A/N: I promised I would get this up by tonight so I did. It would have been up sooner but I had some unexpected guests in my house that I had to tend to first. Oh well, better late than never right? I hope you all like this chapter! Enjoy :)

P.S. I swear, I think I was high or something when I re-wrote the ending of this chapter at the last second. It's so random. What was I thinking? I'm a weirdo. Okay, you should read the chapter now. Don't forget to review!

"Don't you get it?" he shouted. "I don't love you Bianca! You're insane! Don't you ever try to fucking touch me ever again!" You stared at him silently as you took in his words. That didn't make any sense. You're Bianca, the one and only. Every guy wants you, so what made him so different than the rest? You tried to step closer to the green eyed boy with a forced smile as if what he said hadn't fazed you, but he swatted you away.

"Eli, don't be stupid. We both know you want me," you tried to reason with him, but he wasn't listening to you. He didn't care. At some point you made a mistake; you miscalculated. He didn't want you.

"You're delirious." He turned his back on you as you tried to play with the hem of his jeans, but he wouldn't pay attention to you. For some reason he didn't care, and it tore you apart inside.

"No! Don't go!" you shouted at the top of your lungs. He stopped for a second and turned to look at you. You could only see disgust on his face. There was no lust, there was no concern. There was not an ounce of love. You couldn't help it now. You didn't mean to but you slapped him across the face as hard as you could. Your hand stung and in that instant when your hand connected with his face it made sense. You weren't trying to get him to sleep with you. You were trying to get him to love you.

"You are such a bitch," he said as he shook his head. "Are you happy now?" Eli paused as if he was waiting for a response from you, but you stood silent and stared at him blankly. "I don't want you, okay?" The tears were filling up in your eyes now and threatening to spill over any second, but you didn't know what to say. You couldn't let him win that easily. Not without one hell of a fight anyway.

"I'm sorry!" you blurted. He laughed at your words as if they were meaningless.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Oh gee Bianca, that makes everything better," he spat sarcastically. At this point you could feel a single tear sliding down your cheek, but you rubbed it away violently. "You ruined my relationship with Clare! And why? Because you're nothing more than an idiot skank. You're absolutely repulsive to me."

He may as well have shot you in your chest. Your face is covered in tears and you try to wipe them off but to no avail. He's broken you. That stupid goth boy with the cute smile has reduced you to nothing. Your voice that usually provides you with quick responses has left you. You're dying and he won't put you out of your misery. You can't even think anymore and now you're shrieking, despite the looks other students are giving you in the hallway. It doesn't matter what they think. You'll tell them you were drunk. They'll believe you anyway.

"Maybe... just maybe, I love you," you try to say. It's the only explanation you can think of. You've never said that to a guy before and you're not even sure if you mean it. But if it'll make Eli stay a little longer, it's worth it. He rolls his eyes and is about to walk away but you hold on to him for a moment longer. There's nothing left for you to say as he shakes you out of his grasp. What sense does this make? Why are you doing this to yourself?

"Bianca wake up!" her mother shouted. Bianca groaned and rolled over in her bed. She sighed in relief, thankful that it had only been a dream, but was suddenly annoyed when she realized the sad reality that Eli was still together with Clare, despite the recent rumors she had helped Alli spread. How hard was it to break up such a stupid couple, especially with her and Drew in the picture?

Angrily, Bianca tossed her pillow back over her face until she realized something.

Drew.

Instead of trying to ruin Clare's reputation, why didn't she just get Drew involved? He wanted to be with Clare and she wanted Eli. If she could get him on board with her, tearing Clare and Eli apart would be a cinch. Had she thought of that a week ago, her life would have been so much simpler. With a devious smile, Bianca hopped out of bed and got ready for school, various schemes filling her mind as she readied herself for another day in Degrassi.

"I refuse to get Drew involved," Alli said with a strict look. Bianca rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest, towering over the sophomore.

"Why not Bhandari?" Bianca demanded. "You know he likes your friend. If we tell him what we're doing-"

"Then he'll tell her! Besides Clare doesn't deserve him!" Alli exclaimed. When she realized the odd look Bianca was giving her she quickly corrected herself. "I mean, he doesn't deserve Clare." Bianca rolled her eyes yet again.

"Are you sure you don't want him to help us just because you're jealous your little friend is getting all the hotties?" The older girl asked with a slightly amused smirk. Alli blushed and growled at Bianca, casting a look over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening to their conversation.

"Since when did you consider Eli a hottie?" Alli wondered with a suspicious look. Bianca, being one to never miss a beat shrugged her shoulders casually and quickly changed the subject.

"Whatever. I'm saying if you want to break up Eli and Clare, getting Drew on our team will make our lives so much easier."

"I thought we were trying to break them up so you could have Drew to yourself. If Drew's on our side, then when we break up Eli and Clare, she'll get together with Drew. That's not what I want at all." Alli stared up at Bianca sadly. The older girl huffed loudly. She couldn't care less about Alli's own emotional problems.

"Why is this about you?" Bianca asked in a slightly annoyed tone. Alli frowned indignantly before she continued talking, making sure to change the topic as quickly as possible.

"Look. We're not involving Drew okay?" Alli said. "I know it's a bad idea." Bianca jutted out her lips in an aggravated pout before she took a step toward Alli.

"Listen pipsqueak, unless you want your little friend to know you started the rumors about her, you're going to find Drew and tell him about the plan. Got it?" Bianca threatened. Alli's brown eyes widened in fear.

"No... Bianca, you wouldn't..."

"Try me Bhandari," Bianca replied coldly. With a reluctant sigh, Alli looked down at the ground before nodding.

"Fine. I'll get Torres on board."

"Alright class, I want you all to get into pairs and work together on analyzing the poems on page 94 in your workbooks," Ms. Dawes said. Before she was even done speaking, Adam lunged from his seat and darted over to Clare, nearly bumping into Eli on the way. Clare peered up at the two and quickly sensed tension between them. She timidly cleared her throat but was coldly ignored by both parties.

"Can you move?" Adam asked bitterly. The older boy seemed rather chipper and unfazed while Adam appeared to be on the verge of punching someone.

"Oh, am I in your way?" Eli asked with a charming smile. "I'm so sorry Adam. Really, let me pull out your chair for you."

"Oh would you?" Adam's blue eyes, which were usually two bright blue puddles were suddenly dark and angry.

"Anything for my favorite English partner," Eli sugar coated his words and even threw in his signature smirk. It took everything Adam had in him to not reach over on slap Eli's smirk off his face but he was able to satisfy his anger by merely rolling his eyes, obviously not amused by Eli's silly mind games.

"I want to work with Clare this time," Adam said curtly. "You don't mind, do you?" Eli sneered for a second but he forced a smile. He looked at Clare who seemed terrified and confused beyond belief as she looked at the two teenage boys, then directed his gaze back at Adam.

"Of course not. She's all yours Adam." Eli's eyes darkened as he gave Clare another look before he walked away to be teamed up with another junior in the class. Clare gave Adam a small smile as he took as seat beside her.

"So what was that about?" she asked curiously as Adam got settled in his seat.

"What was what about?" he replied as he stared at Clare innocently. She was even more confused but sighed and decided to leave well enough alone.

"Well, er- okay... So why don't we read these poems first then categorize them by-"

"Why are you still with Eli? Was seeing him with Bianca not enough for you?" Adam demanded. Clare looked taken back. Was that really why Adam wanted to work with her? Her face quickly flushed and her eyes shone with unshed tears but quickly she composed herself.

"Let me guess, Drew told you?" she asked. "Well, you know why Eli and I are still together, so just drop it."

"You don't even seem happy with him anymore," Adam continued, clearly ignoring Clare's wish to focus on schoolwork.

"And what? You think I should leave him for Drew and live happily ever after?" Adam sighed before he dug into his pocket and placed a shiny silver ring on Clare's desk. "What is that?" She picked it up and inspected it carefully. The middle had a heart with a small cross engraved on it, the familiar words "True Love Waits" were written across the band. It shimmered in the light and she carefully placed it on her ring finger. She gasped; it was a perfect fit.

"Drew went out and bought it for you. He would have given it to you yesterday until you rejected him in front of like, half the school," Adam stated.

"Oh my God," Clare muttered as she put the ring on her finger, tears glistening in her eyes. "He must have spent so much on this."

"He did," Adam said. "He was so excited and he was crushed when you made him feel like crap like that. He didn't even eat dinner last night. As soon as he got home from the hospital he went up to his room and didn't talk to anyone. Seriously Clare, why are you still with Eli?"

"I-I thought it was the right thing to do... But now... I'm not so sure..."

"Does Eli make you happy?" Adam asked.

"You know what's been happening with us lately," Clare stated.

"Then stop holding on to the past. I'm not saying dump Eli and jump in bed with Drew when you get the chance... Ew, by the way," Adam joked. Clare rolled her baby blue eyes but cracked a small smile before Adam continued. "You should at least talk to Drew. He's hurting Clare. Really badly. You owe him that much right?" He demanded, staring up into her eyes. Clare sighed and nodded her head in agreement.

"I'll talk to him after school today," she promised. Adam smiled softly and opened a workbook.

"Good. Now how are we getting these poems categorized again?"

"Clare?" Drew looked up surprised from where he was seated in the hospital. He stood up and gave her a confused look, but she quickly wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He quickly peeled her off of him, staring at her quizzically. "What are you doing here?"

"I can explain," Clare said, slightly out of breath, presumably from running all the way to the hospital after school ended. "I know you probably hate me after all those things I said yesterday, and I couldn't stand that thought of leaving things like that Drew. I had to come see you." Drew stared at the brunette without any indication of forgiveness. He seemed devoid of any emotion and looked at her with dark eyes.

"Well, now you see me right? So you can go back to Eli now and go your own way. You were right Clare, we shouldn't be together," Drew replied, a slight hitch in his breathing. Clare gasped but swallowed her sadness, eager to continue.

"No..." Clare said. "You said you needed me... And I didn't realize until now you were telling the truth. I need you too Drew, and I want to be here for you."

"Thanks Clare," he said as he paused, carefully thinking of the next thing to say. "But... the thing is, I don't need you anymore." Horrified, Clare took a step back away from Drew and stared at him, unable to think of anything else to say. Drew's eyes were fixed on the ground, his thoughts running at a mile a minute and none of them were helping his situation. The normal, rational part of his brain was kicking himself for pushing Clare away, knowing that he could have ruined all his chances with her, but the irrational part, that fueled his anger and paranoia congratulated him for distancing himself for her when he was at his weakest. They were drenched in silence until Audra left Antonio's room and turned a corner, walking towards Drew. He nervously looked at Clare, trying to think of some way to cover for her.

"Hi Mrs. Torres," Clare said in her sweetest voice. She held out her hand but Audra gave her a wicked look, making Clare drop her hand awkwardly.

"Drew, you can go in to see your father now," she said. Drew nodded and grabbed Clare, forced her to come with him before his mother could question him about her. When they were out of earshot, Drew dropped his hand and stepped away from Clare sighing as he did so. It was painful to have to force himself away from her but he had to. He couldn't let himself fall for her. Not again.

"Do you want me with you when you see him?" Clare asked, hoping to fill the silence.

"No," Drew mumbled. "I know why you're here; you want to clear your conscience but I can't do this anymore Clare. I put myself out there for you and you rejected me. Now am I just supposed to forgive you like that?"

"Eli is still my boyfriend..." Clare began but Drew cut her off.

"I know. And I'm nothing to you. Nothing at all. So just go alright?" Drew croaked. Clare's lip began to quiver but instead of doing what Drew asked she reached forward and threw her arms around his neck and let her lips brush against his. The action was short; in one instant they were kissing, in the next she was merely standing in front him. Clare looked up at the older boy expectantly, but Drew looked away.

It wasn't fair. Every time he looked at her his heartbeat sped up. Every time she kissed him, he felt the urge to smile. But she didn't feel the same way so why was she acting like she did? Why did she keep stringing him along like that?

It wasn't fucking fair.

"Clare go!" Drew shouted in frustration, pointing at an exit. "I don't need you, you hear me? I never want to see you again!"

"Drew I-"

"I said go," he repeated as he turned to walk away. As he made it to the room his father was in, Drew stopped abruptly in his tracks and stared at the door. On the other side of that door was his father, living and breathing. His hand lingered on the doorknob but he couldn't find the strength to push it open. Not with all that nonsense he had on his on conscience for screaming at Clare. Impulsively he let go of the doorknob and turned around, running back to Clare who had just left through the exit he had pointed at and was making her way briskly down the street with what looked like tears in her eyes.

"Clare!" Drew shouted as he darted after her. She stopped to look at him as she wiped her eyes. The blue eyed boy finally caught up to her but before Clare could say a word, he threw his arms around her and kissed her deeply. His fingers played with her curly hair, his lips moved in perfect sync with hers. It was if he was trying to explain all his feelings for her in one kiss, but he knew such an action was futile. One kiss would never be enough to show her how he really felt about her. She almost fell into his grasp, carelessly playing with the collar on his shirt and letting her hands feel and caress his face and chest. In all honesty, she was a bit hesitant and clumsy, but she was Clare.

She was perfect.

They stayed there for a few moments until they pulled apart for air, both caught in speechlessness and only a hairsbreadth away. Drew couldn't even process what was going through his head. Excitement, joy, ecstasy… All those adjectives seemed to pale in comparison to how he truly felt. He wasn't smiling, but his lips curved upward in a small smirk. He didn't need to smile; Clare could see all his emotion in his eyes. For a moment, Drew thought nothing could ruin such a perfect, but of course he was wrong.

"Oh my God..." Clare whispered as she looked over Drew's shoulder. Drew turned to see what she was staring at and his mouth fell open. The first thing he saw was his younger step brother, staring at them from across the street with a smoothie in his hand and a slightly pleased expression.

The second was Eli.