Paige sat down on the front steps of Degrassi Community School after the final bell. Spinner had a shift at The Dot, Hazel was working on a math project, and Terri had a date with Rick. Paige wasn't used to not having anything to do on a Friday afternoon, so, after much contemplation, Paige decided to go home and work on her MI project.

She was halfway between Degrassi and her house when she heard footsteps behind her. Paige turned around to see Ellie stalking towards her. "What do you want, Ellie?" Paige sighed, knowing what this was going to be about.

Ellie made up the space between her and Paige quickly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Paige?"

Paige looked at Ellie witheringly. "I'm walking home."

Ellie returned Paige's vicious glare. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"Actually, Ellie, I don't know what you're talking about. Explain it to me."

"Why are you making my life hell?"

"You're doing it to yourself, Ellie. I'm just trying to help you."

"Well, you're not. You don't know anything about it."

"That's why I'm doing this project. So I can learn about it."

"You're not going to learn anything from some medical web-site written by some old guy who never experienced what it's like!"

"Then you tell me." Paige's expression softened a little. "That way the information will be first-hand."

Ellie sat down on the sidewalk curb, knees tucked up under her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs. She turned her head to face the blonde, and Paige was startled to see tears forming. "I can't," Ellie whispered, her hands falling to her side, "I just... I can't."

Paige walked hesitantly to where Ellie was situated and sat down beside her. "I know. I know what you mean."

Ellie glared at Paige with wet eyes. "You have no idea what I'm going through."

"Maybe not exactly, but I know what it's like to not be able to talk about something. I was... Last year...I went to a party and...was raped."

Ellie's eyes looked Paige up and down. "I-I'm sorry," she mumbled, "I didn't know."

Paige shrugged. "I didn't expect you to. But the weeks after were hell. I didn't tell anyone about it, and it just sat on my shoulders like this huge weight. But once I started talking with Ms. Suave... as cliché as it sounds, it was like the weight was off my shoulders." She looked at Ellie closely. "Talking helps."

Ellie looked at the ground between her feet. "I know. And... I want to. But I don't know how to say what I'm feeling when I...you know."

Paige shrugged. "Then don't talk about that. Talk about what you did today in school, or what you had for dinner last night, or who you want to win a Gemini. If you do want to talk about..." Paige stopped, not sure what she should call it, "other stuff, you can talk about what sort of things make you want to...you know."

Ellie looked at Paige closely, and Paige could tell that what she was saying was affecting the other girl. "It's just..." Ellie began, "It's just, I'm feel so alone. My dad's gone, my mom might as well be gone, Marco's always off with Dylan, and Ashley's always off with Craig. I'm all alone." She broke off as tears started falling.

Paige instinctively put her arm around Ellie, who tensed at the contact. But Page didn't move, and pretty soon Ellie relaxed into Paige's arm and laid her head on the blonde girl's shoulder.

"You're not alone, Ellie," Paige whispered, "I'm right here."