A/N: Hey guys, this is my first fanfic, so I'd really appreciate some feedback. I plan on making this multi-chapter just because I have this giant storyline already planned out in my head. I might not be able to update the chapters as soon as you might life since school rules my life, but I'll do my best.

I'm rating this T as of now, but it might change to M because I'll be introducing some mature themes in later chapters.

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi as much as I would like to. Nor do I own the lyrics to Stay With Me by Celldweller. If I did, I'd be rich right now.

Chapter 1: Please Don't Go

I ran through the hallways, desperate to find him. The only thing I could hear was my ragged breathing and my feet hitting the floor in a sporadic rhythm. I kept turning corners and running through corridors, but there was no sign of Eli anywhere. I stopped and tears began welling up in my eyes. What if Fitz has already…. I couldn't even finish the thought. From a distance, I heard something….it almost sounded like…ELI'S MUSIC. There was a glimmer of hope after all, and I turned to the direction I heard the music coming from.

I ran as fast as I could, following what I could hear, and I finally saw him….I breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed his hand. He didn't look at me. "Eli, we have to go…Fitz has a knife," I said breathlessly.

"I'm not afraid of him," Eli said, his sad eyes meeting mine. I looked at him in disbelief. "No, you don't understand, this is the part where we run….he has a KNIFE." I desperately pleaded…praying the whole time that Fitz wouldn't show up.

And of course, my worst fears were realized. I saw a shadow in the doorway and a glint of metal out of the corner of my eye. I gasped slightly and heard Fitz. "Aw, how cute." He began slowly walking towards me and Eli. I tugged at Eli's arm and began dragging him backwards with me. "Fitz…you should go." I was desperate to get out of this situation.

He let out a sinister chuckle and replied "And what? Let pretty boy make time with my date?" He kept walking towards us. I looked behind me in the hopes that Eli and I could make a run for it, but realized there was nowhere for us to go…it was a dead end. At this point in time, I could care less what happened to me…I just wanted Eli to be safe. I was not above begging. "Fitz," I pleaded, "Please….don't do this."

His eyes flared in rage. "SHUT UP, BITCH!" I flinched at his harsh words. I looked beside me at Eli, who had remained silent up until this point. Eli moved my hand off of his arm and took a step forward, the fear in his eyes apparent. "Fitz…I'm sorry…for everything. You win." He gulped and looked up at his tormentor. The look in Eli's eyes was one of pure regret…regret in knowing that this wouldn't be happening if he had just taken my advice and left Fitz alone….it's always been impossible to fight violence with more violence.

Fitz just snickered and rolled his eyes at Eli, taking a big step toward him. "Yeah, right. As if I haven't heard that before." Eli looked at me with such sorrow, grabbed ahold of my shoulders, and shouted "Get out of here, Clare!" I backed myself into the opposite corner and tears began streaming down my face as I watched Fitz push Eli. "What, no smart ass comments?" Eli looked up and I saw tears welling up in the corners of his eyes when he saw Fitz tighten his grip on the knife. "Please….don't do this…." He begged, the fear increasing in his voice. Fitz raised the knife and yelled, "Somebody's got to shut you up!"

Everything went black as I heard Eli scream and crumple into the floor. Fitz looked at him in disbelief. "Oh, shit…I really didn't mean to hurt anyone…..I was just trying to scare you…." He dropped the knife and ran off. I ran to Eli and that's when I saw it. Blood was seeping through his hands and a large pool was beginning to form on the tiled floor. I collapsed beside him and buried my face in his shoulder as I began crying.

"C-c-clare…." he whispered painfully, "I have s-s-something for you…." He shifted slightly to the side and pulled something out of his pocket. "I….j-just…..want-t-t…you to…k-know how much I…l-l-l-love…y-y-you…." He managed a weak smile again and handed me a small box. I slowly and carefully opened the box. I let out a small gasp when I saw the contents…..A silver ring that had sparkling diamonds around the band, and a light blue sapphire in the middle. It matched the color of my eyes perfectly. As I turned it to examine its beauty, I saw the inscription on the inside. Love will conquer all. He reached up and gently took the ring from my hand and slid it onto my finger.

A promise ring…He was promising his commitment to me…He really loves me…

I sobbed and took Eli's hand. "Eli….everything's going to be okay. Please, just stay with me. I can't do this without you. I…..I love you, Eli." Eli's pallid face turned up towards mine and he weakly smiled. "Have I told you how b-b-beautiful your eyes are? As soon as I saw t-t-them, that's when I k-knew I l-l-loved you." He coughed and blood began dribbling from the corner of his mouth. I held him and moved his head into my lap. I began stroking his hair and telling him how much he meant to me, never looking away from his emerald green eyes. He chuckled softly and said, "So, I guess t-this means y-y-you like it?" I half laughed, half cried because even on the edge of death, Eli was exactly the same.

We sat in silence for what felt like hours. Our eyes never left each other. His breathing became more ragged and came in short gasps. "I'm s-s-sorry that…this h-happened….B-believe me, if I c-could, I'd ch-ch-ange the end-ending. Promise m-m-me that you'll k-keep living…..f-for both of us…I'll n-n-n-never leave you…." he choked out and tears began falling down his face. His grip on my hand became weaker. I looked into his eyes and laid down beside him, our faces inches apart. I put my arms around him protectively. "Eli…..please don't go….." He gave me one final smile and whispered, "Thank you Clare….f-for g-g-giving me the…..h-honor to…f-fall…in l-love…with….y-y-you….."

With his final words, a long sigh escaped from his lips and he closed his eyes for the last time. I squeezed my eyes shut and wished I could wake up from this inescapable nightmare. My everything, my love, my joy….my Eli….was gone…..forever.