Chapter Three: Uniforms? Seriously Mr. Simpson, I hate you now. (Eli's POV)
Uniforms? This was a joke. I had been forced by mom to read the rules and see the Uniform regulations. Mom had laid out the uniforms on my bed, Red polo shirt (all Juniors had to wear red) with the Degrassi logo, beige slacks, a leather belt, suede shoes and the Degrassi jacket. I sighed heavily and looked on at my dead hand t shirt, longing to wear it. "Dammit Mr. Simpson." I cursed under my breath. Although I came downstairs with the uniform on and my ID badge hanging from my neck. My mom turned around from cleaning the dining room table and grinned broadly. "Oh Elijah, Honey you look so handsome." Mom cooed, she briskly walked towards me and straighten my polo shirt, making sure it was tucked in properly and brushed the long bangs from my eyes. "Mom.. This uniform idea is repulsive. I feel like shooting myself." I mumbled lowly, Mom eyed me carefully and plucked some lint off my polo. "Elijah. Don't make me start having to put you back on you're medication.. You're acting like you did after Julia-" Mom was then cut off by my snarls. She sighed and looked at me sympathetically. "Sorry Eli.. I just hate seeing you so upset.. So depressed. I just want you happy." She whispered, tears threatening to overflow in her green eyes. I sighed and felt regret in my stomach, I wiped my mother's tears with my thumb and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm okay mom. I'm still Little Eli. I'll always be." I murmured in her blond hair. I could hear her sniffles in my ear and I sighed and closed my eyes. "Caroline. Just let the boy go. He has to go school." My dad said in a gruff voice. I opened my eyes and saw my dad exiting the kitchen, his brown eyes holding no love or care that I was going back to Degrassi.. The place where I was almost stabbed.. Could've been killed, but dad didn't care. He exited the house with a gruff "Bye and I'll be there for dinner." Mom smiled at me and swiftly kissed my cheek. "Have fun honey. I'm sure you'll be safe. If you see Clare.. Treat her right Elijah." Mom ordered. I smiled a lopsided smile and nodded. "Whatever you say mom." I then left the house and opened Morty's door. I stuck the keys in the ignition and turned the stereo on high. Hoping that the Foo Fighters could keep my mind off Clare Veronica Edwards.
Arriving at Degrassi, everything seemed out of place already. There was no couples in the front of the school kissing or anyone bullying one another. I pulled into an empty parking spot, suddenly concerned that I didn't look good enough. I sighed heavily and breathed, "They can suck it if they don't." I climbed from Morty, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and locking Morty. "Wish me luck Morty." I whispered and patted his exterior. Some people were looking at me oddly, it might be the way I look in the uniform but again everyone is wearing the same thing, different colors of course. Or it could be that I was partly the reason for us having these stupid uniforms and strict rules. I kept my head down and heard a loud beeping, I suddenly realized that I was almost hit by no one other than Holly J Sinclair. She gave me a particularly dirty look, I returned the look back at her. She can be a bitch, but this is also partially her fault also.. I wasn't stripping for Sav in the theater. I shook my head and walked into the school. I stopped dead in my tracks to see police men watching the halls, one immediately started to check my badge and nodded in approval that I was good to go. I cursed under my breath, this is what the school has turned into? This was a complete joke. I walked the familiar halls and saw that someone was already by my locker. Clare. She was taking things from her locker, ironically our lockers were side by side. I cleared my throat and approached her. She didn't notice me when I approached her, but I cleared my throat. She looked up at me, her blue eyes holding some sort of sadness.. Something I probably caused. "Hey." I said simply, wearing a crooked smile. She sighed heavily and shut her locker. "Eli.." She said with her eyes closed. I breathed heavily. "What?" I asked, more aggravated than it should have been.. I blame that one on myself. She scowled. "You know what. Do you just suspect that just coming up here and using you're beautiful lopsided smile to win me back will work, than your sadly-" Clare was cut off mid sentence by my mouth colliding with hers furiously. I grabbed her wrists in an attempt to keep her close and not to run off and break the kiss. Her lips were fevering and she tried to escape, but gave up.. Just allowing my lips to do the work. I finally broke the kiss and released her wrists. Clare looked up at me, with pleading eyes. "Why the hell did you do that Eli?" Clare asked, tears threatening to over flow in her eyes. I looked at her an for a first in my life.. I had no answer. "I don't know Clare.. But when two people are dating.. They kiss each other." I explained in plain annoyance. Clare rolled her eyes and sighed. "Eli.. We aren't.. exactly together anymore." Clare whispered, but just enough for me to understand her. "Are you breaking up with me?" I asked exasperated. "That's not fair Clare!" I yelled like a little kid, people were starting to look at us. "Eli.. Keep you're voice down." Clare groaned, color filling her cheeks. I huffed and looked around to see that people had stopped looking. "Listen Clare.. I really like you.. It isn't my fault-" Clare immediately put her hand up and scoffed. "It is your fault Eli. If you would've apologized to Fitz-" Then I interrupted with a smug face. "I did apologize Clare. I said sorry, don't lie." Clare looked at me in complete disbelief. "You poisoned him.. You made him puke.. You caused your own life.. It scared me!" Clare admitted, she immediately covered her mouth with her hand and held back tears. "Clare.. You were worried about me?" I asked in a soft tone, the same I used with Lizzy whenever she was upset. Clare shook her head. "Allergy season.. That's all." Clare mumbled, fumbling with the zipper on her Degrassi jacket. I smiled slightly. "You're a horrible liar Clare.. It's January.. Nothing close to Spring season." I said with a lopsided smile. Clare breathed a sigh of relief when the first bell rung. "I have to get to math with Armstrong." She gasped, definitely in a hurry to leave. She attempted to slip around me, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me. "Lunch?" I asked. Clare shook her head. "Can't.. Eating with Alli." She mumbled. I rolled my eyes. "Then Alli can eat with us. Adam will be there too." I added, hoping at least that would bring some relief to Clare, but to avail. Clare shook her head. "Sorry Eli.. We need a break.. I need to figure this mess out.. Sorry." Clare than slipped from my grip and walked away from me briskly, seeming to wipe tears from her face.