So DeGrassi as a High school for supernatural beings and creatures won the story poll. Now you guys need to vote on what kind of supernatural/mythic beings all the main and secondary characters will be. This week you get to vote on what you'd like Owen, Jenna and Sean to be. All the character polls will be up for one week.

Check the site for the winners in last week's poll Clare, Maya and Jay's characters have been decided. While you're at the site check out the calendars for June and July which have now been posted.

Also September's one shot week one shots have been decided. Huge thank you to Christlove88, dragonsprit, tomfeltonlover1991, Red2012, Truebloodfan83, Jenne11, COCOACOLEMAN, ForeverAndAlways37 and AJackson16 for voting and please check the site for the winning one shots, as well as 2nd place shots that will be put into October and possibly November when I get to those calendars.

Ch. 3 Desert that Borders Between Me & You

(CLARE)

"Hi Owen," I greet while he's stuffing books in his locker at lunch. He looks over and cocks an eyebrow at me wondering what I want.

"Hey Clare," he nods.

"I was wondering about Fitz. I tried to find his picture in the yearbook but there was nothing," I explain.

"Not surprising," Owen says closing his locker and starts walking so I follow him, "Fitz was only in grade nine for a couple of months before the fire. So what do you want to know and why do you care so much?"

"Journalistic curiosity," I respond quickly. "Well what was he like? What did he like to do? What did he like to study?"

"He didn't like to study anything, other than girls anyway. He liked to drink and party at the ravine, the three of us did. He was a good guy, well to us anyway he was a bully but the three of us were. He was a good friend, loyal and protective of the people he cared about," Owen tells me and I smile because I know it's still true.

"Hey Blue Eyes you're eating with us aren't you?" Eli asks coming over with Adam just as Owen was about to say something else.

"Yeah," I grin and walk off with Eli and Adam.

"What were you talking to Owen about?" Eli inquires as we walk outside.

"Oh nothing," I reply.

The three of us sit at a picnic table and mainly discuss our project over lunch. We stay outside until the bell rings and then they go to their classes but I'm on my spare. After stashing my backpack in my locker I return to the boiler room. I walk through that to the room behind and go down to the depths of the school. I start looking around, Fitz had to come from somewhere, there has to be a door or a grate or something down here. I begin looking around; feeling my way around the dark room and very much wishing I'd brought my phone or a flashlight. Suddenly I see a light shining in my direction, I turn around to see where it's coming from and a hand clamps down on my arm. I gasp and jump back until the light is turned to his face and I see that it's just Owen.

"It's me what are you doing down here?" Owen questions.

"While I was looking the yearbook I came across some old blue prints of the school and wanted to explore," I lie quickly.

"More journalistic curiosity?"

"Yes exactly," I nod.

"Come on let's get out of here I don't think it's safe down here," Owen says taking my arm.

I feel Fitz in the dark but he doesn't say anything or make a sound. I can't tell Owen so I remain quiet and we go back into the school. Owen and I spend the rest of our spare in the memorial garden doing homework. He's not letting me out of his sight now and I'm not sure he believes me about finding the blueprints but he doesn't ask. When the bell rings Owen and I walk to Media Studies together.

"Spending a lot of time with Owen aren't you?" Eli asks as I sit down.

"Why Eli are you jealous?" I tease him.

"Just want to know who my competition is," he replies.

"I highly doubt you have to worry about Owen as competition," Adam remarks.

"I like competition," Owen chimes in from their table behind us.

"Yeah but not over me," I call back.

"You'd never be able to stand a relationship with him anyway," Drew comments.

"I somehow doubt I'm that mysterious crush of hers anyway," Owen remarks.

"You have a mysterious crush Edwards?" Eli smirks.

"Yep someone even more mysterious than you because you aren't her mysterious crush," Owen replies for me and I blush biting my lip.

"Well as long as I'm in the running," Eli smirks picking my hand up to kiss it. "And seeing as I am in the running how about a date tomorrow night?"

"Okay," I smile.

"Good," Eli smirks again.

"Owen I think we're going to need girlfriends soon or we'll be the odd men out," Adam comments and we laugh as the teacher comes in.

When school lets out Owen and Drew go to football practice, Bianca stays to watch them. I know Fitz will watch Bianca and Owen, I want to stay and find Fitz but I'm going with Eli and Adam to work on our project at Adam's. We have the script pretty much down we just need to storyboard and rehearse this weekend.

"We can rehearse the kissing scene on our date this weekend," Eli teases as he and Adam storyboard and I make a final edit on the script.

"I'm sure you will be," Adam comments rolling his eyes.

Because we have other homework Eli and I only stay for a couple of hours to work on the storyboard. Then we say goodbye to Adam and Eli takes me home, he parks out front and thankfully Dad isn't home yet.

"So I'll see you at school tomorrow and tomorrow night on our date," I say before getting out the car.

"I'll make it something special, especially since I don't know who my competition is," Eli remarks.

"He doesn't go to our school and it's not like you're in direct competition with him," I reply.

"If you have more than one crush then we are in direct competition and I hate to lose," Eli replies before leaning over clasping my chin and adjoining our lips in a sensuous kiss. The kind of kiss that gives you butterflies in your stomach and when our lips part my lips tingle.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I blush and slowly get out of the car.

I really do like Eli and have strong feelings for him, we have a lot in common and I feel good when I'm with him. Actually after that kiss I feel amazing, almost like I'm walking on air. When I get inside and look in the fridge and there's nothing to eat so when Dad calls to say he won't be home for dinner I order pizza, sit on the sofa and do my homework. I'm still doing homework when Dad comes in, he says hi and asks about my day. We talk for a few minutes and he goes upstairs to shower, I finish my homework downstairs, clean up a little and then go upstairs. I say goodnight to Dad, get ready for bed, brush my teeth and when I return to my room find Fitz in my room leaning on the window that I presume he just crawled through.

"I didn't think I'd see you today. I looked for you b…"

"I know and you led Owen down there," Fitz replies.

"No I didn't lead him he followed me, I didn't know he would follow me Owen's never cared what I do before."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have been asking so many questions about me," Fitz replies. He doesn't entirely sound angry but distant and aloof, somewhat cold and it hurts to hear it in his voice.

"I want to know about you is that so wrong? I looked for your picture in the yearbook but you weren't there."

"I don't want you to see me like that anyway, if you see how I was then you'll really think I'm hideous now," Fitz replies looking down.

"I won't, I promise you I won't," I assert.

"That's not why I came; you can't go searching for me anymore Clare. You could have been hurt; you could have led Owen right to us. I told you my world is secret I have to protect the others we're all hiding for different reasons and I put that all in jeopardy by bringing you there."

"You saved me; I want to be a part of your world Fitz."

"But you aren't and you can't be. Stop thinking about me, stop trying to find me, I will watch you always but you aren't part of my world and you can't be," Fitz says getting on the windowsill to climb down again.

"Fitz wait," I say rushing over and grabbing his arm before he can disappear through the window. "I'm sorry about Owen I'll be more careful. Please don't be mad I just…"

"I'm not mad but I can't let you in and you have to stop looking for my world you can't be a part of it. Have fun on your date tomorrow night," he tells me trying to go out the window but I continue holding his arm.

"Are you jealous of Eli?"

"No you belong with him. I told you I'd watch you from the shadows and protect you like I so with Owen and Bianca but you won't see me."

"Fitz please don't go I'm sorry," I beg trying to pull him back inside. It forces him back against the wall and he whimpers. "You're hurt, what happened? I know what you did for Bianca; you got hurt saving her didn't you? Those boys hurt you," I comment piecing it all together before Fitz says anything.

"I'm fine it's just a bruise but I need to go," he replies.

"Fitz don't I don't want this to be the last time I see you," I plead.

Fitz says nothing but removes my hand from his hoodie; he kisses my palm and then goes out the window, jumping to the ground almost like a cat. He's gone into the shadows so quickly and I no longer see him. I turn around and sink to the floor with tears in my eyes, the thought of not seeing Fitz any longer washes me with a depression. I wish the shadows would swallow me if only to be with Fitz again.

(FITZ)

I watch Clare all morning, she goes to the library and looks through a year book but I know she won't find my picture. She's disappointed but I'm glad I don't want her to see me that way. I watch her in class, the crawlspace between the walls of the old school allowing for easy access. And then at lunch she begins asking Owen questions about me and he becomes curious as to why she's asking questions. When she goes outside to eat with Eli and Adam I stop watching her, it's harder to hide outside and especially with so many people around. Owen and Bianca are also eating outside so I go home and eat lunch as well, taking the food to my room and eat on my bed reading one of my favorite books. And then I feel her, she's close I know she is. I don't know how I can feel her but I can and I know she's looking for me.

"Fitz someone's in the belly, I hear voices I think they're looking for the tunnels." Eddie tells me running into my room.

Eddie is one of the many young kids that live down here; almost all of them are runaways or throwaways from abusive homes like I was. Most of the ones down here never saw a foster home and were lucky enough to be found by one of our community and brought here. We can't bring just anyone down here or the community would over grow the capacity of the tunnels. Everyone let in is voted on by a committee of the six that began our underground community, Doc is the head of it. Eddie is only seven, he like me was found by Doc but Eddie was four when he was found, alone in his house having been abandoned by his mother.

"It's okay Eddie stay here I'll go check it out," I say getting up from my bed.

I run through the tunnels to the belly. The belly is what we call the lower basement of the school, the room below the boiler room, so named both because it is truly the underbelly of the school. I go through the secret entrance but remain far back in the shadows, Clare is here but she's not alone. I hear Owen down here in the dark so I stay in the shadows and watch them leave before I return to my room. When I get there Doc is sitting on my bed.

"I told you that girl was dangerous," he says.

"She's curious," I reply in her defense.

"Yes and her curiosity can lead her straight here even if she is trustworthy she could lead others here. I know she wasn't alone in the belly and if you don't make her stop she'll continue. I know how you feel about her Fitz but you know it will never work she should be with someone that can be with her and that's not you. Watch her and protect her if you must, I know you will but stop seeing her, stop showing her your presence. You must push her away for her own good and for our preservation. Whether she means to or not her curiosity could expose us think what that would do to everyone down here, yourself included," Doc advises then pats my arm as he leaves my room.

I sink down on my bed I don't want to push Clare away I want to be with her but Doc is right. I can't place my feelings for Clare above the safety of everyone down here. I spend the rest of the afternoon watching her, she's with Owen and then she has her last class with him, Bianca, Drew, Adam and Eli. It hurts to hear her say yes to Eli's date but as much as it hurts it's what's best. She deserves someone that doesn't hide in the shadows. When she leaves school to go to Adam's I go back to my room. I spend the afternoon thinking about what to say to her and telling myself that pushing her away is what's best. I don't eat dinner but I leave for her house when it's dark. I watch the windows, I know when her dad is in bed and when she's getting ready in the washroom I climb up and go in through her window.

She's surprised to see me and I want to go to her but I have to tell myself I'm angry and I need push her away. I keep well hidden under my hood, totally shrouded in dark so that she can't even see my eyes. I keep my voice cold and keep reminding myself it's all for the best, even if it doesn't feel that way just now. I scold her for leading Owen down near the tunnels, for trying to find a picture of me and asking questions. I tell her it's done and I'm leaving but she rushes over and grabs my arm begging me not to go. I want to embrace her, to be with her this hurts so much but I have to and I tell her to be with Eli. She begs me not to go again pulling me back inside a little and I hit the windowsill wincing in pain as it hits the bruise from last night. I see the sadness in her eyes when she knows I'm hurt. I tell her I'm okay, take her hand from me and leave before she can stop me. Walking home in the dark in pain and upset I feel like I'm losing a part of me.

"You did the right thing Fitz," Doc tells me.

"If I did the right thing then why does it hurt so much?"

"Doing what's right often hurts at first; it was the right thing for the both of you, for everyone. You're worlds apart and those worlds should not collide."

Doc gives me a comforting pat and then leaves my room. I take off my hoodie and lie on my bed, I told Clare to stop thinking about me but I can't stop thinking about her.

(CLARE)

After Fitz left I couldn't get to sleep, I felt guilty and sad, a part of me felt empty. I spent a restless night dreaming about Fitz. I wake up with tears on my face and get up to get ready for school with this dark cloud about me. Dad makes a comment about my dark mood before he goes to work and I walk to school hoping to see Fitz in the shadows, to feel him watching me but I don't.

"You look awfully sad Edwards, not regretting saying yes to going out with me tonight are you?" Eli questions approaching me when I begin walking up the steps.

"No," I assure him turning to smile at him, "no not at all I just…" hesitating to finish the sentence because I can't exactly explain about Fitz and I don't really have an excuse for my mood. "I just didn't sleep well and I'm tired," I reply.

"I don't want you to be tired on our date do you want a rain check?" Eli offers.

"No I'll rest on my spare and I can nap when I go home, unless you were thinking of going out right after school?"

"No I'll pick you up at six for dinner, in the meantime I'll walk you to class and carry your books," Eli says taking my backpack from me and I smile.

I spend all day hoping to sense Fitz, to feel the comfort of him watching but I never do. I eat outside with Eli and Adam and go into the school before the bell rings. I'm on my spare now and I go to the storage room planning to lie down on the old sofa in the very back until last period. I set an alarm on my phone to wake me before the bell just in case I do fall asleep. Closing my eyes I see Fitz in the darkness of my mind, even in my thoughts he's shrouded by his hood. Just as I begin to fall asleep I hear noises, several boys come traipsing in, laughing and talking loud, a few of them holding beers, at least one seems to be high. I sit up and grab my phone from the table and they all look at me, several of them grinning lecherous and malicious grins. They suddenly look less like a group of boys and more like a hungry pack of wolves that's come across a wounded deer.

"Well now what have we here? Want to party with us?" One of them asks. My attention isn't on him however it's on Steven, Fitz's stepbrother Steven and he sees me looking at him.

"I think she likes me, she keeps staring at me. Like what you see Babe? Want a beer?" Steven asks sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders.

"No I don't and I need to go," I reply.

"Oh come on stay and party," Steven says pulling me down to sit with him.

"Not with you," I comment trying to get away but Steve holds my arm while the others laugh. "Let go of me," I demand smacking him across the face, it makes quite the echoing sound in the room but barely fazes Steven. He just sort of grins and leans forward like he's going to kiss me. "Get away from me you pervert," I hiss punching him in the throat. Now he's concentrating on breathing and lets me go.

I start to run but his friends grab me and just as they do the door bursts open only it's not Fitz that's come to my rescue but rather Owen. He also has a spare this period but how he found me here I have no idea.

"Let her go right now," Owen growls at them.

"She ain't your type Milligan she doesn't like to party," one of them replies.

"I said let her go," Owen repeats taking a few steps forward. There's four of them all a year older than Owen, a couple of them are taller but none of them are as intimidating. Still they seem to think they can take him, two are holding me, Steven is still wheezing on the sofa and the other one advances on Owen but he doesn't get within a foot of him before Owen punches him. An incredibly hard punch that sends the guy back into a shelf and Owen turns to the two holding me. "For the last fucking time," he snarls taking a step forward with each word and then picking up the free hand of one of the boys holding me, "let her go." With Owen's demand to release me he begins to crush the boys hand and the boy releases me. Just watching this action the other boy releases me too and then Owen takes my hand walking us out of the room and down the hall. We turn the corner going into the memorial garden and he looks me over, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm okay," I nod but very grateful he came when he did.

"I assume Steven struggling to breathe was your doing?" Owen asks and I nod. "Good he's an ass but it's probably still good I found you," Owen comments.

"I'm grateful that you did I have no idea what their plans were but it wasn't good. How exactly did you find me?"

"It was weird actually I was in the resource center and I heard this knocking sort of sound in the walls. It led me right to the storage room and I heard your voice along with those idiots laughing. You must have a loud guardian angel or something," Owen remarks.

"Yeah," I nod knowing it had to be Fitz, "or something."

"After the last couple of days I think it's better if we spend our spare together. I don't want to find you wandering dark rooms alone or about to be raped by Steven and his vile friends. Come on I left my stuff in the resource center and you're coming with me," Owen insists.

Normally it would bother me to be ordered around and I'd argue that I don't need a babysitter. After what just happened however I think I'll stick with Owen, at least for today. We spend the rest of our spare in the resource center and when the bell rings we both walk to media studies. Owen doesn't tell them about Steven and the others but Eli does mention our date a few times sort of teasing hints about what we might be doing. When school lets out Drew and Owen have football practice, Adam is sticking around to ride home with Drew and Eli drops me at home. He reminds me he'll pick me up at six for our date as I get out of the car. I wave to him, unlock my door and go up to my room, when I open the door I hope to find Fitz in the room but I know he isn't. I lie down for a couple of hours and then get ready for my date. Dad is home I hear him in the shower probably getting ready for a date as well.

"Have fun tonight," Dad tells me before leaving. He's wearing the expensive after shave which means he likes this girl. Just after Dad leaves my doorbell rings and I grab my purse going to the front door.

"You look great," Eli grins taking my hand.

"Thanks you look nice too," I smile stepping out and then I lock the door.

Eli's really just wearing a dressier version of the black clothes he wears to school. He escorts me to his antique hearse, opens my door and I get in.

"Dinner first, do you like Indian?"

"Yeah I love it," I reply.

"Good I know a great place, it's sort of a dive but they have amazing food."

Dinner is really good and our conversation over dinner is even better, we share a lot of interests. There is definitely something between us and he is good looking, I enjoy my time with Eli, relaxed dinner conversation about obscure movies I thought no one else had seen but we both love. After dinner Eli takes me to a restaurant where they have live music and we order dessert. We eat and listen to the music, it's not really my style of music but the band is pretty good. After paying for dessert we get up and dance, there's a fairly small dance floor and it's pretty close quarters, we're also dancing to a fast song so I'm not too surprised when I get bumped into. The guy that bumps into me doesn't even look back let alone apologize but I just ignore it, Eli on the other hand does not. In the blink of an eye he goes from happy and dancing to seething and scary. He pulls me behind him and punches the guy; the surprise punch causes the guy to stumble back.

"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE FUCKING GOING AND NEXT TIME APOLOGIZE," Eli yells before taking my hand and dragging me out. He starts walking down the street and he's still yelling. "IDIOT! WHY DON'T PEOPLE WATCH WHERE THEY'RE GOING?"

"Eli," I say his name and grab his arm, "Eli it's not a big deal I'm okay."

"HE SHOULD HAVE PAID ATTENTION TO WHAT HE WAS DOING," Eli hollers.

"Eli if you can't let it go then I'm going home," I tell him.

I turn around to start walking to the bust stop but Eli grabs my hand whirls me around so that my back is against the wall. The charming, attractive, sweet, intellectual boy I was enjoying a date with a short time ago is gone and a monster has me pinned to the wall.

"No you're not leaving me."

Update will be Wednesday June 3rd in short story month and picking up from right here.