If you have not yet done so visit my page on the DeGrassi Saviors website and click the button to read the Choose Your Own Adventure Story. The link does work now, it will take you to an exterior site and you click the button that says, "Play Now". There are several different paths to take so enjoy them all while it's up.
CLEW FANS be sure to check out the new Clew short story "Best Thing that Never Happened" that story will be chock full of sweet and cute Clew moments.
Ch. 11 I May Have Scars but I Give More than I Take
(DREW)
"Yes, like that," Clare grins when I pull out of the kiss. After my lips leave hers she licks her bottom lip and then bites her lip, both of which make me smile. "We'll have to tell our parents we're dating, I don't think we'll be allowed to sleep over anymore," she comments as I sit up slowly.
"We'll tell them tomorrow. Sleeping in the same place isn't about sex it's about being together when we have a nightmare. They might still let us, at least until we stop having nightmares," I reply brushing the back of my fingers along her jaw. I lean back against the sofa again, she gets me a glass of water and we watch TV until Adam and Owen return.
"How you feeling?" Owen asks.
"Better, thankfully I can hide most of these bruises with clothes, so Mom doesn't freak," I reply.
"As long as you're not so stupid again it shouldn't be an issue," Adam remarks.
"I already promised Clare never again," I assure him.
"Good," Adam replies.
Owen hangs out for a few hours before going home and when Mom and Dad get home I tell them Clare's staying the night. After Owen leaves the three of us get ready for bed including bringing bedding down for me and Clare. We stay up pretty late but around three Adam goes upstairs to go to bed. I go upstairs to brush my teeth before returning downstairs. I don't have a nightmare this night, I dream of holding Clare and I sleep so well I wake with a smile. If Clare has a nightmare it doesn't wake me and neither does she, we sleep pretty late although we both wake up when we hear the neighbor's lawnmower going. She looks at me and smiles which makes me smile.
"How'd you sleep?" I ask Clare.
"I slept great," Clare smiles, "no nightmares. What about you?"
"No nightmares," I grin.
"I'm going to get dressed and go up to get some breakfast," Clare says. She gets up from the sofa and grabs her bag before going to the washroom. I get up and go upstairs, after getting dressed I go to the kitchen to get breakfast, Adam is at the table but Mom and Dad must be out running errands.
"So, when are you going to tell Mom and Dad you and Clare are dating?" Adam asks.
"Today, we'll tell our parents today. We can't hide it and we didn't have nightmares last night, but that doesn't mean they've stopped. Hopefully they'll understand that just because we're dating, doesn't mean we still don't need to be with each other to get a good night's sleep," Clare says joining us at the kitchen table.
"Yeah, we'll tell them today," I nod.
"My mom's off today we can tell her after breakfast," Clare comments.
"Okay, we'll go after breakfast."
We finish breakfast then Clare and I take the van and go to her house. Her mom's car is here and so is the Martin Construction truck which means Glen is here and possibly Jake. I park and we go inside, there's some noises in the kitchen, but when we walk in it stops.
"Hi Honey, hi Drew. You both look much better," Helen smiles when she sees us. Jake and Glen are working but look up to say hi to us.
"We're not staying long, but Mom I wanted to tell you that Drew and I are dating now," Clare announces and takes my hand. "And before you tell me I can't spend the night anymore it doesn't mean we've stopped having nightmares. We like sleeping in the same place because then we're together when we do have the nightmares."
"I was starting to think you two were never going to make it official," Jake remarks before Helen can reply.
"Dating does change things, the nature of your relationship has changed. Drew perhaps you'll join us for dinner some night?"
"I'd be happy to, any night," I smile.
"As long as your parents are alright with it I don't see any problem with you continuing to stay the night over there, or Drew here, until the nightmares stop," Helen tells us after a moment of consideration.
"Thanks Mom, we're going to talk to Drew's parents later but we have something else to do today," Clare replies. We say goodbye and get back in the van.
"So, what else do we have to do today?" I question as I start the engine.
"We have to go to the martial arts center and sign up for self-defense classes," she tells me and I smile.
"Good idea, uh any idea where it is?"
"Why don't we go back to your house and we can look online at different options."
"An even better idea," I smile turning the car around to get back to my house.
Adam is still here and he looks with us, after a couple hours of research, on ten different styles of martial arts, we decide on Jeet Kune Do. The martial art created by Bruce Lee himself which I think is pretty cool. Adam decides to take the class with us and when I text Owen he says he'll come too. We find a place nearby with classes that start in a couple of weeks, we'll check it out later. The three of us watch TV until my parents get home, and then we go upstairs, Adam comes with us.
"Mom, Dad we have something to tell you," I announce. My parents stop unpacking groceries and turn to us.
"Did you see Vince again?" Mom asks.
"No, no it's nothing bad it's good, great actually. Clare is my girlfriend now."
"Oh, well that is wonderful news," Mom smiles and hugs Clare. "Oh, but…" Mom begins as it dons on her that we sleep in the same place.
"Before you object to Clare staying over at night we've never done anything but sleep and comfort each other after the nightmares. That is all we will do, when the nightmares stop we'll stop sleeping over in the same place," I say firmly to my parents.
"I'd say that was an eloquent and sound argument wouldn't you Dear?" Dad prods.
"Alright, Clare can continue to sleep here or you there, but no sex. When the nightmares stop then no more sleeping over."
"Thanks Mom. We also want to sign up for self-defense classes, the three of us and Owen too. We want to take Jeet Kune Do," I tell my parents.
"A very wise decision, Bruce Lee's fighting technique will teach a lot, far more than just how to fight," Dad speaks up.
"Self-defense would be a good idea, for all of you," Mom agrees.
After Clare talks to her mom and she agrees about the self-defense classes we meet up with Owen and go down to register. We don't need a uniform or anything and after paying the registration we go to a late lunch. We take Owen home and swing by Clare's house so she can get what she needs for tomorrow. We eat dinner with my parents then me, Clare and Adam go down to the basement and watch TV.
Clare and I have another night without nightmares.
"You know," Clare comments getting up Monday morning, "if we tell them we're not having nightmares anymore we won't be allowed to sleep in the same room, or house anymore. Not that two nights is a enough for a scientific conclusion."
"So, let's just not tell them yet. We'll wait a few nights, see if they're really gone. Maybe we've just been so incredibly happy about being together it's kept us from having nightmares," I comment and she smiles.
"I should get ready for school," she says slowly but still with that gorgeous smile on her lips.
She goes into the washroom and I go upstairs, once we're ready for school we meet at the breakfast table. Adam is the last one down and after we've all eaten we go to school. Clare and I walk in holding hands and now everyone knows we're together. Well, at least everyone who sees us in the yard, foyer and hall. I walk with Clare and Adam to their lockers and give Clare a quick kiss before going to my locker.
"Looks like you and Clare are sleeping better now that you're together," Jake comments when he comes into homeroom.
"Yeah, we've been sleeping great the last two nights, I think it's kissing her before I go to bed, it just wipes the nightmares from my mind," I grin. Eli glares back at me but he doesn't say anything.
I don't pay attention to a word Miss Dawes says in class because I'm thinking about Clare. Jake and I walk out of class together and he waves before he goes off to his second period class.
"I guess Eli heard you and Clare are dating now," Owen comments when he comes into auto shop.
"What makes you say that? He did overhear me and Jake talking in class."
"The way Eli is looking at you I'd say he was formulating a plan to kill you," Owen comments. I look over at Eli and he looks away quickly. "I told Julian about the classes, he's going to sign up too, which is good because it means no more sneaking around school for lessons."
"Not to mention we get the whole lunch period to eat and relax," I grin just as Mr. Ehl calls us to attention after the late bell has sounded.
I try to ignore Eli, but I can feel him glaring at me all of 2nd period. When the bell rings I walk out with Owen, he leaves me to go to the washroom and I head for my locker. I feel like someone is following me and when I look back I see Eli. His locker is in the same area as mine is though, so I don't really thank anything of it. That is until he grabs my shoulder and spins me around, his eyes narrowed into slits and his face red.
"Clare is mine," Eli says making a fist. He aims a punch for me, but I dodge him, and he hits nothing.
"Wrong, she's my girlfriend and there's nothing you can do about it. Stay away from her for good," I shoot back.
Eli growls and with some incredible surge of adrenaline shoves me very hard. I go back enough that I can't get my balance and collide very hard with a bank of lockers. I hit with a loud thud and hear the lockers and locks rattle, it feels like there's a rock on my chest and I slip down to the floor with a wheezing breath.
(CLARE)
"So, you want to eat with us or are you eating with Drew?" Alli asks as we leave second period math.
Recently my lunch period has been consumed mostly with the MMA training, but we're no longer doing that.
"I'll eat with you but I'm going to put my backpack in my locker," I reply. We start toward our lockers, crossing another hallway when something in the hallway catches my attention. Drew and Eli are standing toe to toe, Drew is saying something that I can't hear, and then Eli shoves Drew so hard that he goes back and hits the lockers. I freeze with a gasp and everyone else looks over. Drew slumps to the ground while Eli stands there, red in the face and with his fists clenched.
"Eli what the hell!" Adam exclaims.
"ELI, what is wrong with you," I snap at him as Adam and I go to Drew.
"Come on psycho boy you're coming to Simpson's office," Owen commands as he and Julian grab Eli.
"Drew?" I question worried that he hit his head.
"I'm okay, just knocked the wind out of me," he replies through wheezing breaths.
"We should call an ambulance," I comment looking at Adam.
"No, I don't need an ambulance, I'm okay, really," Drew argues.
"You should go to the nurse at least," K.C. comments as he and Adam help Drew to his feet.
"Yeah, come on let's go to the nurse," Adam says putting his arm around his brother as Drew falters a little. Adam and I help Drew to the nurse's office and tell her what happened.
"He's had a concussion before, just a few weeks ago," I inform the nurse.
"I'm okay, I didn't hit my head just got the wind knocked out of me," Drew insists taking my hand.
"Does your head hurt?" The nurse asks.
"No."
"How's your vision?" She questions.
"Fine," Drew responds and Mr. Simpson comes in.
"Eli has been suspended and I called your mom," Mr. Simpson informs us.
"Great," Drew replies rolling his eyes. The nurse asks Drew a few more questions before Audra comes rushing in. "I'm okay Mom," Drew insists.
"He hit pretty hard, I still think you should go to the doctor Drew. It was only a few weeks ago you were beat up. Please for me," I plead with Drew.
"Clare is right Honey, I'm taking you to get looked at, I'm not taking the risk," Audra replies.
She leaves with Mr. Simpson to sign Drew out while Adam and I stay with Drew. When Audra returns I kiss Drew goodbye and tell him I'll come over after school. He leaves with Audra while Adam and I grab lunch from the caf and find our friends.
"How's Drew?" Dave asks when we sit down with them.
"Mom is taking him to the doctor to be safe, but he says he's okay," Adam tells them.
"Eli pushed him really hard, that boy is nuts," Alli comments.
"Eli got suspended for the rest of the week," I enlighten them.
"I hope Drew can play in the game Friday," K.C. remarks.
After that the subject is dropped and while the guys are talking about sports, Alli and I talk about Jenna returning to classes next Monday. I spend the rest of the afternoon worried about Drew, it seems to take forever for the bell to ring at the end of the day. Adam has the DeGrassi radio station after school, but Jake gives me a ride to Drew's house, he'll go to my house to help his dad with the remodel. I know Drew is home, he sent a text to me and Adam telling us the doctor said he was okay, but to rest for the remainder of the day.
"How do you feel?" I ask Drew when I come into the basement.
"I'm fine, I told you. Doc said no concussion or anything, just have to take it easy today. Mom did see the bruises and I had to tell her about the MMA fighting, I left out Owen and Julian didn't want them to get in trouble. I did remind her that we're all going to be taking real self-defense classes together and no more MMA fighting."
"Do you really feel okay? You'd tell me if you were hurting right?" I question sitting down next to Drew.
"I promise you I'm okay, I got the wind knocked out of me. Hitting the lockers hurt but I'm okay. You can rub more cream into the bruises though, or kiss them better," Drew grins.
"Yeah, you're fine," I giggle, "so, you'll be back at school tomorrow?"
"Yep, doc said it was fine and I can play in the game on Friday. I have to go back to the doctor if I feel dizzy, nauseous or have trouble breathing, but he said I was okay. Are you staying over again?" Drew asks and I nod.
Drew has the TV on and I do homework while he watches TV. Just past five, Audra comes down to tell us she's picking up Adam and they return a few minutes later. Adam joins us in the basement to do homework and watch TV until Audra calls us for dinner. After eating we return to the basement to watch TV until we decide to go to bed. I settle into bed with the TV still on and fall asleep to a movie Drew has on.
"Clare, Clare wake up it's okay," Drew's voice works its way into my subconscious and I wake up. My eyes blink, I take in Drew's face and my arms go around him as tears begin to pour from my eyes. "You're safe, so am I," Drew assures me.
"I had a dream about Eli shoving you but this time you hit your head, and there was a lot of blood," I tell him.
"I'm fine Clare, the doctor even said, Eli didn't hurt me, not that badly."
"I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't, I had a nightmare of my own. I woke from mine and heard you thrashing around."
"I was so scared when I saw Eli push you and you went down."
Drew doesn't reply but he does take my lips for a gentle kiss. He gets on the sofa behind me and puts his arms around me, I lie against him and fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. I sleep soundly the rest of the night on Drew's chest and in his arms.
(DREW)
"I think you should stay home another day," Mom comments Tuesday morning while we're eating breakfast.
"I'm okay Mom, really I feel fine and I need to go to basketball practice this afternoon to play in the game Friday. If I start feeling bad I'll call you," I tell Mom, with a roll of my eyes when she's not looking.
"If he even starts to look bad we'll make him call you," Adam replies and Clare nods.
"Alright, but be careful today," Mom gives in with a bit of a sigh.
When we're done with breakfast and ready to go Mom drives us all to school. Since I don't need any books from my locker I walk with Clare and Adam to theirs. I wait while they organize books and get out their civics books and then they walk me to English class. Clare gives me a quick and soft kiss before she walks away with my brother.
"How are you feeling Drew?" Miss Dawes asks when I walk into class.
"I feel fine, but I didn't do any home work last night," I tell her.
"That's alright you can turn it in Friday."
"Thanks," I nod sitting at my desk. I get out the book and start looking over the homework from yesterday.
"You must be feeling better," Jake remarks sitting at his desk.
"Yeah, I'm alright," I nod looking at Miss Dawes and turning to face Jake more, "that goth idiot just knocked the wind out of me."
"I heard he's suspended for the rest of the week."
"Yeah, I was told that too. It probably sounds awful but I hope he never comes back," I remark.
"No, it doesn't. Considering how crazy he's been and that he's hurt Clare I think it would be good," Jake agrees.
I nod but other kids are coming into class now so we stop talking. Most of the kids that come in just give me an odd look, others whisper to the people they walk in with. At least, without Eli in the class it's fairly peaceful. When class ends I walk out with Jake and he walks with me until he turns one way to get to his class and I turn the other way to get to auto-shop.
"It feels weird to come in and not see Eli glaring at one of us," Owen comments when he comes in.
"It's nice, I hope he stays gone he's nuts."
"No argument here," Owen replies.
Without Eli in the class the air feels lighter and the class seems to be over sooner. Owen and I wash up and stash our backpacks in our lockers for lunch. I find Clare with my brother at their lockers, Owen comes with me and the four of us eat lunch outside. I talk mostly to Owen about our games Friday, while Clare and Adam talk about school and Adam's radio show. After lunch I walk Clare to her class and kiss her at the door before meeting Owen in third period. Bianca doesn't show up for either of the afternoon classes again, not that I thought she would. If she'd been found Owen would have told me. When school is out I have basketball practice, Adam has his radio show and Clare is going to her house with Jake. She told me at lunch she was going home and would sleep there, so I was surprised to see her in the gym when I get out of the locker room.
"My mom has invited you to dinner tonight, Jake and Glen will be there too. You can spend the night if you want, she hasn't said where yet but she knows you and I sleep in the same room and your house."
"I'll happily come to dinner," I grin and Clare smiles with relief. Apparently, she thought I'd say no.
"Edwards you are not on the basketball team," Armstrong says sternly.
I kiss her cheek as she leaves the gym and I start warming up. When basketball practice is over, and I've showered, I meet Adam on the steps and Mom picks us up. I guess Helen called her because she tells me to pack what I'll need for the night and she'll take me to Clare's. I pack quickly while Mom waits in the car, I leave my backpack in the car since I'll need it at school tomorrow. Adam says goodbye and tells me to take care of Clare, I tell him I always do. Mom takes me to Clare's and tells me to behave as I get out of the car. I wave to her and before I can even ring the bell Helen opens the door.
"Hi Drew, I saw Audra pull up," Helen says before waving to my mom, "I'm glad you could join us tonight."
"My pleasure," I reply politely as she lets me in.
Clare comes downstairs and I greet her with a tender kiss. I say hello to Jake and his dad, and then I help Clare set the table. Helen tells us to washup for dinner and then we all sit down.
"I heard what Eli did, it's good you weren't seriously hurt Drew," Helen comments as we begin eating.
"Yeah, just got the wind knocked out of me and a bruise."
"I thought Eli was such a sweet boy, but after he crashed his car and intentionally put himself in the hospital, I was glad you were done with him Clare," Helen comments.
"Me too, I found someone better," Clare grins and kisses my cheek.
"How's school going? Jake says he likes it at DeGrassi," Glen speaks up. I think he's deliberately changing the conversation from Clare's ex which I'm glad for.
"English is boring, but it was boring at my last school too," Jake says.
"Yeah, I like everything but English this year. 'Course my other classes are auto shop, photography and business."
"Our business class is great," Jake agrees, "Miss Dawes is okay but I don't understand most of what she says or reads to us. I like my architectural design class and use my spare for homework."
"I like all my classes," Clare smiles.
"Clare always excels in her classes," Helen grins with pride.
"Drew excels at sports," Clare says looking at me with pride.
"That's right, I hear he helped take the football team to victory and the basketball team was suffering without him," Jake speaks up.
"Yeah, it's my brother who excels at academics. I guess that's why he and Clare got along so well, at least part of it."
"That's much like Darcy and Clare. Darcy was more athletically inclined, cheerleading and swimming. Clare did dancing when she was younger but she's always had an incredibly sharp and intelligent mind."
The conversation goes on like that, Helen asks about my dad and what he does, I ask how the remodeling is going, I talk about basketball, Jake talks about making an organic garden at DeGrassi. I do the dishes after dinner which Helen finds astonishing, I tell her it's how Adam and I were raised. Jake and Glen are staying the night too but Helen says I can sleep on the floor of Clare's room. Glen and Helen watch TV after dinner, and Jake goes into the spare room to call Katie. I go up to Clare's room with her, I still have homework to do but she helps me with it. Clare helps me make a bed on the floor when I'm done with homework, I even get into it after I get ready for bed. Clare and I talk for a while since there's no TV in her room, Clare falls asleep while I'm talking but I can't seem to get to sleep. I am tired but something is bothering me and I can't quite figure out what, still it's not letting me sleep. When I hear Clare thrashing in her bed I know she's having a nightmare. I get up and sit on the edge of her bed, instead of shaking her or saying her name I lean down and kiss her. Her eyes shoot open, she gasps and her arms are thrown around me tightly.
"It's okay, I'm safe and so are you," I say quietly. "You want to talk about it?"
"You were being hurt, so was I, Eli and Vince were involved. You know, the usual. Will you lie down with me?"
I smile as she moves over so I can lie down with her. I lie on my side and put my arms around her. She nuzzles into my chest, her eyes still wet with tears. Now that she's in my arms we both sleep the rest of the night, waking to her alarm and we get ready for school. The three of us squeeze into Jake's truck to get to school.
For the rest of the week I enjoy school without Eli, it's peaceful and I'm not worried about him hurting Clare or me. By the end of the week my bruises have healed and it doesn't hurt to move anymore. Friday afternoon I am totally ready and hyped for our away game against North Park. Mom will pick up Adam and Clare and they'll come to North Park together. We practice at DeGrassi before leaving on the bus to get to North Park. We warm up a little on the North Park court before the game, I see Clare with Mom and Adam in the stands and wave to them.
North Park is a pretty good team but K.C. and I are hot tonight and between us score 56 points, beating North Park by over 20 points. We cheer and celebrate on the court, say "Good game" to the North Park team before we go out to the parking lot. We're still celebrating in the parking lot, Armstrong and the other coaches are going to take us for pizza. I'm about to get on the bus when I see Clare approaching.
"That was a great game, you must feel better the way you played," Clare grins.
"I'm 100%," I smile stealing a kiss from her, "we're going for pizza. I'd invite you but I think it's team only."
"That's okay, I'm going to your house to hang out with Adam and will spend the night. I'll see you at home."
I grin and get on the bus as Clare walks away. Armstrong takes us downtown for pizza, we eat a lot, have some pop and then walk down the block to the ice cream shop. When we're walking back to the bus I'm at the back of the group, I'm thinking about Clare and sort of absentmindedly looking around when something catches my eye.
Bianca.
I see her coming out of an alley. It's her, it's unmistakably her. I open my mouth to call out to her but then I see Vince. He goes to her and they kiss! After all that's happened, after all Vince has done to me, and to Clare, and to Bianca she's kissing him! I close my mouth. I don't call out to her. I get back on the bus and for a few moments I consider just doing nothing. She betrayed me, she's been betraying me and all of us this whole time. My conscious gets the better of me and I send a text to Owen that I saw Bianca downtown. I tell him that she was with Vince and where I saw them. He probably won't get it right away, if he's not still playing in the hockey game he's very likely still with the team.
When I get home Clare and Adam are watching a movie, I don't tell them about seeing Bianca. I sit down next to Clare and finish watching the movie with them. We watch two more movies together before Adam decides to go to bed. Clare and I also get ready for bed, I keep the TV on and we fall asleep to it. Even with the TV on I have a dark and frightening nightmare, waking up to Clare calling my name and shaking me.
"Drew, Drew wake up it's just a dream." My eyes open and she smiles at me. "You were screaming, what were you dreaming about?"
"Bianca, I saw her today. She was with Vince and I dreamed about the two of them, Bianca betraying us and Vince coming after us with her help." I sit up and Clare sits next to me.
"Don't you think you're being a little hard on Bianca?"
"She had sex with Vince while she was still my girlfriend and she's been with him this whole time," I growl.
"I'm not saying it was the right thing for her to do, or a smart one but she didn't sleep with him to make you angry. She did it because she thought it would save you Drew."
"I know but it didn't do anything, she should have known it wouldn't! He wanted me to kill someone and he had me beat up."
"I know, but I can kind of understand Bianca's position when Vince confronted her. I never would have gone to Vegas night with Fitz if he hadn't threatened Eli and Adam. It didn't do any good, in the long run it made things worse, but at the time I couldn't see that. At the time I wasn't thinking how Eli would feel I only thought that by sacrificing myself I could save them. I don't really know Bianca but I have a hard time believing that she enjoyed it, she did it to save you and I'm sure at the time she didn't see it as a betrayal. I can't tell you why she's still with him now but from what I've heard things haven't been good with her aunt and maybe she still feels trapped? My point is don't judge until you know her side. Maybe she is with Vince willingly but he hasn't bothered either of us since Jake and I ran into him and his gang."
"I hadn't really thought about it, lately I've been more worried about Eli and focusing on the MMA fighting," I admit but of course Clare is right.
"Did you tell anyone that you saw Bianca?"
"I texted Owen."
"Good, we should call him tomorrow and see if he found anything. Can you get back to sleep?" She asks.
I shake my head, Clare finds a movie and sits next to me. After giving me a soft and sweet kiss she puts her arm behind me and begins gently scratching the back of my head. It's soothing, being with Clare is soothing and makes me happy. With Clare scratching the back of my head and just being close to her, thoughts of Bianca and Vince start to drift from my mind, I begin to relax and drift back to sleep.
Update soon picking up from the next morning. Next to be updated is Alone on a School Night.