ELI'S POV

"Eli, how could someone do that?" She rambles through her tears, "Why would he?" Clare had climbed into my lap once I parked Morty outside my house, crying into my chest, her tears staining my grey V-neck.

"He's an awful person Clare. I'm sorry I couldn't have stopped him. I'm sorry he made you cry, again." I should have popped KC square in the jaw when I even saw him come around her, but no, my selfish tendencies kept my lips locked on hers.

"Eli, it's not your fault," She sniffles.

"He will never lay a hand on you again as long as I'm around." I kiss her forehead, I knew Guthrie wouldn't be able to touch her if I was with her, I just don't know what will happen when I'm not.

CLARE'S POV

Eli doesn't just wake up this morning to chauffeur me to school, he will finally be attending. I ready myself for the day in his bathroom, not wanting unnecessary sexual conduct this early. As I look into the mirror, a girl with lifeless hair and puffy, scarlet stained eyes stares back. I start to twirl my curls on my fingers, saunter back into Eli's room to ask for some eye-drops.

"Oh my God," I let my finger twist out of my hair, collapsing my hand over my eyes, "I should've knocked. I'm really sorry Eli," I hear rustling of fabric, then his long arms wrap around me from behind.

"I get it, you just wanted a little sneak peak, but Blue Eyes, all you had to do was ask," His smirk stretched lips pecked across the curve of my neck, the material from his pants rubbed against my leg, thank God. It all happened so fast; I let out a discreet moan of satisfaction, praying he didn't hear. "That's a new one," He replies, turning me to face him, dropping my hand from my eyes. In the quick glance at him before, I didn't notice how gorgeous he looked today. His eyes flickered deep moss, his black hair becoming a bit shaggy, sticking up in odd places, and that red polo sent chills down my spine. It was delightful to see him in something other than his usual black on black wardrobe; there was that grey shirt yesterday though...

My thoughts were interrupted by his lips on mine, without thinking, I happily obliged. As we come up for air, he looks past me towards the wall, deviously smiling before he turns to kiss me again. I am ultimately to swift, turning myself to see that the clock read seven forty-eight. My heart stops for a quick second.

Eli notices, "We could always just stay home fore the day,"

"Uh, no we can't. I skipped yesterday to be with you, and you're finally welcomed back into the halls of Degrassi. Now let's go, because I'm not going to be late." He drops his head, face drooping into one of a sad dog, as he grabs my hand, dragging his feet all the way to Morty.

ELI'S POV

I am quickly starting to hate these changes; not only have they forced me to dress in a dork costume, they made me take of any metal jewelry, and my belt was apparently not provided by the school as they made me hand that over as well.

"They're taking away our freedom, isn't high school supposed to be about finding yourself and what not?" I rant on and on to Clare, who only nods her head, throwing in comments like, "Trust me I've realized," or "There isn't much we can do about it." After I escorted Clare to her sophomore homeroom in the Technology lab, I merely took my time back to my classroom, knowing I can get past anything with Ms. White.

"Goldsworthy, my office," Principal Simpson calls from across the hall. "Now," He yells when I blow him off.

"You wanted to see me sir?" I appear to be portraying innocence; really it's just my hidden sarcasm.

"Very funny Elijah, sit down," He extends a hand, ushering me to a generic blue fabric covered, plastic legged chair. "I've been informed you were on campus yesterday, is this true?"

"I was only carpooling with another student Mr. Simpson, trust me, I wouldn't be at school unless absolutely necessary."

"I was told you stepped onto our property, threatening another student." Damn it KC. "Just setting foot on the Degrassi campus is in violation of the rules of suspension, so I'm sending you home for the day." His phone started to ring, but I just sat there, completely awestruck. "You may leave now Mr. Goldsworthy."

sorry, this chapter was a tad on the short side. the next one is as well, however the one after that is quite... eventful. I love all my readers and reviewers, thank you for sticking with me this long :D its almost been a whole month! My heart flipped when I saw so many more reviews in just a day, seriously lovelies, you all are fantastic