Sorry for the long delay on my next chapter. I know a couple of people said I should have Clare and Adam visit Eli and have them find out what's been happening to Eli, but I think I am going to go another route with the story. However I do appreciate your suggestions. Thank you to all of my story viewers and reviewers, without you guys I wouldn't be as motivated to keep updating my story. I hope you guys like this chapter. It has come to my attention that I have been spelling Claire's name wrong. Someone told me it is spelled Clare. (Sorry for the error).This is actually chapter 5, the previous chapter is just an author's note. This chapter continues from the morning after Eli broke his leg. Can he finally tell Clare what's been going on or will he keep his secret to himself?
After a night of tossing and turning, due to the fact that he couldn't get comfortable with his cast on, Eli grabbed his crutches and pulled himself out of bed. Even though he was two hours late for school he decided to go. He was suprised that his father hadn't yelled at him to get up like usual. Since he went to lay down in his roon last night, he hadn't heard a word from his father. He struggled to get ready for school. He almost fell in the bathtub twice when he was taking a shower, however he did manage to get himself dressed and down the stairs. Eli's father didn't even acknowledge his son's presence or the fact that his leg was broken. He had let his anger get the best of him, hurting his son in the process. It was as if his father felt no guilt or sympathy towards him. All Eli wanted was a father that cared for him, one that he could talk to about school, girls and life, but all he got was a father that ignored and beat him. Eli felt so much pain that he wished there was someone he could confide in, well there was Clare, his girlfriend, but he didn't want to bother her with his problems. She had problems of her own to deal with. Her parents were on the verge of getting a divorce and she didn't know what to do. She tried to figure out ways to get them to talk it out, but nothing she did seemed to work.
Eli's POV: I wonder what Clare will say when she sees me in my cast, knowing her she'll probably freak out and get all worried. I really care about Clare and I know she cares about me, but I just don`t know if she can take hearing my secret. Most of the time it`s too much for me to handle, so how can I expect her to be able to handle it. That`s it, I`m just not going to tell her. If she asks me what happened, which I`m 100% sure she will, I`ll just tell her that I got jumped. She`ll go for that because I have been getting bullied a lot lately. (hint, hint).
Morty was finally running again so Eli decided to drive his hearse to school. Although he had a broken leg, he was still able to drive his beloved, Morty. He loved that car so much that if his father messed it up he would just go off. Eli pulls up to Degrassi, hops out of his car (literally), grabs his crutches from the back seat and makes his way to the front steps where he sees his new friend, Adam sitting on the top steps. After seeing Eli in his state, Adam immediately got up and said "What happened to you?" "It`s a long story dude." Eli said nonchalantly, but Adam knew something was up. "I got time before class, so tell me who did this to you." Adam said as he gave Eli a quick once over. "I told you it`s no big deal, now can we just drop it and talk about something else." Eli said becoming more and more frustrated by every word Adam said. "Sorry dude, but I just can`t ignore the fact that something is going on with you." he said before Eli got fed up and left him standing there by himself. Adam wanted to know what was going on, but how could he find out if Eli kept avoiding the subject?
Practically everyone was starring at Eli. They were looking at him like he was crippled. Eli didn`t really mind because he really didn`t care what people thought of him, except Clare. He was never anyone else but himself around her, but he still didn`t want to do anything stupid or crazy around her. Eli got to his locker to find no one there. He was thankful that she wasn`t there because that meant the less explaining that he had to do. He made it all day without seeing Clare until he bumped into her in the hallway. "Hey, I haven`t seen you all day...what happened?" she said shocked at Eli`s appearance. "Nothing to fear, Eli is here and clear." he said trying to lighten the mood a little.
Clare's POV: He's always trying to make me smile at the most serious times. I like that about him, but it also really annoys me. When I first saw Eli today, I wanted to cry because he looked so bad. He has a black eye and a broken leg. He probably won't tell me exactly what happened, but I'm still going to try and get him to talk to me. I really care about him and I don't want anything bad to happen to him.
Eli sees the look on Clare's face, she looks concerned and worried. He knew that he couldn't hide the truth from her for long, but he was going to try.
Eli: "We should get to class." he says trying his best to avoid Clare's questions.
Clare just stood there in awe. Eli was the one who constantly questioned her about her problems, but now that he has a couple of his own he's silent. She didn't know much about his home life other than the fact the he lives with his father. Other than that, Eli made excuses for why they could never study at his house or why it wasn't the right time for Clare to meet his father. Clare was more determined than ever to find out what was going on with Eli.
Clare walked into the classroom to find Eli rubbing on his leg. He was obviously in pain, but when he saw Clare starring at him he immediately removed his hands from his leg and looked forward tryiing to avoid eye contact with Clare.
Clare took her usual seat next to Eli before saying "So your still not going to tell me what's wrong?" she said with a determined, but sad look on her face. "No, it's none of your business Clare so drop it. If I don't want to talk about it, then I don't have to." he said before he focused his attention on his english teacher, Mrs. Kwan. "I'm worried about you Eli." Claire whispered. "Well don't. I can take care of myself. Now leave me alone." he shouted loud enough to get Mrs. Kwan's attention. "Since the two have so much to discuss, why don't you meet me here at 3:30 for detention." Mrs. Kwan said making both Clare and Eli sigh at the thought of spending unnecessary time at school. It was enough to spend eight whole hours there, now they had to stay two extra hours. Just the thought felt like torture. Class was over in no time.
Before Clare could even grab her books. Eli had slung his bookbag across his shoulder, grabbed his crutches and headed off towards the caf. Clare grabbed her things and headed to her locker to put away her English book. When she got into the caf, she noticed Eli sitting by himself. She thought about sitting by him, but them quickly changed her mind when he shot her a quick glare. She decided to sit by herself today. She couldn't sit with Alli because she was too busy sucking face with Drew and when she wasn't hung up on him, she was hanging out with her arch nemesis, Jenna. Although Clare had stopped hating Jenna, she could never imagine herself befriending her ever again. She was completely over KC, but just the thought of them together still made her sick to her stomach.
Clare quickly found an empty table and sat down. To her surprise, KC walked over to her and asked if he could take a seat. She didn't really mind because they had agreed to be friends and nothing more. "So how have you been?" KC asked curiously. "I've been fine...except..nevermind it's nothing." she said. "Clare I've known you long enough to know that when you say it's nothing, it's something." KC exclaimed. "Okay I'll tell you. Eli won't talk to me. I can tell something is up with him, but he won't tell me what's wrong. I've tried to talk to him a couple of times, but keeps avoiding me or telling me to mind my own business." she said while looking at the surprised expression on KC's face. "Why are looking at me like that?" she said obviously aggitatted and confused. "I'm sorry. It's just you haven't changed that much Clare. Your still the same girl that has to know what's wrong with everyone." he said. "Is it so bad to want to know what's wrong with my own boyfriend?" she says with anger in her voice. "Calm down, Clare. I didn't say that there was anything wrong with you being like that. I just said that you haven't changed." he said trying to watch what he said so she wouldn't go off on him again. "I'm sorry KC, it's just frustrating trying to talk to someone that doesn't want to talk to you." she exclaimed. "I know the feeling, trust me. When you wouldn't talk to me, I was hurt and frustrated. But, that's in the past now and we're friends right?" he said knowing that deep down inside he could never just be friends with Clare. Deep down inside he knew that he still liked her a lot even if he would never admit it. "Yeah, just friends." Clare said.
KC's POV: I'm having lunch with the prettiest girl in grade ten. I know we agreed to be friends, but I still like her. I would never tell her that because I know she doesn't feel that same way about me. She likes that weird goth kid that drives a hearse, Eli. Just hearing his name outloud makes me angry. He has my girl. What am I saying? Jenna is my girlfriend. She might be my girlfriend, but I could never feel the same about her as I felt with Clare. She's just too perky and bubbly all of the time. She can be serious when I need her to be sometimes, but other than that it's like I'm talking to a brick wall. I mean there are times when I need to talk about my feelings and all she wants to talk about is how cute her spirit squad uniform looks on her or what she's going to wear to the next school dance. I don't know what I was thinking when I dumped Clare for Jenna. That was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. Even though I regret it, It's too late. I can't fix my wrong. I just have to deal with the fact that the only girl that I have ever truly liked is taken.
Clare and KC continued talking throughtout the rest of their lunch period. Eli had shot glare after glare at them. They were so into their conversation that they hadn't even noticed his constant starring. He didn't know why his girlfriend was talking to her ex. This made him so angry. If he could of, he would have gotten up, ran to KC and punched him in the face. However, this would only increase Clare's anger. She was already made at him for ignoring her, so that would only make things worse.
Lunch ended and KC and Clare walked out of the caf together while Eli struggled to gather his books and make his way to his last class. Eli remembered that he had forgotten his history book in his locker, so he went to get it. He placed his crutches up against a nearby locker while he balanced his weight and began to put his combintation into his lock. He grabbed his history book and slammed his locker shut. Waiting patiently behind him was his friend, Adam.
Eli: "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" he said while grabbing his crutches and beginning to leave before Adam stopped him.
Adam: "Dude, what's up with you and why are you avoiding Clare? She's only trying to help you, man." he said.
Eli: "I don't need any help, what I need is for you and Clare to give me some space. I need room to breathe. Some time to think. I already have to deal with my dad...nevermind. I gotta go." he said as he quickly made his way to class.
Adam's POV: Something is definitely up with him. Claire and I are going to find out, no matter how hard he tries to keep it a secret. Besides my brother and Clare, he's the only other friend I have and I just can't stand around while he suffers. Before he left his last words were "I already have to deal with my dad...nevermind. I gotta go." I think he was about to say something bad about his father. Maybe his father abuses him or maybe his father and mother are having marital problems. Whatever it is, I'm going to find out because he didn't break his leg himself or give himself that killer black eye.
I'm sorry I haven't updated my story in a while. I've just been real busy and a little unmotivated. I been so busy with college stuff, it's been crazy. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, hopefully it's as good or better than my previous chapters. The next chapter picks up during Clare and Eli's detention. During this chapter Clare will become very curious, she might even find out something about Eli's homelife. You guys will just have to keep reading to find out. Please review.