Degrassi. It hadn't changed much in 10 years. They had remodeled it a bit, and Wesley Betenkamp was now the principal. Mr. Simpson had retired.
Dave let Alli and I out at the drop off zone for students while he went to find a parking spot. Exchanging nervous glances, we ran up the steps like we had when we were students here: 2 at a time.
Almost immediately I was swarmed by people wanting to talk to me about my latest novel. Being a published author, I was used to that happening. But this was my old high school. They don't need to treat me like I'm a celebrity.
"Guys, I autographed all of your yearbooks a decade ago. Why don't you just use those?" I suggested, trying to escape the mess of a crowd. Alli had gone to find us a table; she hated the fans almost as much as I hated being swarmed.
"Done?" she asked, looking up from the photo album on the table. Glancing down I saw what she was looking at: picture of her and Drew some time during the two weeks they dated. His arms were wrapped around hers.
"Don't worry about him. He chose Bianca, and you got to have Dave," I reminded her. If only I could take my own advice. Eli had chosen Imogen and I had chosen Jake. Not that it'd lasted very long. We'd broken up after I'd realized I was pregnant and I left Degrassi. I spent my senior year being home-schooled, so I could take care of Willow and not have to be gossiped about. Nobody knew about her aside from my closest friends. Eli didn't even know about her.
"Alli, I'm going to go get something to drink," I whispered, giving her a small smile.
"Diet Coke, please!" she called after me. I laughed, nodding.
I was on my way back to our table when I saw them come through the doors. Of course they had to come. Eli had no friends besides Adam, and Imogen was more hated than Bianca after all she'd done when she'd come to Degrassi. Why were they here? It's not like they cared about Degrassi or any of the people here.
Eli nodded his head in my direction. He hadn't changed much since high school; same shaggy black hair, same wardrobe. The only difference was that I wasn't with him and that she was. Ignoring them, I hurried back to our table with the drinks. Adam and Fiona had joined us and were talking with Jenna and Ali about something.
I had just about reached our table when I crashed into someone. Drinks flying out of my hands, I blushed, embarrassed. Looking up to see who it was, I gasped. Standing in front of me was Jake Martin.
"Sorry," I said apologetically as he helped me up.
"Clare. Clare Edwards." He said grinning. I should've been watching where I was going." He added.
"Are you sitting somewhere already? I'm sure we've got room at our table." I said, hoping he'd say he would love to.
"Sure, that sounds great!" he added, smiling even more. He was the same Jake, taller, more muscular, and somehow more handsome than in high school, but he was still the same down to earth guy I'd fallen for.
The night had been spent catching up for the most part. It was great to see everyone again. We had exchanged numbers, face ranges, emails; everything we could do to keep in touch. Jake and I had spent most of the time playing 20 questions, though the question number far-exceeded what it normally would.
"Career?" I asked him, taking a sip of Sprite, and a bite of the pizza they were serving.
"Marine," he replied and I choked on my sprite.
"Seriously? I had no idea," I said, surprised.
"Yeah, I left the day after graduation. I only have about 3 months left before I'm done," he said, smiling.
"That's good," I replied with relief.
"Clare, Dave and I are heading out. Do you want a ride?" Alli asked as she slid into her jacket and gave people hugs.
"Umm…S-" I started, but Jake stopped me.
"I can take you home," he offered.
"Ok," I smiled. Alli shot me a wink, which I ignored as she left.
"So, this is it," I stepped out of the Toyota Pickup Jake owned.
"Do you wanna come up for some coffee?" I asked, hoping once again he'd say yes.
"Absolutely. I'd love to see where the famous Clare Edwards lives!" He grinned. Rolling my eyes, I led the way to my apartment 239.
