It's Happening Again

Author's Note:

I do not own Degrassi nor any other pop culture or literary references in this story. Ok, one more update for the day. You, my lovely readers, are a bad influence on my job productivity.

Chapter 9 – Rotation

Clare couldn't believe she said that out loud. Her face turned vibrantly pink.

"Clare, if you're not comfortable with something I do, all you have to do is say so. I'm not some sleazy villain," he said, smirking, trying to lighten the mood.

She raised an eyebrow, "Oh really".

"I will be an upstanding gentleman if that is your wish." Eli sat straight up, pretending to straighten an imaginary tie, "But somehow I'm not sure that's what you want," he said slyly.

Finding an out, Clare pointed to their books on the floor, "Well what I want is to be able to go to the dance with you, but I can't do that if we still have mounds of homework to finish."

Eli sighed. "To the books then."

Clare lay in bed that night, embarrassed. Why did she make such a scene of it? If she didn't want him to stop, why did she push him off? More importantly, if she didn't want him to stop, what did that mean? She pushed those thoughts out of her head, and thought instead about what to wear to the upcoming dance. She really wanted to wear something out of character for her, not that wearing black wasn't already out of character. For once, she might have to listen to the fashion advice she knew Alli would be all too eager to provide.

The rest of the week flew by, until suddenly it was Friday. As Clare left her last class, she accidently bumped into someone in the hallway. She looked up to see Fitz.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," she explained.

"No worries. So, you and Eli have big plans for tomorrow?" he asked, blocking her way.

"Of course, Fitz, we're going to the dance tomorrow," she said, getting annoyed.

"You make sure you do that," he said, stepping out of her way.

Clare walked past him wondering why he would care if she and Eli went to the dance. School dances didn't exactly sound like Fitz's ideal environment. Too many chaperones, for one. Rounding the corner to her locker, Clare noticed K.C. standing in front of it.

"Just perfect," she said under her breath.

"Clare, I need to speak to you," he said.

"I think I made it perfectly clear weeks ago that I have no interest in hearing what you have to say," she replied, noticing Eli approaching from the far end of the hallway.

"Look, I didn't mean to sound like a jerk. I'm just worried about you, Clare.

"You sure have a funny way of showing it," said Eli, darting between K.C. and Clare.

"I was speaking to Clare, Eli," K.C. pointed.

"And so you have. Now get lost. I'm sure there's a vagrant outside, looking for their hobo cap," Eli said sarcastically, flicking the rim of K.C.'s knit cap.

K.C. stepped forward, looking down at Eli, "We aren't done here," he said, bumping into Eli's shoulder as he walked away.

Eli turned to Clare, but she turned instead to her locker.

"Did you have to do that?" she asked.

"What? Did you expect me to stand back and let him speak to you like that, or did you forget that bruise on your wrist that lasted almost a week from your last encounter with him?"

"I just mean that you didn't have to insult him."

"Why not? That was a ridiculous hat," Eli smirked.

"That's beside the point, can we go home now?" she asked.

"On one condition."

"What's that?" she raised an eyebrow.

"We go to my house today," he explained, "I have a surprise for you."

They pulled up to Eli's house. Clare had only been inside a couple of times. For some reason, Eli preferred her house to do homework. They walked upstairs to his room, and he threw his backpack in the corner. Eli's room was just what you'd expect, looking at him. The walls were a dark red, with almost every inch of them covered in movie and band posters. His bed was small, with a simple black comforter. Beside it was a large black desk, with papers, comic books, and cds strewn all over it. A guitar was collecting dust in the corner by the foot of the bed. Clare sat down on the edge of his bed, as Eli went to his closet and retrieved a small box.

"I figured you could use this, especially after what happened today," he said.

"Eli, you didn't have to…" she started as she opened the box. Not knowing what to expect, she was surprised to find a small can of pepper spray.

"How romantic," she pointed out. "Every girl dreams of the day she gets her first can of mace."

"I just need the peace of mind knowing that if I'm not around, some jerk like K.C. can't hurt you," he explained.

"Thanks, I guess," she said, putting the box in her school bag, hoping she would never need it.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?" he asked.

"Maybe a movie?" she suggested.

"Sounds good, but I have to warn you. I don't tolerate people who don't pay attention to the movie. No matter how strongly you feel the need to jump my bones in the theater, you'll have to restrain yourself. I don't pay twenty bucks to miss the movie," he teased, with a lopsided smile.

"What makes you think I'll be watching you at all?" she said coyly.

They went to the movies that night and managed to keep their eyes glued to the screen, while their hands were glued together. After the movie, Eli drove Clare home, and walked her to the doorstep.

"So, tomorrow's the big night?" he teased.

"I guess you could say that," she responded, draping her arms over his shoulders.

"I'll pick you up around eight, what will you be wearing?" he asked.

"Wouldn't you love to know," she said softly as she kissed his crooked grin right off his face. "I think you'll be surprised."

With that, she left him standing on the doorstep, looking dazed. Clare laughed to herself as she closed the front door, thinking it was funny how quickly the tables could turn.