This chapter is dedicated to all the people who have taken time to read my story. This was a really fun story to write and you guys made it better by telling me how much you enjoyed it.

I also dont know Paige's eye color but every picture I have seen of her they look green so thats what I'm going with.

We go together
And that's for sure
And in the future
We'll still be pure

Looks like a big surprise
Hands up, it's in your eyes

The silence was killing him. Every bite of his pancakes seemed to reappear on his plate and the stack seemed never-ending in the awkwardness of the morning meal. His dad may have finally accepted Marco but neither of them knew how to handle it. Marco was ecstatic about what had happened the night before but you couldn't tell unless you were to look in his eyes, which were sparkling madly. But he kept them down, focused on his food and nobody saw them.

Mr. Del Rossi was simply trying to answer the question. "What now?" He and his son's relationship was finally at peace and he was just happy that Marco had actually forgiven him after all he had done. This morning however they were both walking on pins and needles, not wanting to do or say anything that would once again send the other away.

Marco looked at his watch and realized it was time to go. He got up from his seat and hung his bag around his shoulder before kissing his mother. Just as he had done every morning. But today he paused. He looked at his dad and decided in his mind one more thing that would help cement their relationship. He made his way over to him and wrapped one arm around his shoulders gently.

"See you later Pa." He said before walking out the door, leaving a smile on both of his parent's faces.

"Where were you yesterday? And the day before?" Ellie's overly cheerful voice asked him as he opened hi locker.

He thought a moment before answering. "Do you really want to know?" He looked at her and she raised her eyebrows.

"No I asked you for the kicks." She replied sarcastically causing Marco to roll his eyes.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He said vaguely but Ellie just cocked her head to the side expectantly.

"I… got drunk. Then somehow I ended up at Dylan's dorm and I woke up there the next morning." Ellie's eyes widened and a mischievous smile grew on her lips.

"No! Not like that, nothing happened." He quickly interjected her thoughts. Ellie just giggled lightly but then remembered the rest of his statement.

"You got drunk? That's… unexpected." She said quietly. She knew first hand how alcohol could screw you up. She had come home enough times to find her mother drunk out of her mind to know this was no small deal.

"I know it was stupid. I learned that the hard way. But you don't have to worry about me; I'm never doing that again." He wrapped his arms around her small torso and squeezed her. "I promise."

Ellie nodded and Marco felt her silent agreement against his head. He let go of her and closed his locker just as the bell rung.

Marco headed towards his first class and Ellie did the same. He walked in and sat in the same seat he always sat in. This day was just like any other day, until Paige walked in. Normally she walked in with a large smile on her face and Spinner on her arm. Not today.

Memories flooded his mind with a slight pang of guilt and sadness. His thoughts had been so focused on his own problem he hadn't even gone to see Spinner. Some friend he was.

The honey haired girl sat next to him solemnly and opened her books to the page indicated on the white-board. He wanted to say something, to ask how Spinner was doing or how she was doing, but the words were caught in his throat and they reused to budge.

She looked at him quickly and they both forced a half-hearted smile onto their lips. It wasn't awkward but slightly depressing that they couldn't even have actual smiles around each other now.

Marco turned his head not wanting to keep their eyes locked any longer. Paige was just as relieved for the break. She sighed quietly and begun to start her work, though her mind was only on it a portion of the time. As was Marco's. Their thoughts, if heard, would have sounded entwined for they were both on one thing.

Spinner.

BBBBBRRRRRRIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG…

"Ok don't forget to read chapter 5 in your text books tonight." Mr. Spick called out as the class gathered up their things and hurried out of the room.

Paige seemed much quicker then usual and Marco followed her but was surprise when he found her waiting for him at the door.

"Hey Paige." He managed to say. "How are you?"

"Fine. You?"

"Better…" They started to walk. "How is… uh… Spin doing?"

"Pretty good. He woke up." She looked down at her hands for a moment and twisted them as she thought about her words. "He wants to see you Marco."

Her green eyes met his brown in an attempt to convince him her words were true.

"Then I'll go and see him." He dreaded actually going there but he knew he had to. "Maybe after school…"

Paige nodded then turned into her class. Marco couldn't help but think 'What have I done?'

"Ma? It's Marco." He spoke into his cell phone as he trudged down the steps of Degrassi. "No I'm fine… I was just calling to tell you I have plans after school… A few friends… Okay… see you tonight, love you."

He snapped the phone shut and stuck it in his pocket before sitting on the bus stop bench. Normally he wouldn't check in with his parents if he was going somewhere after school but he didn't want to worry them any more then he already had. And normally he didn't lie to his parents about where he was going. But he really wasn't in the mood to be asked why he was going to the hospital.

After a few moments the large city bus plowed down the street and stopped in front of him. He entered the automatic doors before taking his seat a few rows behind the driver. There were a few more people on the bus but he paid no attention to them. Though it was hard since apparently the young child in the back thought having a temper tantrum in the thin isle was a good idea. Instead of being bothered he just flipped open his bag and blasted his headphones. Not only did they drown out annoying children but the taunting of his own thoughts was silenced.

He leaned his head against the cool glass of the bus window and sighed. There was no turning back now. No matter how much he wanted to jump through that window he knew that this was going to happen.

Finally the hospital came into view. He pulled on the rope above his head to signal the bus driver to stop. It came to a screeching halt in front of one of the buildings and he forced himself to get up and walk through the doors.

"Can I help you sir?" A skinny black haired receptionist called to him when he came close to the desk.

"Uh, yeah. Can you tell me where umm, Gavin Mason's room is?" She nodded and started clacking on her computer.

"Its room 209. Right down that hall over there." She pointed to her left. "Just follow the signs."

"Thanks." He muttered and began his walk through the halls. He came to the first sign.

"116-142… 143-170…" He whispered to himself as he read down the list of rooms. "200-227, there we go." Next to it was an arrow that pointed to the left and something else that puzzled him. The words psychiatric injury ward was printed.

He raised one eyebrow but shrugged it off and started down the hall the sign indicated. It wasn't long before he reached room 209. He reached for the door handle and his hand started to shake.

Do it. You need to talk to him. He urged himself. His hand fell on the knob and he twisted it slowly. The door clicked and swung open. He stepped inside and was met with the curious stare of Spinner.

"H-h-hey Spinner." Marco said trying to sound as casual as possible. He took a quick overlook of him. His hair had also been shaved off and now looked similar to Marco's but shorter. There was an IV in his left arm that caused Marco to wince inwardly. He remembered how uncomfortable those things were.

"Hey…" Came Spinner's reply. "How've you been?"

"I should be asking you that."

"I'm fine, except for the interruptions I get every thirty minutes."

Marco looked at him quizzically. Why would they interrupt him every half hour?

Spinner read the expression and looked at his hands. "Suicide watch really sucks…"

Suicide watch? Why would he be on… "You didn't really…" Marco started.

Unseen tears attempted to roll down Spinners cheeks but he wiped them away before they could travel very far. "Yeah… I did."

"Spinner…" He finally moved from his position at the door and sat in the chair next to Spinners bed. "Why?"

"It's all I deserve for what happened." He was referring to the accident.

"You couldn't control that."

"Yes I could've."

"You weren't driving. You weren't drunk. It wasn't your fault." Marco used everything he had in him not to yell.

"Yes but I left you there. I let Jay drive off. I-"

"I don't care anymore Spinner. You can go ahead and blame yourself but it won't make it your fault. At least not to me." He sighed and put his hand on Spinners bed. "We can't change what happened but we can figure out how to deal with what's going to happen next."

Spinner looked at him. "What is going to happen next?"

"I'm going to tell the police to stop looking for the guy who hit me. And I'm going to find a way to make buzz cuts the new trend." Marco smiled.

"How are you going to manage that?"

"Get Jimmy and Craig to shave their heads."

"Not that. The police thing."

"I'll find a way. You know I always do."

"So nothing's gonna happen to Jay?"

"Not necessarily." Spinner raised his eyebrow in question. "Dylan can't wait to get his hands on him. And he's got a whole hockey team on his side." They both laughed.

It was good to be able to laugh with Spinner again. It had been a while since he had even been able to look him in the eye. Marco finally felt happy. Not a drunk happy or a relief happy… just happy. That he had his friend back and he wasn't ever going to lose him again.

YAY! Happy endings are always good. Thank you to all my loyal readers who kept me going through these weeks I hope you enjoyed it!

MUCH LOVE messmeup