Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi. I only own Anissa and her family.

Geeze. I really do not want to go to school today. I know by now that Declan will know why I was being so weird about my brother yesterday. And if he doesn't, well that just means he won't leave me alone until he does.

Looks like it's a little late to back out now though, seeing as George is only a block away from the school. I think this is a new record. Getting ready to start day two in Degrassi and already wishing I were somewhere else.

My mother told me why we were here last night. Of course she went and explained it was for their jobs, blah, blah, blah. But then she also said it was to be closer to the Coynes. You know, because we weren't close enough already. I really didn't have a problem with any of them, well except for Declan. Fiona and I were actually best friends for the last three years.

So here I was, sitting in the back of the car playing with the jacket in my lap. This was another problem I didn't want to face, Declan's jacket. My plan was to try and avoid Declan all day, not go and find him to return a jacket.

When we pulled up in front of the school I hopped out and said a quick goodbye to George before walking to the building. I avoided looking at anyone and went straight to my locker. When I got there I put all of my books except for my first period class ones. Then I grabbed the jacket and hung it on a hook. When I looked up from the hook I saw a shadow behind me. I took a deep breath and turned expecting Declan to be standing there.

Upon turning I saw that it was Peter and let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Anissa, hey, sorry for bailing on you yesterday. Totally forgot and had to go get my sister while my dad worked."

I just waved it off. "No, it's fine." I grabbed my bag and flung it over my shoulder. I closed the locker and turned to walk away. I stopped to make sure Peter didn't think I was mad. "Coming?" I asked.

He smiled and walked up next to me. "Really, I'm sorry. Spin told me he met you though."

I smiled at the mention of him. "Oh yeah. I did. He's really nice." I paused and thought about the previous day. "Jane seems really nice too."

He scowled a little. I shot him a confused look. "Oh it's nothing." I raised an eyebrow calling bull. "Okay, it's just that she sort of took my place in the band. Still a little sore spot."

"Oh. Sorry." It was all that I could say. Not very intelligent, but I couldn't think of anything else.

"Yeah." His scowl quickly turned into a smile as he spun and grabbed my arm. "Hey, how about I take you to the Dot today?"

I smiled and shook my head. "You don't really have to. I went yesterday."

"Yeah, I know that. But not with me, I was supposed to take you. So, I'm going to take you today, no complaining." He said mock warningly while pointing a finger at me.

"Yes sir." I saluted at him.

He laughed and we walked to my class. When we were standing in front he turned to me. "I'll see you at lunch." And he turned to walk off but spun around quickly. "I mean if you want to sit with me."

I just laughed. "Yeah, that'd be great."

"Alright, see you then." He smiled and walked back down the hall.

Again just like yesterday when I took my seat the same girl leaned over into my personal bubble. "Oh yeah, so not going to get together. Just friends." She said sarcastically.

"Peter and I are not together and we are just friends. This is only my second day, I hardly know the guy." I tried to explain.

Scoffing she replied. "Yeah, well none of that would really matter to Peter. He'd probably get with you and then get to know you after. Besides, he always goes for the really pretty girls. Usually gets them too, Darcy and Mia are great examples." I could definitely tell she didn't like him.

"What's your problem with him?" I asked.

She chuckled. "I don't have a problem with him. It just makes me sick how you, a new, pretty, rich girl waltzes right in here and bats her big blue eyes and he follows you around like a lost little puppy." Okay, she had the problem with me.

"Oh." I really didn't want to get into anything with this chick. She would most likely beat the crap out of me. Almost any girl could, I'm very small. She just rolled her eyes turning and leaning back in her seat.

Lucky for me the first four periods seemed to go by in a flash. Next thing I know I'm walking to my locker to put my books away before heading to the lunchroom.

After opening my locker I let out a sigh, that damn jacket. I chucked my books in and slammed it shut.

On my way to the cafeteria I saw Declan chatting it up with Jane. She smiled and waved when she saw me, I gave a quick wave before looking down at my feet trying to avoid Declan's gaze. This wasn't' the first time I've seen him today either. Every other time I would walk away quickly or just put my head down and act like I didn't see him.

Walking into the lunchroom I found where Peter was seated before getting my own lunch. There wasn't exactly anything very appetizing so I settled on a salad and apple with a can of coke.

I set all of the items on my tray before going over to the table. Peter was the only one there. I set down the tray and slid into the seat across from him then smiled cheekily at him. "Where's that hottie, Danny?"

He laughed before pointing at a table across the room. "Over there, with his girlfriend." He said putting emphasis on the girlfriend.

"Damn. Now what am I going to do?" I said looking sad.

"Looks like you're going to have to settle for me." He said jokingly.

We both had a good laugh before going silent to eat our meals. Five minutes went past before he spoke again. "Okay, well I think we should exchange numbers." I looked up from my salad with a raised eyebrow. He chuckled, "Well, I am taking you to the Dot. Plus, friends do that, right?"

I smiled. "Right." I held out my hand waiting for him to hand over his cell. He looked at it confused. "You want my number or not?"

He laughed and pulled out his cell phone. "Here." He placed it in my outstretched hand. I put my number in and put it under 'My Idol'. I handed it back and he flipped through the phone obviously looking for my number in the contact list. His eyebrows scrunched together before he looked up at me confused.

"Look under the M's."

He went back to him phone and chuckled when he found it. "My Idol?"

"Because that's what I am." I said laughing.

We talked about different people and what there was to do around here. He just got done telling me a funny story about the guys and we were laughing before he stopped short and glared over my shoulder. That could only mean one thing.

"Niss, can I talk to you?" Declan said from behind me. I held in a sigh that was threatening to come out and closed my eyes.

"Dude, I don't think she wants to talk to you." Peter said from in front of me. He sounded pissed.

"I think she can speak for herself, dude." Declan said back mocking Peter.

I opened my eyes just when Peter stood up from his seat. I reached over and put my hand on his arm. "No it's okay Peter. I need to talk to him anyways."

He looked at me before reluctantly lowering himself back into his seat. "Yeah, just sit back down in your seat. Be a good little boy." Declan was really pushing it.

I gave Peter's arm a reassuring squeeze before standing up. I didn't look at Declan as I brushed past him. I was pissed now, he had no right messing with my friends.

I stormed out into the hall and started for my locker. I could hear his footsteps follow me but didn't pay them any attention.

I stopped in front of my locker and quickly put in the combination. I yanked it open with a little more force than was needed and pulled out the jacket. "Here." I said turning around and slamming it into Declan's stomach earning a satisfactory grunt of pain from him.

I turned around and slammed my locker shut before going to walk away. I got one step and then there was a hand in the crook of my elbow holding me in place. "I need to talk to you."

I sucked in a deep breath and let it back out closing my eyes. I leaned my back against the cool locker. "I really don't want to talk to you right now Declan."

I heard him sigh. "Okay then, don't talk. I will." I opened my eyes and went to open my mouth when he held up a hand. "Uh uh. No, listen, please. I know, I'm an asshole. But I really didn't know about your brother."

I could feel my eyes watering up. "Please Declan. Not right now." I looked down at my shoes. I probably looked pitiful. How could this happen, I've been so strong for a whole semester. Two days back with Declan and he's already made me cry once, make that twice. I felt a tear escape.

"No listen, please. I really didn't know about your brother. My parents never told Fiona or me about it. I'm sorry, honestly. I'm not heartless." He said reaching out and putting a hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged it off before sliding to the floor bringing my knees up to my chest. "You didn't know, I understand." I said trying to hold in the sobs.

He sighed, but for once it wasn't one of irritation. He used to always get irritated with my patheticness. He bent down in front of me and put his hand on my knee. I went to brush it off with my hand but he caught it with one of his. "That still doesn't justify what I did Anissa. Even if that didn't happen I shouldn't say things like that just to get a rile out of you. It's wrong and that's what my mother's been trying to tell me forever." He said rolling his eyes.

Back to the 'my mother wants me to be nice to you thing'. "Declan, I don't want you to be nice to me because you're forced to. What you said hurt, but you know what, it was my fault." I said going quietly at the end.

"What was that?" He asked leaning closer.

I felt my throat close up and my eyes sting with tears. "I said it was my fault. It's my fault that my brother's not here right now. Everything's my fault." My voice was going hoarse and sounded weird.

"It's not your fault Anissa." He said and then looked at the dirty floor beside me. He took a deep breath and sat down on it.

"It is Declan!" I practically yelled at him.

"Okay, shh… Classes are going to start in about five minutes and a lot more people than the ones who have already gone by are going to come out." He said.

"I don't want to go to class." I said quietly.

He looked around as if seeing if anyone were there. There were only a few fast eaters here and there but other than that the halls were practically empty. "Want to skip?"

"Declan, we can't." I said. I really just didn't feel like going anywhere with him. He's being unusually nice, but I think it's just because I was crying.

"Yes we can. Come on." He said hopping up and holding out his hands. I looked at his hands for a moment before he reached down and grabbed mine in his. He gave a tug and I was on my feet. He put his jacket over my shoulders and leaned down to my ear. "Look sick."

"I probably already do." I mumbled.

He walked us to the nurse's station and went in. "Ms? I don't think that Anissa is feeling so well." He said to the elderly nurse sitting behind a desk by a window.

She got up and came over. She felt my forehead and then my face. "You do feel a little warm dear. You don't look so well."

I just nodded my head. "We would really appreciate it if you could give us a note so I can take her home." Declan said to the nurse.

She looked between us and shook her head. "I don't know. We aren't really supposed to do that unless it's an emergency."

He looked at her and gave her one of his 'charming smiles'. "Please Ms. this will be the only time and I would really feel more comfortable if she were at her home and in her bed than here in class slaving over books."

Declan was a real sweet talker. He could just about talk himself into or out of anything. "That's so sweet sonny. Worrying about your girlfriend like that. Okay, just this one time. Don't tell anyone." She said and went over to her desk to get a paper.

When her back was turned to us I shot him a glare. He gave me a look but she turned around so he turned it into a smile. She smiled back and walked over giving him the note. "Here you go. You take good care of her and you get better dear." She said sweetly turning to me.

"I will, thank you." Declan gave her one last smile before putting his hand on my back giving me a light push towards the door.

We walked out of the nurse's station and walked to my locker so I could get my books. When I reached to grab a book the jacket fell off my shoulders, I forgot I had it on. Declan reached out and caught it, he looked at if for a second before putting it back around my shoulders. "I don't need that anymore." I told him closing my locker. I turned to him and took it off holding it out to him.

"No you keep it. I'm not cold and you will be, we're going outside remember." He said grabbing the jacket out of my hands and holding it out for me to put my arms in.

"I'm not a kid Declan." I said snatching it out of his hands and sliding it on. "Thanks." I mumbled grabbing my bag from the floor. He quickly snatched that out of my hands and put it over his shoulder, it looked funny because it was practically an oversized purse. I smiled and then tried to hide it but he saw it.

He didn't say anything but smiled back. I looked down at my feet and started walking to the school's front doors. He quickly caught up and was by my side. We were about to walk out when Peter and a few other people showed up. "Hey, where you going?" He asked smiling at me but it turned into a glare when he looked at Declan.

"We are going home." Declan said standing in front of me.

I rolled my eyes and pushed Declan out of the way. "I wasn't feeling so well and Declan's going to take me home."

Peter shot a wary look at him before turning his attention to me. "I could take you home."

I smiled. "Thanks, that's sweet Peter." I looked over his shoulder and saw what must be his old band mates, Danny was the only one I recognized. "Hi Danny."

"Hey." He said giving me a wave.

"Okay, can we go now Niss?" Declan asked sounding a little impatient from behind me.

"Um, yeah, we can. I'll see you tomorrow, Peter." Declan put his hand on my back and gave me a gentle push towards the door.

"Okay, I'll text you later." He said to my back. I shot him a smile and wave over my shoulder. Declan gave my back another push and I slid away from his hand.

"Stop it." I pushed his hand away and walked down the steps on my own.

He chuckled and walked up next to me. "You seem to be feeling better."

"Yeah, I am. Kinda, I just had a little breakdown. I haven't done that, well, since it happened." I said looking down at my feet.

"No, I understand. Let's just get out of the cold right now though, okay?" I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself.

We got into the car and he drove. We were driving for about five minutes when I saw that he was not going towards my house. "Declan, where are we going?"

"We're going to go eat something real quick. Then I'll bring you home." I raised my eyebrow at him. I really didn't think that he would. "I promise." He added.

"Fine." I leaned the seat back and put my feet up on the dashboard.

"You comfortable?" Declan asked.

"Yep." I closed my eyes and relaxed. I heard Declan chuckle lightly then not make any sounds at all.

I must have fallen asleep because a few minutes later I felt a hand shaking my knee lightly. "Niss. Wake up. We're here."

"Oh shut up." I growled trying to roll over only to have a pain go through my head when I hit it off something rather hard. "Ow." I groaned rubbing the spot.

There was a chuckle and then the opening and closing of a door. I opened my eyes and saw that I was in a car. Oh yeah. Declan. Just then the car door was opened and if it weren't for my seat belt I would be laying face first on the hard cement outside.

My arm and neck were all wrapped around the seat belt some how and I felt like I was going to choke and panicked flinging my limbs all over the place.

A hand grabbed my arm and the seat belt trying to do something. I flung my head and connected with something hard. "Ow damn it Niss. Calm down." I stopped struggling and looked to see Declan leaning over me. He leaned over and undid my seatbelt. "There."

I climbed out and looked up to see Declan holding his head. "Er, sorry?"

He just shook his head and motioned for me to step away from the car. When I did he shut the door and started walking down the sidewalk. "Um Declan? Where are we going?"

He turned around smiling and started walking backwards. "We're going to that restaurant over there." He pointed to a building across the street and looked back to me. "Come on Niss, catch up."

Rolling my eyes I jogged to catch up to him. He looked over at me and smiled. "So, what's the meaning of all this?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion.

"I mean. Why are you taking me somewhere to eat? Didn't we just have lunch?" I asked looking at the restaurant across the street.

He looked over at me with raised eyebrows. "You can't honestly tell me what you ate counted as a meal. That was like, the appetizer, at most."

I laughed and nodded my head. "Okay, maybe I'm a little hungry."

"Good, because this place has the best food in Canada." He smiled and we got to the cross walk. He looked to see if any cars were coming before he started jogging across the road.

"Hey!" I yelled after him then took off after. He just laughed and kept going.

When I got to the other side of the road he was laughing. I walked over and punched him in the arm. "Thanks for telling me when to go asshole!"

He rubbed his arm and kept laughing. "Thought it would be obvious once I took off. Apparently it was."

I rolled my eyes and we walked over to the restaurant. We walked in and they led us to a table. The waiter held out my chair for me and I sat down. He was cute. I smiled and thanked him. Once he walked away I looked to Declan. "I give him an eight and a half."

He rolled his eyes and looked at the guy. "Please do not play that game you and my sister insisted on playing every time we went out. I do not want to know how cute our waiters are."

"Aw Declan. Why not? I love that game!" I smiled and leaned closer. "Look around Dec. These waiters are cute. The oldest one I've seen here is twenty six, at the most. They're cute."

Even though I was teasing him and trying to get him angry he was looking at me with a grin on his face. "What?" I asked confused.

"You called me Dec." He was still smiling and now was looking rather smug.

"Last I heard you hated being called Dec." I retorted.

"Yeah, when my mother calls me it." I laughed and shook my head.

"How has Ms. Coyne been by the way? I haven't gotten to see her since you moved."

"She's been good. Honestly, when isn't she? She's like a democratic robot or something. I don't know. Mom and Dad have just been busy, like usual." He picked up his menu and looked at it.

"Yeah, my Dad's been really busy too, and Mom, she's the usual." I sighed and picked up my menu as well.

A different waiter came up and took our orders. This one was even cuter, and he must have been about, twenty I'd say. "He's a nine and three quarters."

Declan groaned and rolled his eyes at me. I smiled happy to get that reaction out of him. The air had turned too serious like. "What? Just admiring beauty." I said acting innocent.

"Okay, how about I start rating all the women here? How'd you feel about that?" He asked raising an eyebrow and leaning over the table a bit.

"I'd think that you were desperate, going as low as rating lower class women Dec, how could you?" I faked disappointment and shook my head at him. "I thought you only went after the ones who would inherit all of daddy's money?"

"Nah, the ones without? They're a good fling." He said grinning.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed in disgust. "Pig."

"Hey, you're the one who started all this. Oh, would you look at that nine." He said following a maybe, nineteen year old with his eyes as she walked across the restaurant.

I picked up my clutch and smacked him in the head. "You're doing it all wrong Dec, you have to be discreet about your watching. Don't just openly oogle the poor woman."

He laughed and pulled the clutch out of my hand placing it on his side of the table. "Sorry oh great master, Yoda. Didn't know you were an expert at checking out women." He smirked thinking he was hot shit.

"You know I don't swing that way. Not that I have anything against those that do. I'm just giving you tips, for future ogling days." I smiled back in return.

"Oh, of course." Rolling my eyes we continued rating the waiters and waitress' in Declan's case, until our meal arrived. Then we proceeded to eat our meals in an unusual comfortable silence. It was strange.

"Ah man. I'm stuffed." Leaning back in my seat I brought my hands up and placed them on my now full stomach.

"Ready?" Declan asked. I nodded and he called for the bill.

"Meet you at the car." I stood up and started walking to the car. When I got there I had to wait out in the freezing cold air for Declan to show up since he had the keys. He walked up smirking. "Should have given me the damn keys. It's cold."

"You should have just waited for me, and then you wouldn't have been standing out here in the cold."

"Oh shut up and unlock the car already."

He mockingly bowed. "Yes your highness." After pressing the button the car unlocked and I jumped in. Way better than outside.

We were driving down the road talking about school and such. It was kind of nice actually. "You know Dec. I kind of had fun. Since you weren't being an ass and all."

Smirking he looked over to me. "Me too Niss. Since you weren't being a complete bitch and all."

The song Tik Tok then broke through the short silence signaling that I had a text message. I pulled out my phone. 'Wanna go to the Dot?'-Unknown

I frowned and Declan looked over at me. "Who is it?"

"I don't know?"

'Who is this?' I quickly typed back.

Not even thirty seconds later I had a reply.

'Peter. So?'

I grinned and Declan looked over to me. "Who is it?"

"Peter." My fingers went to work. 'Yeah. Meet you there in 15?'

'Great. ;)'

"Dec?" He looked over at me with a questioning look. "Do you mind dropping me of at 'The Dot'?"

"Only if I can come." It was like he was expecting me to ask. The words barely made it out of my mouth before he answered.

"I'm going to be hanging out with Peter." I informed him.

A smirk crept across his face. "I know." '

Oh boy. This was going to be interesting.

Author's Notes: I am sorry it's been so long and that this chapter sucks. Please forgive me. I know I don't deserve it but please Review! Thanks. Love you bunches!