One Way Out (Degrassi FanFiction)

Chapter 4: Duty Calls

The weekend has finally arrived and that means I'm off the hook for a couple of days; no teachers hunting me down for missing assignments, no pressure to speak up in class, no pressure to fit in with Zoe's clique-- just time to myself.

In my pajamas, I seemingly float away to another land on my stuffed pillow. Admittedly, I think about Miles and I fantasize about him turning down Zoe. My mind dozes off and...

The doorbell rings and I hop out of bed; I look down at myself, surprised and satisfied by the floor-length black gown and perfectly-aligned makeup. My dark hair is parted slightly to the left and loose curls cascade over my shoulders.

I merrily hop downstairs and open the front door with a gasp of air. Miles is down on one knee, and crispy cool wind toys with his perfectly-groomed hair. He takes me by the hand and looks up into my eyes, pleading, "June. Will you go to this year's semi-formal dance with me?"

I break out into tears and nod through my enormous smile. He lifts me off of my feet and spins me around. Scooping me up once again, he carries me down my driveway and into the limousine he had specifically ordered for our special night...

I fall out of bed from underneath my covers and moan. The bed-sheets fall down on top of me and I have to paw my way out of the messy tangle of blankets. I walk over to the mirror and take notice of my baggy-eyed, sleep-deprived, messy-haired, pale face.

"I'm coming mom. Now shut up." I moan out, hazily. Much like a zombie would, I sulk down the stairs and walk past her, ignoring her many insulting remarks.

I've learned to ignore her entirely. My mother, I mean. She's been treating me so terribly ever since her current boyfriend started getting her into drugs and alcohol. She has no right to treat me like crap. But nevertheless, I have to deal with it and stay with her because she needs me more than ever right now. Later tonight I'll have to hide some of her bottles... I better make a note to remind myself...

Before opening the door, I quickly pray that it's not Zoe or any of those annoying freshmen or sophomores... or anyone at all! Whoever's out there needs to just disappear so I can go back to bed!

My assumptions were inaccurate. I open the door to find Connor and Clare standing in my doorway.

"Oh, hey." I mumble.

"Hey." Connor raises one hand and waves.

Clare nudges the boy in the arm and he mutters, 'ow'.

She whispers to him in a commanding manner, "Say what you were going to say." Then she turns to me and smiles innocently.

"June, I forgive you." He places on hand on my shoulder.

"And so do I." Clare places one hand on my other shoulder.

"Wait, wha--" I start, but am interrupted.

"No time to explain." The respond in unison. The pull me out of my house and guide me down the sidewalk.

"Come on we're going on a trip." Clare gives me a small tap on the back and smiles.

"I- I'm so confused. I thought you guys hated me, or something." I rub my eyes and cross my arms, slightly embarrassed of my pajamas.

"We know you didn't mean it. You're only a grade niner, after all. Still trying to fit in?"

"Still trying to fit in."

"Mmm." They say in unison again. Clare and Connor both chuckle.

Clare assures me, "We've all been through it."

"Yeah, just don't settle down for the wrong crowd, June. You can choose your friends, friends don't have to choose you."

I take a moment to think about what he had said. I spot one silver convertible car rolling down the street and notice that Clare and Connor's eyes are both focused on it.

"Exactly," Clare agrees, "And if you want our advice,"

The car pulls up closer and stops right next to us on the street.

"...then stay away from Zoe's crowd." She shrugs and hops into the passenger seat with a joyful mood. "Are you coming?"

Connor jumps into the back, rubbing his hands together, "Duty calls!" Before he shuts the door, he raises his eyebrows, wondering if I'm going to jump inside and join them. My mind goes into conflict and I have only a matter of seconds before it's too late and they drive away.

Clare and Connor are so much more mature than the kids in my grade. They're more mature, more sensible, and have more to talk about than just gossip and invalid rumors- that's for sure. I was beginning to wonder just how wrong I had been to try and fit in with Zoe's friends. Popularity isn't everything, is it? I'd rather be well-known and myself as opposed to being well-known and a bitch.

I jump into the car and genuinely smile for the first time in... well... a long time! Is this what it feels like to have real friends? Supposedly so.

Once in the car, I'm greeted by a couple unfamiliar faces. The driver is someone I know, though. It's Drew Torres. Beside him in the passenger seat is Clare. In the second row is Connor, a perky red-head named Becky Baker, and I. In the very last row is a muscular boy named Mike Dallas. Meekly, I say "Hello."

"Hey!"

"Wow you're so adorable."

"Welcome to the life you've been missing out on! Haha."

Everyone is so kind- it's almost unreal. Well, I shouldn't say everyone. Drew Torres won't look at me or even say hello. He's whispering to Clare as everyone else questions me- getting to know me.

Becky is bubbly and gives me a hug before asking, "Need a change of clothes?"

"Yeah, that would be nice." I admit, blushing, glancing down at my pajamas.

Dallas winks at me and whistles for Drew's attention, "Drive to Becky's house, we're making a pit-stop. This fine young lady needs new clothes."

Drew steps on the gas, as told. Everyone else besides him sings along with the radio and laughs and tells jokes. But Drew... his face shows displeasure. He's been constantly showing displeasure towards me. I think it might be because of my age, or something like that. Something about his expression makes me feel guilty.

"Hey Drew," I speak up, and he listens, looking at me through the mirror.

"Yeah?"

"Where're we heading after the pit-stop to Becky's place?"

"A rave. A hands-on, alcoholic, rave at the ravine. You up for it?"

I gulp unnoticeably and play it off cool, "Yeah. Sure."

Dallas and Clare burst into giggles. Clare turns the radio knob down a few clicks and turns around in her seat to face me. She mouths the words, 'He's kidding. Relax'.

I slouch back in my seat and laugh along with the rest of them. But deep inside, I'm utterly lost and confused. Apparently they could all sense my uncertainty and tension when I answered his question.

Now I feel like an idiot.

Becky leans over and pats my shoulder, "It's okay." She leans forwards and gives Drew a little shove on the arm. "Don't tell lies."

"Ow. Okay. My bad." Drew smirks and keeps his eyes on the road.

Becky rolls her eyes at him and then turns to face me again, "We're going shopping for the semi-formal dance."

Finally Drew talks. And the most surprising part about it, is that he talks to me! He looks right at me through the mirror and says, "It was your idea after all. The Paris Plaza."

"Thanks."

"You deserve the chance to come mingle with us seniors." He teasingly chuckles and I keep silent, but smile.

I know for sure that this is the right crowd for me. Not Zoe, not Frankie, maybe not even Miles. But instead, the seniors. The seniors that have matured minds... and might I mention... are much more attractive.