A/N: This took longer than I thought as I've been stuck on this story. I will post the next chapter a lot sooner than the time it took to put this up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or lyrics used.
Lyrics are Take Me Away by Avril LavigneDarcy looked at the girl she bumped into. A smile crept onto her face but she tried to hide it.
Having noticed who bumped into her, the other girl said. "How's the hangover, thumper?"
"Why you calling me thumper? Darcy asked.
"I would call you bible thumper but I'm not making fun out of your religion anymore. Take the bible away and you have thumper." Alex replied with a smile.
"Whatever makes you happy. To answer your question, my head is feeling slightly better than this morning, thanks." Darcy rubbed her head while relaying the information.
"Seeing as Degrassi is in the opposite direction, I take it your skipping again."
"It had crossed my mind. Didn't want to go back and make a bad day worse." Darcy momentarily looked away when she replied.
"Well don't be alarmed but I'm gonna be nice again. Do you want to join me instead?" Alex hung the question in the air, not sure of what response she actually wanted.
Darcy thought for a moment about her choices. "Don't be alarmed but I'm going to say yes." She answered. Darcy smiled at Alex and followed her down the street.
The two of them had been walking for a few minutes. Darcy was looking around to gage some idea of where they were heading.
"Do you actually have idea where to go? Darcy enquired.
Alex looked at Darcy and shook her head. Darcy began to laugh. At this point, they were near the entrance of the park. Alex pulled out a pre rolled cigarette and lit it up.
"Ok, how about this." Alex started. "I haven't eaten and there's a place over the park that does food and drink, if you're game?"
"I'm game." Darcy replied.
The two of them walked through the park and Darcy started to notice that the smell of Alex's cigarette smelt of pot. Alex noticed Darcy looking at her.
"How rude of me, do you want some?"
Darcy initial answer was to say no but she was curious to what it would be like. After she nodded, Alex handed her the joint and guided her over to an empty bench. Darcy took a puff and immediately started coughing. Alex had a big grin on her face and tried not to laugh.
Darcy shot her a death glare. "Do you get your kicks laughing at the innocent smoking for the first time?"
"Your not so innocent with that in your hand." Alex scoffed while pointing to the joint.
"Not since you've corrupted me." Darcy threw back at Alex.
"Me, corrupting you. I take great offence to that, in fact I resent that comment." Alex took the joint from Darcy's hand. Darcy thought she had upset Alex with what she said and she immediately regretted her choice of words.
"If I'm to be accused of such things, the least I can do is show you how to smoke it properly." Alex added. Darcy was relieved that Alex had seen the funny side of her comment.
Alex and Darcy had finally found themselves sitting reading the food menu. They had already ordered their drinks when Darcy's phone started ringing. Darcy grunted with frustration as she looked at the caller id.
"Avoiding calls again are we." Alex said while not looking away from her menu.
Darcy sighed. "I just need time and space and no one wants to give me any."
"You need time to process things and to be able to do it when you're ready." Alex added.
Darcy looked shocked and wondered what Alex actually knew. It then crossed her mind that if she knew then that must be the basis of why Alex was being so friendly towards her. She started to feel disappointed by this and uncomfortable.
"Whatever it is, I guess it has something to do with your wrist because you keep touching it like you checking it's still there. I'm guessing some scar of a cut maybe." Alex continued.
At this moment, Darcy was speechless and was considering walking out. She didn't want another person on her case.
"I'm not them, I won't push. If you wanted to talk about it, you would, probably not to me though. It's not like we're friends. I mean this is the most interaction we've had since you started at Degrassi. It's up to you if you wanna stay or go." At this point Alex looked at Darcy with a hint of sincerity.
Darcy noticed this look. Her initial thoughts went out the window and she decided to stay. She was taken aback by how perceptive Alex was. She was also glad that it went no further. For her, this was her escapism from everything else.
I
cannot find a way to describe it
It's
there inside; all I do is hide
I wish
that it would just go away
What
would you do, you do, if you knew
What
would you do
Peter had the first class after lunch with Darcy but she hadn't turned up. He managed to send a text to Manny to see if she could give Darcy a call, as he had no way of getting out of class. Manny was allowed to go to the bathroom. Once she was there she tried to call Darcy but it rang through to voicemail. Manny was very worried and hoped that nothing bad happened to Darcy.
Once class was over, Manny made it her intention to find Peter and see if Darcy had possibly contacted him regarding her reason for not returning to school.
"Peter, she didn't pick up. Have you heard from her?" Manny asked.
"No." Peter simply answered.
Mrs Suave saw Peter and Manny and walked over to them. "Have either of you seen Darcy, we're meant to have a session now?"
Peter was just about to answer when Manny interrupted him. "She wasn't feeling well at lunch and she went home."
Peter looked at Manny quizzically and waited for Mrs Suave to walk off before speaking.
"What did you say that for Manny?" Peter whispered looking confused.
"I think she's trying to avoid speaking to Mrs Suave. I don't think she's ready to deal yet. I was reading about it. We can't push her or she'll close up completely." Manny explained.
"I hope your right." Peter thought as he and Manny walked out of school.
