Among the long list of things I don't own is Degrassi.

4.

"I gotta go" was, Bianca decided the next morning, definitely on the Top Ten List of Things You Don't Want a Boy to Say When You Tell Him You Love Him. Owen had stood there, one hand out like a fool, before blurting out that sentence and bolting out the French doors like the cops were on his tail. His hurried descent from the balcony was loud and full of curse words. She didn't watch, because she was too busy sobbing on her bed like the lovesick teenage girl that she was. She was awake (and crying) until nearly 4, so when the alarm went off at 6:30, she woke up with a headache and an overwhelming sense of doom. She debated on taking a sick day, but that meant staying home, eating everything in the kitchen and crying over soap operas. At least if she went to school, she could talk to Clare. She didn't know her new friend too well, but Clare seemed like the type to have a calming platitude for every situation.

Bianca was wrapped up in her own little world of heartbreak as she approached the bus stop. She didn't notice Owen until she was almost on top of him. "Shit." She backed up a few steps, pretending not to notice him looking at her, but it got a lot harder as he made his way toward her.

"Bianca, we need to talk about last night," he said flatly. She shook her head, backing up another step. "Please," he added.

She was saved by the sound of a honking horn. "B, want a ride?" Adam was leaning out the passenger side window of Eli's hearse. She could see Clare in the middle and Eli at the wheel. "Come on!"

"There's nothing to talk about," she responded. "I took too many sleeping pills last night. I think I was hallucinating," she lied. "My friends are waiting." She tugged her backpack a little higher on her shoulder and ran toward the car.

Owen watched her shove Adam over, throwing herself into the car like she belonged there. He wondered if her new friends would notice that her eyes were red and puffy, or if they knew that she only got those little creases on her forehead when she had a headache. He realized suddenly, as the car shot away and the bus pulled up, that he had a terrible headache himself.

It wasn't until lunch that Bianca got the chance to talk to Clare privately. "So you know how I told you I was in love with this guy?"

Clare took a sip of her water. "Yeah."

"I told him last night." Bianca pushed her fries around her plate, suddenly feeling rather sick.

"And?"

"And he didn't take it well." Bianca sighed. "Actually, what he said was 'I gotta go'."

"I take it that wasn't the answer you were looking for." Clare ducked her head, trying to meet Bianca's eyes. When she realized Bianca was holding back tears, she smiled sadly and patted her hand. "You know, I don't know who this guy is, but I'm guessing that you hit him with that completely out of the blue. He had a typical fight or flight response. Well, when it comes to guys and love, it's usually just flight."

Bianca shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought I could be normal."

"If you want to be normal, you're at the wrong table, sister." Eli slid into the seat next to Clare as Adam fell into a chair beside Bianca. "Look at us: goth boy, Saint Clare and Adam, formerly known as Gracie. I drive a hearse, for God's sake. You thought hanging with us would make you normal?"

Despite her best efforts to resist, Bianca cracked a smile. "Honestly, I feel very normal when I'm with you guys. Guess that means I'm almost as strange as you."

Eli opened his mouth to give a cutting reply, but he shut it when he noticed Owen approaching. The other three turned to see what he was looking at. Owen shuffled over to their table with his head down, hands in pocket. He no longer looked like the arrogant bully that tortured Adam in the halls. In fact, he looked like someone had broken his spirit.

"Hi, guys. Do you mind if I talk to Bianca privately?" His voice was quiet, carrying no hint of the usual hatred he showed the group.

"In case you haven't noticed, I've been avoiding you for the last four days," Bianca pointed out. "I realize that it might be hard for your tiny jock brain to understand, so let me lay it out for you. I do not want to talk to you at any time, privately or otherwise." She shoved her tray away, eyes blazing at Owen.

Owen nodded. "Yeah, I actually got that part without an explanation. But I don't understand why. We need to talk about last night, whether we do it alone or in front of all your new buddies. It's your choice."

Adam focused on his lunch tray, attempting to make himself invisible. Clare continued eating her lunch quietly, eyes on Bianca. Eli slumped in his chair and prepared to enjoy the show. He was sure that Bianca would go off any minute now, but he didn't expect what came next.

"You want to talk about last night?" Bianca hissed. "Fine, let's talk about it." She shoved her tray away from her and stood. "Let's share the news then." She climbed onto her chair and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Yo, people of Degrassi. Can I have your attention please?"

"Don't." Owen tugged on the hem of her shirt, but it had no effect. "Bianca, get down from there," he hissed.

She continued as if Owen weren't there. "I have an announcement to make. Last night, I admitted to Owen that I am madly in love with him." A shocked silence fell over the staring crowd. "You know what he said? He said he had to go. The fucker completely bailed on me. Why, you ask? I mean, let's face it. I'm a pretty decent-looking chick, I give great head and I'm always down for an orgy. What more could a guy ask for? Well, it turns out that Owen thinks I'm a slut. What teenage guy is bothered by the fact that his girlfriend's a slut? Of course, maybe there's something else standing in Owen's way. Maybe he doesn't want me because the only girl he's interested in is Alli Bhandari. Yep, that's right."

Owen jumped to his feet and grabbed Bianca around the legs, lifting her off the chair. "Shut the fuck up, Bianca!" He wanted to get her out of there before she said anything else, but she was kicking and squirming so much that he knew he was going to drop her.

Bianca focused in on a dark-haired hottie a few tables away. "So now you know why you had the pleasure of meeting in the boiler room, Drew. Owen begged me to hook up with you so Alli would find out and dump your ass. And he still couldn't seal the deal."

Bianca was cackling like she was cuckoo bananas. Owen finally dumped her on her ass and moved to leave, but he was blocked by Alli's ex-boyfriend, who had been his friend up until now. "Is that true?"

Owen knew that he could lie his way out of this predicament easily. All he had to do was say no and Drew would believe him. He opened his mouth to dispute Bianca's words, but instead found himself saying, "Yeah, man. It's true. I'm sorry."

A hitch in Drew's breath was the only giveaway to his emotional state. His gaze flitted around the room, landing on Bianca laughing on the floor before returning to Owen. "Man, I thought we were cool. Fuck you."

Owen saw the punch coming before Drew threw it. He had plenty of time to block it or move out of its path. But he could admit to himself that he had fucked up big time, so he took it like a man and didn't fight back. The punch landed perfectly, nailing Owen in his left eye. He stumbled back a few feet and braced himself for the next blow, but Drew just spat at his feet and walked away.

Owen stared at Bianca with his good eye. She was no longer laughing; instead, she seemed prepared to get hit herself. The idea crossed Owen's mind for a brief second, but he wasn't about to hit a girl. He stared at her until she got up, brushing at her uniform skirt. He was unprepared for the pain in her eyes.

"Are you happy now?" she asked flatly before grabbing her tray and walking away from him.