Disclaimer: I do not own Waterloo Road or any of the characters in the story
Chapter 7
Marco had spent the rest of his weekend feeling sorry for himself or being sick. He didn't know whether it was because of Friday's events or nervousness because of his phone call on Saturday. It was now Monday morning, and he hadn't received any more news on Cory, so Marco assumed nothing had changed.
He entered school as usual, still with a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach as he saw Lizzie saunter over to him.
"You know you're the talk of the school after Friday night."
"Fascinating." Marco replied snidely.
"Not only did you kiss three different girls, you were hilarious on that video!" Lizzie chuckled, stopping when she saw Marco shooting daggers at her.
"My drink got spiked, it's hardly funny." He snapped, not meaning to vent his frustrations out on the bubbly brunette, but she was really pushing his buttons.
"Yeah, excuses, you were a drunken mess."
"I know how I act when I'm drunk Lizzie. I don't act like that. It's happened before, but thank fuck I had friends there who didn't let me make an arse out of myself."
Marco knew it wasn't the last he was hearing about it, with everyone seemingly making comments about it, giggling and laughing, but the more they brought it up, the more anxious Marco became about Cory, and realised he got lucky.
Going to his first lesson with Miss Mulgrew, Marco just wandered in the classroom, biting his tongue at all the sniggers by the people sitting around him.
"First, I'll be collecting your SA's from last week, and the re-done ones from those of you who didn't pass."
Marco quickly popped his two typed up SA's on the desk. As they were collected in, he could hear people mumbling about him, making him extremely uncomfortable.
'I just want to go home'
After not taking in half of Miss Mulgrew's lesson, he was relieved when she said she wasn't setting any homework this week. Marco had no focus, which really wasn't improving his mood, as he was overthinking everything.
He made his way to science where he just sat, staring off into space; preoccupied, thinking about his best friend.
"Marco, you've been surprisingly quiet this lesson, what's the answer to number 4."
Marco continued staring off into space. Leo turned to see the boy off in Wonderland, and gave him a nudge, waking him up.
"What?"
"Well nice to see you're paying attention. What's the answer to number 4?" She asked.
He just stared wide eyed, he didn't realise how much he'd been day dreaming, but it was really affecting his work today.
"He's too drugged up miss. He probably can't tell you his name." Someone spoke up, making the class snigger.
"Well if you're too busy thinking you're a cast member of Geordie Shore, I don't even get why you're here." Mrs Lowsley remarked, and Marco had to really stop himself just walking out.
Marco just sighed; feeling an ever growing sickening feeling in his stomach the longer his phone remained silent. He was beyond worried and could almost feel himself physically shaking more and more the more he thought about Cory.
When the class was finally dismissed, he breathed a sigh of relief, since art wasn't as stressful and something he actually enjoyed, so he could hopefully just focus and stop being so upset.
Just when he'd walked out the classroom he heard a familiar voice.
"You alright, you don't look too good." He saw Leo standing next to him, looking concerned.
"I'm fine." Marco replied happily, obviously faking a smile.
Though Leo didn't believe him, he just smiled and went on his way to his lesson.
Marco arrived at art, to receive the same looks he'd been getting all day.
"I didn't know you did drugs, Marco." One of the girls said as he sat down.
"My drink was spiked. I had no choice." He replied in a monotone voice, wishing people would drop the subject.
"Wow, can't that kill people?" Someone else asked, making Marco just stop everything. He'd done everything he could to stay positive, but he was constantly reminded about what happened, and that Cory could die at any second and he could do nothing about it.
He had to remind himself to breathe, and breathe normally. He didn't need any drama. Although he posted a lot about his life online, Marco was very private with his personal issues, and Cory was usually the only one he'd tell stuff too, so he could lose his closest ally, and it was terrifying him.
His plan of investing all his thought into his artwork was failing. He had no inspiration, no muse, nothing to make him want to pick up his pencil. He just stared at the blank piece of paper in front of him uselessly.
His silence was unnerving for everyone around him. Most assumed he was just a bit embarrassed by the party, but Lizzie could see her friend was genuinely upset.
"Hey Marco, are you sure you're okay? Is it the whole thing about Friday because it really isn't that bad?"
"I'm fine. I'm really not bothered about Friday." He replied, checking his phone yet again. Lizzie didn't believe a word he said.
"You can tell me y'know."
"I'm honestly fine Lizzie, there's no need for you to worry. I just feel a bit sick." Marco lied. He did feel sick, though it was nerves and anxiousness and generally keeping in two days' worth of emotions, and was ready to just crack.
The next lesson was spent the same way, with Marco in another planet, and people being kind of worried. So when the bell went for lunch, Lizzie was determined to make him feel better.
"We can go for pizza and chips if you want."
"I'm really not hungry Lizzie, but thanks for the offer; I know you're only trying to help."
Just then, his phone buzzed. He hurriedly pulled it out his pocket, just to see it was another notification from that stupid video. Marco was taking deep breaths to try and calm his annoyance.
"If you want ask to get it taken down." Tiffany replied, seeing Marco's reaction to his message.
"No, I was just excepting a call that's all. Getting my hopes up." Marco sighed, putting his phone away. He just sat at the canteen while the girls ate and chatted.
Marco's next lesson was History. He sat in his usual seat next to Leo, and was looking at the board, but none of it entered his mind, which was too full of thoughts swirling around his head.
Snapping him out of his thoughts was the sound of his phone buzzing in his pocket. Miss McFall and the rest of the class just looked at him.
"Turn the phone off please."
"Miss can I please answer it, I've been waiting for a phone call for days now. It's really important." Marco pleaded, seeing the caller ID.
Seeing the boy's desperation Miss McFall nodded, and Marco could leave the classroom quick enough to pick the phone up.
"Hello." He answered, trying to be quiet, knowing the class could hear him if he was too loud.
"Hi Marco." Mrs Smith replied. The way her voice cracked, and the tone of her voice sent Marco's head spiralling. "I'm really sorry to tell you this, but Cory didn't make it." The woman sobbed down the phone
'Nonononononono! This can't be happening'
"I'm so sorry Pauline; I can't imagine how you're feeling." Marco replied, voice trembling as he held back every urge to cry.
"We're arranging a funeral for Friday. We'd love for you to speak, you knew him better than any of his other friends."
"I'd be honoured. I'll do it."
"Thanks Marco, I now it won't be easy for you either, make sure you look after yourself, alright?"
"Don't worry, I will do Pauline."
"See you later." The line then went dead. Marco wiped a few tears away from his eyes then ran his hand through his hair. All he wanted to do was huddle at home and cry and not care if he looked stupid. However, he was at school, where he had to at least put a brave face on until he got home and could book his train to London.
His breath was shaky, as was his body. The lump in his throat was making it impossible to speak. His usually pale skin had gone deathly pale. He entered the classroom looking at the floor and walking straight to his seat, receiving a few strange looks from the class.
Leo saw the change in his friends being. "You've gone really pale, are you sure you're alright?" He knew it was a stupid question, he obviously wasn't, but Leo didn't really know what else to do.
Marco sighed, and nodded, not daring to speak, but he managed to whisper. "Yeah, I'm okay." He was sick of lying, he wasn't okay. He was far from fine. He just didn't want anyone to think he wasn't coping with everything.
AN: Sorry this one was so sad D: It's not all sad, I promise!
Thanks to all the readers and anyone who reviews favourites or follows. I love you all so much! The reviews are amazing, honestly, you guys flatter me so much!
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See you next chapter :D
