Realization and Resistance Chapter 2: 2 Resistance, a degrassi fanfic

Reviews:

AscaDuin: You liked the extra parts that weren't in the episode? Well here's an entire chapter that's not in the episode! We are beyond Lexicon of Love now, and into my lovely continuation of the beautiful Palex! Enjoy.

DushkusBitch: As usual, I love enthusiastic reviews. Yours was quite enthusiastic, and much appreciated. It makes me feel like an author who isn't ignored. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to know that my writing brings people some pleasure in their lives.

The T.M.: Yes, the writers of Degrassi do suck for that one reason. They should die and burn in hell...no, wait. Then there would be no more Degrassi. That would be a problem. Oh well. At least they are kind enough to give my imagination the freedom to manipulate Palex into being what they should be! Thanks for reading!

melleh1: Yes, elaboration is a wonderful thing. Until it goes into a full on rant, then it can be annoying. That's why I'm going to try not to bore you folks. This chapter doesn't really go into the inner thoughts of the actual characters as much, but the next one will. This one is more of a "what the hell is going on" chapter. You'll like it.

WolfkidX: I saved your review for last for a reason. You are a hyperactive freak, or so the manner in which your review was written would say so. I like that kind of review. Disturbed nerds with no better use of their time are cool dudes. I'm a disturbed nerd with no better use of my time. Why else would I be indulging in my obsessions by writing this stuff? Thanks for your review. Here's your "Story! Story! Story!"

A/N: The song in this is Another Suitcase in Another Hall from the musical Evita. The part in plain italics is sung by one person and the part in bold italics is sung by another, in the background. Just a little added bit of info I thought I'd throw in.

Part 2: Resistance

I don't expect my love affairs to last for long
Never fool myself that my dreams will come true
Being used to trouble I anticipate it
But all the same I hate it, wouldn't you?

It was a new day at Degrassi Community School. Alex and Paige had woken up in each others arms at Paige's house. Alex had decided, with help from Paige's insistence, to stay out of her apartment for a while. The only other option was Paige's and Alex preferred the latter. It meant more time to spend with the object of her affection, who might possibly be her girlfriend…if she wanted to be.

So it was her second night in a row on Paige's bed, and this time the blonde was with her. They woke up in each other's arms smiling. It was two days after the premier, but it seemed like ages. That day afterwards when they met in the laneway had passed so slowly and painfully for both of them, with confusion piled on by the ton. The pain was less now, and the confusion as well, but things were still fuzzy and questions still needed answers.

As Alex walked into Degrassi arm in arm with Paige, she wondered how long she could get away with living outside her mom and Chad's apartment. She wondered if she and Paige could get through the impending tests of peer pressure and ridicule together and still be in one piece as a couple. But most importantly was that she wondered how long she could make this new happy life of hers last. She was becoming a new person, leaving her old self behind, but she held onto this creeping fear of going back into the depths of her depression. Paige was slowly bringing her into happiness, but still: fear was fear.

So what happens now?
Another suitcase in another hall
So what happens now?
Take your picture off another wall
Where am I going to?
You'll get by, you always have before
Where am I going to?

Looks greeted them in the hallways. The glances at Paige were half made in slight mockery of her botched cheer improvisation at the Kevin Smith assembly, and half in shock at her nerve to show up and prove right the rumors surrounding her and Alex. The Looks given to Alex were in disdain and disbelief. No one could even begin to fathom how and why the trailer trash reject/bully of Degrassi could have managed to get the most popular 'straight' girl to go out with her. It seemed a little iffy to them, as if it was all for show and couldn't be true.

Really, though, the two girls tried not to pay much heed to the attention they received as the strolled together to their first class. It was just a test they needed to get through if they were going to make it through the early stages of their relationship and on into couple-hood. So they kept up their attempt to show their peers that the comments and whatnot were not getting to them. But even so, it was discomforting that people could be so hateful.

Time and time again I've said that I don't care
That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through
But every time it matters all my words desert me
So anyone can hurt me, and they do

When they got to class they found seats next to each other, reserved thoughtfully by Marco. Whispers and mutterings filled each corner, and paranoia mixed with logic told Paige and Alex it was about them. The rumors weren't new to the school, but the truth to them was. They began first at the VIP party, continued with the secret laneway meeting, and then were pushed along by the emotional argument in the hallway. Now the truth to the matter was striking up more of an interest than the rumors.

"Paige is a dyke?" Some said. While others whispered: "She could at least do better than that…that low class trash." The gay and bi crowd was patting them on the back, (verbally of course), with whispers and knowing smiles of: "Good for you for trying to be open." It showed that there were people who believed love could exist without labels.

Still there existed the balls of paper thrown from behind with crude messages scribbled messily: "Hope you won't mind being pushed from the Spirit Squad. No one wants a cheerleader at the bottom of a pyramid looking up skirts." And there was the occasional "No wonder your parents are drunks; no wonder they keep kicking you out. They don't want a disgrace in their household…if that's what you can even call that dump." They also received one that said: "You don't belong in this school."

The first period ended and they were already having some doubts as they took refuge in a bathroom on the way to their next class. Paige and Alex went into separate stalls and waited until they were positive they were alone and joined each other in front of the sinks.

Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know
Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow
I won't recall the names and places of each sad occasion
But that's no consolation here and now.

"Paige, maybe you were right. Maybe we can't deal with it. Maybe it's not worth it," Alex sighed and looked away. "You know, I used to think what others thought didn't matter. I still think that, but it's when they try to use it to hurt me that it gets to me. And when they try to use it to hurt people I care about: namely you."

"Alex, what are you saying?" Paige shook her head. "You put me through hell yesterday telling me not to care what others think: that if I like you, I shouldn't hide it." The blonde pulled Alex into her arms and kissed her. "I'm not trying to guilt you into staying with me. If you don't want us to be together, just tell me. I want to give you what you want, what you need."

"I just don't want to see you in pain, Paige. We'll both go through more shit than we both deserve if we try to stick this through," Alex sighed again and gave Paige a quick kiss on the lips before nuzzling against her neck. "The world can be so damned ignorant," her words were muffled by Paige's soft hair; it smelled like strawberries. "I also don't want to be a hassle to you," Alex said, finally getting her major thoughts off of her chest. "Your parents are bound to soon ask about why I'm always around. If they find out it's because of my mom and Chad, they could somehow in their warped minds think I'm trash just like them, and a bad influence."

"Alex, you're welcome in my house anytime, for as long as you want: More importantly for as long as I want. You are not a hassle, and my parents can screw themselves for all I care. I'm not letting you live in that shit hole, even if we weren't to pursue this us thing," Paige held her breath for a moment. "I want there to be an 'us,' don't you?"

So what happens now?
Another suitcase in another hall
So what happens now?
Take your picture off another wall
Where am I going to?
You'll get by, you always have before

"Yes, Paige, more than anything; you are the only thing in my life that makes sense," Alex held Paige tightly in her arms. "It's just…no, never mind. You're right. We can get through this, you know? We make each other happy. So at the end of the day when we're feeling crappy, we'll find our way back into each other's arms and heal. That's what 'us' is, right? I like the sound of us."

Where am I going to?
Don't ask anymore.

A/N: Hey, I hope you liked it. Just want to remind you that more reviews get you more chapters. I have 220 hits on this story so far, yet only 5 reviews. Someone isn't reviewing who could be. That was a hint to you lazy bums who don't take the time to say if you like or don't like me. I know you know who you are. Review me!