We All Fall Down

Chapter One

(Present Day)

The hallway was crowded with kids stuffing their lockers with new school materials, chatting with their friends and being more than unprepared for all that was to come in the following year. For a lot of them it was the first year of high school. For others, they were on their way out of Degrassi High, juniors or seniors who were older and more experienced but still nervous and excited all the same. Everyone was eager to see what was waiting for them this year, who they would meet, what kind of drama ensued. Everyone, that is, but Claire.

Claire was Darcey's younger sister. Beautiful, smart, funny, popular, cheer leading Darcey. Darcey's shoes were huge ones to fill, and the task wouldn't be easy. In fact, Claire was dreading having to deal with it. It was bad enough just being a freshman at a new school, let alone having to follow in Darcey's footsteps.

Sighing, Claire headed down the hall way in search of the closest ladies room. It was halfway down the hall on the left side, and she had to weave between a few people to get to it. Inside it was quieter and Claire had more of a chance to really think things through.

Her thoughts were quick to sway from school however. The old Claire would never have let something happen that might get in the way of her education. Of course the old Claire never would have done something this rash. Something so rash, it could possibly cause Darcey to never speak to her again. And it wasn't even supposed to happen. It was a total whim, a one time thing. Or at least, it was supposed to be one time, until it happened the second time, and then kept happening.

But he was so beautiful, and charming, and so sweet. And he was so nice to her and it seemed as though he really liked her. And no guy had ever really liked her before.

The door slammed and shook Claire from her thoughts. It was a girl, of course, around Claire's age, but with much darker hair and skin. She was Sav's little sister, Ali.

"Hey Claire, whats up?" Ali asked, peering at her own reflection in the mirror. She wore a long skirt, and a blouse buttoned up to her neck which she quickly began unbuttoning.

"Nothing I- what are you doing?

"Getting Naked," Ali laughed. "Relax prude, I'm wearing clothes underneath. I can't leave my house wearing what I want to wear, my parents wouldn't approve. How was your summer?"

"Oh I get it. Um, it was good I guess." Claire's eyes glossed over and she looked dazed.

"So whats his name?"

"WHAT? WHO? Why would you just assume that there is a guy?"Claire shouted.

"Because you have that look on your face that people in movies get every time they fall in love- wait a second, are you...youre not...in love?"

"What, me?" Claire couldn't look her in the eye.

"Claire," Ali grabbed her by the shoulders. "Spill!!"

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