One Way Out (Degrassi FanFiction)

*Prologue*

I'm a freshman at Degrassi and that's all you need to know. Well, that's all that anyone cares to remember about me, anyways. You're about to dive into the depths of my existence.


Everyone has a life story.
This is how mine goes...

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Sitting here at the 'Golden' lunch table with a senior should feel like a dream come true.

Only, it didn't.

I'm practicing Poker with Connor Delaurier while munching on my sandwich. Sometimes I just have to wonder how someone as immature as Connor ever ended up with the privilege to sit here. I shake the thought from my mind and learn to accept the facts.

I study the cards in my hand. All I see are numbers, shapes, and colors- no meaning.

My eyes squint and I furrow my brow, pretending that I'm focusing. Maybe if I concentrate enough it will all make sense.

"You have no idea what you're doing. Do you?"

Truthfully I shake my head at Connor. I just don't want him to get upset; I'm not really in the mood to deal with his temper right now.

"No, Connor. You know cards aren't my thing." I say softly, barely audible over the lunchroom noise. A throbbing feeling is coming across my head and I think I might pass out. "Maybe you can try to teach me later, okay?"

"June I need to practice now! Drew and the gang are going to abominate me at the Poker game today during study period."

Hamburger grease is dribbling down his chin and it's bothering me more than it should.

Connor Delaurier, there's sauce running down your chin. It's distracting and it makes you look idiotic.

"There's a little something on your face." I subtly mentioned.

"Yeah I know." He wiggles his tongue around and slurps up the excess sauce from around his mouth. Gross.

I know what you're all thinking; 'Why are you friends with this guy, of all people?'

Well the answer is actually quite simple- I'm a 'nobody' here at Degrassi. I have no friends except for Connor and I'll happily settle with that rather than living through highschool with no friends at all. Besides, all the freshmen in my grade are snotty and immature. Especially Frankie Hollingsworth. I can't stand her.

I'm pretty much the only one in the school who hasn't been invited over to the Hollingsworth mansion at this point.

And a little bit more than half of the school year has passed already.

"Fine." Connor drops his hand of cards, "Just wish me luck then for the match later today." He stands up and pushes up on his glasses so they sit at a better position on his nose.

"Will do." I smile. "I'll catch you later." As he's walking away I toss him his water bottle that he forgot at the table and he drops it.

I shake my head and continue eating my sandwich, watching him turn the corner and leave.

Just as I'm packing up my lunch, company arrives.

"Ah, who might this be?" A senior girl with short brunette hair sits down to occupy the seat next to me.

Naturally I ignore the question and stand up to leave but she pats me on the shoulder, "Hey, what's the rush? Stay and eat with us."

Oh, no. Us?

I don't respond to her so she chuckles and continues, "I'm Clare Edwards and..." her eyes sweep behind her and my eyes follow. She is looking at Drew Torres who is walking right towards us. "...and this is Mr. President Torres. But of course you already knew that."

I nod and stay silent. Drew takes a seat across from Clare and I feel a wave of tensnion wash over the area. "That would be me." He forces a grin but looks confused.

Clare has been acting really friendly and it almost makes me want to stop frowning, but I keep my head down and manage to mumble out one word: "Hi."

"Oooo-kay then." Drew looks like he's been thrown into an awkward position; which he has.

The two seniors exchange looks that say something like-

'what the hell is this girl doing at out lunch table?'
'I don't know. I don't even know her name.'
'well this is awkward.'
'be nice she's just a niner.'
'okay.'

I pretend not to notice their eye-to-eye conversation and I scratch the back of my neck. Finally I've had enough of the silence.

"May I leave now?"

Both Clare and Drew go wide-eyed when they hear me say something.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you, dear." Drew leans in closer.

"I said I'm leaving."

"Huh?" Clare can't make out what I'm saying either.

Screw you all.

I stand up with a sigh- why should I bother repeating myself over and over again? I can't go from 'shy' to 'outspoken' within a few minutes, dummies. I can't believe he had the nerve to call me dear...

"No, wait, don't leave. I want to help you make friends." the brunette offered with a warming smile.

Loudly and clearly I replied, "No one needs friends. They only get in the way. And right now Clare, you're in my way."

I walk off towards my locker without looking back into that lunchroom even once.