Disclaimer: Common peoples, think! I don't own them.
"What happened?" urged Jal from her spot between Chris's legs as Anwar hung up the phone with a look of shock over his face.
"Maxxie's in hospital." Everyone stared at Anwar in disbelief. A stunned silence hung over them until Cassie coughed out a strangled, "Oh god. Why?" Anwar just shook his head, he didn't know.
Tony parked quickly in the ambulance bay and the group of teens jumped out and ran into the hospital, yelling Maxxie's name. They were having too many close calls lately; they'd been to the hospital to often in the past year. Chris had almost died, Cassie had tried to kill herself, Tony had been run over by a fucking bus, and now Maxxie had… had what? They didn't know yet.
Stepping quietly into Maxxie's hospital room the group of friends found a pale Maxxie on the bed, wires intruding his body. They all stared from the door, until Jal rushed forward to grasp his arm, and they all hesitantly followed. The steady beat of Maxxie's heart echoed through the fright-filled room. Chris placed his hand comfortingly onto Jal's sobbing back and stared at his friend, comprehending for the first time what it must have been like for his friends to watch him in the same position less than two months previous. Michelle couldn't help but feel a bit guilty when she remembered how she had treated Maxxie since Russia, calling him a slut, treating him like dirt, he didn't deserve that, he'd never deserved that. Anwar was scared shit-less. Maxxie was the best-friend he'd ever had. If truth be told, Maxxie was probably the best-friend any of them had ever had. He was always there to listen, and he didn't judge. He always forgave, even when people did not deserve it. And he was always the first to apologize, even when he wasn't the one that should be feeling sorry. He was the one that told the truth, but never told someone else's secret. He was the one they all trusted. The one they all loved without reserve.
Tony was the only one in the room now. Chris had dragged Jal and Cassie home for some rest and food, with the help of Sid. And Anwar had gotten a call from his parents; Michelle had a date with Josh; and even Maxxie's parents were busy. Tony sat on the edge of Maxxie's bed and watched the unconscious blonde. Tony still couldn't fathom that someone would want to strangle Maxx, but that's what the doctors believed had happened, on close inspection the ligature marks were visibly. Tony carefully ran his fingers over the marks and sighed. Slipping his hand into the blondes open palm Tony rested his head beside Maxxie's. "I'm sorry." Tony knew that Maxxie couldn't hear him, that's probably the only reason he said it. Because he was Tony Stonem, and he didn't apologise for anything.
