Disclaimer: Only own Natalie!

A/N: Hey guys! Here's tonight's chapter. Number ten! Woo-hoo! Did anyone see tonight's new episode, by the way? In case you haven't, don't want to spoil it so all I'll say is: Exciting! I can't wait for tomorrow, the finale! ...Then none 'til October. Sad :( ...Woah, haha. Kind of bi-polar there. Anyway, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to drop me a review-that would be much appreciated!

P.S. I wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed/favorited/alerted/etc... so far, you guys are seriously the best (and if you haven't reviewed yet, you are still the best. Heheh.) Another special shout out to "The Piped-Piper" who I meant to give a shout out to yesterday for their long and funny review but totally forgot. So there's that, won't keep you any longer...Enjoy!

CHAPTER TEN: REDEMPTION

I bent down without another word, and began gathering up some papers that looked like math notes by my right shoe. By the time I'd finished gathering the stack, she'd finished picking up everything else and was standing, stuffing the contents of her arms forcefully into her backpack. I stood up slowly, and after wiping some stray French fry salt of the top most paper, I handed them to her.

"Thanks," she mumbled, as she stuffed those in the backpack as well. She barely looked up at me but I could see her face was still pink. "I have to go," she told me quickly and headed towards the door. Not catching sight of the small "PULL" sign near the handle, she promptly slammed into it. Realizing her mistake, she yanked the door open furiously and vanished onto the street, walking fast around the corner.

I stood there for a minute, staring at the door like an idiot as it closed. I took a deep breath, debating whether to follow her or not. The minute she saw me, she wanted to get the hell out of here, I thought. She must really hate me…

But I had to make things right. Failure wasn't an option.

Determined, I threw money next to my half-eaten fries and untouched milkshake and raced out the door after her. When I got outside, I glanced down the street both ways, and spotted her making her way swiftly towards her ancient, blue car in the distance.

"Natalie!" I called, jogging towards her, waving my warm. She didn't look up. "Natalie!" I called again as I got closer but I was still too far away for her to hear me. "Hold on a second!"

I saw that the zipper of the backpack that was slung over her shoulder was slightly open and a few papers had fallen out.

She continued to walk swiftly, and didn't stop or slow down as I called her one last time, so I jogged faster, scooping up the couple of fallen papers as I went. Finally catching up with her, I stepped in front of her, cutting her off.

"Adam!" she said, shocked to see me again, ripping the earphones from her ears—Well, that explained why she couldn't hear me. I also noted that the thick glasses had been returned to her face.

I think it's important to mention that, when I sat in English this morning, instead of paying attention to whatever Ms. Dawes was talking about, I was planning a fantastic speech to give Natalie when I finally confronted her.

But as she looked up at me, wide-eyed behind those enormous glasses, all of my preparation went out the window—Just like that.

Without thinking, without beating around the bush, I took a step towards her and pulled her close to me. I felt her body tense up in surprise then relax into the hug. I couldn't help it, I had to close my eyes—she was so small and warm. For a second, I felt like a "real guy", that is to say a bio-male. We stood there for what felt like several minutes before we finally broke apart.

"Wha-at was that for?" asked Natalie, her eyelashes fluttering. She looked slightly flustered. I shrugged, giving her a crooked smile. I guess I felt it was better to remain ambiguous as opposed to lying about it. Taking my shrug as a satisfactory answer, she smiled, rather shyly, back at me.

After another moment of silence, I extended my hand, holding the fallen papers out for her to take. She took them from me; they crumpled as she closed her hand tightly around the papers, pressing them against her chest.

"Thanks," she breathed, not taking her eyes off mine. For some reason, it seemed unclear whether she was thanking me for the papers or the hug.

"I should go," I said finally, my voice much lower than I'd intended "Drew's football practice is ended soon".

"Okay," she said, nodded. Adding, "I should go too, I've got a lot of homework".

"Okay," I echoed.

"Alright," she said. We both let out a little laugh.

"Okay," I said again.

"Bye," she said.

"Bye," I agreed. With that, we both slowly and reluctantly turned and started walking in opposite directions. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure she was far enough away that we was out of earshot then whispered "BOO-YAH," under my breath, bringing my fists up ever-so-slightly and grinning to myself.

I walked for a while longer and found myself straining my ears to listen intently for her fading. I give myself the runs, I thought. Then something else occurred to me.

"Hey Natalie?" I called, turning around quickly. She was pretty much all the way to the next street but she must of heard me because she turned back to face me.

"Yes?" she responded.

"You weren't in English this morning. And I didn't see you around school at all!" I said loudly, so she could hear me.

"I look stupid in these glasses!" she told me, tapping the brown frames, as though that explained everything. "See you tomorrow!".

"Bye!" I headed back towards Degrassi again, rubbing the back of my neck, grinning broadly like a moron, despite the fact that I still had no idea why she wasn't in English this morning.

Why would she avoid me just because she thought she looked stupid in her glasses?

"Oh well," I told myself aloud, shrugging. Girls will always remain a mystery, I guess.

I made it all the way back to Degrassi with the stupid grin on my face and wore it all evening until dinnertime when it was promptly wiped off my face by my mom's news.

"What do you mean Grams's coming down from Windsor?" I said angrily over dinner hours later. The whole family was sitting around the dining room table digging into my mother's meatloaf but suddenly, I wasn't hungry anymore. "I thought you said we'd give that a break for a while, until we figured out a way to tell her?"

"I know, Adam—" My mom began.

"So you've got a stunning plan then?" I snapped, skeptically. I looked to Drew for back up but he just shot me a 'shut up' look, like he knew something I didn't. I knew I was being rude but at that moment, I didn't care. "I'm not dressing up for Grandma-Not for anyone-anymore, I won't do it," I told her, there was a promise in my voice.

"Adam," said my mom, raising her voice to talk over me. "No one is expecting you to pretend to be Gracie. I promised you I wouldn't make you do that anymore and I intend to keep my promise but tomorrow isn't the best day to out you Grams".

"There's no better time then the present," I told her.

"Because, it's the two year anniversary of Gramps' death and I don't want to stress her out at such a sensitive time," my mom said. Oh, I didn't know that...I guess that's what Drew was telling me to 'shut up' about.

"Don't want to send her into cardiac arrest..," I mumbled under my breath, remembering something Eli said a while back.

"Plus, she says she has some news," added my dad. "We don't want to overshadow or undermine that by dropping a bomb of our own".

I supposed they both had a point. I nodded.

"Alright," I said calmly. "I don't want to be inconsiderate".

"Thanks for understanding, honey," said my mom, reaching over and squeezing my hand.

"So what am I going to do then?" I asked. "If don't have to go as Gracie? …I can't come, can I?"

"Why don't you make other plans?" suggested my mom.

"I can bail too, dude and keep you company?" offered Drew. I took a deep breath.

"Nah, man," I told him. "You go. Grams is going to need someone to laugh at her jokes". I forced a smile. Which Drew returned and ruffled my hair encouragingly.

After dinner, I called Eli. Surprise! He had plans with Clare. I guess I'll just stay in and read some Goon comics or order Mixed Martial Arts Madness on Pay-Per-View.

A/N: There you go, friends! I'll have you know I totally put my homework off again so that I could finish this and get this up for you guys tonight. Anyway, next chapter is Grams' visit, Adam/Natalie have finally made up, and much more! Stay tuned.

xx,

Holly

P.S. I would really appreciate a review! They light up my life! In fact, I'm willing to give an exclusive sneak peak of the next chapter to the first 5 people to review this chapter. dun dun dun. Think about it ;)