Tied to the Tracks

No characters are my own. They are all owned by Degrassi.

Hazel: Paige isn't talking to me.
Alex: Me neither.
Hazel: Well, I happen to be upset about it.
Alex: So do. I have feelings, you know.
Hazel: And when Paige gets upset...
Alex: Tell me about it! Shes the most stubbornest person I ever knew.
Hazel: Oh, me too! And if you really want to know how bad a freeze out can get, phone Ashley Kerwin up!

~Our Lips are Sealed Part 2

Marco's POV

"Alex is not who you think she is." Paig gave me a look that said " You are absolutely wrong. She is exactly who I think she is. She is a badass that loves to hurt people and insult them."

All I wanted was for Paige to give Alex a chance. She has been talking to me since the moment we became friends about meeting Paige. Plus, I know that they can help eachother with

their issues. Instead of telling Paige that I say wisely "What has she ever done to you?" I paused knowing she needed a minute to soak in those words. Or not. She didn't have an

answer. "Come on… hang out with her, just this one. For me?" I gave her that puppy face look that she looooovvvvvvvvvvesssss." Ha, she can't escape that puppy face.

"Fiiinnnnnnnnneee." She surrendered regretably. I wonder what she has against Alex. "Meet us at the Dot in ten." I said and when she sauntered off I added, "don't be late." I held a

suspicion that she would not show at all.

Much to my surprise she did show up, and even more suprisingly without here posse. Happily I noted that she was nervous. I took that as a good sign. She would be less likely to say

something horribly rude and cruel if she was anxious. Alex stood up and walked up to Paige. "Hey, I'm Alex." She introduced herself. I was very proud of her for not saying anything

hardass or anything.

"I know who you are." Paige said without shaking her hand when she stuck it out. However, Alex found know offense. Actually she looked sorry instead. "I'm sorry, it's just we have

never really met before." She paused "I'll start. I'm Alex Nunez. I am not the kind of person yuou think I am." Paige was shocked at her honesty. "Ookayy, I am Paige Michelchuck. I may

be from the wealthy side of the trcks but that does not make me a snob. I'm sorry for how I acted. I'd like to get to know you." She then smiled and shooke Alex's still oustretched arm.

Alex nodded and loooked gratefully at me. I guess I was right. They will be friends.

My hope was crushed the day after. Paige and I and her posse were walking to English. Alex passed Paige in the hallway and said "hi", Paige completely ingnored her. She didn't even

look at her! I could tell Alex was hurt by this un-comment. I couldn't let this slide. "Paigie, she is a human. You do know that right." I told Paige. When she nodded in aknowledgement I

continued " she does have feelings." I wasn't trying to judge her so I told her this in a gentely scolding voice. It took her a whilde to register what she had done. After a few minutes I

could tell Paige understood what she had done. The expression on her face turned from kind of smiling to pure regret. She started freaking out. "God, Marco, what did I just do?" I calmly

responded " I think you just rejected your newfound friend because you didn't want to seem uncool to your posse. Paigie it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." I

didn't really understand why Paige acted differently in front of Hazel, Spinner, Jimmy, and Craig. It wasn't like they would have cared if she said hi to Alex. They would have been happy

for her. Meanwhile, Paige was still feeling incredibly guilty and I wasn't doing anything about it. "It's okay, just tell her sorry. She won't care. Be honest." "About what?" she asked, she

needed clarification. "About everything. Tell her everything. Paigie I know it would be hard but I think you should tell her about that night in ninth grade – you know, the awful night. I

think it would be could for both of you." "Wait." Paige whispered "you don't mean – she hasn't been… You know?" "I don't know, Paigie, all I know is that something is wrong. She won't

tell me but I see it in her eyes. Always downcast. I see it in the way she walks, without hope. I think it will help her if you tell her what you have overcome." Paige's eyes opened in

acknowledgement "of course hon. I will go talk to her." Thank you God for giving me these two.

Talking was heard over the splashing of food on plates and swishing of water. I was watchin an almost empty table and was pleased to see Paige walking over toa silent Alex. I saw

Paige look down and mumbe inaudibly, at least to me. Then I saw Alex smile and say something in response. She motioned to a spot next to her for Paige to sit down. I hoped against

hope that Paige wouldn't refuse. Thank God she didn't. I realized that it was a bit weird to be eyesdroppin on my two best friends. After all, one of them was bound to tell me what

would happen in a couple of minutes. Thank God, Thank God, Thank God for them. I don't know what I would do without two understanding and wonderful friends.

Title is from Soul Asylum.

Review Please. Did you like it? Did you hate it? Be honest. What would make it better? should I continue?