Higher Ground: When Enough Is Enough
I do not own any of the characters involved in the Fox Family series. The rest are of my imagination.
Note I first posted this quite a few years ago, and i never got around to finishing it because of university starting and such. Only now have i pulled it out of the ground and started to work on it again. My story doesn't exactly follow along with the series. Think of it as a sort of an alternate Higher Ground world created by me. Most things remain the same in terms if the characters and their personalities, but i've changed certain aspects in order for me to write this. The biggest change would be that unfortunately, in the beginning of this story, Scott and Shelby aren't an item. In fact, they're not attracted to each other at all. But don't worry all my fellow S/S lovers, i will have them together by the end. I tried my hardest to stay true to the characters we all love. Anyway, R&R, and i hope you enjoy the story.
Chapter 1: Meet Your New Home
"We're getting a newbie today guys." Daisy announced as she joined the breakfast table.
"Oh yeah, where'd ya hear that?" asked Auggie between chews of the ever-loved rubbery tasting scrambled eggs.
"Kat told me, Peter told her, I told you...well, you get the picture."
The six Cliffhangers, Daisy, Auggie, Juliette, Scott, Shelby, and Ezra, sat silent. Each one wondering who the newbie was, but more importantly, why he or she was about to join them here at Mt. Horizon.
The silence was broken by Ezra.
"I don't know 'bout the rest of you men, but I hope the new addition is female. No offence to you ladies, but we could use some fresh scenery, if ya know what I mean!"
The smirk on his face was wiped away by a hard smack on the head from Daisy. Auggie nearly spat out his eggs from laughter. Daisy shot him a quick look and he backed off.
"Well, there isn't much to look at when it comes to you either, Freakin." Shelby's icy blue gaze pierced through Ezra.
"Wait, didn't I say except for you Shelby because you know I...you're always...I mean..."
"Right," she said quickly, picking up her tray and leaving the table.
"Smooth Ez, real smooth." Daisy mumbled.
"She'll really wanna date you now, Don Juan." laughed Auggie. "You really know what to say to the ladies to melt their hearts."
"Aw shut up, she knows what I meant. In due time she'll fall for me. Just wait."
"But we're the ones who have to put up her being pissy all day." retorted Daisy.
"She'll cheer up eventually," added Juliette, who had been silent the entire meal, which was unusual for her.
"Jules, has she ever been cheery even once since she got here?" Auggie asked in all seriousness.
Scott raised a brow. "Good point," he said.
Peter was at his desk going over paperwork for Sophie while she was out of town at a conference for juvenile counselors. A knock at the door broke his concentration. He looked up at the door.
A girl with shimmering auburn hair and deep green eyes stood silently. She was about 5'7 with the stunning features and poise of a model. Definitely not someone who looked like they were about to check in to Horizon.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." she spoke softly.
"Um, not really," Peter replied, intrigued by this unique beauty who stood before him. "Can I help you?"
"I'm Ashlyn Reeves, I was told to come here and speak to a Mr..." she glanced down at the paper in her hands. "A Mr. Scarbrow? Are you him?" Her right eye squinted as her left eyebrow rose up her forehead.
Peter jumped up and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, please sit down. I wasn't expecting you this early. You caught me off guard."
"I thought I might as well come early, seeing as I'm going to be here for a while." she paused. "And don't worry, everyone mistakes me for someone older than 17."
"I see," Peter said and sat back down. Ashlyn shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
"Did you come here alone?" Peter asked as he dug her file out from the stack of papers cascading across his desk.
"Well, my mother had to attend a very important meeting this morning. As you probably know, she's the superintendent of the Downing School District. Very busy this time of year…." Ashlyn drifted off. She studied Peter's face as he read over her file.
"I find that sometimes it's easier to make the adjustment when a parent is present. It's really too bad, i'm sorry she couldn't make it." he said sympathetically.
"Don't be." Ashlyn replied bluntly.
After a moment of silence Peter got up and headed toward the door. He motioned for Ashlyn to follow.
"Why don't we head up to the dorms and let you unpack." He smiled warmly as Ashlyn stood up and picked her bags up from outside the office door.
"Hey Peter!" Kat said as she came around the corner. She smiled when she saw Ashlyn.
"Ashlyn, this is Kat, she's a Cliffhanger like you, not to mention one of the best students here." gloated Peter.
"That's because Horizon is an awesome place. You're gonna like it here Ashlyn."
"I hope so." Ashlyn smiled back.
"We're heading up to the dorms, wanna come?"
"I'll be up soon Peter. I have a little work to finish first. Nice meeting you Ashlyn."
"Same here," she said as Kat disappeared down the hallway.
Ashlyn inhaled deeply as she left the building. The scenery was picture perfect. The sun was shining atop the mountains that towered across the sky with not a cloud in sight.
"Now you are aware of the rules here, no smoking, no drugs-- " Peter was cut off.
"I am very aware of the rules and their consequences Mr. Scarbrow. Mother was very clear in relaying all of the information to me. You know, how if I wanted to run there's nowhere to go, how I have to keep my grades up, punishment in the form of social shuns..."
"I just have to make sure. Usually Sophie Becker, who is your counsellor, takes care of new admits but she's away on conference. And call me Peter." he added.
"Of course."
They continued up to the building where the female dorms were located. Peter opened up the door for Ashlyn, whose arms were full of bags.
"Meet your new home." he said with a nod.
Every bed was neatly made with magazines, notebooks, pictures, and other mementos from "home" scattered about. Ashlyn took the empty bed in the corner by the bathroom and set down her bags.
"They've been checked?" Peter asked pointing to the bags. "Just making sure, again."
"Yes, by two rather rude employees. They dove right in as if there was some special prize. Like kids in a cereal box."
A tiny grin crept across Peter's face. "Well, it's policy. I'll send someone up to come and get you when you're done to introduce you to everyone, give you the tour..."
Ashlyn nodded and began to unpack her bags.
"Welcome to Horizon, Ashlyn." She remained silent but acknowledged Peter with a quick glance, letting him know she was ready for him to leave.
After a few moments, she had her back to the door while hanging up some of her clothes when it suddenly slammed behind her, causing her to scream.