A/N: SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY! I haven't updated in forever! The yaoi gods look down upon me in shame :'( I really didn't like the last chapter I'm a procrastinator; they should have a rehab for it hahaa! But I got an amazing review from sirkurtsie that convinced me to continue so I dedicate this chapter to them! X3

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or any of the characters besides Daren. I would let you know if I did though! XD

Ch.7- Why Forgive?

For the second day in a row Riley walked to science hungry. He clutched his stomach as it growled again.

"You couldn't have grabbed anything for me to eat?" He complained to Peter.

"You won't even tell me what happened!" Peter complained back.

"Yep" Riley smirked, he knew not knowing what had just occurred between Daren and himself was killing Peter. They walked into science and took their seats. "You wanted us to talk and we did." Daren entered just as the bell rang and he took his seat next to Derek.

Nothing really happened besides the many friendly, but quickly turning to awkward, stares between Riley and Daren. Also, of course, the teacher boringly drowning on with his lecture.

When Riley left science again only Daren was on his mind. Why did he have to kiss him? He was trying to make things better between them, not awkward. But Daren had forgiven him so it was ok, right?

Why had Daren forgiven Riley anyway? He had ruined the rest of eighth grade for him. Plus Daren had been stuck going to high school with all the jerks that harassed him, until now.
Riley nearly walked in to the locker room door but was able to stop himself. He walked in and checked the clock. It usually took him a longer time to get there but he had been walking fast out of frustration and it seemed like he was the first one in there.

Turning the corner to get to his gym locker Riley was greeted by a really cute ass, in a pair of tight breeds that clung low on the hips, that were connected to a very attractive strong back.

"Um… Hey?" Riley quickly looked up to see Daren turning around with a slight smile, obviously flattered.

"H-Hey." He blushed. Riley opened his gym locker that was, conveniently, jus across from Daren's. "Um, you're here early." He brought up the obvious, trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah. I'm just used to getting in the locker room first. Back at my other school there were some people it was better to avoid." Daren said rather bitter-sweetly like he was trying to laugh it off.

"…Why did you forgive me?" Riley couldn't hold it back anymore. The door opened and guys started to pile in just as Daren was opening his mouth to respond. Riley paid attention to his locker again, Daren finished getting changed and went to the gym.

When everyone was in the gym they waited for instructions on what they'd be doing that day.

"Riley" He turned to see Mr. Armstrong, "think we found a new wrestling partner." Next to coach was Daren, of course. "You said Peter was to easy for you right? This is Daren you guys are probably about the same height and weight."

"Yeah we met," Daren started, "but I think I might be a little taller." He smiled at Riley.

"Not sure about that." Riley smiled back.

"Whatever anyway…" Armstrong raised his voice turning toward everyone else, "Listen up. Weight room today." He looked back to Riley and Daren "Riley you can show him around."

The class started toward the weight room. Peter caught up to Riley and Daren, quickly noticing the awkward tension between the two. Riley's question from before and the lack of things to talk about were probably it. Peter decided I'd be better not to talk and let them work this part out. So he hung out with other people in the weight room once there.

Meanwhile. Riley decided to try his question again. "You never answered my question. Why did you forgive me?" Daren put the bar back up, Riley had been spotting him, and sat up.

"Well, you said you were sorry."

"Come on what I did was horrible and-"

"Look," Daren cut him off. "I'm at a new school with new people. I just wanna start fresh. A blank-slate, for everyone."

Riley thought about that but didn't respond. So they lifted in silence, both of them seemed to be equally matched. It didn't take long for Bruce and Derek to join them though. Even though Riley occasionally talked to Bruce in first period he hadn't hung around either of them since football ended. The way they acted and treated people was wrong. Like what they did to Jane. It was that way Riley was headed toward in the beginning of the year. They probably wanted to recruit Daren into their group or whatever.

They talked to Bruce and Derek while lifting the rest of the period but not to each other. The only interaction between them was the silent competition to see who could lift more and occasionally spotting.

In the locker room the awkward tension was back. Riley was fighting the urge to turn and see Daren's cute ass again.

"So you guys really seemed… tense." Peter brought up walking beside Riley.

"Yeah? We'd be tense too if I kissed you, ignored you, and we some how made peace all in the same day."

"Um…" Peter hesitated, "That kinda already happened" he laughed, Riley laughed with him. "But wait, dude. You kissed him?"

"…Yeah" Riley admitted, embarrassed.

"Did he reject you or something?"

"Sort of." Peter gave him a confused look. "Well he kissed me back at first but said it was just us remembering the past."

"Wah?" Peter was still confused.

"I don't know. He says that he wants to start fresh here so everyone has a blank slate."

Peter made a face like he was turning it over in his head, "So thins means you can try again?" Now his face took on a sly look and it was Riley's turn to be confused. "You have a blank slate too than. So why don't you ask him out?"

A/N: This was hard to right because Degrassi brought in an amazing character, perfect for all fangirls to obsess over! ZANE! I saw "In Your Eyes" and fell completely in love with him as soon as he smiled his heart melting smile X3 I started to feel like Daren didn't stand a chance :'(

But tell me what you thought I'll update asap but I warn you it will be harder with school starting soon (and I decided I was gonna try my hardest this year) Oh and I have a theory the writers have been spying on fanfic to come up with ideas that's why they had that ep about Clare writing fics! XDDDDDD

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