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An Eclare Story

December -

Clare -

Eli had been recovering well. The cast was ready to come off this morning before school. Everything else had healed about a week after the accident.

Unfortunately, Eli's broken arm meant he hadn't had much time to take care of Morty. He was in need of some TLC, but the doctor advised Eli to not put too much stress on his arm while it was healing. And he obviously couldn't work on Morty with only one hand. So he was left to take the bus for a while.

Since he had to go straight to school after the doctor, he couldn't pick me up. But I didn't mind that much. I was just happy he was going to be feeling a lot better.

Once I got to school, I searched for Eli's car in the parking lot. When I found it I also found Eli...standing up tall in front of Fitz, the school bully. They looked like they were arguing. I was going to go over there and try to stop it, but Fitz walked away before I could even try. I would just have to ask Eli about it later.

After History I went to go find Eli at his locker.

"I saw you and Fitz in the parking lot this morning. What was going on?"

"We just had a little misunderstanding. Instead of moving out of my spot like I kindly asked him, he decided to damage my car. Jerk!"

"So he just broke your car?"

"He tore Morty's hood ornament right off!"

We were walking to English when we saw someone get shoved up against some lockers. It was Adam.

"Still trying to figure out what you're looking at," Fitz asked Adam, intimidation in his eyes.

"I'm still trying to process the smell." Oh no, Adam.

Fitz pulled back his arm and aimed for Adam's mouth. Luckily Eli stepped in and blocked Fitz's punch. Some witty comments were thrown here and there, but the bell rang just in time to end everything.

"We're caught up in the constant struggle between bully and bullied. There's only one way to stop it," Eli said, anger welling up in his eyes.

"By ignoring him," I asked, hoping to get a good answer.

"By refusing to be the victim."

We continued our walk to English. Little did I know that that little struggle was the beginning to a horrible war.

Two weeks went by and things had only gotten worse.

Eli had tricked Fitz into getting arrested, which obviously didn't help. Then when Fitz tried to fight Adam, I knew I had to step in. I couldn't even take my own advice and ignore it. I knew if I didn't do something someone would get hurt. I knew my plan would work, but I just had to be careful not to be seen.

I set off a stink bomb during exams. The alarm went off and the entire school came flooding out of Degrassi's front doors. When I got out I couldn't find Eli or Adam. I assumed they got away, because I did find Fitz lying on the ground, looking like he was in pain.

My plan had worked. Now I just had to worry about not getting caught.

The next day, I was in the library, watching as Mr. Simpson was talking to Holly J. and Sav. I assumed it was about the upcoming dance. I think he was thinking about cancelling the dance. I'd heard the school board had been breathing down his neck since school started. An incident like this was really going to put them over the edge.

I started to panic. I knew they would find out it was me, somehow. Then they would come after me and I would get expelled.

"Hiding from the Po Po?"

I jumped at the voice coming from behind. Eli. Of cousre. It's his fault I'm in this situation in the first place. If he'd just listened to me and ignored Fitz, none of this would've happened.

"Just looking for a book," I replied.

"Saving the world one stink bomb at a time," he said.

He knows?

I couldn't do anything but look up at him and smile guiltily.

"I knew it was you."

"Someone had to stop Fitz from fighting Adam. One more minute and Fitz would've kicked Adam's butt."

"I was the one who stepped in and saved him! If anyone was getting their butt kicked by him it was going to be me."

I looked over his shoulder and Simpson was coming our way.

"Oh no! Simspon's coming. He's gonna find out it was me and I'm gonna get expelled."

"Three days suspension, max! And that's only if he finds out."

"Maybe I should just turn myself in."

"Or you let me handle it."

I gave him a puzzling look. He walked over to Simpson.

"Sir. I think you should question Mark Fitzgerald about the stink bomb. Heard him bragging about it before."

"Clare, is this true?"

Oh great. He was turning to me for honesty. I couldn't speak, but I had to tell him something.

"It's possible."

"Well I'll just have to talk to him about it."

He walked away and I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Problem solved," Eli smirked.

"If Fitz finds out-"

"I'll handle it. Now let's talk about something more important. Like how you're gonna thank me for throwing Simpson off your scent.

"Well what'd you have in mind." I knew exactly what I had in mind.

"Well I don't know..."

His eyes wandered and his lips touched mine. We were interlocked in a powerful kiss.

Great minds think alike.

"I have a French exam," he said after pulling away.

"I think you just passed it," I replied, still shocked from the kiss.

He walked away, but not before giving me his famous smirk.

Eli -

I couldn't focus on my French exam. It's not like Clare and I hadn't shared a kiss like that before, but something felt...different about that one. I just shook the thought away. I stopped at my locker for some books after my exam.

"How was your French exam," Clare asked.

"Way too long," I leaned in for a kiss, but she pulled away. Weird.

"Does this mean I have a date for Vegas Night?"

That's what she was worried about? Of course I wanted to go to the dance with her. But I had to pull out the old charm.

"Depends. Do I get a corsage?" I smirked and leaned in for another kiss. However, we were rudely interrupted by old Fitzy Boy.

"Just spent an hour in Simpson's office. Someone told him I was the one who set off the stink bomb."

"Me and my loose lips," I replied, not letting him scare me.

He pulled me into a headlock, but let go when he saw a teacher walk by. He walked away, but I obviously knew it wasn't over.

I had a History exam next. Thankfully, it was my last one. Then all I had to do was pick up my suit from the dry cleaners and get a corsage for Clare. I may not be the type that likes going to dances, but I'll do anything for the girl I love.

I found Clare and Adam talking by a few lockers. Out of nowhere, Clare starts rambling something about World War I.

"What's she talking about," I asked Adam.

"Clare's going to Vegas Night with Fitz."

"Adam!"

"Better to just RIP the bandage off!"

He walked away, not wanting to be involved in the conversation anymore.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My girlfriend, going to the dance with someone else?

"I'm waiting for the punch line."

"Fitz agreed to leave you and Adam alone if I went to Vegas night with him."

"And you said yes?"

"I want this stupid feud to be over! Are you mad?"

Of course I was mad! But I knew she was just trying to help me.

"Just a little." I figured it wasn't worth it to fight over this.

"Good. I've got an hour before I meet up with Alli. Coffee?"

"Raincheck?"

"Sure."

I walked away. And speak of the devil, there was Fitz standing right outside the doors.

"You got some nerve Fitzy. Using Clare to get back at me."

"She came to me man. Guess she wants a guy who wears less eye makeup than she does."

"If you hurt her, I'll-"

"You'll what? Not so tough now are you, emo boy? And don't worry. When we have sex, I'll be gentle."

I was ready to punch him in the face. But I knew it would just make things worse. The only reason Clare was going through with this was so this kind of thing wouldn't happen. But I did have some tricks up my sleeve. I was gonna make sure Fitz had something to remember from the dance.

I drove over to Clare's house, hoping she and her friends hadn't left for the dance yet. I rung the doorbell and her friend, Jenna, answered. I caught a glimpse of her stomach when she wasn't looking. She had a little bit of a baby bump. I thought back to KC, thinking he wasn't only a jerk for breaking up with Clare for Jenna, but also for breaking up with Jenna when he found out he got her pregnant. What guy does that?

"Speak of the devil," she said. I guess that meant they'd been talking about me. I stepped inside and saw Clare across the room.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Can we talk?" I don't think I've ever sounded more serious in my life. But this was for Clare's safety.

"Sure." She got up and walked outside with me. She was wearing a simple white dress with black polka dots and a white sweater over it, with leggings and heels. Good. Fitz didn't deserved to have Clare get all dressed up for him. She still looked as beautiful as ever, though.

Once we were outside, I pulled out a small bottle.

"It's Epicak. It makes people barf."

"Most guys just get flowers." I smirked but I had to stay serious.

"I want you to slip it in Fitz's drink."

She looked at me with those big blue eyes, but it wasn't a good look.

"What happened to being the bigger man?"

"I can't...not anymore."

"Because?"

"Don't be naive!" I didn't want to say it, but she just wasn't getting it. "Fitz is a bad guy. He wants to have sex with you."

She shot me a disappointed look.

"Oh, then you're right! The appropriate response is to poison him!" Why wasn't she listening? I'm trying to help her and she keeps defending Fitz.

"I told you! This is how you control bullies. Keep them scared."

"You know who also uses those tactics? Terrorists!"

"I don't understand! Whose side are you on?" She actually had to think about it for a minute.

"I'm not sure...but I know it's not the side that poisons people."

And with that, she walked back into her house and slammed the front door.

Clare -

I knew I shouldn't have gotten so mad a Eli. He was only trying to protect me. But I didn't need him to protect me all the time, especially if Fitz was involved. I could take care of myself. I went to the dance and met Fitz by his locker. He had a corsage in his hand. He said his mom made him bring it.

"I like it. But I'm not going to have sex with you tonight."

"Woah. Where did that come from?" Of course he was playing dumb.

"I know what you told Eli." He denied it, but I ignored him and just walked with him into the gym. It looked like a real casino.

Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad, I thought. But I knew it would've been better if I had Eli's arm around my shoulder instead of Fitz's arm looped through mine. We danced to a few songs, thankfully all fast. Soon he got bored and went over to his friends. It was the perfect time for me to sneak away and find Eli.

"Having fun on your date Judas? Bet Fitzy's a real dreamy kisser." He was still mad about our fight. This was my only chance to make things right.

"You can't be mad at me because I wouldn't slip Epicak into Fitz's drink-"

"Can I be mad that you're with him." The anger was so clearly seen through his eyes.

"He threatened to hurt you! What was I supposed to do?"

"Let me handle it."

"Because that was working out so well." My voice was growing louder. I didn't want to cause a scene so I tried calming down a little.

"Fitz isn't the monster you think he is. He's willing to bury the hatchet. He just wants one thing."

"You're gonna sleep with him?" Was he not understanding that I'm not that stupid?

"No! You're going to apologize!"

"For what?"

"Anything he wants! Please, Eli!"

"Fine," he sighed.

"Really? You'll apologize?"

"I won't mean it." Of course he wouldn't. I wasn't expecting him to.

"Doesn't matter. As long as you sell it. I'm gunna go get him."

Five minutes later, all three of us were standing in front of the drink table. They were about to shake hands when Eli suggested they make a toast to the end of their rivalry. Something about Eli was...off, though. It brought me back to the bottle of Epicak. If I didn't take it, then...where did it go?

"Stop," I said, just as they were taking a sip. "Switch cups. It's an ancient Roman tradition."

"She's the boss," Eli said. He didn't seem like he minded switching. They both took a drink. They both seemed fine. I guess Eli didn't slip in the poison after all. Five seconds later...Fitz threw up. Gross. Eli chuckled and Fitz ran off.

"What did you do?"

"You're the one who made us switch."

"Oh, don't you dare put this on me. Whatever Fitz does to you, you deserve it!" I stormed off. I didn't mean what I said, but it still wasn't right what Eli did. Fitz had agreed to end everything and all Eli cared about was making a joke out of it. I found Fitz by his locker again.

"There you are. Are you ok?" I honestly did feel bad for him. He was only trying to stop things like I was.

"Yep."

"I should've known that Eli would pull something like this. He's always trying to come off as this badass. Worst part is, I fell for him. Guess that just makes me-"

"A regular ass?" Fitz asked. I wasn't really hurt becuase he was kind of...right.

"Well, I was gonna say naive."

He pulled out something from his locker. It was...a knife. He stuffed it in his pocket. I started to get scared. He looked at me. He knew I saw that.

"I should, umm, I should probably get back there. See ya around." I ran off back to dance. I knew exactly who he planned to use that knife on.

:OOO ANOTHER DRAMATIC ENDING! HOPE U ENJOYED IT AND PLEASE REVIEW!