Sorry I didnt update yesterday! Life got in the way! I'll let you guys know, that there isn't long left in this fic, the final chapter will be chapter 30!

I'll be gutted when its over!

Thank you to those that have added this as a favourite story, or me as a favourite author! It really means a lot, and its made me realise that people might possibly be reading, but not reviewing, so its nice to this more people may be reading

I'll try and update every day, but sometimes i may not manage it, as life is really hectic at the moment!

Chapter 26: Like I can't breathe

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Another week had passed since TJ had been to visit Spinelli, and sure enough, on Sunday morning, Spinelli was discharged and offered support from a community mental health team. Mrs Spinelli had insisted that there be no visitors, as she wanted things to be relaxing as possible for Spinelli. Mrs Spinelli explained to her daughter that Mr Spinelli could visit if she wished; Spinelli however refused this offer. She pointed out that she wasn't really that close to him anymore, and had only seen him in one brief meeting since the marriage split. Spinelli had also asked if her dad had made any real effort to attempt to see her, of course Mrs Spinelli had answered honestly in the fact that he hadn't. Spinelli had accepted this, but resented her father all the same, reasoning that if he really cared that much he'd made an effort to come and see her, even if –like herself- he was awful with feelings and emotions. All in all, Spinelli was glad, probably for the first time in her life, when Monday morning had rolled around and it was time to return to school. She just wanted to get on with her life.

The rest of the gang were waiting by TJ's locker as usual when TJ and Spinelli made their way to join them.

"Hey Spin, it's good to have you back. How are you?" asked Gretchen, hugging her friend.

"I'm good, and for the first time in my life I'm actually GLAD to be at school" said Spinelli "Wow Gretch, you're really starting to get big"

"Yeah, this little one seems to be growing well" said Gretchen rubbing her bump fondly "I'm pretty much five months gone now!"

"SPINELLI!" cried Mikey, not waiting for Spinelli to give a response as he threw his arms around her happily "HOW GLORIOUS TO HAVE YOU BACK! HOW ARE YOU FEELING?"

"Like I can't breathe" replied Spinelli.

"OH DEAR WHATEVER SHALL WE DO?" cried Mikey in a panic, tightening his grip around Spinelli.

"You could start by letting me go? I have this awful habit of needing uncompressed lungs to breathe" replied Spinelli jokingly.

"Oh! Oh right sorry Spinelli!" said Mikey, letting her go as the gang fell about laughing.

"So" said Spinelli after the gang had stopped laughing "What did you guys tell everyone when they asked where I was?"

"We said you had a severe case of the flu" replied Gretchen, "Only the six of us and the teachers know the truth"

"Thanks guys" replied Spinelli.

"Now that we're all together, Gus and I have an announcement to make" said Mikey happily.

"We'll make it at lunch time though; we need to tell you somewhere a bit more private than the school corridor" added Gus.

"So what's this big news?" asked Vince, wrapping his arms around Gretchen as they stood outside in the cold February air.

"Would you quit fussing over me!" snapped Gretchen, pushing Vince away irritably "I'm pregnant, not a fragile invalid!"

"Ok, well I thought you might me cold!" said Vince "and TJ is hugging Spinelli!"

"Well I'm fine, I don't need you clinging to me just because the weather is a bit fresh Vince! And Give me my books! I'm hardly unable to carry them!"

"But Gretch! I've always carried your books" replied Vince defensively "Plus, you know it's risky for a pregnant woman to be lifting something heavy!"

"I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF CARRYING TWO SMALL BOOKS! FOR ONE, I'M NOT LITFTING THEM, I'M CARRYING THEM, SECONDLY, THEY AREN'T EVEN HEAVY!"

"Ok ok, jeez!" said Vince, handing Gretchen her books and rolling his eyes.

"DONT ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME VINCE!" shouted Gretchen.

"SO" shouted Spinelli over Gretchen "What is this news? Are we going to start playing top trumps of life changing events? Gunna try and challenge me or Gretchen?"

"Well, our news is pretty big" said Mikey with a smile, noting Spinelli's humour.

"Well, guys, I've been waiting to tell you this for a while..." said Gus, who despite feeling sure the gang would accept him, still felt nervous "...I'm gay"

"Really? But you and Theresa..." said Vince in mild surprise.

"I kinda figured to be honest" shrugged Spinelli.

"Thank you for telling us Gus" said TJ "You know of course that we all accept you just like we do Mikey? That should go without saying, but just wanted to clarify it"

"Thanks guys I knew you'd all be cool" said Gus "But that's NOT the only news..."

"Guys, Gus and I are dating, we have been for nearly a month now" said Mikey joyfully.

"That's great" replied TJ.

"Yeah, we're all really happy for you" said Gretchen.

"Defiantly" agreed Vince.

"It really is good news" replied Spinelli "and heck, back in elementary school we'd never have thought we'd all wind up dating someone in the group!"

"Oh, Mother Fate, how beautiful your work is!" cried Mikey

"Wait, you said this happened around a month ago?" asked TJ, he continued as the new couple nodded "Gus, does this have anything to do with you moving out of your Dad's place?"

"Yeah, Dad wasn't very accepting. Mum has been brilliant though" explained Gus.

"Dads can be tossers" mumbled Spinelli.

"Its fine" replied Gus "Really, it's my Dad's problem, not mine"

"That's a really good way to look at it Gus" said Spinelli, thinking of her own situation of her father, this reinforcing her dislike toward him "It's your Dad's loss Gus, not yours"

"So, who have you guys told so far?" asked Gretchen curiously, as she thought about her own situation with her pregnancy, and how she'd kept things quiet for as long as possible.

"Our parents, you guys, and Theresa" listed Gus "But that's it, we want to keep things on the down-low for now"

"You told Theresa before us?" asked Vince curiously.

"Yeah, had to explain why I was breaking up with her" explained Gus.

"Are you all happy to keep this to yourselves?" asked Mikey "We'd love to be open about our relationship, but you know how judgemental everyone is in this school; it would just make our life more difficult"

"Of course we will" replied TJ.

"Do you guys think this happens a lot?" asked Spinelli thoughtfully, as she considered Butch and Francis's relationship "You know, homosexual couples, keeping their relationship quiet?"

"I doubt it" replied Gus "Mikey and I are probably the only homosexual couple in the school"

"Yeah, maybe..." said Spinelli, of course maintaining Butch and Hustler Kid's confidence, but at the same time thinking that the situation was little sad.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter :)

Rose-Aki: Spinelli is back and better now, and TJ was a sweetie for standing by Spinelli, bless him, he wouldn't be any different :)

Burton's Disney Princess: Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, I wanted it to be cute! And Now Spinelli is getting back to –somewhat- normal! :) I hope you liked this chapter!

Sonni: Thank you, TJ really is the best boyfriend ever bless him! We just know he'd be totally loyal to Spinelli, no matter what. Spinelli is still recovering well and trying to get back to normal, which is good, bless her! I hope you liked Gus and Mikey telling everyone about their relationship! I loved the X factor, glad amelia lily is back! And I was SO shocked that Kitty actually got kicked off, I was like 'here we go again' Eastenders has been good too, but Ben was a tit!

Please read and review! Constructive criticism welcome!

Big Cliffy Meanie x