Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own Degrassi.

This might start out a little slow, but it will get better. I started this FanFic mainly because I am heartbroken after Drop The World, and the new Season 11 promo, in which both Claire and Eli are seen with new characters. I mean, come on, guys! They spent the whole last season making us fall in love with Eclare, just to rip it out from under us! (told you I was a little emotional) So here's a nice little story in remembrance of the Eclare that we all loved.

"Today we will be starting a new assignment." Ms. Dawes said from the front of the room.

I was the only one in the room who didn't sigh. I liked English. I liked writing. I liked assignments. Okay, I was probably a freak.

"I expect everyone to find a partner." Ms. Dawes announced before settling into her desk. "Keep in mind that you will have to do a three page essay on the person you chose to be partners with."

In typical teenage fashion, everyone stood up and ran to their best friends, or their closest friend in the class. This was the only thing about that assignment that bothered me. I was a year younger than all these kids, being in advanced placement. That meant that all the kids in this room didn't know me, which made me partner-less.

Great. I watched as everyone shuffled desks together in groups of two and chatted away with their partners. I was the only one sitting alone.

"Clare, do you- Oh! Eli. Finally. I was wondering when you were going to show up." Ms. Dawes said, a smile directed to the back of the room where the door was. Everyone turned.

There stood the cute boy who'd run over my glasses with his hearse. Yes, I said hearse. It was a little weird, but easy to forget about when the full heat of those piercing green eyes are on you.

He nodded at Ms. Dawes, spotted the only empty desk in the class, directly in front of mine, and walked over to it, slumping into the seat when he got to it.

"I assume you have a reasonable explanation for being so late?" She asked.

"Not really." He replied. The room was silent, the only sound coming from Eli and Ms. Dawes. Kids are always curious about the new kid. Especially one who looks like Eli, with his dark hair falling in his face and the small amount of eyeliner around his green eyes, and all that black clothing. He was different.

Ms. Dawes' eyes narrowed, but she didn't yell at Eli. She wasn't really the yelling type. " Well, since it's your first day, I'll let you off with a warning. I expect you to be on time tomorrow." She told him, her tone friendly but firm. "If you could please pull your desk up beside Mrs. Edwards. We're starting a group project and you two are the only ones without partners."

Eli shrugged and looked around. He finally turned his eyes to me and stood up, pulling his desk beside mine.

"Hey." He said quietly.

"Hi." I replied back, keeping my eyes on the front of the room as Ms. Dawes described what she expected in our assignments.

"Glasses girl, right?" He asked, a smirk on his face.

My eyes narrowed at the new nickname. "I'm trying to pay attention. If you want a good grade on this assignment you might want to too." I told him in a hushed voice.

"Since I'm only giving you a week to do this assignment, I expect you to work on this in class as well as during your free time." Ms. Dawes announced. Suddenly Eli's eyes flicked towards her.

"I can't do that." He said, just loud enough to be heard by everyone. His voice was low, unhappy.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Goldsworthy?" Ms. Dawes asked, looking a little surprised.

"Yes, there is. I have- My nights are busy." He said. That sparked a bit of curiosity in me. I'd have to ask him later.

"I'm sure you and Mrs. Edwards can work something out." She said, and before Eli could object again, the bell rang.

Eli was the first out of the room and I hurried after him. "I'd like to get to work on this right away. Is there any chance you could be free tonight?" I asked. I'd heard him say he was busy, but he couldn't have meant every night.

Eli stopped infront of a locker and started playing with the lock. "I'm busy." He replied, not looking at me.

"You can't spare even an hour?" I asked.

Eli ran a hand through his dark hair. He turned to me, an annoyed expression on his face. "Fine." He said. "Where do you live? I'll meet you there two hours after school ends."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I stuttered nervously. "M-my house? Um... can't we work at your house?" I suggested. The thought of anyone coming over to my house made me nervous.

For years my parents had fought, but lately it's become worse. The house was always a mess. I cleaned it, yet somehow the mess kept piling up. I had no help from mom, who was always either angry or depressed, and dad was rarely home. When he was, there was nothing but shouting going on, sometimes worse than that. Mom was covered in bruises, and I had a few myself. That wasn't something I was willing to risk another person witnessing.

Eli bristled. "No." He said firmly, not giving any explanation. "We can't."

"The library, then. It's quiet, and it doesn't close until nine." I told him, smiling a little. Much better than hanging out at my house.

Eli nodded but didn't say anything else. Definitely the quite, mysterious type.