Drew's POV

The final bell finally rang as the halls flooded with students. I zigged and zagged through people to find Eli. It took me about five minutes until I found him sitting on the steps. I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey." I greeted.

"Drew, hi." He said back with a small smile.

"Listen, I'm sorry I didn't go after you back there. I felt like you needed to be alone at that time. I'm sure you and KC didn't really hit it off ." I said.

"Actually, we did. We had a nice talk. He's a cool dude. Cooler than most people give him credit for."

"Oh, great then." I said. "Listen, I have some news for you."

"Is it about Campbell and Dallas moving back to Florida?" he asked.

"Um… yeah, actually it is. How'd you know?"

"I heard some kids talking about it." He told me.

"Oh… Well um… I think it's crap."

He looked over to me. "Do you?"

"Yeah, honestly I do. I think it's time we get our revenge. I say we get our asses on a plane to Florida and show them not to fuck with family. I don't care what we have to do, my little brother will be avenged. Now, I'm only gonna ask this once. Are you with me or not?"

Eli stared at me, dumbfounded. "Drew, I…" he paused. "I didn't think you had that in you."

I looked down at the concrete. By that tone he was giving, I was sure this mission was going to be a one man job.

"I never thought anyone would have a more… outside-the-box mind than I do. To be honest, it's risky, it's dangerous, and the most psychopathic thing I've ever heard of." He said sternly, but then smirked. "How could I POSSIBLY say no?!"

I laughed, giving him a knuckle punch. "ALL RIGHT!" I shouted. "So uh… Do you wanna hang out?"

"Sure, I'd like that."

"Great. I was hoping we wouldn't go to either of our houses. Just a nice secluded area; like a lair or something. Do you think that would be ok?"

Eli's eyes were practically glowing. "I would like that. A lot, actually. And I think I know just the place."

"And I think I know just the place!" I heard behind us in a mockingly flamboyant voice. It was Luke, another one of those douchebag hockey players. "Geeze, is emo body a fag too?"

My heart began to beat very quickly as adrenaline shot through my body. "Luke, back off." It was all I could say.

"Or what? You gonna sick your homo play writer on me?" he laughed.

I was at my wits end. "Eli isn't even gay, halfwit."

"Oh? What's this I hear about him having a crush on one of the football players then? Huh? Gonna call him straight now?"

"Luke, lay off." Behind us, I saw Liam and KC.

"Uh, I don't remember anyone talking to you, jewfro. Run along."

Liam only chuckled. "Oh thanks, you noticed my hair. It's nice, isn't it?"

"You hitting on me, too?"

"Don't flatter yourself, kid. All I know is, while you're out on your knees praising the Lord, Eli over there has girls on their knees praising him. If I were you, I'd be taking notes." Liam said with a cocky grin. "Unless you're too 'pure' to do so."

Luke furrowed his eyebrows and stormed off. I'm guessing this is what Eli meant by sarcasm. This kid is pretty cool.

"Um… Thanks, Liam." Eli said, embarrassed still by what Luke said.

"Oh it's cool. Anything to take care of those conceited, bible-thumping undesirables." He smiled.

"Told you he was a cool guy." KC decided to speak up. Liam was… blushing. I don't know if KC saw it or not. I looked over to Eli and he had a smirk on his face. There was something he wasn't telling me. That's when it clicked. I decided to keep my mouth shut until later.

"Drew, sorry about Adam dude. It's a shame that those pricks went back to Florida before you could rip them both a new one."

KC cleared his throat. "That's not stopping him, according to him."

"What do you mean?" Liam asked.

"Well, Eli and I are heading to Florida soon to surprise our good friends Dallas and Cam. Have a talk, share a punch to the face, maybe even, how do you say, 'rip them a new one'." I said, using air quotes. "It might sound a little crazy, but-"

"Geeze, you guys are taking that 'Whatever It Takes' quote in the weight room to another level. I think it's a great idea!" he said as KC raised one of his eyebrows. "Look, we gotta go. Come on, KC. We have lots of homework to do. Good luck you two. Make sure you don't off anyone. I don't wanna see you two on the news!"

"Uh, yeah guys. Later. Loads of… homework." He said, winking at Eli.

I looked at Eli, who was looking to the floor. "So Eli, that spot you were talking about?"

He snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh! Right, yeah lets go."

We both got up and walked off to this spot Eli was talking about. I was glad when he said it was secluded, because I wanted to ask him something in private. And now since apparently people know about his dirty little secret, I didn't want anymore rude comments going his way. I care about him way too much for that to happen….

Wait, what?

Eli's POV

Ok, either this school is full of stalkers, or I'm just REALLY that obvious. How the fuck did Luke of all people know I like Drew?... Well, he doesn't know I like Drew, but you get what I mean. Still, I can't imagine how someone could've found out. As irritable as I am about this right now, I'm more interested about other things. There's a reason why I'm taking Drew to a secluded area. I think it's time I finally tell him. Tell him how I feel about him. If he is a real friend, then he'd understand. But if not, I'm back to being alone, and that isn't good for me right now.

As we got there, I looked over to drew, who was staring in awe. His dark blue eyes were beaming at the sight of the place. It was a lake. A big, secluded lake. There were large boulders surrounding it, kind of like a jetty to a beach, but in a circular shape. There was a bench in front of it all; that was usually where I sat. I was going to ask him to sit with me, but once my eyes met him he was already taking off his socks and walking gleefully to the bank of the lake. Drew was always a quick one.

"Care to join me?" he asked as he picked up a rock. "Skipping rocks is a stress reliever. You should try it."

"Um… no thanks, I'll just watch." I told him, walking over to the bank with him.

"Why not?" he frowned. "I just feel like after the whole Luke situation you could use a nice come-down."

"Drew, I'm just not the rock-skipping type, ok? It's never suited me." I said, looking down at the rocks below me.

Drew frowned "Just trying to help." He said. Then he looked at me with a smirk. It was like a light bulb went off in his head. "Wait… You don't know how, do you?"

Damn, he got me. I swear, that boy could see right through me. I sighed. "No. Go ahead and make fun."

Drew shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not gonna make fun of you. It's kinda cu-…" he paused. Was he about to say 'cute'? I shook it out of my head.

"Can you um… teach me?" I shyly asked.

"Of course. Everyone should know how to skip a rock." he said, giving me his. "Ok, so before anything, we need to see what you think skipping rocks is. Go ahead, try your best."

Damnit, why did I have a feeling he was gonna go in that direction. So, not knowing what I was doing, I drew my arm back and tossed the rock as far as I could. "How was that? Did I do it right?"

He laughed. "No, but damn, you have quite the arm, Eli. Have you ever taken up QB? Or pitching?"

"Sports aren't my thing." I said.

"Ok, but back to the rocks." He picked another rock. "Now here's what you do. Take the rock. Now, instead of tossing for distance, toss it like a grounder. You know, like if you're angry about something and you throw something on the ground and it slides. Something like that."

"Like… a cellphone?"

"Sure, let's use a cell. Take your arm back, throw in a horizontal shape, snap the wrist, and…" he demonstrated. The rock went about 3 bounces. "Bingo. Think you can handle it?"

"I'm sure I'll live." I said, picking up a rock.

As I tried my best to mimic Drew, I tossed the rock and surprisingly got a good four bounces… That's good, right?

"How was that?" I asked.

"Really good! Hell, you're a natural. I don't even think I've gotten up to four yet. Great job." He said, playfully ruffling my hair. "Did that make you feel any better?"

"Yeah, it sort of did." It actually did. Who knew tossing pebbles into water could make a man mellow.

Drew and I skipped rocks for about half an hour before we both got tired in both the arms. I swear, it felt like I could bench a pickup truck afterward. Be that as it may, I felt more than great. I feel like I could come out the closet without a care in the world… Ok, I'm totally exaggerating but I'm sure you understand what I really mean. Drew was also quite drained.

"Hey Eli?"

"Yes?"

"Do you wanna sit on the bench? I kind of wanted to ask you something." He asked.

"Okay." I said, walking over to the bench. As I sat down, I noticed Drew didn't leave his spot. "Um, Drew? I'm pretty sure you asked me to this wonderful bench. Care to keep me company? I'm lonely!"

"I'm barefoot! And my shoes are over there!" he said, pointing to the spot we were at before we arrived. "There are so many rocks around, and I don't know about you, but I like my feet unharmed. They're special!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Are you kidding me, Torres? Be a man!"

He frowned. "But there's gravel."

"Drew, don't be such a wuss." I said.

"If I walk over there, you get to clean the blood off my feet. And I must warn you, I'm very ticklish. So if you end up with a bloody nose, don't hold me accountable."

I'm no foot person, so I caved. With a sigh, I got up and walked back to the bank. Without giving him a warning I lifted the tan teenager off his feet and over my shoulder. He was a lot lighter than I thought he'd be.

"Eli, what the hell?!" he chuckled.

"I'm not wiping off foot blood. Besides, I'm totally intrigued on what you want to ask me!" I said, setting him on the bench.

"Why thank you, short one." He said. I could get used to that one.

"So, what is it you wanted to ask me?" I asked.

"Um…" he decided to lie on his back, using my thigh as a pillow. "This isn't… uncomfortable, is it? I was just thinking, since it's just us here we can get as close as we can… comfortably of course."

My heart was racing, but all I could choke out was "Sure."

"Ok. I don't want to make you feel embarrassed about yourself or anything. I just felt like I have to ask."

Oh shit. He knows. Damn, damn, damn, damn! He knows. I immediately began to sweat, something I do when I'm nervous. Good thing I'm on my meds today.

"Liam or KC?" LIAM OR KC?! What the bloody hell was he talking about?

"Uhh… what?" I asked as calm as I possibly could do so.

"Eli, I won't tell anyone, I swear. I just wanna know. Liam or KC?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Torres." I said.

"Look, I saw the way you looked at them. It's KC, isn't it? Luke said something about you like a foot-"

I stopped him there. "Wait, you think I LIKE one of them?" I asked.

"Well yeah… Don't you? Luke said it was a football player. Owen and Connor are obviously out. KC is virtually the only one left. I mean, if it's not Connor, or Owen, or KC, then that only leaves…" he paused.

Ok, now he knew, and NOW it was time for me to go apeshit. I couldn't even form words. The only thing that was crossing through my mind was that I probably just lost a good friend. Damn me and my asinine feelings. He must think I'm pathetic, crushing on the star QB of the Degrassi panthers. There was no chance in hell I could've ever gotten any type of shot with him. I should've just kept with the hate last year.

Drew stared at me. What surprised me more, however, is that he stayed in the position he was in. I guess I had some sort of luck?

"So… It's me, isn't it?" he sighed.

"Yup." I answered. I wouldn't look at him. I couldn't at the moment.

"That's… cool, I guess." He told me. My face completely flushed. I'm pretty sure I could pass for a Power Ranger. "And… you're blushing." He chuckled.

"I'm sorry. Look, Drew, I apologize for pretty much telling you all this. It's just that I've liked you since the day we met. I know it sounds monstrously cliché, but I'm being serious. I know you're known for being the school player and whatnot but I always see passed that. You stand out to me, Drew. You've been through so much hurt and suffering but no one decides to notice it. But at the same time, you also don't notice it, or at least you make it seem so. Even though there are things bothering you, you still show up to school with a smile on your face and a bounce in your step. What word do these guys use nowadays? Swag. You have… Swag, or whatever you want to call it. I mean, even now with Adam being gone, you still look as though you can get through the day with that winning smile. Drew… You're a star… I'm sorry I'm totally rambling. I just um… thought you should know that."

I finally looked over to Drew. He wasn't on my thigh anymore. I guess I hadn't noticed him get off me. He was looking out into the lake, beaming at it. "It's nice out here, isn't it?"

"Um… yeah, that's why I always come here." Oh hell no. Did he not hear everything I just said?

"Cool. I think I'm gonna come by here more often." He smiles at me with water filled in those blue orbs. Oh gosh, he's crying. "With you."

"Drew-"

He stopped me before I could say anything. "Eli that is seriously the nicest thing anyone in the world has ever said to me." He said, letting one tear fall.

"Really? Was it?"

"Eli, look at me. I'm crying. I mean, I always knew you were deep, but Eli, you read me like a book." He said, smiling. "I didn't think anyone ever thought that about me."

"Well, I do." I said, wiping his tears away. "I think you're remarkable. And no, I'm not trying to sweet talk you into some false relationship with you. I just felt like you should know these-"

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a pair of lips being pressed on to mine. Considering the fact that there were only two people here, he was kissing me.

Drew's POV

I don't know what it was that made me kiss that boy. That boy with green eyes. That boy with one of the most devious smirks on the planet. That boy who wrote plays and wore eyeliner. T hat boy everyone taunted. That boy that held me while I cried even though we were perfect strangers. That boy that held onto me when he cried. That boy that…

WHOA! Time out, that BOY?

My eyes widened as I pulled back from the kiss. I felt as though the world was spinning. Eli wouldn't look at me. I couldn't look at him either after what I just did. There was a long and awkward pause before I worked up enough courage to say anything. I was trembling so hard I could barely talk.

"I… I'm sorry." I said.

Eli moved over to me and turned my head to face him. "Don't be." He said, going in for another kiss. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

I turned my head away again. "No, Eli I can't." I said. The look on his face killed me.

"What? Why not? You just did." He asked, obviously hurt.

"Eli I can't do this. You're a boy! I don't even know why I kissed you." I snapped. I was angry, but not at Eli, at myself.

"So, I practically pour my heart out to you, then you kiss me, and now you suddenly don't even care anymore?" he had tears in his eyes. Oh god, he had tears in his eyes. Did I really mean that much to him?

"No Eli, it's not that. I swear!" I tried explaining. "I was just… caught up in the moment."

"Bullshit! I'm not your little experiment, Drew!" he yelled, standing up above me. "You can't just play with my feelings like that!"

"I wasn't trying to-"

"I know exactly what you were trying to do. You were using me. 'Oh, Eli and I are friends, he won't mind! It's not like he loves me or anything!' Well guess what, asswipe? I DO!" he yelled.

I was utterly shocked. "Eli… Eli I-"

"Don't bother trying, Drew. You don't get to break my heart and mend it in a split second… No one gets to." He said, tears streaming down his face. "No one knows how."

I couldn't stand to see him cry. It was heartbreaking. "Eli, please don't cry. I'm sorry!"

"I'm going home, Drew." he mumbled as he grabbed his bag and tossed it over his shoulder, starting to walk away.

I had to follow him, even if I was barefoot. He was leaving me here by myself. As I winced in pain walking towards him, I grabbed his arm. "Eli, just listen to me, ok?" he didn't want to hear it and yanked his arm away, walking off and disappearing into the forest trees.

I looked down in front of me to see my shoes. As I slipped them on, I couldn't help but think to myself. "What did I just do?"

A/N: Another long chapter for you guys! Hope you enjoyed! If you're actually reading this story, I really want to thank you. Since this portion of the site has been bombarded with Caya/Eclare stories, its been hard trying to get people to read my stories. So if you've been reading, it means a lot.

Ok, quote for the next chapter!

"Yeah dude. You totally fucked that up."

I PROMISE TO BE QUICKER WITH UPDATES!