Jr

"Dude you are changing though. I've recognized it."

"I am not."

"Luke you are changing. You've gotten cockier and more smooth talking. You aren't cheating on my sister are you?"

"No."

"Wanna put some oomph behind that statement?"

"I'm not cheating on your sister Junior."

"Yeah like you'd tell me if you were."

"What for you to snitch on me?"

"I'd kick your ass first."

"You didn't kick Chucky's ass."

"He isn't on my list is trustworthy people."

"Whatever man…well I have to go bone your sister. Catch you around."

"Shut up! That's nasty and you better not or I will tell my parents. That's disgusting."

"Ahhhh see you later man."

Luke left and I couldn't help but wonder if he was serious. I know it's none of my business but I don't think they should be having sex at all. The thought of that makes me want to vomit up the burger and fries I just ate.

I handed Izzy the plates and then I ordered a shake and a peppermint tea. Juno was supposed to be meeting me. I looked out the window and there she was, walking up. Her hair wasn't in its usual ponytail instead her curls were wild and free. She still looked a little sickly but at least she's mobile. It's been a while since her incident but her attitude hasn't changed that much. I think she's depressed but I'm determined to help her.

"Hey buddy. Good to see you on this lovely day."

"Yeah I guess."

"What did we talk about? Say it or I won't let you have this tea."

"My life is a gift."

"Louder."

"My life is a gift."

"Eh…that's good enough. Peppermint tea, just for you."

"Thanks. How much?"

"Nothing. Well actually… My family is going out to the Joyful burrito tonight and I'd like it if you would come out with us. My mom is dying to meet you. She thinks you look adorable."

"I don't know Eli… I look horrible and I'm awkward. They probably won't like me."

"They will adore you! I do…"

She looked a little worried as she sipped her tea. I didn't mean to put her on the spot but I thought it would be a good idea. My parents really do want to meet her. Plus, everybody seems to be on their best behavior when they are at the Joyful Burrito.

After about an hour it was time to meet my family at the restaurant. Did I mention I finally got my car and license? Yeah, I did. I would have liked to inherit Morty but I had to settle with a Jeep. It's funny because Hope failed the test again and I get to rub my car in her face. Now I have to stay out of trouble.

"Do you need my part of the gas money? I don't want to be a free loader."

"No I've got this and don't worry. My parents will love you."

When we arrived at the restaurant my mom and dad were sitting there. My mom had them whip her up a virgin margarita I'm guessing. She's really pregnant now! Those twins must both be fat because her belly is big.

"Hi mom and dad. I'd like you to meet Juno. Juno, this is my mom Clare and my dad Eli."

"Nice to meet the infamous Juno finally. He won't shut up about you! It's Juno this and Juno that…"

"Dad!"

"Sorry…"

"Juno it's nice to formally meet you."

"Nice to meet you both too."

"Well um you two sit! We've just ordered some deluxe family sized nachos. Juno I hope you bought your Jalapeno shoes."

She started eating with us and the Hope walked in. I was surprised to see that Luke wasn't with her. She looked angry when she came to the table. She was just sitting there like a mute but when she spoke I wish she hadn't.

"Hope honey, this is your brother's friend Juno."

"Oh that suicidal girl. Wait… I didn't mean that."

"It was nice having dinner with you all."

"Hope what is wrong with you!"

"I didn't mean to say that… Wait um… Jr's friend. I'm sorry!"

It was too late. Juno was leaving the restaurant. I ran after her. For some horrible reason it'd started pouring down rain. I managed to grab Juno's wrist before she got too far away. Though her face was dripping with rain I could tell she was crying.

"Juno my sister is an airhead sometimes but she's not that bad."

"I just… I need to go Elijah. I just need to go! I knew this was a bad idea and if that wasn't enough you lied to me!"

"About that…I've been used a lot in the past because of my parents and at Degrassi it's hard to find a girl who doesn't know who I am. When I found you… it was a miracle. I just wanted to make sure you'd like me for me."

"Yeah well… I hope you got the response you were looking for. Please just let me go."

"It's raining down and it's cold."

"So what."

"Juno why are you so depressed? Life can't really be that bad for you. It's just high school!"

"You think that's all it is! I can handle high school Eli! My dad left us penniless to go with another woman and raise her children! This woman is coincidentally the banker who handles our mortgage so she's trying to take our business. We lost our house and my mom lost her job so all we have is the restaurant and a crappy one bedroom we have to share with my aunt and her three kids! Now you tell me it isn't that bad! You have both of your parents Elijah… At least you have that."

"Well if its money you need…"

"I don't want your money! Just…. Goodbye."

I didn't chase after her. I just let her go. I didn't know that much was happening in her life. I guess she's been trying hard to keep it together all this time. I noticed Hope coming out of the door.

"Don't worry about her. She'll be alright."

"Hope what if she isn't? What if she actually does go home and attempts suicide again because she was being held together by weak glue and this moment just dissolved it! Gosh, can you please care about somebody other than yourself and Luke? There are more people in the world you know! You had no right to say that in there!"

"It was an accident!"

"I wasn't a fucking accident! You meant to say it you just felt guilty when she got upset!"

"Why do you care about her so much anyway?"

"Because she's actually nice and decent! She didn't know anything about me! She was real! Now you've sent her flying over the edge and she hates me!"

"Well it was coming eventually!"

"At least I would've had more time with her then! You just don't care do you? If it doesn't fit into Hope's perfect little social boxes then it doesn't matter! You'd think dating Luke would have humbled you but it's just made you more arrogant!"

She punched me in the nose and walked back into the building. Blood dripped down my face. I didn't bother going back into the restaurant. I was soaked and bleeding and angry. I wasn't even hungry anymore. I got into my car and I drove to my Grandpa Randall's. We've always gotten along, well I get along with all grandparents but something was telling me to go there.

I parallel parked on the street and I knocked on the door. My grandma Helen opened the door. She looked surprised to see me. She pulled me in out of the rain and started drying off my face with the dishrag she had draped over her shoulder.

"My poor little baby! What happened to you? Were you robbed? Randall he was robbed!"

"No granny I wasn't robbed."

"What happened? Did your dad beat you up? Randall Elijah Senior has flipped! He viciously beat Jr! I told you he was on something!"

"No granny… dad didn't do this. Hope did… A lot is going on and I don't want to be in the same house as her right now."

"Oh well baby do your mom and dad know you are here?"

"No."

"Shouldn't you tell them?"

"No…. they will only try to make us make up and I'm not ready. She's possessed."

"Well baby you can stay here."

"You and grandpa live together again?"

"Well don't tell your mom but we've moved in together."

"Oh. Okay."

"How is your mom by the way?"

"Didn't you just have lunch with her?"

"Yes… but since the other day how is she?"

"She's fine granny… Just fine."

"That's great."

I greeted my grandpa and I told him what happened. After that I got my extra clothes from the jeep and I showered. The hot water felt nice, especially on my nose. After it was all said and done I just wanted to get to a bed…. Just when I lay down my phone rang again. This time from an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?"

"Hello may I speak to Elijah?"

"This is me."

"This is Roberta, Juno's mother… Do you know if she's been having problems at school or if something happened to her?"

"Did something happen to her?"

"She's gone."

"Juno has problems with life… You probably know better than I do. How do you know she's gone?"

"She left a letter."

"Do you want to me to come and help you look for her?"

"No… I'm contacting the police. Is there anything that could tell me about her mental state?"

"Her diary but it's probably with her."

"Thanks Elijah. I will call you when I find something out."

"Okay."
She ran away from home. I guess we sort of had the same idea except we don't know where she is and I'm in a safe predictable place. I hope she's okay. I shouldn't have just assumed it was because of school causing all of her stress and depression. She's got so much on her. I probably would want to run away to uncharted distances too.

Clare

"Okay Mom, thanks… Thanks for taking him to school tomorrow too. Bye."

I got off the phone with my mother and a wave of relief rushed over me. Junior is alive he's just with my parents which is good to know. I don't know the specifics of he and Hope's fight but I know it got pretty ugly. I've never really liked to intervene when they've had arguments before but this one seems like the worst yet. Eli and I knocked on Hope's door. She opened it cautiously.

"Why did you say that to Juno?"

"It slipped."

"Things like that never slip Hope. Why did you say it?"

"I mean… she's a nobody."

"Everybody is a somebody. Just because you have a million fake friends and a stupid boyfriend, that doesn't give you permission to say anything you want to anybody! Especially not guests of this family!"

"So what do you want me to do? Apologize?"

"That's a start… Look when Jr comes back tomorrow I'm telling him this too… This family is on lockdown. No more weekends out. You'll come with me to the studio and go with your mom to mass and on weekdays a seven o clock curfew."

"Dad that's not fair."

"Well this family isn't functioning so we are going to make it work again. This isn't up for discussion. This is what I'm deciding as a parent!"

"Fine."

Eli and I walked out of Hope's room. He looked disturbed and generally unhappy. Everybody in this family seems to have the blues today.

"Mr. Hardass…"

"Leave it to you to crack jokes when our twins are ripping each other to shreds."

"They will get through this."

"What happened?"

"I think it's been building and today it erupted. I think you are doing the right thing."

"Me too."

"Well at least the unborn twins are behaving and not fighting today."

"Thank goodness for small miracles."

Eli and I talked the entire night about how to sort out this entire mess. In addition to the "family time" we decided it would be good to get some therapy to try and pull this family back together.

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