Broken Hallejujah
Summary: After the accident, Grace finds herself with a new lease on life. But at a cost. Two to three shot Spoilers for Degrassi Next Class, season two finale.
Part One
Grace Cardinal bit her lip as her fingers traced the scars on her torso. They felt rough compared to the rest of her smooth skin and were red and healing. More than anything, however, they were a new lease on life. Because of her cystic fibrosis, she'd always assumed she would die. And when they were in the bus accident, she figured she'd die then. But by some miracle, she hadn't.
Someone had, though. And while her mother was ecstatic, Grace felt guilty. Guilt that she couldn't quite explain. Of course, she was thankful to be alive. She was only sad that another person had to lose their life for her to have this chance. The worst part is, her savior hadn't been some stranger. It had been someone she had went to school with. Someone so important to some of the people that she cared about.
The door to her hospital room opened and she saw Zoe standing there, dark hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, pretty face streaked with tears and mascara. She wore a pair of pink sweatpants and a baggy tee-shirt, hardly her normal attire. Still though, she managed to smile at Grace as she walked farther into the room, fingers pinching at her arm where she'd burnt herself.
"Hey." Zoe breathes, stepping toward the bed and reaching out a shaky hand to take Grace's, chipped nail polish standing out against Grace's pale skin. "Your mother said I could come in and see you."
Grace tries to smile as she looks at the girl, broken before her. She knows that Zoe had to struggle to come into this room. Not because she didn't care, but because of who she'd lost. "I'm glad you did." She answers, eyes traveling down to the burns healing and fading on Zoe's arms. "And I'm really happy that you seem to be doing better."
The other girl gives a watery smile and her eyes glimmer with tears. "I am, too. I came out to Winston, you know? I haven't told my mom, yet. But Miles knows. And..." She tries to catch her breath as a lump gets caught in her throat. "And I hope that Tristan knows." Her eyes fixate on the scars she can see beneath Grace's thin hospital gown, watching the girl breathe.
The girl in question chews her lip, knowing what Zoe is thinking about. "Zo...I'm so sorry. I know you must miss Tristan. I wish he didn't have to die. It makes me feel guilty, knowing that he's the only reason I'm alive."
Zoe's hand squeezes Grace's and she gives Grace this look that makes he heart break even more. "Don't say that!" She admonishes. "God, of course I miss my best friend. I always will. I look and I expect to see him and I sometimes find myself trying to call him, but then I remember that I can't. But I don't blame you. At all. Tristan wouldn't have wanted you to blame yourself, either."
Grace stares at Zoe, feeling slightly grateful. She had missed her friend after the messy situation that had broke them apart. She was only sorry for the reason why they were interacting once more. "It feels weird, you know? I've always thought I was going to die so I never really let myself get close to people. I have no idea what to do now that I have all of these new possibilities."
Zoe smiles. "You live your life. You don't take for granted what Tristan gave you." She answers before standing up. "I've got to go. I promised I'd help Miles with the memorial service he's having at his house for Tristan."
Grace's eyes widen at the sound of his name and she can't help but ask, "How's he doing?"
Zoe's smile falls at that and the sad look replaces it once again. "He's really broken up about it. I think the only thing that is keeping him in check are Frankie, Hunter, and his mother. They make sure he eats right and doesn't relapse. I try to tell him that Tristan would want him to take care of himself. I think that helps, too. He really loves Tristan and I think he's angry because he was finally happy and then this happens." She shakes her head. "It's really hard to believe."
Grace feels guilt settle into her stomach once again before she asks, " I know there's a memorial service tonight, but when is the funeral?" She questions, curiously.
Zoe seems startled by that question. "Should you really be planning on going? I mean...is that safe?" She wonders, worry upon her pretty face.
Grace rolls her eyes in annoyance. "That's what wheelchairs are for, dummy." She says affectionately before turning serious once more. "I just...I want to be there. I want to let Tristan and his family know that I am grateful for what he did."
Zoe chews her lip in thought before she replies, "The funeral will be at noon, two days from now at the church two miles from Degrassi." She answers.
After Zoe leaves, the nurse comes in with a bright smile and a tray of food. "Good morning, "Miss. Cardinal!" She chirps, bringing the tray over to the girl in the bed and placing it in front of her. "Your mother will be hear in a few moments. She's talking to Doctor Richards about what to do to make you comfortable when you leave the hospital."
Grace smiles at that as she begins to eat the scrambled eggs on her tray. "Thank you, Nurse Reece." She says sweetly.
Nurse Reece grins in reply. "I met your friend when I was coming in. She seems sweet."
The girl laughs at that, beaming. "Well, I don't think that that's ever been said about her before." She jokes. "It was good seeing her, though. Hey, Nurse Reece? Do you think it would be possible for me to leave the hospital two days from now to attend a funeral?"
Nurse Reece stares at her with concern. "Whoever is the funeral for?"
Grace takes a deep breath before answering. "Zoe-the girl who you ran into-her best friend. And the person who gave me my new set of lungs."
The nurse's eyes widen in realization. "Well, you'll have to ask your mother if that's okay, darling. But I think it would be fine so long as you took precautions."
Grace smiles gratefully and promises herself that she'll ask her mother when she comes in, determined that she'll allow it.
To be continued: Memorial services, funerals, and run ins.