and the story continues; chapter 4, for your reading pleasure.

disclaimer - i do not own degrassi, unfortunately.

As Alex poured kernels into the popcorn machine, she had the strange feeling that someone was watching her. The movie theater where she worked was packed, so when her girlfriend spun her around by her shoulders and kissed her passionately,almost violently, she was surprised, to say the least. Paige wasn't a huge fan of public displays of affection. Well, atleast not that sort of affection. She was always babbling about not wanting a "trashy reputation". Alex respected that,she never pushed her. The last thing she wanted was for Paige to feel uncomfortable.

"You are aware that there are people around, right Paige?" she teased. Paige looked her in the eyes, deeply.

"I love you,Alex" she told her other half;both seriousness and determination in her declaration.

"I love you too--hey, are you okay?"

"Fine" Paige said quickly "Nothing's wrong,I'm fine. Look! Customers."

Paige stepped up to the counter, as Alex looked at her, amused. Something was bothering Paige; she could tell. Paige was too proud to ask for help, and too stubborn to accept it. Whatever it was, Alex would have to leave it be, and hope Paige coudl handle it on her own. She also knew that if it was too serious, Paige would come to her, atleast that's what she counted on. That night Paige was on her own. This gave her the unwanted opportunity to mull over her thoughts. She didn't want to think about the kiss she shared with Ellie. The guilt currently residing in Paige was eating her up. Even though she didn't kiss Ellie back, she kept kicking herself for not stopping the incident. For not turning her head,or backing away, pushing Ellie off of her, anything to stop it from happening. But truth be told, Paige wasn't scared of the kiss itself, she was scared that she liked it. What did that mean? Could it possibly mean she was attracted to Ellie? Were her feelings for Alex not as strong as she thought them to be? No. She automatically shook those thoughts off, she loved Alex. She had no doubt about that. And when exactly did Ellie jump on the lesbian bandwagon anyway?, she thought to herself. The voice inside her head was loud and insistant; shouting question after question at her. She clenched her eyes tightly, urging it to stop. Too many thoughts filled her brain. The blonde, on the verge of tears, threw her head back and screamed in frustration. She wanted to tell Alex what happened, to let her fix things. She yearned for Alex's arms to be wrapped around her shoulders, while she told her how it wasn't her fault, and she was forgiven. And then she pictured Ellie. She saw the scared look in her caramel colored eyes as she pleaded for forgiveness; and again when she begged her not to tell. Paige could see Ellie's loving expression she held her close, before touching her lips to Paige's. When it happened, it had surprised her. Afterwards, she was shocked by her sudden urge to run her hands through Ellie's gorgeous flame tinted locks; to trace her every curve. She couldn't speak, what about alex? she inwardly screamed at herself. She briefly wondered if they could work out if she wasn't with Alex. "Oh God, I'm horrible," she groaned aloud, and tried to eliminate all thoughts of beautifully flawless (SHUT UP PAIGE! YOU LOVE ALEX!) redheads

-- that same night --.

Ellie took a deep breathe as she looked into the eyes of her best friend. "Marco,I'm gay."

"What?" He asked, clearly caught off guard. "I mean, you're sure?"

"Definately."

"Well, i'm so glad you came to me. I'm proud of you, El," he said with a broad grin.

Ellie told Marco of her love for Paige, how she kissed her in the school's basement during detention,and about Paige's lack of words the rest of the day. When she was finished, Marco resembled a deer caught in headlights.

"Woah," he managed to say "she's with Alex."

"Thanks, I didn't know that." Ellie sneered.

"Sorry. It's just -did she kiss you back?"

Ellie thought about this. Did she? She looked down as a tear made its way down her cheek, sighing in depression and defeat.

"No," she said softly.

"Ellie, I know you - erm, love - Paige, but you can't expect her to be unfaithful. She know's what that feel's like, you know. Or have you forgotten the SpinnerManny fling?" Ellie nodded knowingly, eyes still on the floor. Marco contined. "Maybe if the timing was right, or if she wasn't with Alex. Please, don't chase after her. I've been in competition with Alex before, she's brutal, and she'll do anything to hold onto Paige. I think she's the best thing that's ever happened to her. I'd hate to see what would happen if Alex found out, I just don't want you to get hurt."

By now Ellie's tear ducts were kicking into overdrive. Her face glistening, she felt her throat tighten.

"Look at me Marco!", she snapped, "I'm already hurt," Marco pulled Ellie into a hug, letting her dry her eyes on his shoulder.

"I know, I know. I mean't physically, El."

The duo sat on Ellie's bed for what seemed like forever, Ellie crying endlessly into Marco's shoulder. Marco stroking her hair, in a soothing manner. Eventually the heartbroken girl ran out of tears, and was overcome with fatigue. As she yawned, Marco gently pushed her off of his shoulder.

"You need sleep, call me tomorrow," Marco whispered softly. This woke Ellie up.

"Wait!" she cried. "Can you stay with me? Atleast until I fall asleep?" seeing his hesitation she spoke up again. "Please, Marco. I don't want to be alone right now."

Without saying a word, Marco walked to the other side of her fairly small bedroom, and opened her closet door. He removed a blanket from the top shelf. Then, he walked back to where Ellie was sitting, looking hopeful. He flashed her a smile she knew all too well.

"Can i borrow a pillow?"

"What would i do without you?" Marco pulled Ellie onto her feet by her arms, and hugged her briefly.

"I have no idea," he teased.

The next morning, Marco opened his eyes groggily, to stale sunlight. He glanced up at Ellie from his place on the floor; she was already awake.

"Good morning," she tried her best to smile.

"Did you get any sleep at all?" Marco asked her.

"Some. Thanks for being here last night."

"You know I'm always here for you. I'm surprised your mom didn't freak that i stayed over," he laughed.

"Marco, she know's you're gay."

"Yeah, i know. But does she know that you are?" he inquired, turning the conversation serious.

"You're the only one that knows"

"I know you're scared, but, when i came out to my mom, she took it better than i thought she would. She accept me, I'm sure yours will too," He said comfortingly.

"I'm afraid her reaction will be more along the lines of your father's," she said, averting eye contact."

Marco grimaced at the bad memory. He didn't want that for his friend; for anyone. He already had several friends, and a boyfriend, to support him once he came out to his mom. And while he and Dylan had broken up by the time he announced it to his dad, all of his friends had made it much easier for him. Ellie had told noone except him. She had no close friends to back her up, nor a significant other. On the plus side, Ellie's mom wasn't a "homophobe", she accepted him. So, maybe she could accept her daughter's homosexuality as well, when Ellie was ready to let her secret be known.

"Well, when you're ready to tell her, I'll be right there with you," he assured her.

"Thank you, Marco."

Well, there it is folks. I hope this can hold you over until i get chapter 5 up. An extra long chapter is coming soon, and the real Pellie action will begin. Review, please. Critism is always welcome, as long as it's constructive.