Title: A Little Push Goes A Long Way
Author: Anne
Rating: T
Genre: General
Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or the Michalchuks.
Chapter 1: It Starts Tonight
It took the better part of a week but Dylan told Paige he'd have an answer for her. Waiting on his usual phone after school phone call made the younger Michalchuk teen really anxious. Her plan hinged on whether Dylan was coming home or not. She also hoped he would call at his usual time because she had to leave for a study session soon.
"Paige, you ready yet?"
Paige sighed – she couldn't leave without having that conversation but her mom had a meeting she had to get to.
"Coming, Mom, just five more minutes!"
Just when Paige was about to leave her room, her cell phone rang.
"Boy, do you have the worst timing ever today, hun!" she blurted out into the phone, "I have a three hour study session at The Dot. I can't really talk long."
There was an amused chuckle that reached Paige's ears before Dylan spoke. "So you wouldn't be interested to know that I'm on my way home?"
Paige's jaw dropped to the floor. "OH MY GOSH! Really?!" she exclaimed, shocked at the revelation.
"I'm halfway home, I'll be there at around 8-ish…just about the same time your study session ends. I'll pick you up."
"You know Marco's gonna be there, right?"
"Yeah, and I was thinking about what you said. I can't lose Marco forever. I have to try to get him to forgive me."
"Look, I gotta go. Text me though – I'm gonna need it to stay awake."
"Don't worry, we'll keep in touch. I'll keep you posted on where I'm at."
"Yeah, hopefully this work out and I won't have to resort to something a little sneakier to get him to talk to you."
"Hopefully, it won't have to come to that, whatever that is. I should let you go. I'll text you later."
"Okay, catch ya later, Dylan."
Paige quickly darted out of her room and out of the house. She was so excited that she couldn't wait to get the studying out of the way.
Paige had been excited the whole time since she got to the Dot. She had been checking her cell phone every five minutes while she was buried in her books. Between Marco, Ellie and Alex, she really didn't have much to say, aside from the odd tidbit from the Chemistry textbook. They had been diligently studying when Paige had a text exchange with Dylan.
I'm really close by. 5 mins. Ready to leave?
"We must have done something awful in our past lives to deserve this hell," Marco commented as Paige sent a quick text off to Dylan.
Uh, yeah. Just come in and say hi.
"Oh just wait until university. According to Dylan, it only gets harder. He said McGill's tough."
"Dylan? How is the Satan child anyway?" Marco went on as Paige read another text message from Dylan.
So nervous. What do I say?
"Question: Who's still bitter over last year? Answer: Oh Marco Del Rossi."
Paige smirked at Ellie's comment as she replied to Dylan.
Don't worry hun…he misses you too. Just start with hi.
The conversation went on, taking a turn that Paige wasn't particularly pleased with. There was the slight problem named Tim but she figured he didn't stand a chance. If only Marco would stop being in denial.
"Stop. I am so over that guy. I've already forgotten who we're talking about."
Yes, Marco was in denial and Paige couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Great. So then let's talk about stalker boy, Tim. Your lovesick shadow."
Nicely put, Alex, Paige thought as she texted Dylan again, sending words of reassurance.
"Guys can you be nice? You know we've been sorta seeing each other."
"Emphasis on the sorta. You guys haven't even been on a date yet."
Paige stopped paying attention to the study group's banter and was looking out the window for Dylan when she noticed Tim coming in. She couldn't help but feel slightly queasy, not knowing what Marco would do at the sight of her brother.
"Hey you guys. Wow it looks like a brain bomb went off in here."
Paige rolled her eyes at Tim's comment, making both Ellie and Alex smile. She listened to the rest of the small talk between Marco and Tim as she gathered her books.
"Yeah. Well, studying for exams is killer, but you are welcome to join the carnage if you dare."
"Super. First round of caffeine's on me."
After Tim went to grab some coffee for the gang, Paige took one more glance out the window and saw Dylan's car pulling up. She nearly jumped out of her seat at the sight of her older brother.
"Oh I'm out. My ride just showed up," the blonde announced as she made eye contact with Dylan who was coming into the Dot.
Marco followed her gaze and quickly hissed, "He's in town?! Paige, why didn't you tell me!?"
Paige forced herself to give Marco an apologetic smile as she got ready to leave.
"Hey, Marco."
Dylan tried to be cheerful through his nerves and Paige shot him an encouraging smie, hoping Tim would take his sweet time with the drinks.
"Hey. Hi. Uh, what are you doing here?" Marco looked startled and Paige silently prayed he wouldn't say anything stupid.
"May I?"
"Uh, actually this seat's saved for someone," Marco blurted out.
Paige groaned inwardly as she realized where things were going when Tim came back to the table.
"My boyfriend Tim. Tim, meet my ex, Dylan. He was, he was just leaving."
"Later, Marco." Dylan cleared his throat and Paige could feel the tension in the air.
Dylan gave Paige a quick 'let's go look' and walked out of the Dot, Paige following closely behind him.