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Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi.

Surprise Infatuation

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"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Adam, we're at one of the biggest comic book conventions in weeks and you're walking around like a zombie. What gives, man?"

I sighed and fixed my beanie before stuffing my hands in my pockets. I wasn't going to tell Eli what happened with Bianca and I but I was slowly going insane agonizing over it. Its been a few days since my confrontation with Bianca, and I avoided her ever since. She doesn't even acknowledge my existence anymore. Apart of me likes it that way.

But the other part of me wishes I could talk to her again.

She may be a crude, fearless, female, but I still wanted to see if she was okay. She was pretty shaken up after the quarrel with her 'dealer' and she still had that nasty bruise under her eye. I hoped to God that she didn't go back to that scumbag.

"It's nothing," I finally responded. "Just thinking, I guess."

Eli nodded in understanding before picking up another comic and skimming through the pages.

"Have those idiots been bothering you again?" he asked abruptly. "Because if they are, I can handle them."

"What are you going to do? Get both of them arrested this time?" I teased, grinning.

Eli flashed me a wry smile before shaking his head. "Here, your favourite one."

He handed me a copy of The Chinatown Saga and I smiled a little. I was glad that Eli could attempt to take my mind off things when we would hang out, but I could never really talk to him about what's really going on at the moment. He was a very understanding and cool guy, but I know he could never fully understand. That's why I feel I shouldn't burden him - nor Clare - with my problems. I would be nagging and complaining too much. I don't want to lose the only friends I have.

"Thanks," I took it from him and we continued to walk around the convention. "Okay, I have to get this out. When are you going to ask out Clare?"

Eli stopped in his tracks like a deer in head lights. He gave me a confused and part worried look.

"What are you talking about?" he sputtered. "Clare and I are just friends."

"Honestly, dude," I started, raising an eyebrow. "You can fool everyone else with that but it's me you're talking to. And you do realize I'm stuck watching you two everyday practically wanting to attack each other in the hallway. Or anywhere else for that matter…"

Eli's eyes widened and he looked embarrassed. "Err….sorry about that. Didn't think we were that obvious."

"Well you are," I deadpanned. "Don't worry though, it's only a matter of time before you man up and ask her."

"I don't know if I should…."

His eyes looked far away, as if he were reliving a past moment that wasn't exactly pleasant. He clenched the comic book tightly in his hands but soon shook out of his trance and smirked.

"Ummm, are you okay?" I asked, concerned.

"Never better," he responded. "I just don't think I should take that next step with Clare."

I followed him around the store. "And why not? Its obvious she wants you to. Just take a risk."

He looks down at the rack full of comics, a pondering look on his face.

"You think I should?" he asked in a hopeful voice.

"Absolutely," I nodded.

We rummaged through more comic books afterwards in a comfortable silence.

"What if she doesn't like me that way?"

"I am going to hit you."

.

.

Damn it!

I was running down the sidewalk as fast as I could when mom told me she couldn't drive me to school this morning. Drew was home sick, so he didn't have to be running along with me and panting for breath just like I was at the moment.

Lucky bastard.

The school was empty when I entered it and I quickly went to my locker to grab my books. Unfortunately for me, my locker was at the far side of the school and my class was near the main hall. I closed my locker after receiving everything and almost fell backwards when Fitz and Owen were looming over me with ugly expressions on their intimidating faces.

"Hey sweetheart. How's it going?" Fitz smiled coldly, before taking a step forward towards me.

I stepped back on instinct and subtly looked around to see how I could escape. The handicap washroom was on the left but their was only a wall behind me.

I was trapped.

"You know, that little suspension we got after you ratted us out was a little unnecessary," Owen snarled. "Wouldn't you think, kid?"

It was better then being called 'tranny' or 'sweetheart' but I didn't respond. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground and hoped they would just leave me alone. The panic was rising in my throat and starting to suffocate me. One would think I would be used to this by now: having bullies corner me at each turn I take. But no. I was still petrified and absolutely pathetic.

Way to be a man, Adam.

I walked forward, head still down, and thought maybe they would leave me alone if I just moved out of the way. But in a split second, my shoulders felt a harsh blow and I fell backwards on the ground. The pain surged through me and I tried not to gasp out loud as I felt my head hit the cold floor. I vaguely heard the two apes laughing because everything was pounding loudly in my ears. I curled in a ball and stayed still. Maybe that would ease the pain. Maybe they would forget about me and leave…

I heard a body fly into the lockers above me and I squinted my eyes at the pain the noise of it caused.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

My eyes snapped opened when I recognized Bianca's voice loud and clear. Slowly, I sat up and saw Fitz and Owen up against the lockers with pained looks on their faces. Bianca was standing in front of them, glaring at them with cold brown eyes.

"What the hell, Bee?" Fitz coughed, punching his chest roughly.

"You two goofs better leave," Bianca threatened. "Are you that stupid to pick on him again?

"And why do you care? Is there something you're hiding from us, Bianca?" Owen taunted, circling Bianca like a predator after it's prey.

Bianca showed no weakness, however.

She pushed him away and crossed her arms over her chest. "Get out of my face. God, I can't believe I still hang out with you two."

They were distracted. It was my chance to escape. Unfortunately, they were blocking my way to go down the hall. Thinking fast, I take out the handicap key and hide it in my fist while I watch the three of them argue with each other. Making sure the coast was clear, I dashed off the floor(despite the pain)and hurriedly put the key in the knob before entering the bathroom and closing the door.

I slid down the wall and held my head as the pain throbbed relentlessly.

"Fuck, Bee. The little shit got away."

"Just get out of here, trust me, you don't want to get in shit again because of that…"I heard her paused and I was waiting for her to call me it. I was welcoming it. Say it. "…wuss."

My eyes widened and I wondered if it was just the head injury that made me hear such a thing.

The boys groaned and muttered something I couldn't quite catch before their feet dragged away down the hall. A pair of clinking heels followed them.

When I heard nothing but silence, I laid down carefully on the ground to catch my breath.

What just happened?