It's Happening Again
Author's Note:
I do not own Degrassi nor any other pop culture or literary references in this story.
Chapter 11 - Realization
As soon as he left the restroom, Eli headed back to the dance. Before he had Clare back in his sights, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned around to see Adam.
"Dude, you mind jumping off Drew's car? It's dead," Adam asked.
"Uh… yeah, sure. Just let me go tell Clare," he replied.
"It's kind of an emergency, can you just text her?" suggested Adam.
Eli sent a quick message to Clare, explaining about Drew's car trouble.
"Ok, so what's going on?" Eli asked as they headed out into the hallway and out the back door.
"Drew wasn't exactly supposed to be here tonight. Mom sort of grounded him for his grades, but he snuck out to be with Alli," Adam explained.
"And now your mom is on to it?"
"Exactly," replied Adam.
As they approached Eli's hearse, Adam's phone buzzed.
"Hmm… Drew says it's just a disconnected battery cable. You got any tools in your car?" Adam asked.
"Of course. You can't go around unprepared with a car like mine."
They walked up to Eli's hearse and grabbed a toolbox from the back. They then set off across the lot for Drew's car. Eli reconnected the battery, making sure the bolt holding it on was tight. He checked the other one to make sure it was still tight as well.
"Thanks man, I owe you," Drew said as he jumped in the car and sped off.
"Adam, has Drew pissed anybody off lately?" Eli asked, turning to Adam.
"No, not that I can think of," he replied, "Why?"
"The bolt holding on that battery cable had fresh scrape marks on it, like someone had deliberately loosened it. That's not what it would have looked like if it'd just worked its way loose," Eli explained.
"Very good, emo boy."
Eli and Adam turned to find Fitz and two of his entourage approaching from behind an SUV. The realization hit Eli that they had been set up. Fitz had disconnected the cable, knowing Adam would come find him. Then the two of them would be in the parking lot, alone. At least Clare wouldn't be here to see this.
"Bravo, Fitz," smirked Eli, "I honestly didn't expect a plan this well thought out from you."
"I had a little help, you see. Your lady friend has a pretty smart ex-boyfriend. It was all his idea. He wants his girl back, you see. He knocked up that blonde chick, and since he's done with her, he decided he wanted little ole Clare back," Fitz explained.
Eli felt his stomach drop. Where was Clare? If K.C. lays a finger on her…
"So what? You keep us occupied out here while he makes his move in the dance? I don't exactly think she'll go along with it," pointed Eli.
"What makes you think they're at the dance?" asked Fitz.
Eli grabbed his phone to text Clare.
Eli: Clare, where are you? Watch out for K.C. Just stay put at the dance, I'll come find you.
"It won't do any good," smirked Fitz.
"What are you talking about? Where is she?"
"She ran outside and saw you walking across the lot with a set of tools. K.C. had just told her that you were coming outside with this little girl," he said, pointing to Adam, "to hot-wire my car and take it for a joy ride."
Crap. She thinks I just ditched her to get a one-up on Fitz, Eli thought.
"Answer my question, Fitzy, where is Clare?" Eli demanded.
"She took off. I guess she's headed home. It's a shame to think of a girl walking home all by herself on a night like this. Anything could happen."
Eli's heart sank. This was too real. He thought instantly of Julia. Anything could happen, and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Don't worry though, Eli. I saw K.C. running after her. She'll need a shoulder to cry on tonight, but somehow I don't think that's what K.C. has in mind." Fitz said darkly.
Eli tried to think of what to do. First thing was first. They had to get away from Fitz. That was probably Fitz's only part of the plan, keeping them occupied. If Clare took off on foot, they could still catch up, unless K.C. took her somewhere. Eli tried not to think about that.
He took a step back towards Adam.
"We're running on three. Opposite directions, meet back at my car," he said as quietly as possible out of the corner of his mouth.
Eli put one hand behind his back so Adam could see it. He counted off his fingers, one… two… three…
Eli dashed to the right, through a line of cars, and Adam stole to the left, dodging a trash can.
Not even caring about Fitz anymore, Eli jumped in the car, followed by Adam in the passenger seat shortly afterward.
Eli slammed the hearse into drive, and floored it in the direction Clare would have taken. Eli hoped fervently that K.C. hadn't taken her somewhere. If they were still on the path to Clare's house, he had a shot of finding them. If not, he wouldn't even know where to begin.