Okay, part 2! I'm pretty satisfied with how this turned out, so I probably won't be adding any to it. Thanks for reading/reviewing/favoriting/following/everything! :)

Tumblr: lifeinwonderlandd

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi. :(

Clare, relieved that the talk with Jake was over, stepped out into the breezy Canadian wind. "Eli?" She said softly, her voice happy.

But she looked around and he was nowhere to be seen. But he said he'd be right out here, Clare thought, frowning in confusion.

"Eli," She called lightly, her eyes still scanning the small grassy area.

"Clare!" A sweet voice called from the pavement as she half-ran over to where Clare stood.

"Fiona?" Clare asked, even more confused.

"Yeah, Jake and Eli are supposed to present any minute now, so he wanted me to come get you and take you back," Fiona explained quickly with a smile.

"Oh," Clare frowned. "Why… Why didn't he come get me himself?"

Fiona gave her a look that said 'Really?'

The older girl sighed, leading Clare up the steps into Degrassi. "He said it was because he had to finish up getting supplies for their presentation, but," Fiona said with a flick of her wrist. "I'm sure you can guess the real reason."

Clare bit her lip. Her and Jake.

She was beyond shocked that he'd even thought up that plan to get them talking. I mean, less than a week ago, he was trying his best to win her back.

And she knew it had everything to do with him being bi-polar, and he was getting better now that he had a diagnosis, but still.

Fiona left Clare in the entryway of the school. "Well, it's been fun," Fiona chuckled lightly. "See you, Clare," She said with a wave.

Clare smiled and nodded, her mind wandering.

Not even paying attention to her footsteps, she made it to her last period of the day.

2:42. 3 more minutes.

The clock on the wall ticked achingly slow. Almost teasing Clare as she stared at it, hearing the repetitive tick, tick, tick of the second hand.

Clare laid her cheek against the cool desk, more eager than ever to see Eli.

"Okay, students, remember: Page 125 is due on Monday, so have it ready at the start of class," The teacher said sternly, but Clare just heard muffled words behind the tick tick ticking of the clock.

Brrrrriiiinnngggg

The bell sounded loudly, and Clare jumped from her seat, grabbing her things and hurrying for the door.

"Have a great weekend!" The teacher called.

Clare smiled at the sentiment. She intended to.

She walked straight out the classroom to see Eli at his locker. Perfect.

"Eli," She beamed, walking up to him. His eyes flashed with an unreadable emotion before he smiled slightly.

"Clare," He said quietly, nodding as he turned back to the contents of his locker.

Clare turned her attention to it. "It's clean," She commented, shocked that he'd made that much progress.

"Yeah." He said, his face neutral. "So is my room."

She smiled, a proud feeling washing over her.

"So," She said, her tone chipper. "How was the presentation?"

Eli closed his locker, turning to look her straight in the eyes. This time, there was a definite emotion showing in his eyes: Hurt.

Clare flinched from the pain she saw there.

"I'm sure Jake will be really excited to tell you all about it," He said, his voice shaking as he struggled to remain neutral. But Clare didn't miss the bitter edge it took at the end. "It was his idea after all. I only partnered up with him so I could get him to forgive me. Mission accomplished. So you don't need to talk to me or thank me or whatever you're doing right now."

Clare stepped back, hurt, as Eli began to walk away.

"Eli, you don't—" She started in defense.

He stopped, not turning to face her. "Please," She heard him say, his voice faltering. "Please don't make this any harder."

She gasped. Exactly what Jake had said.

"Don't," He said, his voice strained. "Don't make this any harder."

Why was she hurting everyone?

Eli began walking again, straight for the door.

Clare felt so helpless. No, She thought. I will fix this.

So she ran.

She ran right past Eli, blocking his exit.

He narrowed his eyes at her, looking irritated.

"I don't want Jake," She said hurriedly.

His expression changed, his eyes now holding pain, confusion and… hope?

Hope. Something she missed seeing on him.

"You… What?" He questioned, unable to form a full thought.

"I don't want Jake." She reiterated slowly.

"Then what do you want, Clare?" He asked, exasperated.

"You," Clare said breathlessly. "I… I want you."

His lips parted in shock, and she took that opportunity to mold her lips to his.

The most beautiful, perfect second first-kiss.

Fin! Hope you guys loved it :)