So here is chapter 2! I'm so sorry I didn't update this earlier, school has been crazy lately. The next update should be up pretty quickly because winter break started today. Really, I can't thank you enough for your support. You reviewers are amazing!

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or anything else.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Save me from my superstitions, now I'm free from the soul's condition. Wait just a while and I'll greet you with a smile," The lights were flashing bright colors, the Muse lyrics to "Save Me" and screams from fans were pounding in my ears, and yet the only thing I could think about was Fitz…Mark?

I had truly almost forgotten about the whole Eli versus Fitz ordeal (I tried to erase most of the ending of my first relationship with Eli), but to have Fitz show up out of nowhere to say he's coming back for the last month to attend Degrassi? It was absolute heresy.

In the unbearably awkward remainder of the drive to the stadium, I had asked why Fitz, who was evidently trying to erase his past, was returning to the school that gave him the bad reputation in the first place.

"I'm going back as a tribute to myself, really," he started, "to really make my transformation into a completely different, better, person, I need to come full circle. I need to make apologies, start over, you know? Just for one month and then I'm gone from that place and everyone in it forever."

I studied him for a second, judging if he was just trying to pull this "starting over" BS to get to me, but he seemed pretty truthful. "But…I thought you were expelled?"

"I was. But Father Greg helped pull some major strings for me. And believe me, we had a lot of convincing to do."

"I would hope so," I replied, a little coldly.

Fitz turned to face me in the constricted space of Jake's truck, awkwardly adjusting his seatbelt before staring straight into my eyes. "Clare, I know I've done a lot of things to make you hate me. Trust me, I understand. I hate myself for the things I've done. But I've had help," he stopped, judging my reaction. Although I felt a mix of anger, sympathy, fear, and even relief, I tried to keep my face neutral. I had even glanced at Jake for a silent confirmation that I was handling this well. Fitz continued, "Will you forgive me, Clare? We can start over as friends, or strangers, if you want. I just…it would be awful going back to Degrassi knowing you still hated me."

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a brief second. "I forgive you, but it doesn't change anything. I don't think I can be your friend, but I will gladly be your acquaintance," I even shot him the smallest hint of a smile.

"I think I can handle that."

The rest of the drive, Jake and Fitz prattled on about work and some of the guys that worked there. Jake briefly mentioned his recent reconciliation with Katie after their Las Vegas break-up, and I pretended to listen to my iPod.

So far, being acquaintances with Fitz was working out pretty well. Our nosebleed seats hadn't exactly set a great tone for the night, but Jake's comment on "not even being high enough" sent Fitz and I into a fit of laughter that lasted the whole night.

"I'm going to get a drink, do you guys want anything?" Fitz asked in the middle of "Madness".

Jake shook his head (considering his mouth was stuffed with a soft pretzel), but I felt like moving. "Mind if I come with?" I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant and uninterested as possible. After all, I did not want to give Fitz the wrong idea. He gave me a quizzical look, but shrugged his shoulders and motioned for me to follow him.

"So Fit- Mark," I started, catching myself before I could make things even more awkward, glad we could barely hear each other over the blaring music. "How'd you get these tickets anyway? This concert sold out so fast."

He looked my way, his light freckles more pronounced than usual because of the way the lights were shining on them. The bright red spotlights even gave his eyes a bit of a devilish glare, something I hadn't seen since Vegas night. I blushed, chastising myself for noticing small details about him. He put his hand up to his ear; obviously the band had drowned me out. "HOW DID YOU…" I stopped myself, realizing it was futile. I waved it away, and Fitz grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd. I almost attempted to pull away, but figured I would just get lost if I let go. By the look of it, Fitz knew his way around.

After what felt like an eternity of holding on to Fitz's hand for dear life as we navigated our way through the crowd, my palms were almost unbearably clammy and I was beyond uncomfortable. Finally, the concession stand was visible through a gap in the massive clump of fans. Many were seemingly drunk, high, and I even spotted some couples, well, publicly displaying their affection.

My ears were no longer popping out of my head, and I was happy that I could hear Fitz without him having to scream too loudly over the band playing their encore. "The concert's almost over. Which one do you want?" Fitz asked, gesturing to the t-shirts.

"Mark, I don't…I can't…"

"One small, please," Fitz nearly yelled at the guy running the stand.

I snatched the shirt away from him. "For one thing, I'd want a medium, but that's not the point. I'm not letting you buy me a t-shirt! I thought we came over here to get a drink." Fitz laughed, pulling out his wallet and handing the guy a 20 before I could stop him. He picked up a medium, holding it up for me with both hands.

"It's my peace offering. I know we haven't had the best past, and the last time we saw each other I messed things up between you and Eli, but I want to fix that this time around. Please, take it as a symbol of us starting over." I glared at him before huffily taking the t-shirt out of his hands.

"Thanks," I mumbled. Fitz looked at me like he was conflicted with himself. "Whatever it is, you can say it," I told him, raising my eyebrow.

"I just…you should know…the last time we saw each other, what I said…it's still true." He looked up, hesitantly judging my reaction. I was freaking out inside, but I stayed as calm as possible.

"That's great, Mark. I'm glad you're still so enthusiastic about your faith," I managed, and I could see the look of regret on his face. I could tell he desperately wanted to say something else, but he kept his mouth shut.

The truth is, I knew Fitz hadn't been talking about his religion. He was talking about our "spiritual connection". "It's all real, just like my feelings for you, Clare," he had said. I tried my hardest to push that statement out of my memory.

"You know, we should really get back to Jake so we can get going. He's probably wondering where the hell we went," I added, prompting yet another awkward car ride home.

Once we arrived at his house, I was nearly asleep. "Bye, Fitz," I mumbled in my sleepy stupor, "thanks for the shirt."

"No problem. See you Monday, Clare."

That night, a loud buzz from my phone woke me up to a much-needed text from Eli. The excessively bright phone screen illuminated my dark room, offending my sleep-laden eyes.

Eli: Hey, beautiful (: Are you up? I glanced at the time. 2:04 AM.

Me: Unfortunately. What are you up to? Did you have a nightmare? (;

Eli: Not exactly, I'm just dying to see you.

Me: Me too. I had an…eventful night.

Eli: Can I come over?

Me: Sure, as long as you can be gone by 7. Everyone's home.

Eli: I'll be over in 10.

I smiled to myself, breathing a sigh of relief that I would be able to see Eli after the encounter with…shit. What was I going to tell Eli? I figured the time would present itself. Besides, I had already texted him earlier that afternoon to tell him I wouldn't be on my phone for the night because of the concert, so the subject was bound to come up. I wouldn't start off his visit with a piece of news that would knock the wind out of him. Besides, I was exhausted.

I slipped on a pair of warm socks and tiptoed down the stairs, thanking Glen for installing new, soft, quiet carpeting on them just last week. After the shirtless Eli debacle, I think Glen understood that I would need as much help as possible to get around my mother's overly strict rules regarding boys, as he suggested carpeting for the stairs the very next day. I stopped for a minute, reminding myself to thank Glen for always subtly looking out for my best interests. As a new stepfather, I think he was trying to get on my good side, and so far, it was working. Glen had lately taken a (probably fake) interest in my life, asking me questions about school, the newspaper, and friends. I made a mental note to appreciate his efforts more. He was being a better dad than my real one, to say the least.

Suddenly, I heard faint footsteps approaching the front door. I opened it ever so quietly, smiling when I saw Eli smirking on the other side. He had that look on his face that instantly brought me back to opening night of Romeo and Jules when he told me he loved me. He leaned in for a kiss, and I couldn't resist it after the day I had. Our lips lingered a little longer than a proper hello kiss, causing the butterflies in my stomach to flutter. "Come on," I whispered, grabbing his hand much like Fitz had done to me earlier that night. "We've got to be really quiet; Jake, Glen, and Helen are all asleep."

"I think I can handle that. Plus, I wasn't planning on doing a whole lot of talking anyway," he teased, trying to steal another kiss. I turned my head, wanting to get to my room as quickly as possible, and he ended up kissing my cheek instead.

"Get in here," I said, pulling him inside my room, carefully closing and locking the door behind me. "So…" I started, not knowing where, or if, I should begin telling the story of my afternoon.

Eli stepped towards me, closing the distance between us. He gently caressed my cheek, softly rubbing his thumb across it. He let his hand fall down to my neck, then along my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps. "So, how was this 'eventful' afternoon?" he asked, studying my fingers in his hand and he stroked them.

I laughed dryly. "I thought you said you weren't planning on doing a whole lot of talking?" I trifled. Eli raised an eyebrow but rolled his eyes.

"Clare, you know I was kidd-" he began to say, but I cut him off with a quick kiss.

"Tell me, what exactly prompted you to come over at this ungodly hour of the morning?" I said, shifting the subject away from me, at least for a little while.

"Well, I know you said you were at the concert, and I wanted to wait to tell you…what I want to tell you…in person." He took a deep breath and stared at his fidgety hands. I nervously took one of his hands in my own to calm him, slowly rubbing my thumb across the back.

"I got into NYU, and they gave me money. I'm going there in the fall."

I battled my selfish emotions to put on a happy face for Eli. "That's amazing, Eli! I'm so proud of you." I immediately wrapped my arms around him in a hug tighter than usual.

"I actually got the letter over spring break. I was going to tell you earlier, but I wanted to wait until I was completely sure about my decision. I knew you would be the kind, selfless, beautiful, smart girl you are and try to convince me of going to NYU, but I needed to make this choice on my own. I seriously thought about going to U of T, but I knew I would be going for the wrong reasons."

I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. I understood. I took his face in both my hands, telling him that I was so happy for him, that we would make it, that he was making the right choice. I knew all of these were true, yet I couldn't help but feel a fair share of bitterness at his announcement. Suddenly, the video we had filmed just a few short weeks ago was becoming a reality; I was not prepared to lose Eli so shortly after we had found one another.

"I love you," I whispered, and he responded with the gentlest of kisses that told me he was thinking the exact same thing.

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