An: 'Ello! Again, I must apologize for not updating sooner like I know I should. But I've got some stuff going on. That, and I'm running a bit thin on inspiration. SIDENOTE! Who else was just the slightest bit freaked by Friday's episode of Degrassi? Leave your thoughts and comments on the episode in a PM or review. And, tell me if you want me to continue doing chapters where Eli and Clare still are in love, or more like the show.

Chapter song is The Only Exception by Paramore

Clare's POV

"I love you, Clare," Eli told me as we walked inside The Dot. I stopped and stared at him disbelievingly. I hadn't really heard anyone tell me they loved me in a while. I wasn't even accustomed to the word anymore. My parents had fallen out of love, so obviously they never said it anymore. And, it was the first time Eli had ever said it to me.

"I-I'm sorry, what?" I asked stupidly. It was just so odd thinking that someone like Eli could love me. Yeah, I knew that we both liked each other, but love just seemed a bit far-fetched.

"Clare," he said seriously, "I said that I love you."

He waited for a while, just staring at the expression on my face.

"Okay then," he murmured. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed as he walked away. What had I done now? I just had a hard time believing, not only that Eli loved me, but that love even existed at all. It didn't exist for my parents. And, nothing even close to love had ever happened between me and KC.

As if I even needed another reason to show the glaring differences between the two of us! He had bigger issues from his past to deal with than I did but he still believed in love. And I didn't. I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness, because actually opening up to someone presented too much of a risk. But right that moment, I had a staggering epiphany. Maybe…just maybe, some part of me still believed in love. And it had never left at all, it was just sealed off in some part deep down inside of me. I jumped out of the chair I was sitting in and started off to find Eli.

He was sitting on the bench in the park under the huge pine tree, reading something. I walked slowly because, even though I wanted to tell him everything, I still had to somewhat organize my thoughts. But before I could reach him, he saw me and stood up. But, instead of leaving like I assumed he would, he started walking towards me. "I have something to tell you," we both said at the same time when we reached each other. He nodded at me to go first, so I did.

"You're the only exception, Eli," I said. He looked at me oddly, obviously waiting for me to elaborate on that point. "It just confused me that someone like you could love me. I hadn't been planning on anyone really loving me, or vice versa. I should have told you before, but I was just scared. And the thing is, I'm not scared anymore. You know what I mean?" He smiled and kissed my head.

"I think I'm starting to," he said with a smile.

"And, I know that it's kind of stupid to think that this will last all the way out of high school. But leave me with some kind of proof that this wasn't just some amazing dream," I whispered just before he bent down to kiss me.

I've got a tight grip on reality,
but I can't let go of what's in front of me here.
I know you're leaving in the morning
when you wake up.
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream.
You are the only exception.

P.S.-If you can find the Tangled line, then I'll dedicate the next chapter to you!