Hi. Another story? Yes, indeed. I will TRY my best to update as soon as possible on BOTH stories. Just bare with me here. My computer is being very slow. OK, but about the story:

Clare and Eli NEVER met. She's from New York and had to move for a reason you'll read about in this chapter. Clare is 25 while Eli is 26. Clare has a 4-year old son named Justin. Eli has NO children, but is married to a girl named Wendy.

As you all know, I don't own Degrassi.

Summary: This is an "EClare Affair". Eli's cheating on his wife with their newly divorced neighbor, Clare. Rumors travel and secrets unravel. Can they make it through all the pain and drama?

"Please be careful with that," the auburn haired female said to the movers, "That box has all my books in it. I kind of don't want nothing to happen to them." The movers nodded and continued to do what they were doing. Clare sighed and raked her fingers through her curls. Making a sudden move wasn't good for her, nor Justin. Everything in New York was perfect for her. She had a job as a journalist as was doing very well. Now, she's in Toronto, trying to start over. She knew it was a big step to move from the U.S. and come here, but this is what she wanted. She wanted to be as far as possible away from him. He had hurt her in many ways that was possible. Clare shook away the horrible thoughts and focused on settling down into her new house with her son, Justin.

Justin. Her was her rock, her everything. She hated having to separate him from his father at an early age, but she knew it was for the best-for the both of them. Clare smiled when Justin ran towards her. He hugged her leg tightly, a smile spreading across his face.

"Mommy, this place is so cool! I have a huge room for all my toys and things!" he said, smiling.

Clare laughed at her excited kid. He looked a lot like his father. At least he had her eyes and some of her traits. He can be a worried person at times. He also like to read and express himself. Clare was so happy to have full custody of him. Without him, she wasn't so sure where she'd be now. He was the only person who kept her smiling.

"Come on, Justin, let's go unpack and get settled in," Clare said, grabbing his tiny hand.

...

"Eli! We have new neighbors!" the red-head, shouted up the steps. Eli groaned and rolled his eyes. Every time their was a new neighbor on the block, Wendy and Eli would go to their house and introduce theirselves. Wendy had such a bright, bubbly spirit. She always liked making new friends. Eli, regretfully, got off the bed and walked down the steps. He chuckled softly as he looked at Wendy run into the kitchen. He followed behind her and saw she was taking out stuff to make.

"I'll make them some chicken casserole and apple pie for dessert," she said happily.

"That sounds wonderful," Eli said, sarcasm filling the room.

Wendy sighed and looked at Eli. "You mister," she said pointing a finger, "Go upstairs and change. I will not let you meet the new neighbors looking like that."

"And what's wrong with how I look?"

"Eli, you're wearing sweats and a beater for crying out loud! Shower and change!"

Eli groaned and walked back up the steps. He got out a pair of grey skinny jeans and a grey short sleeve button up. He slipped out of his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. He stayed in for ten minutes. Once he was done, he turned off the shower and dried off before walking back into his room.

Eli put on his clothes and walked back down the steps. Wendy sighed in relief and wiped the sweat off her forehead. "I'm going to take a quick shower and get dressed. Check on the casserole for me," she said kissing him on the cheek and turning up the steps.

"This is going to be a long night," Eli said to himself.

...

Clare was walking around the house wearing a pair of grey sweats and white beater. Her hair was in a messy bun and she was now sitting on the couch with a sleeping Justin, watching 'Go Diego Go!' His favorite show. The doorbell rang. A confused Clare, stood up off the couch and went to the door. Who could be at the door? she thought. She opened the door and it revealed to people.

"Um-"

"Hi, neighbor! We saw the moving truck earlier and decided to give you a welcome dinner. I hope you haven't eaten yet, I made chicken casserole and apple pie," the red-head exclaimed.

"Well, that's very nice of you. Come on in," Clare said gesturing them to come in. She looked down at herself, she was a complete mess. She smiled faintly and closed the door behind her.

"Where are my manners? I'm Wendy," the red-head said, smiling widely, "And this is my husband, Eli."

"Nice to meet you both, I'm Clare," she said, "I'm sorry for looking such a mess. I just wanted to get comfortable after moving."

"Oh! No need to apologize," Wendy said, "Where can we sit this?"

"I'll lead you to the dining room," Clare said, gesturing for them to follow her.

Eli looked up at Clare. She had such beautiful blue eyes. She was so beautiful and her smile-it was so breath-taking. Eli forgot he was staring until the sound of someone clearing their throat brought his attention.

"I'm going to go change into something else. Excuse me," Clare said sweetly.

Wendy smiled and nodded her head. Just then, a little boy ran into the dining room. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and looked at the two strangers. "Where's my mommy?" he asked softly.

"She's upstairs, getting dressed. Will you be joining us for dinner, sweetie?" Wendy said.

He nodded his head and said, "Who are you two?"

Before Wendy could answer, Clare ran down the steps. She decided to wear her hair down. She wore a nice pair of purple skinny jeans and a grey V-neck. She smiled and walked over to her son.

"Justin sweetie, go wash your hands so we can eat," she said.

"Ok, mommy," he said before running off.

Clare went into the kitchen and grabbed some plates and sat them on the table. Wendy and Eli followed her and she told them to have a seat. Justin ran into the dining room and sat at the table. Wendy fixed everyone a plate and they began eating.

"Wendy, this casserole is amazing. Please tell me you can give me the recipe?" Clare said, practically moaning as she took another bite.

"Well of course! How bout I come back tomorrow."

"That would be great!"

Eli looked at the two talking. They were having such a good conversation. He knew Wendy would be upset with him if he didn't say something before the night was over. So, he cleared his throat and said, "You have a lovely home Ms. Clare."

Clare forgot he was even here. He was so quiet. Before Clare could speak, Justin said, "You can talk!" he had a hint of amazed in his voice.

"Justin!" Clare growled.

Eli chuckled and said, "It's alright, Clare. Sorry for not saying anything sooner. I was being an ass."

Clare laughed and shook her head, her curls bouncing. Eli heart skipped a beat. Her laugh sounded like music to his ears. He knew it sounded corny, but it was true. She was so beautiful.

"Dessert anyone?" Wendy asked.

"Yay!" Justin yelled.

"Justin, you can have a small slice. Then it's off to bed, young man," Clare said sternly.

"Ok," Justin mumbled.

After dessert, Justin was sent to bed. Clare brought out a bottle of wine while she began to get to know the two. She learned that Wendy was a Chef and Eli was an English teacher at a local highschool called Degrassi. She learned that Eli met Wendy at a café called The Dot. She was talking and laughing with her friends. He was sitting with his best friend, or bud as he called it, Adam. While going up to the counter to order a doughnut, Wendy had accidentally spilled her coffee on Eli's shirt. After mumbling a hundred apologies, Eli forgave her. They exchanged numbers and went out on plenty of dates. On their 4-year anniversary, Eli took Wendy out on a romantic picnic and proposed to her. They got married on a beach, which was Wendy's dream idea of a wedding.

"That's so romantic!" Clare said, taking a sip of her wine.

"So, where's your husband?" Eli asked.

Clare choked on her wine and her cheeks turned a slight red. "I don't have a husband," she admitted.

"Oh. A boyfriend?" Eli asked.

"Nope. I had a husband. Things just got too bad and I couldn't risk putting me or Justin's life on the line. I divorced him and we moved her."

"Oh, Clare I-"

Clare cut Eli off and said, "It's fine, Eli. You had no idea."

Eli smirked and nodded his head. Clare studied him carefully and noticed that he had green eyes. They were the most beautiful green eyes she'd ever laid eyes on. She had to admit, Eli was very sexy, but he was also married. She couldn't be thinking of him like that, especially since his wife was right near her. Clare grabbed her empty wine glass and poured her another cup of wine.

"I know this must be a touchy subject for you, Clare," Wendy started, "But do you mind telling us what happened between you and your ex-husband?"

"Wendy!" Eli yelled.

"What?" Wendy said defensively.

"Eli, it's fine," Clare said, calmly. She saw Eli give her the 'are you sure' look. "No really, it's fine. Uh, Wendy, I don't really know you personally to tell you what happened. I-I really don't feel like talking about it."

"Well, that's quite alright," Wendy said, pouring her another glass of wine.

The right of the time it was silent. Clare was staring at Eli, Eli was staring at Clare, Wendy was staring at Eli and Clare. Everyone was pretty drunk. They'd drunk 5 bottles of wine. Clare hiccupped and giggled an apology. She brush the strands of her hair out of her face. Eli asked Clare where was the bathroom before excusing himself.

"Oh my!" Wendy said, "Look at the time! It was nice meeting you, Clare! Bye!" she slurred.

"Nice meeting you too!" Clare giggled.

Wendy pulled Clare into a hug before leaving. As soon as Clare closed the door, she took off her shirt, forgetting that Eli was in the house. She tossed it aside and took of her pants next. Clare stood there in her bra and panties. She walked to the couch and flopped down on it. She heard footsteps come down the steps. She also heard a gasp escape someone lips.

"Oh God!" Eli yelled.

"Eli!" Clare screeched. She grabbed a pillow to cover up her chest. Her face reddened with embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry! Where's Wendy?" he asked.

"S-She left," Clare said.

Eli nodded his head and walked towards the door. Clare let a loud sigh escape her lips. Before she realized it, she was crying. Eli turned around and grabbed Clare's clothes. He walked towards her and handed them to her. She put them on and more tears spilled out. Eli sat next to her without saying a word.

"What's wrong?" he finally spoke after five minutes.

"I-I have no one," she whispered.

"You have Justin."

"Besides him, Eli. I have no one to love or call mine. Seeing you and your wife like that makes me realize that I can't do this alone," she cried, "After me and my husband, Luke, got a divorce it was so hard to get over it. I-I had to go through so much work. When he and I first got together, everything was like a walk in the park. It was so easy and fun. I mean, we all know that all marriages aren't perfect. We all know that all marriages have disagreements. But with Luke and I, it was different. He would hit me. He would beat me and rape me every time he was drunk. I-I couldn't handle it anymore. The only reason I stayed was for Justin. I-I couldn't tear him apart from his dad."

Eli felt like a ton of bricks has fallen on him. How could someone to this to someone as sweet as Clare? She didn't deserve this mess. Eli was so glad that Clare and Justin have gotten away from that mess. It wouldn't be good to watch your mother get beat and raped by your father. Eli was glad that Clare was safe here.

"Clare, everything will be fine. You're safe here. And as long as you have me and Wendy as a friend, nothing can harm you or Justin," Eli said pulling Clare into a hug.