Summary: After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Cam returns to Degrassi in hopes of starting fresh. AU.

Disclaimer: Don't own Degrassi. 'Nuff said.

Author's Note: Because I'm still not over Cam's death, and I miss Camaya like you wouldn't believe.

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Shooting Star
Fresh Start

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The scars were finally starting to heal.

Campbell Saunders stared down at the uneven gashes marring his forearm, still pink and easy to make out against the rest of his skin, but not nearly as bad as they had been. Tugging at the sleeve of his hoodie to hide them, he did the same to the other arm before glancing out the window – just as the bus was pulling up to the school. He waited for everyone else to exit the bus before grabbing his belongings and stepping off, his heart pounding and palms sweating. It seemed even more intimidating than it had been the first time. Before, he had been, "Campbell Saunders: Superstar Hockey Prodigy." Now he was, if Facerange was anything to go by, "Suicide Kid."

Or he would've been, had he actually succeeded. Cam grimaced, remembering how some senior lingering around the greenhouse had found him. He didn't even remember the guy's name, just that he had remained surprisingly calm given the circumstances. He'd managed to keep him from bleeding out until the ambulance had arrived to take him to the hospital. After that, it had been a complete nightmare from being hooked up to a million IVs to having his family informed to sobbing about his failure and subsequently being placed under Suicide Watch. Once that was all over and done with, he had been sent back home – his real home.

After an entire summer in therapy, he had been given a bunch of anti-depressants to take on a daily basis. Yet despite this and despite the fact that he was no longer homesick, he still wasn't happy. He wanted to go back to Degrassi and hang out with Maya again. He missed her more than anything, and even though he hadn't seen her since their sleepover and wasn't exactly sure where they stood now, he longed to see her smile and hold her hand again. He needed her in his life. Needless to say, his decision to return to Degrassi had taken his family by surprise, but after a lot of pleading and promises on his part, they let him go – under the condition that he took his medication and saw the counselor three times a week.

Which is how he found himself standing in front of the school steps. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Cam made his way inside.

The halls were crowded, as per usual. Guys fist-bumped each other and girls squealed in delight as they were reunited after a long summer. So far, he didn't see anyone he knew, but that was probably for the best. After maneuvering through and around throngs of students, Cam finally reached the office and stepped inside. The secretary was on the phone, and motioned for him to hold on. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait for long.

"Mister Simpson will see you now." She informed him.

Cam gave her a weak smile before making his way into Mr. Simpson's office, where he could see his principal mulling over the sheet of paper in front of him. He knocked on the threshold. Simpson immediately glanced up, and Cam could see how stressed out he looked.

"Ah, Campbell." He acknowledged the teen with a nod and stood up. "I was just told a week ago that you'd be… rejoining us." He handed Cam his schedule, although not without some hesitance. "You know… you'll be repeating grade ten, right?"

Cam nodded. He was well aware. He had missed nearly three months of school and hadn't been around to take his exams. "Yeah."

"Right. Uh, well… everything's been set up. Ms. Sauvé will see you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during lunch. Do you have any questions or concerns?" Mr. Simpson asked.

"No, thanks. This is fine." Cam told him.

Simpson stared at him for a long time, as if trying to determine whether or not he was lying. Cam couldn't really blame him, not after he'd tried to take his life on school property of all places. That had been his first mistake, a voice in the back of his mind mocked. Cam's jaw clenched, but he managed to keep a straight face.

"Alright." Simpson said finally, letting out a sigh and returning to his seat. "Well, class should be starting soon so… don't be late."

"I won't." Cam was about to turn on his heel when Simpson called out to him once more.

"And Campbell?" Cam glanced over his shoulder. "It's good to have you back."

Cam mustered a weak smile.

"It's good to be back." He said quietly, before exiting the office.

After walking up and down the halls for about five minutes, Cam finally found his assigned locker. It wasn't near the rest of the Ice Hounds like last year – but then again, he wasn't an Ice Hound anymore. He wasn't anyone, really. He was just Cam, and that's all he ever wanted to be. After managing to get the lock open, he unzipped his backpack and took out his binder and a few extra pens before stuffing the rest of his belongings inside and closing it. Glancing down at his schedule, he noticed that his first class was Social Studies with Perino. He hadn't had Perino last year, but he'd heard from a couple teammates that he was a tough teacher. The thought didn't bode well with Cam. Without hockey, he needed good grades to get by, especially since he was already a year behind.

"No more negative thoughts. You can do this. Just keep your head up and stick on the ice." He muttered to himself.

He managed to find Perino's class without any trouble, just as the bell rang. As soon as he stepped through the door however, a hushed silence fell on the entire room. Conversations ceased immediately as all eyes turned on him. Cam could feel his heart pounding in his ears and swallowed hard, trying to ignore the stares as he glanced around for an empty seat until his gaze finally landed on one person in particular.

Maya.

His breath got caught in his throat, and he didn't know whether to run up to her and hug her or keep his distance. She looked like she had seen a ghost – her face had drained of all color, lips parted slightly and eyes swimming with an emotion that he couldn't quite identify. Anger? Betrayal? Hurt?

Before Cam could figure it out, a throat cleared behind him and he turned to see who he could only assume to be Mr. Perino standing in the doorway, coffee in hand. He looked about ready to reprimand him for something, but then stopped, as if realizing who Cam was – and it suddenly hit Cam that all the teachers must have known what happened.

"Take your seat, Saunders." Perino said finally, giving him a curt nod as he walked past him. "We've got a lot to cover today."

Cam could only nod, clutching his binder under his arm as he took the empty seat at the back corner of the class. As Perino began to write something on the board, Cam decided to chance a glance at Maya, who was sitting on the opposite side of the room, hoping to catch her gaze. But she just stared straight ahead.

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And that's the end of chapter one. How was it? Good? Bad? Delete it?

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