The Suffering

Summary: Alex, Paige and Marco were an inseparable trio in grade 9. However, when Alex's feelings for Paige were exposed, the trio steadily drifted apart. What happens the year after graduation when the death of a former schoolmate brings the trio together again? (AU)(Palex)

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi, I only wish I did. And any songs I may use, I don't possess the musical talent to write anything, so if I use a song, I'll credit whoever I got it from. Ah, like the title of this story- The Suffering- is a song by Coheed & Cambria. It's good music! Check it out!

A/N: Yeah, so obviously this is AU because we didn't even meet Alex until they were in what, grade 11? I can't remember that far back. For the sake of this story, I'm going to say they graduated in 2006, so they were freshman in 02-03. Certain things that have happened on the show (the shooting, the gonorrhea outbreak, etc) will have happened in here, but not everything (like Paige working at the movies with Alex never happened in here). So yeah, enjoy.

Prologue

January 22, 2002

A sudden outburst of laughter from the women's dressing room sent a store clerk flying back there to see what was going on. She opened the door to the dressing rooms, looking for the stall that caused the commotion when she saw the back of a young boy parading up the aisle. She noticed a blue bandana covering his hair and also saw the matching blue bra which was clasped on over his clothing. Then she noticed where the laughter was coming from. Two girls were leaning against the wall, holding on to each other for support. The taller girl had curled blonde hair which rested just above her breasts. The shorter girl had much darker hair and a tanned skin tone. She whispered something to the blonde and the two were at it again laughing. The boy made a turn and stopped short when he saw the impatient clerk standing there. The two girls also stopped laughing. The clerk approached them, folding her arms across her chest.

"What do we have here?" The clerk started, looking displeased. "A boy in the woman's changing room and two loud girls," she paused. "Where are your parents?"
"Parents," the blonde started, resisting the urge to laugh. "Well, you see, mother dropped us off to do a little shopping."
"Yes," the boy spoke up this time. "And father gave us all a little spending money. He wants us to look our best."
"Trust me, you already look good." The darker haired girl laughed, nodding towards the bra on her friend.

Her comment made her two friends bust into another fit of laughter. The clerk threw her hands up and sighed in frustration. She looked down at the unruly teenagers and wondered to herself why she was even working at a job like this. She sighed heavily and waited for them to calm down before she spoke again.

"First of all," she looked towards the boy, "you shouldn't even be in here; it is the woman's dressing room. Second of all, I'm going to need you children to either buy something or get out."
"Children," the dark haired girl started but was quickly silenced by the blonde.
"Does this look good on me?" The boy said to the clerk. He pointed at the bra and attempted to look serious.
"Take that off," she replied, the frustration in her voice evident. "Get out and don't come back unless you have a parent with you."

The trio was now sitting at a table in the brightly lit food court. One tray sat in the middle of the table with three large slices of pepperoni pizza on it. A large cup of soda was in front of each person. They were now laughing and enjoying themselves despite earlier in department store.

"Well mother dropped us off." The dark haired girl started in a perfect imitation of her friend.
"Alex," the blonde warned, slapping playfully at his friend.
"Well, Paige, she did do a dead on impression of you just now." The boy laughed.
"Marco!" Paige whined. "You weren't much better saying that father wanted us to look good."
"You have to admit it though; Marco was looking good in that bra, Paige. Better than either one of us and he can't even fill one out!" Alex got the group laughing again.
"Why don't we go to the mall more often?" Paige wondered aloud.
"Because," Marco started, "papa never wants me out with 'the girls.' You know how he is." He sat up straighter in his chair and resumed speaking, now with a heavy Italian accent. "Marco, how are you going to be bringing home those girls when you are out shopping with them? Why, you are in the ninth grade, I had plenty of girlfriends when I was that age."
Paige started laughing again and took Marco's hand. "Oh Marco, my wonderful shopping buddy, I'll be your girlfriend! That way your dad will let you come to the mall with us."
Marco smiled at her. "Thanks, Paige, but what about that Spinner kid you had your eye on?"
"Oooh, Paige," Alex smirked. "I thought we were best friends, you never told me about this boy you had your eyes on!"
"Thanks, Marco," Paige blushed a crimson red. "You caught me, Alex. I know that you're going out with Jay and I was trying to get a boyfriend and surprise you so we could all walk in together at the Valentine's dance!"
Alex let out a squeal and hugged her friend. "What about Marco? We're gonna have to find him a girl to take. How about Ellie? You know, that red head who sits behind you in English. I see how she always looks at you."
"You mean like how you always look at Jay?" Marco shot back, trying to cover up how uncomfortable the topic made him. "Hey! Isn't that Spinner?" He pointed towards the skate store where sure enough, Spinner was walking in there with his best friend, Jimmy Brooks.
"Ohmygoshhowdoilookrightnow?" Paige said it all in one breath.
Alex rolled her eyes. "Fine, as always, go say hi. We'll be right here for support."

Paige looked at Alex, and then at Marco who nodded to back up Alex's words. She smiled at them both and tossed her hair a little. She started walking towards the skate shop, switching her hips a bit too hard. Marco glanced over at Alex and noticed that the girl hadn't taken her chocolate brown eyes off of her best friend's behind. Alex must have felt Marco's stare, because she blushed and suddenly became interested in her pizza, which she hungrily took a bite of. Marco reached out and touched Alex's hand.

"You know, Alex, you can talk to me about anything. Paige, too… The three of us, we're the three amigos, and we have been since the start of this year."
"Yeah, I know," she smiled at him. "What brought this up?"
"Just…I don't know," he sighed.
"Marco, whatever it is, just say it. We're the three amigos, nothing will tear us apart." She smiled reassuringly.
"Do you like Spinner?" He blurted out. "I mean, I saw that look on your face when I said Paige had her eye on him. It was like a mix of disappointment and jealousy."
"No," Alex said quickly. "I have Jay; and besides, Spinner isn't the one I like." She mumbled the last part as she took another bite of pizza.
"What was that?" Marco asked making sure he heard correctly. "If it's not Spinner, is it Paige?"
"Marco," she said firmly. "I don't want to talk about it."
"You like Paige!" He exclaimed. He jumped out of his seat and wrapped Alex in a huge hug. "I support you, and I'm sure once you talk to Paige she'll be ok with it. It's gonna be a little awkward at first, I'm sure, but we're the three amigos, nothing can bring us down."
"I guess," Alex sighed. "It's just… she's my best friend. You aren't supposed to be in love with your best friend."

Behind them, there was a gasp from Paige. She had returned right when Marco had wrapped Alex in a hug and hadn't wanted to ruin the moment. She heard Marco saying that whatever Alex's secret was, she would be ok with it. It wasn't until Alex opened her mouth that Paige realized she wouldn't be ok with it. She had enough drama with her brother when he had come out and started bringing home other boys. She was the straight one in the family, and Alex wasn't going to screw that up for her. In that short amount of time, Paige decided it was time she broke the friendship bond with Alex.

"Hey hons, hate to spoil this warm Oprah moment, but I'm gonna go shopping with Spin, my boyfriend," she said the last word looking directly at Alex. "So Marco, I won't need a ride home from your mom. I'll call you later." She said leaving.
"Did you see that, Marco?" Alex sighed. "The three amigos are over."

A/N: Yeah, so I know it may have seemed a bit rushed, but I didn't want the opening thing to be too long. So you read it, now review! Even if it's a bad review, I want to see it. But if you're gonna tell me it sucked, maybe you could tell me why or give me hints or ideas on how to make it better. Ok, thanks.