A/N: If this chapter sucks, part of the reason is because I have had a BAD headache ALL day.

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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters associated with Higher Ground



Life's A Dance22



Quote: Life's a dance you learn as you go




Sophie walked towards the gazebo scratching the back of her head. She didn't know what her group topic should be, and she hadn't had time to ask Peter about it. She looked up as she approached the gazebo and noticed not all the Cliffhanger's were there yet. She looked around as a confused look crossed her face…

Sophie: Where is everyone else?

Shelby smirked at her

Shelby: *sarcastically* Trying to had from your wrath emotional questions

Sophie gave Shelby a little smile, and deep down celebrated. Shelby seemed to be out of the 'trance' she had been in the past few days.

Sophie: Well who all is missing?

Daisy looked around and rolled her eyes

Daisy: *dryly* It seems David hasn't arrived yet, probably rehearsing his grand entrance.

At that moment David came hoping up the steps and widely spread out his arms

David: Taaaaaaaaa Daaaaaaaaaa

Daisy smirked at Sophie

Daisy: What'd I tell ya?

Sophie ignored Daisy's comment and motioned for David to sit down

David stood up at attention and saluted her, then he walked over and sat as far away from everyone else as possible

Sophie looked around, with an exhausted look

Sophie: Who else are we missing?

Shelby: Besides Queeny? Jacky

Sophie furrowed her brow. It wasn't like a newbie to miss group like this. She looked around and focused her attention on Ezra

Sophie: Ezra, will you please go get Jacky for me?

Ezra nodded his head and left to go get Jacky

Sophie rubbed her hand over her hair, still thinking about what the group topic would be

Daisy dryly smiled at Sophie

Daisy: *dryly* Doesn't look like your too confident coming into this dark session

A confused look crossed Sophie's face, followed by a smile.

Sophie: Funny you should being that up Daisy, because that is the group topic

Scott gave a confused look

Scott: Dark group sessions?

Shelby rolled her eyes and laughed at Scott, he just gave an embarrassed smile

Sophie: Confidence. Everyone needs it to get somewhere in life, but what is confidence. That is what I want you guys to tell me….






Ezra walked into the girls' dorm to see Jacky lying on the bed. He wasn't sure what to do, so he cleared his throat. She quickly sat up and shot him a glare

Jacky: What in the hell are you doing in here? I know you look a lot like a girl, but I didn't think you were one.

Ezra gave her a confused look

Ezra: Gosh, you jump me faster than Shelby

Jacky gave him another glare as she stood up off her bed. She shrugged her shoudlers

Jacky: So, what 'da ya want?

Ezra furrowed his brow and slightly motioned his head towards the door

Ezra: Um, you're late for group

Jacky quickly pulled on her jean jacket and jogged out of the room.

Ezra raised his eyebrows and clicked his tongue

Ezra: Don't mention it

He turned around and walked out of the room






Sophie looked up as Jacky, followed shortly by Ezra, walked up and took a seat. She decided to ask Jacky why she was late later. She turned her attention to the group

Sophie: Ok, you guys have had some time to think about it, now tell me, what is confidence?

She looked in Auggie's direction

Auggie rubbed the back of his head and snapped his fingers together lightly

Auggie: It's something that makes you feel good about yourself

Sophie gave a small smile and nodded her head

Sophie: Good job Auggie

David rolled his eyes and looked at the ground

Sophie motioned towards Laura

Sophie: What do you think Laura?

Laura looked at her hand for a moment, then back up at Sophie

Laura: The dictionary's definition is strong belief or trust in someone or something; reliance

Sophie nodded her head and smiled at Laura

Sophie: Very good Laura

Shelby rolled her eyes

Shelby: Please, don't tell me that you are one of those people who memorize Webster's book

Daisy gave a dry laugh

Laura gave an embarrassed smile and slightly nodded her head 'yes'

Sophie looked over at Shelby

Sophie: What do you think confidence is Shelby?

Shelby: *dryly* Something I lacked half my life

Everyone quieted down and all you could here were other students talking and the birds chirping

Shelby smirked at them, she was getting uncomfortable in all the silence

Shelby: *sarcastically* Or should I say 'a strong belief or trust in someone or something'

Sophie looked at Shelby with a concerned/serious look

Sophie: and do you have that?

A stone look crossed Shelby's face and she stared at the ground. A minute later she looked up for a split second

Shelby: Yeah, I do

Sophie gave her a small smile and nodded her head

Sophie: Eric, you're next

He looked at Sophie and shrugged his shoulders

Eric: Something you gotta have to survive

Sophie nodded her head

Sophie: That's true…Ezra

A look of thought crossed Ezra's face

Ezra: I guess it is trust

He shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say

Sophie: Ok, that is true. Daisy, your turn

A dry smirk crossed Daisy's face

Shelby: *sarcastically* Uh-oh, here it comes

Daisy raised an eyebrow at her friend

Daisy: Confidence is when you expect the unexpected…

She watched everyone's reaction, loving the curios looks on their faces

Daisy: and are ready for it.

She smiled to herself, proud of her answer

Sophie let them all think about it for a minute, and then a smile crossed her face

Sophie: That's a good answer Daisy

Shelby: *sarcastically* She just loves making a profound statement

Daisy smiled at Shelby dryly and Shelby just rolled her eyes

Sophie: Scott, what about you?

Scott rubbed a hand through his hair

Scott: Um, I guess it could be something that helps you through things. I mean, if you didn't have it, you would be really screwed up

David: I guess we don't have confidence then

A few of the Cliffhangers laughed and Sophie gave David a disappointed look. She still wasn't sure what David's problem was, but she knew that she needed to find it soon.

Sophie: Ok Scott, that's a good answer.

She looked over at David who rolled his eyes and a disgusted look crossed his face

David: *sarcastically* Guess that means it's my turn

Sophie nodded her head

David: Confidence is a word

David looked at the ground

Sophie: Try again David

David scratched the side of his head, not knowing what he should do

David: Confidence is bull

David quickly jumped up and ran from the gazebo towards the woods. Before Sophie could say anything Scott had jumped up and began chasing after him

Scott: I'LL GET HIM

Sophie rubbed a hand over the top of her head and an exhausted look crossed her face

Sophie: Why would Scott chase after David

She had a confused look on her face

Shelby looked up with a solemn look

Shelby: He isn't ready to talk to his mother

Sophie got a 'oh no' look on her face

Daisy: *dryly* He doesn't have the confidence

Shelby nodded her head

Shelby: You're right…he doesn't






Peter looked up from his desk at the sound of someone knocking on his door.

Peter: Come in

He watched as Scott's mom walked into the room. He stood up and walked out from behind his desk. He motioned her to come all the way in, and then extended his hand to her

Susan: Mr. Scarbrow, nice to see you again

Peter nodded his head as he leaned up against his desk, motioning for her to sit in a chair

Peter: Scott is in group right now, he will be here soon though

She nodded her head and looked at her hands nervously. She then looked up at him with a nervous smile

Susan: I suppose he is probably mad at me

Peter looked down at the ground and then back up at her

Peter: Probably, but he will get over it soon

She nodded her head

They sat there in awkward silence…






Scott jumped over a fallen tree limb and almost lost his balance, but didn't. He had been chasing after David for what seemed like hours, but he knew that it hadn't been that long. He could see David a few feet ahead, and he knew he was getting tired.


David ran as fast as possible. He knew that someone was chasing him, but he wasn't sure who. He knew it wasn't Ezra though, because Ezra wasn't in such good of shape. He took a quick glance over his shoulder and the figure chasing him was gaining ground

"Gosh, why don't they just stop and let me run," he thought to himself in between gasps of air






Sophie had dismissed group, but most of the Cliffhangers were still sitting under the gazebo. Auggie had gone to be with Juliete, and Jacky had just stomped off, probably trying to avoid Sophie they had all decided.

Shelby sat away from everyone thinking about Scott. She knew that he didn't want to talk to his mother, but she didn't think he would run from it.

"He'll be back"

She looked up to see Daisy standing in front of her. Shelby gave her a confused look

Shelby: Are you a mind reader?

Daisy raised her eyebrows and gave her friend a dry smirk

Daisy: *dryly* How'd you know?

Shelby rolled her eyes, but then looked at her seriously

Shelby: Thanks

Daisy slightly nodded her head and sat down beside Shelby…






Peter was becoming nervous with all the silence, so he coughed. Susan looked up at him with a smile

Susan: The weather is awful for allergies

He nodded his head agreeing

They sat there in awkward silence…






Sophie noticed Jacky and began walking towards her. Jacky began running when she noticed Sophie heading her way. After a few minutes of playing cat and mouse, Jacky stopped allowing Sophie to catch up to her.

Sophie was a little out of breath

Sophie: Too tired to keep on?

Jacky rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest

Jacky: Please, I could've kept running all day

Sophie stopped her heavy breathing and stood up with a little smile on her face

Sophie: You really are an athlete aren't you?

Jacky shrugged her shoulders

Sophie smirked at her

Sophie: Good, you and me can go for a little run first thing in the morning. Maybe we can even talk about why you were late to group

Jacky shrugged her shoulders

Sophie nodded her head and motioned for Jacky to get going. Once Jacky was about ten feet away Sophie put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

"I knew this kid was tough, but she isn't giving me an inch," she wiped the sweat off her brow and began walking in the opposite direction of which Jacky went…



Jacky walked off muttering to herself

"They think they're smart waking me up in the morning to jog. I do that anyway, they're not going to get nothing out of me, I just won't talk, not like it's something I've never done before," she muttered silently to herself.






Scott finally came within a few inches of David. He gathered what little strength he had left and lunged at him, knocking him to the ground. David tried to get up, but Scott held on tight.

David: What the hell do you want?

Scott stood up, pulling David up with him

They were both breathing hard and sweating profusely

Scott: I don't know what I want, but you're gonna sit down and stop runnin' til I figure it out 'cause I'm tired of chasin' ya.

David gave him a disgusted look and rolled his eyes

David: Why would I do that? If I took of now, you couldn't catch me and I would be free

Scott gave him an annoyed look

Scott rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, recalling the times he had tried to run and what Peter had said to him

Scott: FINE! You're right, I couldn't catch you. You just go, get out of here. You're nothing but a pain anyway

David: *sarcastically* Well thank you

Scott inched closed to David and put a finger in his face

Scott: I'll ask you this though. If you do run, do you plan to go home? Is that what you plan on doin'? 'Cause if your home life, is anything like mine was, then you're screwed.

David shrugged his shoulders and looked around

David: I'll hit the streets

Scott: You do that then. You go out there and use and get high every day, no loss for me.

David: *sarcastically* Getting high everyday, that would be the life

David looked at the ground, a little hurt but more so confused

Scott: Before you do though, go talk to Auggie and ask him what the streets are like, or go talk to Shelby and ask her. It's messed up man, more messed up then you

Scott tried to lighten the mood with that last comment, but David just continued staring at the ground

Scott took in a deep breath and tried to calm down his emotions

Scott: Just rest for awhile, then make your decision.

He looked at David, hoping for…something

Scott: That way, the little sense you have will help you

David looked up and gave an evil grin, which Scott took as a good sign. David nodded his agreeing and they both sat down across from each other, their backs up against a tree…






Peter focused on the door, which he hoped would open any minute and break the silence. They were waiting for Scott to come see his mother, but no sign of him yet. Peter wasn't sure how to strike up a conversation with her, so he had just kept quiet, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

Susan smiled up at him, a bit shyly

Susan: I guess Scott is running late, he takes after his father in that way

Peter gave her a small smile and nodded his head

Susan looked out the window and then up at the ceiling.

Peter: We could go outside and look for him

She gave a small smile and nodded her head

Susan: Yes, that would be a good idea

"Why didn't I think of that before," Peter thought to himself madly.



Once leaving his office, Peter looked for a Cliffhanger, he noticed Ezra who was carrying a tray with water and food on it. He signaled Ezra over to him…

Ezra: This is for Juliete Peter

Peter smiled at him

Peter: Calm down Ezra, I wasn't going to punish you

Ezra breathed a sigh of relief and for the first time noticed Susan standing there. He slightly nodded his to her, acknowledging her. She just smiled at him

Peter: Where is Scott, Ezra? Is group over?

Ezra furrowed his brow

Ezra: You mean Sophie didn't tell you?

Peter gave him a confused look

Peter: Didn't tell me what

Ezra gave a little embarrassed look

Ezra: Um, well, Scott isn't here

Peter: What do you mean he isn't here?

Ezra shrugged his shoulders, trying not to drop the tray he was holding

Ezra: We were having group and were talking about confidence. When it was David's turn he ran, and Scott went after him…

A curios look crossed Peter's face

Peter: Sophie didn't go after him?

Ezra nodded his head 'no'

Peter nodded his head and motioned for Ezra to keep walking

Peter: Ok Ezra, thanks

Ezra gave him a small smile and turned to walk away. When he did he ran right into Shelby…

Shelby: Son of a mother…gosh Ezra

Ezra gave her a 'meek' look

Ezra: Sorry Shelby, at least I didn't spill anything on you

Shelby: *sarcastically* I'm going to poor it on you if you don't get outta here

Ezra nodded his head and walked off, Shelby began to do the same but…

Peter: Shelby?

She rolled her eyes and turned to face him

Shelby: Yes my fearless leader

She noticed Susan standing there and gave her a small smile, Susan acknowledged it with a small nod

Peter: Where is Sophie?

Shelby shrugged her shoulders

Shelby: Probably trying to find out Laura's secret

Shelby took a quick look at Susan. She wasn't going to change her attitude just to please Scott's mom. She would like her as she was, or she wouldn't like her at all, Shelby and Daisy had talked about that…

Peter: Well, I need to go talk to Sophie and call Curtis so we can go look for Scott and David

Susan nodded his head and began to follow Peter…

Shelby: Peter?

He turned around to face her.

Shelby: You don't have to go look for him, he'll be back soon.

Peter gave her a curios look

Peter: How are you so sure, Shelby?

She shrugged her shoulders and gave a small smile

Shelby: He pinky promised

Susan gave a little laugh, but Peter's manner was still a serious one

Peter: I still need to go look for him

He began to walk away again, but Shelby pulled him back

Shelby: Just give him a little while…Please?

He noticed the look on Shelby's face, and knew he couldn't say 'no'

Peter: Why did he run?

Shelby looked at the ground

Shelby: He wasn't confident I guess

A confused look crossed Susan's face

Susan: Confident about what?

Shelby looked at her hands

Shelby: Um…about talking to you

Susan slightly nodded her head

Susan: I don't understand, not confident about talking to me?

Shelby shrugged her shoulders and Peter decided to step in

Peter: Well, I will go call Curtis and tell him to be ready just in case.

He looked at Susan and then at Shelby

Peter: Would you like Shelby to take you to the lodge why I go make the call?

Susan looked at Shelby, wondering if she would object, but she didn't. She nodded her head and smiled

Susan: Yes, I would like that

Peter nodded his head

Peter: Is that ok, Shelby?

Shelby looked up at him and shrugged her shoulders

Shelby: Hey, you're the boss

Peter gave a slight nod and turned to walk off

Peter: I will meet you in a little while then

Peter walked off…

Susan smiled at Shelby

Susan: Lead the way

Shelby nodded her head and began walking to the lodge, Susan right beside her






Peter walked up the steps to his office as a counselor approached him

Peter: Hey Kristina

She gave him a smile and then pointed towards his office

Kristina: You have a call on line two

He nodded his head and patted her on the shoulder as he headed to his office

He ran over and picked up the phone

Peter: Mt. Horizon

He listened to the voice on the other line, and a look of shock and pain crossed his face

Peter: Well thanks for the piece on information, I will pass it on to her

He slowly put down the phone as Sophie entered the room. A concern look crossed her face that when she saw the shock reaction on Peter's face

Sophie: Peter, what's wrong?

Peter looked at her with a solemn look on his face

Peter: The boy Laura ran over died today…

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Next: David and Scott have a talk… (gets sorta ugly)

Susan and Shelby talk…

Sophie breaks the news to Laura…

A lot more…



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