Not Good Enough For Truth in Cliche: Chapter 3

Clare:

That was honestly the most horrible moment of my life. He was so close to me and all I could do was look away. He was nice enough to walk over and say hello and I treat him like he has the plague. I swear my awkwardness is going to be the death of me. He must think I'm a total jerk. I turned in my seat. I could see him leave. I had this sinking feeling in my chest.

"Clare? What was that?" Alli demanded. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I...I don't know. I just panicked I guess." I turned in my seat in time to see Eli's retreating figure. I had this sinking feeling that I had just blown any possibility of us being friends, let alone something more. "That was awful Alli! I'm sure he hates me."

"Don't say that. You'll see him around. Next time you run into him, just make a joke about it or something to clear the air. He seems like he really wants you guys to be friends."

She made sense; I just hoped she was right. The bell rang and we shuffled out of the caferteria with the other students. I had one class left, Media Emersion with Ms. Oh. I went to my locker to rid myself of the day's books. I closed back my locker and looked to my right. Eli was two lockers down.

"Seems like we're always running into each other," I said putting on my brave face.

He looked up absent-mindedly. "Looks so." As expected he wasn't exactly through the roof excited.

"Eli, about what happened in the caf...," I ventured.

He sigheed and closed his locker. "You don't owe me an explanation Clare. You don't owe me anything at all." He gave one final look and started to walk away.

"Eli, wait!" My effort was for nothing. He didn't even hesitate or look back. I messed up. He wouldn't even hear me out. It was clear: I did more damage than I thought.

I couldn't stand there forever so I went the opposite way to class. I made it just before the bell. Class didn't hold my attention the way it usually did. My mind kept drifting to Eli. It felt as if everything was slipping right through my fingers. My home life was terrible these days and now that I had the chance at something new, I went and put my foot in my mouth. Eli would probably avoid me and never talk to me again. A part of me thought I deserved it.

Eli:

Maybe I was overthinking it. I knew I shouldn't have been so short with her by the lockers but it was my best defense. I didn't want her to know how scared I was that she might not be into me. When she blew me off in the caf, I didn't know what to think other than "It's official Eli, you've freaked her out."

At first glance, I'm a bit much to take in. Clare is the polar opposite with her pale skin and bright blue eyes. She's the epitome of softness and innocence. I was a far cry from that. Clearly, she was out of my league. I had no business wanting her the way I did.

By the time the final bell rang, I had come to the conclusion I'd underestimated this school. One day in and I was already spinning.

I found my way to the lobby and took a seat by the murial. I saw Clare's friend Alli walking hand in hand with this jock looking guy. I looked around for Adam. i could see him down the hall. He waved to me and I waved back. I threw on my bag and met him halfway.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yup. So where are we going?"

"Only to the most notorious cafe this side of town."

His sales pitch made me nervous. "And does this magical cafe have a name?"

"Yes, it's called the Dot." He punched me lightly on the shoulder. "Come on, I'm dying for some coffee."

We left through the glass doors, cutting through the parking lot.

"Woah, sweet ride!" Adam said. I was still glancing around, admittedly, for a glimpse of Clare. I turned to what caught his attention.

"Thanks" I smiled looking at my hearse Morty.

Adamn's eyes bugged out. "No way! This is yours?" He started to admire the sleek black contours and the silver skull that adorned the hood.

"Yup, this is Morty."

He laughed. "Man, you get cooler by the second Eli." He shook his head. "Well, the Dot is a quick walk from here," he said pointing left with his thumb.

"Alright, we'll walk."

Adam wasn't kidding about how short the walk was. The Dot was a cool cafe with stainless steel everything. We grabbed a table by the window.

"This is a nicw place," I commented, watching people walk past outside.

"Yeah, it's a great hangout spot; basically all of Degrassi comes here."

Just then a waiter came over and asked us what we'd be having. We both ordered a coffee. The waiter jotted it down on his notepad and walked away. He came back moments later with two steaming cups of java.

"So you survived your first day at Degrassi, congrats," Adam said taking a sip from his cup.

"Yeah, barely..." I ran my finger along the rim of the cup.

Adam's eyebrows bunched together. "What does that mean."

I looked him in the eye. At this point he was my only friend. I need to vent to someone...why not him?

"Well, it's only been a day and somehow I've managed to get in way over my head with girl trouble."

"Sounds juicy, who is the girl in question?"

"Clare." Just saying her name made my heart beat faster.

"Edwards?" I shrugged. "She's so sweet! How is it possible to have any trouble with her?"

"I don't know." I filled him in on my day Clare wise. "And now I don't know where we stand."

"Man, you really know how to make an entrance. Clare is honestly the nicest girl in school. She wouldn't be mean to you, maybe she was just nervous or something. I mean, you are kind of intimidating," he said matter-of-factly.

I sat back in my seat. It was possible. I looked out the cafe window. There she was! " Adam, I have to go, I need to talk to her," I said throwing down a couple of bills. Chances are it was more than the cost of the coffee but I didn't care.

"Go for it!" Adam called after me.

I raced out the door. "Clare!" I shouted. She didn't hear me. "Clare!" I shoved some pedestrians out of my way. A couple of them had some choice words but I didn't care. I ran and caught up with her.

"Eli," she said sounding shocked. I was trying to catch my breath. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing. I just need a moment of your time...please. There's something I need to tell you."

REVIEWS ARE MORE THAN WELCOMED! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME OR GIVE A REVIEW, I'LL LOVE YOU EVEN MORE THAN I ALREADY DO 3