Note-I do not own Degrassi or any part of it! Wish I did, but I don't ^^ I own nothing except the story idea ^^.
Perhaps the drive might have been easier, had Marco not stayed in the back. Perhaps the feeling in his gut might have eased, had he not watched his best friend being bandaged. Perhaps his hope might have been brought up, had he been deaf, and not able to hear the sirens. Perhaps had he driven alone, or with Paige and Craig, he might not have to worry every other second. Ellie Nash was his sister, even if not by blood. And it hurt, so freaking bad, just to see her as he did. But he managed. Feeling very little at the moment, he simply watched the paramedics quick movements.
When they arrived to the hospital, it was not quick moving or panicked like in the movies. The simply put her on a stretcher and carried her in. It wasn't panicked, and they didn't scream for a doctor to come. Instead, they walked in and brought her into a room, then telling Marco to stay where he was. To go into the waiting room. It seemed, that that was the only thing that even remotely made it seem like a television show.
Head buried in his legs, Marco had to keep himself from screaming at the doctors when they asked him if he needed anything at all. He had to hold his tongue completely when they asked him to see if the two others were really friends of Ellie.
When the other two entered, he simply watched them without care or any type of distaste or distrust. In fact, when Paige came up to him, he allowed her to wrap her arms around him, and allowed himself to melt in the comfort. Craig simply sat in the corner, and he did nothing more than stare blankly into space.
They stayed like that for hours. After a while, Marco fell asleep and Paige moved to another chair, fallowing suit. Craig was the last to drift, and his head pounded. He, too, felt the need and want of addiction, one he had so struggled with years ago. He hadn't taken his meds lately, and really had no reason to want to. If he had an episode, they'd kick him out. And then when (If?) Ellie woke up, she wouldn't blame him.
Drifting in and out of conciseness, he finally came around after a few quick moments of nothingness. It didn't stay long, this set up of anger and fear. It didn't mix well with him.
Marco came around only minutes before Paige, and when he did he managed to blink back and for a moment, swift and sensor, he almost thought the whole scene that was before him, that had been there only a six hours ago, it might have been a dream. Perhaps Ellie was alright, and it was just a result of the stress he was having in trying to get her to go home. When he finally realized where he was, he broke down once more. This time, Craig came to comfort him.
The boy stayed silent for what seemed like forever. His head was pounding and for a split second, he thought he might lose control. By some random role of fate, no such thing happened. He didn't lose his control, which was, by all concepts, totally and utterly amazing.
"I told you…You should have just let her be, man….She….She's never been…" Marco shook his head as he spoke, trying to make sure his voice wouldn't crack much more. "She's been under a lot of pressure, man…You didn't need to add more." Marco growled through his teeth, looking up between his bangs.
Craig didn't speak, yet again staying silent. It was, he guessed, his specialty. When he finally spoke, his voice didn't falter and his eyes didn't water. He was good at pretending, too.
"What do you mean?"
Marco looked up and twitched a little, flinching. "She's not good at handling things, man. You know that. You've seen her…Weak, defenseless. And you want know something? You're the one who made her like that, way too many times. And you are still wondering what the heck I mean?"
"And you're blaming me? You're her best friend! And you didn't even try to help her at all."
"Shut up! You know what? I'm the one that tried to get her away from you. Believe it or not, I have a heart." Marco glared and got up quickly, almost running out without a second thought.
"And at least I was willing to give it to her!"
"At least I didn't break her heart a million times!"
"Oh yeah? She told me about you two. You used her!"
"And you didn't?"
That shut them both up. They simply glared at each other. Many nurses looked their way, but did nothing more. It was a hospital. And people got overworked. It happened. One person, on the other hand, did get up.
"You guys are being idiots, you know." Paige's voice was weak and carried almost no emotion. It wasn't the usual joy filled, or pain filled, voice that the two former Degrassi High kids were used to. They shut up, not saying a thing at all.
"Quite amusing, coming from the girl who totally ignored a friend in need." Craig's voice, on the other hand, was full of a sort of strength and sureness.
"Craig…Let it go, man." Marco looked at his own hands.
"You let it go, man! It isn't fair! Everyone ignored her or hurt her, and you want to know what happens? She gets hurt!" Craig looked around, waiting for someone to come up and take him out. No such luck.
"Not everyone hurt her, you know." Paige whispered slightly, peering at Marco.
"I tried to get her home…No doubt that caused some stress." Marco said, gritting his teeth.
Nothing else happened. They sat there for several minutes, or perhaps several hours. In a clinic, in a hospital, it was all the same. No time was counted for.
Finally, a doctor stepped out. Or perhaps a surgeon? It was hard to say. He wore a grim expression, and his brown hair was messy, result of a hard work day, no doubt. His chocolate eyes were full of sorrow, and suddenly they realized who he was directing his attention to.
"I'd like to talk to one of you three, if that's alright…" He said.
They looked at each other.
"Why not all of us?" Craig asked quickly.
"It'll just be easier…For one of you to know and tell the others…It's much more difficult…With many…" He said quickly. Looking among themselves, Marco got up first.
The doctor directed him through the hallways, and when he stopped, he looked up at the boy. His eyes were dim, and he didn't speak for a long time.
"Well?" Marco asked, watching the man carefully. They had come into an empty space, more than likely a vacant waiting room.
"Sit down, Marco…Please…" The doctor stared at the floor.