So I know it's been a while, a long while, since I've updated this. I'd like to promise that it'll be updated more frequently and that all the world will be happy in Palex world, but to be honest life is pretty hectic right now, what with an absent girlfriend, an adventure holiday and exams (notice the order of preference). So while, I hope it will, and I also hope I've still got some fans (maybe one lol) out there, I realise that the likelihood of this is nil. Anyways, if you guys happen to pass by and read - good on ya, and if you don't well hopefully I managed to entertain you up to this point. Thanks for reading, and feedback, good or bad as always, is appreciated. And oh yes, I apologize if it sucks - hopefully it doesn't suck as bad as the filler before - but still, it probably sucks slightly lol.
-shalamar-
And You're the Only One Who Knows
The flurry of glacial activity that had occurred over the past few days suddenly ground to a halt, much to the surprise of the inhabitants of Degrassi Street, this was paramount as they observed the slightly confused expressions of weather forecasters as they tactfully fought the urge to scratch their heads in comic confusion. The snow storm, having come to an unexpected halt, allowed the kids of Degrassi High to shed their overbearing winter wear for less inhibiting clothes, the strays to wander the streets freely without thought of an onslaught of hyperthermia while narrowly avoiding becoming road kill due to the gradually increasing amount of cars which had begun to cruise the slush covered streets.
Alex shivered and reflexively wrapped grey hoody covered arms around her thin waist. Although her peers had been able to reduce the amount of layers they had appropriated, thanks to harsh words from fretful mothers, as Alex's outer wear had been no match for the biting wind and rapidly gyring snowflakes, it was now just barely managing to retain the body heat she emitted; thoughtful brown eyes looked up to the clear blue sky as memories of walking down this very street a few months ago struck her and she couldn't help but smile, albeit sadly, when she remembered the playful butterflies that had roiled her stomach.
The smell of snow lingered breathlessly on the night air and Alex sniffed the biting wind with appreciation, while ironically she eyed the ground with immense hatred. Alex had bittersweet emotions when it came to the late autumn days, while it meant scenes of swirling colorful leaves and short sips of heated apple cider, it brought ever sharpening winds and nights spent with shaking arms wrapped tightly around a body that never seemed to contract heat. Alex shook her head as if to rid herself of the self-deprecating thoughts and suddenly, the dark pictures were replaced with heart-warming images of her beautiful girlfriend. Paige danced through her mind as freely as the leaves seemed to waft carelessly up and down, caught up in an endless dance as the wind followed the silent melody carrying straight up into the sky in a twirl of relentless rhythmically placed steps. The memory of their first kiss blended seamlessly into the memory of their first date when Alex had led Paige to her door at the end of their night, she smiled as she remembered standing nervously at the door, her eyes darting anywhere but Paige's. Later it had seemed stupid, they had kissed before but somehow it had seemed different almost special somehow and Alex had not known how to go about it. Her words flew back to her as if it had been yesterday.
"Soo...uhmm" Alex's eyes continued to dart nervously between Paige's lips and the outside world. Paige smiled timidly, not really knowing what to do. "Yeah, uh," she sighed delicately, "Lexi, I had a really good time tonight." Alex smiled, "Don't let it be said that I don't know how to show a girl a good night." Paige giggled and pressed her back against the heavy door, her palms meeting the sanded surface of wooden grooves as complex as whorls in fingerprints, "Oh hon, I don't think anyone could ever say that." She gazed adoringly at Alex who blushed heavily at the compliment. Something deep inside Alex clicked and she stepped closer to the shorter blonde girl until barely an inch was clear between them and their lips, gradually getting closer, led their breaths to mingle in a manner that sent slivers of desire through both bodies. "Paige?" Alex asked, a pink tongue snaking out to wet pseudo-dry lips, her mouth so close it was micrometers away from brushing against lip-glossed lips. "Uh huh?" a dazed voice replied watching the tongue with rapt fascination and desire, bright blue eyes slowly darkened to a lusty malachite. "Would it be," she paused with ever increasing need for the girl in front of her, yet she was still confined to a chivalrous code that even she was unaware that she abided by, "uhm alright, that, ok, I mean could I kiss you?" The garbled speech, while barely the level of a second grade was inconsequential as Paige wouldn't have noticed if Alex had spoken to her in Chinese. 'Kiss' was the only word she was aware of, and the fact the inflection in Alex's voice had risen implied she had asked a question, which in Paige's mind could only mean one thing. "Sure, yeah, I mean," she took a breath and barely noticed that her chest was heaving in anticipation, she changed her tone to nonchalance with a hint of a challenge, "If you think you can." Alex had stopped listening after 'sure' and thus decided that she had the go-ahead, "So, here I go," she replied needlessly, Paige nodded stupidly, "Yeah 'cause I said yes, didn't I?" Her question went unheard and unanswered because Alex, having finally recovered her courage, took the last step that would press their lips together leaving her mouth in no position for talking.
The memory caused Alex to laugh and shake her head at her obvious lack of game. "I'm pathetic," she muttered to herself but the smile was still there as she processed the fact that Paige thought it was one of her more 'adorable' traits. She blushed as she remembered the positively lecherous look that crossed Paige's face whenever she had demonstrated to Alex that her 'adorableness' was something she found unfailingly attractive and was definitely not unattractive. The blushing, bumbling teenage side of Alex was a facet of herself that she had taken many strides so as to prevent it from ever being revealed to anyone. However, it appeared that Paige possessed the key to locked room in which her submissive personality was hidden. When she chose to dwell on what that could mean, Alex found herself wandering aimlessly down a road she had never travelled before and did not wish to go too far lest she become lost. In the short time that they had been together, namely a matter of months, Paige had very quickly ingrained herself into Alex's life and it did not appear as if she was willing to give up that position without a fight.
Alex's cell phone vibrated from within its denim prison and she quickly slipped her hand in and answered it gruffly having not glanced at the screen. "Uh huh?" her gruff voice spoke passing down the line with a huskiness that even she was not aware she was capable of. "Have I ever told you how much I love your sexy voice?" came the reply, layers of amusement barely masking the submerged tone laden with desire. Alex shivered letting the voice of her girlfriend wash over her like crashing waves rolling up the beach, her eyes lit up and a goofy smile transfigured her face. She paused, as if she was considering her answer, "Is it any different to my normal voice?" The rumble of Paige's laugh was her answer and, having gotten herself under control, Paige managed to reply "Hon, obviously you haven't ever heard your sexy voice. It's like," she mulled over the right analogy, "ok, it would be like you asking if I thought you'd look any different in your underwear compared to your normal clothes..." there was a pause from Paige's end of the line as she trailed off.
Alex became worried when she didn't answer after a few minutes, "Paige?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice at only the sound of her girlfriend's breath down the phone, which oddly enough, seemed to be quickening. Suddenly Paige returned, "Sorry hon just got a little caught up in the visuals." Alex blushed while quirking a shy grin, "Me?" she asked unnecessarily. Paige snorted in amusement, "Well, it wasn't Heather Sinclair." Alex blushed even harder at the confirmation, "So, uhmm you think about me…like that?" she inquired timidly, narrowly avoiding a stray Chihuahua that scampered unhelpfully around her legs as it skittered unnaturally like a newborn foal trying to find it's balance, "Hon, anyone with eyes probably thinks of you 'like that'." Alex noticed that both times Paige had yet to physically acknowledge her lascivious thoughts of Alex and thus she was unsure as to whether this was a positive thing or not. Luckily (in the majority of situations) for her, Paige had become increasingly adept at reading her mind, "When you're around me, I can't help but think about what you hide under those clothes because as you know," and her voice seemed to lower and liquidize as it oozed itself from her mouth, down the phone line and appeared to cover Alex's body, "I find you very, very sexy and there are a few things I'd love to investigate. And as for when you're not around me," a silence seemed to linger in the air so thick Alex was surprised that the final leaves, that had continued to fall from the maple tree above her, hadn't become lodged in it. "Yes?" Alex croaked, having finally dared herself to find out what her girlfriend's, apparently pornographic mind, could come up with next.
A light-hearted throaty chuckle was her initial answer and she waited rather patiently, considering the circumstances, for the blonde's next words, "well, that's hardly worth discussing on the phone," she replied, giggling evilly. "Babe," Alex groaned trying in vain to prevent the smile fighting its way to her face, "Yes?" Paige asked nonchalantly, "I can tell how much you're enjoying this. Has anyone ever told you that you're a bitch?" Paige smirked, even though Alex couldn't see it, "Oh many a time Lexi, but I fail to see your point." Alex laughed, ever amused by Paige, "Silly me for thinking that a bad thing I guess," Paige switched her cell phone to her other hand, swiping an errant blonde curl behind her ear, "Exactly, honestly hon, I think you're the first to apologize about this misconception. Is there like a book that's telling all you guys this?" Alex swiftly turned the corner and directly in front of her was Paige's large, mansion style house. The house was an oxymoron; intimidating while thoroughly inviting, Alex had grown to respect the home of her girlfriend; huge windows painted the outer exterior, allowing visitors to wave at the Michalchuk family as they relaxed in front of their widescreen TV, read or played pool; for privacy's sake, crimson curtains hung limply when not in use, looking dejectedly at their owners.
The white columns that supported Paige's second floor room stood stiffly to attention, their uniforms beaming brightly in the last vestiges of daylight. Alex could just about see the Paige sitting in front of her mirror and she applied her makeup carefully, "Oh well you know, us intellectuals are always getting the wrong end of the stick. Hey beautiful, leave the lip-gloss off 'til later." Paige started as blue eyes went round in surprise and confusion, her hand lowering the plum flavored lip-gloss to her vanity table. "Uhm hon, as much as I believe you can do anything…are you psychic?" Alex laughed loudly and strolled casually to Paige's front door, "No, you ass, it's called a window. Ya know transparent things that people can see others through?" Paige stood up and moved away from the mirror, a small blush covering the pale skin at the base of her neck, still holding her phone in her hand, "Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that little invention. So, you're here?" she asked shyly, half torn between dashing downstairs and opening the door to meet Alex, or to wait until the doorbell rang and wander down to meet her with at least a semblance of cool. "Screw cool," she mumbled, having been eagerly waiting for Alex to arrive since she'd ended their phone conversation last night, walking out of her bedroom and leaping down the staircase, taking the steps two at a time and then increasing to three when she heard the doorbell. "Paige, Alex can survive waiting for a second, there's no need for you to break your neck!" Mrs. Michalchuk hollered from the kitchen, she listened and smiled, returning back to her cooking when she heard the steps slow to a more acceptable cadence.
Paige rolled her eyes at her mother's command but conceded anyway. She hesitated when her hand reached the door knob before pulling the door open to greet Alex. Deep brown eyes cast their intelligent gaze upon her, a small, crooked smile affixed to her tanned face. "Hey," Alex said shyly as she scuffed her toe nervously against the concrete porch. Blue eyes softened to a milder cornflower blue at Alex's display of nervousness, "Hi you." The girls stared at each other for a few minutes, both caught up in gazing at each other and not really knowing what to say. Finally, gathering her senses together, Paige took Alex's hand in hers and pulled her inside.
"Happy Thanksgiving," Alex said softly, pulling Paige towards her into a long desired embrace, "I missed you" she muttered into an ear surrounded by loose blonde waves. Paige blushed hotly; "Missed you too," Alex gave a low chuckle, "Is that why you were trying to commit suicide down the stairs?" Paige nuzzled her head in Alex's red woolen sweater, "Oh uhm, you heard that huh?" she felt Alex nod. Paige paused, fighting with herself on whether to say it and finally reaching a decision, "I've been waiting to see you since last night," she mumbled so softly that only due to Alex's keen hearing was she able to ascertain the words. She pulled back slightly from Paige to allow their eyes to meet, "I wanted so badly just to call you again when we hung up", she smiled adorably, "but I thought you could use a break from me." Paige pressed her lips to Alex's, both savoring the sorely missed connection, "Honey," they kissed again chastely, "when I'm not talking to you or with you, I'm thinking about you. I don't need or want a break from you. So if you want to call…just call, 'kay?" Alex nodded and grinned, "Thinking about me, huh?" she received a sharp slap on the arm, "Okay ow!" she replied, rubbing furiously at her now reddened skin, "So unnecessary." Paige shrugged, taking Alex's free hand in hers, "Uh no. Not at all. You were being a bad Lexi." Alex pouted, brown eyes twinkling mischievously, "I thought you liked bad Lexi?" Paige giggled and pushed Alex's uninjured arm playfully, "That's true. Out of them all I prefer my Lexi." She replied seriously causing an errant black eyebrow to rise, Alex embraced Paige silently as brown eyes deepened to an unreadable black, "If you're not careful, you'll never be able to get rid of me."
A tense silence broken only by the sounds of Mrs. Michalchuk cooking in the kitchen, formed around the couple; their eyes remained focused on each other and their hands clung to one another with death grips. Paige licked her lips and spoke her words only loud enough to penetrate Alex's ears. She pressed her index finger to Alex's soft lips as she circled the ridges formed through being out in the cold without chap stick for too long. "What if…" she paused, her eyes finally dropping from Alex's intense gaze and staring at the ground, "What if…I didn't want," a lip bite, "What if I didn't want to get rid of you?" Their private and sensitive conversation was interrupted by a call from the kitchen, "Paige, bring Alex in here so I can finally meet your new friend!" They remained still for a second or more until they were forced into action by the sound of the resounding footsteps of Mrs. Michalchuk's approach. "Hello! You must be Alex, I'm Ellen Michalchuk; Paige can't seem to stop talking about you," she held out a pale hand which Alex took nervously, "Good evening ma'am, happy Thanksgiving." They shook hands and Ellen smiled at Alex warmly. Alex glanced lovingly at Paige, "Thank you for allowing me into your home, ma'am." Ellen took in the look Alex threw subtly towards the blonde beside her, "My pleasure, I'm glad Paige invited you." Alex nervously scuffed her shoe on the hardwood floor, "Is there anything I could do to help, ma'am?" Paige nudged Alex which caused her to blush. Alex looked at her girlfriend who raised an amused eyebrow, her expression voicing her silent thoughts. Alex turned away shyly to once again look at the Michalchuk matriarch. Paige rolled her eyes, as she too turned eyes upon her mother who seemed to be critically assessing Alex. "Oh no dear, you're a guest, I couldn't possibly allow you to-"Alex broke in, "its ok, I don't mind, ma'am." She smiled charmingly, her nervousness disappearing with the dawn of a new task.
Ellen clapped her hands together cheerfully, "Well, right this way then. No need to call me 'ma'am', Alex, Ellen is just fine." Turning on her heel she led Alex towards the dining room, "Honestly Paige, you need to bring Alex around more often. So polite!" Alex blushed at the compliment and smiled at Paige, who was currently mouthing the words 'so polite!' and trying to hold her laughter back. Alex slapped Paige's arm and stuck her tongue out at her, the two began to play fight behind the ever listening back of Mrs. Michalchuk. She contemplated the relationship that the girls held, 'Interesting', she thought to herself, but decided to hold her questions for Paige until a later date.
She sadly took a seat on the closest park bench, and hunched her knees up towards her chest. Remembering the happy times with Paige had settled her into a depressed state, and she fought in vain to rid herself of the happy-go-lucky feeling she was currently flying high on. "It's over," she muttered to herself, "you need to treat her better," replied her better half, "you're making it appear as if it's her fault. She needs a friend, not a love-sick-pissed-off-ex-girlfriend," it went on to counsel, "You love her don't you?" "Of course I do," Alex replied, rolling her eyes, "You want what's best for her don't you?" "Well duh, hence where we are now, moron!" she retorted vehemently, shaking her head in annoyance, "Then just treat her like before. Act as if nothing's changed. Obviously, the kissing and intimacy is vetoed, but the rest – knock yourself out kid." "Why the hell am I talking to myself?" Alex asked herself, and she jumped in surprise when she received a reply not in her own voice, "Because you're an escaped wacko from the local loony bin." Harper's melodic laugh soon followed her voice, as her body wandered into sight – the fog having made it difficult to spot her, even if Alex had been paying attention. "Oh ha ha, California, think you're so cool don't ya?" Harper shook her head, smiling with wry amusement, "No Degrassi, I don't think it, I know it," she replied cockily, "You're a conceited ass, California," Harper nodded in agreement, "Mhmm, I know. Some say my ass is the best part." She winked and settled back against the bench, in an attempt to get comfortable. "So, what brings you all the way out here Einstein? I thought you'd be too busy writing love notes to Paige, or playin' b-ball or somethin'." Alex wrapped a long arm around Harper's shoulders and pulled her close, both needing the comfort that the other provided without words, "Nah, I felt like coming out here and freezing my ass off to wait for you, I'm nice like that." "Nice, really?" Harper raised an eyebrow, allowing her green eyes to pass over the body beside her, "Nice is hardly the word, Degrassi," there was a small silence, as the two bodies breathed in the chill night air, "Thanks for coming." Harper's voice appeared so small, so minute, that Alex almost missed the words – even though they were almost covered in complete silence, save for the occasional car horn and dog bark. "Anytime, California."
The after snow chill had set in and soaked right through to Alex's very soul, even though she struggled in vain every night to warm herself. The comfort provided by Harper was something she'd sorely missed in the few days which she had left Paige behind on the street. She needed Paige, like she needed oxygen; in fact she was willing to bet that she could survive a life without oxygen as long as she had Paige. "I'm gonna help you get Paige back." Instead of pulling away from Harper, Alex remained silent, allowing the words to sink in. "What makes you think I want her back?" Harper gave a rough bark, "I'm not stupid, or blind, Degrassi." Alex shrugged and then raised her hand to her eyes when she realized that she was about to cry, "I need her, Harper." The previously unshed tears began to fall in their millions, crawling and scurrying down Alex's face like an ant colony set on a mound of sugar. "I know, Alex."
Both teens easily ignored the use of their first names, while both silently acknowledged that it signified the true depth of the meaning behind Alex's sadly spoken words. "I love her." Harper breathed a heavy sigh, her cheeks puffing out with the inhalation of the air and then slowly deflating as the air rushed from noisily through her recently parted lips. "That's a big word, Degrassi." Alex nodded sagely, "I know. She told me she loved me on the night we broke up." Harper shook her head, already anticipating where this was going, "And let me guess, you walked away." Alex nodded, "Yep. I'm an idiot." Harper laughed in an effort to defuse the tension, their heads rested together companionably, "Nope, in fact, you're braver than I could ever be." Shocked, rounded brown eyes met easily understanding green ones, "What do you mean? Harper, you're practically fearless." Harper laughed again, yet this time there was no humor, it was as lifeless as the deciduous trees that surrounded them, no longer being able to cope with the deadly increase in the outside temperature, and the sun's departure behind heavy, white clouds.
"Nope, 'fraid not. I'm gonna take a shot in the dark here, but you love her so much, that you were willing to give up your relationship to protect her from a future where you might harm her, or do irreparable damage." She turned to Alex, as their heads moved away from each other, "Am I right?" Alex nodded, her lowered chin impacting against her raised knees. "Spot on." Green eyes left the girl beside her and they scanned the park that lay around them. "The way I see it, Degrassi, is that you got two choices: you stay the way you are, constantly thinking that you're gonna fuck it up with Paige time and time again, or you swallow the crap that God calls a life, take her hand and do your fucking best to make sure you don't screw up." She tapped a hand lightly on Alex's uncovered knee, "to me, doesn't seem like it takes a genius to figure which one you should go for." Alex sighed softly, "What if I hurt her again, Harper?" Harper turned Alex to face her and sharply flicked her head with previously coiled index finger causing the brunette to release a squeak, her hand automatically rising to rub her bruised scalp, "What did you do that for?!" "You were being an idiot, Degrassi," the Californian replied, in her no-nonsense tone, as if it had been obvious, "Stop asking 'What if?' If we spend our whole lives questioning what will happen in the future we'll never get anywhere, you'll be moving like a fucking snail. Just do it, go with what your heart says, and stop listening to that big brain. It lies." Alex laughed, and having finally soothed her head, she hugged Harper tightly, "Thanks, California. I guess my big brain sometimes needs to be told what's what." Harper rubbed a hand soothingly against her friend's back, "No problem, Degrassi. You know I'm here for you."
Alex smiled. It had been a while since she'd had a really close friend, someone she trusted implicitly. Jay was, she never really knew the words to describe Jay. He had been there for her yet he hadn't. He had four solutions to her problems, they never varied and were always phrased the same way, his words rang easily in her head as if he were sitting beside her, "The way I see it Lexi baby," he had always called her that, and after a while it had begun to irritate her to the point where she would rather kiss him, than hear him, "ya got four choices, one – get high, two – get drunk, three – we fuck until you can't think straight, or four – we do all three, and make this a party." This would always, always be accompanied by that all-knowing grin and his slimy hands starting to creep over her body. Jay had never crossed the line, he had never raped her, but his cheesy lines, his wandering eyes and his truly irritating all-knowing outlook on life were never things she found attractive. Beyond Jay there was, well, who was there really? Sure, she and Amy had hung out a bit but it wasn't a 'let's be sisters forever' kinda friendship; and Sean? Sure, they'd talked; mostly about cars and how life sucked, and what could the future hold for them. Yeah they could work – 9 to 5 at the local 7-Eleven, but that was it, life didn't really get much better than a steady job and mattress to lie on. So had she had close friends? No, far from it, but if she was honest, in a way that only Alex Nuñez could be – having close friends probably wouldn't have made her life any better. Talking about your mother wanting your paycheck to pay for her boyfriend's habits, the rent, medication, smokes – it was hardly sleepover material; and after all the talking, what solution could anyone ever provide? A dinner here, a safe night there – it didn't amount to much after years of the abuse. No, she decided, close friends wouldn't have made much of a difference.
"I'm here for you too, California. Speaking of, anything to share?" Alex hit Harper with a raised eyebrow, the action speaking far louder than any words she could say would. Harper paused, listening to the silence around them, marveling in the huge difference between the never-ending sound track of L.A's hustle and bustle. She bit the inside of her cheek; an extreme uncharacteristic display of hesitance, her head tipping from side to side as if mentally weighing up her options – to tell, or not to tell.
"Mom lost her job, and Dad's living with his secretary. Her name is Candice. What parent calls their kid Candice, I mean it's just guaranteed to be shortened to Candy – which I might add is such a stripper name. What skills does she have, enticing clients over with her phone-sex voice? Keep clients interested by wearing little to nothing and throwing the 'no-touch' rule out the window? For fuck sake, Degrassi, is this the world we live in? Does 'til death do us part' really mean abso-fucking-lutely nothing anymore?" She interrupted her monologue as she suddenly shot up from her seat beside Alex and began to pace, her hand erratically pawing through her hair, her usually stoic demeanor going out the window as her tangent went on, "What do I do, Alex? I don't know what to fucking do. I feel like," she threw her hands up, and then slumped down again, almost all the energy from her body appearing to evaporate in mere seconds, as she lost all her cool and tears began to slide down her face, "My problems are so minor compared to those of others, but it's like" she sighed her head falling into her hands, "it hurts, it just hurts so much. And I don't know what to do." Alex pulled Harper towards her, resting her chin on the mussed purple haired head, "Shh Harp, it's gonna be ok. It'll all work out somehow. Shh" she softly cooed, trying to ease the hurt from her friend, her soothing voice soon began to work its magic as the wracking sobs morphed gradually into tired hiccups, the sound of a girl whose world had slowly fallen apart. "It's okay Harp. Whatever happens, you'll have me and we'll work it out, okay? Shh" Reddened green eyes looked up at Alex, the flow tears slowly starting to lessen, her hand swiped angrily at the water flow, "I'm being stupid right?" The Californian asked, sniffing pathetically and pulling herself away from Alex. "No, Harp, you're just being a kid, just let it go. It's only me." Harper smiled ruefully, "true, and it's not like you're hot or anything."
Alex laughed and punched Harper playfully on the shoulder, glad that her friend's spirits had returned, I never thought I'd be glad to hear her insult me, Alex mused to herself, "Babe, you've wanted this since day one." Alex gestured seductively down to her long legs and winked. Harper shook her head as a single dark eyebrow rose, "Honey, you could never be enough for me; once I pop, I just can't stop." Alex smirked, "Oh you think so, huh?" Harper tilted her head waiting for the reply, I know it's coming, "I'm finger lickin' good." There we go, she thought, her friend's reply causing her to smile. Alex raised her sweatshirt and delicately wiped away the remaining tears without saying a word. Both sank back into the bench, both silently acknowledging the other with a nod, "Nothin' says lovin', like somethin' from the oven." Alex snorted, "It's the things that make you go 'Mmmmm'." Harper bowed her head, "Degrassi, this could go on all night," she held out her hand, waiting to receive the darker one. The two teens shook hands, "Tie," they replied in unison; I totally kicked her ass, thought Alex. Oh I owned her, was Harper's only thought as she pulled her hand away and settled it in her lap.
Both girls sank into the silence, every now and then a car would back fire shooting a dust colored plume of pollution into the air where it mingled with the nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide components of air. The trees, those that still had managed to cling desperately to their green cloaks, waved their branches in a boasting fashion at their neighbors who had been less successful at covering their state of undress with all the superiority of an arrogant aristocrat, they seemed to almost flaunt their pines in the manner in which the wind would blow through and cast scattered needles at the feet of their uncovered friends. The wind had picked up and was no longer blowing a gentle breeze across the two girls, instead, Alex's thin winter wear was being tested to its limits, and from the smell of the impeding frost, would be tested further once the snow once again arrived in Degrassi. The brief reprieve the inhabitants of the small town was to last no longer, and by the ferocity of the wind's actions as it sent Alex's hair flying up in the air and whistled its way through the neat pile of leaves, leaving them in artistic disarray. it would be coming far sooner than it was welcome.
Harper sensed the incoming wind, having observed the wild whipping of the trees beyond them, and so it was this intuition that lifted her arm, like an invisible force, placed it on Alex's barely covered shoulder and pulled the brunette closer. Alex snuggled closer to the warmth, smiling happily, and unconsciously wrapped her hands together and hid them in the pocket of her sweater. Neither bothered to refer to the true reason by Alex's underdressed state as it went without saying in their friendship, that there were just some things that would not change through talking about them. And through their comfort found within each other being so concentrated, both girls failed to pick up on the sound of approaching footsteps and it was only at the sound of a voice saying her name, that caused Alex to look up – for it was a voice she craved to hear, "Alex?".
