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triplethreatrp-blog · 12 years ago

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Welcome to Degrassi.

Eli shrugged off his messenger bag, sighing audibly as it slid from his shoulder and dropped to the floor with an emphatic cacophony. It was only a few hours into the school day and the ungodly amount of caffeine he had consumed into the morning was already wearing off. Slumping into his chair, Eli carelessly took out a fresh notebook, glowering at the ruled pages as if they were the source of his misery. He tapped his pen against the edge of the desk incessantly, his mind wandering as the classroom began to fill with people he vaguely recognized. His eyes were fixed on the door, putting names to faces and faces to pre-existing judgments. Eli glanced at the clock hanging above the blackboard, noting that there were still a few minutes before the beginning of class. It never ceased to amuse him how as the days progressed, less and less students shuffled in before the late bell.

The room was nearly full before a bantam girl with a sweet disposition and soft features walked in. She scanned the room briefly, her eyes settling on the chair beside Eli as she walked over. She took her seat much more gracefully than Eli had; seemingly unaffected by the dread of the first day of junior year that had everyone else both bubbly and enthralled or in complete trepidation. Or indifferent, such as Eli.

Eli was intrigued - partly because he had never seen her around, and partly because her amiable persona was almost palpable. She hadn’t even spoken, but her warm smile and gleaming eyes said more about her than any conversation could. In an attempt not to stare, Eli picked at the edges of his book, racking his scattered mind for a reason as to why he’d never encountered her before. He shook his head as his endeavors proved futile, sighing loudly before sitting up and leaning back in chair. In spite of himself, his eyes wandered towards the girl. She was hunched over a copy of Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions, and Eli’s curiosity grew tremendously. He shifted in his seat so that he was facing her, his elbow leaning on the table, hand cradling his cheek. “Good book,” he stated briefly, lips quirked into an affable smirk. She startled out of her immersion and Eli was almost sorry he’d disturbed her comfortably engrossed countenance.

“You’re a fan?” Clare asked as she held the book towards Eli. After gently retrieving the text from her, Eli noticed the notes that lay within its words. “Somewhat. Kurt isn’t a favourite or anything, but I enjoyed this.” As he continued to scan her notes he noticed something that made him chuckle. “What’s so funny?” The girl questioned, her curls moving in front of her eyes. “Your notes.” Eli traced his finger along the line that read, “I’d rather be in Midland City than this place.” Clare began to blush, “My first classes weren’t great. And I got bored.” Eli waved his hands innocently before passing the book back to Clare. “No need to explain to me. I’d rather be in Midland City than this place too.” He smiled genuinely before watching Clare place the book into her messenger bag. Desperate to keep the conversation going, he reached out again, “I’d be Dwayne,” he offered suggestively. “On the count of me being deranged and everything.” He joked, but as Clare watched Eli’s face, she could tell there was a deeper meaning to that statement.

“I can be Trout. Although, having you become obsessed with me so quickly is a bit of a turn-off,” Clare said before letting out a quiet laugh as not to disturb the class around her. Again she watched Eli’s face as he smiled at her and quickly looked away. Was she flirting? Was she flirting too much? Was this flirting? She didn’t even know anymore. All she did know was that a nice boy who knew about literature, good literature, was talking to her and she hadn’t really ever had that before. Well, she had. But it was with a boy in grade 9 who was just trying to “get some”. Nothing intelligence based. It wasn’t this. “I wouldn’t be too worried about that if I was you. I’m a tortoise when it comes to anything. You’re safe.” She smiled sweetly, even if she was semi disappointed that he didn’t retaliate in the way she had hoped. Just as she had mustered up the courage to speak again, she was cut off by a whimsical woman whizzing past her. “Hello, class! I am Ms. Dawes and I will be your grade 11 English instructor. I don’t want to waste much time in asking about your interests so much as getting you all situated for the upcoming term. First things first, writing partners! Grade 11 English is a time full of academic writing as well as free-lance writing. I want to see you all develop yourselves as fully as writers this term as possible. So let’s get started!”

Ms. Dawes’ vivacious nature forced the aura of the room to shift from placid to lively – a drastic shift that made Eli cringe. Her wispy turns and clicking heels made question whether she was going to teach or start pirouetting around the classroom. He raised his eyebrows in amusement at Clare, watching as her lips quirked into a small smile. “Clare Edwards!” Ms. Dawes called out, and her head snapped towards the boisterous teacher. Her eyes were scanning the room and Clare lifted her hand cautiously – Ms. Dawes smiled briefly before glancing down at her thick notebook. “Your collaborator for the rest of the year will be Mr. Goldsworthy,” she said, adjusting her glasses before looking up. “Ah! It seems as though you two have already situated yourselves quite conveniently. An augury; this partnership will bode well for the future I presume,” she quipped, smiling coyly before returning her attention to her roster.

As Ms. Dawes continued to assign partners, Eli took the time to bask in his incredible luck. It was nearing the end of the period when the rambunctious teacher clicked her way to the front of the room, clapping her hands to gain the class’ attention. “All right, I’m well-aware that it’s the first day of school, but it’s vital that we begin our curriculum as soon as we possibly can. So you’ve got your first assignment due tomorrow,” she began, earning a collective groan from the class. “By the end of class tomorrow I want each of you to be more than well-acquainted with, not only your partners writing style and method, but your partner as well. Exchange short stories, ideologies, political opinions. Whatever it takes to develop a comfortable bond. Go on, you can get a head start,” she stated, dismissing the class with a wave.

Eli shifted in seat once again, leaning over so that is elbows rested against his knees. “So, Clare,” Eli drawled out, his tone inquisitive. “What should I know about you? You know, other than the fact that the majority of your writing is featured in porn magazines,” he jeered, chuckling lightly as Clare’s cheeks tint a light shade of pink. She laughed lightly, albeit it sounded nervous and slightly embarrassed. Eli was fond of the sound regardless. “Well, I’m an avid reader and I also do enjoy writing. Mainly fiction. In regards to both writing and reading,” she concluded. Eli scoffed and rolled his eyes playfully, “Give me something to work with here, Edwards. Not that I don’t care about your riveting writing habits or anything,” he smirked, pausing briefly. “I want to know something about you.”

“Okay, okay. How about religion?” Eli immediately shifted awkwardly in his seat, slightly clearing his throat in the process. “I uh, don’t believe in that,” he replied quietly. “You don’t say,” Clare winked, knowing full-well that more likely than not Eli would answer exactly like that. “What about you then, since you obviously have an agenda with that question.” Clare adjusted herself as she swung her legs towards the aisle, gently placing one leg over the other. She took pleasure in the fact that Eli watched her every movement. “I believe in God. Not so much religion anymore.” Eli raised an eyebrow, “How come?” - “Because I grew up with two parents who forced my sister and I to attend church and Sunday school but then a year ago decided to ruin all of that.” Clare could feel her face growing red again, but this time from anger. She hadn’t talked about her parents divorce with anyone since it happened. Not even her own sister, and she wasn’t about to go that deep with a boy she barely knew either. Even if he was charming and seemed to care. “Sorry,” she said shortly. “That’s a long story and I don’t want to bother you with it.” As she felt herself beginning to grow emotional she bit her lip to focus on something else. It wasn’t long before Eli responded, “It wouldn’t be bothering me, but, maybe another time?”

He was sweet. No, he was really sweet. And for a guy dressed in all black, with black nail polish and a tad bit of guyliner, you would have never thought this is the type of person he would be. Clare struggled to find the words to say in reply but instead decided to just go with her gut and say what she was thinking. “I appreciate that,” she replied genuinely. “Geez, way to start off with some heavy topics. You couldn’t have just asked if I had any pets?” Eli’s retort caused the pair to laugh. “Do you?” Clare asked. “Oh God, no. My parents need to get up and go too frequently. I remember I asked for a dog once. Wanna know what I got instead?” Clare shook her head avidly. “Sea monkeys.” - “Like the kind that come in the plastic container?” Eli nodded his head before repeating Clare, “Like the kind that come in the plastic container. They got it for eight bucks and it didn’t even last a month. I was crushed. Here was my once chance at a pet, and there were multiple, and they all just vanished. Without a trace.” Clare laughed, “You make it seem like it was your one chance at happiness.” Eli crossed his arms as if he had been horribly offended. “I didn’t get much attention, okay? They were my friends.” Clare placed her hand on Eli’s now crossed leg, gently rubbing it for comfort. “I’m so sorry. That was rude and inconsiderate of me,” she teased. Eli took Clare’s hand in his for a moment before dramatically tossing it away. And as he did all Clare could think about was how she wished he’d held it longer. “I don’t need your pity. I’ve long since gotten over my lost sea monkeys.” Clare moved back under her desk shortly after to try and hide her growing disappointment. “I doubt it.” After she spoke she recognized a bitterness in her tone and quickly turned back towards Eli. “Sorry, I don’t know what that was.” Eli’s face was relaxed which made Clare’s do the same. “You are very intriguing,” Eli replied before his smile turned into yet another smirk. That smirk then causing Clare to lose her train of thought. How could this be? She was never a girl to fawn all over a boy. But this one, this one was different. “Your turn,” she spat before letting the silence linger any longer. “Ask me something.”

Eli pondered momentarily, his lips contorted into a sideways pout and finger tapping on his chin dramatically. “Well, let’s make this interesting. Most embarrassing experience,” he said finally, mouth curved into an amused smile. Clare groaned, her curls bouncing as she shook her head. Regardless, she paused, rummaging through her brain for an experience that wasn’t completely degrading. Coming up short she settled on a brief, “I spilled soda all over my dress at a wedding once,” and Eli blinked. “Clare, we’re in an Honors English class, I didn’t really think diction would be such an issue,” he quipped. “’Interesting. Most embarrassing,’” he reiterated with emphasis. “I mean, either your life is incredibly mundane or you’re lying through your teeth,” he said, and Clare felt her necks and cheek tint a deep shade of pink. Eli chuckled benevolently, “The latter seemed more believable anyway,” he shrugged, “Please, do share.”

Clare sighed loudly, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as she mulled over how long it would take her to get over the humiliation of this. “Uh, well. Freshman year I kind of, erm- sort of got caught with a vibrator in school,” he rushed, her words slurred together in hopes that Eli hadn’t caught them. The disbelieving cackle that came afterwards told her he had. “You…you kind of, sort of got caught with a vibrator..in school?” he repeated, and Clare whimpered – it sounded so much more vulgar when someone else said it. “It wasn’t even mine!” she added hastily. “And I, uh, obviously never used it or anything,” and she immediately stopped talking to refrain from sounding even more ridiculous. “It’s a long story,” she mumbled as Eli said nothing, continuing to stare, his expression a combination of confusion, amusement, and utter shock. Finally, he shook his head lightly, “It always is, Edwards. It always is,” turning in his seat to pack his books up.

Clare began to pack her books up as well, convinced that the pink tinge across her face was permanent. She watched as Eli stood up, slinging his bag over shoulder before adjusting his attire. “What about you, Hoover. Any mortifying high school experiences you’d like to share?” she asked defiantly, standing up as well when the bell rang. Eli pretended to think for a moment, before smile smugly, “Nope, I think I’m good,” he insisted. Clare scoffed, clutching the shoulder strap of her bag as they walked outside of the classroom. They lingered for a minute before Eli cleared his throat. “Where are you headed?” he asked, and Clare rummaged through her bag for her schedule. Her eyes skimmed over it before looking up at Eli. “I have lunch,” she replied, and his eyes danced. “So do I. Mind my company?” he asked and Clare smiled up at him. “Not at all.”

As the pair walked towards the cafe, Clare noticed how easy the conversation continued to flow even after her embarrassing confession. “So,” she began after stopping just outside the room full of hungry teenagers. “Where are we sitting?” Eli started to scan the room but his eyes fell short after seeing a tiny brunette with pig tails and Buddy Holly glasses waving at him enthusiastically. “Uhm, Eli, who is that?” Clare asked, her voice full of confusion. But before replying, Eli moved closer to the table with Clare keeping closely behind. “Eli,” she repeated, “who is she?” As they reached the table Eli turned to face Clare, “Clare, this is… my sister.” There was an audible noise that escaped Clare as Eli moved to place his bag down on the table. “Imogen Moreno, pleased to meet you,” Imogen said as she stuck her hand out in an attempt to receive a handshake. Instead she was met with a blank stare, and then a fake smile.

“How are you Eli’s sister if your last name is Moreno?” Clare asked firmly. “Wow. Intense questions right out of the gate. You would have thought we’d start with our birthday’s or something.” Imogen moved back around to the other side of the table, pulling out a chair next to her for Clare. “No thanks,” Clare gestured towards the chair before sitting down beside Eli. “Alrighty then! Well, to answer your question, which I will do, my last name is Moreno for one very simple reason,” Imogen said rather matter-of-factly. “I’m different.” Clare looked over at Eli for guidance, or maybe even reassurance, but only found him to be drumming on his knees, obviously a tad bit nervous. Imogen could tell she wasn’t quite hitting off with Clare, and for that alone, she continued to talk. “What I mean is that I didn’t feel the need to be a Goldsworthy. I wanted to make own way in the world. It’s that simple.” Clare’s mind continued to process what she was hearing. “I mean, I guess that makes sense. I’ve just… never heard of that before.” Imogen smiled, “I bet you haven’t heard of a lot of things before.” Even if Imogen seemed innocent, she was rubbing Clare entirely the wrong way. “Yeah, well, I think I’ve heard enough for right now. I’m gonna go get some lunch. Be right back.”

Imogen waved to Clare as she left to collect food from the dismal Degrassi selection before she turned to her twin with an accusatory look spread across her features. “Bringing a crush to the table, Eli? Really? You know that’s against the rules, considering my voracious appetite for all things human,” she chastised as she watched Clare from behind. Her curves were quite appealing, and Imogen could see herself running her hands all over the petite girl, licking and sucking her way along the peaks and valleys of her skin, memorizing every inch of her. She shook her head to clear the thoughts as Eli scoffed at her. “Crush? No. I just met her last period. She’s gorgeous, though… and straight,” he added as a perfunctory measure against his sister. Imogen’s pansexuality was quite well known around Degrassi, and her two previous conquests, Jake Martin and Fiona Coyne, had practically been eaten alive by her appetite for all things sexual. She was never one to beat around the bush when it came to attraction, so Eli felt the need to give some small measure of protection against this literary mind that he now felt a small spark of …friendship, was it? towards.

“Don’t ruin my fun, Eli. Sexuality is a fluid thing, and you never know how a person might change. Everyone has that questioning,” Imogen retorted. The pair hushed as Clare returned to the table bearing a tray of greyish substances. Imogen shuddered at the sight, and reached into her bag to pull out a container of fresh vegetables and hummus. “Your meal looks like the remnants of something on the side of the road, Clare. Want to share some of mine?” Hesitantly, Clare glanced at her meal before shoving it to the edge of the table and sat down beside Imogen. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not poison myself from the inside out.” Opening her tupperware, Imogen dipped a carrot in the hummus and held it up to Clare’s lips enticingly. “Be my guest,” she said, batting her lashes once behind her frames as Clare’s lips closed around the stick. “Careful, there… you dribbled a little,” she whispered as her finger trailed to the edge of Clare’s mouth, pretending to wipe a bit of hummus off as it swiped over her full lips. Clare’s cheeks flamed red, unsure of what the brunette was doing to her, and she looked down as she chewed. Imogen stared at her for a minute more before glancing at her brother, who was glowering at her. Carefully, making sure Clare still wasn’t watching, she mouthed, “DIBS,” at him, earning herself the finger. Her hands brushed Clare’s as they both reached for celery, and she began to open the conversation again. “So, Clare, what do you have next period?”

Eli was methodically planning Imogen’s slow, painful death as he watched her cock her head to the side, her gaze suggestive as she listened to the other girl. “Oh, I’ve got History next,” Clare said, and she couldn’t help but return the ecstatic grin that stretched across Imogen’s features. “With Perino?” she inquired, and Clare nodded. “Excellent,” she drawled, dipping another one of her carrots into the hummus and wrapping her lips around it suggestively as she locked eyes with Clare. The latter averted her gaze, ducking her head in mild embarrassment. Eli resisted the urge to kick Imogen in the shin - hard. If she wanted to play dirty, he thought, he didn’t mind one bit. A short silence fell between the trio; Clare hidden behind the curls that fell over face, Imogen basking in her abilities, and Eli gritting his teeth as he glowered at his sister. Eli wasn’t particularly intending on pursuing his attraction for Clare, but Imogen’s persistence was most certainly veering his decision.

“Uhm, so,” Clare began, breaking the tension and then looking between the two when their attention focused on her. “Who’s the older sibling?” she asked. “We’re twins,” they responded simultaneously, causing Clare to giggle. Eli rolled his eyes playfully, “Believe it or not, that doesn’t happen often. We’re nothing alike,” he emphasized, giving Imogen a look. Clare nodded in agreement, “That I can see,” she assured, smiling benevolently at the pair. “It’s peculiar how different you two act,” she added. Imogen flailed her hand dismissively, “Enough of about us; you’d be surprised how utterly boring Eli is. And I, for one, would much rather hear about your life than discuss mine,” she asserted, shifting in her seat so that she was completely facing Clare. Imogen leaned over ever so slightly, tucking a curl behind the other girl’s ear. “So tell me, what makes you tick?” she asked, her voice laced with an undertone of seductiveness.

Clare placed her hands delicately in her lap before answering. She couldn’t quite get a true read on Imogen and it was honestly making her feel out of place. She usually had a third eye when it came to reading others, but Imogen was different. “What makes me tick,” she repeated slowly, “I would say reading and writing mostly. I read books like I breathe air and writing has been a passion for as long as I can remember.” Eli smiled at her across the table, almost reassuring her that it was okay to not understand the girl who sat beside her. “You and I share that then,” Eli said before smirking at his sister. “I love to read and write.” Imogen was quick to ignore his cockiness, returning her attention to the person who deserved it. He wouldn’t faze her.

Placing her hand over Clare’s, Imogen was sure to keep her eyes focused. “I’d love to read something you’ve written! I’m an artiste of sorts myself and I’m always looking to expand my horizons, as they say.” Imogen’s seemingly genuine interest in Clare’s writing was enough to loosen Clare up a bit. “Really?” Clare questioned. “I’ve actually been writing something since my family moved here and I’d love for someone to take a look at it.” Both girls immediately noticed Eli’s posture slump down in his chair. “Don’t worry, Eli. You’ll be reading plenty of my work this semester. I should probably put both of you on speed dial now!” Clare and Imogen both laughed at the joke while Eli remained silent. “Don’t be so jealous, brother,” Imogen quipped before turning back towards Clare, her shoulder nudging the other girl’s as they continued to giggle. “What’s there to be jealous of? You two are becoming great friends. After all, Clare needs a gal-pal. She can’t only have me shamelessly flirting with her. She needs balance.” Eli said with wink at Clare, who instantly began to blush again. “It’s true,” Clare replied before letting her eyes wander across the table. As he waited for Clare’s eyes to meet his, Eli was also greeted by the glare of death from his blatantly rejected sister. The tension between the siblings instantly intensified for a minute or so before Imogen finally decided speak again.

“Well, there’s never a reason to stop some healthy competition, brother dear,” she spat out. “One can never suffer from too much attention, especially when it’s a critique on style and ability.” Eli was ruffling feathers left and right, and he knew it. Imogen was never one to be deterred when she wanted something, and the easiest way to get her away from something was to nip it in the bud before it started. Unfortunately, he had been too late, and the interest was piqued in the delightful Clare Edwards. Imogen’s eyes burned into her twin’s as they stared each other down over the cafeteria table, each attempting to stake a claim in something before the other could snatch it away. “Game on,” thought Imogen maliciously as she noted the steely determination in Eli’s eyes. In a game of seduction, she always reigned triumphant, what with her vast experience and inability to back down from a challenge. Clare was clearly the ultimate challenge, what with her quiet demeanor and shy exterior, but Imogen felt the potential for a sex kitten brewing under the floral surface of her conservative clothes. This would be a girl she could crack, no matter what her brother had to say.

“Come on, Clare,” she said abruptly. “We’ve got to get to Perino’s class ay-sap- he hates when people are late, and turns into quite the monster if it happens. We wouldn’t want you to feel his wrath on your first day!” she announced, packing up the remnants of her lunch before grabbing Clare’s hand and attempting to drag her away from her brother. “Wait,” Clare exclaimed, doubling back to grab her bag. “Thanks for inviting me to sit with you today, Eli,” she said. “It was really nice to meet another person in one of my classes and make a couple of friends.” The tips of Eli’s ears flushed slightly at her words, and as Imogen returned to collect her impatiently, he smiled at Clare. “Well, friend… Welcome to Degrassi.”

#stories #eclare #climogen

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