AN: Yay! I finally updated! Aren't you proud:D I've also been working on a series of oneshots (two Emma-centric, two Crellie), so check that out as well.

Thanks for all the absolutely wonderful reviews. It means so much to me.

IM me anytime: DP Emma Nelson

I've been working at a wonderful site for Degrassi fans. It's the perfect place to talk and read/write fanfiction, so I would love for you guys to look at it. In fact, some of you already have! Anyway, the website is: 10: One Step Closer to Nowhere

Ellie felt numb. Nothing mattered anymore. She had truly tried, but everything had fallen apart. She shouldn't have been so surprised. She looked down at the trembling hand clutching the shard of glass. This was it. There could be no turning back.

She wiggled her fingers impatiently as she wondered why she felt so scared. It wasn't like she had never done this before. Sure, she would be betraying Sean, but by now she had learned that promises were just words. She ached to feel the release the makeshift knife would bring her.

Ellie glanced up and froze as she saw her reflection in the mirror. Who was that broken girl with tear-stained cheeks staring at her? Could that really be her? Shaking her head in disgust, she focused her attention back on the blade once more.

She would always be a cutter.

---

Sean jerked the car to a rough stop. He was finally here. All those feelings of worry, fear and longing returned. He stared at the lonely pathway before him. Maybe he should turn back while he still could. But he had come all this way.

Sean turned off the engine and slammed the door. He wanted this, he reassured himself. Straightening his shoulders, he marched determinedly up to the door. He had come so far already; he couldn't leave now.

---

Paige stared at the empty space in front of her that had previously been occupied by Spinner. Then she shook her head. She had more important people to worry about. Like Matt Oleander, her newest ex. But she wasn't about to give up on him just yet.

She started walking, annoyed with everything. She picked up her pace, pushing the slow crowd around her out of her way. Breaking into a light jog she darted across the street, narrowly avoiding death by car. She slowed as she approached the cafe and breathlessly scanned the area for that familiar face.

He was gone.

---

Closer. The blade dug in to her skin with frightening power as she let out the breath she had held unconsciously. She hadn't remembered how much it hurt. She watched, detached from it all, as a solitary droplet of blood seeped out and trailed it's way down her wrist. Finally, it slowly fell to the ground. She looked back at her arm and the angry red mark she had made.

It wasn't enough. Ellie had to dig deeper.

---

Fixing his jacket, Sean nervously rang the doorbell. Sure, it was late out, but she would be glad to see him. Right? He sure hoped so. He impatiently shifted from foot to foot. What was taking so long? Then he heard someone approach the door and sighed with relief. The door opened.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" asked a tall, chunky, tough-looking man who looked like he was about to pummel Sean.

"Um... is Ellie here?" he tentatively asked.

"Ellie who? Go away and don't you dare bother me again..." the man trailed off, gave him a threatening look and slammed the door in Sean's face.

"Well, that went well," the discouraged boy muttered ironically.

---

Another red mark, another droplet of blood. Why wasn't it working? She was supposed to be feeling better now. Suddenly, the phone's obnoxious ring broke through her solitude. She jumped in shock and the shard of glass fell from her limp fingers and shattered into a million pieces.

"No!" she cried out as she desperately picked through the remnants, trying to find something to work with. All she found were tiny fragments. The blade was broken beyond repair.

She collapsed to the ground. Pulling her knees up to her chest and rocking back and forth, she finally began to sob.

What had she done?

TBC