Disclaimer= I do not own Degrassi.


Dave was reclusive. For the past few weeks, its been school, sports, and then bedroom confinement. He went and soothed things over with K.C. and Jenna, although it was a very reluctant matter when did it with the latter. One day while eating in the cafeteria, Dave heard Sav strum up his guitar and sing a song for Anya. That got him thinking: although it was a long time ago, he remembered Clare performing a hymn in the cafeteria. Pride was quickly acting ravenous in his mind with the idea he was formulating. In his room bouncing a tennis ball off the wall, Dave immediately turned on the night light and got his pen and paper to start writing.

-

The next day during lunch, the microphone was idle Dave eyed it and he sweat dripped. Thoughts crept in that called for falling back and not doing the freestyle. No, Dave told himself, he was going to go through with it. If he backed out now, he would never be able to forgive himself. Dave chugged the rest of his milk and headed up there. He cast a sideways glance at Clare, who was sitting with Alli, looking down.

"How's everybody doing today?"

"For those who don't know, my name is Dave. I know nobody has been on this mic for a long time and well… I'm going to perform a little freestyle I wrote up last night. It is for someone I care about deeply. Hope all of you enjoy this:

-

I can't sit still

The way you make me feel

I'm far from healthy

I feel very ill

I can't stand to see you treated bad

I feel like I'm a coach

I want you to reclaim what you once had

I want to see that smile resonate the room

I want to see your attitude reversed

Happy and proud

No passiveness nor no gloom

You shouldn't have to put up

With what that he did

Forget that girl

To you know what with that kid

I can't keep low

I must aim high

If you were at the finish line

I'd run towards you

No matter if it was an ironman

Nothing would deter me from crossing that finish line

Why would I go through all that?

Mint and collateral wouldn't compare to what would be waiting for me beyond that ribbon

Someone that would complete my life

A beautiful girl more grand than a grand prize

A girl that would always bring a twinkle in my eye

Someone well worth the sacrifice

Someone well worth that demanding price

No lie

She would be that girl that I'd love to hold by the water

That girl I would hold near a bonfire

Hugging and kissing by the beach

Calling forth the twilight…

-

"I know that's not much, but hey I tried. Thank you all for not snickering but listening. Its still day but, um, goodnight." People's jaws literally dropped on the floor. They wanted to know where in the heck Dave pulled that out from. When he put the mic back, he once again looked at Clare, who had both her hands to her mouth, eyes accumulating tears. Dave thought it was a simple freestyle but he was not expecting the thunderous applause and calls for an encore. Nevertheless, he just went on about his business. He was still hurt about the fact that Clare rejected him. When he was left on the bench and the bus came, he hopped on and went to downtown and back home, face buried in his jacket, bawling his eyes out. It hurt him because nothing really flustered him. His heart was already used to rejection from many a women. When he decided to step up, he courted Fiona, who wasn't interested in him in the slightest. Dave then went for Jenna, who played him like a fiddle. All the emotion he showed that time was a frown, something like what the hell. But when Clare rejected him the way she did, he let it all out (no pun intended). He was hurt in way he did not know he could be hurt in. no matter though for Dave because his frown would be turned upside down soon enough.


Dave was approached by K.C. and Derek out of all people. They dapped him for the freestyle and then got down to it. Derek was organizing a cookout at Wasaga beach on Saturday. Dave accepted the offer, not knowing the angle that was being thrown at him. The remainder of the week leading up to the cookout was a breeze for Dave. He put in work during the mornings and afternoons so that by the time Saturday and Sunday rolled around, he would focus on spitting some game towards some baby girls.

-

The calendar hits Saturday and Dave is up at the crack of dawn. He had to do a couple of quick chores, but that took no time at all. So he heads to Wasaga beach, along with a fleet of the invited. They set foot and about 30-40 run out, with many notable faces including Blue, Riley, Reese, Spinner, Craig (who was taking a break from touring), Marco, Paige, Hazel, Ellie and Ashley. It was billed as an all day thing. Of course there were buckets full of intoxicating beverages, hot dogs, burgers, jet skis, volleyball, plus some more stuff. Turning back to Dave, this is just what he needed. Beautiful women, jet skis to parade around the water in, food and drinks to satisfy the stomach with, and no certain hymn-performing girl around anywhere… yet. Dave found a shady spot under a tree and dozed off for a couple of hours. He woke up to a low sun. Derek and K.C. were gathering up wood for the bonfire. When it was all ready, everybody gathered around, just gooning and drinking. Dave stood in the back, hands in his pocket, politely having fun. During his long nap, a scenario was playing in his dream. Ironically him and a girl were on a beach, walking along the shoreline just talking as the water splashed their ankles. When they got back, there was a bonfire and they sat near it. That's where the dream ended because he was woken up by bucket of cold water, courtesy of his good friend Mister the Moose. Dave did not hear the track pulling up with three people inside of it, nor did he hear them walking up towards him.

"Hey Davey boy Smith."

"Wah Alli? What are you doing here?"

"Blue came and got us."

"Oh that's cool… Wait, you said 'us' so is the other person - -"

"Hey Dave."

"Clare hi, what brings you here?"

"Blue came and picked Alli and I up."

"What brings me here is me hanging out on the beach together, if you don't mind…"

"Alli, lets join the others."

"Okay Blue, now go have fun you two." Dave and Clare are left standing there as the others chill around the big bonfire.

-

"So Clare, what have you been up to lately?"

"Oh nothing really, I've been studying and well, um, …" Clare was diddling with her index fingers.

"What else were you going to say?"

"Dave, lets go away from the others, we need to talk." So they both of them do exactly. The sun was commencing its descent into darkness. Without Dave noticing, Clare slipped her hands under his as the water splashed their ankles. Dave was preoccupied what he was dreaming about earlier in his subconscious.

We did this. I was walking along a shoreline and we were heading to a… BONFIRE! YEAH!! Wait, what is this warmth? Its like the softest, most delicate hand is holding my hand. The warmth is resonating in me, trying to make the picture a little more clearer. Dave… DAVE!

"Huh what?"

"Look, there's another bonfire that was made. Come on!"

"Okay."


"This is a beautiful sunset Dave."

"Yes I'll say - -"

"Wait a minute, how did we get like this?" Dave found himself holding Clare as the bonfire continued to crackle. All of the negative emotions that he had felt about Clare because of the rejection melted away, along with his heart.

"Is this how this is supposed to feel?"

"What do you mean?"

"When two people care about each other, is this how they let each other know? By holding each other as they watch the sun go down?"

"Yes."

"Dave, I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I was pent up with emotions because of K.C. and Jenna, I failed to analyze what your actions signified."

"What did you research come up with?"

"I'm a little cold, mind if we snuggle just a little bit closer?"

"Oh yeah, definitely."

"Thanks, that's feels so much better."

"Anyways, I found out that… you are the best thing to happen to me right now."

"Really?"

"K.C. hurt me badly when I caught him cheating. He was my first boyfriend and I did not know how to handle that kind of strife. I was depressed and I was miserable. Recently I asked the good Lord to bless me with someone that would treat me with kindness. I told Him that I wanted this person to never hurt me, to be sweet and fight for me, all of the above. You are that person for me Dave."

"Me… us… but you got mad when I touched your face in the cafeteria."

"It was a feeling that I could not express clearly. When you did that Dave, you made feel like I was wanted."

"I couldn't stand to see you feeling miserable anymore Clare. There was something about you… I wanted to see if there could be something between us."

"Is that what you were trying to say in your freestyle?"

"Your good."

"It was very poignant."

"I wrote that for you."

"Your way of expressing feelings is unique.. . and very sweet."

"I finally understand what I know you were wanting to do at the bench." Dave was staring at Clare. He used his thumb once again to touch Clare's lips, but only for a split second. Dave laid a tender one on those lips and Clare returned with a kiss just as tender.

"Was it that?"

"Exacta."


A/N= So this is it for this fic. In case you were wondering, I chose the title "What I Know" from watching that battle of the bands episode from way back when. Remember how Craig sang that song about Ashley? The title is significant because it makes one realize the feelings they have for someone. In this case, it made Clare realize that she wanted Dave.