A/N: Hello, all. I know I've been dormant for a bit, but I'm suffering from Writer's Block compounded by final exams and babysitting A LOT. But today after my math final, inspiration hit. This is based on the song "See Her Smile" from Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical tick, tick...BOOM! I love this song so much. It's so sweet. Most of what Clare and Eli say in this are taken from the lyrics. :)
DISCLAIMER: The song: not mine. Degrassi: hm...If I owned Degrassi, it would be on ALL YEAR LONG. At LEAST twice a week.
Clare ran down the street crying. "Clare," I called after her. "Clare, wait up. What's wrong? Talk to me." I caught her arm and gently pulled her to me, letting her sob into my chest as long as she needed to. Several minutes later, she lifted her head and looked at me through puffy red eyes.
"Eli, I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. It's not you, I swear. It's just that…life's so hard lately. My parents are still fighting even through they don't live together, my sister is missing and nobody knows where she is, my best friend isn't even here for me to talk to…" She trailed off and her chin began to wobble again. I pulled her face back to my chest and rubbed her back.
"Hey, it's okay. We all get blue. Just hang on tight, and I won't let anything hurt you."
"Like a bodyguard?" She manages a wobbly smile.
"Yeah, Clare. I'll be your bodyguard."
*EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare*
**two years later**
"Jenna, what is WRONG with you?" Clare burst out. "What makes you so insecure that you have to bully others? No, not others, just ME? Why me?"
Jenna infuriatingly smirked in response. She refused to answer, just turned back and started making out with KC. I wrapped an arm around Clare's shoulders and led her back to Morty. We drove back to my house in silence for several minutes, with Clare looking like she was furious but also trying not to cry. Finally, she said in a trembling voice, "It's such a drag." She chuckled humorlessly, and continued. "Why's the world so mean?"
I reached over to rub her arm comfortingly. "It's just a red flag. Just keep looking for the green."
She smiled That Smile- the one that meant she was still upset, but I was taking steps towards making it better. "Thanks, Eli. I'm glad you could come home this week."
"Hey, just think, next year, you'll be out of here, too, and we'll be together again."
*EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare*
**three years later**
"Good news?" I ask my longtime girlfriend, Clare Edwards, as she comes into our apartment.
"Another rejection. Nobody seems to like my work. I'm wondering if being a writer is really what I'm cut out to do."
"It is. Those crackhead publishing houses just can't realize it. What did this one say?"
"'Ms. Edwards,'" she began, obviously quoting the letter, "'we're sorry to tell you we just can't publish your novel. We are of the impression that our general audience wants a more realistic story.' Realistic, my foot. It's based on a true story! Except…the angel part…but who are they to decide what's realistic? The king of the world?"
"What are you talking about, the angel part? You're totally and angel," I say, causing her to grin. I pull her into a hug and keep talking. "They're just cynical."
"If I'm an angel, they're clipping my wings one by one."
"Well, someday you'll be richer than those self-proclaimed kings, and I'll be there laughing."
"You're a clown," she said, smiling.
"Yeah, I am. But don't you see, baby? You're worth more than they can give."
*EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare*
**later that year**
Clare looked out the window at the sunshine and sighed. "I wish I knew why," she complained over the soft music playing, "but on a sunny day, I find rain." I walked over to hug her.
"Hey, what's wrong, love?"
"I miss my dad."
"I know."
"He was too young."
"I know."
"But, mostly, I just want this all to be over."
"What?"
"This not knowing what will happen with my career."
I pulled her to her feet and kept her in my arms as I began to sway with her. "Let's give this a try. We'll dance through the pain, okay?"
I spun her around and dipped her low. She giggled, all negative feelings forgotten. I loved to see her smile, so I started to sing along cheesily. And we did indeed dance through all the pain from then on.
*EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare**EClare*EClare*
Something's breaking my baby's heart
Something's breaking my baby's heart
Something's breaking my baby's heart
Oh-whoa
I just want to see her smile.
A/N: Hey, you're still here! Take off your coat, stay a while longer! Can I get you something to drink? Or eat? Oh, you want to know which way the review button is? Oh, well it's just right down there? See it? It's got a speech bubble on it. :)