Chapter 2: Take a Chance

"So how do you think you did on the science exam yesterday?" Clare asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Horrible," replied Alli. "I definitely failed. My dad's gonna kill me!"

"Oh I'm sure you're over exager..." Before Clare could finish, she saw KC walking down the hall holding Jenna's hand. She quickly looked away, blushing. She was praying under her breath that they wouldn't see her.

"CLAIRE! Why are you still hung up on him?" Alli exclaimed.

"I'm not 'hung up,'" Claire answered.

"But you are! You need to get over him. You're better than him and Jenna. If he can move on, so can you."

"I don't need to move on, Alli. I'm fine."

"You know what your problem is? You're stuck in the same old rut. KC's changed since you were with him, even if it was a bad change. You haven't changed at all."

"I'm fine the way I am."

"Clare, you deserve better than fine. You deserve fantastic."

"And how am I supposed to accomplish that?"

"Just come over my house after school."

"Okay, if you say so."

Claire walked into school the next day with a scarf over her head. She was embarrassed about her new look. She liked it, but it wasn't her. At least it wasn't the old Clare. She liked the old Clare, even if she was nerdy and practically invisible to every guy in school. That's what she liked. She didn't want to put herself out there and risk embarrassment, rejection, and failure. She rather just blend in and keep to herself. When she went to her locker, Alli was waiting for her.

"What's with the scarf!" Alli asked, upset.

"I'm not sure how everyone will take the new Clare," Clare replied.

"It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. Do you like it?"

"Well, yes."

"Than show it off! This is the real you and everyone needs to see it."

"I don't know..."

"You don't, but I do." Without even thinking, Alli ripped off Clare's scarf, letting down Clare's new hairdo. It was much shorter than it used to be. And curlier. Most importantly, it was edgier and it kept Clare from blending in.

"ALLI!"

"Calm down Clare, you look great! Just look at all the attention you're getting." At that moment Bruce came up to Clare.

"Hey babe," Fitz obnoxiously shouted. "Why don't you come with me to the ravine this weekend and we can do whatever you want."

"Get away creep," Clare said as she pushed away Fitz and started walking away with Alli.

"Just think about it!"

"That isn't exactly the attention I wanted, Alli," Clare yelled at Alli. "Fitz is a pig!"

"Exactly!" Alli yelled back. "He's a pig who only hits on the hot girls. You're hot Clare!"

"Really?"

"Of course. Just see how many compliments you get today and get back to me at lunch."

"If you say so Alli."

"Well..." Alli said, waiting for Clare to complete her sentence.

"Well what?" Clare replied trying to ignore

"Well what did everyone think?"

"Well, they liked it."

Alli screamed in a high pitch voice and than said, "I told you."

"I know. I know."

"So what are you..." Alli noticed that Clare wasn't paying attention. She was staring off at a distant, smiling and lost in thought. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." Clare said, blushing and still smiling.

Alli turned around and tried to figure out what Clare was looking at. Than she saw him. "You're staring at that boy, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Well what are you doing just staring? Go over and talk to him!"

"Are you crazy? I'm not going to go and talk him."

"Why not?"

"What if he thinks I'm a loser?"

"What if he does? Why do you think we changed your look? To help you look good?"

"Yeah, kinda."

"Well, we did. But this is also to give you more confidence. Move on from KC and don't worry about rejection. You're a great girl Clare and any guy would love for you to talk to them."

"What would I even say?"

"Who cares? He's cute!"

"Okay. Wish me good luck."

Clare started walking over, slowly and nervously. Her mind was racing. What was she going to say? Who was he? What if she messed up? Too many questions and not enough time to answer all of them, because she was already here.

"Hey," Clare murmured, staring at the ground.

"Hey," repeated the mysterious guy. He had long, dark, straight hair and was wearing mostly black clothing. He was leaning against the fence around the basketball court by himself, looking at the sky.

"I've never seen you before, are you new here?"

"Yes"

"Where did you come from?"

"i've been a lot of places."

Clare was confused. He wasn't talking much and he was being mysterious. Did he have something to hide? Even though she was nervous, she couldn't help but thinking how cute he was and his mysterious attitude was strangely appealing. Sadly, she realized that this was a lost cause. Might as well make her retreat back to Alli. "Well, welcome to Degrassi."

"Thanks. By the way, I like your hair."

"Thanks," Clare said, turning around, smiling around. "I didn't catch your name."

"It's Eli. Eli Goldworthy."

"I'm Clare."

"I know who you are. It's hard to ignore someone as pretty as you."

Clare was blushing now. "Will I see you around?"

"I hope so."

Clare started walking back to Alli, realizing she liked the new Clare more than the old Clare.