Chapter 3:

Most people received love letters or heart shaped candies when they opened their lockers. Staring Clare Edwards back in the eyes was something completely different. She continued to gaze at the dead rose that lay neatly on the base of her locker. Who would put a dead rose in somebody's locker? A name came to Clare's mind and a smile tugged at her face. Grabbing the thorn less stem, she let out a small giggle and shut the locker closed.

She jumped, when she caught sight of Eli's smug face. He was leaning against his shoulder on the other locker beside Clare's. He wore his one sided smile and raised his brow.

"Eli, you almost gave me a heart attack." Clare said, still startled. She placed her hand upon her chest to steady her heart.

"Yeah, I have that affect on girls." Eli smirked and Clare rolled her eyes.

"Conceited much?" She joked and Eli pushed himself off the locker, before shrugging.

"What's with this anyway?" Clare asked, raising the dead rose up to his face and he only chuckled.

"Well, I saw it and it reminded me of you." He said slyly, causing Clare to arch an eyebrow.

"You saw a dead rose and it reminded you of me? You see nothing wrong with that?" Clare asked, trying to understand the logic. He nodded and she only pushed the dead vegetation into his chest forcefully.

"I was only kidding." Eli laughed, having the wind knocked out of him for five seconds. Clare shook her head, but she couldn't stay mad at him.

"Walk me to class?" She asked and Eli smirked.

"After you Milady." He said charmingly and Clare snickered in amusement. As they walked side by side down the crowded Degrassi halls, Little Clare Edwards decided to make a bold move. She slowly and shyly, moved her hand towards his lonely one. Her porcelain fingers crept towards his and when they softly brushed against his knuckles, he swiftly pulled his hand into his jean pocket and Clare drew back her hand towards her brunette curls. Smooth Clare, smooth.

Eli cleared his throat before speaking.

"So how did your tutoring session go with the caveman?" Eli laughed and Clare gave him a glance.

"His name is Fitz; well that's what people call him." Clare said, strangely coming to his defence.

"Whatever. So did you bring a lighter and teach him how to say the word FIRE." Eli joked with fake enthusiasm.

"Very funny Eli but he isn't all that bad. If he just applied himself more, I'm sure he can do well in school. Plus he might just be a little misunderstood and guided." Clare stated, before both she and Eli stopped in front of her first period class.

"Sweet Clare, I'll try to remember that while he is punching my face in." Eli said sarcastically and this caused Clare to sigh as she rolled her eyes once more.

'I don't know Eli; maybe you should end this little tug-o-war with Fitz. Be the bigger person and call a real truce, before it escalates into bigger problems." Clare said with concrete concern and Eli smiled.

He brushed a loose strand of Clare's hair back and Clare unconsciously leaned her cheek into his palm. Her blue eyes met with his green ones and she was sure he was going to lean down and kiss her, but instead he lightly patted her cheek and gave her a toothy grin.

"Now how much fun could that possibly be?" Eli smiled and Clare silently huffed in annoyance. The school bell resonated along the halls and people scurried to class.

"I've got to go, but I'll see you later." Eli said and coolly walked off, leaving Clare to ponder. Did he like her? He kept on sending her mixed signals and she did not understand him at all. Just now he placed a rose into her locker; even though it was dead it was a sweet gesture and he had affectionately touched her hair. But then there was the whole let's not hold hands vibe and the brotherly pat on the cheek. Clare shook her head. Eli Goldsworthy was a piece of work, with layers of murky mystery.