Authors Note-

I know this isn't canon and mostly fanonly, or might be considered canon adjacent much like a lot of things in this story aren't 100% canon or true but it's my little slice of the degrassi fanfiction world so here goes. This is based on a headcanon I had that Ellie and Craig did indeed spend time together over the summer as were platonic AND there are zero romantic feelings between the two but also that she was into artsy stuff like poetry, slam poetry and participated in performance art. I kind of wished they capitlazied on Ellie's writing and creativity rather than place her as a columnist at the core but got into the music and art world alternatively. I also used to crackship Tracker with Ellie as a joke lol but maybe they'd forge a good dynamic who knows as a potential plot. Tracker I'm sort of aging him less, maybe he's like newly adult at 19 (drinking age) or at most 22 at this time and not a mid twenties to late guy. I imagined he moved out super young like 15-16 anyhow.

With that, I leave you with the hope everyone enjoys this chapter as much as I did writing it.

Love always, Brimi

Chapter Four

Open Mic

It was about nine as Tracker walked into The Dot. After all the moving and cleaning at the apartment, he was famished and in need of caffeine from coffee. Spinner clad in his uniform and apron was at the bar desk with his arms crossed waiting for a customer to wait on. Besides, he also was watching Ellie's slam poetry reading performance with pointed words for her ex who wasn't there to hear. Tracker listened for a few moments standing there, he grew impatient and rang the service bell catching the waiter's attention, He asked in a hushed tone to not interrupt. "What can I get you?"

Spinner sort of was intimidated by Ellie from school who can be abrasive at times. He didnt want to be a target of her anger, he's been on her bad side before. Tracker observed the menu over Spinner's head and ordered, "I guess I'll take a double dot burger with lettuce, tomato and ketchup hold the mustard, water, and a coffee in a togo cup."

"Here or to go? If you're sticking around take a seat."

Feeling a bit rushed and uncomfortable he replied, "I guess um I'll eat here."

Piqued interest and all, Tracker didn't know Ellie. When Sean and Ellie dated they never crossed paths. He was either working or out when she came through. Though she was a stranger to him, he was transfixed by her words, her style, her looks, and her command of the stage. Having gone through a breakup with lies cast abound, and possible infidelities with his recent ex Tracker had to say to himself he felt soothed. It didn't always rhyme for her, and Tracker was no wordsmith but he admired her from afar. If Sean were there her words were like daggers that cut deep. For Tracker, it felt cathartic to see someone with their issues laid bare.

In her set, she discussed how everything felt about the split of an ex, that ex we know to be Sean without name dropping as if it were some well crafted lie on his end, but she didn't know she was so close but no cigar to the truth. This was her way of coping with the fallout.

The silver lining is Craig and Ellie spent a lot of time together, between therapy and a newfound friendship over the summer, they decided to make an stage act by fall. They're called Stolen Mushroom after Ellie's signature move when they'd play Mariokart. She simply steals the mushroom power up from him while it's behind his driver.

It should've been obvious to Tracker but he was missing. Her new friend Craig, accompanied her on stage as he played the backing track and chords from his guitar. Tracker found a seat. He found one not so close to the open mic stage while observing the girl with words beyond her years. He hardly took notice when Spinner brought his water he asked with his eyes still watching. He didn't even look at Spinner when he asked him, "Who's the girl?"

"Oh her? That's Ellie." Spinner answered plainly. as he added to the stranger. "She doesn't work here but she does write really well, so we let her perform on Wednesday open mic's. Aint she good?"

"Strongly agree," Tracker answered as he continued to watch.

"I'll be back with your burger, sir." Spinner left the table and went back to assisting other tables until the completion of the order.

xxxxx

Sean dropped Emma off at her place and Sean returned back to the apartment which was empty. He felt a sense of relief that the little blue notebook slash diary is no longer in his possession. He couldn't complain that he had the apartment to himself for the night. He wasn't feeling tempted to read it which was fine with him. He went into his bedroom, shut off the light, and threw himself onto the bed. He figured Tracker took a walk or got something to eat. Sean assumed the leftover cold pizza in the fridge would make a decent dinner for tomorrow. As he trailed off to sleep, he thought about what Emma said earlier. How she articulated what she went through and made it through a lot of hard times after the shooting as he did. They weren't so different as he'd initially thought.

Before then, he didn't realize how his absence affected her but he felt somehow closer to her now. Together they were speaking about their experiences in their alone time and the words seemed to fall freely. They felt comfortable confiding in each other. It wasn't all for the show. Not that he's in love or she's in love but to Sean it's just nice.

For the first night in a long time, he didn't think about Ellie, not one bit. He didn't bother giving her a call because he knew she'd hang up or screen it. He was too tired to think altogether. He wasn't the best sleeper, but for the first night in many nights, he didn't have a problem falling asleep. He felt safe, he was home in TO almost as if he intended it. Even though it was close to the scene of the crime, he felt safe nestled in bed alone.

xxxx

After Ellie's set and everything was being taken down by Spinner, Ellie saw that Tracker was still sitting there unfocused and eating the rest of his fries. Spinner tipped Ellie off to him by warning gesturing with his head, "Guy asked about you."

Ellie peered behind Spinner and then back to Spinner, "Okay?"

"He seems cool, as in not a psycho."

"Guy has a name? Not interested." Ellie said to Spinner rudely, after all she and Spin weren't friends and none of Spinner's so-called friends wanted anything to do with him.

"Don't shoot the messenger."

"I'm not the kind of person to get people shot, my bad." Tracker walked up to Ellie as she cleaned up her books, "It's uh Scott, my government name." He felt dumb but at the same time, it didn't think it mattered to her.

"Yeah, I don't talk to strangers this is weird." She went to turn around to resume her past task of cleaning up her equipment.

She noticed he was still standing there, "What didn't you get?"

"I just wanted to say you're super talented, I'm not big on writing or singing because I can barely carry a tune in a bucket but you've got a spark in you. I want to know about you."

He wasn't as eloquent as her, but he decided to shoot his shot. She was somewhat uncomfortable but felt appreciated she smiled softly and extended her hand out, "Thanks. Names Ellie." She was such an artistic presence but she was a girl of little words. "That's Craig and don't trust the waiter he's Spinner." She whispered, "Tends to get people shot." They then shook hands.

Ellie thought he was possibly someone scouting for talent or some sort of exec so she decided to play nice. She sat down at a spare table as Spinner started gathering the chairs and placing them on the tables prepping for closing time. The reason Tracker was dressed so finely was that he had just had a job interview which he aced at the local garage.

"Five minutes till lock up." Spinner happened to overhear the jab and announced to Ellie and the unexpected guest, as if she were paying attention lost in a conversation with someone she thought to be significant. She was charmed when he repeated some of her open mic act about some lyrics he really enjoyed. She noticed Spinner was waiting on them for a time and she got up from her seat, "That's my cue to finish up. Hope to see you next Wednesday."

Tracker decided to say his goodbyes, leave and head home, he had an early start in the morning. He was quiet returning home careful not to wake up his brother seeing all the lights in the house were turned off.

xxxxx

Sean slept so good he missed his 6:30 am alarm, so fortunately for him so he wouldn't be late Tracker woke him up and he even made breakfast. He considered it a peace offering, an apology for getting all up in his head space. He commented, "A slice of chocolate cake is not a suitable breakfast." Tracker was up most of the night making the spare bedroom his own by putting up his pictures of motorcycles and cleaning up the kitchen after Sean who leaves it a bit of a mess. Tracker made eggs, bacon, and toast, and allowed Sean a glass of chocolate milk to drink. Sean rolled his eye at the dig, "Bro, it's a new day. It won't be like before. My job is really good."

Flatly Sean tiredly groaned, "We need to set up the ground rules for you living in my space."

"Our space."

"I don't want it to be like before where I had to follow your rules and have a curfew. I'm practically independent."

"Look around, Sean and I know, but you don't live like an independent." Sean made a disgusted face, "Speaking of food, we need to food shop," Tracker got his things together for the day as he rummaged through the cabinet and fridge for something to snack on through the day, "I know, chill bro, and it won't be like before. I'm not trying to intrude on your turf. Think of me as your roomie and of course, big brother. It'll be like I'm not even here, I got a long day. Say we'll discuss everything we need to discuss after I get back from work."

He wasn't falling for this schtick or whatever Tracker is spewing, this is how it was the first time they became roomies, Sean asked cordially. "What time you get done?"

"Six thirty I'll be here, we'll have a real talk." Tracker put his finished plate in the sink and rinsed it a bit, he turned to sean putting on his vest over his blue coverall for a nondescript garage, "I'll see you later. I gotta jet off to work now and you, school. I don't want you late and losing your funds."

"Thanks, Tracker."

"For what?"

"Breakfast, cleaning up, take your pick."

"See ya, bro." Tracker left the house and Sean was left to finish his breakfast with maybe five minutes to get to school. As he entered the vacant hallways, he knew he was screwed when saw the secretary tapping on her keyboard as she glared at him. "Sorry I'm running a little late, I over slept. I need a pass."

She quickly gave him a yellow late pass and signed it with the pen behind her ear, she warned him as she presented it to him, "Don't let it become a habit, Mr. Cameron." Ms. Smith knew him well, he was consistently late all last year and she was one of those people who would screw him over with his past rap sheet. She didn't like him much, and the feeling was sort of mutual but he'd never not be polite.

He didn't want anymore mishaps happening now that he's on student welfare again. He entered Mr. Simpson's homeroom just as his name would be called, "Sean Cameron, you're late."

He apologized and then silently took a seat next to Emma and in a hushed tone greeted her, "Hey."

Emma looked happy to see him, she whispered, "Didn't think you were coming, Mr. Simpson has a huge announcement after roll."

Simpson continued rattling off names out loud and finally put down his clipboard, "Okay big announcement, next month we're going to Philadelphia which is in Pennsylvania for a field trip. We'll be staying in the city where the United States was born also known as the City of Brotherly Love. We'll have the privilege of spending one lucky day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. See the sights, go to the shows and such. You can even channel your inner Rocky Balboa." He laughed nervously noticing nobody understood his joke or didn't find it funny, "Here are the forms, take one pass it along, and have a parent or guardian sign this. Also, this would be the time to update your passports and before the bell goes student ID picture day is this Wednesday I'm sure you all will look great."

As Sean read the sheet had a feeling he wasn't invited for this school trip for financial reasons he knew he wouldn't be able to afford that plus spending money, but after homeroom, Mr. Simpson had a surprise for him. "How about Saturday we get you a passport."

"What? I'm not going anywhere." Mr. Simpson made a face and he quickly understood what he was implying, "I can't afford it." Sean muttered realistically. Deep down, Sean wanted to go. He just assumed it wasn't a possibility.

"Hate to break it to you, Sean but you can't leave the country without one. Anyway, I pulled some strings with Principal H, and the funds for student welfare you can go on the trip with everyone. It'll mean a lot to Em and to me if you go. Just wait for the trip, you'll have lots of fun."

Bashful, Sean tried to say no even if it was a gift, "I can't do that, I can't take your money."

"I know you were going to say that, but there were scholarships for you, it's a semi-educational trip. Did you know you qualify for a chunk of change? I just, want you to enjoy your junior year, it only comes around once. It goes by fast and doesn't live in regret." Simpson softly tapped Sean's back and then left the classroom.

It was one of the first real smiles out of Sean that Mr. Simpson got to witness, "Thank you, Mr. Simpson, for everything. I'm just so shocked and excited."

"Excited, that's what I want to hear but why be shocked? Don't thank me just yet though, Spike and I would like to have you over again, low-key dinner, no fish. Hear me out."

"Um, I don't know…"

"We can do Chinese take out on Friday night with movies. What do you say?" Mr. Simpson knew Sean didn't like the sushi or was big on Spike even though he was polite on that front. Truthfully, Sean is still semi-humiliated about how he flew off the handle like when he got drunk though off wine, different story but he figured it was too serious for him but this was much more lowkey, "No pressure." Sean nodded his head yes, and while would normally decline but he decided he'd go if Emma were to be there so he wouldn't be totally alone.

He admired Mr. Simpson in the way that he tries his best to be a good father to Emma and a good friend and guardian to him. He always thought if teachers could win trophies Mr. Simpson is deserving of all the awards. He's a class act, in the best possible way and he wonders where he'd end up if Simpson didn't help him along the way that he did over the past few years.

Emma and Sean met up during their lunch period, they played footsies and shared snacks from each other's lunches, as Sean happily announced he hopped up sitting on the table part of the picnic bench, "So apparently I'll be going on the trip."

"Sean, that's great news!"

"Which means we'll be taking our little show on the road," He whispered quietly and playfully in her ear.

"Is Ellie going?" Emma raised a brow and asked interest piqued but then sounded crestfallen with a sigh, "I have no idea if Peter will be there."

"Why don't you try to find out stuff he's interested in?" Sean asked, Emma, made a petrified face, "He's not that intimidating." Sean typically is a good judge of character and she trusts his judgment as he calmly told her, "Sometimes guys like when a girl takes the lead."

Peter was at a nearby bench was busy fooling around with his video camera, being the new kid and it is kind of difficult and hard for him to make friends. He's not normally this shy, quiet type. He can be talkative and even kind of has a bit of a mean streak but so far he hasn't made a single friend at his new school, even while being the son of the Principal secretly. Sean gently without harm pushed her toward Peter, "Welcome to Emma, my name is Degrassi. I mean-"

She glared at Sean cruelly and then she turned her attention to Peter because she collided with him, "Hey Degrassi, I'm Peter and you're Emma. I guess it's opposite day?"

She blushed a bit she hoped he wouldn't notice, "I guess it is." Quickly she changed the subject to him, "I take it you like filming? I see you toying with the camera a lot. It's nice must've set you back a lot."

"Yeah it's a pretty pricey model, got it from my dad," Peter had been secretly filming Emma since he first saw her on the first day of school, he hoped he wouldn't come off creepy. He finds her beautiful like a muse but he didn't have the courage to even speak to her himself. She sits down beside him.

He can see Emma trying to catch a glimpse of what was on the preview screen through his peripherals as he was side tracked, she asked politely, "Can I see some stuff?"

He blushed a bit as he defensively hid his camera from view and turned it off quickly stashing it into his khaki messenger bag, "No it's private. Besides, I just met you. I don't want you to get all critical of my film work. Nobody touches the camera but me."

"Okay jeez, it's not a big deal. I'm sure your camera work is not that bad." Emma laments before adding she figured she was no longer wanted and he seemed sidetracked and a little cold. "Well I'll see you around."

He didn't know what to say to that so he said nothing but then asked her before she was out of earshot, "You coming to that trip to Philadelphia?"

"Yes, why?" Emma asks half turned around, "With Mr Simpson chaperoning, me being his stepdaughter it's a done deal."

"Oh just letting you know, I'll be going too."

Emma smiled happily to hear that he'll be there, "Cool, I'm sure there'd be a lot to the film and see there. Well gotta go, I'll see you then. Bye."

Emma felt extremely defeated, what a terrible first conversation. She silently cringed at the things she said. As she returned to the table she heard a half-hearted, "That went well." Sean snickered as he watched the entire thing play out by the lunch table.

Emma put her head down and put the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, "Shut up! I just want to die of embarrassment." Peter was back inside already so it wasn't like he heard her.

"I'm Degrassi, Welcome to Emma!" Sean quietly and jokingly mocked her, "like it's classic."

"Stop it," She threw a chip at him and Peter just observed the scene and shook his head as he went inside the building. Was she flirting with him when she was with Sean? Emma and Sean continued their pretend flirtatious playful front as everyone watched and more rumors started to grow about Sean and Emma's budding and growing relationship and affectionate nature.

xxxx

"Paige is throwing a rager, no freshmen allowed on Saturday night, spread the word!" Marco announced from the top of the foyer after school. Cheers and whispers followed the announcement and Sean grabbed the flyer from him as he read it. Marco leaned downward and smirked with a lower tone, "Bring your girlfriend along if you want. Should be fun." While his loyalties were clearly with Ellie but that didn't mean he and Emma could have fun as friends. Marco's dad clearly printed the flyers at his job on bright expensive fluorescent-colored papers. Others were seen grabbing the flyers and he knew it was going to be big.

Paige lived in what Sean called the upper echelon living in nice big two stories on the outskirts of town. A pool, jacuzzi, and even a movie theatre in the basement the whole nine yards. Paige often gets whatever she wants, money is no object and so lots and lots of drinks to drink and fun to be had for everyone to go and anyone whose anyone is going so it'd be the perfect occasion to get shitfaced and parade their fake relationship to the masses.

Sean texted Emma on his silver motorola razr:

Em - party at Paige's Sat. wanna come? -S

Also, he photographed the fluorescent pink sheet and sent it afterward in a photo message.

Emma responded promptly:

I'm definitely in. -E