…
Toby's POV
1 month later.
A month has passed since Craig's departure, and true to his words, he has kept in contact with us. With small emails asking how we've been, and an update on his deal, with creating an album. I was confident in the guy, as I knew he was excited.
Most of us functioned fine, Marco continued to be himself, sort of being the father-like figure for us, while Jimmy just went onto his own thing.
While Ellie had a much harder time with coping, she eventually accepted the terms. If Craig was happy, she was happy, and it was apparent.
Though I was still skeptical on whether or not those two would get together, I told myself to just let it go, and see what develops between them.
Right now, the early spring atmosphere was replaced with an early summer like view. The leaves on almost every tree had regrown, temperatures were now in the early 20s, which made it much harder to wear baggy clothes.
However, I eventually told myself I no longer needed to. Mostly everyone already knew of my body change, so there was no point in hiding it any further. While I did get many unwarranted glares from other students, including from people who were still worried about me, like Emma, I told myself to just ignore them.
But I could've sworn some girls were watering at the sight of a well-built person, and the thought made me laugh.
"The nerdy boy is making girls squirm." I chuckled at the thought of me being irresistible to women.
Okay, maybe I was being a bit too confident.
Anyways, the brighter atmosphere of late spring became more apparent, as many students were now hanging outdoors more often, which made my running routes after the gym a bit more uncomfortable.
It was fine, people already knew that I worked out, I shouldn't care what people think.
For now, school was the same, and while Marco, Ellie and in particular Jimmy were very busy with senior year shenanigans, I had stayed true to the lifestyle I had set for myself. I still worked out, I still ate healthy, I still was a muscle man, that's all that mattered.
Unfortunately, because the three people I had hung out with after the shooting were now incredibly busy with probably post-secondary education portfolios, it left me alone. I was a year younger than them, which meant that next year I may be alone again.
Unless I warmed up with someone, I told myself I would stay away from. I could warm up to Jt again.
"No, Toby, don't." I shook my head. The last thing I wanted to do was be on my knees from the likes of Jt. I pretty much did it after the shooting, and I got laughed at by him. I wasn't warming up to him.
But as much as I hated to admit, Jt and I were getting closer again. He did tell me he would make it up for me, and try and be a better friend to me, but he hasn't done anything noteworthy yet.
He did try and be nicer to me, by just pulling Danny away from me whenever he was about to make a joke, which was nice, but not necessary. Hey, at least he was trying to be a better person to me, actually occasionally checking up on me, whereas I wish I could say the same for Emma and Manny. But regardless, they looked busy and I was somewhat confused as to why.
Eventually, however, I had just learned the reason as to why that was the case. He had gotten Liberty pregnant. What is up with me befriending people who knock up chicks? First Craig with Manny, and now Jt with Liberty. It made more sense.
And they were keeping the baby, so Jt had to start some jobs to gain money, because babies cost money to take care of. Makes sense, and judging from Emma and Manny's lack of care for others in school, they were probably trying to help in ways they could have as well.
A part of me wanted to try and help them as well. Be there for both Liberty and Jt, but judging how they didn't tell me, they clearly either didn't trust me, or didn't see me as their friend anymore.
Which looking back at it, I kind of deserved. But otherwise, if Jt needed any help, I would offer him some, but because they failed to tell me what was going on for a roughly 3 months, I didn't want to approach them and cause a scene on how they didn't trust me enough that my former best friend was having a baby.
It was things like these that made me question how Danny and Jt were even still friends.
It wasn't that I already begged on my knees for Jt's friendship, but rather we bonded a bit after Craig had left, which was something I just let happen. While I was aware, he would be here next year, I pretty much had to wait until he was back. For now, I had to deal with the present, and right now, the present was Jt having a baby.
Walking into school, around a month since Craig had left, I had kind of been left to my own devices again. But unlike last time, I wasn't seen as a threat, a bomb ready to explode. Instead I was respected and wasn't looked at weirdly anymore.
For once, I had fit into Degrassi. Not to the point where I was a popular kid, but rather I blended in. You could recognize me, but you didn't fear me. That's what I wanted. To be respected, but open to talk, not just some nerdy kid who you could ask for help. Additionally, it wasn't that I was no longer talking to other people, I still talked to Alex, who was busy flirting with Paige.
Yeah, I was surprised too but rivals can be the most passionate towards each other. I would argue more than friends, even best friends. Even though Jt would occasionally talk to me, we still had a friendship/rivalry. We respected each other in school, but knew we both were thinking about each other, and often playfully insulted each other, which was fine by me.
Jimmy, Ellie and Marco, even though they were still busy, still made some small time to talk to me, specifically during lunch, where we would discuss usually how much we miss Craig.
My friendship with Emma and Manny, however, was a big rollercoaster. From the shooting to the isolation period to now, I went from worrying them, to them hating me, to barely being on speaking terms with them. Not so much with Emma, but more so with Manny.
While Craig had apologized to Manny for his actions, and she forgave him, it was hard to forget, and that was apparent. Regardless, we still talked, and even though Manny clearly was still angry with me, she still talked and tried to forget, which was all I had asked for.
I also assumed that the pregnancy was taking its toll on Emma and Manny, which only made me want to be there for them, but I had to find a way to do that without them knowing my previous knowledge of the pregnancy. As a result, I knew exactly what to do, just like how I would take Alex out to the Dot, I would take them there.
Sure, Spinner was still there, but we could get back and check on each other. As much as I wanted to hate them, I knew for sure I couldn't hate on Emma, I beat a dude up for calling her based on an STD, and Manny was at least trying to be there for me. I couldn't hate them as much as I hated Jt.
Again, with the hatred, yet I think about them like I love them. I guess hate is another form of love for some.
Heading towards my locker, I was keen on putting my stuff in class, the first class I had with Craig, was now my least favourite. It was just weird not seeing Craig in front of me, and for the first week I struggled not to look up, expecting to see him.
I once even called him when he wasn't even there, which got some of the class laughing. I was so stupid there.
Shaking my head, I put my stuff down before finding my way towards Emma and Manny, whom I hadn't talked to in around a month and a half, which likely had to do with all the drama with Manny and Craig.
Nonetheless, I found them at their locker, ready to confront them, and maybe even get some information from them, that way at least if they tell me it won't seem like I knew beforehand.
Emma was the first to notice me, and she smiled. "Oh, hey Toby!"
I waved and smiled back, "Hey Emma, how're you all doing?"
She shrugged, and rather quickly replied, "Good."
I raised my eyebrow at her sudden answer, before turning to Manny, "Is she?"
She looked back, "Oh yeah, she's fine, just school work."
I rolled my eyes at that excuse, "Okay, cut the excuses, what's going on?"
They looked shocked at my sudden tone, to which they were quiet again, something I always hated, but I knew I had to change my tone before a repeat happened.
Sighing, I softened it, "I was wondering if you two wanted to go to the Dot, to talk about how everyone's doing."
They looked up, to which their smiles returned, "Yeah, that's fine, we can do that, right Manny?"
She nodded, "What time?"
I thought about it, I wanted to get home and exercise, so it would have to be a bit early, but I knew it wouldn't be a problem, "4:30 to 5ish?"
Emma nodded, "Sounds great."
Before they turned to leave, I asked, "Is there something I need to know?"
They stopped in their tracks, but didn't say nothing, instead continuing on their way.
I sighed, I didn't want to get the answer out from them, and have them breakdown, so I knew I would have to confront Jt now, or even Liberty. If neither of them wanted to tell me, then I would have to pressure them again, which was something I didn't want to do.
Becoming more aware of where I was, I realized I was late for class, and before I knew it, I heard footsteps around the corner. Loud noises that made it clear the person was wearing heels, meaning it was probably the principal.
"Crap." I ran back before I saw my class, and began to slow my pace. Opening the door, I was met with Miss Kwan, who gave me the stern look.
"You're late, again."
Sighing, I mumbled some yeahs before I took a seat, before letting my mind consume my conscious again, not aware of the strange looks I was given.
…
"So, you'll get your mark update today, and with the end of the year near us, make sure you all work hard for your exams." Was all I heard from Miss Kwan after what felt like hours in school.
She went around handing a piece of paper to every student, before she turnt to me, giving me my paper, before giving me a stern look.
That was never good.
Looking at the piece of paper, I rolled my eyes.
"85" Why was she getting so worked up from a 5% drop? If she really thinks I'll do bad, the exam was probably not going to be bad. I never really had to study for exams to get a good mark, so I knew that 85% was my lowest possible mark.
The bell finally rang, which made me jump out of my seat and head to the next class. This class had Jt, which notably I had avoided at all costs, but with my questions and the lack of answer from Emma and Manny, I had to.
Clearly sitting around the left middle, away from me, I approached him, during the free time, before slightly jabbing him in his shoulder. He gave me a confused look.
"Toby?"
I nodded, "Yes Jt, what's up?"
He clearly looked shocked, but noticing the bags under his eyes, he was stressed about something, I knew exactly.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded quickly, "Yes I'm fine."
I was so sick of people lying to me, so much so that I wanted to yell and raise my voice, but I knew I had to keep my composure. "Emma, Manny and you have all been acting weird, and I feel like I'm missing something, Jt, did something happen?"
He looked at me, eyes widened a bit, before retaining his composure, "I'm sure it's nothing, we're just a bit on edge after-" He stopped right there.
"After what?" I asked trying to see if he'll finish the sentence, but to my frustration, he didn't, at least for a minute.
"After I got my job." Was all he said after, which made me roll my eyes. Guess, I had to do some persuasion.
"Where's Liberty?" I asked with a smile to tease him more. It had the desired effect, as he flinched at her name.
"Ummm." was all he could say.
"I haven't seen her for a while, since our little outing at Manny's house."
Jt began scratching his head, which clearly meant something was uncomfortable. It was something I didn't want to do, but something I needed to do, so at least Emma and Manny wouldn't yell at me for already knowing about Liberty's pregnancy and not doing anything to support them.
Still scratching his head, he replied, "She's been busy."
"Doing what? Are you two still together?"
He looked at me, "Yeah, of course we are, I mean we kind of have to."
I smiled slightly, "and why is that?"
He froze on the spot, realizing his error, before sighing, "She's pregnant."
I smiled at Jt, "I knew it."
He looked back at me, "What? Well why did you do that to me?"
I sighed, "I had to make sure I knew from those who know better. I wasn't told by anyone, it was more that I suspected she was pregnant.."
Sighing, Jt got up and gave me a tap on the shoulder, "Sorry for not telling you."
"No no it's fine, I just wished I was told earlier, I would've helped."
He nodded, "Thanks Toby, it really means a lot, and sorry for not."
I put my own hand on his shoulder, squeezing it slightly. Even though we were rivals, they didn't call us frenemies for a reason.
"It's okay, well now I knew why Emma and Manny have been rather tense these few weeks."
He nodded, "Yeah, Liberty's approaching a painful phase, and when the baby comes, we'll need the money to take care of he or she."
I laughed slightly, "Don't know the gender?"
He smiled back, "Surprise."
"You're keeping it?"
He nodded, "I want to, and Liberty doesn't mind."
I raised my eyebrow in concern, as I didn't want him to overstress for this issue. I wondered how Liberty was doing. I might just have to ask Manny or Emma, probably during later afternoon.
I don't know what is going on with them anymore, but I guess that's what happens when I focus on myself and I don't talk to anyone.
Hearing the bell indicating lunch, I grabbed my belongings and headed towards the cafeteria. Sitting alongside, Marco and Ellie, I looked back to the table Jt was with, which consisted of Emma, Manny, Danny and Liberty. I sighed as I ate my food relatively slowly.
"Where's Jimmy?" Asked Marco, clearly aimed at the awkward silence at our table.
"Has some work to catch up on," was all I replied back. I looked back to see Marco looking at me sternly.
He clearly saw and knew something was happening, "Is there anything wrong over there Toby?"
I sighed, "I don't know, just some drama."
Ellie scoffed as she played with her food, "Again, I thought that drama was a thing of the past?"
I nodded frantically, "It is, but it's a different kind of drama, it's not affecting us, at least I think."
Marco seemed concern, which was nice, "What's going on there then?"
I shrugged, "It's not my responsibility to say, it's kind of serious."
He looked understanding, while Ellie looked up from her food, clearly interested.
"So how serious it this?"
I didn't know how to reply, it was pretty serious, I mean a newborn was going to be out in like a month or 2.
"Umm, I don't know exactly, maybe as serious as Manny's pregnancy." Maybe I could give them an idea without telling them.
But Marco was smarter than that. "Is someone pregnant?"
I tried to shrug it off, "No."
He still gave me a face. Marco had a tendency to give people a serious look for a long time, the effect was to wear the other person down.
Unless the person on the other side was telling the truth, there was no reason for them to get tense.
Of course, I was telling a lie, so when I began to move my leg up and down, Marco's stern face turned to a smirk.
"Whose pregnant?"
I sighed, no use in lying more, "Liberty's pregnant."
"Whose the father?"
"Jt."
Ellie let a low chuckle, "I guess two of your friends almost became a father."
I laughed at her response, "They're keeping it."
They turned to each other, unsure of what I was saying was true.
I nodded to confirm that my statement was in fact true.
Marco was the first to break the awkward silence, "Are you sure they want to do that?"
I shrugged, "It's not directly affecting me, so it's not really my choice."
They nodded in response, not wanting to press the subject further. To them, the two people's consent was good enough for me.
The rest of the school day went by. I had made my way home, and after a quick hour of working out and cleaning up, I had gone into my car and began to drive to pick up Emma and Manny. I had acquired my G2 license two weeks after Craig left.
I was already in the process of getting it, and I lowered my routine to focus on it, and it worked out in the end, as my Dad had lent me a new car.
Hanging out with Emma and Manny at the Dot was a surprisingly good experience. I would have thought that months of absence and isolation would make me awkward socially, especially since I was a nerd back then. However, I still had good connection and links towards these two, which was alright with me.
Despite me thinking there would be nothing but drama, I was wrong, and I instead found myself enjoying the simple act of catching up with Manny and Emma.
We talked about our hobbies, what we did now these days and about drama. Emma spoke on her step-father's condition and trying to move on from the shooting, which I nodded in acknowledgment. Manny had more though, as she dealt with the topless video.
I knew that video had hurt Manny to a point where she probably wouldn't recover, but I knew she would move on.
The only one's not here were Liberty and Jt, which made sense. Jt had some job outing while Liberty was probably at one of her checkups. Growing babies were tough I could imagine.
"So, what about you Toby?" My mind shot up once I saw the looks of Emma and Manny's eye piercing through my paper skin. I gulped and forcibly pushed some saliva under my throat.
"Not much, just keeping up my schedule." I was twirling with my meal, a simple sandwich, which was one of the healthier choices I could afford there.
Off the corner of my eyes I could see Emma rolling her eyes yet again.
"Come on Toby, something should've happened?"
I shrugged, "I mean, yeah, but I don't think Manny would want to hear about it."
Manny looked shocked before smiling, "It's fine, honestly, we talked before he left, and we got our closure."
That was surprising, "Wait, what?"
She continued, "Yeah, when I called him before he left, we talked, and got our closure, besides he clearly has his eyes and hearts on a different person."
I saw Emma roll her eyes, "Is he trying to get back with Ashley?"
I chuckled, which got their attentions, "No, it's Ellie."
That surprised Emma, but not Manny. "Ellie? Ehh, Ashley's best friend I was close."
We continued to laugh before Emma continued, "Isn't she the goth girl who dated-"
"Sean, yeah." Manny quickly interluded before we quieted down.
"That's weird, I thought you would've hated Ellie for stealing Craig."
She laughed at my assumption, "I mean, I probably hated him when he developed feelings for her, so if anything, it's my fault for being so caught up on that drama, besides, we did each other wrong in that relationship."
I nodded knowingly, to which Emma looked surprised, "Does Toby have something to do with that?"
She nodded, "He helped me realize that Craig and I just weren't it. I tried to get back with him before just to see if there was that chance, but I knew once he hinted that his heart was with someone else."
Emma looked surprised, but shrugged nonetheless.
"How-"
Our conversation was interrupted by a phone call from Manny's phone.
She opened it and answered it, her face of curiousity quickly turning to a face of horror.
"Oh my god, we'll be there immediately." Was all she said before hanging up and began getting Emma up.
I was confused, "What's going on?"
"We have to go to the hospital, now!" Was all she said as she pulled Emma towards my car. I didn't question Manny's statement, as her tone told us an idea of what was happening. I ran towards my car, and once Emma and Manny were in, I drove off as fast as I could, being careful not to drive to recklessly.
I had originally thought that Liberty had gone through something, as she was the one in the hospital, but when Manny intercepted my assumption by stating she was the one who called and said she sounded fine, then did my mind turn to different assumptions.
Was it Emma's step-father? One of Manny's friends? What was going on.
When we reached to the Resting Room, Jt was the last person I had expected to see there, unconscious. Shocked, I turned to Manny and Liberty.
"What the hell happened?" I almost yelled.
Liberty stood up and began speaking, "I don't know, the doctor told me they had to pump some substances off of his bloodstream and stomach."
Substances?!
What the hell did you do Jt.
I sighed and put my hands on my head.
Sure enough, an average height and built in a white dress came up, and began to speak.
An overdose, on oxycodone and morphine, opioids.
"Where the hell did, he get that from?" I demanded, to which Emma responded.
"He got a job at a drug store, it's possible he stole some."
I sighed as I stood up, my hands on my head from the stress, "Who called to get him here?"
Manny spoke up, "Jay."
What the fuck?! What the hell did Jay have to do with this? First, he was responsible for the death of my friend, now he was trying to kill the other?
Not saying a word, I left, ignoring the calls and pleas of the girls. Getting in my car, I ignored Emma, who had followed me out of the hospital.
It was until she put her hands on my back in an attempt to stop me, "Emma, leave me alone, I have some business to do."
She didn't budge, "Please don't tell me you're going to pick another fight with him, I heard what happened the other time."
I chuckled darkly, "I'm not going to hurt him, I'm going to reprimand him."
With that I got in the car and drove off back to the Dot. It took me a full 30 minutes before I reached.
Jumping out of my car, I saw Spinner operating at the register. Waiting for when he was free, I grabbed him by the shirt.
"What the hell do you want?" He asked, trying to act like he doesn't care, even though he was surprised by the sudden violent act.
"Where is Jay?" was all I said.
"He went to the Ravine to smoke and shit with his group, which I rejected."
Letting him down, I was mildly surprised at Spinner distancing himself away from Jay, but I wasn't complaining, "Good."
A round and a half, I reached to the Ravine. Jumping out again, I spotted Jay sitting on some logs, away from the crowd Spinner had talked about.
"Hey!" I yelled, to which Jay spun back, shocked at what he saw.
"What do you want?"
The audacity of this man, "are you trying to kill all my friends?!"
He looked back, shocked that I found out, "How did you-"
"I have my sources, you sold him drugs?!" I yelled at him, to which he recoiled.
"Yes, but I didn't think he would pop them."
I pushed him, "Well guess what? He's in the hospital getting his system pumped from that shit!"
He stood up, sizing me, "If anything, you should be thankful of me! I saved him, called the ambulance!"
I scoffed, "Yeah, sure, but I should also reprimand you for selling him that! That's like saying sorry broke your arm, here's a new one!"
He rolled his eyes, "Whatever, I don't have time for you-"
He didn't get to finish, as I punched him in his jaw. While I did have a mild bit of guilt for initiating a violent act, I was furious at what he had caused to Jt.
He deserved it, for all the stuff he's done.
"uhh.." was all Jay said before standing up.
"You deserve that." Was all I said as I saw him a bit dazed.
"Maybe I do, you should go back to see how he's doing."
Not saying a word, I began to walk, but before I could turn to my car, Jay called my name.
"Hey Toby!" I turned back, and caught a plastic bag, containing a spray. Upon further inspection, the label read, "Narcan Spray."
I looked at Jay, who didn't say anything. After 15 seconds of awkward silence I turned my way towards my car, the engine springing to life before I took off.
So, what if Jay had actually saved his life, he indirectly caused his near-death.
