Welcome to the new Clew story!
Legal: I do not own and am not associated with DeGrassi or Epitome.
Important to know before reading:
*This story will be all in Clare's pov and because there will not be changes in pov I will keep the chapters slightly shorter than usual.
That pretty much does it, everything else you need to know is in the story.
Enjoy!
Ch. 1 Can't Believe I Ever Fell in Love with You
"I'm going to use the washroom and get some coffee," Mom tells me pulling into the Tim Horton's parking lot.
"Mint mocha please," I request.
"Okay, I'll be right back Honey," Mom smiles getting out of the car. She pulls her jacket tight around her as she steps out into the snow.
I gaze out the window, watching the snow fall on the car. Since Vegas Night nothing had seemed to go right. It was just a week ago, I had started with so much hope for that night and it had ended in such disaster…
The police lead Fitz away in handcuffs as Eli comes to my side. Having been nearly stabbed a few moments ago Eli's watching Fitz with an almost smug look on his face. I look at the boy that stole my heart, that I like so deeply I was willing to do anything for him. Frightened and disturbed not only at how far he was willing to go tonight but the look on his face now.
"How could you intentionally poison someone Eli? Fitz could have been seriously hurt," I chastise him.
"Fitz could have been seriously hurt? He came at me with a knife!"
"I know, and I was terrified, but the knife didn't get anywhere near you, he just wanted to scare you. You poisoned him Eli, he could press charges. I'm not saying Fitz didn't step over the line, but I need to know that you have limits Eli."
"I won't be bullied Clare. I had a bully growing up, Michael, he terrorized me every day and I learned that I will not let anyone else bully me."
"So, being a bigger bully is the answer?"
"Better than having you at his mercy."
"At his mercy? Eli we were at a dance, we would have danced, talked, and gone home. I met him at the dance, and I wasn't going to let him take me home or have sex with him! I may have even danced with you tonight, but you just had to prove that you could be callous and cruel too," I exclaim with annoyance and disgust laced in my voice. I turn away from Eli and quickly begin walking to my house.
"Clare," Eli calls after me.
"Not right now Eli, I need some space. Right now, I'm wondering what I ever saw in you," I hiss and storm off.
I walk all the way home in anger and spend most of the night on the phone with Alli. The next day Eli showed up at my house with flowers and actually got on his knees to apologize.
"I've been up all-night thinking about you Clare. I messed up I know I did, but I really like you Clare, I'm falling in love with you even. I only went so far because I care about you so deeply Clare. The thought of you getting hurt, it just made me crazy, and I went too far. I know I did and I'm sorry," Eli pleads on his knees and from behind a big bouquet of flowers.
"I forgive you Eli, but next time you feel like you're going to do something so drastic talk to me first," I reply, taking the flowers. Honestly, how could a girl say no to that apology?
"Does forgiving me mean you'll say yes to being my girlfriend?"
"Yes," I answer without even thinking about it.
Eli smirks and stands up, his lips crushing happily to mine. We spent the whole day together, my parents were both at work as it was a Friday, but for us it was the first day of winter break. I was happy, things seemed to be right again in the world. Until after Eli left and Mom came home. We packed to leave for my grandparents in Port Dover the next day. Me, Mom and Dad were supposed to spend the Christmas holiday there with my mom's parents.
When my dad wasn't home by eight my mom called him. He said he had too much work to do to leave for a week. They argued about it for twenty minutes before my mom gave up and told me Dad would not be joining us. Things between my parents have been really tense, it's made me not want to be home.
I spent most of the night talking to Eli, until we fell asleep on the phone. Mom woke me up early the next morning and we left for Port Dover. Through Christmas Eli texted and called me multiple times a day. On Boxing Day, I heard from him twice that morning and then nothing. I texted and called him several times with no reply.
On the 27th he only texted me once, said he was sorry he missed me yesterday and he was busy with his dad. I texted him back and got no reply. By the 28th Eli wasn't contacting me or responding to me at all. Something was wrong and I knew it, but I didn't know what.
Yesterday I called Adam. I asked how things were going as most of his family was meeting him as Adam for the first time. During our conversation I asked if he'd heard from Eli and Adam told me he hadn't spoken to Eli since Eli told him we were dating. That's not a good sign, Eli is avoiding us both. My fear is that he's hurt, that Fitz found him and beat him up or something. That's my fear, but instinct tells me that's not what's going on.
It's the 30th now and we'll be home in about an hour. I'm determined to find out why Eli's been avoiding me and Adam. Mom gets back in the car and hands me my coffee. The second half of our drive as silent as the first half. I wonder if she's thinking about Dad, if she's worried or if her mind is somewhere else?
When we get to the house Dad is at work of course as it's Friday afternoon. When we go into the house though it looks like Dad hasn't been here for days. Mom let's out a heavy sigh as we step into the house, then silently takes her suitcase upstairs. I follow with my suitcase going into my room and unpacking. It doesn't take very long, a few things in my washroom, clothes in the laundry, the few presents I got put away. As I'm getting my toiletries back in my washroom Mom pokes her head in.
"Your father hasn't done any shopping and we don't have much in the house. I'm going to run out and do some errands it seems your father neglected to do."
"Could you drop me at The Dot please?"
Mom nods so I get my snow boots and coat again. I grab my purse and get back in the car. Mom pulls into the alley behind The Dot so she can turn around. I thank Mom for the ride, get out of the car and walk to the front. I open the door, step in, and start walking to the counter, trying to ignore the couple making out at a table. I stop dead in my racks when I notice half of that couple is Eli.
"Eli!" I snap angrily storming over to the table.
They stop kissing and look at me, the other half of the couple is Imogen. I know she's in grade eleven, I've seen her around and know she has some classes with Eli, but I've never even seen them talk in the halls before this. I hear the door open but don't look back to see who it is. Eli is smirking at me, and Imogen is smiling, her eyes gloating.
"Is this why you stopped answering my texts, taking my calls? We've been a couple for a week, most of which I was gone for, I come back and you're making out with another girl," I seethe. I'm so livid I can feel the steam coming from my ears. After everything Eli and I have been through I'm gone a few days and he jumps on another girl.
"While you were away, I found someone that appreciates my efforts of protection. One that isn't afraid to be in my bed," Eli says.
With this my heart drops, the possibilities of just how far they've gone while I was gone begin swimming through my mind. I know Julia practically lived at his house; I wouldn't be surprised if Imogen had been there. To drive the point home or throw it in my face Imogen slides her hand down Eli's chest coming to rest on his crotch.
"YOU ARE SUCH A HYPOCRITICAL PIG ELI! YOU GET ON BENDED KNEE AND BEG FOR FORGIVENESS THEN YOU SLEEP WITH THE FIRST GIRL TO STROKE YOUR EGO!" I scream at them. I turn around abruptly, nearly bumping into Drew and Adam who are standing right behind me. They must have been the ones to come in after I did.
"You're unbelievable Eli, how could you be so incredibly deceptive and cruel? What you did is so much worse than Fitz blackmailing Clare into a date to get to us. Come on Clare," Adam says, putting his arm around me.
I leave with the Torres brothers, getting into Drew's car and go with them back to the Torres house. I text Mom that I'm here and am probably staying for dinner. Audra and Omar appear to be out, although could be working. Drew goes up to his room while Adam and I go down to the basement.
"Are you okay?" Adam asks when we're alone.
"No, not really," I sigh, sinking onto the sofa. "It's always been kind of push and pull with us, but it finally seemed to be going right before break. Then I agreed to go to Vegas Night with Fitz and Eli poisoned him. I worried how far Eli would go, my instincts told me to step back from him. I should have listened to them. He came to my house on his knees, Adam begging for forgiveness. For the first few days of break we talked multiple times a day. I knew something was wrong when it suddenly stopped, but I thought Fitz had gotten to him or something."
"I can't explain Eli's behavior, other than being a weak and horny teenage boy. I'm here for you Clare, if Eli's going to act that way, be so cruel and deceptive I can't be friends with him."
"Thanks Adam," I smile at my friend.
Adam hugs me, makes us ice cream sundaes and we spend the afternoon watching movies. Audra and Adam take me home after dinner, Mom is home, but Dad is not. Mom doesn't say where he is and I don't want to ask, but I do tell her that Eli and I broke up.
I'm woken up on New Year's Eve Day by Alli calling. She invites me over to stay the night and spend New Year's Eve downtown with her and Jenna. Sav is driving and Holly J will also be there. Mom says it's fine and drives me over when I'm ready to go. She and Dad are supposed to attend a party tonight, I wonder if they're still going?
Jenna, Alli and I spend the day in her room complaining about loathsome boys. Jenna is mad at K.C. for turning his back on her now that she's pregnant. Alli hates Drew for cheating, and I feel the same about Eli. We're still complaining about them when we leave with Sav to pick up Holly J and go downtown.
"You know not all of us are bad," Sav comments from the driver's seat.
"Older brothers are the exception," Alli replies.
"You know Drew's an older brother," I remark.
"Ugh! Don't speak his name, and it's not by blood, it doesn't count," she retorts.
I know she's angry at him, and I completely understand her reasons. Drew was definitely weak and messed up, at least it was only once, and he didn't just utterly ignore her when it happened. I also think Drew is a rather good brother, but Alli is so angry at him right now she wouldn't agree, and I don't say anything.
We have a fun night downtown, watching the fireworks and the people. Jenna, Alli and I stay up late talking and sleep late the next morning. We have a pampering girl's day on Sunday and mom picks me up late in the afternoon. Dad is home for dinner tonight, there's little talk and it's very tense, I kind of wish he wasn't home. Either stressing over seeing Eli and Imogen tomorrow or because of the tense dinner with my parents or all of it, I don't sleep very much Sunday night.
Monday morning Dad drops me at school on his way to work. As soon as I come into the school, I see Eli with Imogen in the hall. Adam glares at them while taking my hand and steering me in the other direction. We go to our lockers where we find Alli, Jenna, Wes, and Dave.
My morning classes are good, I have them with my friends, and no grade elevens in either class. It's too cold to eat outside so we eat in the caf, K.C. is eating with the basketball players but Wes, Connor, Hannah, and Dave eat at a table with me, Alli, Jenna and Adam. I've been doing my best to just not think of Eli or Imogen all morning, but now they're in the caf a few tables away and every time Imogen giggles I can't help but look over.
"Ignore them Clare," Adam says.
"I'm trying," I sigh.
"You know what you should do," Alli remarks while giving Eli and Imogen the evil eye, "you need to serial date."
"What?" I question forcing my head to turn away from Eli and Imogen.
"Serial date, just start dating every single guy that has any interest in you. I plan to do just that, I'm done with that cheating bastard," Alli says motioning toward Drew who's eating with the basketball team. "Alli Bhandari is back on the market and dating nearly any guy with interest," Alli declares in a voice loud enough for a few tables to hear. Dave of course perks up at this announcement.
"Yes, Alli is right, start dating any and all guys! If you put it out there that The Clare Edwards is single and looking to date dozens of guys at this school will be lining up to ask you out," Jenna agrees.
"You two are delusional," I shake my head as I begin eating again.
"They have a point, maybe not dozens of guys, but I'd say at least a dozen. It would do you some good to get out and see what the male populace of DeGrassi has to offer, or even outside of DeGrassi. Not to mention it will drive Eli mad with jealousy to see you out dating so much," Dave adds.
I shake my head again, but something is stirring in me. I don't think there's a dozen guys ready to jump in and date me, but the fastest way to get over Eli is probably to date someone new. I don't think I want to serial date, but maybe dating a handful of guys? I'm not announcing it like Alli, but I do think they have a point. When we're done eating Jenna goes to the washroom while Alli and I go to our lockers. We don't even make it to our lockers because Alli sees Bianca in the hall and just has to make a comment.
"Look, it's DeGrassi's very own harlot Bianca. She can't get a boyfriend of her own, so she seduces other people's," Alli hisses.
"Alli," I snap in a warning whisper, but she ignores me.
Several people in the hall hear her and there's a chorus of "Oooh" from the kids. It's not only spurring on Alli but provoking Bianca into firing back.
"I can get a boyfriend Backwoods! Not only can I get one I can steal yours too! Maybe if Drew really had any interest in you his eyes wouldn't have strayed to me," Bianca snaps.
Well, then Alli snaps, not with words but action. She grabs Bianca by the hair and swings her around into the lockers. Bianca retaliates by scratching Alli and kicking her. Within seconds a full-blown cat fight has broken out and all I can do is get out of the line of fire. The kids cheering and chanting "fight, fight" soon brings teachers out to the hallway. Mr. Armstrong and Miss Cosnell break up the fight, but the damage is done. While Mr. Armstrong drags Alli and Bianca off to Principal Simpson's office Miss Cosnell disperses the crowd.
I go to my locker, worried about what trouble Alli's gotten into. Taking a deep breath before I go to my TV, video, and movie production class. I was sure Eli would be in the class, we picked it out together last semester. Yet, I was hoping he wouldn't be in here, that maybe he didn't get the class. He's here, sitting in front, and he smirks at me when I walk in. I clench my jaw, walk past him, and take a seat in the back of the room. Miss Dawes comes into class smiling, she looks at me and Eli but at least doesn't make any comments. I spend most of class staring daggers into the back of Eli's head.
"Hey," Adam grins when I come into science class, "was Eli in your class?"
"Yeah, I sat in the back, as far away from Eli as I could."
"Sorry Clare, you could always transfer," Adam offers.
"No, I have an interest in that class too and I'm not letting Eli drive me out of it," I reply firmly.
Adam smiles at me and Jenna comes into class followed shortly by Dave, Wes, Hannah, Connor, and Liam. K.C. comes into class just as the late bell is ringing. Alli never does come to class, now I'm really worried. Mr. Betenkamp is always an entertaining teacher and I love science so it's a good class to end on. When school is over, I try texting Alli but get no answer.
"Mom's picking me up, you want a lift home?" Adam offers.
"Sure, thanks Adam," I smile at my friend.
"I wonder why Alli never came to class?" Adam questions as we begin walking to the front.
"She got in a fight with Bianca in the hall at lunch. I think she may have been suspended."
"Yeah, that's a good bet," Adam replies.
Audra gives me a ride home and the house is dark and quiet. Neither of my parents call and neither comes home until after nine. When they do get home, they immediately begin fighting. I shut my door and call Adam, spending most of the night on the phone with him. I check to see if Alli got back to me about every half hour, but I never hear from her. I'm sure her parents took her phone away though. I hardly sleep at all, my mind frenzied with worry about Alli, my parents and their constant bickering and anger at Eli and Imogen. Mom gives me a ride to school and when I get to my locker, I see Sav cleaning out Alli's locker.
"Sav? What's going on? Where's Alli?"
"Alli's no longer a student at DeGrassi, my dad pulled some strings and Alli starts at Shining Scholars Academy boarding school in Calgary tomorrow," Sav informs me. The thought of one of my best friends so far away makes my stomach sink into my shoes.
"WHAT?" Jenna exclaims from behind us.
"I tried to text her but she never answered," I comment.
"My parents took away her phone, my mom is out, I'll call the house so you two can talk to her," Sav tells us while getting out his phone. He dials home and puts the phone on speaker.
"What is it Sav?" Alli says in a defeated voice.
"You're leaving DeGrassi?" Jenna asks.
"I can't believe your parents went to such extremes over a fight with Bianca," I remark.
"It wasn't just the fight with Bianca. When my parents came in to talk about the fight, they found out I was dating Drew. Then they found out about all of it. Everything I've ever been in trouble for at DeGrassi. Simpson was only going to pull me out for two weeks, but my parents decided going to a co-ed school is bad for me. I'm off to an all-girls boarding school with uniforms and everything, my life is over!"
"Alli, we're going to miss you! We don't even get to say goodbye," I lament.
"I'll talk to Mom; I can bring Clare and Jenna home at lunch to say goodbye. You get on a plane tonight, you should at least be able to say goodbye to your friends," Sav says.
"Thanks, Sav, I have to go, I have to pack. I'll see you guys at lunch," Alli replies and hangs up.
Jenna and I help Sav clean out Alli's locker before going to class. In homeroom we tell everyone else that Alli is being sent to boarding school. Dave is nearly as unhappy at this news as me and Jenna. At lunch we meet Sav on the steps, he's bringing home everything that was in Alli's locker, minus her textbooks of course. We get about ten minutes to say tearful goodbyes to Alli before Sav takes us back to school. I'm so miserable I don't even want to eat. Jenna and I go to our lockers instead which is where Drew finds us.
"K.C. and Dave said Alli got kicked out of school, is it true?" Drew asks.
"Yes, she's gone and it's your fault," Jenna says in a biting tone. Then she slaps Drew and storms off leaving him a little bewildered.
"It's not your fault Drew. It was a lot more than just Alli and Bianca's fight. She's been in trouble a lot, Principal Simpson and his predecessor protected her when they maybe shouldn't have. Alli was walking a fine line, hiding it all from her parents and they found out. I guess they think being in an all-girl's school will force her to concentrate on school," I inform Drew. He shouldn't have been weak and cheated with Bianca, but it's not all his fault.
"I'm sorry she's gone," Drew says apologetically and then looks over my shoulder. I follow his eyes to see what he's looking at, it's a girl I believe is on the cheerleading squad. Drew smiles at her and she looks away.
"You mean there's a girl at DeGrassi that your charms don't work on?" I tease him.
"Since cheating on Alli it seems all the DeGrassi girls are immune to my charms," Drew says in a sad voice. I pat his shoulder but then I notice Eli and Imogen making out at the end of the hall.
"Ignore them, they're flaunting it, I bet Imogen is doing it to make you angry, probably Eli too," Drew says.
"I'm trying to ignore it, that would be easier if it didn't hurt so much. He went so far as to poison Fitz at the dance for me. Which he shouldn't have done because it was dangerous. I get mad at him, he apologizes, I take him back, and then he goes and sleeps with Imogen and just forgets about me," I say with anger and regret in my tone.
"I don't think you're that easy to forget, he's just trying to make you angry. Prove a point or something, who cares he's an idiot," Drew comments.
"If they are trying to make me angry it's working," I comment, clenching my fist. I'm not a violent person, but I do have the urge to go over and rip them apart right now. Drew pats my arm while giving me a kind of awkward side hug.
"I need to get to my locker before class. If you talk to Alli, will you tell her I'm sorry?" Drew requests.
"Yeah, I will," I nod.
I leave Drew and go to class, sitting in the back and engrossing myself in the book until class starts. I do everything I can to ignore Eli in class, I refuse to even look at the back of his head. At least in science Eli isn't there and we're broken into pairs to work on the assignment. Adam and I are paired together since we sit at the same table.
"I think Alli, Jenna and Dave had the right idea, I think I should just start dating any guy with interest in me," I tell Adam, and he shoots me a look.