A/N: Okay, for anyone who's been reading Wonderwall, this has nothing to do with it. Lol. I wanted to write more fluff in it but I knew it wouldn't work well with the storyline, so I decided to make spin off in all its own individual glory. Cheers.

The Best Deceptions

I groan and turn to slam my hand forcefully on her alarm clock in all its buzzing annoyance. Opening a bleary eye, I almost curse outloud at the time. Who the hell sets their clock at six-thirty when Degrassi doesn't open its doors until eight? I hear a rustling of sheets next to me, and I know she's smiling in her sleep as I look over at her.

Her hair's all over her pillow, traces of her lip gloss smudged and she's wearing an oversized t-shirt that belonged to some nameless boyfriend of hers in the past.

And she's still beautiful. That bitch.

"Morning, love." I say dryly, prodding her in the stomach where I know she's ticklish. She squirms at my touch, and she can't hide the grin spilling over her face. "Manny," she half-laughs, half-whines,"Stop it." I smirk and tickle her further, laughing as she opens her eyes wide and sticks out her tongue at me.

"Keep sticking that out and I might have to kiss it." I challenge, arching an eyebrow impressively high.

"Manny Santos, you're gay!" She exclaims, faux surprised.

"You know it and love it, loser."

"Bitch's loser."

I roll out of bed and fall onto the floor, pretending to ache inside. "Lassie, I've fallen and I can't get up!" I wail.

Her laugh graces my ears and I'm pleasantly surprised when she falls ontop of me. "Yeah, Timmy?" Darcy continues the act, caressing my cheek,"Can I kiss it better?"

She leans in impossibly closer and that's when it happens.

"Manuella, you're going to be late for school!"

The fucking door opens. "Yes, mother." I call out wearily, shooting a small glare as Darcy stifles a giggle next to me. Momma Santos comes over and sees me, clad in boxer shorts and a bra and Darcy in just a large shirt and rolls her eyes. "Good God, girls, again?" she says, placing a hand over her eyes and leading herself out.

I love that woman. I really do. But if she walks in one more time I'm installing a fucking lock. "Bitch," I pout at Darcy, who's now shaking with laughter. Still ontop of me, I might add. "Make it better," I add, and she complies, leaning in to give me a chaste kiss before I can deepen it further. "We have that thing called school," she reminds me cutely.

Confined spaces. No windows. Droning adults. Oh, yeah. That thing.

I nod grudgingly, letting her get off of me and look around for her clothes from last night. Pulling myself up off the floor, I loosely wrap an arm around her waist and place a sloppy kiss on her cheek before heading off to the bathroom to shower before first period. On normal circumstances I would have asked her to join me, but it's a Monday morning so I'm tired as well.

When I return I see a note of her farewell, and I have to say I'm not disappointed. At first, I was, but routine seeps in and it's something I've gotten used to. Dressing quickly (and effectively to hide any distinguishing 'marks') I grab my backpack and run out of the door with a shout of goodbye to my mom. It's not long before I'm greeted by Emma and Sean, the golden couple, as we head on over to Degrassi High.

Scowling, someone knocks into my shoulder and makes me drop my books to the floor. "Hey! Watch the fuck where you're going!" I yell angrily at a retreating back.

She turns around and gives me a glare to match my own, and I'm surprised she doesn't have another go at pushing me over. "Watch where you're going, Santos," she growls,"Are all trailer trash blind now? Or are you just too poor to afford contacts?" Emma and Sean don't say anything; they know not to fight my own battles, bless them.

"And people wonder why holier than thou Christians have such a bad rep," I roll my eyes at her. "I'm sure you're just preaching the Lord's work."

Her lips twitch upwards for a moment, and I almost smile then, too. She makes no nasty comment back at me and flips her hair, walking up the steps ahead of me. I won this time, but no doubt she'd have more to say to me later.

"Good morning to you too, Darcy!" I call cheerfully, knowing she's smiling as she walks through the doors.