Left

AKA "Clinging"

Dedicated to Katie and the SS Blonde Innocence

A/N: This is my first attempt at writing Degrassi, and my first at writing a one-shot, so be nice Constructive critisism is welcome!

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Marco knew all too well how it felt to be alone, even deserted; despite his continuous efforts to keep things as they were, to cling to the people and the things closest to him, things had a way of going astray just when he was finally feeling that, for once, everything was going right.

He remembered Dylan's last day at Degrassi; remembered how he's stood and watched as Dylan had cleaned out his locker, throwing crumpled pieces of paper ad other random debris into the trash. Sure, he wasn't exactly leaving Marco, but they would ever again eat lunch together in the cafeteria, or meet at Dylan's locker after school, or sneak behind the school between classes. And at that moment, it felt just the same to Marco as if Dylan really was leaving him.

The day Dylan moved away from home was equally tough for Marco. Helping Dylan, Paige, and Spinner move Dylans (many) boxes, he was excited for Dylan; standing amudst the boxes in the unfamiliar dorm room, however, it had finally hit him. This was Dylan's new home. He would be starting practically a whole new life here, making new friends, going to classes, and (more importantly) going to college parties…all a full ten minutes further away from Marco than he had been since they had been going out. The unwelcome feeling of despair, lurking just below the surface, clawed at his insides.

Then there were the times that Marco really had been left behind. He remembered when Dylan had broken up with him because he hadn't come out to his parents yet. How could he, the person who held on so tightly, screw up and push someone away? Guilt and remorse ate at him; he felt that it was all his fault. If only he hadn't been such a coward, if only he'd come out to his parents…he wouldn't have lost Dylan.

But miraculously enough, Dylan had taken him back. While Marco had only come out to his mother and still wasn't ready to come out to his dad, Dylan was willing to accept that in order to stay with Marco.

But there was no way that Marco could logically feel guilty for the most recent occurrence. After discovering Dylan with another guy, and learning that he wanted to "open things up", wanted freedom…Marco had left him. Instead being the one who was deserted, he was the one leaving…and it hurt more than he could ever have imagined. He tried reminding himself of what Dylan had done, how he had been so hurt, but he couldn't help remembering all the things he loved about Dylan, all the wonderful memories, more prominent in his mind than the few rough spots that had come to pass.

Yes, Marco had a habit of clinging to people he loved, afraid to let go…sometimes unwillingly clinging, holding on to one last strand of hope, so that at times he couldn't stand how reluctant he was to move on.

This is why he hated himself for opening his door to find Dylan standing there; for letting him come in, instead of slamming the door in his face; for actually listening to him apologize over and over again, trying to explain himself, to beg forgiveness…listening to him, instead of shouting at him, or hitting him (both still seemed rather appealing).

He hated himself for finally believing Dylan, for forgiving him for what he had done; for letting Dylan kiss hiim, for kissing him back…

For still loving him.

And yet, as he stood there, clinging desperately to Dylan…he could feel Dylan clinging back. Dylan needed Marco just as much as Marco needed him. They understood each other; they both knew that some things were worth holding on to.

Quietly, so softly that he could hardly discern it, Marco heard him whisper "I'll never leave you again."

And Marco knew that this time…he really meant it.