Chapter Six

Alex was standing at her locker at the end of seventh period. She puts away the textbooks that she does not need for any of the homework she needs to catch up on, which is only math because Paige had gotten her caught up on math during lunch and math class. As she was putting the textbooks from the first half of the school day back into her book bag, she was thinking that she couldn’t believe she made it through the whole day of school without getting sent to the nurse by one of her teachers. By third period she had started to look feverish and feel achy all over. The teacher and classmates could tell that her throat was really sore because she was losing her voice. She is zipping up her book bag when Paige walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around Alex’s waist. She wants to pull away from Paige, but that would take too much energy, so she just continues to let Paige hold her.

Alex: I have to go visit Emily at the hospital. Will you come with me?
Paige: Sure, Lexi.

Paige took Alex’s right hand and the two of them walks out of Degrassi and got on the bus. Alex sits down in the first seat and Paige sets down next to her. Paige looks over at Alex who laying head on her shoulder.

Paige: Lexi honey, are you sure you are up to work tonight?
Alex: I think I’m going to let you take my shift tonight. I’m going to go home after seeing Emily and go to bed so I can get some sleep.
Paige: I’ll call Dylan and have him pick us up from the hospital and bring me my work uniform. He can give you a ride back to your apartment building.
Alex: (Clears her throat) That sounds great, thanks.

After Paige talks to her brother and Alex calls Merri and told her she is taking a sick day and that Paige is cover her shift. The rest of the ride to the hospital Alex rests her head on Paige shoulder and falls asleep. Paige lets Alex sleep until they get to the hospital, then wakes Alex up.

Paige: Lexi, we’re at the hospital. Wake up.
Alex: I’m awake.

Both girls stand up and pick up their book bags off the bus floor and then got off the bus. Paige takes Alex’s hand. The two girls walk into the hospital and take the elevator to the second floor. When the elevator opens up on the second floor, Alex leads Paige to room 201. Alex knocks on Emily’s hospital room door to let her know someone is there.

Emily: Who’s there?
Alex: It’s your daughter and Paige.
Emily: Come on in.

Alex and Paige walk into Emily’s room and see Chad sitting in a chair next to the hospital bed. Alex walks over to Emily and leans over and gives her a hug. Emily hugs her back and kiss Alex’s forehead. After Alex and Emily stop hugging each other, Emily pulls Paige into a big bear hug. Emily lets Paige go after a few minutes. Then the three ladies look at each other.

Chad: I have a job interview, so I’m going to go. See you at home tonight, Lexi.
Alex: Ok Chad, see you later.

Chad walks out of the room and Alex walks over to the chair Chad was setting in and drops down into the chair. Paige takes a seat at the end of Emily’s hospital bed. Paige and Emily both look at Alex who has slid down in the chair and slipped her shoes off then put her feet on Emily’s bed. Alex has just grabbed a tissue from the night stand and is now blowing her nose.

Emily: You’re not catching a cold are you, Lexi? When I kissed your forehead it felt like you running a fever?
Alex: I am fine, Emily! (Coughs)
Emily: Take tonight off work. We can afford for you to miss one day of work and still be able to pay the rent on Friday.
Alex: I am, Emily. Paige is covering my shift tonight so I can go home and get some sleep and catch up on homework that I am behind on.
Paige: So Emily, how are you doing?
Emily: Good. I’m on the mend.
Paige: I was just wondering how you fell down the stairs and what injuries you have. Lexi did not tell me the whole story.
Alex: (Coughs) I told you she just fell and Chad had nothing (Ah-Choo) to do with it.
Emily: It’s all right. I’ll tell Paige what happened. I was running late for work because I overslept and was in a hurry. I did not have my shoes on all the way, I ran out of the apartment and tripped on the first step and fell down four flights of stairs. As you can see, I broke my left and right wrist along with my left leg and my right ankle. I also broke my ribs.
Paige: How much longer do you have to be in the hospital for?
Emily: The doctor told me I can go home tomorrow, but I have to take it easy for the next three months. I’m just glad that I can leave this place tomorrow and go home to my daughter and Chad.
Paige: Lexi and I need to go. My brother is going to be here in any minute to pick us up.
Emily: Thanks for coming, you two. It was great to see you again, Paige.
Paige: It was nice to see you again too.

Alex slips her shoes back on. Then stand up and hugs Emily goodbye. Emily hugs Alex and kisses her forehead again. Then Emily hugs Paige again.

Emily: Lexi, when you get home, I want you to take your temperature.
Alex: Ok, Emily.

Both the girls grab their book bags and walk out of Emily’s hospital room and takes the elevator down to the main floor. When the doors open the girl’s walk towards the entrance. After a few steps, Alex stops and leans up against the wall. Paige stops and turns around, she then walks up to Alex.

Paige: Lexi, do you need help making it out to my brother’s car?
Alex: Yes.

Paige puts her right arm around Alex’s waist and lets her lean on her. The two girls then start walking to the entrance. As they walk out the door, Dylan pulls up to the hospital entrance and puts his car into park.

Paige: Lexi, do you want to sit in the front seat?
Alex: (Sniffs) Yeah.

Paige opens up the passenger’s door and Alex sits down in the front seat and throws her book bag onto the floor. Paige gets into the backseat and puts her book bag on the seat next to her. Dylan looks back at his sister and then at Alex who is sitting in the seat next to him. He then puts his car into drive and takes off.

Dylan: Do you want me to take you to work first or drop Alex off at home first?
Paige: I need to be dropped off first or I’ll be late for work.
Dylan: Ok.

Dylan drops Paige off at the mall and then he takes Alex home. He pulls into the parking lot of Alex’s apartment building, then pulls into a parking spot. He puts his car in park. Then looks over at, Alex and sees she has fallen asleep on the ride.

Dylan: (Lightly shakes Alex) Alex, you need to wake up, we’re at your place.
Alex: Ok, thanks (Coughs) for giving me a ride.
Dylan: No big deal. I hope you feel better soon.
Alex: Me too.