Thank you for your feedback! So the next chapter will be the epilogue and it should be up soon so keep a look out for it. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi.

Affection

.

The rest of the day at the beach turned about to be wonderful. Not like I expected anything less… but it was probably the highlight of my summer. But now I was cooped up in my room and trying to flow out the perfect concluding paragraph for my story.

I chewed on my pen and let out a frustrated sigh from the complete and forceful wall that blocked my brain from the golden words hidden away. The contest was in two days and I still had to edit and everything else that was required for the contest. To say I was nervous was a complete understatement.

I pulled the pen out of my mouth and tried to relax my mind, closing my eyes to feel any sorts of words to come to my mind.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

"Stupid writers block!" I groaned, throwing my book across the room in a heated trance. When I settled down, I quickly scooped up my book when I realized how much damage I almost caused to my favourite book.

It was a birthday present for my twelfth birthday. From Darcy.

I examined the book and sighed in relief that it was still in mint condition. I fell back on my bed and was extremely irritated at how I wasn't able to finish my story. If Eli weren't out with his dad at the moment he would've been here helping me. I couldn't really ask Alli because Science and Math were more her forte. So basically I had no help whatsoever.

Great. Its not like I'm under any stress with this whole contest and my dad's wedding or anything… Not at all.

I decided to ease my mind and get myself a snack. Mom was in the kitchen when I entered, rummaging through some papers while seated at the dining table. She reared her head towards me and shot me a small smile before returning back to work.

"So… I think I'll be going to the wedding tomorrow," I began casually, grabbing some nutella from the cupboard.

I was aiming for a cool and calm reaction from mom but when I saw the wide smile on her face I knew she wasn't just going to pat me on the head but give me a(presumably)affectionate and long speech on how I was doing the right thing.

I was right.

After about maybe ten minutes, I thought I was bombarded with the overall moral of the speech.

"…I'm just so proud you're-"

"Thanks, mom," I cut her off politely. "I understand how happy you are over this but the whole praising speech isn't necessary. I honestly feel more like a bad daughter then a good one."

"Why would you think that?" she asked, hurt blatant in her voice with wide, sad eyes to match.

I started to peel my banana, suddenly feeling like making the perfect sandwich was more important than answering her question. Her pleading gaze made me roll over though.

"I despised how I treated everyone at dinner when dad came, and I just feel childish for not being able to deal, because even though it's been a while, I'm still not over the divorce," I admitted gravely, returning back to making my sandwich so I wouldn't have to look at her.

"Sweetie…" she sighed, and I heard her shuffling towards me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's completely understandable that you're not over the divorce. You don't have to hide it."

"I just thought it would be better for everyone if I did." I glanced up at her quickly, tears burning the back of my eyes. "Sometimes I wish things could go back to the way they were."

"Me too, sweetie," she murmured sweetly, soothing small circles on my back. "But things change and we have to adjust to it."

I took a bit out of my sandwich in misery and she chuckled before resuming back to her seat. I guess she was right about change. I'll have to get used to the fact that my dad is going to get married tomorrow to someone else. Eli suddenly flashed through my mind when an idea occurred. Maybe I could ask Eli to come with me? Then that would have him reliving his past. I didn't want to do that to him but the idea still nagged at the back of my mind, persistently wanting to be expressed out in the open.

"Do you think dad would let me bring someone to the wedding?" I blurted before I could take it back.

"You can ask him, but knowing Randall I'm sure he wouldn't mind," she smiled reassuringly. "Oh, don't forget we're leaving next week so you better pack up your stuff."

Darn I forgot. I frowned at the idea of having to go back to our regular house, far away from Eli and Alli. It was close to our school which is where I'll see Eli and Alli so I wasn't overly upset about that.

"Alright, I'm gunna go call dad then." I ate the rest of my sandwich and brought the phone with me when I went upstairs.

"Hey, Clare-bear, how are you?"

"Fine, thanks. I called you to ask something."

"Ask away."

"Is the invitation for your wedding still valid?"

There was a long pause on the other end and my stomach did back flips as I waited for his response.

"Of course."

The happiness in his voice was palpable and a smile quirked its way on my face. Now it was time to ask him the big question.

"I also have another question. Am I allowed to bring someone with me to the wedding?"

"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem. Is it Alli we're talking about here?"

I could always switch to Alli; she loved attending weddings, but for some reason I just really want Eli to be there. Maybe it was because he was there for me during my meltdowns over this wedding. Maybe it was simply because I just wanted him with me.

"Not exactly. Remember when I told you about…" I didn't know whether to tell him that Eli and I were dating. Probably wouldn't be a good idea right now, so I went against it. "…My friend Eli?"

"Oh, yes! Well, that's okay. If he agrees, then bring him along."

"Thank you, dad. I'll see in a couple of days then? Great. Love you too, bye."

.

.

A few hours later, Eli came to my house and we just talked for the remainder of the day. He helped me finish my story and I still have yet to approach the topic of the wedding to him. I was nervous since he only just admitted recently that he lost his girlfriend from a similar situation. We haven't really talked about her after that and it seemed like Eli preferred it that way. But I had to mention the wedding eventually, no matter how comfortable I was right now.

We were lying in my bed with myself tucked underneath his arm. It was sweet moments like these that always made me love our relationship. I can be so comfortable around him and just be myself.

"So my dad's wedding is in a couple of days as you know…" I took in a deep breath when his eyes caught mine. "And I-I was wondering if you wanted to come?"

His body stiffened and I frowned sadly, knowing this was heading in the direction I so desperately wanted to avoid.

"Why?" he simply asked, hiding the emotion on his face.

"Because you were there for me when I had trouble dealing with this wedding." I sat up to look at him, upset that he still held the same expressionless face. "I'm sorry if this is hard for you-"

"Clare." He sat up with me and held onto my hand, shooting me a genuine smirk. "Don't worry about it. I guess for a second I was a little racked by your proposition but I would actually like to go with you."

"Really?" I gasped, a smile forming. Out of impulse, I lunged forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I am so glad to hear you say that."

"I don't have a suit though…" Eli muttered, sounding embarrassed as we pulled away from each other.

I smiled affectionately at how adorable he was being, "Not a problem. Just wear something semi-formal. And my dad will be picking us up early in the morning so don't forget."

"Never," he mocked, putting a hand to his chest and I punched his arm playfully. "Ouch, woman!"

I smirked deviously when suddenly something popped in my mind. "Wait! If my dad is picking us up early… I'll be missing the mail truck… I won't be able to enter the contest… again."

"You can always ask your mom, right?" Eli offered, but it wasn't possible. Mom was going out with her friends to some opening market right after we leave. Which she'll probably be there for the whole day. The mail truck comes in the afternoon.

"No, mom won't be there," I sighed, plopping face-first in my pillow. "This is a disaster."

"Maybe, maybe not," Eli said smoothly, as if an idea popped in his mind.

I pulled my face from the pillow, looking at him expectantly. "Do you have an idea?"

"Just give the letter to Cece, she'll gladly hand it in," he said smugly, and I was too happy to give a sarcastic retort.

"Thank you! Thank you! And thank you, Cece. You're amazing," I beamed."

"You're the one who's amazing," he said tenderly, a caring glint in his lily pad eyes that turned my whole body to mush.

"Thanks," I blushed, eyes falling to the comforter so I wouldn't see the teasing grin on his face.

I wanted to kiss him so bad!

I looked back up and he was looking at me with an intense stare. Maybe he was thinking the same thing too. I figured I should test the waters.

I leant up and placed my hands on his shoulders, his hands gripped my sides. My eyes stayed locked with his until I gained the courage to move forward, slowing leaning in until our lips brushed. He crushed his lips fully over mine and I gasped in surprise, feeling light-headed by his fast and passionate kiss.

My hands gripped his hair as I moved in sync with him, feeling his plump lips mix perfectly with mine. He pulled me closer and my brain turned off when the kiss became more heated. I fell back against the comforter and realized my dreams of kissing him couldn't compare to the real thing. His hold on me made me feel secure and loving while all the same his lips made me grovel and render under his control and dominance.

I pulled away and my breathing came out in small pants as the blissful feeling died down and Eli's arms slackening it's grip. Eli was breathing heavily also and I gave him an affectionate look. He smirked and both of us just looked at each other, not being able to be broken from each other's gaze.

"Clare I'm going… Oh, my!"

"Mom!"

Eli got off of me in a flash and my body hit the ground with a thud! I groaned in pain and embarrassment as I lifted myself up, smiling innocently when mom crossed her arms over her chest.

"I just came up to tell you I was going out for a bit… What's going on here?" she accused suspiciously, and Eli came up beside me.

"N-Nothing!" I choked out, flushing scarlet. "Eli was actually just leaving…"

Eli took the hint, nodding eagerly. "Yes, I am actually. Goodbye," he muttered awkwardly, avoiding my mom's hard stare as he left the room.

I laughed nervously when she turned back towards me. "Nothing happened."

"I will see you later then," she dismissed with one last warning look, closing the door behind her.

I let out a breath and rubbed my hands over my face. Well that wasn't embarrassing at all.