Thank you my dear readers for your over-abundant patience with my work. Here's the story:

Chapter Seven: One Step Closer

That lunch ended with seven people becoming friends. That first week was spent getting to know each other; as well as other people that were on the outside of the main circle. They spent time adjusting to classes and outside activities. August had ended and the weather had began to change. September had brought cooler temps to Degrassi; causing the green in the leaves to turn the most beautiful colors in the world.

The friends would adjust to the crazy schedules that each would face . Ronnie would spend a lot of time with Nikki; the two girls ended up being the best of friends. The two girls would hang out with Nikki's cousins, Edgar and Elizabeth; as well as Emily Cameron and Rosalyn Brooks. They were always shadowed with J.J. Hogart and all of the niners were good friends.

Gabe on the other hand was having a bit of a harder time. While his academics were going well, he had very few friends to hang out with. Juliette and he had spoken briefly after the bathroom incident, but for the most part she avoided him. They were friendly in classes and even the few times outside of classes they had run into each other. She just avoided him and decided to start dating again. Tony was spending more and more time at Jay's garage and hanging out with Benny Cameron again. Gabe had spent most of that time with Alyson or by himself. The two of them had most of the same classes together and had never really run out of things to talk about. If they had, it was a comfortable silence.

Alyson was sitting on one of the benches outside the gymnasium waiting for her friend on a beautiful Friday afternoon. She had a notebook in front of her and was writing furiously. She heard the doors open up and she noticed that Gabe was walking out with Jimmy Brooks Jr. and Shane Milligan. She slowly put her notebook away and saw the look on Gabe's face. She sighed sadly, knowing that it didn't go well. She listened as they talked.

"Sorry bro," Jimmy placed a hand on his back. "You really did a hell of a lot better than last year."

Shane chuckled. "At least you were able to hit the net this time."

"Ha ha guys; real funny."

"Gabe," Jimmy looked at him. "It's not your fault that everyone from last year tried to join this year. At least Coach Drew was honest about your try out."

"It's cool Jimmy." Gabe shot him a weak smile. "There's always next year."

Jimmy nodded. "That's the spirit. I'll see you guys later, gotta get back in there before Coach has my head." With that, Jimmy went back up the stairs and into the gym. Gabe sighed and turned to Shane.

"I guess I'll see you later." Gabe took a few steps closer to where Alyson was sitting when Shane spoke up.

"Look Gabe, you and I aren't the best of friends."

Gabe turned and gave Shane a sarcastic look.

"There's no reason to be a dick." Shane said, shaking his head. "Anyway, my dad said that we could use a few more guys for the wrestling team. We lost most of them last year to graduating. You're about the right build for it."

"Would I have to wear that singlet uniform?"

"Yeah Gabe, it's a given." Shane looked at Gabe as if he grown horns out of his head.

Gabe shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Shane smiled. "Alright, I'll talk to dad and find out when the tryouts will be." Shane turned back towards the gym when Gabe stopped him this time.

"Why are you helping me out? I thought you hate me?"

"Why are you sounding like a chick?" Shane chuckled. He turned back to Gabe.

"I'm being serious Shane."

Shane rolled his eyes and sighed. "Alright the truth is I don't hate you. You're okay in my book Mason."

"Then why give me grief about…" Gabe stopped when Shane put his hand up.

"You're cool man and you can be yourself." Shane shook his head. "Mostly everyone likes you; students, teachers and parents. You play sports; you're a good student; you do what you want and take your chances. You're yourself and I'm cool with that."

"So the insults?"

Shane smirked. "I do the insults because I'm a dick. I have no issue with you personally. I had an issue with who you hung out."

"You're talking about the Hogarts?"

"J.J.'s okay; he grows on you." Shane smiled. "Tony and Juliette? They suck. Tony's a punk and a criminal. Juliette's a drama queen. They bring people down."

Gabe looked at Shane. He could understand what he was saying. He was still friends with them, but not hanging out all the time; he did realize that there was some truth in Shane's words.

"What's Benny's deal then?"

"Simple; I don't like people that abuse drugs." Shane clearly stated. "Ask me about my mom sometime." Shane started to turn around when he noticed Alyson. "Keep him honest there Alyson. He's a good guy."

"Thanks Shane." Gabe smiled. Shane nodded and walked back into the gym. Alyson walked up to Gabe and nudged him a bit. Gabe came out of his thoughts and smiled at Alyson. She smiled back at him. They started walking down the hall to the exit.

"I take it basketball didn't go too well?" Alyson asked, handing him a bottle of water.

Gabe smiled and thanked her. "It went okay. Most of last year's team tried out and were way better than I was."

Alyson nodded. She looked at Gabe. "You thinking about Shane's offer?"

Gabe chuckled a bit. "Could you see me wearing the singlet and that headgear?"

Alyson stopped for a moment. Gabe took a few steps before realizing that Alyson wasn't beside him. He looked at her in confusion.

"Alyson?"

She came out of her thoughts and looked at Gabe. "Huh?"

Gabe shook his head. "I said could you see me in a singlet wrestling?"

Alyson shrugged. "Yeah I actually could. Didn't you take gymnastics?"

Gabe smiled. "Yeah I did. Degrassi doesn't offer a men's team, so I've kind of stopped going when I came here. I still do a lot of the exercises in the morning."

"Why not give it a try? What's the worst that happens?"

"I don't get on the team." Gabe frowned.

Alyson put her hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll find something else to do."

"Thanks Alyson." Gabe pulled her into a hug. "You really know how to make me feel better about a bad situation."

Alyson blushed as she spoke. "It wasn't anything. We're friends; it's what friends do." She broke from the hug and dug into her bag, taking out her phone. "Let me talk to the parentals and see if you can come over for dinner."

"I couldn't intrude on family dinner. Isn't that when you guys catch up?"

Alyson rolled her eyes. "My parents don't mind if I were to bring a guest. Besides, what kind of loser has dinner alone?"

Gabe raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Alyson rolled her eyes as she called her parents. Gabe checked his messages from his family. He ended up replying to his sister and mom first and telling them the bad news. He called the restaurant to talk to his dad.

"Spinner's Place; this is Doug. How can I help you today?"

"Doug its Gabe. Could you get me to my dad?"

Doug transferred the call to the kitchen.

"Kitchen; this is Spinner."

"Hey dad."

"Hey kid!" Spinner sounded upbeat. "So how did it go?"

Gabe explained what had happened and mentioned about his other option in another month or so. He also let him know of his dinner plans. Spinner was supportive about what his son wanted to do. They ended the conversation after a few moments; Spinner reminding him of his curfew. Gabe hung up the phone and turned to Alyson.

"Are we good?"

Alyson nodded. "Yup; mom was okay with you coming over. Dad was okay with it too."

Gabe smiled. "Thank you Alyson. I really mean it."

"Sure thing." Alyson smiled back. "Let's go!"

"Do you mind if I head back to my place? I need a shower."

Alyson nodded and the two headed to Gabe's home.

A short time later…

The two friends walked down the street to the Mason residence. They had spent most of the time going through the rest of the messages from Ronnie and the rest of her friends. Most of the messages were short and wished him well. They had to smile to J.J.'s commentary about him trying out for wrestling as well. Gabe had to explain to Alyson that Nikki had always sent him video messages. She found it odd, but accepted that the girl was just being friendly. He explained that besides herself; Nikki and Ronnie were always able to cheer him up. It was the way that they cared.

They reached the door and Gabe let Alyson go in first; he followed behind her and locked the door. She looked around and noticed that his home was similar to hers in layout, but decorated with family mementos and photos. Alyson had to smile that how similar the two of them were in upbringing. Family was just as important to her family as it was to them.

"It's not much." Gabe said, slipping his shoes off in the entryway. "It's home."

"It's nice. It's a lot like my home." Alyson turned to him as she spoke. "So anywhere I can change?"

"Yeah." Gabe motioned for her to follow him. They headed up the stairs.

"So this is Ronnie's room." He pointed to the door on his left. "Her room connects to the bathroom. My room is the first door on the right. The guest room is right next to mine."

"What's the last room down there?" Alyson pointed to the last remaining door.

Gabe smiled. "Mom and Dad got tired of Ronnie and me fighting over the family room television downstairs. So about six or seven years ago they made a room for us to either watch the tube, play video games or do homework. It's our own little lounge."

Alyson smiled and headed towards the lounge. "That's cool. Do you guys entertain friends up here?"

Gabe spoke louder as he went into his room. "Sometimes, but most of the time we use it when we can." He headed to the linen closet and took out a towel. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I'll be out in a few minutes." With that; Gabe jumped in the shower.

Alyson looked around the lounge for a few moments. She was impressed. She checked out the movies and game collection that were in the tall bookshelves. She could pick out each person's taste in movies and games. Alyson moved to the guest room and peeked in. She continued on to Gabe's room and opened the door.

It wasn't a big room with the dresser and full size bed; it was smaller than her room at home. The walls were littered with posters of bands, favorite actors and video game characters. There was a small desk with his laptop on it and school bag in the chair. He had a small bookshelf with some comic books and awards on it. Alyson smiled as she noticed pictures of Ronnie and her brother with other niners on the shelves.

She tossed her bag and purse onto his bed and took off her Degrassi polo and slacks. She took out an urban camo skirt and put it on. She grabbed a black hoodie out of the bag and was about to put it on when she noticed two frames on the nightstand near the bed. The first one was of his family at one of those formal picture studios. The second one made her heart skip a beat as she picked it up.

The picture was of Gabe and her that Nikki had taken just a few weeks ago. Gabe was standing behind her and had wrapped an arm around her chest. She had grabbed his arm with her hands; they were both smiling. She was shocked that this picture was the exact same picture that she had on her nightstand.

"How?" Alyson said out loud to herself. "What are the odds?"

"What are the odds of what?"

Alyson didn't have time to react. She quickly put the picture down on the nightstand and grabbed the hoodie. She didn't have time to cover herself as Gabe walked right in. He looked right at her with wide eyes. His cheeks turned a shade of pink as he walked back out the door into the hallway.

Alyson quickly put her hoodie on and zipped it up. She took a couple of breaths, picked up her things and walked out in the hallway. Gabe was standing in the hallway with back towards her; dressed from the waist down. She placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and turned to her.

"Alyson I'm so sorry…" She put a finger up to her lips to silence him.

"I'm a nosey person. I was curious to what your room looked like. I should have said something, but I wasn't sure that you'd okay it. I went in to look around and got dressed in there. It was my fault."

Gabe scoffed. "No it's my fault. I just didn't think you'd be in here. I figured that you'd change in the lounge or guest room. I barged into my room…"

"…because it's your room." Alyson finished for him. "Yes you got to see me in my upper glory Gabriel. I'm a girl; I have boobs. You saw my boobs in a lacy red bra; girls like to feel sexy sometimes. You caught me on a sexy day."

"Girls like to have sexy days?" Gabe asked with a smirk.

Alyson rolled her eyes. "Yes we do; it's a girl thing." She moved towards the bathroom. "If you're done in there, I need to go."

Gabe nodded as the door closed. He wiped a light covering of sweat from his forehead. He took a deep breath and headed towards his room. The bathroom door opened a crack, causing Gabe to turn around. Alyson stuck her head in the opening and grinned.

"Just for your information Gabriel; here are two things for you. One; I've seen you in your boxers."

Gabe eyes went wide. He had forgotten the impromptu swimming at Nikki's a month ago. He swallowed and waited for the other foot to drop.

"The number two is more for me than you, but my top matches the bottom." With that, Alyson closed the door.

Gabe walked into his room and closed the door. As he continued to change into clean clothes he realized that his friend was evil. It's not nice to torture a guy that way.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. As if you really couldn't tell; there seems to be a bit of sexual tension between Alyson and Gabe. If you think things will play out here in the next chapter or so; then you would be correct. Also I decided to bring in Jimmy Brooks Jr. and Shane Milligan into the story. I will be bringing them into Gabe's side of the story as time goes on. Don't worry; the characters that I've introduced in the past chapters will return. Expect big things from the Hogarts before the Christmas part of the story.

I finally got caught up with the current season of Degrassi. Many thanks to DirecTV for taking away TeenNick for over a week and Viacom for being greedy bastards. You had to screw things up for your faithful watchers; we really appreciated it. One note in my story that is different is that the students in my timeline is that they're still in the uniforms. The quick background is that the schoolboard decided to keep the polos and I.D. cards, but Principal Simpson let the students add their own flair to the rest of the uniforms. Easy justification for what's happening for this current season. Plus; I don't know about you, but I'd like my own Degrassi polo or Degrassi clothing. I think it would be cool.

Coming up: Gabe in the Lion's Den. He also gets to meet the parents and grandparents.

Stay Tuned!