Sorry for my hiatus on Fanfic. I had my first day of high school and then my birthday this week, so it's been hectic!

This is a brand new idea that I have had recently of Clare Edwards' junior year of Degrassi. There will be more flashbacks to fill you in on what happened over the second semester of sophomore year and that summer.

Reviews are respected.

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi, but I do own Ms. Wilden.

P.S.-I also may change my username soon, so don't worry if it does change ;)

I looked in my full length mirror once more, smoothing down my skirt before going downstairs. Junior year was already upon us after a crazy two years of Degrassi, and I didn't know where all the time had gone. I was halfway through high school.

I loathed the red polo that I now had to wear. Fortunately, everyone else in my grade would be wearing the same thing, also. I saw my mother on the couch, watching the news and my father nowhere in sight. I sighed; this was how it was resolved-my father left and had moved on. Of course, my mother had also, but it wasn't the same. It never would be the same.

"Hi, honey." She greeted, holding her coffee cup gently in her hands. I smiled.

"Hi, mom." I said, going into the kitchen. I packed my lunch before returning into the living room to depart from the house. "I'm going." I stated, walking out of the house, hearing a soft murmur from my mother.

Walking to school was easier than any other transportation possible for me. I looked forward to walking; it was my 'me time'.

I couldn't help myself but think of particular people that I had grown accustomed to last year; Adam Torres and Eli Goldsworthy being two of them. I winced slightly, thinking about all the hardships we had had together last year because we had become great friends, but that was the price.

I only wished that things had gone better between the three of us.

Reaching the school, a smile tugged at my lips. This was my second home; one in which I could enjoy if I ignored the drama. Academics were easy to me, and most of the classes I had found enjoyable. Alli was coming back to Degrassi after leaving the second semester of sophomore year. I was truly excited that her parents had allowed her to come back to Degrassi.

Coming up to the doors, I hesitantly opened one, recognizing the scent of the school once again. Mr. Simpson had toned down the rules partly; no police officers would check bags or be in the hallways. Instead, three cars would be outside, in front of the exits. That was something that I had enjoyed; high school was about freedom.

The uniforms stayed though, and the colors still did not conflate with one another. And no PDA was allowed either, but I didn't have a problem with it. I didn't have a boyfriend; therefore it did not involve me.

"Alli?" I asked incredulously. I was smiling like an idiot as Alli pulled me into a tight hug, both of us giggling in disbelief. Alli hadn't changed much; her hair was now past her chest and she wore no jewelry. Her high heels were replaced with cute flats and she wore less makeup.

"Clare!" She giggled, jumping up and down.

"I see you've changed." I stated, looking down at her shoes. Alli nodded, her face slightly falling. She rolled her eyes.

"Parents." She murmured, the smile coming back. "They said as long as I get good grades, and keep down the PDA I can stay! Isn't that good?" I agreed as we walked down the halls, exchanging schedules.

"Well," I started. "At least we have most classes together." I gave back her schedule, and she stopped suddenly at one of the lockers which I guessed belonged to her this year. I smiled as I saw that mine was next to hers.

"So, what has happened recently? We haven't talked about anything since I left." She shyly laughed, looking down. I breathed in deeply, ignoring the pang in my stomach.

"Well, my parents have gone their own ways, Eli and I aren't together any-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" She repeated, putting a hand in front of her. I swallowed hardly as I acknowledged her eyes boring a hole into mine. "What happened?"

I could already feel all the memories rushing back to me about Eli and I hanging out together, me falling for him again, and him staying the same. "He couldn't change for me, Alli." I nearly whispered, my heartbeat increasing.

"So that's it?" Alli nearly shouted at me. I rolled my eyes.

"It wasn't going to work out, Alli." I stated, closing my locker. Alli did the same.

"So, Saint Clare gives up? Uh, not on my watch!" I could see a smile tugging at her lips ever so slightly, and so I groaned.

"Please don't start this," I pleaded as she grabbed my arm. "Nothing will change my mind!"

I hadn't expected Alli to bring me to our first class of the day; it was something unordinary for Alli Bhandari. Alli brought me to one of the tables by the door, smiling slightly at the teacher as we sat next to each other.

"Since when do you drag me to class?" I asked, grinning. She shook her head.

"I have no choice anymore." She half whispered as the first bell rang, and several other students came in. I smiled as I saw Adam come in, but he barely brought back the gesture, sending a sharp pain in my stomach. "So what? Now both of them dislike you?" Alli asked as I grew more serious.

"Adam is Eli's best friend. Once I told Eli we couldnt' be together, Eli couldn't stand knowing that Adam and I would remain the same, so they both edged me out."

"Ouch." She muttured under her breath as the teacher introduced herself as Ms. Wilden. The class was slow as I stole glances at Adam, who was paying attention directly to Ms. Wilden. I frowned again, thinking about how things could've gone if I had sorted things out with Eli. Of course now, all I had was Alli. Jenna and I had become friends again, but the Next Teen Star competition was still on, and her baby was soon due, so she was being homeschooled for the first semester.

I hated to think that Adam was eschewing me just because Eli ordered him to. I had taken the hint several weeks after the new rules were in order at Degrassi, after Adam and Eli would glance in my direction, and then look away, uninterested. I missed seeing them laugh with me.

I sighed. I missed having my family together.

The school day went the same as always, and I walked back home. The redolent flowers were almost enough for me to stop on the way to my house, but it reminded me of when I had hung out with Eli.

"This one's pretty," I said, plucking out one of the flowers from the earthy ground, twirling it with fingers. I gently gave it to Eli.

"It is. But it won't stay pretty." He stated, tossing the flower. I frowned.

"That's because it's a cycle of life," I started, trying to brighten the atmosphere. "Everything dies, and then is reborn. Like Jesus." Eli snorted at my example, which made me smile. I looked down at the flower.

"It's the same for everything." He murmured quietly. I looked up to see his emerald eyes boring into mine. "Like relationships; families, friends, etcetera-they all have a cycle."

I shyly nodded, looking far away from the scene that was next to me. "Does this mean that we will change?" I asked, and he solemnly nodded.

"It's nature." He concluded, crossing his legs, already bored of the conversation.

My eyes tightened as my pace quickened to my house, slamming the door behind me as I reached it. I was happy to still be alone; my mom wouldn't be home until late in the day.

I trudged to my room, closing my eyes to find unconsciousness quickly.