A/N: Hi there! Alright, so I know the story might be starting out slow, but if you please stick with it, I can promise you it'll get better. This chapter is going to refer to another story I've written, titled Foolish Hearts. It'll connect with something that happened in Ch. 6. You don't have to go and read it to understand, I will explain it in the story, but I thought I would let you know. Sorry for the long note, again. Please enjoy and review.

Chapter 3:

Clare walked through the double doors and into Degrassi. She'd been thinking a lot about her past years here, and she found herself smiling, though also frowning upon her memories. She spotted the Goldsworthy siblings near the door, talking and laughing. Maybe Liv was right, maybe he did change. He looked better, he was actually smiling. He had emotions, but just something about him seemed different, happier. He even looked happier just talking to Liv then he was when they were dating. Guess people could change, with the right help. She missed it, being with Eli. It was so easy, having a boyfriend and a best friend, and having them related. Liv knew him better than anyone else, and Clare was pretty sure she'd know if this was all just for show. But, from the conversation they were having, it looked perfectly fine to Clare. It looked like old times. Her first thought was to walk over, and join their conversation, but the bell rang and they were both off, leaving Clare with a huff as she walked to her locker.

"Hey." Someone replied, and she jumped, looking up to see Eli.

"Oh, hey Eli. How are you?"

"Great, fantastic, superb."

"All very exciting words." she cracked a smile, and so did he. "What brings you here, isn't your locker on the opposite side?" Eli nodded. "So-"

"I wanted to see, you know…"

"If I had an answer?" Clare finished his sentence, and Eli nodded again. "I've been thinking, a lot actually."

"And?"

"And, I'd like more time." Eli's eyes dropped down. "It's not a no, it's just I really need to think this over, you understand, right?"

"Yes, of course. Take all the time you need." Clare felt herself faintly smile, though Eli's face stayed neutral.

"Thank you." the bell rang, and Clare headed off. "I'll get back to you, Eli. I promise." she said from over her shoulder, and he didn't answer.

It didn't take much for Eli's mood to drop that day. Clare was obviously just avoiding him since she had already made up her mind. He huffed, getting up and walking out of his room and down to the kitchen. His parents were out, and Liv was asleep; it was perfect. He opened the fridge and spotted the beer in on the door, taking one and moving the others around to make it look as though none of them were removed. Eli cracked it open and sat on the counter, chugging it down as fast as he could, being the light weight he was. After finishing that one, and another after, he placed the empty bottles next to him, hopping off the counter to grab one more. As he did so, one of the bottles that was set on the counter hit the floor with a crash. Liv's eyes opened, and she sat up in her bed. She looked around her room, only hearing silence, and thought that maybe she was just hearing things. She laid back down, shutting her eyes, though opening them again once she heard loud murmurs from downstairs. Liv cursed under her breath, jumping out of her bed and rushing down the stairs.

"Fuck." Eli groaned, picking up the broken pieces of the bottle.

"Eli, go to sleep, I got it."

"N-No, Oliviaaaaaa." he slurred, putting emphasis on the last letter of her name. "I can do t..this." Liv helped him up, setting him on the couch.

"Eli, sleep."

"Fuck off, you don't give two shits about m..me anyway."

"I wouldn't be trying to help if I didn't."

"Shut up…" he groaned, holding his head. "Go somewhere and s..stay the hell out of m..my business."

"Then who would take care of you? Help you when you get like this?"

"I said I was f..fine!" he shouted through the slurs, and Liv shook her head. She grabbed her phone off the table and stepped out of the living room, dialing a number.

"Hello?" Adam answered, half asleep.

"Adam, I need you." he immediately recognized Liv's voice and rubbed his eyes, throwing on pants and shoes.

"I'm on my way." he hung up, grabbing a jacket and heading out the door quietly.

Eli feel asleep soon after, Adam's encouraging words helping the most. It was about two AM, and Liv's parents were due home any minute, though she and Adam sat on the couch with hot chocolate, Liv's favorite drink. Adam made it exactly how she liked it. Water, not milk, and even put marshmallows in it.

"I can't thank you enough." she took a sip, turning to him.

"I said I'm always here for you."

"I know, that's why I called." she nodded, holding her cup with both hands. Adam looked at her as she took another sip, this one longer. He couldn't get over her beauty. No matter what, she always looked beautiful. If it were after she just woke up, during school or after, even when balling her eyes out or dealing with a lack of sleep, she was beautiful, in every single way. His mind went back to The Dot, when Liv was dating Fitz. What a nightmare that had been. It was like it had happened yesterday, he watched as Eli and Liv argued in front of the café, him and Fitz still inside.

"Don't look at her like that." Fitz spat at him, Adam turning towards him.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't act dumb, you're in love with her, aren't you?" Adam didn't answer, because there was no need to, they both knew the answer. Fitz shoved him. "She's mine, so don't even think about her." Adam still kept quiet, Fitz laughing. "What would she want with you anyway? You're not a guy. No matter what you wear, or how you act, you'll always be Gracie; always." Adam had finally had enough and pushed Fitz back, them exiting The Dot in the middle of a struggle.

"Adam." Liv replied, causing Adam to blink a few times, his flashback ending. He looked at her again, swallowing.

"Sorry, just tired." Liv smiled softly, and both their heads jerked as they heard the locks being unlocked. Liv quickly placed her hot chocolate on the coffee table, Adam doing the same. She grabbed the blanket thrown across the back of the couch and placed it over them, laying down in his arms as he held her, their eyes shutting as though they were asleep. Adam couldn't help but smile as he opened one eye, looking down at the "sleeping" beauty in his arms. He kissed her head, and shut his eye, letting sleep overwhelm him.

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed, this might actually be my favorite chapter so far, but there is still more to come. Thanks for reading!