Degrassi/Recap/S10/E20 Still Fighting It

"Everybody knows It sucks to grow up And everybody does It's so weird to be back here. Let me tell you what The years go on and We're still fighting it, we're still fighting it You'll try and try and one day you'll fly"

- Ben Folds, Still Fightin' It

A Plot
Riley is infuriated and rushes out of Degrassi looking to beat the crap out of Owen. Zane tells him to calm down and that he can't fight this physically and that Owen is trying to get to him through Riley. Riley calms down...until he sees Owen wrote "RILEY'S A FAG" on the bus with shaving cream. Owen approaches Riley and drops his can, saying he doesn't want to bend over in front in him. Zane tries to calm him down but Riley is mad as Hell and punches Owen in the face. Owen holds his nose, and threatens revenge.

The next day, Zane is disappointed in Riley. Riley is happy he punched Owen but Zane says he can't fight homophobia with his fists. Riley is upset that Zane is mad at him, and leaves him a note to meet him at The Dot on his locker. He tells him to talk to Owen, but when Riley does it doesn't go so well. Owen pretty much shrugs him off and calls him crazy. Riley then shoves Owen into the locker and tells him that he let him off easy. Owen then sees the note Riley left Zane. At The Dot, Riley is waiting for Zane and then he hears a screen and Owen and a couple of other bullies running from behind The Dot. Riley rushes and finds Zane in a dumpster. Owen and his thugs jumped him, and Riley reveals that he did threaten Zane. Zane is pissed and walks away from Riley.

Riley is devasted that Zane will not talk to him. At home, he's moping and his mom checks up on him. He tells him the date went horribly wrong and his mom reassures him his "girl" will see how great he is if he is himself. Riley nearly comes out to his mom, but his mom cuts him off thinking the girl isn't Greek which is okay. As long as she has grand-kids.

At the bachelor's auction, Riley tries to talk to Zane for a second chance. Zane asks him that he's tired of Riley's two sides and wants him to be the sweet guy he knows personally. During Zane's auction, he's getting bids and it looks like he'll be sold -- but then Riley steps up with the winning bid. Riley is in Zane's good graces, and he's giddy. Drew approaches him and tells the both of them that people are wondering if Riley is gay. Zane wards him off and tells him Riley is helping out a teammate. Riley tells Zane he didn't have to do that, and Zane says it bothers him that people are entitled to an answer. Zane holds Riley's hand in the hallways and tells him that he has some planning to do as his buyer.

B Plot
Clare is still seething after Eli's rejection. And not only that, he ditches them so they're the only two on the project. Ms. Dawes calls Adam and Clare over to work on their project some more -- Clare edited the ending abruptly, claiming Juliet let Romeo die and chose life. Clare begs Adam to get some answers out of Eli, to which he agrees.

Clare tells Ms. Dawes that Eli's gone and that she needs to edit the project alone. Ms. Dawes lets her, and inquires on the ending. Clare says she doesn't understand why Juliet would throw it all away for a boy -- a witty, funny charming boy. Clare then tells Ms. Dawes that she and Eli kissed on the project and since then he's been distant. Ms. Dawes tells her that sometimes friendships can be screwed up when someone wants more -- but to move on from it is the best thing. And that she needs an answer from Eli.

Adam and Eli are reading comic books and Adam casually questions why Eli has been acting shady. Eli clams up and says he can't tell Clare the reason why he's been acting weird. Eli admits he does have feelings for Clare, but he can't let her get too close. Adam inquires on the reason, but Eli refuses to tell. Clare then approaches Adam after school and demands answers but Adam decides not to tell her what Eli told him. Clare threatens Adam's comic book and Adam finally decides to let Clare in on a few things -- but short of why Eli has been so mysterious. Clare arrives at Eli's house wanting answers on why Eli doesn't like her. Eli then decides to let her in -- while they have a drive in Morty, he tells her of his old girlfriend Julia. And how she died after she was hit by car on her bike. This was after she and Eli got into a huge fight. Clare is sympathetic and finally understands.

At the end Clare, Eli, and Adam turn in their original project and Ms. Dawes is impressed. Clare realized she needed to give Eli some time and the both grow of them closer.

C Plot
Wesley is working on his moves to impress Anya. Drew tells him to have some self-confidence - if he thinks he's in charge, girls will think he's in charge. Wesley goes up to Anya and relays his macho act, but Anya doesn't hear him at first. His attempts fall flat and Drew doesn't think he's ready for the auction. The next day, Wesley talks to Anya about dropping out and Anya reassures him that all he needs to be is himself. Wesley decides to stay in the auction and when it's his turn no girls bid on him. Anya feels sorry for him, and bids a dollar and plays up his sweetness. Anya ends up winning the bid and Wesley didn't need Drew's help at all.