Author's Note: So this is the eigth chapter. This chapter may sound like it's a different fic but this is the entrance of other character's so it's not that random keep in mind. To bring you up to speed on things, Spinner has been missing for quite some time to a lot of the characters. A lot of this stuff is happening around the same time I'd like to keep in mind. So basically I'm trying to my best to convey that it's the same day and other things are happening with people throughout town. Do not worry I'm getting back to the other stuff. So this is chapter eight, and it focus' on bringing in new characters - sort of a subplot. I don't want to give anything away just yet. Feel free to ask me if you're confused which I hope I'm clear and stuff. Also, wanted to say that I'm thankful for the reviews. JazzyRaveler remarked it's like a miniseries or movie - I guess you can say that. I feel that way too. So I'm going to stop the rambling and let this chapter sort of speak for itself. Happy Halloween, in honor of halloween I might just add one more chapter after this for the patience and the great feed back. I'm just excited about writing a new chapter and submitting a new chapter as people sound when I get feedback/praise. Thank you everyone.

Chapter Eight

The Phantom of Sore Subjects

Darcy Edwards beamed politely as she walked through the door of a place that was familiar to her, she was back in town once again but something or someone was missing. Something was just plain weird about the entire experience. So light, less homey, very lavender and white. Smelled less like a grill and more like coffee.

She looked about the place she had spent many days, dates, dinners, and lattes and couldn't recognize a soul in there. It was like all of a sudden she realized the true repercussions of leaving everyone behind. It looked as if everyone had skipped town and she was the only person holding on like a relic. A phantom.

She was hoping to see anybody she was considered to be friends with but deep down everyone knows in Degrassi you ought to be careful what and how you wish for things because like in a Goosebumps novel you have to be constantly aware that things are never what they seem. Most important of all it's all about being careful what you wish for, of course it is the first step in forming any sort of bond. It had been time well spent being away. Darcy tapped the wood paneling at the door shifting uncomfortably and awkwardly waiting for a hostess.

Finally, her hostess arrives she impatiently grumbles but ultimately beams politely at the girl with blunt bangs she couldn't help but notice how dramatic the style was. It looked different inside, The Dot. Where was the red? Where were the bricks? What was this place? "You must be new in town."

"Not exactly, it's just been awhile."

An unrecognizable high-school aged girl was the hostess; her name tag said Katie, "There was a fire, now it looks like this. That's all I really know."

Darcy was going to say something but she didn't and wordlessly and less than enthusiastic about the circumstance Katie led her to a table in the back. The table was near a large window with plenty of sun to soak with only one other person in the section to share company with. Darcy wondered to herself, "I wonder what her damage is?"

Katie gave her a menu, more like tossed it on the table loudly in efforts to wake up the homeless looking fellow at the table near by. She insistently murmured to Katie, a thank-you although it's not like anyone would remember or care or even be paying attention, "Even the menus look different."

And to think I wanted to go home. Kenya was beautiful. People actually cared what you did, Darcy recollected to herself.

"Your server will come by in a few minutes, enough time for you to look over the menu."

Katie was a tall raven-haired athletic looking girl with this uncanny knack to look kind of mope, sure granted what high school girl would want to wait on people twice her age? At least look a little happy or at least content to serve. Even when attempting to smile, she still managed to come off a bit abrasive; she didn't look to be at all patient seeming as if this job was just a paycheck to her. She probably had that spiel committed to memory because the idea of speaking to a stranger was beyond her, "would you like water while you wait?"

Darcy removed her glasses, "Sure that'd be nice."

Once the hostess left, she couldn't help but glance sympathetically to the other person in the room, who was sitting hunched over screwing with the sugar packets and making a bit of a mess like a bored six-year-old with preoccupied parents.

The man, or whomever she figured was facing the windows contemplating something not facing her. His hair was long, from what she could see from the hoodie it was straggly, his clothing looked worse for the wear. Now that show noticed, there was some kind of an odor to the room. You can tell he was less than happy someone was sharing the air or perhaps embarrassed. It smelled like liquor and the smell that occurs when you're outside for too long and you start to smell outdoorsy.

The waitress walked over to his table in trying to take his order, he just shooed her away, rudely at that and said he's thinking about it but yet his menu laid flat on the table. You can only imagine how thin she imagines Katie's patience is at this point, three empty glasses sit in front of him.

Surprisingly enough, when Katie was finally out of the room, he spoke, "I used to own this place."

Darcy politely smiled, he wasn't looking at her but the voice sounded familiar.

"Now look at me. I'm homeless, divorced, and alone. I can't trust anyone ever."

"I'm sure that isn't true." She tried deflecting some of it she had experience in bettering horrible situations. The two people in the room weren't facing or looking at one another. They just continued on some sad sob conversation. While in Kenya she met a lot of children with problems from being orphaned to starving to death so when someone complains about something simple or about emotional things she believes that it's not as bad as they think it is. "What about the trust?"

"Anyone ever cheat on you?"

"That's personal . ." she trailed off toying with her hair uncomfortably fixating upon a particularly troublesome split end. Her hair was quite long, most people would joke she was wearing extensions but the truth was her hair was long and desperately needed a cut and now she's just taking notice to the split ends and now she wants to play with them to pass the time.

"Answer the question." The man was impatient," was it emotional cheating or did you walk in on them."

"Yes, once I suppose but it was a very long time ago." She was silent, he was silent, she looked down at the table, "Yes."

"And the circumstance?"

"It was physical. In retrospect, I don't know how he put up with me and my impossible laundry list of expectations. We were friends after too, I know it was my fault that it didn't work out." Then she realized she was airing her laundry to the lowest bidder, "Why am I telling you this?"

"Because you're a trusting person." The stranger muttered, "like I used to be."

"I just feel like I could trust you."

"You could tell my ex-wife that. At least somebody could. I'm no saint though."

"I would've loved him too. Who am I kidding? I did love him. Now he's gone." Darcy added, "if only I just let it go. Now I'm alone in a small town, wishing I had a friend - so I talk to a stranger in a diner." She noticed that the stranger was just looking out the window, had spoken to her but didn't even stop to look at her once. "Did you go to school by here?"

The stranger nodded, "I used to rule that school. Degrassi fucking high, my ex girlfriend were the regrettably perfect couple. You know what I'm talking about right? I managed to screw up a lot of good things I had in high school."

"As much as I never thought I would, I miss that place."

"You're too young to actually miss that place." He turned around, bewildered at the sight he saw. It was indeed a familiar face. Spinner Mason her ex boyfriend whom she admits was the first guy she loved and the breakup was on such crappy terms. He looked disheveled. He lost a lot of weight. He looked homeless.

"Spinner! What happened to you?" Darcy questioned, with alarm and worry for her old friend. She got up out of her seat and hugged him tight without thinking. Spinner returned the hug and just cried, it's clear he had drunk and without a home for some time.

"What brings you back?" Spinner wiped away some tears with the top of his hand.

"It's my sister, my sister is very sick. It looks bad."

Spinner pulled away bashfully refusing to look her in the eye, "I'm sorry and I'm sorry I stink."

"I just haven't . . seen you in a long time." Darcy politely smiled, first familiar face I've seen in town, "you need a place to stay. Stay with my family it's the least I can do. No, I won't take no for an answer."

"I couldn't impose . . you said about your sister. . "

"It's not imposing when I invited you in the first place." Darcy playfully nudged him, "Plus, she lives at the hospital. I take it your parents don't live close by?"

"They moved a long time ago to be close to perfect Kendra at her college. With her perfect rich boyfriends family close by and all. After I got divorced, and they found out it was my fault after they kind of said they didn't approve of my wife and everything and now look. None of it matters. I know they still care . . "

"All the more reason you stay with me. We'll get you cleaned up, I'm sure my mother would be overjoyed to see you."

Darcy's magically changed tune changed, just as their waitress finally arrived. She made Spinner move to her table. They sat together; saw a lot of funny looks from Katie included who can see the two holding hands at the table. It wasn't romantic, but it could be read that way at least not now was it romantic. Was it ever a sight for sore eyes? An old friend from the good days was just what she needed.