The Writing's on the Wall

Rated R: Very obvious reasons why if you read this far.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Degrassi characters. Maybe Maria but that's it.

A/N: I let a year pass by without updating this chapter? Gosh. Well school starts in another week so maybe I'll at least get a few of my stories up to speed on here. I already know how this one is going to end so here we go on this second to last chapter!

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Chapter XVII : Struggles

(Paige's POV)

Work. How much I loathe thee. Wow, I really need to stop referring to Shakespeare while thinking. I was pretty much on my own at working today. Meeri said Alex called in sick. What does that mean? Alex never did sick. She was either skipping out like she usually did or something was up. Wait, why do I care? She's Alex, she's a big girl right? Though I will admit that without Alex here, it was kind of boring without her.

"May I have a medium popcorn and a diet coke?" Back to workaholic Paige again. I sighed and began my work again. Meeri wasn't too far behind me.

Last few days, I've snapped at customers, Meeri's been on my ass lately. Seriously, what is going on with me? Is it the fact that maybe I miss Alex? Maybe I miss Maria too. Maybe I don't know what the hell I really want. After shuffling my feet around and getting the woman her coke, I noticed Meeri leave and out of nowhere Alex was outside the doors of the theater.

Thought she was sick? I think not.

Though seeing her and Ellie be a little too close for comfort caused me to glare.

Yeah, work today was not a good day.

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Monday came quicker than I thought. For some reason, I couldn't get that image out of mind of Alex and Ellie being friendly. I mean, I have nothing against Ellie, she's definitely changed over the past years but it's just weird. Like me and Alex weird. Gah, I hate this.

Cheerleading practice, I couldn't concentrate. The team finally did a wolf's wall. Took us 3 years to finally make it. Almost sprained my ankle though. Thank goodness Darcy and a few others caught me. Or little miss Paige would be limping around and the rumor mill will begin again. Like I needed to hear that.

But as I neared the outside of the steps of the school, I saw a Latina figure waiting there. That couldn't be...could it? It was.

Maria was looking better than ever. She turned around and gave the most amazing smile to me. Alex never smiled to me. Spinner did on occasion if he wasn't brooding. "Hi, Paige." she said, walking up the steps. I couldn't move from my space. It was like I was glued there.

"Maria. What are you doing here?" I could only ask.

"Well I just wanted to see you. Is that a good reason?" She gave that smile again. Finally I stepped down a few steps, getting to the same she was on.

"Yeah, good enough reason." I smiled and walked down the stairs with her. She was saying how she was gonna be staying put in Toronto for a while, how she remembered that I went to Degrassi.

Was being around Maria a bad thing? What about Alex? I couldn't worry about her. She doesn't care about me.

"Well, listen, wanna walk me home?" I asked Maria with a soft smile. Maria nodded and smiled back as I felt butterflies invade my stomach. I forgot about Alex and Ellie and the whole situation like that. Maria was a good thing to be around, I just now realized that.

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Oh great, my mother was home. Maria got me back home in 15 minutes. "I'd invite you in by my mother's home and she loves to talk and talk and talk." I told her, seeing Maria chuckle at that.

"That's alright. I gotta get back to helping the unpacking thing. I'll just call you later." Maria said, giving me a peck on the cheek. I blushed a little and smiled and watched her walk away. It wasn't until I opened the door and was greeted by my mother.

"Paige, darling! I'm so glad you are home." My mother said. She was really a little too happy today. That meant two things. One, she either got a promotion or two, she's leaving to some place nice for work.

"Mom, have a good day?" I asked.

"Why, yes I did." My mother nodded before looking over at me. "You've gotten a few phone calls while you were gone." she said. "One from Marco, the other from Dylan and some girl named Alex."

Alex? What did she want? "Thanks mom." I told her and rushed up to my room.

Dylan and Marco were no problem to talk to and considering both of them were online. But Alex? Why would she call? She was confusing to me. Always was and always will be. I pulled out my cell and looked at it. Should I dial her number or no? Instead I just sat it down on the table and laid down in the bed.

I need to think. I need to sleep.

And the last thing I remember was seeing my computer beep with a new IM popping on the screen but I was falling asleep.

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A/N: That was chapter 17 I know you've been itching to read. Updating my fics would be hard since I'm in college now and that's my number one priority but I was inspired to at least update 1 or 2 of my fics before I forget again. I cannot promise you when chapter 18 will be coming up but keep a look out on it. Suggestions and ideas are always welcomed!