Chapter4 Future Shock
Clare had been living at the Masons for a few days now and was slowly getting into a routine which didn't bother her much because it was pretty much the same one she had back at home, she would get up go to school hang out Adam's and come back for dinner, for the most part Emma and Spinner let Clare do what she wanted within reason she had your basic chores like the dishes and trash which she didn't mind.
Clare had kept her most recent encounter with Eli a secret from Emma and Spinner deciding to involve them only if Eli escalated again.
Clare still felt weird about coming to them regarding her situation only offering minimal information about her day making sure to avoid anything that would lead to Eli or her parents as topics of conversation.
Since it was Friday Clare had planned to spend time with Maya after school since the two had a standing arrangement to hang out and she was also planning on mending fences with Adam Alli and Jenna who she had been a bit short with over the past couple days whenever they brought up anything related to her mood over the past couple days deciding she would share the truth with them at some point.
Clare turned off the alarm on her phone and headed for the shower after taking a warm shower she dressed in a dark blue shirt match jeans and a pair of black sneakers once she was dressed she headed down to the kitchen where she found Emma making breakfast.
"Morning Emma."
"Morning Clare I made you pancakes I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all Emma thanks where's Spinner?"
"Working he switched tours with someone at work he'll be home for lunch." Emma said transferring the pancakes onto a plate and putting it on the table.
Clare grabbed a plate and some orange juice and served herself two pancakes.
Emma rinsed off the pancake pan served herself and sat with Clare.
"So Clare I was thinking Spinner and I could pick you up for lunch just the three of us if that's okay with you."
"Yeah sounds good could I hang out after school since its Friday?"
"Sure I don't see why not."
"Thanks Emma."
Clare and Emma continued to eat in silence ever since Clare came to the house two days ago she noticed Emma and Spinner had been paying extra attention to her almost as if they were her actual parents which Clare didn't mind, to be honest in the short time she had been with them she was starting to feel a bit more at home.
After finishing breakfast Clare packed her bag and was about to head out when Emma stopped her.
"Clare I almost forgot Spinner and I had keys made for you."
"Thanks Emma I'll see you for lunch."
"Alright Clare enjoy your day."
Emma watched as Clare made her way down the street she couldn't help feeling like a mom watching her child go off to the first day of school which solidified to Emma that adopting Clare was the right move for her and Spinner.
As Clare made her way to Degrassi she thought about the week she had been through from breaking up with Eli to being kicked out of her house and living with Emma and Spinner to her it had been one big whirlwind she was happy the weekend was finally here and she could have some time to make sense of it all.
As Clare pulled up to Degrassi she noticed Bianca Fiona and Imogen coming out of the parking lot wearing matching black coats.
Clare couldn't help but focus on Bianca who was wearing black jeans and a pair of black combat boots with a pair of black ear muffs and her hair loose as she walked across the street she watched as the object of her affection made her way into Degrassi with black gym bag on her shoulder.
Clare quickly snapped out of her day dream long enough to finally make into Degrassi and head for her locker where she found Adam and Jenna making out.
"Ahem."
Upon hearing the sound Adam and Jenna gathered themselves and acknowledged their friend.
"Hey Clare how's it going?" Adam said trying to hide the blush on his face.
"Fine Adam and don't worry I won't mention how you were just going at it with your girlfriend like she was your last meal."
"Hey I can't help it if I'm a Jenna-holic."
"Adam behave yourself." Jenna said reprimanding her boyfriend playfully.
"You two are disgustingly cute together but I didn't come here to tease you guys I came to apologize for snapping these past couple days I just have a lot going on right now."
"It's alright Clare we should have dropped it when you told us to."
Thanks Adam while I'm not ready to tell you the whole story behind my behavior I will tell you that I'm going through some stuff and I'm dealing with it in my own way and will let you guys know more when I'm ready."
"It's fine Clare lets go meet up with Alli and Connor before the bell rings." Jenna said linking arms with Adam.
Just as Jenna said that Clare looked down at her phone realizing she had a text from Maya.
"Guys I'll see you in class I have to take care of something."
Alright Clare see ya." Jenna said dragging Adam to class.
Clare looked down and noticed the text was from Maya.
M Did some investigating last night Bianca is single now and loves tiger lilies if you want skip next period and hit the flower shop.
C Thanks I have an idea I'llsee you before lunch can we hang out this weekend?
M Suremy place for a sleepover?
C Sounds good later.
After texting with Maya Clare grabbed her books from her locker and raced off to class armed with this new information she hoped it would help her in getting to know Bianca a bit better.
In class luckily Clare was able to get through first period without focusing too much on Bianca, once the bell rang Clare headed off to chemistry where she happen to notice Bianca walking with Katie towards the senior lockers Clare couldn't help but stare at Bianca's legs more to the point how they went on for what seemed like forever.
Clare snapped out of her day dream long enough to hear Adam calling her name.
"Clare did you hear a word I said?"
Sorry Adam I was somewhere else what's up?"
"I said did you bring your essay on GMO's that's worth a test grade."
"Yeah I have it don't worry."
"Good Perino is docking marks for late papers and we already have a project for history we don't need a killer Chem project on top of that."
"Don't worry Adam I wouldn't risk that besides I have plans this weekend I want as little homework as possible."
The group walked into the lab handing in their papers and setting up their work stations for their reactions assignment luckily Clare was paired with Jenna and not Adam for the assignment because Jenna was less likely to ask about her mystery text.
Jenna and Clare spent the class filling out their reactions project with Clare glancing up at the clock ever so often trying to count down to next bell because she knew she could catch Bianca headed towards the gym she was hoping to actually work up enough courage to at least approach Bianca.
Clare finished her assignment and bolted toward the gym as the bell rang for study hall unfortunately Clare got stopped by Adam in the hall way.
"Clare slow down what's the rush?"
"Adam I need to head to the gym I'll meet you in study hall."
"Clare why the rush to get to the gym?"
"It's personal Adam now go I'll meet up with you later."
"Fine but hurry up you don't want detention on a Friday."
Clare sped down the hall way hoping she hadn't missed Bianca she ran towards the gym blending in with the hallway traffic making her way to the gym as she was about to turn the corner she saw Bianca with Fiona walking into the gym dressed in board shorts and black short sleeve shirts Clare wondered why Fiona and Bianca headed to the gym together, part of Clare thought Bianca and Fiona could be together since they had been around each other a lot but Clare quickly pushed the idea out of her mind remembering that Fiona was with Imogen and those two as close to married as you could get without officially being married.
Clare waited until Bianca was in the gym to see if she could get any more info on Bianca sudden attachment to Fiona.
Since the gym was empty with the exception of Mr. Armstrong who was in his office Clare didn't want to risk coming off as stalker so she decided to abandon her face to face plan and head to class she needed to find a better way to do recon on Bianca before approaching her. Because she was getting nowhere with the silent spy routine Clare decided to head to class and meet up with Maya at her place to discuss what she could do about her crush.
Clare headed to study hall hoping she wouldn't get caught sneaking in.
Luckily for Clare Ms. Oh was covering study hall and was busy reading a book to notice her walk in Clare took a seat next to Jenna who was engrossed in a newspaper article for Media immersion to notice her arrival.
Clare spent the remainder of class going over her history project notes she was going to start her assignment in study hall and see how far she could get but no matter how hard she tried her attention was divided she couldn't get Bianca out of her head it was half way to study hall that Clare came to the realization that she was officially in deep like with Bianca and was hopping this weekend with Maya would yield a solid plan to hopefully make a move on Bianca.
Meanwhile in the gym Fiona and Bianca were working on grappling on the mats in an effort to stay sharp for the tournament.
After Bianca had submitted Fiona from a north south choke the newly minted sisters decided to talk.
"So B are you sure you want to tell the team about us now?"
"Yeah better now so it's not a distraction we don't need any of those especially not now."
"Fine I meant to ask you ask have you noticed Clare Edwards has been running into us a lot lately?"
"Yeah I have its weird any idea why she could be doing this?"
"I have one theory but it's pretty out there."
"Shoot it can't be anything too crazy after all Clare's no Eli."
"If you say so but keep in mind this is just an idea."
"Fine just tell me."
"I think Clare has a crush on you."
"Funny Fiona now be serious."
"I am B look at the signs she's been spying on us for a few days two days ago in the café she practically spaced out and got smashed by a door when we walked in."
"Okay let's just assume for a sec your theory is right and she is crushing on me how do I handle it I mean to my knowledge I'm straight and besides even if I wasn't something between Clare and I could never work since I'm graduating this year and she's only a grade eleven."
"I don't know Bianca all the signs are there maybe you could give her a shot who knows I mean Imogen was straight and she fell for me and look at us now."
"You know what I'll make you a deal you get me solid proof Clare is into me and not some crazy stalker I'll go on one date but if you're wrong you take my chores from now until we get back from New York."
"Done sis."
The Coyne sisters spent the remainder of the period training while Clare was in class thinking about her crush.
When the lunch bell rang Clare met up with Jenna Alli Adam and Connor to let them know she would be heading out for lunch.
"Clare so are you ditching again for lunch?"
Actually I am Adam but not by choice I'm meeting up with some people for lunch I'll be back before lunch ends promise."
"Clare come on you're not still mad about the incident a few days ago are you?"
"No Adam I told you we're okay I just can't blow this lunch off I'll see you guys later."
Clare headed outside towards Degrassi and surprisingly saw Emma and Spinner pull up in Spinner's blue four door.
Clare jumped in the car as the trio drove off.
Spinner drove to a nice all you can eat buffet a few blocks from Emma's office which Emma had recommended for their afternoon outing.
Spinner parked the car and the trio went in to the buffet after being seated and ordering a pitcher of lemonade the trio went and picked out their food Spinner and Clare had fried rice and shrimp while Emma settled on white rice and salad.
"Thanks for lunch guys."
"No problem Clare we thought we would treat you to lunch." Spinner replied noticing Emma had an impatient look on her face.
Emma spent most of the lunch glancing at Clare and the scene the three had created she was just counting the moments until Spinner gave her the opening she needed to disclose their reason behind the impromptu lunch she wanted badly to have Clare be her daughter she couldn't wait to give Clare back her life.
After finishing a plate of chicken wings Spinner gave Emma the go ahead.
"Clare seeing as it's almost time to get you back there's something we want to ask you about."
"Okay Emma what is it?"
"Well we know how your mom kicked you out for having a crush on Bianca and left you out on the street so Spinner and I have been talking and we've come up with something that you might like."
"Alright what is it?"
"Now before we tell you we want you to know we don't need an answer from you right now you can take all the time you need but what we want to do is adopt you and give you a chance to live your life your way with people who will support no matter what."
Clare was stunned at the news part of her wanted to jump at the chance to be adopted but part of her was scared about being adopted however her decision was mas made easier by think back to the quote she had seen in one of the online documentaries about how freedom started with a single step she thought about how this could be her true first step finding people who would love her and allow her to truly be herself.
After an internal monologue Clare knew what she wanted to do.
"Emma Spinner I don't need the time to think I know the decision I've made is the right one I want you to adopt me and I mean fully adopt I want to drop Edwards as my last name and take Mason".
Both Spinner and Emma were shocked that Clare had come to a decision quick and even more shocked that she wanted to take the Mason name.
"Well Clare if you're sure that's what you want then we accept it." Emma said trying to hold back a tear.
Since we've settled this I think this calls for a picture." Spinner said full of pride.
Spinner pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the new family.
"Well I guess we should get Clare back to class lunch is almost over." Spinner said pulling out a few bills as he called over their server and paid for lunch.
After leaving the buffet Spinner and Emma dropped Clare off and went home to call Liberty to let her know she could start the adoption process.
Meanwhile back on the other side of the school Adam Jenna and Alli had just walked into drama still waiting on Ms. Dawes and since Clare hadn't shown up yet either it was the perfect time for Adam to let his concern over his best friend be known.
"Guys am I the only one that is still a little worried about Clare?"
"No Adam we all are but you heard her she'll come to us when she's ready." Jenna said trying to reassure her boyfriend.
"I know what she said but I know Clare she wouldn't shut us out like this we have to find out what's up."
"Adam are you insane if we meddle in whatever is going with Clare and she finds out we're all going to catch hell and ruin our friendships with Clare so just drop this for now if something comes up where we absolutely have to get involved we will but for now drop this okay."
"Fine Alli but we should all keep an eye out for anything suspicious or off but not say anything unless we have to."
"Fine Adam we can do that now hush Dawes is coming with Clare." Jenna interjected as Clare met up with her friends.
The rest of Clare's day was uneventful she was looking forward to her weekend with Maya that would hopefully lead to a solid plan on how to get closer to Bianca.
After last bell Clare met up with Adam Jenna and Alli outside noticing Bianca was already gone for the day.
"So Clare are you coming over again?"
"Sorry Adam I can't I'm going home then heading to Maya's house I'll catch up with you guys on Monday."
"Hold on Clare when did you start hanging out with Maya Matlin?"
"It's a new friendship I wanted to get to know her a bit we hit it off this week don't worry Adam I'm not ditching you guys I just thought I could make a new friend is all."
"If you say so Clare see you on Monday."
The groups went their separate ways and Clare was ready to find a way into the heart of Bianca DeSousa.
Meanwhile across town Bianca and the rest of the Red Dragons were getting ready to start grappling practice when Bianca called the team over to the mats.
"Guys I have some news I want to share with you before we go off to New York in a few weeks."
"What is it Bianca?" Owen asked worried.
"Don't worry its good news Owen."
"Okay spill I'm dying here."
"Well a few days ago I found out my aunt gave up her guardianship rights and she wanted me to find someone to take them and now I can proudly say that I found someone and I now have a family for the first time in a while."
"That's great B who took your aunts rights?" Drew asked eager to find out the answer.
"Well you'll be happy to know it was someone who I've grown close to the family that took me in was none other than the Coynes."
"Bianca you're joking right?"
"No joke Katie I am legally Bianca Leah Coyne."
"Well congrats B it's going to take some getting used to but as long as you're happy it's all good."
"Thanks Owen now let's get back to training like normal."
The group went back to training while Bianca actually let the shock of her announcement wash over her she felt like with her friends knowing about her adoption would finally start to feel real.
Next update will pick up with Clare's weekend at Maya's and who knows there could be more alums on the way.