Only excuse I have for this late update is school. Anyways, thank you so much for the responses! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi.

Hidden Connection

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Alli was persistent the rest of the night. I ignored her pleas and dragged her and Eli home because I was soaked and starting to feel uncomfortable being there. I didn't speak to Eli on the way home and awkwardly said goodbye to him when we reached our houses.

I couldn't talk to him at the moment.

I spoke to my dad the day after the party and he was going to come over for dinner with his "fiancée." I wasn't excited at all about this but I would try for dad but most importantly mom. I knew she wanted dad and I to still have relationship but it was kind of hard when someone was in the way.

A week has passed and it was the big day. Throughout the week I was itching to get a hold of a Eli, but I was afraid he didn't want to speak to me. I didn't necessarily blame him - I practically ditched him when he was about to kiss me. But I if I do see him, I hope things won't be awkward.

Knock! Knock!

My mom came in my room, her hair done up and a flattering dress adorning her figure. She gave me a small smile but I could see how tense and stressed she was. This dinner will probably be very stressful.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," I nodded, smoothing my floral skirt and fixing my white blouse. "Just ready to have this done and over with."

"I know exactly what you mean," she sighed heavily, tiredness laced through it.

"They're only staying for a few hours, right?" I asked hopefully. "Then they're leaving?"

"Yes," she said, a little relieved. "You know Randall will want to talk to you about the wedding."

"Ugh," I groaned, walking over to my dresser and picking up my brush. "I thought maybe we could just forget about the wedding. I really don't want to go."

Mom came behind me and took the brush in her hands, stroking my hair gently.

"I know, but I don't think it's something you can skip," she sighed. "And it's not my place to intervene."

"But it is!" I protested. "You're my mom. You can decide whether or not I'm allowed to go."

"I don't want to start arguments," she said. "I promised I wouldn't put you through that again."

"I know."

She turned me around and gave me a small hug and kissed the top of my head.

"I'll be downstairs," she said, squeezing my shoulder before leaving my room.

When I was sure she was downstairs, I ran over to my balcony door and slid it open. I leant over the railing and called out Eli's name. After a few seconds, his door opened and he came onto the balcony. I was nervous to face him but I missed him and I still wanted us to be friends.

"Hey," I said quietly.

"Hi," he said, walking over to lean over his railing. "You look nice."

I unconsciously looked down at my attire and felt a little self-conscious at the moment; even if he did compliment me.

"Thanks," I slowly smiled. "So how've you been?"

"Good," he shrugged. "Just been hanging with Adam."

"That's good," I said, feeling a little awkward. "Listen, we haven't hung out in awhile and I wanted to know if you still would like to?"

I didn't look at him. My face was the colour scarlet and I could imagine the face he was giving me but I knew if I didn't say anything we wouldn't get past this wall.

"I do, I just didn't know if you did or not," he said in a serious tone that made me look back at him.

I looked into his eyes and felt this comfortable sensation cloud over me. My head slightly tilted and I blinked as his eyes stared deeply into mine. His lips slowly titled in a smirk and I knew the tension and awkwardness melted around us.

"Well I do, but not today. My dad and his fiancée are coming over for dinner," I said in disgust.

"Sorry to hear that," he said sympathetically. "If you need to escape though… I'm always here."

I felt butterflies go through my stomach and I kept my smile to a minimum.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said suggestively before going back inside.

.

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RING! RING!

"I'll get it," I announced, giving mom a soft smile to ease her nerves.

I took in slow, deep breaths as I approached the door and thought of many different ways I could use to escape. I wasn't going to, but having my imagination run wild for a few seconds couldn't hurt.

"Clarebear!"

I cringed mentally and almost ran away when he wrapped his arms around me affectionately, as if everything were sunshine and roses. The hug felt alien and unwanted. His hugs used to fill me up with warmth and safety but now all they make me want to do is slam the door in front of his face.

I pulled away and my eyes narrowed when another unwanted figure occupied the doorway. She looked shy and uncertain - not knowing whether she should step inside. I hoped she would leave. But that didn't happen; dad wrapped his arms around the younger looking woman with curly, red hair and green eyes and fixed a smile on his face.

"Clare, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Abby."

He said it in a proud and happy voice, as if this woman was a goddess or something. All I saw was a 30-year-old home wrecker who needed to stop staring at me.

"Hi," I said, hiding the hostility.

"Helen," dad greeted tensely, looking over my head.

"Randall," she replied in the same voice. "Abby. Come in."

"It's very nice to meet you, Clare. Randall has told me great things about you."

My eyes almost widened at how high-pitched her voice was. It was one of those annoying voices that makes you want to bang your head against the wall repeatedly until you render unconscious. I forced a smile and followed mom into the kitchen, not even bothering to look back at them.

Dinner was already set, thankfully, and we all took our seats silently. The tension was suffocating and I just wanted dad and his "fiancée" to leave. I could tell by mom's expression that this was hurting her - more then it was hurting me - and I didn't want that for her. I don't understand why dad had to be so selfish?

"So, Clare, how is your summer so far?" dad asked, looking thoroughly interested.

"Fine, I guess," I shrugged, playing with my peas so I wouldn't have to look at him. "I've been hanging out with Alli and Eli."

"Eli? Who is this?" he asked, tone slightly less casual then before.

"A friend from next door," I answered. "His family moved here the beginning of summer."

"That's good, Clarbear," he said. "I'm glad you've made new friends."

"Honey," mom said quietly, making me look up at her. "Why don't you tell your father about the contest?"

She had a gentle smile on her face and I knew she was trying to help with conversation. But I didn't want to tell dad about the writing contest. In my opinion, he didn't deserve to know. But mom was trying - so I would too.

"I'm going to enter this writing contest," I said apathetically, looking at him. "I'm writing a story."

"Wow," a squeaky voice gasped. "Randall told me you enjoyed writing - but a contest? That's wonderful!"

I felt betrayed that my dad told her. Even though it wasn't a huge secret - writing was my thing. It was something that was personal to me and only shared with important people when I wanted to. With Abby knowing - it felt like she was invading my privacy.

"When is this contest?" dad asked.

"Next month. I missed the entry this month."

"That's wonderful," he smiled. "Speaking of next month, I'm guessing your mother told you?"

"Nope," I said, popping my lips. "She might've but it kind of slipped my mind."

"Clare," mom warned but I didn't look at her.

Dad and Abby exchanged worried glances with each other and I picked up a carrot before popping it in my mouth. Dad look over to me, the wrinkles in his forehead very noticeable and a tight line over his lips.

"I want you at our wedding, Clare," dad said, authority voice ringing loudly.

My anger started to escalate and the last threads of my calm exterior were hanging loosely. He was going to make me go this wedding whether I liked it or not and that made me more angry then anything.

"And what if I don't want to?" I said sharply, narrowing my eyes.

"You have to, because it's a celebration and you're my daughter," he spewed out as if rehearsed. "It wouldn't be complete without you."

"Areyou kidding me?" I scoffed. "You didn't need me when you decided to leave us for her. And I'm sure you wouldn't need me now to officialise your infidelity."

"Clare!" mom scolded but I ignored her.

Dad's face went red and Abby was expressionless.

"Clare," she said, steering me to look at her. "Your father and I love each other. And you may not believe it or not but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we're happy."

I slammed my fists on the table and stood up, glaring her down.

"THAT YOU'RE HAPPY?" I snarled in disbelief. "What about my mom and me? We can't be happy? You just had to saunter through our life and rip my father away from us so you could be happy?"

Everyone looked at me in shocked silence but I wasn't finished yet.

"HOW DARE YOU! Ruining a families' life for your own selfish reasons. You're nothing but a cheap whore," I spat before glaring at my dad. "And you - how could you do this to us? Do you not care how much you're hurting mom and I? All you care about is your precious wedding. I'm gonna tell you something - I'm not going. I hate you. I never want to see you again."

I walked out of the kitchen and slammed the door behind me, walking outside to pouring rain. I started to cry and breathe heavily as the rain soaked my clothes and bones to the core. I wrapped my arms around myself in attempt to stop the pain searing through my chest and the violent shakes that slashed through my body. It didn't help. I ran over next door and knocked on the door rapidly, because I knew my mom would probably come out any minute to find me.

I was relived when it was Eli whom answered the door and his eyebrows shot under his bangs when he took in my appearance.

"Get in here."

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.

I wrapped the blanket securely around my body but the shaking didn't stop. It reminded me that everything that happened earlier was still left unresolved and I would have to deal with it later. I took in a deep breath and finally looked at Eli.

We were on his bed after he gave me a pair of Cece's clothes and soft blanket(thankfully the weren't home). He also called my mom, telling her I was here and I would be staying for awhile. I was surprised she let me stay and hadn't already dragged me home. But she understood that I couldn't be home at the moment and I just hoped she kicked dad out of the house after I left.

"The dinner with my dad didn't go so well," I muttered weakly.

His eyes were filled with sorrow and something else I couldn't muster but the look sent some warmth through me and made me feel a little less upset.

"I'm sorry, Clare," he said sincerely.

"I'm sorry for doing this… again," I said, feeling slightly humiliated. "I'm such a mess."

"I told you, if you needed an escape - I'm here," he enforced sternly, staring me straight in the eyes.

He was sweet and I felt bad because he was going to kiss me and I didn't let him. And now I come crying on his doorstep and he's ready to comfort me until I felt warm and fuzzy. God, why does he have to be so amazing? I knew we had to discuss about the 'almost' kiss from the party but I just wanted to spill my guts about my dad.

"It was awful having him and her there," I sniffled. "And I knew it was awful for my mom. I just wanted them to leave."

"Did you tell your dad how you felt about this wedding?" he asked.

"Kind of…" I trailed off, thinking about my outburst from earlier. "I did yell a bit but it didn't make me feel any better."

I started to tear up again and Eli held my hand. I let out a trembling breath and felt the ache deteriorate everything inside me. I clutched onto his hand and tried to let his warmth and kindness take me over. But it wasn't working. Everything was still wrong.

"It's okay to let it out, "he assured, stroking his thumb over my skin.

"I try to find the good in everyone. But I can't for this! I wanted to try, Eli. I really did, but I just couldn't. I can't look at her. I just don't want her around at all. I hate her," I choked, sobbing uncontrollably. "I sound terrible I know, but I just can't help it, Eli. I can't… I can't."

I was lain down on the bed and I cried in his pillow. He brushed his fingers through my hair and it made me cry even harder. Because I had someone that was willing to listen to my problems - yes, I did have Alli but I have this connection with Eli that I can't explain. I just can't help but want to tell him these things.

"I just can't handle all of this," I mumbled. "I'm losing… everything I love."

I felt his hand lightly drape over my stomach and a pair of lips brushed over my cheek.

"Not me," he whispered softly in my ear. "I'm not going anywhere."