Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi, sadly…

A/N: First things first, I do apologize for the mix up yesterday. Fanfiction was fucking up and it said that I never posted chapter 8 so I posted again and then I realized like an hour later that I had posted chapter 8 twice by accident. Ha ha, oops, anyway. Thanks for the reviews! There's not much I have to say, but that this is indeed the last chapter of this story! I hope you guys enjoyed it :) Well, here you are chapter 9.

There will be alternating POV's in this chapter.

This story is inspired by the song Get Up, Get Up, Get Up by Barcelona.

Crawling on Ashes

Summary: It was, Clare rather thought now, those two last words—"even me"—that had sent her feet walking out of the room without her even realizing it. Was he so promiscuous? More importantly, was she really so undesirable?

Chapter 9

I looked up at the school, clenching the shoulder strap of my black backpack.

I lowered my gaze, and slowly made my way into the school, trying my best to avoid the one person I knew would definitely be on my case today. I moved like a snake through the sea of people, trying to get to my locker. Once I made it, I quickly twist the combination into the lock, and then pulled the door open.

"ELI!"

I cringed.

Let WWII begin.

Before I turned to look at him, my body was completely crushed against the lockers and Adam stood behind me, holding me steady. Of course, the sea of people stopped dead in their tracks and formed a circle around us. Adam swiftly turned me around and glared at me with his angry deep blue eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Doing something so damn stupid, especially to Clare." Adam screamed.

I pushed him off me and responded, "Look it's not like I wanted to do it."

Adam snorted and he shoved me back.

"Bull-shit! You did it the first chance you got, Eli I can't believe you would hurt someone so innocent like Clare. You're pathetic." Adam shoved me against the lockers again, and I watched him leave. Everybody around me looked at me strangely and I shook my head and rolled my eyes. I grabbed my English binder and headed to class.

As I would've guessed, Clare and Adam were in there first.

I ended up sitting behind Clare again, because the classroom was surprisingly already full. The tardy bell rang, and the door to the classroom was closed, but Ms. Dawes was late. Everybody was talking in the classroom, except for Adam, Clare and me.

I reached up and tapped Clare's shoulder. I expected her to ignore me, and lean forward or something, but she turned around and I saw the most heartbreaking image in front of me. Clare's eyes were bloodshot, puffy, her cheeks were stained with dried tears, and wet tears, with black make-up smudged under her eyes.

Clare turned back around and she slouched in her chair.

There's one thing I hate when it comes to girl… I die when I see them cry in front of me, especially if it's something I did. I know it's my fault, but I still hate to see her cry. I whispered, "Clare." She, this time, ignored me.

I reached up to tap her shoulder again, but she only leaned forward, and rested her chin on Adam's shoulder. He turned his head slightly, and from the corner of his eye he glared at me. I sighed heavily and lowered my gaze. Dammit, I fucked up big this time. I slouched in my chair.

"Good morning class, I apologize for being late, we're going to continue watching the film A Raisin in the Sun, and I'll assign the groups you will be in at the end of class." Ms. Dawes announced. I grimaced, now remembering that we're watching a stupid movie that I really don't care about.

Once the movie was playing at the previous stop, Ms. Dawes walked to the back of the classroom and turned the lights off, and then made her way to the desk. I watched Clare move back, slouching in her chair. I leaned forward, and brushed my lips against her ear. I whispered, "Can we talk."

Clare jumped and shakily turned her head to face me. I gave her a slight "pouty" face and she shook her head and turned her attention back to the movie. I frowned and stayed leaning forward in the desk. I was close to her still; she never leaned forward. Again, I began whispering to her, "We have to talk, let me explain please."

Clare shook her head again and sniffled.

I licked my bottom lip moved so I was staring at the back of her head. Her curly hair was slightly flat, like she didn't even fix it at all. I reached up cautiously and started to play with the strands, Clare flinched and she swatted my hand away. I pulled my hand back and looked at my binder. I opened it and tore a few sheets of paper out, grabbed my pen, and scribbled some words on the paper. I folded it and slid it over Clare's shoulder.

Ignoring Eli was probably the hardest thing for me to do. I know what he did was wrong, it was the most horrible thing that he could ever do. But, when the look in his eyes when he said we had to talk, and that he wanted to explain to me what was going on, I almost believed that he was guilty.

When he slid the note over my shoulder, I looked down at it and placed it on my desk. I stared at it, averting my gaze from the note to the T.V. I felt Eli leaning to me again; I tried not to shudder when his lips brushed against my ear again.

"Read it." He commanded softly.

I grabbed the poorly folded note, and read it.

Clare I know what I did was wrong, I know you're mad, and I know you probably don't want to listen to a word that I have to say, but please, you have to listen to what I have to say. The bet I made was bad, I know that. But, the person who I was talking to said that if I don't follow along with it, they would hurt you. When we had sex the first night, that was all me, I wanted it to happen, even if you took it the wrong way. I know I sounded like a jerk, but… you have to believe me Clare.

If you would give me a chance to tell you how truly sorry I am, you would meet me in the classroom we were in yesterday.

Eli—

I licked the corner of my bottom lip and fold the note back up. I looked up at the T.V. and felt Eli's lips against my ear again.

"Will you meet me?" He whispered.

I ignored his question, only continued to watch the movie. I'm glad that the movie wasn't even close to an end, because I somehow knew for a fact that Ms. Dawes was going to partner me up with Eli and Adam, we're always partnered together. The movie was stopped and the lights were turned on. I checked the time, we had ten minutes left of class.

I didn't realize that time had flown by that quickly.

Adam turned around and I quickly shoved the note into the pocket of my bright blue cardigan.

"Do you want to hang out after school today?" He asked.

I smiled inwardly, and nodded.

"Good, I'll meet you at the front; I'll get my mom to take us to the Dot." Adam said. I smiled again, and nodded again.

I felt my heart being squeezed in my chest.

Jealousy…

Adam, Clare, and I would always go to the Dot together, like the good friends we are. Well, used to be in this case. The bell rang and I had gathered my things and quickly left the classroom. I didn't go to my locker, only headed to the classroom that always seems to be empty every day. I looked around, and made sure there was nobody watching.

I opened the door and headed inside.

If Clare comes in this room then I'd probably die of complete happiness. I waited. I sat on the desk, staring intently at the door. I began to think that Clare wasn't going to come in, because three minutes had just gone by, and the tardy bell rang, signaling that class was staring. This didn't matter to me because I had study hall this period, and the teacher in there doesn't seem to notice who's in there and who's not.

I was just about to leave the room, but I stopped when I noticed that it was being opened.

I blinked a few times.

In walked Clare, looking more scared than ever; she shut the door behind her and looked up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes.

"I don't have much time." She said softly. "Coach Armstrong thinks I'm in the bathroom."

I nodded and she sat down in a desk. I stood in front of her, crouched down to her eye level, and took her hand in mine.

"Clare I meant what I said in that note. The guy that I made the stupid bet with said he'd hurt you if I didn't play along with it. I know that I shouldn't have agreed to it, but… I mean I didn't want you to get hurt." I said.

"How do I know you're not lying?" Clare asked. I looked into her bright eyes and she pulled her hand away from mine. I frowned and lowered my gaze. She doesn't believe me. I wouldn't blame her, if Clare did something like this to me, I wouldn't believe her either. I looked back up, and she raised her eyebrows at me in question. I licked my lips.

"I'm not lying to you Clare."

She scoffed and got up from the desk and started to make her way to the door, but I swiftly got up and turned her around to face me. I reached up and cupped her face, and leaned down to kiss her, but Clare turned her head to the side.

"Just stop Eli… I have to get to class." Clare whispered.

"No, not until I know you've forgiven me." I whispered back, almost pleadingly.

Clare shook her head and she reached up, grasping my hand in hers, and she pulled it away from her face. I watched the tears gather in her eyes, and prayed that she wouldn't cry in front of me. Clare looked up, and she closed her eyes, sighing softly.

She shook her head.

"Not this Eli… you've screwed up really badly, and I don't think I can ever forgive you." She said. With that, Clare tore away from me and she walked out of the classroom, leaving me alone. I reached up and raked my fingers through my hair, clenching it slightly.

I sat in Coach Armstrong's class, not paying attention to the lecture he was giving. I had my thoughts all centered on the brief conversation Eli and I had in the classroom. Part of me wanted to believe him, but the other part was telling me that he was just telling me this, just so I could get back with him, and finish what we had started.

I cursed at myself, wondering how I gave in to his command when he was at my house yesterday.

"Ms. Edwards."

I looked up.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Would you come up and answer the question on the board?" Coach Armstrong asked.

I nodded and got up from my desk, and headed to the front of the classroom. I took the piece of chalk from his hand and glanced at the problem in front of me. I chewed on my bottom lip and swallowed hard. The numbers in front of me started to dance, and I suddenly felt light headed. I lifted my hand to start working out the problem.

My vision became blurry, from unshed tears, and the slowly streamed down my face.

"Are you okay?" Coach Armstrong whispered. I nodded and sniffled, the tears fell quicker and I soon finished the problem, resulting in getting the wrong answer. I didn't care though, because I couldn't even concentrate. I sat in my desk and sighed shakily. Today was going to be so impossible for me.

I wish school would just randomly let kids out early because of a stupid storm that decided to pop up out of nowhere.

I didn't really care what it was, as long as I get to go home, away from the stress…

Away from Eli…

The bell rang and I gathered my things. I was excited for my next class. Adam and I have the same class together so I won't be completely distracted about Eli. I walked out of class and headed to my locker, where I knew Adam would be waiting for me.

"What are you doing here, Goldsworthy?" Adam growled.

I turned to face him and responded, "I'm waiting for Clare, same as you."

"What the hell for?" Adam asked.

I didn't respond to him this time.

Moments later, Clare showed up in the sea of people. I smiled a little when she noticed me standing directly in front of her locker. Clare crossed her arms across her chest and she arched her eyebrow at me. She asked, "What do you want?" I resisted the urge not to roll my eyes.

"Clare you know exactly what I want." I said.

"Eli just leave—

"Adam shut the fuck up!" I screamed, looking straight at him. I turned back to Clare and reached up, taking her hands in mine. She turned her head away and I said, "Clare please you have to believe me when I say that I'm sorry. I know I fucked up, I know what I did was wrong, so please you have to give me another chance, please." Clare blinked up at me, her eyes still glassy. She closed her eyes, and I saw the tear fall down her cheek. She sniffled and shook her head. I frowned.

Clare whispered, "I said no before Eli, I meant it."

"Clare," I started, sighing lightly, "I'm not one to beg, but please… I beg you." I leaned down and whispered, "I need you."

Clare pulled her hands away from mine and she moved me away from standing in front of her locker.

"Come on Clare, you don't need this."

I had almost completely forgotten that Adam was standing there. But Clare wasn't going to get away from me that easily. I reached up and grabbed her wrist, turning her to me.

"Eli—Eli what are you doing?" She hissed, when I got down on my knees, and hugged her waist, keeping her close to me. I looked up at her with sad eyes and said, "Clare, please you have to forgive me." Clare looked around and smiled sheepishly at the passerby's who stopped to look what was going on. She looked down at me and said, "Eli if I say I forgive you will get up?" I blinked a few times and nodded.

"I forgive you." She said.

I got up and Clare turned around quickly, I called out to her and she turned around, walking backwards with Adam standing next to her.

"Did you mean it?" I asked.

"No, I lied." The words rolled off her tongue very menacingly. I pinned my eyebrows together and watched her turn around and disappear around the corner with Adam, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway pathetically.

I sighed shakily and ended up slamming my fist into the locker, causing the hallway to turn quiet.

"He looked so guilty, Adam." I whispered.

"So, you shouldn't trust him. Just keep in mind of what he did." Adam reminded me. I nodded and chewed on my bottom lip. I didn't mean it when I said I forgave Eli, forgiving someone so easily isn't really my forte.

Because, if you automatically forgive someone over something that's a big deal, they'll take that for granted and do it again, and possibly make the situation worse.

I licked my lips and leaned my head against my hand.

A small sigh escaped my lips and I closed my eyes. The scene in the hallway popped into my head and I saw the sadness in Eli's green eyes. My chest became tight and I imagined Eli crying in front of me. I lay my head on the table and stared at the wall.

I knew that… if I forgave him—

"Clare, you know you can talk to me if you have something on your mind." Adam said. I turned to look at him and I smiled faintly. I gave him a hug and said, "I'm fine, I just need some time to think about this Adam. I'll be right back okay?" He nodded and watched as I got up and exited the classroom.

I reached into my pocket, grabbed my phone and sent someone a quick text. I remained in the hallway, leaning against the lockers. I waited patiently for the person I text to exit the class they were in, and meet up with me.

Momentarily, I was standing in front of him.

"Clare, what's up—?

I leaned up, and crushed my lips over Eli's, shutting him up. He was taken aback from my kiss, but he soon wrapped his arms around my waist. The kiss we shared was burning, fiery. I pulled away and looked into his confused eyes. I smiled faintly and swallowed hard, wrapping my arms around his neck.

—I'd be crawling on ashes… leading into the fiery trap known as Elijah Goldsworthy…

The End!

I know the ending was sort of iffy, but hey, I already have the sequel in mind, keep a look out for it, it's going to be called Inside the Fire. So, anyway, did you guys like this chapter? Did it suck :/ I hope not, well anyway, now that Crawling on Ashes is complete, I can focus on Alibis :) So, anyway, thank you again for reading, reviewing and enjoying!

Goodbye for now!