The Suffering

Disclaimer: I lack money, so I will never be able to own Degrassi. This chapter is a song by Rihanna.

A/N: Don't think I forgot about this!! I had the hugest case of writers block ever! I kept sitting here looking at the story, but nothing was even coming to mind. However, I did put out a oneshot about Alex stripping called Question Existing (shameless plug lol). And I started working on a new story. All I'll say is that it involves Alex, Paige, Jay and Ellie. Well I hope this chapter satisfies you guys! Hopefully now my writer's block is gone and I can be more consistent with these updates.

Chapter X: Cry

October 20, 2007

Toronto General Hospital

"I need time," Paige started. "But, if I spend the time with you, it will make it all easier. Alex, I need to spend that time with you. I need to be with you so I won't walk away." She went back to the bed and grabbed Alex's hand again.

Alex looked at Paige, feeling skeptical. As much as she wanted to tell Paige that they would be okay, a voice in the back of her head kept saying otherwise. The voice was restricting her thoughts and keeping her from speaking. Even though her skeptical inner voice wouldn't let her speak, it sure wasn't forcing her to keep holding Paige's hand. To Alex, this was the only sign she really needed.

"Paige, I know I said you would lose me by walking away, and even though every single voice in my head is telling me otherwise, I'll give you the time you need." Her inner voice started to scream at her.

"Alex," Paige gaped at her. What was she supposed to say to that? "Do you mean that, hon?"

She nodded slowly. "I don't like it, but I mean it."

"I love you!" She leaned in for a kiss but was surprised when Alex pushed her back roughly.

"Wait a second there," Alex's inner voice had finally screamed some sense into her. "Paige, I may have said you had some time, but you're on my watch." She smirked at Paige's stunned expression.

"Your watch," a confused expression crossed her face. "But what does that mean?"

"That means that I'm giving you time to get it together and decide if I'm what you want. I told you I wasn't waiting forever, and I'm only waiting a few more days. JT's funeral is on the twenty-third and-"

"You want me to have a decision by his funeral, am I right?" Paige cut her off.

Alex's only response was to nod.

"Three days," she looked thoughtful. "I think I can do that, but I do have one question to ask you."

"What?" her tone was flat.

"Alex Nunez, will you go on a date with me tonight? Say around… eight o'clock? Do you still live in the same apartment you were in freshman year; I'll come pick you up?"

You'll pick me up with what car? The sarcastic comment was on the tip of her tongue, but she held it together. "You want time, yet you're asking me out?"

"You always need a first date before you can really figure out if you wanna be in it for the long run with a person. I'll see you tonight Alex." With a wink, she had left the room.

"It's still the same apartment," Alex said aloud, to no one. "Mom's got a different asshole boyfriend, but it's still the same place. Fuck I wish the doctors would keep me here tonight..."

Out in the hallway, Marco and Jay were both quiet. Marco had a feeling Jay would end up with whiplash if he kept checking out every nurse who went past. Although he himself had stolen the occasional glance at a handsome male nurse or doctor who would walk past. Marco started to tap his foot out of both nervousness and impatience. Jay furrowed his brow at Marco's nervousness, but found himself winking at the busty brunette nurse who had caught his eye. He was about to get up and go attempt to chat up the nurse, but Paige happened to choose this moment to come out of Alex's room.

Paige was trying really hard to keep her expression neutral. This was proving difficult for her since she was a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was happy Alex decided to compromise with her. On the other, she was nervous that three days wouldn't be enough time to fully embrace the idea of dating Alex. The idea had always appealed to her; she just never thought it would really happen. She questioned whether or not three days would be enough time for her. Even if they weren't, she wasn't going to admit that to Alex. She was also nervous about going on a date. You idiot, she told herself. When is this last time outside of just now that it was just the two of us- freshman year? Oh, wow, we probably don't even have anything in common to talk about. This is going to be a disaster. Maybe the doctors will want to keep her or maybe the police will need to arrest her when she goes down there. I know I'm getting out of here fast before dumb and dumber over there try to question me.

"I have to go," Paige said, cutting off both Jay and Marco. "Marco, if I'm not at home when you get back, I'll probably be at the mall. I need something nice to wear for to- for JT's funeral." She caught herself quickly. She didn't want to divulge about the date to anyone yet.

"Uh, ok," Marco looked at her confusedly. "You know, Alex is probably mad at me anyway for barging in. I can just drive you home now."

"No," her reply came out instantly. "I mean, no thanks, I'll just catch the bus and go straight to the mall."

"Because you really have a purse and money on you," Jay said smirking. "You never struck me as the five finger discount kind of girl."

"Jay," she glared at him, but refrained from speaking again. "Marco, go talk to Alex; she knows you're here so you may as well say hi. Can you make it quick though? I really need to go to the mall."

"The mall is always going to be there." Marco looked confused.

"I know," Paige struggled for an excuse. "But you know how long and crazy those lines get. And the funeral is in a few days… I need to have my outfit today so I can return it and get something new if I don't like it."

Marco looked at Paige, but not before exchanging a suspicious glance with Jay. He knew Paige was up to something, but decided not to press it. "Give me five minutes."

Jay waited until Marco was inside the room before speaking again. "Wow, five finger discounts and lying; I'm impressed." He smirked up at her. "You don't expect me to believe that the great Paige Michalchuk came all the way back to little old Toronto for a funeral with just the clothes on her back."

"Jay, don't start with me." Paige gave him another cold glare. "I do need clothes."

"What, did your parents give all your clothes to the pawn shop? Or did you just pack up your entire wardrobe and take it to your beloved Banting?"

"I need to wear something new… something nice and…" she stopped talking. "Why is it any of your business? It isn't!"

"Del Faggot over there may be a little stupid, but I know I'm not. You told me you weren't gonna come out of that room without a girlfriend. So what time is your hot little date with Alex?"

"Eight," Paige replied without thinking. "Jay; I hate you for that!"

He didn't answer her, but gave her one of his trademark smirks.

"Alex," Marco closed the door behind him. "I am sooooooooooooo sorry for earlier. Jay tried to tell me, but I was just so… I really wanted to… So what's going on with you and Paige? Spill, I have five minutes then I gotta get out of here!"

"I was finally straight with her," Alex laughed a little. "No pun intended. But Paige pulled her usual 'boo-hoo feel bad for me I'm so confused and I need some time' deal, so I just told her about herself. I told her to quit fucking with my emotions and that if she was gonna walk away for some time, I wasn't gonna wait for her this time. So I guess she tried to cut a deal with me, but I wasn't having any of that."

"Oh no," Marco looked at her nervously. No wonder Paige had been in such a hurry to leave, he thought. Alex must have rejected her and she loves retail therapy.

"On no, nothing," Alex snapped. "I told her she has until JT's funeral to decide if she wants to be with me. So assuming I'm outta here tonight, she's taking me on a date."

"So that's why she was in a hurry… Alex, I gotta go!" He opened the door again. "I hope you feel better… and call me tonight!"

Marco walked over to Paige and smiled at her. "Ready to go get that outfit?"

"Marco, hon, I was born ready. Ready to help me pick a winner?" She stood up and linked arms with him.

"Hey, Paige," Jay looked up at her from his seat. "Blue carnations; but if she so much as asks you about it, I didn't tell you."

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know that this ending could have been way better, but it's not. Originally, I was gonna have it end with Jay and Alex talking, but I decided to save that and have the next chapter focus on Jay and Alex talking and possibly Marco and Paige's shopping adventure. But it's your call! Do you want those to be together or two seperate chapters? Review away with your ideas and input!