Hey, hey, hey! Well, lovely readers, how are you doing? I'm peachy, thanks for asking.

Sorry, I'm also a bit slap happy. Anyway, I am so ready to write the third chapter of Come What May, so I hope you're ready to read!

One quick thing before I start: I feel like it's only fair to warn you that my Eli in this story doesn't exactly follow the Eli on the actual show. I mean, with Sav and Clare dating it's already kind of AU, but I am just taking it one step further! So, to clarify, there is no dead girlfriend. But there is something else. Duhn, duhn, duuuhhh!

How ridiculous am I? No, wait, don't answer that. Hey! I still don't own Degrassi! Okay, end rant:

Sav and I quickly dropped Alli off at the Bhandari home, and then we made our way to my house so we could spend some quality time together.

"Your mom's cool with me coming over when she's not home, right?" Sav asked for the millionth time.

"Would you feel better if I gave her a call and asked?"

Sav nodded, so I fished my cell phone out of my purse. I knew my mom wouldn't have a problem with Sav hanging around, though. My mom loved Sav. In the last few weeks she really had the chance to talk to him, and she got to experience the full effect of his charm. Not only was he a total sweetheart who cared about me, but he offered to drive me around wherever I needed to go when my mom was at work. He helped us out so much as my mom and I collectively adjusted to our new lifestyle, and we were both forever in his debt.

I dialed my mom's work number after checking the note card she had given me. It was a new number, so I hadn't committed it to memory yet.

She answered on the second ring. "Helen speaking; how may help you?"

"Hi mom, it's Clare. How's work going?"

"Oh, hi sweetie! Everything has been smooth sailing today, so I'll probably be home early, and we can have dinner together."

"That's great; would you mind if we had a third person join us for that dinner?"

"You mean Sav? Of course he can come over for dinner! He's always welcome; you know that! I'll see you two when I get home."

My mom was apparently talking loud enough that Sav could hear every word she said because he leaned in to yell at the phone, "Thank you, Mrs. E!"

My mom laughed fondly. "Be good you two."

"Aren't we always? I love you, mom. See you in a couple hours!"

I snapped my phone shut, and put it away just as Sav pulled up to my house. He slipped the car into park, and rushed to get out so he could open my door for me like the true gentleman that he was. I smiled, grabbing for his hand so I could give it a quick squeeze, then I let us both into the house. Sav, already feeling like my house was his second home, walked immediately to the kitchen.

"Do you want anything to drink, Clare-bear?"

"Water with ice is good," I called back to him, settling into the couch and pulling out my science homework.

I started in on the first problem as Sav walked into the living room, set his glass of Coke and my glass of water on the coasters, and plopped down next to me, immediately slinging his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer.

"Always so studious," he whispered in my ear before gently giving my lobe a nibble.

"Ah! Sav, don't you have any homework?"

He ghosted his lips down to my neck, and I shivered. I had never, ever let K.C. get as physical as I let Sav, but it was probably because Sav made me feel so comfortable. I never felt insecure or inexperienced with Sav leading the way. Not to mention, I knew that as soon as I said the word, he would stop without a doubt. It was just so hard to ignore the way Sav made my heart want to pound its way out of my chest.

"I finished it all already," he mumbled, bringing his lips up to kiss my temple.

"Can you wait until I finish mine?"

Sav immediately sat back, a devilish gleam in his eye. "Pinkie promise?"

"As long as my mom isn't home yet, we can have a good, long make-out after I've finished all my homework."

"Why are you so responsible?"

"I can't help it; it's in my blood."

"I know…and I wouldn't have you any other way," Sav said, sincerity ringing out in every word.

He reached for the remote control to the TV, and watched the news quietly as I did my science and math homework. Then, after quickly debating with myself if I should just put it off till tomorrow, I pulled out my English notebook with the intent to brainstorm ideas for mine and Eli's debate.

After about five minutes of staring at the blank page, I turned to Sav. "What are some good debate topics?"

"Um…I have no clue…pollution?"

"Helpful," I commented sarcastically.

"I mean, what's something that interests you; something you're passionate about?"

"You," I said, only half joking.

I was confused when Sav's forehead crinkled, a sign that he was thinking hard; the gears in his brain turning wildly. What debate topic could he possibly come up with out of the answer I had given him?

"You could debate whether or not love is a choice…" Sav said slowly, trying to articulate what he meant. But I didn't quite understand.

"Care to expand?"

"Okay, like, you have to let yourself fall in love before you actually do; it's kind of a choice. And some people never let themselves fall in love, so they never get to experience it…am I making any sense?"

"Yeah, actually, I completely understand what you're saying. It's a really interesting topic; I wonder if Eli will go for it. Thanks!"

Sav shifted uncomfortably. "That's the assignment you're partnered for with Eli?"

I quickly jotted the idea down in my notebook, and then shoved it in my backpack.

"It sure is. The topic might be a hard sell, but I doubt Eli will come up with anything better. He strikes me as a 'just enough work to get by' kind of guy."

I could tell Sav was biting his tongue; not saying something he so desperately wanted to. Good. If he didn't want to fight again he had best keep his mouth shut.

I appreciated the effort, so I leaned in to give him a chaste kiss on the lips and quickly pulled away.

Immediately Sav's face cleared of any unpleasant thoughts, and the devilish gleam in his eye was back. "Where do you think you're going, missy? You have a pinkie promise to keep."

I smiled and leaned back in, parting my lips as they met Sav's. But, before things could get too heated, I heard the front door open so I hurriedly pulled away.

"Clare? Sav? I brought home the makings of Caesar Salad; who's hungry?"

"Sorry," I apologized to Sav sincerely, and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Next time, oaky?"

"I'm holding you to that."

I laughed and got up from the couch so I could greet my mom with a hug and kiss. She returned the hug tightly, and made her way to the kitchen to grab three bowls. Sav and I both followed her.

"How was work, Mrs. E?"

"It was lovely, Sav; thanks for asking. How was school you two?"

"Uneventful," I answered, but in my mind I ran through lunch and the tiny spat with Sav right before we went home. I didn't think uneventful was really a fair adjective.

"It was pretty chill," Sav agreed, winking at me. Clearly he was just as willing to put the Eli thing behind us as I was.

"What did you do today, mom?"

I set the table, and my mom and Sav brought the three bowls over. We all sat down, and my mom launched into a tale about some odd customer who had come in to ask where she could do some fly-fishing in town. Every day when my mom came home she had a new story about some wacky customer; without fail. Sav and I enjoyed the stories immensely, when he wasn't around I would always relay them to him, and we always got a good laugh out of them. That night's spiel was no different.

After dinner, Sav said his goodbyes. He gave me a quick kiss before ducking out of the house, and I decided it was time to shower and head to bed.

"Goodnight," I called to my mom as I started up the stairs. She was sitting on the couch watching a comedic show of some sort.

"Wait, sweetie, could you come here for a minute?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, but hopped off the steps to go sit on the edge of the couch. "What's up?"

"Tomorrow night your dad and I are going out to dinner."

"Without me?" I asked, taking note of my mom's fidgety behavior. She only ever fidgeted when she was nervous.

"Well, yes; your dad called me at work today and asked if I would want to catch up with him tomorrow night."

"Catch up? We all talk all the time…"

"Yes, but there are some things we can't really discuss with you around."

"Oh, well, okay. Have fun. Thanks for telling me, I guess."

"I just don't want things to get out of hand like last time," my mom said, the regret clear in her voice. I knew she was talking about neglecting to mention the fact that she and Dad were considering divorce.

"I understand. I love you, Mom. Goodnight."

I gave her a kiss on the forehead, and then took the stairs two at a time. Something about the situation was just…fishy. Of course, that could have been my overactive imagination getting the best of me again, but I would just have to wait and see. The reason I felt so confused could have to do with the weird way my mom had broached the subject. Whatever; over thinking it would just create unnecessary worries.

Or at least I hoped the worries would be unnecessary…

XXX

The next morning I woke to a text from Sav saying that there was family drama with Alli, and that I should probably find an alternative ride to school if I didn't want to be late. I replied to tell him that I would see him at lunch, and then I quickly sent a text to Alli to tell her that I loved her, and to stay strong.

I quickly got dressed, ate breakfast, and then said goodbye to my mom. I figured a nice bike ride to school would do me some good. Since Sav had come into the picture I had been seriously neglecting my bike, and I could definitely use the exercise.

The air was getting cooler, but it made my ride to school all the more invigorating. By the time I got to school I felt energized and ready to take down the world.

Alli wasn't in Math, so, despite my extremely good mood, I spent most of the period worrying about her.

Time seemed to fly, though, and soon I was headed to English. Eli was already in his seat when I arrived at the classroom, and he turned around as soon as I sat down.

"You and your boyfriend weren't at your locker this morning. I kind of missed the asinine ways of your teenage love affair."

"Sometimes I really want to hit you."

"Only sometimes? I'll have to try harder."

I smiled sweetly at him. "Not even you can bring me down today, Elijah Goldsworthy."

"Someone took their happy pills this morning…"

I decided to ignore his jab, and instead pulled out my notebook. "Sav was helping me brainstorm yesterday, and he came up with a rather interesting topic for our debate. I was wondering if you'd be into it…"

I passed him my notebook and he quickly scanned what I had written down on the page. His brow furrowed, but it didn't seem like he was feeling adverse to the idea- he was just weighing the pros and cons.

"It's definitely different. I don't know how you would come up with valid arguments for either side, though."

"Fair enough; before we commit to the topic we could do research together to see if we would have enough evidence to make a case for both sides."

Eli eyed me, his expression guarded. "When would we do this research, Edwards?"

"Are you busy after school?"

"You're so eager to spend time with me," Eli smirked, smug as Hell. I opened my mouth to protest, but he immediately cut me off. "Kidding, Clare; calm yourself. I guess I could do after school…"

"Great; your house or mine?"

"Yours," Eli answered so quickly that it made me jump. I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit I was a little disappointed. I was still curious about him, but I guess I would have to be patient in getting my answers about the elusive Mr. Goldsworthy.

"Fine; I'll see you at our lockers after school."

Eli nodded as Miss Dawes cleared her throat to gain the attention of the room. He quickly turned around, but I could not give Miss Dawes my full attention. All thoughts of Alli had also been forgotten.

Eli was coming over my house after school, and my mom would not be home.

I was going to be alone with Eli.

What had I gotten myself into?

Aww, isn't Sav a sweetheart? Thanks for reading guys. You know the drill; let me know what you're thinking!