I don't own Degrassi
Chapter 3
Friend Zone. Why the hell did he being in the friend zone with Clare hurt him as much as it did? He had been avoiding her for the past few days and he even changed the ending to his story… again. He still won't admit that he isn't feeling this whole "Friend" situation at all.Eli begins to regret his brilliant plan with KC. He thinks KC would have broken her heart in a matter of months and Clare would come running back to him. It sounded bulletproof until that one minor detail.
KC won't even look at her anymore.
Eli lets out a frustrated sigh and soothes his aching forehead as he plops down onto his bed. With school starting in less than 12 hours Eli is going to have a panic attack.
"Eli," he mothers voice says from behind the door, "can Clare come in,"
He immediately shoots off his bed and rips open his door. His mothers face is scrunched up in confusion and Clare's big blue doe eyes are looking straight into his, her head is slightly tilted to the side like some curious animal.
"I just needed to ask you some questions. They mailed my schedule and I just wanted to…" she trailed off, her eyes turning less doe after each word and head slowly leaning downwards.
"Okay the, come in…I guess," Eli slowly moves to the side to let her come through. When she does her floral dress sways and her flats make an awkward Thump after each step almost as if she is dreading stepping foot in his house. He is almost upset at her physical appearance, her round eyes are circled darkly and her smile isn't as "Pleased to meet you!" as it usually is.
His mother closes the door and he can hear her faint footsteps going down the stairs. Clare clears her throat trying to get his attention. When he turns to Clare her eyes are watery and she extends the folded piece of paper for him to take. As eager as he is, he accidentally snatches the paper causing her to wince at him.
"Sorry," he mumbles opening the paper.
Dear Clare.
I really like you but I was sort of told not to ever come near you. I don't know who the guy even is. He attacked me and threatened me. I know you think I'm lying or whatever but I am not, I swear to God.
Eli can feel his stomach twist and turn and he lets out a cough as if it is some sort of signal for it to stop. He can't even swear to God because he doesn't believe in him.
Please don't hate me forever. I think I saw his eyes, they were green and he had dark hair for sure. His face I didn't get a good look at though. The point is, school starts tomorrow and I hope we can face each other without out hate. I really hope you believe me.
Sincerely,
KC
He looks up scared shitless because he knows she knows and she doesn't even have her schedule in her other hand.
"Clare, I-"
"Eli, why would you do that? You knew how much I liked him," She got up and shoved his chest harshly with her pointed finger, "He couldn't even hand me the letter himself because he was so frightened! He threw at my sister when he saw me coming down the stairs! I mean, I mean, just why?" She breathes heavily sitting down on his bed again running her hand through her curls.
"I really liked you, that's all," Eli whispers softly looking at her with pleading green eyes.
"Stop doing that!" She shouts getting ready to pull her hair out.
"Doing what," he ends up whimpering in surprise. He has never seen her so angry.
"Those Puss in Boots eyes, they make you look sorry," Clare's voice lowers.
"I am," he tries to grab her hand but immediately fails when she recoils it like a child who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"No," Clare wipes her tears with the back of her hand and gets up.
Eli doesn't bother to try and stop her because if he does, most likely there will be a slap coming his way.
"You leave KC alone; he is a good person," she warns, her steps growing faint as she exits his home. When he hears the front door slam her chokes on a sob and the tears begin their April showering because he can't seem to hold back anymore. With a low whine he gets onto his bed grabs his pillow and lets out a scream in it. He has definitely fucked up now.
XoXo
His alarm clock wakes him up bright and early and his eyes slowly adjust from thin slits to open wide so he can rub them clean of hard green specks that lie in the corners. Today there are more than just two or three because he did in fact spend at least four out of his eight hours of sleeping crying. He hears his mother's gentle knock on his bedroom door, "Eli, sweetie it's time to wake up,"
"I'm up mom," his voice is croak like and it startles him mostly because he always hoped he would have his father's frog like voice.
"Alright then, I have breakfast ready for you in the kitchen. I am going to work. I love you," she tries.
"Bye mom," he sighs , "I love you too," at that moment he knows dinner is going to be good because it is rare from him to reply with an "I love you too".
He drags his tired ass out of bed and brushes his teeth so hard a pretty decent amount of toothpaste he spits out is a creamy red and when he smiles to see his work; his gums are red and still slightly oozing. He tries to sooth them with his warm tongue and it thankfully works. He doesn't want to go to school at all but he needs to see her, to make things right. It's the least she deserves.
He gets dressed in a navy blue long sleeved shirt and a black sweater with some skinny jeans. It is a normal first day of your last year outfit for him so why not? Morty is outside waiting so he eats his mother's warm oatmeal and gets into the Death Mobile as his peers call it and drives to Degrassi.
After he parks he sees Adam and his Cheshire cat smile as he waves from the side of where he is parked.
Eli grabs his backpack and slings it over one shoulder and walks to the front of the building with Adam jogging up to him.
"Hey, Eli! What's up? How was your summer?" He questions excited to start the New Year.
"Peachy," Eli grumbles picking up his pace to reach the front door and avoid running into KC. He knows as nice and caring as Clare is she would tell KC her neighbor almost killed him, so it is probably best for Eli to keep some distance.
"Ooof!" Adam says falling to the floor along with another body. Rolling his eyes Eli turns to extend his hand to Adam and the other person.
After lifting Adam off the ground, Eli meets blue eyes and guilt creeps up into his features.
"Sorry," He mumbles bringing his hand closer for the person to grab.
"I don't need your help, emo boy," Fitz scoffs and gets himself up before giving Adam a glare and walking the other direction.
Those blue eyes weren't Clare's but seeing the color blue throughout the halls would end up making him nauseous in no time at all.
"I apologize for my clumsiness," Adam says dusting himself off. Walking up the hall to get a head start on rearranging their lockers before the bell rings like some other around them, Eli sets his bag down and unzips it.
"Guess what Simpson is making us do this year," Adam starts a conversation.
"What is Simpson making us do this year?" Eli replies mockingly.
"Buddy system. Seniors pair up with juniors, and sophomores with freshman."
"Goody," Eli groans closing up his locker.
The bell rings and the halls begin to fill with students."I have English," Eli says and walks away.
Brushing by Ms. Dawes, he sits in his seat located in the very back of the classroom. As the class takes their seats, Ms Dawes makes an announcement.
"Class, welcome back. We have a new student this year, Clare. Come up and tell the class a little about yourself. "
He eyes meet hers and she frowns, "My name is Clare Edwards, I just moved here and, um… yeah." The class snickers and whispers among themselves and Clare looks at the teacher for further direction.
"Clare, sweetie go ahead and sit by Eli in the back," She says. Clare nods and walks down towards him. His heart beats faster and he holds his breath. From the corner of his eye he can see her sit next to him and he doesn't dare move.
"The person next to you will be your partner the rest of the year. All of your work here will be done together except for test of course," Ms. Dawes statement causes a few groans and high fives and Eli slowly looks over at Clare who just looks straight ahead.
What a long ass year He thinks.
A/N: Sorry for the wait. Read and Review if I should write more.
