Author's Note: Please excuse my absence. I honestly do not know where the time went. One moment, I was enjoying my summer vacation, and the next moment, I'm sitting inside of a stupid school. I'm so sorry for not posting in a long time. Hopefully, this chapter makes up for it. On a side note, I'd just like to say that I did not write the "The Show Goes On", although it is a story posted from this account. That was my friend. They posted that back when we were going to collaborate on stories and share an account, but it seems that they are busy with school as well and have no time for it at the moment. But I'm still here. Once again, I'm sorry and I hope you enjoy chapter three!
"Eli!" Clare Edwards' soft, soprano voice shouted out from behind him. He would recognize that voice anywhere. Eli stopped walking and slowly turned around, only to see a petite girl with short, curly hair running towards him. Eli smirked and let out a quick laugh before stuffing his hands into the pockets of his skinny jeans, patiently waiting for his friend. Friends, Eli thought in dubious wonder. Although it seemed odd and highly unlikely that these two people who were once lovers could find a way to reconnect and have a strictly platonic relationship, it somehow worked. Clare was happy with Jake, and Eli was happy with Imogen. Or, at least, he was happy pursuing Imogen. Excluding the brief bus ride that the pair had, Eli had not been able to talk to her again. But Eli was never one to give up.
Although he was nervous around her, he promised himself that he'd speak to her. One day, he'd work up the nerve. Throughout the past few weeks while Eli and Clare had been developing their friendship, Eli had been pining from afar, never taking his eyes off of Imogen. Sometimes, during one of their highly rare, serious moments, Clare would bring it up. She'd ask him if he liked her. The answer was always yes. The next question was predictable. "How much do you like her, Eli?" Eli would usually shrug a noncommital shrug, not wanting to admit that he was madly in love. "More than you liked me, Eli?" This was the part where Eli froze. Did he like Imogen more than he ever liked Clare? If he did, and he admitted it, what would happen to his friendship with Clare? If he didn't, would Clare think that he still loved her?
Eli suddenly snapped out of his thoughts, trying to think about something else. Anything else. Eli's thoughts were still a complete mess, despite the fact that he had been taking his meds for several weeks now. As he struggled not to drown in a sea of regret and confusion that was his past, his mind finally found a suitable topic. The dress code. Simpson had, fortunately, decided to revoke the rule that all students had to wear uniforms. Eli obviously approved. He had found the school uniforms restricting, conformist, and just plain stupid. As Clare neared closer to him, Eli glanced at her outfit. A light blue floral dress that was adorned with several crystals that were shimmering in the morning sun. She finally reached the older boy and smiled.
"Thanks for not waiting at the lamppost, you dork," Clare cried out, purely in jest. Eli rolled his eyes and ignored her teasing, choosing to comment on her outfit instead. "My my, Clare Edwards. Aren't we sparkly today?" He tugged lightly on her sleeve, only to have his hand swatted away by hers. "Oh please," Clare lightly kicked one of Eli's jean-clad legs, the soft material of her ballet flat hitting the rough denim. "I missed your skinny jeans. Very sad but very true, nonetheless." She smiled and fell into step with Eli. "Personally, I find skinny jeans liberating, thank you very much." Clare scoffed and shook her head. "You're certainly in a good mood today, hmm?"
Eli shrugged, the material of his black blazer straining against his broad shoulders. "Is it because of Imogen?" Clare smiled knowingly at Eli, then pointed at the front steps of Degrassi just as the two approached the school. "Speak of the devil. It's Imogen!" Eli, suddenly flustered, grabbed Clare's hand and pulled her behind a tree just before Imogen turned around to see who had said her name. "Clare, was that necessary? Really? Do you enjoy humiliating me?" Eli peered out from behind the sanctuary that was the tree, only to find that he was face to face with Imogen Moreno. He turned back to look towards Clare for an excuse, but she was long gone. Eli suppressed a groan and hoped to God that Imogen wouldn't be angry.
"Um, hey." Eli started out, finally turning back around to look at Imogen. As he did this, he noticed her clothing. Black combat boots, lace tights with a rip in one knee, a bright yellow skirt that showed just the right amount of leg, and a blue shirt that looked as if it had been torn apart and sewn back together. Eli looked from her clothes to her face, using the silence on her part to his advantage. She wore no makeup, just glasses. The thick black rims hid her eyes, and as a result, her. Eli finally noticed that neither of them had spoken for a good, long time. He opened his mouth to offer her an awkward greeting once more, but it never found its way out.
Imogen had already pressed her lips to Eli's by that time.