I do not own Degrassi. If I did, this story would be canon because I have difficulties picking between Slare and EClare.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to the one and only Musiksnob! Since before the first one-shot that I wrote, she was one of my inspirations and role models—being the extremely talented writer that she is. So having you interested in this story, let alone praising it, is surreal for me. Thank you—both for sharing your incredible writing and for reading my work!

This is it, guys; the climax. After this chapter there are only two more in this story. Of course, I'll never be completely done with Slare. Enjoy:

Sticky sweat made my skin clammy and I took several, shaky steps backward. A scared whimper left my lips as the faceless man approached me, hand raised—literally backing me into a corner. As soon as my back hit the cool plaster of the wall I knew it was over.

The man came closer, his hand climbing higher and higher until it was swooping down. I squeezed my eyes shut, dreading the contact.

When I should have heard the sharp sound of skin colliding with skin, there was a dull beeping and I sat up too fast in my bed, making my head spin. I drew in a few ragged breaths, glancing around my familiar room. It had been a dream; just a dream.

A tear rolled down my cheek, though, as I buried my face in my hands. For Eli it had been a reality, and apparently my subconscious was still trying to process the news he had revealed to me no more than twelve hours earlier.

As soon as my breathing and heart rate had returned to normal, I swung the covers off my overheated body, woozily making my way to my bathroom to get ready for school. Sweaty from the nightmare, I took a quick shower and clipped my short hair back as best I could. Feeling unusually lethargic, I dressed to my mood, pulling on a pair of sweats and a fuzzy sweater.

After grabbing my bag and downing some toaster pastries, I poured myself a cup of coffee to go and knocked on the door of my mom's office. She seemed to be gathering papers; just as disorganized as I felt. "Can I have a ride to school?" I asked, knowing that Sav was not going to be around to pick me up.

Mom seemed to think my request was strange—she shot me a questioning look—but nodded hastily. "Sure, sweetheart, I'll be ready in a minute."

I gave my mother a grateful smile, collected my things and went to wait for her in the car. Just as I was buckling my seat belt, I felt my phone buzz in the pocket of my pants—a text from Alli.

U have been warned: the waters r luke-warm.

I sighed, knowing she was referring to Sav's mood, and pocketed the small, suddenly offensive, device.

With a huff, I fixed my eyes straight ahead, sipping my coffee as I tried to wrap my mind around my life. Sav was mad at me, Alli was trying to remain mutually indifferent and Eli…had let me in. I wasn't sure which one of those three things felt the most monumental. But the mental image of Eli's timid, genuine smile as he dropped me off at the bus stop the night before was fixated behind my eyelids. So maybe I did know which one seemed the most significant, and it felt all wrong.

I let out an inaudible, uncomfortable groan as my mother wordlessly got into the car and headed for Degrassi. I was still staring out the window, trying to suppress the urge to let my rolling stomach get the best of me, when she broke our tense silence. "Your dad called last night," she told me conversationally.

"How is he?" I asked before taking another swig of coffee, relived to have the chance to focus on something else.

"Finally settled in, it seems," Mom assured me, a smile in her voice. "So now he's dying to have you over for a weekend."

"That sounds nice," I smiled softly, thinking wryly that I might just need the escape soon. "How's work been?" I asked suddenly—an afterthought—wondering if my mom was truly as happy as she had been projecting.

"Fine," she nodded, flashing me a genuine smile as she pulled into the parking lot of school. "I'm actually going out with Janette and Marsha tonight, so I hope you don't mind having the house to yourself. Maybe you could call Sav; see if he'll keep you company for dinner."

A painful stabbing sensation clenched at my heart and I did my best to work up an equally genuine smile. "Sounds great," I gulped, not in the mood to elaborate. "Have a nice day," I whispered, leaning in to give my mom a kiss on the cheek before slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading into battle.

I spotted Alli on the front steps with Jenna, an apologetic smile poised on her lips as she met my gaze. I didn't deserve her pity—she had no idea where I had been the night before—but it felt nice anyway; having Alli to fall back on no matter how much I messed up with Sav. I offered her a wave and a nod, but continued to walk, not really in the mood to be around Jenna.

As I reached my locker, I finished off the contents of my coffee mug with a big gulp, and placed it on the top shelf. I pulled out my math textbook; making sure my homework is still tucked inside. All of a sudden, though, the world went dark. I gasped and jumped backward, bumping into a human chest. A stab of anticipation ripped through my chest, and I pulled the hands away from my face, almost expecting Sav to be standing behind me—using his signature move to get my attention.

But my heart dropped into my stomach—and then picked up its pace, beating itself into cardiac arrest—when I came face to face with a smirking Eli Goldsworthy. "Jumpy," he noted, a trace of guilt in his voice.

"Good morning," I snapped playfully, unable to help the reflexive smile that overtook my lips any time I was around him.

"Is it?" he raised an eyebrow, his gaze sliding down my body in a way that made me shiver. "You seemed to be dressed for gloom." I could hear the genuine concern in his voice, wreaking havoc on my suddenly muddled brain.

After a moment of consideration, I decided to open up to Eli; figuring it was the least I could do after he entrusted so much to me the night before. "Sav isn't talking to me," I shrugged…as if it were no big deal. As if I wasn't totally devastated over that fact.

"Ah, yes; our entire lunch period witnessed the fight," Eli reminded me, and I groaned at the memory, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out at the boy next to me…who was staring at me with an intensity that could have single handedly caused global warning. "I meant to ask you about it last night…but I got distracted."

"Thanks again," I nodded, turning to flash Eli a sad smile; the memory of my nightmare was still vivid. But I could handle Eli's past. I would handle it; he needed me to, and I would not be another person to let him down.

"What are you thanking me for?"

His voice was so incredulous; I couldn't help the laughter that escaped. It sounded mangled and wrong, so I covered my mouth with my hand; an embarrassed blush rising to my cheeks. "I-for letting me understand you. For forgiving me so easily. I'm so happy to have you in my life," I told him. I instantly regretted my brutal honesty, though, when the pleased smirk tugged at Eli's lips. I could easily see how my words could have been taken the wrong way…but I loved Sav. I was in love with Sav. And no matter how much I enjoyed Eli's company—appreciated his wit and cynicism and passion—that wasn't going to change.

No matter how attractive I found Eli, I could control myself, right? I mean, it was purely physical…yes, that was all.

"In that case, you're welcome…but I believe I owe you a thank you, as well. You're so…," Eli paused, seemingly at a loss for words, "Perfect." He cleared his throat. "The perfect friend," he clarified suddenly emphasizing the last word with a peculiar, unidentifiable emotion. Did I detect irony in his voice?

I shook my head slowly, at a loss for words. Anything I could say would come out wrong; Eli's own honesty leaving me flustered. My face probably betrayed enough as it was; my blush deepening, my heart quickening its pace.

My stunned shaking freed a loose curl from my clips, the hair flopped in my eyes, and I felt my breath rush out of my lungs as Eli gently reached to tuck it behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my neck, just barely grazing skin. Why was he being so…so affectionate? Where was the indifferent, cold, secretive, scared boy I was used to? Could his confession have altered his, erm, feelings for me that much? My mind, of its own accord, flashed back to his speech about love; the way his eyes had held mine. "Eli," I breathed, not sure what I wanted to say.

"Yes?" he asked, that unnervingly arrogant smirk on his lips.

My insides had become so foreign to me—my reactions never making sense—that I just chickened out. "I have to go to class."

Narrowing his eyes playfully at me, Eli took a step away. "Always so saintly," he winked, turning to grab something from his locker before taking a few steps in the direction of his first class. "I'll see you at lunch."

As soon as he had gone, I started chanting to myself: Sav, Sav, Sav. I certainly didn't feel deserving of my St. Clare title at that moment, and I was desperate to fix whatever had come undone inside me. My footsteps frantically carried me toward the general vicinity of Sav's locker; as if seeing him would fix my sudden befuddlement. After all, Sav had been my anchor of sorts…ever since the first night we ever really talked…after the fateful football game. He had been holding me to sanity and comfort ever since. So, even though Alli's warning had been clear, I needed to see him. As a reminder.

Of what, I didn't want to dwell.

Thankfully, as I approached, I found Sav leaning against his locker, listening to Holly J babble on about something. A stab of jealously shook my body at the same time I let out a sigh of confusing relief. He looked happy, smiling politely at his vice president.

Taking a tentative step closer to Sav, I gave a nervous cough. Holly J looked at me before Sav did, cocking her eyebrow knowingly. "We can just talk about the fundraiser some other time," she assured Sav, already taking a few steps away from his locker—but he still wasn't glancing at me. "Are you free for lunch?"

Sparing a fleeting glance for where I was waiting to talk to him, Sav nodded. "Lunch is fine; I'll meet you in the student council office."

Trying not to feel too disappointed that he wouldn't be joining me as usual, I focused my attention on getting Sav to hold my gaze. He looked tired and defeated—worry clutched at my lungs, making it hard to breathe. "How…are you feeling?" I asked stupidly as soon as Holly J had given a curt nod and disappeared down the hall.

"Just dandy," he replied, rolling his eyes with exasperation. "I am busy, though. Can we talk later, Clare?"

I gulped, casting my eyes downward. "I—yeah. Later is fine."

"Hey," he murmured, and I glanced up just in time to see him approach me, a gentle gleam in his eye. "Don't pout," there was a light teasing in his tone that released some of the pressure in my chest. Sav rested his palm against my cheek, leaning down to kiss me softly on the forehead. "I'm not as mad as I was last night. I want to fix this, okay? I just…I don't know what I want to say to you right now. It just, I'm still hurt that you would lie to me." I nodded along, knowing that he had every right to be upset and hurt. I just hated putting off the conversation. For some gut reason, it felt like a bad idea to me. "I have a free period after lunch…I can get you out of media immersion so we can talk. How does that sound?"

I wasn't a huge fan of skipping class, but I also wasn't exactly in the best place to be picky. "That sounds like a nice compromise," I finally offered, my voice soft as I stepped away from him, I worked hard to bite back the apologies that I want to spout at him once again; saving them, instead, for later.

"Alright; I'll see you then," he took a sudden step back. "You should get to class."

Silently, I sulked off to math, dropping into my seat just seconds before the bell sounded. I immediately flipped through my book to slide out the set of problems we had for homework, passing it up the row as Alli turned to me. "Someone looks like they got a lot of sleep last night," she commented casually, the hint of worry in her voice barely detectable.

"Just a little less than the daily recommendation," I sounded back, mirroring her relaxed tone. She snorted, but didn't push it; turning her attention to the head of the room. I, on the other hand, seemed to be eternally distracted. There was a stew of anxious anticipation bubbling in my stomach, and I wasn't sure if it pertained to my scheduled talk with Sav or seeing Eli in English. The boy I had seen earlier was just so different and open that it made me nervous; the way his gaze alone could make my blood boil made me nervous.

When the bell rang signaling the end of class, I gathered my books with a flustered energy, turning quickly to Alli. "Please tell me you don't have any prior lunch commitments," I begged.

She looked perplexed for a moment. "Random…," she pointed out as we left the classroom. She waited for me to elaborate, but when I didn't, she sighed. "I'm actually helping Jenna with her science at lunch; she's been struggling, so I offered to walk her through the unit. I'm sure it'd be just fine if you joined, though," Alli added as an afterthought, her face guilty.

"I'd rather eat my own hair," I narrowed my eyes glumly. I would be eating lunch alone. With Eli. Just Eli and me. "Thanks, though. I'll find someone to eat with."

Alli raised an all-knowing eyebrow at me. "What? Dr. Doom suddenly doesn't want to spend time with you anymore?"

I let my head fall back, a gusty sigh rushing out of my lungs. "Alli…I just," I paused, almost wanting to spill my guts to her; tell her everything I had learned the night before. How different Eli had been earlier; how bizarre my reactions had been to his newly blatant affection. But then I remembered that she was struggling to remain objective, the middle man. I would just be making her life harder, and complicating things further with Sav—two things I did not want to do. "I just want Sav to trust me again."

She nodded, as if she totally understood what I meant; which she couldn't: not without the whole picture. "So don't eat in the cafeteria. I hear that memorial garden is quite nice," Alli winked before setting off for class. "See you later, Clare!"

"If I don't explode first," I mumbled under my breath, walking into Miss Dawes' classroom. Eli was back in his usual seat in front of me, and I took a deep breath, holding it in my lungs as I sat down.

He turned around instantly—almost as if he could sense my presence—and raised his eyebrows. "Math got you down?" Eli teased.

"Always," I huffed, but that involuntary smile threatened to twitch itself into place. I turned my attention to my notebook, taking my time to flip it open and find the first empty page with care. Anything to keep me from staring into those stupidly hypnotic green eyes.

"So…," he started off, unusually awkward.

"Yes?"

"Well, we have an unfinished project on our hands, just waiting to come to a conclusion," he pointed out, craning his neck to force to me to meet his gaze.

I flashed him a half-smile, still refusing to look him in the eye head-on. "I suppose we do."

"Are you free after school," he prompted, an edge of petulance in his voice. I couldn't blame him—I was being entirely too difficult to talk to.

I tried not to sigh too loudly, conflicted. On one hand, the last thing I needed was to spend more time, alone, with Eli outside of school. I wasn't sure how much longer I could ignore the flipping in my stomach. On the other hand, he was my friend and I enjoyed his company. I did want to finish the project, and being around Eli allowed me to forget about all my problems with Sav for a while. In fact, being around Eli made me forget a lot of things…

"Yes, I'm free," I finally decided, looking Eli in the eye to offer a genuine smile. My heart flooded my throat, though, at the look of pure enjoyment he was eyeing me with. "Y-you could come over," I offered, stumbling over my words.

He flashed me a smirk before nodding. "Great." And, with that, he turned to face forward. I let out a gust of air I hadn't realized I was holding, my entire body feeling quivery.

"Yeah," I agreed several moments too late; Dawes was already teaching, "It's great."

XXX

By the time lunch reared its ugly head, every nerve in my body had been fried beyond recognition. Tail tucked between my legs, I sullenly made my way to the memorial garden, as Alli had suggested. I was a few bites into my sandwich, and several chapters into The Hunger Games, when I felt eyes on me. "I never took you for the sulking type, Edwards."

I rolled my eyes, looking up to find Eli sitting down next to me. "I'm not sulking, jerk-face."

He cocked an eyebrow at me. "That's the best you can do? Really?"

"Leave me alone; I'm sulking," I mocked.

"Well, that's just unflattering, Edwards."

I couldn't hold back my laugh when Eli winked. "You're kind of impossible, you know that right?"

"Impossibly charming, you mean."

"Whatever lets you sleep better at night," I giggled, clearing the clutter from my lunch to make room. "What can I do for you?"

Eli shrugged. "You weren't in the cafeteria, and I think you've ruined me."

I scoffed, offended. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm sure I haven't."

"Yes, you have," he insisted. "I used to prefer eating alone; enjoy it, even. Now it just seems lonely and pathetic, sitting by myself."

"Maybe because it is lonely and pathetic," I teased, kind of amazed by the notion that Eli found being alone strange. Because of me. Despite all his dramatic changes, I would have thought the need for seclusion was a primal part of what made Eli Goldsworthy, well, Eli Goldsworthy. "But I'm sorry for ruining you," I leaned over to bump him with my shoulder.

"I'm not sorry…but why aren't you in the cafeteria?"

I smiled softly at Eli. "Just kind of avoiding people today; I'm not really in the mood."

"Avoiding all people, or just me?" he asked, showing off his scarily perceptive side.

"There's a possibility that I noticed you were one of the many people I would be…not seeing," I stumbled over my words, clumsily trying to stick to the truth.

Eli nodded, his face suddenly guarded again. "I see; any particular reason?"

I hung my head, nervously fiddling with the book in my hands. "You were being so nice to me this morning, and Sav…and I just don't want to do the wrong thing."

Eli's hand on my shoulder was soft, tentative. "Hey, look at me; please?" His voice sounded so desperate that I couldn't help myself—I had to meet those green, green eyes. "I know things are suddenly intense…my little story last night was a lot to take in. But you've been so great to me; loyal and trustworthy. There's no way you could do the wrong thing in my book."

My heart melted at Eli's speech, but I couldn't help think that was exactly what I was afraid of; that too perfect image that Eli had of me in his head. "Stop it," I warned, a small smile threatening to break into a bigger one.

Eli cocked his head at my peculiar response. "Stop what?"

"Blaming yourself for my mood," I pointed out, setting my book aside so I could place my hand gently over his. "Yes, hearing what you had to go through was a little upsetting, but that's only because I care about you. I sincerely wish you hadn't had to experience any of that, and I'm sorry if it seems like I'm pulling away. I assure you, I just have a lot on my plate."

His hand was suddenly over the top of mine. "When don't you, Edwards? I guess it is reassuring to hear that you're not acting like a kangaroo because of something I did, though."

"Kangaroo…jumpy, I get it; very clever," I snipped sarcastically, withdrawing my hand slowly. A not-quite-uncomfortable silence fell over us, and I glanced around the memorial garden. Thinking aloud, I said, "We never really talked about what the display will look like for our project after we're done." I gestured over to the small space, sectioned off by Simpson's orders, just for us.

I could see the gears turning in Eli's head as he stared at the same empty space, thinking hard. "Ted's a welder, you know."

"No, can't say that I know much about Ted at all."

"Well, he's a welder," Eli repeated, winking at me. "I'll mention it to him tonight. Maybe he could whip up something."

I raised my eyebrows, glancing back at the space. "That's a cool idea; I like it!"

"Of course you do; I came up with it," Eli smirked, pulling out his lunch.

"Do you always have to be so arrogant?" I narrowed my eyes at him, relaxing into the familiar banter. Eli and I worked best like this; the loose kind of bickering. There were no deeper emotions involved, I didn't have to worry about saying something that would give Eli the wrong idea…it was just the two of us having fun ragging on each other.

"No, sometimes I can be smug or self-absorbed."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Okay, okay; you're losing your touch. I could have come up with that one."

"Ouch, woman, that cuts deep," he laughed, his eyes sparkling. "Take it back!"

"Never," I teased, finishing off my sandwich and shoving my garbage into my paper bag. "I'll see you later, though," I told him cheerily, standing up and ruffling his hair. He didn't even flinch—instead smiling up at me with a fondness in his eyes that made me shiver.

"I'll wait for you outside," he promised, standing up as well. As he walked back inside, I found myself staring after him, wishing he didn't have leave; he seemed to be taking my calm, good mood with him. I finished the rest of my lunch in a frantic panic, unable to focus on my book.

I wasn't sure why the thought of talking with Sav was sending me into a desperate panic. If anything, I should have been pleased; this was what I had wanted in the first place. But the potential that it could go wrong made me sick to my stomach. He was too much to lose.

I was so on edge; the sound of the bell had me on my feet, a tiny shriek slipping out against my will. "Get it together, Saint Clare," I chastised myself, using the nickname if only because I was just frustrated with myself.

I threw away the contents of my half-eaten lunch, stopping by my locker to get my Media Immersions binder, and stood outside the computer lab, scanning the halls for Sav. My heart was threatening to race my stomach out of my throat, but I kept myself firmly rooted in place. When there were mere seconds before the bell, I let out a defeated sigh. Maybe he would be coming to get me in a few minutes.

I took my seat with poor grace, trying to hide the chagrinned expression on my face from Alli. I really did try to pay attention to the lecture, but it was impossible for me to pull my eyes away from the door for too long.

Sav didn't come. He wasn't coming…maybe he really didn't want to fix anything.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in a crummy, sullen mood. It was worse than pouting; I was devastated. Perhaps it was premature, but it seemed like a good time to mourn the loss of my relationship.

Alli seemed to sense my need to brood in silence. Instead of trying to coax words from me, she kept a watchful eye on me without words. Which was actually kind of amazing, considering it was Alli.

When the final bell rang, she simply squeezed my shoulder. "See you tomorrow, girl." I nodded, standing slowly and making my way to my locker. I pulled out my bag and coffee mug before making my way to the front steps. Eli was already there, paging through our notebook.

"I think we should pick some of our favorite quotes," Eli mentioned, sensing my presence with scary accuracy. "I can give them to Ted…he could incorporate them into whatever he comes up with."

"That sounds nice," was all I could manage.

Eli raised his eyebrow at my lack of opinion, but didn't push the issue. He merely stood, and gestured for me to follow as he walked to wherever he had parked his hearse.

I hadn't realized how well Eli had become at reading my moods, too, but he seemed to sense that I wasn't in the mood for chatter or casual banter as well. Instead of trying to engage me in conversation, make fun of me or mock the world, Eli turned on his radio and sang along under his breath.

When he finally pulled his hearse up to my house, parking on the curb, he turned to me. "Someone punch you in the gut or something?"

I chuckled darkly. "Something like that, yeah."

"Do you need someone to talk to?"

"No, but thank you."

He nodded as if he understood. "No problem."

Once we were inside, Eli made himself at home, settling into the couch and pulling the notebook from his backpack. I sat down almost-next to him, leaving a large gap of space between us. But, without thinking, Eli slide closer, flipping through the pages some more. "I already marked the lines I liked in free period," Eli admitted, showing me where he carefully underlined some sections. "Why don't you read through these and pick the ones you like, too." He handed me a pencil and sat silently as I read to myself.

I was so absorbed in the silence and the words, that I was shocked when I felt Eli's breath on my cheek. He had gotten very, very close, reading the passages I was starring. "Does Doctor Anal Retentive approve?" I snarked, my stomach flipping at his proximity.

"Why, yes, he does," Eli breathed, but he wasn't looking at the page any more. Our eyes had locked in an intense stare down. I could feel my bones—my everything—turning to mush.

"You're pretty," I whispered, the words falling from my mouth in an embarrassing moment of befuddlement. It was just…his eyes were filling my vision, and they didn't look quite as haunted as before. Just deep and beautiful and endless.

"Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, Did my heart fly at your service," Eli quoted, his voice impossibly low. "Or, in other words…I think you're swell, Clare Edwards."

I gulped. My mind went blank. All the pain and sadness leaked out of my body and there was nothing in the room but Eli and this bubbling in the pit of my stomach. I could literally feel the beating of his heart—it seemed to be racing the same speed as mine.

Later, I would question what went through my mind. Later I would wonder how I had ever let things escalate without realizing how far they had really gone. Later I would curse myself for being so blind.

But, in that moment, I forgot anyone else but Eli even existed let alone about my boyfriend, Sav. It was in that moment that I realized this was more than just a physical attraction to Eli. This was something stronger, more insistent.

And that feeling was telling me to act; to express.

Since the impulse control center of my brain had shut down, along with everything else, I closed the small gap between our faces in a clumsy desperation. Eli's lips wasted no time in reacting. His hand was at the nape of my neck, curling around hair and pulling me close to him, his thumb grazing my cheek. My hands flew to his shoulders, gipping, pulling, headily.

As fast as everything was happening, it should have been clumsy and awkward, but it was as if our lips spoke the same language, knew of the same desire. Something inside of me exploded as Eli's lips melded to mine, moving in a frenzy that had my heart rate accelerating exponentially.

Briefly, I wondered if that moment was the definition of ecstasy.

But I didn't have time to dwell because—much as the last time Eli and I had been in my house alone—a hurt gasp sounded from the doorway.

"It was unlocked," Sav's voice growled, and he gestured to the door.

Eli and I pulled away quickly, as if the two of us had been electrocuted by the short-circuiting of our kiss.

"Sav-," I started, not sure what I was saying. There were tears in his eyes and he looked livid. I stood. "It's not, don't…"

"No. I was busy after lunch, you know? A student council thing came up. How dare you, Clare!?"

There was a fire in his eyes that I had never seen before. Shaking his head, he held up a piece of worn paper in his hand. I took a step forward, but Sav crushed it in his fist. "Wait!" I plead, but it was too late. He threw the paper at my feet, storming out of the room. The slamming door made both Eli and I jump.

"Clare," Eli started, a catch in his voice.

"Shut up!" I trilled. I wasted no time falling to the ground and smoothing out the paper.

On it, I found the lyrics to a single song:

Blue Eyed Angel

Property of Sav Bhandari

I used to think I knew the world, but my perception was changed by a beautiful girl

She took me by the hand and showed me how to live; to learn, to laugh, to love and forgive

I see my fate inside her eyes, but how could I ever deserve someone so wise

Oh, blue eyed angel, you're my everything. When you're near me I hear the music, I need to sing

Blue eyed angel, you light my soul on fire.

How can it be, you're perfect to me.

A hypnotizing marriage of love and desire

It took me a few seconds to realize the song was written for me. On the back, in Sav's handwriting, it read, 'Happy six months! I'm so happy to have you in my life. Let's kiss and make up?"

A sob tore its way out of my chest.