A/N: I apologize for this chapter being so short. The next few chapters are going to be longer. Theydeal with Paige's rehab and everything. We'll get back to Alex eventually.

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi, or the lyrics used in this story. Those are owned by Mr. Marilyn Manson.

"DEFORMOGRAPHY"

\YOU TAKE BUT CANNOT BE GIVEN
YOU RIDE BUT CANNOT BE RIDDEN
PINCH THIS TINY HEART OF MINE
WRAP IT UP IN SOILED TWINE
YOU'VE NEVER READ WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN/

The psychologist's office was boring and stuffy, with walls painted beige and a solid oak desk sitting on one side of the room. It was the typical sort of place with no personality, the kind of places Paige hated most. There were obscure pictures on the wall, and also the infamous couch. It looked like the couch in all of the movies, and Paige couldn't help but cringe. She wondered what kind of people came in here. All sorts of people came to see psychologists, and not all of them were mentally sound. Was she mentally stable? Paige didn't feel crazy. Alex had to wait outside as Paige was evaluated, and Paige took a seat on the couch, shuddering.

"Paige Michalchuk?" A tall woman with broad shoulders came into the room. Her legs were slender, a business suit clinging to her body. Her blonde hair was pulled into a slight bun. She didn't look like the psychologist type. She was quite pretty, with large lips and almond shaped eyes the color of sea foam. When she saw Paige sitting on what had been dubbed 'the crazy couch', she laughed. "You can take a seat in the chair by my desk. The couch is for regular visitors." She explained. Paige looked relieved as she settled into the chair, looking at the gorgeous woman in front of her.

"So your girlfriend wants you to go to rehab. Why do you think she wants that?" The woman asked, immediately delving into why they were here. She took out a pen and a folder full of papers.

"Because I have a problem. Admitting it is the first step, right?" The blonde answered with an anxious laugh, uncomfortably crossing her legs. She felt weird.

"Right, right. Well what exactly is your problem? I need clarification for your records, so the people at the rehabilitation center know what kind of withdrawal to expect." The doctor had a deep voice as smooth as velvet, and Paige swallowed quickly, clearing her throat. Apparently this place was where the big-timers went. People who would be shaking and going into convulsions because of their withdrawal. But Paige wasn't a big-timer, not at all. She doubted she would go through much withdrawal. She didn't even feel addicted to anything.

"Nothing that big, I mean not heroin or anything. Just like, pills and marijuana, sometimes coke." Paige replied nonchalantly, her face hiding under a curtain of blonde hair.
"Okay. And you want to get better?"

The questions continued for another excruciating half hour until they were finally done. When it was over she walked out the door, a look of relief present on her face. Alex gazed at her expectantly, waiting impatiently to hear the results.
"I'm not crazy. But I am going to rehab."

They drove back home to pack Paige's suitcases. Paige could feel herself growing more and more nervous. She had no idea what to expect. As she shoved various items into her travel bags, she grimaced. She watched Alex out of the corner of her eye, sad she was going to be away from her. She wasn't sure how long she'd be at the center. She didn't want to know until she got there, that way she wouldn't end up changing her mind.

---

"So I guess this is it." Alex said, stopping the car in the parking lot. She turned to Paige, whose blue green eyes glimmered with indifference, and sighed. "Are you going to tell me goodbye?" She asked, voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. Paige gazed at her, nodding.

"I just don't want to believe this is real." Paige answered tenderly. "I'm scared." She admitted, looking at the building she was about to go into. She'd be staying there for god knows how long, with god knows what kind of people. She didn't want to leave. She just wanted to stay where she was -- in that car with Alex's eyes boring into her the way they were. At least then she was safe, and she knew what to expect. She wasn't comfortable leaving what she had grown used to. She felt like she would die without Alex there to take care of her.

"I'm scared too," Alex told her, fingers curling around the other girls'. "But when you get back, you'll be good and everything will be good. I'm positive." She kissed her, a kiss of mixed courage and fear. When the kiss ended, Paige stepped out of the car, suitcases in hand.

"I love you." She said quickly, glancing at Alex one last time. She took her first step towards the building, and a few more, until she was up the stairs. Alex watched as her friend's body shrinked away, and became aware of the tears forming in her unwilling eyes.

\I'LL BE YOUR LOVER
I'LL BE FOREVER
I'LL BE TOMORROW
I AM ANYTHING WHEN I'M HIGH/