Different Perspectives

Eli Goldsworthy and Clare Edwards

Summary: Clare is the rebel; the black-wearing, smirking, bantering, fiction writer. Eli is the altar boy; the brightly colored, sweet and kind, aspiring journalist. Opposites attract, don't they?

Chapter 12: Restart


He didn't know why, but sitting in the backseat with Adam on the ride to school was uncomfortable. Maybe it was because his khaki pants felt too tight or because his purple polo itched like crazy. Maybe the reason why Eli couldn't stay focused was because Bianca might just be waiting for him at the front steps of Degrassi to finish him off. No matter what the cause, Eli had been dreading his return after break.

He felt someone poking him on the shoulder and came out of his foggy state to find Adam waiting on the sidewalk. "Wake up, man, the bell's about to ring."

Eli blinked his eyes and shook out his head a few times hoping to relieve the pool of fear that dwelled in the pit of his stomach. It was only school and judging by the amount of security clouding the entrance Bianca or her crew wouldn't be able to harass him without getting a detention. He took a deep breath and fell into step beside Adam to wait on the line to get past the metal detectors.

"Geez, Simpson wasn't kidding." Adam muttered. "Shit got crazy around here." The two guys watched as students were patted down and bag checked before making their way inside.

"Indeed."

For the past week, Eli had been grounded by his parents for giving them such a scare. Simpson had called them about the mishaps at Vegas Night so by the time he had gotten home, Bullfrog and Cece were pale and teary eyed. At first they coddled him and made sure he was alright but stage two of the parental haywire meant getting scolded for even associating himself with a person like Clare. In their mind, Clare was manipulative and bad news. Granted, Eli protested she wasn't which led to his grounding. So there were no hangouts or phones with Adam or Clare all week.

Eli and Adam eventually got to the front of the line where Dave's father thoroughly went through their belongings. He had to admit, it was a bit intimidating. Nothing would be left uncovered anymore. Once inside, they went their separate ways. All the locker combinations had been altered and according to the morning show being broadcasted in every hallway and classroom, many other policies. The cotton lanyard clutching his ID felt so unfamiliar and his sneakers didn't squeak right on the linoleum flooring. So much had changed.

Eli wandered into his first period Advanced English class. His heart beat erratically, in hopes of seeing Clare beside him, but his smile faltered to realize she had been suspended for another week. For one more week, he could contemplate on whether or not he trusted Clare. Over the break he had a chance to think about their situation and in all honesty, he didn't know what he would do without her. All those long weeks they spent bickering and building up their relationship made him understand that he and Clare had something good. Everyone has their flaws. If Clare and Eli wanted things to work they'd need to get over the Fitz scandal and move forward which was what Eli intended to tell Clare upon her return.

Dawes passed out the new assignments, went over the new policies again and reminded the class that their midterm exam grades would be posted bright and early Wednesday morning. Eli found he dozed off minutes before the bell and was awakened as soon as it sounded. "Make sure to read up to chapter 6 of Into the Wild tonight! There will be a content quiz tomorrow!" Dawes called from her desk. Eli nodded in response and shuffled out into the hall. There, he ran into Imogen. Her bright red polo and khaki skirt was paired with neon pink leggings and she wore combat boots. Eli didn't know hair could get so wild. "Eli!" She squeaked breathlessly. He was a tad uneasy by the fact Imogen was hugging him after he and Clare ended on a sour note before break.

"Hello Imogen," He said.

The girl hugged him tighter. "Oh it's so nice to see you! I'm so sorry about Clare but I know you two will make amends." She pulled apart their awkward embrace with a grin plastered to her face. "All in good time!" Her expression was bright and cheery, unlike many of the students that passed him in the halls, until she was about to walk away. "Speaking of good time, I'd advise you stay away from Owen and Bianca. They have a few bones to pick with you but don't be alarmed, Simpson has them on strict detention for being involved." And with those parting words, she skipped down the corridor to her next class. Eli swallowed hard and rushed to Chemistry to tell Adam.

Eli walked past the room and didn't see his friend inside. Instead, Adam was found sulking on the bench in the main lobby. Eli approached him and slid to the spot next to him. "We're gonna be late."

"You know how Fiona was tipsy at the dance?" Eli furrowed his brow at the change of topic but nodded along. "Well apparently she wasn't sober enough to remember anything that happened." He let out a sigh. "All my flirting skills were put to waste and Goddammit I even kissed her too." Eli slouched back on the bench, Adam had just been bashed by a Coyne, but he was pretty impressed.

"Really? That's awesome man!"

"Eh, it's not so awesome anymore. She didn't call or answer my texts all break and just now I swear she friend zoned me." Eli clapped him on the back. "I'm really sorry, man. I guess both of us had bad luck with the ladies that night."

"You know, I hope she changes her mind about me…" Adam then jerked up. "Wait, both of us? What happened with Clare? I thought you almost got stabbed by Fitz, not heartbroken by her."

"It was Clare's fault that Fitz was going to stab me in the first place. She put Ipecac in his drink that night."

Adam's eyes bulged out of his skull. "Woah, really?" Eli nodded.

"I'll tell you rest at lunch. I don't think Mr. Betenkamp is very lenient with tardiness."

Adam jumped up and followed Eli down the hall to the Lab room. The rest of the day was surprisingly normal. Except the lull of student energy, the teachers still covered the same material and the lunch room continued to serve inedible food. Eli filled in Adam about the Vegas Night fiasco and reassured him about Fiona Coyne. She would come around.

Xxx

The week flew by. Before Eli knew it, he entered Miss Dawes' room to find Clare waiting for him. Her hair was curled and her red polo was freshly ironed. She sat atop her desk with her leg crossed over the other and never had he missed a pair of stunning blue eyes so much. "Dodged anymore knives since I left?" She retorted with a smirk.

Eli rolled his eyes. "Let's just forget that ever happened okay?"

"Trouble will still follow you wherever you go."

"I have you to thank for that." He gave her a weak smile."

"I really am sorry, Eli." Clare told him. He could see it in her eyes. She was truly sorry. They looked at each other for a few lingering moments. Clare attentively chewed on her lower lip.

"I forgive you, Clare." Eli said.

Her face brightened. "Really?" He nodded at her. Suddenly, Clare hopped up off her desk and hugged him tightly even with all the other students around and watching. Eli swore he saw Dawes smile to herself. "Good because my uncle got me tickets to a Chuck Palahniuk reading. I was hoping the two of us could go for our first date." Clare was all smiles and waved the shiny red passes in her hand. "Are you in?"

Eli smirked. "Of course!" He pulled a ticket out of her grip and studied the graphics. He couldn't believe it. He had the best girlfriend in the world.

Hey! What's up? I'm back! Sorry it took so long to get this written and posted! I hope you enjoyed my start to Season 10.5! Can you believe it though? Degrassi is already up to Season 12! Boy, do I have I a lot of catching up to do! Please review? That cute little button's been very lonely the past few months…