Disclaimer: Don't own Degrassi. 'Nuff said.
Author's Note: Shit is about to hit the fan.
EDIT: I deleted this chapter, then went back and fixed some stuff.
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Broken Glass
Crash
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She spent the whole night thinking about the kiss.
"Clare,"
Needless to say, it had prevented her from getting some much needed sleep.
"Clare,"
And now she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to look Eli in the eye ever again.
"Clare!"
The sound of her mother's shrill voice jerked the teen out of her reverie. She glanced to her left, where her mother sat staring ahead. Clare had been more than a little surprised when she got up that morning to find her mother waiting for her in the kitchen, and for the first time in months, she'd gotten a ride to school. They were currently parked just outside of Degrassi.
"Mom?"
"Clare, I want you to come home right after school today." Helen Edwards said stiffly, never once looking at her daughter. "Your father and I need to tell you something."
Clare felt her stomach drop instantly. "Mom -"
"You're going to be late for class," her mother interrupted, motioning for her to get out of the car. "I'll see you later."
Clare wanted to object — to stay exactly where she was and demand to know what was going on — but words failed her. With a defeated sigh, Clare climbed out of the van and watched as it sped off. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and made her way into the school, completely oblivious to the whispers and strange glances that followed her through the halls. She was far too absorbed in her own thoughts, worrying about what was going to happen when she went home. It wasn't until she nearly collided with another body that she snapped out of her daze.
Alli and Jenna stood before her wearing matching looks of disbelief.
"You and Fitz?" Her best friend cried, waving her hands frantically.
Clare went rigid.
"What are you talking about?"
"It's all over the Anti-Grapevine!" Alli told her, her eyes wide.
"What is?" Clare's voice cracked.
"Come with us," Jenna said urgently, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her into the Media Immersions classroom. She brought up the Anti-Grapevine on one of the computers and pointed to the large caption on the screen.
Big, bold letters glared back at her.
FROM SAINT TO SINNER!
The latest in Degrassi gossip makes it clear that goody two shoes Saint Clare may not be so innocent after all. This pic, which was sent to me last night anonymously, exposes the scandalous double life of sophomore Clare Edwards, seen here kissing none other than junior Mark Fitzgerald. Apparently, Clare likes her boys to be bad to the bone. Who would've ever guessed?
Then she saw it.
A photo of her and Fitz from the previous night.
On her porch.
Locked at the lips.
Clare's heart stopped and she took a step back, shaking her head
"No…" she whispered, feeling sick to her stomach. "This can't be happening… no!" She glanced over at her friends. "How many people have seen this?"
"Everyone," Jenna answered with a grimace.
"Eli," Clare breathed, realization dawning on her. "Have either of you seen him? ANSWER ME!"
Jenna and Alli jumped.
"I-I think he was outside…" Jenna stammered unsurely. "But… Clare-Bear… I wouldn't -"
Before the blonde could finish her sentence, Clare was out the door and racing down the halls. Only this time, she was very much aware of the smirks and disbelieving stares she was receiving. She ignored them all, and continued to run, pushing open the front doors and searching for her boyfriend.
She knew he didn't read the Anti-Grapevine. There was a good chance he still didn't know.
She just had to get to him before someone else told him.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Clare froze upon hearing her boyfriend's voice, and spun around on her heel just in time to see him march over to Fitz — who'd just gotten off the bus — and punch him square in the jaw. A few bystanders shrieked, and Fitz, who hadn't expected the blow, stumbled back, clutching his jaw. Clare made a mad dash over to the duo, reaching them just as Eli lunged forward again and tackled Fitz to the ground.
"Stop it!" She screamed.
But Eli didn't listen. He continued to beat Fitz, hitting him everywhere he could reach — his face, his neck, his head, his mouth — all the while ignoring Clare's pleas. Meanwhile, Fitz tried to block Eli's blows, and struggled to get the smaller teen off. Her throat felt raw by the time another figure swooped in, and suddenly, Adam was pulling Eli back.
"Shit, Eli! Are you trying to get yourself expelled?" He snapped as Eli fought against his — surprisingly strong — hold.
Fitz managed to sit up, wiping the blood from his lip and glaring daggers at the dark-haired boy.
"What the hell, man?" He snarled. "What's your problem?"
"You asshole! You know exactly what you did!" Eli bellowed, his face red and eyes blazing with fury.
Fitz frowned, turning his attention to Clare. "Clare, what -"
"Leave," she whispered. When he opened his mouth to protest, she narrowed her eyes dangerously. "I said leave!"
He obeyed, albeit reluctantly, and slowly rose to his feet. Casting one last glance in her direction, he disappeared into the school. As soon as he was out of sight and earshot, Clare rounded on Eli — no longer being held back by Adam — who stood a few feet from her, his body shaking with uncontrollable rage and fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"Eli, I…" she started, but the dark-haired teen stopped her.
"Don't! Don't you dare!" He spat. "Just how stupid do you think I am, Clare? Huh? You think I wouldn't find out?" He laughed humourlessly and dug through his pocket to retrieve his cell phone, showing her the screen. "Hard not to, when I woke up to this!"
A lump formed in Clare's throat.
"I… I can explain!" She choked out.
"EXPLAIN WHAT?" Eli shouted. "That you've been cheating on me with fucking FITZ of all people?"
"I'm not cheating on you! You have to believe me! I would never -"
"Damn it, Clare, I'm not blind! I know a kiss when I see one!"
Tears burned Clare's eyes.
"Just… let me explain… it's not… it's not what you think!" She cried desperately. "I — I've been tutoring Mark for the past month and -"
"Mark?" Eli repeated incredulously. "You're on a first name basis with him now?" He froze then, as her words sunk in. "Wait… tutoring him?" The color slowly drained from his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost. "But then… you… you're the reason he's…"
Clare nodded slowly, her bottom lip quivering as guilt consumed her whole and tears threatened to spill.
"Yes," she croaked, before clearing her throat and lifting her gaze. "I… I wanted to tell you… I was going to, I swear! I just… I didn't know how and…" she trailed off, noticing that Eli wasn't listening. Instead, he was staring at her in horror.
"You…" he breathed, his eyes wide with disbelief, "you helped that menace… after what he did, you still…" A strangled cry erupted from him and he buried his hands in his hair, squeezing his eyes shut and shaking his head frantically. "No… no! Damn it, Clare! How could you do this to me?"
"Eli…" Clare reached towards him in an attempt to calm him down, but Eli recoiled from her touch in disgust.
"Get away from me, you — YOU TRAITOR!" He screeched, taking a step back.
"Eli," Clare whimpered. "I… I'm so sorry… I never meant to hurt you!"
"It's too late for that, Clare!" Eli barked angrily.
"Please…" she begged as tears streamed freel down her cheeks. "Don't hate me… I'll… I'll make it up to you, just… Eli… please…"
Eli shook his head, his own eyes brimming with unshed tears. "There's nothing you can do to make this better, Clare…"
Clare froze. "W-what?"
Eli tore his gaze away, focusing on anywhere but her.
"You betrayed me…" He said hoarsely. "I don't think I'll ever be able to trust you again."
"What are you saying?" Clare whispered as panic enveloped her.
"I hope you and Fitzy have a nice life together." Eli told her, bitterness laced in his voice. "He obviously makes you happier than I ever could."
"No!" Clare's hands flew to her mouth. "No, Eli… please… don't! Let me earn your trust back! Give me another chance! Don't -!"
"Bye, Clare."
With that, Eli brushed past her and stormed away, never once glancing back. Adam, who had been watching the scene unfold in a stunned silence, lingered behind, clearly torn. Clare waited for him to tell her, "I told you so," but he remained mute. Instead, he gave her a sad look and walked off, leaving Clare completely and utterly alone.
As the school bell sounded, she let out a choked sob and began to cry.
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ONCE AGAIN, I WENT BACK AND CHANGED SOME STUFF.
Please REVIEW and tell me what you think.