I do not own Degrassi or Too Shy.

Chapter 4

Degrassi's annual Student Showcase was today and Ms. Dawes was extra thrilled to have one of Eli's pieces be read aloud in front of roughly 80% of the school and their parents. And on top of that, Ms. Dawes took the liberty of calling his parents yesterday afternoon to let them know what a wonder writer he is and they should defiantly come to support him and the school. Clare still refuses to talk to him about anything besides English so he was forever in the doghouse.

Cece gushes over how handsome he looks while she straightens out the red tie and the collar of his black button down shirt. He cups his face and he groans, "Mom, please," Cece giggles and pats her hair nervously before tugging her dress down a little. His father beeps the horn of their car obnoxiously for the fourth time outside and his mother rolls her eyes. "Come on, Sweetie," she lightly shoves him towards the door and snatches the black leather purse from the kitchen table.

"Bout time," Bullfrog grumbles from the front seat as Eli buckles up in the back. He has been getting grouchier and grouchier every day and Eli just assumes that old age is really just screwing him over … or it could be the lack of action from his mother. But it's probably best not to get into that at the moment. The parking lot at school is borderline full and Bullfrog's constant complaints are causing a major headache.

"There is still time to turn back you know?" Eli tries.

"Oh Elijah, this is going to be the first time we see you up there in the spotlight. Don't be silly," Cece coos, "Besides I'm sure Helen and Clare will be there,"

The mention of her name makes his stomach flip and his hands shake abnormally. But deep down he can feel the instant regret of writing what he wrote, because it is loosely based on her and Eli has a feeling Ms. Dawes knows too, "Are you and Helen best friends now?" He asks with slight attitude.

"Eh, watch your tone boy," Bullfrog scolds. Cece gives a nervous laugh, "I actually ran into her at the store the other day. She explained how Clare just admires your writing and then she mentioned the Showcase," Cece tries to shrug to make it seem less of a big deal but Eli's eyes light up.

"Sh-she does?" he asks immediately sitting up straight in need of more. Cece nods as Bullfrog parks in the handicapped space. Cece arches an eyebrow at him and he says, "No one is going to park here anyway,"

Cece shakes her head and they exit the car. They enter the building and are greeted by Holly J and Fiona who give them color printed papers with designs that read Welcome to Degrassi's Student Showcase! Fiona leads Eli to the back of the auditorium curtains and his heart beating picks up dramatically knowing Clare is going to be there. "Good Luck!" Fiona smiles handing him his writing and Eli responds with a nod. Sav pats his shoulder knowingly and goes past the curtains and announces what this is all about. Eli sits on one of the chairs left for the students and his right leg shakes. This is it he tells himself, after this she'll know how you feel about her.

"Please give a warm welcome to Elijah Goldsworthy!" Sav shouts.

Eli drags himself out of the chair like a zombie and the closer he gets to the stage the lower the applause sounds. There is an awkward silence when his mouth is on the microphone and when he gulps it echoes throughout the room. He spots his mother in the crowd and she is nodding in approval for him to do his thing. Clearing his throat he begins.

She'd been my best friend since we were nine

I'd stare at her face and her hair wishing she was mine

She didn't like me like that and that was fine because I was with her all the time

She'd ask for class notes from the day before and kiss my cheek but I wanted something more.

I was trying to tell her

Straight from my core, that I loved her

But I was too shy

And I don't know why

He looks up for a moment and his mother smiles widely giving him small thumbs up to continue.

She was a dancer

One that was graceful and pretty

Her dream was to dance at New York City

Dedicated and hardworking, she wanted to succeed

While I'd just sit around and write things no one would ever read

The shore was where we used to spend time together

I wanted to tell her there that she was more than just a friend

That I loved her

But I was just too shy again

So then it's late at night when my phone begins to ring

She'd call me and cry, she'd tell me everything

She was down and feeling UN admired

But in a selfish way, I felt inspired

Because when things went wrong, it was me she desired

I should have said the words, but I was too shy and tired

Then there were the times I'd perform for her but she'd never seemed impressed

But how could one expect her too

She'd had more talent than anyone else possessed

Flawless in her dancing, flawless in the way she dressed, flawless in her school work

I was so obsessed

A day passed, a month, and then a year

A diploma, a future, then a career

The plan was too tell her and keep her near

But I was I was lay in the draw and soon she disappeared

Every chance that escaped, all the times I'd held near

The talks in her back yard, laughing until tears

I wanted to tell her I loved her despite my fear

But I was too shy to keep her here

Though the distance kept us apart and away

Our friendship remained

Her husband was successful

White collar by day

But I remained the struggling writer with too much to say

So many years later I've grown old and somewhat bitter

While I was a wasted soul, a lie, a quitter

And then, one day my phone rang

It was her husband on the line

The girl I loved for 60 years was gone at 69

Now paying respects to the girl I'd loved eternal

With feelings unshared and kept internal

Until her husband offered me her high school journal.

Looking up at the audience sheepishly she catches his eye. Clare is wearing a simple light blue floral dress and a black ribbon on the side of her head. Her lip is quivering slightly and he isn't sure why. Looking back to his mother she is wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands and his father is rubbing her back soothingly. The crowd is watching him intensely and Ms. Dawes has her camera out recording him with a grin from ear to ear. So with that, he gets ready to finish up.

He's been my best friend ever since we were nine

I'd stare at him everyday wishing he was mine

I want to hell him, but I don't want to put our friendship on the line

I can only hope that he can read my signs

I see him staring back at me sometimes, but then he always looks away

I can't decide if he loves me back, or just wants things to stay

I know if he truly feels it he'll find it in himself to say, that I am more than just a friend to him

But I can't keep waiting everyday

He just seems too shy, too shy and I don't know why

That's not how the story really ends

Because I'm not shy anymore.

The first thing he hears is the immense clapping of the whole auditorium and he can hear Fiona and Holly J whistling from the back. Then he hears his mother's sobbing and he playfully rolls his eyes. There is going to be a whole lot of smothering when this is over. Eli's attention turns back to Clare whose eyes are watery and blue and he can't help but wonder if she knows this was for her. But she gets up and exits the doors. He is scared she's mad again and walks off the stage and his shoulders slump and so do his legs.

But he is surprised to see her standing there. Before he can open his mouth to say some sort of apology her arms extend and hug him before bringing his face down to kiss her. And Oh boy is he having a panic attack. His heart beats erratically and he smiles brightly into the kiss and his hands run through those soft cinnamon locks and life is suddenly perfect.

AN: I only got 4 reviews for last chapter and it was kind of disappointing but I hope you guys enjoyed this. But any who please review and if you are wondering about Eli's poem. No I didn't write it sadly. It was actually a short film if you want to check it out on youtube it is call Too Shy and the channel is hutchbabyproductions. It is really worth watching, I actually cried when I first saw it but anyway. Review and all that good stuff. "D