Drew. How is that possible?" She questions, and Clare and I meet eye-to-eye above her head and shrug.
"I guess this is what the both of us needed. Something completely unplanned and unexpected to make us realize what we needed in life. But remember we still have a lot to work through when we get home. Don't worry B we'll both be here for you no matter what happens," I tell her and then kiss her cheek. "So what do you both want to do this afternoon? We still have today and tomorrow here in Vegas before we head home."
"Well I'd like to get away from the hotel for a while, but of course none of us can legally drink or gamble here so let's find something we can do here in Vegas together," Bianca suggests and Clare and I both agree. So I check out the hotel's weekly calendar to see what's happening close by we can go to.