"You Don't Want Me" – Part 9

Summary and notes in part 1.

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!


-oOo-

The rest of lunch was surprisingly uneventful. There were no interruptions or pointed comments made in their direction. They relaxed and fell into their usual routine. Before they knew it, the bell rang signifying the change of classes.

The four friends were all smiles as they exited the cafeteria. Holly J was waiting near the entrance.

"Hey guys. Mind if I borrow her for a moment?" Holly J asked. She could barely contain her excitement as she clutched the papers in her hand.

Fiona smiled. "Is that what I think it is?"

Holly J nodded. "Yeah, can you believe it?" Eli, Adam, and Clare exchanged glances.

"That's awesome! You have to tell me all about it!" Fiona exclaimed. She turned to Adam. "I'm going to walk to class with Holly J. Meet you by your locker later?"

Adam smiled. "Of course. See you then!"

"What was that all about?" Eli asked as they watched the two girls go.

Adam shrugged. "I think Holly J applied for something."

"Good for her," Clare said as they began walking towards English. Suddenly she remembered she needed to make a detour. "Guys, I'm going to stop by my locker. I'll meet you there!"

Eli frowned. "Are you sure? I can go with you?" he offered.

She shook her head. "No, it's alright," she told him as she sprinted away.

"And then there were two," Adam quipped. Eli chuckled as they continued walking.

"Torres!" a voice called from behind. The two boys immediately recognized it was Fitz.

"Just ignore him," Eli said dismissively. They didn't break their stride.

"Good luck with your lezzie girlfriend," Fitz yelled.

Adam froze. Eli looked on with worried eyes as a dangerous look formed in his friend's eyes.

"Adam," he said in a warning tone, attempting to diffuse the tension. It was of no use. Adam turned quickly and ran to confront Fitz. Eli blinked, and then hurried after his friend.

Adam stopped right in front of the bully. "What did you say?" he angrily questioned.

"You heard me!" Fitz smirked.

Adam narrowed his eyes further. Eli, having finally caught up, forced his arm between the two.

"Adam, calm down," Eli reasoned.

"Yeah, listen to your emo friend Gracie," Fitz sneered. Adam's eyes were shooting daggers.

"Shut up Fitz!" Eli yelled at him. He was doing his best to keep the two boys from fighting yet the bully was intent on escalating things.

Adam let out a wry laugh. Both boys were puzzled. "Interesting how you're so quick to call Fiona names when you were flirting with her yesterday."

Fitz's smug expression visibly faltered.

"Seems like someone doesn't deal with rejection well," Adam mocked him.

The bully's eyes went dark. He raged, "That means nothing. All it proves is that she's with you because she can't handle a real man."

Adam lunged at Fitz but Eli grabbed him from behind. "It's not worth it man!" he said as he struggled to keep Adam at bay.

Fitz laughed. "Come on! Hit me," he taunted. "Zero tolerance works both ways."

Adam paused. So that was what this was about? Fitz wanted a reaction out of him. The older boy's ego had been hurt and he wanted Adam to pay the price. Adam took a deep breath. He wasn't going to fall into Fitz's trap.

Eli let go of his friend, sensing that he was calmer. Adam and Fitz were still staring each other down, but he realized they were not going to come to blows.

The warning bell rang.

Eli looked around the hall and saw it was nearly deserted. By some miracle no hall monitors and security guards witnessed their spectacle. "Adam, we got to go."

"This isn't over," Fitz spat.

Adam didn't respond as he ran to his next class with Eli.

Eli and Adam crossed the threshold just as the final bell rang. Mrs. Dawes frowned at them but let it slide. Clare grew worried as she took in the expressions on their faces. Something had happened. She could feel it.

"Eli, what's wrong," she whispered at the first opportunity.

Eli looked solemn. "Just leave it alone, Clare."

She glanced at Adam, a couple of rows back. She could tell he was upset but doing his best to hide it.

.

tbc