Paige lay in her bed, staring at her alarm clock and waiting for it to ring. She hadn't got much sleep that night and she was trying to get any last seconds to hopefully sooth her restless mind. How could it be? Marco was having the time of his life and then suddenly it all ended. Now his world was breaking apart around him.
Across town Marco was thinking the same thing. He knew his dad would find out someday but he didn't want it to happen like this. He hadn't got much sleep even though his exhaustion was beginning to overcome him. His mind just kept wrapping around the scene that had happened the day before. He was comforted by the fact that Dylan had the courage to come back to his room. He wasn't sure exactly what had happened but he thought the best of his boyfriend and he figured it was something gallantly dumb.
Back at the Michalchuk residence Paige had finally gotten out of bed, her quest for sleep had proved to be useless. She jumped into the shower and tried to think of other things beside her friend. It wasn't working. She got out and quickly got dressed and did her hair just right before walking out the door to catch the bus.
Getting to school way before there were any signs of important life was not exactly fun. She went to her locker and even had enough time to rearrange most of it before Hazel showed up behind her.
"Hey." She said casually. She took another look at her friend and noticed the slight rings that had formed under her eyes. "Long night?"
"Are you psychic or do I actually look that bad?" Paige inquired turning to give Hazel one of her signature looks.
"You don't look that bad, but your eyes are all puffy. What happened?" She said concerned. If anyone was about getting beauty sleep it was Paige.
Paige thought about her answer before deciding exactly what to say. "Its not what's wrong with me. Its what's wrong with Marco." She received puzzled looks from her friend before continuing. "He… he was in an accident. He's in the hospital. Since Saturday."
The bell rang so she closed her locker and continued telling Hazel all that happened. Of coarse Hazel wasn't the type who could keep secrets so by third period half the school already knew why Marco was absent that day. She was however, careful enough to leave out what happened with his parents.
Lunch rolled around quickly as it did whenever there was new gossip around school. The two girls quickly found each other and sat down at their usual table along with Spinner Jimmy and Craig. And one empty seat where Marco usually would be.
"So? Are all these rumors about Marco true? He's in the hospital?" Craig asked the table. Jimmy shrugged and as if it had been rehearsed both Paige and Hazel nodded in unison. "Wow." He said and took a sip of his soda.
Spinner who was obviously confused, had to be told numerous times about the events of the weekend. They all planned to go there after school. His friends were eager to see him in all his bald glory.
"His dad actually did that?" Jimmy said concerned.
"Yeah. But it would probably be best if we didn't talk about it today." The bell rang and she got up from her chair. "Meet me at my house. Come around… lets say 3. I'll drive." Paige said before turning away from the boys and walking with Hazel to their next class. "I think he'll be happy to see us. He needs some anti-drama right now." Paige stated.
---------------------------------------------------Marco lay in his bed. Just as he had been doing all day. He looked out the window for the tenth millionth time hoping for a new view. He knew it was impossible for the scenery outside just to change for no reason but he could hope.
That's pretty much all he had. Hope…
He hoped this little "vacation", as he called it, in the hospital would be over soon and nothing would be wrong with him. He hoped his dad wouldn't hate him and better yet, someday actually accept him. He hoped that his friends could be here. He looked over at the clock on the wall and saw that school was already out.
"Right now I would be on my way home, going to do my homework." He said quietly to himself pressing himself further into the uncomfortable mattress. It was sad that even doing homework sounded better than what he was doing right now. It horrified him to think of all the work he was going to need to catch up on. Maybe that's why homework sounded so nice right now.
He looked out the window again to find exactly what he had found before. The tops of a few trees and in the distance a freeway still humming with cars. A bird flew by and it made him more excited than any sane man. But soon enough it was gone and the glimmer of hope he still had for the window faded away.
His gaze returned to the clock. Only 3:37. Marco heard a slight tapping coming from the door and turned to see Paige's face in the little window, which made it slightly funny. He waved his hand as a sign for her to come in and to his surprise Hazel, Craig, Spinner, and Jimmy followed.
"You guys. I'm so glad you're here." There was one hope that had been accomplished. In his mind he set the others aside. For now it was time to relax and talk with his friends.
"Snazzy… uh… head you got there." Jimmy said keeping the straightest face he could.
"Ha ha." Marco said, rolling his eyes.
"Its like a five o' clock shadow on your head." Craig joked, causing the whole room to laugh. Except for Spinner. He had a fake smile plastered on his face as he crossed his arms and leaned against the nearest wall.
It was easy to see that he was uncomfortable. Marco had an idea why. He probably knew about what had happened with his dad and Dylan and everything. Even though Spinner was the one to set him and the blonde up he still wasn't as comfortable around the fact he was gay.
Get over it Spinner. Just deal. He said to himself a little worried of another scene breaking out.
The rest of the teens noticed his silence to but they chose to ignore it for the same reason. The reason they came there was for anti-drama.
"So, how was school without me?" Marco asked shattering the awkward silence.
"Not the same. And just to let you know half the school already knows what happened. Thanks to Hazel." Paige said looking at her friend who had turned a light shade of pink.
"You know I can't keep a secret…" She murmured causing another round of laughter to go through the room.
"Its good to see you're back in good spirits." Said a voice from the door causing everyone to turn his or her head. It was Mrs. Del Rossi. There was no husband hanging on her arm however. She had come alone. She took a few steps into the room towards her son and touched his cheek.
She turned around to the group of friends, which were watching her every move. "Do you mind if I talk to my son in private for a bit?"
They all nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door behind them. "What do you think happened?" Paige questioned her friends. After she got a few shrugs from them she decided to answer her own question. "It can't be good."
Spinner was still silent. He had found another wall to lean on and had isolated himself from the group.
"What the hell is your problem?" Jimmy said angrily, walking up to Spinner.
"Wh…what?" He replied, obviously caught off guard.
"You heard me. Why do you look like you're about to meet your maker when we're all trying to cheer up a friend in the damn hospital?" He retorted, angrier than before.
"What are you talking about? Did you get hit with a basketball or something? Nothings wrong with me!" Spinner snapped back.
"Both of you just shut up!" Craig yelled as he walked towards the two. "We are here for Marco. Talk about your own problems on your own time."
They all looked at each other. "Fine, but he better step it up." Jimmy pointed at Spinner and turned away peeking into the little window to see Marco and his mom both with very sad looks on their faces. They looked on the verge of tears.
"But ma…" Marco whimpered.
"Honey, I don't like the idea either. But your Pa, he is very upset. Maybe when you are better he will change his mind. But right now he just needs some time." She leaned down and hugged Marco and then kissed him on the cheek before getting up from her chair and returning to full height. "I have to go. You're friends can stay as long as you like."
She turned around and walked to the door. Opening it, she received many looks of confusion before going down the hall. The friends piled back into the room. Marco wiped away his tears before anyone noticed they were there.
"Hey guys." He said, trying to sound as casual as possible. It didn't fool anyone.
"What happened?" Hazel asked as she put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"He…he kicked me out. He doesn't want me to come back…ever." Tears began to form in his eyes again.
They all understood that he was talking about his dad. They all understood that his parents meant the world to him. Marco didn't understand why his dad was taking it so hard. Marco did however understand the five words that he needed to hear.
He looked at Spinner. Spinner looked back and replied. "We're here for you Marco."
Awwww...-hugs spinner then glares at him evily- Anyways, hope you liked it. Remember to R&R!