Chapter 1- The Sharpest Lives

Marco Del Rossi was happy. Physically he was making himself look the way he used to. His hair was growing long again, and he was clean shaven except for his small goatee. Socially, he was partying more. With Eric at his side, he figured he had something sturdy, finally. He was also getting himself into great shape, going to the gym four times a week. He was happy, healthy and felt invincible. And then it all fell apart.

Eric could have gone about this better. He could have been more tactful. He could have been softer. Eric could have spared Marco's feeling in a million ways…but he unwittingly hurt him.

Marco walked back to the apartment he shared with Ellie and Paige in a shocked and confused daze. So much for a solid relationship he thought miserably. Who was I to think I'd finally found the right guy. I should face it, maybe there isn't one around here. He opened the door and shut it more loudly then he meant to. Paige was startled by the sound.

She was in no great mood herself. Griffin had moved out and the hunt for a new roommate was not going too well. However, upon seeing Marco's face, she forgot her trouble.

"Hey, hun. What's the matter?" She asked, concerned for her best friend.

Marco lifted his head to look at her. Tears were brimming in his big brown eyes. "Eric broke up with me." he said in a quiet, broken voice.

"Oh, Marco, babe." Paige moved to hug him. Marco near fell into her arms. For a good few minutes he cried into her shoulder. He couldn't believe he was being so pathetic. He forced himself to stop.

He dried his eyes with the heel of his hand. "Thanks Paige." He said. "I think I'm gonna call Spin. I need a little trouble losing time." He told her.

"Alright hun." Paige replied. She watched him pull out his phone and go out the door. She sighed. Poor Marco. Why does he always get the shit-end of the stick? She wondered. Then she went upstairs to her room. It was eleven o'clock. She was getting tired, and she wanted to be awake for the roommate interviews tomorrow, if anyone showed up.

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Within 5 minutes Spinner had arrived in his car, Craig in the passenger seat. The both of them hopped out of the car.

"Hey, Marco, man, I'm sorry to hear about you and Eric." Spinner said, his face full of sympathy.

" That idiot doesn't know what he just gave up." Craig added.

"Thanks guys." Marco glumly replied. He appreciated there help, but it wasn't enough to make him feel like he was worth anything. His always fragile self esteem was shattered.

Spinner broke the awkward silence by saying, "So, let's go get rid of your troubles, huh? Craig is our designated driver this evening. So, hop in the car!"

Marco gave slight pause at the words "designated driver." He shook off that feeling quickly. Without the slightest second thought he jumped into the back seat of Spinner's car. Craig took over driving duty as they made their way to the ravine.

Marco had never drank before. Never. He had always been straight edge, but Spin reassured him over and over that things would feel better after a couple of drinks. "A couple" became five beers and Marco got drunk. His small body had no alcohol tolerance, five was probably too many. He felt weird. Like he was just separated from all his troubles .

"Spin, man." he slurred "I owe you one. This is awesome! We're gonna have to do this again."

"Whenever you want dude." Spinner said.

Marco's world began to spin, his head was swimming…and then he felt sick.

"Uh, Craig…I think I'm… gonna get…" And he jumped up from the fire. He stumbled to the tree line. No one ever likes puking. It felt like his throat was on fire. He felt someone pull his hair back, rub his back comfortingly. Breathing deeply and looking up, he saw Craig looking down at him. He felt so numb.

"C'mon Marco, I'll drive you home, okay?"

Marco nodded mutely, feeling as though he wouldn't be able to speak and hardly trusting himself to walk. He leaned heavily on Craig on the way back to the car.

"Spin!" Craig called. "I'm taking our little pal back to his place, he's wasted."

"Alright man. See you later Marco!" Spin shouted back.

Marco raised hand in farewell. He didn't remember arriving at home. He just woke up in his own bed, tucked in comfortably with a pounding headache. He was miserable. This became a nightly routine.