Title: Don't Leave Me
Summary: After the crash, our favorite Degrassi students most come together to survive the pain of the unknown. Contains all characters relevant as of 2x10.
Notes: This is a reaction fic. Instead of writing out tumblr theories about things, I'm going to explore it all through fanfic :) As such, it won't be a literary masterpiece, but a "write as I explore" story. I may go back and rewrite and organize things once finished!
I have no idea what the rating or themes of this will be yet. Have as much fun as I am!
Currently un-betated, and will constantly be edited as I write! I just wanted to get this out there so we can explore our thoughts on the finale together!
Don't Leave Me I
"This isn't happening," he heard one of the Degrassi volleyball players cry in a voice so shrill that normally it would have made him cringe with an ear splitting pain, but another pain filled his soul instead. Those words were the same things he was thinking.
This isn't happening, this isn't happening. Those thoughts raced through his name like fire that licked at the interior of his skull with something that was exactly the opposite of a fire's warmth. The gym was full of what felt like shouting for attention in the chaos, but he knew that most people could barely make their words audible through their fear.
He was pacing around in circles as thoughts went through his mind. Hunter and Frankie were alive and well so his primary duty was already accomplished. It was his heart's desire that was driving him wild. Tristan. Where was he? Every ounce of him willed that Tristan took a nap in the student council offices or whatever – Miles knew from intimate experience that the couch was comfortable enough for a nap – but logic took over. Tristan was on the bus. Tristan was not answering his phone. His love could very well be dead.
He shook his head as he felt the sweat drip from his forehead. Was it just fucking hot in here or was this his brain's way of crying. His eyes were heavy and stung with unspent tears, but he had to remain strong.
He saw Hunter on the bleachers holding Yael, and he forced a smile on his face that at least one of his family was not harmed directly by this disaster. Frankie was not as lucky as she was huddled in with her teammates. Miles vaguely remembered Jonah and Tiny being on the bus as well, though his thoughts were clouded the moment he saw Tristan's name on that list that confirmed the dread in his heart.
Miles lost track of time as the world and its inhabitants rotated around him like… a car spinning in a car accident. He fought the urge to fall to his knees and throw up. He didn't want to imagine the horrified moments of Tristan as whatever the hell happened to the bus sent it tumbling. He racked his mind for a moment to think of his other friends – Maya, Zig, hell he had some connection to all of the people on the bus. He felt weak and his body trembled to his very core.
He was shaken to awareness by Winston.
"Dude," he best friend said, concern written across his face. "Are you okay? Look, I'm sure they're alright. Zoë and I are going to head to the hospital. She's worried sick about Tristan and Grace."
"Yeah, yeah," Miles said with something of a nod as he tried to return his mind to his body. "I should too. I need to. I have to get Hunter and Frankie and…" he shook his head to stop his rambling. `
"I'll go grab Frankie for you… I want to make sure she's okay before I'm off anyway. Go get Hunter and we'll meet outside," Winston suggested. "I saw your car and parked near it."
Miles nodded blankly, but then a sudden spurt of energy took over as he pulled his oldest friend into a hug. "I'm glad you didn't take the bus today."
Winston nodded himself as he patted Miles' back awkwardly – their hugs were typically odd due to their height difference, but for once their hug wasn't a matter of kicks and giggles. "Same… I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose you for real."
Miles' only answer was to tighten their hug as no words were needed.
"She's awake," she heard a voice say a little too loudly for her liking. Her body felt like a gigantic bruise and her head was splitting in a way that was not at all dissimilar from the worse hangover of her young life. She opened her eyes and slammed them shut at the bright light.
"Where am I?" she thought, as her brain tried to process all the whites and silvers around her. And why was there a siren? `
"Can you tell me your name?" the voice repeated.
"Maya. Maya Matlin," she said through the fog of her brain as she cracked her eyes open. "Where am I? I remember spinning and…"
"The bus you were on got into a terrible accident," the voice said. Maya's brain still pulsated with pain, but she could make out the voice now. A woman's. Her face was middle-aged, and her hair was a fading blonde. These details weren't really important to her.
"Accident?" Maya asked. It made sense, but no no no. That meant the fire from her dream was real. "Oh, no no," she muttered. "How long was I out? How is everyone else? All my friends were…"
"The accident happened about 25 minutes ago from all reports, Now stay still. You'll make your injuries worse," the nurse ordered. Or ambulance worker? Whatever those were called. Maya's brain still felt like mush, and only now did she realize she had been struggling.
"I'm sorry… I didn't… do you know anything about anyone else?"
"I'm sorry, dear. All I can tell you is that there have been no reported fatalities. You should count yourself lucky. You were one of the least injured. You have no visible injuries other than a broken wrist, though we'll want to check for internal injuries. A concussion would be the most likely cause of worry. Let me know if you feel any pain."
Maya shook her head, and slowly craned her neck to get a good look at her wrist. The right one was wrapped up. "I didn't even feel anything," she muttered.
Physical pain was the last of her concerns right now. The last thing she remembered was laughing at a joke of Tristan's as she and Grace shared a smile, and Zig sent her a look of surrender from across the aisle. Jonah was just about to add a silly and so not-funny joke that would have made her sides ache in a pleasant way if the world didn't go spinning around her.
She felt shame flush over her at the look of pity the nurse sent her as her chest shuddered with a sob. Physical pain was the last of her concerns. As long as she wasn't dead herself, her friends came first. Then a thought popped into her head.
"Wait, please. There was someone on the bus. Her name is Grace Cardinal. Long black hair, kind of goth. She has cystic fibrosis. Can you make sure that whoever has her knows? She had a complication last week…"
"I'll do my best."
Maya nodded faintly as she let the consciousness leave her.
Hunter let his lips find Yael's again as they sat and watched the quiet chaos around them. After the elation of finding one another alive and sealing whatever it is that they had with a kiss, they had sat on the bleachers in near-silence as they watched everyone running around frantically. They spoke only to express how happy they were to be safe with one another, and of guilt and worry that they weren't directly affected by the crash. He couldn't shake why he felt like he should care more.
Kissing was nice. He didn't know what to expect, and he hardly expected himself to be the most sexual of people, but it was nice. As a bonus, no more would he be the butt of his sibling's jokes about not kissing anyone. He pulled his lips away from Yael's and looked around the gym to check on his siblings – to make sure that they were alive and not a dream that he had imagined to feel safe.
Frankie was crying with all the other girls on her team, and Miles was on his way over… Hunter's heart turned upside down in his chest as he realized. His siblings may very well have lost someone they cared about, and he should comfort them through whatever they were feeling like they comforted him these last few months.
He looked up to Miles' expectantly as he approached. "Are you okay?" Hunter asked. "Is there any news on Tristan?" he looked over to Frankie. "And Jonah?"
"No, nothing," Miles muttered. "I'm going to the hospital. Do you want to come or can you get a ride home some other way."
"I want to come," Hunter said. A spark shot up his arm as Yael wrapped her hands around his bicep. "I want to be there for the two of you. Can uh… Yael come?"
"Sure, sounds great," Miles said numbly. "At least one of us had a happy ending."
Hunter nodded slowly, not sure what to say. He was bad at this, but it was his turn to be there for Miles. Not even an hour ago Miles had told him that Tristan was the person who made him feel happy and loved – that Tristan was the one who had faith in him.
Hunter knew that he may not understand in the way that most people would, and he didn't care, but he knew that he would be there for Miles. It was only fair after everything his older brother had done for him; it went beyond that though. It even eclipsed the fact that Miles was his anchor of goodness. He loved his siblings, and it was time to show them that even if the rest of the world never forgave him.
Hope you enjoyed! Will update regularly!