A/N: Hey! I'm back from writers block with a new fanfic! Enjoy (;

Oh yeah, this is when Eli is still a junior, Morty is still alive, and Clare is a sophomore.

They're not boyfriend and girlfriend in this... yet.

I DO NOT OWN DEGRASSI.

Oh yeah, I couldn't come up with a good title, so it's this. I fail. :p

–

Chapter 1.

Clare's P.O.V.

"You daughter of a bitch! Get down here now!" My dad, Randall yelled from downstairs. I cringed at the tone of his voice, and reluctantly withdrew from the safety of my room, down the stairs and into the living room where he stood, his face red with anger.

"Yes dad?" I questioned, wondering what pissed him off this time, hoping I wasn't in for a beat down.

"Why do you have a B in science, Clare? Why?" He nearly shouted at me, making me flinch.

"I-I accidentally did bad on a test! I'll make it up, don't worry..." I replied back to him, trying not to sound or look scared.

"Study you dumb bitch! God, I don't wanna raise a failure like you!" He screamed, throwing the paper at me, then coming over and slapping my face with all his force. "You are a disgrace!" I looked down sheepishly, my face burning with pain. I felt hot tears slide down my face, and I turned away from my flaming dad.

"I'm...sorry..." I said softly, walking back upstairs, wiping the tears away from my eyes. I walked into the bathroom, and saw there was a bleeding cut on my face from my dad slapping me. 'How will I cover this one..?' I thought as I fixed my makeup, and hair. I stared at myself in the mirror, looking at pathetic I looked. I wiped the cut with a tissue, and came up with a good story about how I got it.

I walked back down the stairs and grabbed my bag for school, seeing my mom, who didn't say a word to me. She didn't care that my dad abused me. She just watches as it happens and shrugs it off. My parents make me want to run away. "Bye guys... Have a nice day.." I said as I walked out the door into the crisp autumn air. I couldn't wait to get to school.

-X-

"Well if it isn't Clare Edwards." A voice called as I walked in the hallways of Degrassi. I turned around and smiled a little at Eli.

"Hey Eli." I said, secretly glad to see him.

"Did you get attacked by a cat?" He asked jokingly, pointing at the cut on my face.

I covered the cut quickly, "U-Uh... Yeah.. I did," I stuttered, hoping he didn't doubt it. "I...I gotta get to class.. Bye." I added, rushing off, tears coming to my eyes.

Eli's P.O.V.

I watched as Clare rushed off, and had a sudden feeling that something wasn't right with her. I pulled my phone out and shot her a quick text.

"Clare, meet me at the abandoned stone church after school. I wanna talk." I waited anxiously for a reply, and felt a rush of relief when I got one.

"Alright."

"Thank you." I put my phone back into my pocket and started to walk to my next class. I couldn't stop thinking about Clare. I care too much about her to see her start acting different for some reason.. I sat down in my seat in French class, and I didn't a hear a word that my teachers said for the rest of the day.

-X-

The final bell rang and I shot up out of my seat, and into the crowded halls of Degrassi. I went out the door, finding Morty and drove off to meet Clare. I pulled up, turned Morty off and hopped out, waiting for her to come. After a few minutes, I could see her petite figure in the distance.

"Hey Eli.." She said softly, looking at me, her blue eyes showing pain.

"Hey Clare.. I wanna talk to you." I said, patting the stone next to me, motioning for her to sit. She sat next to me, eyeing me curiously.

"What is it Eli?" She asked, her face looking helpless and innocent.

"Is... everything okay? You seem out of it and miserable all the time now.. I don't mean this offensively, but I'm really concerned for you Clare.." I said caringly, looking at her nervously.

"N-Nothing's wrong! I'm still same old me.. You know.. happy!" She spat defensively at me.

"Clare. I know that's not true. You can tell me.." I replied, scooting a little closer, looking her straight in her aqua blue eyes. The most beautiful eyes I've seen.

She sighed deeply, looking down for a few seconds, then back up at me, with tears forming in her eyes. "M-My dad... He abuses me... He just started not too long ago out of the blue, and it hurts so bad..," she paused quickly to wipe a tear away, "I want him to stop.. Eli, I feel so hated by him, and my mom... My mom just stand there watching, and does nothing! Nothing!" She said, getting more emotional.

This right here, hurt me on the inside more than anything.

A/N: Yes, no? I haven't wrote in so long, I'm unsure about it. :p
REVIEW PLEASE!

Please no hate though. :)

Thanks for reading!