Welcome to the new Clew story!
Legal: I own nothing but the idea.
Important things to know before reading:
*This Clew story is a slow burn, be patient.
*We begin just before Clare's grade 11 year and Drew's senior year.
*Uniforms were never mandated.
*I change the timeline a little bit.
*Drew was never beat up by Vince but did get involved when he found out how Vince was treating Bianca. Which then led to Adam getting shot at prom.
*Jenna and K.C. gave up Ty as soon as he was born, and Jenna still lives with her brother.
*Spin runs and owns The Dot.
*Jake did not run off to the cabin after prom.
*Luke comes alone the rest of the Bakers remain in Florida.
There are possible trigger warnings sprinkled throughout the story. Please read with caution.
I believe that does it, the rest is explained in this chapter or throughout the story.
Enjoy!
Ch. 1 A Second Thought, a Second Glance
(CLARE)
"How many stops do we have still?" Jake asks when we leave the store. It's Friday, August 28th and our parents sent us out to pick up stuff for their wedding tomorrow.
"We still have the florist and the bakery," I reply as we start walking to the truck.
All summer long Jake and I have been hearing about and dealing with the wedding. Our parents had driven us crazy with making wedding decisions and changing their minds. Especially when they asked for our opinions, Jake and I didn't really have opinions on the wedding. Actually, it took the better part of the summer for us to get used to the idea and be happy about it.
The summer started off as a disaster, our parents announced they were getting married, effectively ending mine and Jake's romantic relationship. It felt like sabotage to me at the time, even though I know it wasn't. I felt like my mom was making a rash decision, and at the same time, angry with Jake for not even fighting for us.
After fighting with Jake at prom, having him break up with me and walk out, Adam was shot by Vince. Seeing my friend lying in a pool of his own blood was one of the scariest moments of my life. As upset as I was after fighting with Jake, as angry as I was at my mom and Glen for (what felt like to me) ambushing us with their wedding announcement. None of it seemed to matter any longer when I thought my best friend might die. Just knowing he was shot and hurt was terrifying.
Eli and I went with Adam to the hospital, and thankfully his wound was not too bad. The bullet went straight through his shoulder, though it nicked his collar bone and tore the ligament it could have been a lot worse. Adam spent two days in the hospital and had surgery to repair the ligament. He spent the next six weeks with his arm and shoulder immobilized with a sling. It left him with the use of one arm and he was still in pain, thankfully he had Drew to help him get dressed and all of that.
All of us that stayed in town over the summer spent a lot of time at the Torres house to help out and cheer Adam up. Once the sling was off Adam still had to do physical therapy twice a week. He's stopped meeting with his physical therapist, but still has exercises he needs to do. Over the summer while Adam was recovering and getting stronger he and Jenna became close. A few weeks ago they became an official couple.
Jenna and Adam becoming a couple was not the only good thing to happen over the summer, or come out of the tragedy of Adam being shot. Eli and I are now friends again, our friendship may have repaired eventually, but it probably would have taken a lot more time. With our best friend hurt and in pain, and the two of us at his house every day together we began to talk. We were able to talk as friends, to come together for our friend and to see each other as friends. Eli and I have even spent time alone together with no romantic connotations and no animosity for the past.
Bianca and K.C. got together over the summer as well. Both of them have jobs at Little Miss Steaks. They had most of the same shifts and in that time I guess became close. One day they both showed up at Adam's and announced they were dating. While Bianca and K.C.'s relationship was blooming, Drew and Katie's crumbled. Katie was using drugs, even cozied up to Bianca hoping she would introduce her to some people that could supply her with drugs. Drew and Katie broke up three and a half weeks into summer and Katie has been in rehab for most of it.
Jake and I also spent the summer repairing our relationship. The morning after prom Jake showed up at Adam's and wanted to talk, and we did, for over an hour. We talked about everything, and in the end we put our romantic relationship behind us. It's not as though the following day were good friends and felt like brother and sister, and everything was suddenly fine. It took time for us to not feel awkward together, to move to a friendship, and later to feeling like siblings. That didn't even really start to happen until Jake and his father moved into our house last month.
I am happy we had all summer, that we spent the time together, that we had each other to lean on and get each other through all the wedding planning and craziness. I'm grateful to have Jake as a partner in this because it would have been a lot worse if we didn't. We've both come to terms with the impending marriage, we are both happy about it and we like our new family unit. However, both Jake and I will be happy once the wedding is over and done with tomorrow.
"You think after we run errands and take this stuff back home they'll let us take off for the rest of the day?" Jake asks as we start loading up the truck.
"I hope so, we could definitely both use a break," I comment just as someone catches my attention.
I see him from the corner of my eye at first, standing near a car watching us. When I turn my head to look at him I shiver inadvertently. He looks vaguely familiar, I can't place it but I feel sick looking at him, and scared. One of the worst moments of my life comes flashing back to me, this man looks like the man that stalked Darcy. The one that was outside our house that day wanting to talk to her. If it is him he looks a little different, and though I'm a little creeped out right now, I'm not entirely sure it is him. Even if it's not he is staring at us and that's creepy on its own.
"Do you know him?" Jake asks.
"No," I shake my head.
"I don't like the way he's looking at you, get in the truck, I'll take the cart back," Jake says.
He unlocks the truck and I get in, part of me expects the man to approach the truck and knock on the window. He doesn't, Jake returns and gets in, he doesn't say anything about the man as he starts the truck. As Jake pulls out of the parking lot I no longer see the man, but the whole drive to the florist I wonder if it was him. If it was the man that stalked Darcy, or was it just a man staring at me in the parking lot that looked similar enough to him to evoke a memory?
Jake and I finish the errands and return home with everything. After bringing it all in and putting everything away Mom and Glen say we can be done. Jake drops me off at Adam's on his way to Mo's.
"How goes the wedding arrangements?" Adam asks when I come into the basement.
"Jake and I have had all the wedding planning and arranging we can take. Thankfully, our parents gave us the rest of the day off. I'm happy about the wedding and all, but I'll be even happier when the wedding is done."
"That's right, the big day is tomorrow," Owen comments. "While you'll be at the wedding I'll be at a meet and greet for the Ice Hounds. As our only Toronto member I'm the school's ambassador, according to Simpson and Coach anyway."
"Ah yes, our new infusion of alpha male energy," I remark, sitting next to Adam on the sofa.
"You say that like it's a bad thing Clare," Owen responds with mock pain.
"Name me one thing that makes it a good thing," I shoot back.
"You know our parents will be gone Monday night, we should have a party after school to welcome the Ice Hounds," Adam says.
I'm hardly listening though, for whatever reason the guy in the parking lot suddenly comes back to my mind. I hear them talking, but I'm only half paying attention. I can't help but wonder if the guy I saw was the one that stalked Darcy. He should still be in jail right?
"I thought I was supposed to be the bad one," Drew comments.
"A party is a great idea, after all the captain is billeted here. A party after the first day of school is just what everyone will need," Owen agrees.
"We'll keep it fairly short, five to nine, it's a school night and a lot of people will have curfew. That will also give us enough time to clean up so that there's no evidence when Mom and Dad get home the next day," Adam says.
"There better not be any evidence or Mom will kill us, Dallas included and he doesn't even know about the party yet," Drew replies.
"We can get some friends to help us set up after school," Adam says.
"I'll help," Jenna speaks up, "you want to help Clare?"
"Clare?" Adam says touching my arm when I'm silent for a moment.
"What? Sorry?" I question and realize they're all looking at me now.
"Do you want to help set up for the party on Monday?" Jenna asks.
"Oh, sure," I nod, forcing a smile on my lips.
"You okay? You're very deep in thought for talk of a party," Adam comments.
"Sorry, just…" I pause wondering if I should tell him about the man. Adam knows, but Jenna, Drew and Owen don't, and I don't want to go over that whole story again. "Just thinking about the wedding tomorrow," I say after a couple of seconds. I'm not sure anyone believes me, but no one presses me. I spend the rest of the afternoon at Adam's and Jake picks me up on his way home. I should have spent the night at Adam's, mom goes over every moment of tomorrow before she lets us go to bed.
(DREW)
"Mom I have to get to the team meeting," Dallas says when his Mom hugs him goodbye and won't let go. She's been squeezing him tight for almost a full minute.
"You promise you'll come home some weekends?" She asks when she finally lets Dallas go.
"Yes Mom, but most of the team can't go home on the weekends. I'll be in touch, and come home when I can," Dallas replies. His parents finally leave and Dallas waves to them as they drive away to head back to Guelph.
"We're glad to have you with us Dallas, you'll have time to settle in later. Right now Drew can get you to the meeting," Mom tells him.
"Yeah, come on, my car is parked on the street," I tell him. We go out to my car and I drive him to the school where the meeting is taking place. I show him The Dot on the way and tell him to find me there when he's done. "Hey Fitz," I greet walking into The Dot.
"Hey Drew, got your hockey player today didn't you?"
"Yeah, Mike Dallas, I just dropped him at the school. Give me a cheeseburger and chocolate shake," I request.
Fitz rings me up and gives me change while the other employee makes my shake. When he first got released from juvie things were pretty tense between Fitz and most of the school. Owen and Bianca welcomed him back and were happy he was out, but pretty much everyone else not so much. I had to admire the courage it must have taken for him to work at The Dot. Humbling himself to wait on kids that mostly hated him. When he cyberstalked Clare and showed up at her house it got worse.
Of course, Eli then went all psycho meaning Fitz was right about him. Over March break Fitz started to prove himself, he went out of his way for pretty much everyone. When he wasn't working he was studying and he went to summer school. He's apologized to everyone more times than I can count and came to see Adam in the hospital after he got shot at prom. It's not like we're best friends, but he is Owen's best friend and both Adam and I have come to accept Fitz and no longer have issues with him. Probably a good thing since he'll be a senior with me when DeGrassi starts back on Monday.
The Dot is pretty busy with school in a couple of days. Several people filter in and out while I'm there, I talk to Dave and K.C. when they come in. Bianca smiles at me when she stops in for coffee before going to Dad's office for her community service. I ignore Marisol when she and some cheerleaders come in. I've finished eating and am nearly done with my shake when Dallas and Owen walk in with the rest of the team.
"This is The Dot, we eat here a lot and there's a club upstairs open on the weekends and holiday breaks. In fact, it's open tonight if you want to go by. That's my buddy Fitz working the counter, he'll be a senior with us this year. That's my buddy Drew, Dallas is billeted with him," Owen announces.
"How'd the meeting go?" I ask them.
"Great, I already told them all about the party," Owen replies.
"We better get home, Mom will want you to get settled and she has a whole welcome dinner planned," I tell Dallas.
"See you guys Monday," Dallas waves to sort of everyone and we leave.
Dallas gets his room set up just how he wants it while Adam and I play video games. Dallas joins us for video games when he's done. Mom and Dad BBQ and we eat on the patio.
Sunday, after we all eat breakfast we get in the van so Mom can show Dallas around Toronto. She of course focuses on the educational, but Adam and I point out the good stuff. Mom has us go to bed early since we're back in school in the morning. Monday morning we eat breakfast and then I drive us all to school in my car. A gift I was only given after breaking things off with Bianca.
"Locker 416 that's you, I'm 425," I tell Dallas pointing to his locker before going to mine.
"Hey Drew," Jake greets me as he opens his locker, he's only two down from mine.
"Hey Jake, how was the wedding?"
"It was nice, but we're glad it's over."
"Yeah, I bet. You coming to the party tonight?"
"Yeah, I'll be there," Jake nods.
"Cool, Jake this is Mike Dallas, Ice Hounds captain and he's billeted with us," I introduce him and Dallas looks over his shoulder with a smile.
"Yo," Dallas says by way of greeting.
"Jake's dad married Clare's mom yesterday, making Jake her new stepbrother," I tell Dallas.
"Clare? Oh, Adam's BFF, the hot girl in the pic on his phone," Dallas comments.
"That's the one, but she's my sister now, I can't think of her as a hot girl anymore," Jake comments and we laugh.
"Hey, how'd the wedding go?" Fitz asks as he and Owen join us.
"Good, glad it's over," Jake replies.
"Man, I got math first, I hate math," Fitz grimaces looking at his class schedule.
"Foundations for college math?" I question and he nods. "I have that for homeroom too."
"I've got that class for homeroom," Owen comments and Dallas nods.
Everyone gets out their schedules and we start comparing classes. Fitz and I have every class together, including third period art which Clare has with us. Jake is in fourth period with us. Dallas and Owen both have homeroom and second period with us, Owen also has art with us third period. When the bell rings we wave to Jake and walk to homeroom, Eli and Imogen also have this class with us. Fitz and Eli glare at each other a little still but that's it.
At lunch Fitz and I eat with Owen, Dallas and the other hockey players. Over lunch I find out Fitz is going to try out for football. Tryouts are Wednesday, I think Fitz has a pretty good chance, he's slight but fast.
As soon as school is out Adam, Dallas and I go to the store to get things for the party. Owen and Fitz went in his car to pick up some stuff as well. Alli, Jenna and Clare are coming with Dave in his car to help set up, but they didn't need to help us shop so we'll meet them at the house. When we get to the house several hockey players are here and some of the football team, they start helping us unload when Dave arrives with the girls and several of the new hockey players whistle.
"Off limits," Adam says, handing me the bag he was carrying to go greet Jenna with a kiss. Dave comes around putting his arm around Alli, leaving Clare alone. As soon as the hockey players see she's single they narrow in on her like lions focusing in on the wounded baby gazelle.
"No, that's Adam's best friend," Dallas warns them.
"Also, she's likely to kick you in the nuts if you say something sexist to her," Owen comments. It makes Clare laugh, and I nod in agreement.
"We'll start setting things up inside," Adam calls, taking Clare's arm and pulling her inside with him.
"Man, three of the hottest girls and they're taken," one of the hockey players whines.
"No," says another, "just don't say something sexist. I can be charming." Then he grabs the bag in Clare's hands and winks at her following her inside.
The cars are empty now, we lock them and go inside, to find two hockey players crowding Clare as they "help" her set up the counter. She doesn't look nervous or anything but I decide to rescue her anyway.
"Hey Clare, help me get all the breakables upstairs?" I request.
"Sure Drew," she smiles, slipping from between the two guys. "Thanks, they're a bit like predators," she whispers as we start gathering pictures and valuables into a box.
"Just tell them to back off. So, you get your placement yet? I know Adam is hoping for Bullfrog's radio station out of all the ones he applied to," I comment, knowing Adam and Clare have co-op in the mornings.
"Not yet, no one has yet. My top two would be Asher Shostak at the Interpreter or Marilyn Hemmings at Ontario Weekly. They are both incredible journalists," she smiles excitedly.
"I'm sure you'll get one of those, after looking at your record who wouldn't want to work with you," I reply and she smiles again, biting her lip softly. I can't help but smile back at her.
(CLARE)
"Are you sure you don't want help cleaning up?" Jake offers.
"Nah, we got it and the team is helping," Dallas assures him. Dallas and Owen called an end to the party about ten minutes ago and most everyone has already left. Dave, Jenna and Alli were some of the first to leave. I didn't need to go with them since Jake was here.
"Cool, we'll see you guys tomorrow," Jake waves. I say goodnight to everyone and hug Adam before leaving with Jake. "Have a good time?" Jake asks after a few silent minutes of driving.
"Yeah, it was fun, I ended up spending most of my time with Drew."
"Yeah, I saw that. Did he ask you out?" Jake asks and I laugh.
"No, Drew Torres does not look at me that way. I think he was just being nice, and helping keep the hockey players from circling," I reply. If Jake replies I don't hear him because I see that man again, the one that stalked Darcy, at least I think it's him. He's lingering near the house, under a streetlight but it's dark. I try to look back, get a good look at him but he's gone.
"Clare?" Jake asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
"What?" I question as he parks.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry, just caught in thought. Mind if I shower before bed?" I question as we get out of the truck and grab our backpacks.
"Nope, washroom is all yours," he responds, unlocking the front door.
Our parents are still up and we greet them, telling them about our first day and the party. Mom is proud to hear that I was elected editor of Degrassi Daily. Katie didn't even show up, not that we would have wanted her. It's a lot of responsibility and work, but I'm up to the challenge. Jake and I both go upstairs, I grab my pajamas and go into the washroom. I turn the water on for the shower and brush my teeth before undressing.
I'm thinking about that man again, trying to remember his face from that afternoon he was at the house, to remember his name. I have a fantastic memory but everything surrounding him, really anything surrounding Darcy when she was going through that time is sort of blurred. I was left out of so much of it and I guess part of me just didn't want to remember.
"Clare," Jake calls banging on the bathroom door. My eyes shoot open and I realize the water is starting to turn cold, I've been in here a long time. "I need the washroom too."
"Sorry," I call back, opening the curtain to do so, "I'll be out in a moment."
I turn off the water and step out of the shower, drying off quickly and getting my pajamas on. I give Jake an apologetic look when I leave the washroom. He looks a little worried, but doesn't say anything as he goes into the washroom. I wouldn't know what to tell him, I don't think he knows about the guy.
I get my book and try to read, but my mind is elsewhere, unable to concentrate I put the book down. I turn on my laptop, turning it to face the bed and put on streaming TV. I fall asleep to it, but it's not peaceful. I have a chaotic nightmare about Darcy and the man that stalked her. It's mostly darkness with Darcy screaming and the man's eyes.
"Adams," I gasp, sitting up as I'm jarred out of the nightmare. That was his name, his last name probably, his eyes that day he was at the house stay on my mind and I don't sleep the rest of the night.
At breakfast I'm tempted to ask Mom about Adams, but I don't want to worry her, so I don't say anything. I don't eat much either. Jake takes us to school, I visit my locker and go straight to class.
"It's good that you're here early Clare because you got your placement and they are expecting you this morning," Miss Oh tells me when she walks into class.
"Where?"
"The Interpreter with Asher Shostak," Miss Oh tells me. I'm no longer tired, just excited and I jump up.
"That's amazing, I'm leaving right now, I'll be back at lunch," I tell her. I race down the hall looking for Jake, he's at his locker talking with Mo.
"I'm taking the truck, I got my placement and it's with one of the top two places I wanted."
"Good luck," Jake calls as I race off again. He gave me a key to the truck this summer, though I've only driven it twice.
Even parking at the building is exciting, when I'm riding the elevator up I have to tell myself to calm down and be professional. When the doors open I take a deep breath before stepping out. I tell the receptionist who I am and she points me back to Asher's office, he has his own, but the walls are glass which seems kind of odd. Audible privacy but no visual privacy.
"Clare?" Asher asks after waving me in.
"Yes, it's an honor to have an opportunity to learn from you Mr. Shostak," I smile.
"Flattery will not get you anywhere with me Newsie. Show me your dedication and work ethic to the job. I get requests for internships every week, you are in a very coveted spot."
"I know Mr. Shostak and I'm ready to work."
"Great, how are you with fact checking?"
"Excellent."
"Good, then start on these," he says handing me a thick binder with a couple tabs. "You have the desk right in front of my office. Everything you need is there, get as much done as you can before you have to return to school."
"I'm on it," I grin, turning for the door and clutching the binder to my chest.
"Oh, and Newsie," Asher calls when my hand is on the door handle, so I look back at him. "Call me Asher, Mr. Shostak makes me sound so old."
"Sure Asher," I nod before opening the door.
I sit down at the desk and see a printout with my log in for the computer, email and all other account names and important information. I get straight to work and finish all the fact checking before my shift is over. I log out and pick up the binder with the fact checking taking it back into Asher's office.
"Here you go Asher, all double checked and verified. Proposed changes marked with orange tabs. Green is verified with additional resources and yellow is verified with only one resource confirming."
"Nice work Newsie, you did a lot more than I expected. Get back to school and I'll see you tomorrow."
I smile, grab my purse and drive back to school. It's already lunch time, I didn't actually pack anything this morning so I go into the caf. I get some food and join my friends on the picnic table outside.
"How was your first shift?" Adam questions.
"Great, I'm going to learn so much from Asher," I smile.
"I got placed too, not at Bullfrog's station, at my second choice but I start tomorrow."
"That's great Adam, are you excited?"
"Yeah, it's going to be cool. I'll be busy though, Eli's doing a play and I promised to be stage manager," Adam is saying when Jenna speaks up.
"And, we're thinking of starting a band. It's all just talk right now, but I might also try out for Eli's play. You and Alli should try out too," Jenna says.
"I'm not so sure about doing a play, I might help with props or something," I comment.
"I'll help with costumes, but I'm not an actor," Alli remarks.
"You guys are no fun," Jenna pouts.
"I'll try out with you Jenna," Dave says.
"Thank you Dave," Jenna grins.
"Sounds like we'll all be pretty busy this year."
(DREW)
"Andrew," Mom snaps as soon as she comes in the door Tuesday afternoon.
"Yes?"
"Get up here Drew, we need to talk about your courses," she says. Dallas snickers and Adam pats my back as I walk up the stairs. "These are bird courses Drew, these are not the courses we talked about when you were registering."
She's holding my course list in her hands which means she went into the school computer to print it. I'm angry, but she won't listen, she'll tell me she's doing what's best for me. Despite the fact that when she picks the courses I never understand anything and always need help. Even then I barely pass the courses sometimes which makes me feel even dumber than I am.
"Okay, I'll change, there's still time. I'll see what still has room," I reply in defeat.
"I was at the school this afternoon and had them change your schedule," Mom remarks, handing me my new schedule. "I'm doing what's best for you Drew," Mom says. Yet, somehow it sounds like "I like making you feel dumb."
I look at the paper and grind my teeth, rather than a math class I could sort of understand she's got me in university track physics for homeroom. Instead of Auto Shop second period I have university track math, which means I won't understand anything. At least she let me keep my last two classes, I'm a little surprised she didn't change art to university track history or something. I take the paper and go downstairs, crumpling the paper in my hand as I descend the stairs.
"How bad was it?" Adam inquires as I flop back on the sofa.
"She changed my homeroom math class to university track science. Instead of auto shop I now have university track math. What's the point of even doing homework tonight," I huff.
"She means well, she doesn't realize it makes things worse, no matter how many times we tell her," Adam comments.
"Your mom changed your classes? That sucks," Dallas comments.
I'm upset the rest of the night. I don't bother finishing my homework for math because tomorrow I'm in a different class. I had no homework for art but did for forces of nature: physical process & disasters. I do it, but I don't do my best, I just don't feel like trying now. I hardly say a word at dinner and hardly eat, as soon as we're done cleaning up I go up to my room.
A night of sleep does nothing for my mood, I'm still pissed the next morning and skip breakfast. I drive us all to school and Adam parts from us to go to his locker. Dallas and I walk to ours where we find Jake, Owen and Fitz already at their lockers. When the bell rings I turn in the opposite direction to get to my new homeroom.
"Drew, where you going? Homeroom is this way," Owen calls after me.
"His mom changed his classes, he's got science first period now," Dallas says laughing a bit.
"Ouch, that sucks," Fitz comments. It's the last thing I hear before I turn the corner. I get to the physics room and see Katie in class.
"Hey Drew," Katie smiles hopefully while I sink into a desk, "you're in this class?"
"My mom made me change," I grumble.
"Well, if you need help I'd be happy to," Katie smiles. I nod a little as Mr. Betenkamp comes into the room.
"Welcome Drew, heard you transferred yesterday. We're happy to have you on our physics adventure," Mr. Betenkamp remarks.
I don't reply and I hardly understand anything he says for all of class. I barely understand anything in math either. When the lunch bell rings I'm not in the mood for people and I eat lunch alone in the boiler room, which was a mistake as it reminds me of a major screw-up in my life and right now I just feel like a tremendous failure. I don't eat very much, toss the rest of my lunch and leave the room. I see Clare coming in as I pass the front doors, she must have just returned from co-op.
"You don't look happy," Clare comments.
"Mom forced me into classes I barely understand. She always does this and I hate it. Not only did she get angry over my courses but she came to the school and changed them herself! Now I'm taking university track physics instead of a math class I understand and a math class that I don't understand at all instead of auto shop. She always says it's what's best for me, but I don't see how if I don't understand anything," I tell Clare in a frustrated growl. Even my fists are clenched in frustration, I don't mean to be taking my frustrations out on Clare, but I'm feeling really bad right now and she's the first one I saw.
"Sorry Drew, I can help you if you want. I can tutor you in physics and math," Clare offers.
"You're a grade below me, I feel stupid enough as it is," I reply as we begin walking to art class together. I appreciate her offer but I don't even like when Adam helps because he's younger.
"You aren't dumb Drew. I may be a grade lower than you but I was in the gifted program. I'm confident I can at least help you understand the material."
"I'll think about it," I sigh just as we enter the art room.
We're painting today, but I hardly do anything because I'm still in a foul mood. Dallas texts to say he's hanging with the hockey team and Owen will bring him home later. I start walking to the locker room for football tryouts and see my brother with Clare.
"Hey Drew, can you pick us up from The Dot after practice? Clare has Degrassi Daily meeting, but then we're going to The Dot. We have a biology project to work on and she's staying for dinner," Adam says.
"Yeah, sure," I nod.
At least football practice helps me work off some of my frustrations. Running and doing drills I get out some of my aggression. Fitz does well, Mo and Connor are also trying out this year, along with a few niners. They don't do as well, but might make second string.
After showering and changing I stop at The Dot to pick up Adam and Clare. We go in through the basement when we get home. Sitting on the sofa, I get out my homework, they seem to be working on their project. When I just stare at the book Adam takes it from me. They both start helping me with physics and I push the book away.
"I get it, I'm stupid and mom never should have put me in these classes," I huff trying to get up but Adam catches my hand.
"Drew, getting help doesn't make you stupid. Refusing help does," Clare says.
I release a big sigh but I know she's right and I grab the book again. They help me get some of my homework done while they work on their project. Dallas returns just before dinner, we eat together but I don't say very much. Thankfully, Dallas does most of the talking. Clare hangs out for about an hour after dinner, she and Adam work on their project and help me a little more. Then I drive her home, Adam comes with us of course, but Dallas stays.
"I can meet you at lunch, when I get back from co-op if you need help with homework Drew," Clare offers.
"I'll eat with you," Adam says.
I still feel dumb but I know they're trying to help and I give in. "Okay, thanks."
"See you guys tomorrow, thanks for the ride Drew," Clare says getting out of the car.
We wave to her and I drive us home, I have a little homework left, I get it done but barely. I sleep very restlessly, too much on my mind and it's hard to settle down. Because I didn't sleep I'm tired the next morning, I turn in my homework, but understand even less in class. I meet with Clare and Adam at lunch, we eat a picnic table outside. They help me with all of math, but I still have physics.
Clare offers to come over again when I'm done with practice, she'll be done with Degrassi Daily before football is done. Adam says they will work at the school on their project until I'm out of football. When the bell rings I walk with Clare to art class. I'm still tired and not thinking luckily Miss Dawes doesn't notice.
Football, as physically tiring as it can be, energizes me a little. When I'm done I text Adam that I'm headed to the car, they meet me there. Dallas went out with his team again, I'm sure he'll be doing that a lot, although Owen is on the football team.
"I don't think I'd understand any of this if you weren't explaining it. You do a better job than Betenkamp and he does pretty well. Okay, I give in, can you tutor me in math and physics Clare?" I ask after she takes the time to explain the assignment to me in a way my brain actually holds on to.
"I'd be happy to Drew," she replies with a soft smile that makes her eyes sparkle.
