Higher Expectations
Flamingteen
PG 13
*****
Taking place soon after "Because I Love You", Scott, Shelby, Peter and all your favorite Cliffhangers and Staff are back for another year of happiness and heartache. This is my own account of how Higher Ground Season Two, would have and still would be.
*****
Disclaimer: To prevent myself from having to say this in the beginning of each chapter, I'm going to say that throughout these 22 or so chapters, I do not own any of the characters in this story. Any character such as a newbie or a character that you did not see in the original Higher Ground is mine and if you want to get permission for use, e-mail me at purplehole@hotmail.com
*****
Episode One: Not Enough
"See, Think and Decide for yourselves"- Malcolm X
*****
"Wake up, Wake up, Wake UP!" A young seventeen year olds voice rang out in an obscene hour in the morning throughout the Cliffhanger dorm room. Groans and moans could be heard from under the blankets. "It's 6:30! The first day of our SENIOR year! Come on guys- GET UP!" She yelled jerking the blankets off of another girl in the dorm. She headed toward the bathroom to shower.
"Queenie!!" A blonde hair, blue eyed girl yelled as she popped her head up from under the covers. "This is HORIZON! Be it our Senior year or our Freshman, Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will change!" She plopped her head back down on her soft pillow and was about to nod off again when another Cliffhanger girl spoke.
"Ah! Another morning full of sunshine and happiness for us ever so disturbed teenagers. " She said as she swung her feet out of her bed and onto the floor. She shivered lightly but her grin still stood out noticeably on her face. "I, for one, just cannot wait to start my first day of honors calculus! Yes, the class I got into mistakenly. Our fearless leader won't let me out-"
"Oh, drop it, Daisy! You have shown us your utter happiness toward the new year already." Shelby said as she too swung her feet onto the floor. She shivered too.
"Oh you're just jealous I can maintain my sunny disposition at this insane hour of the morning." Daisy said yawning.
"More like snowy disposition!" Shelby exclaimed, jumping back under her covers. "Who invited Mr. Cold over for breakfast?" She asked shivering still.
After a few more very cold minutes, Juliette emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and clean.
"Your turn, your holiness!" Jules said smirking at Shelby.
"You can call Peter for all I care. I'm NOT moving!" Shelby said, holding the covers up to her nose.
*****
Sitting at the breakfast table that morning, Daisy smiled cynically at Shelby.
"You move-"
"Oh shut up, Dais! Here comes Scott." Shelby smiled widely as Scott walked up and sat down. He looked straight into her eyes.
"Hey, beautiful," Scott Barringer said smiling slyly while leaning in for a quick kiss."
"Ahh, another PDA offence I see, Mr. Barringer." Scott's face turned red quickly and so did Shelby's. However, Ezra grinned devilishly.
"Oh, hello Frank! Top of the morning to 'ya!" Ezra said, raising his eyebrows at Scott in an "Ohhh- You're- In- Trouble" look. Scott glared at him.
Frank didn't say another word to Scott, however. Instead, he placed his hand on Shelby's shoulder, much to everyone's surprise.
"Ms. Merrick," he said.
"Frank.." Shelby replied.
"Peter would like to see you in his office in five minutes." He finished and walked off. Ezra couldn't wait any longer. He burst out laughing and smiled again, devilishly at Shelby this time.
"Shut up, Freakin'!" Shelby exclaimed, using Ezra's nickname, much to his demise.
"Hey, I'll see you later, huh? Second period, maybe? You know how Peter likes to talk..." Scott trailed off, sad that he would have to leave Shelby by herself with Peter. He, however, pulled off another sly smile that Shelby couldn't resist. She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. This time making sure that no one was around, of course.
Ezra could be heard laughing again, "Have fun with Peter, Shel. Be sure to bring me back a souvenir!"
Shelby just smiled at him and walked around behind him and smacked him on the back of the head. "Shut your trap, Freakin." She replied, walking toward the door.
"Hey! Remember, you'll have to get my name right sometime!" Ezra yelled after Shelby.
"Whatever you say, Freakin!" And she was gone out the door.
*****
Auggie made his way with Jules into the tenth grade writing and reading reform class that Jeff was teaching this year. If he was to make the grades to be accepted into a college, he would have to work his butt of this year.
"You'll be fine this year, Augustos. I'm proud of your progress of the summer." Jeff was seen sitting on a desk holding a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird"
"Aghh!" Auggie could be heard groaning. "I tried to read that book by eighth grade year. I couldn't even get past the first page!"
"You'll do fine!" Jules reassured him. His dyslexia was really getting on his nerves and everyone could tell.
Auggie looked back up at Jules and grinned, "I'll try... Just for you, Stick."
"Oh, Augustos!" Juliette exclaimed and gave him a giant hug.
"Um, Jules...." Auggie laughed nervously, looking around the room. "Jules," he attempted again. This time Juliette noticed the light laughter around the room. Both her and Auggie's face went red.
"I'll see you later, Auggie." Juliette said, walking out of the room to her own twelfth grade english class.
*****
Shelby knocked on the already open door.
"Come in," Peter Scarbrow, headmaster of the school called from inside. Shelby slipped in and looked at him confused.
"You rang oh Holy One?" Shelby asked. Peter strained to find laughter.
"Uh, yeah, I got a call from your mother today," he explained. Shelby raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah?" Peter nodded. "And?"
"And..." Peter hesitated to go on, "And she needs you to come home to testify against your step father. You'll only be down there for two days. Don't worry.. nothing will happen. Though I think your sister needs your support.
Shelby bit her lip to keep from yelling out in protest. Her sister needed her... she couldn't back down.
"When?" She simply asked. Peter was surprised at her maturity.
*****
The end of the school day came and went and Scott noticed that there was still no sign of Shelby. His stomach clenched and did back flips as he remembered what happened last time-- she went home without even telling him.
[Flashback]
"I wasn't THAT good!" Scott exclaimed, pulling away from Shelby's hug.
"That wasn't for the play." Shelby replied.
[End Flashback]
Scott would later learn that it really wasn't for the his performance in Bobby Joe and Gillian. She went home with her mother that day and wasn't supposed to return.
[Flashback]
Daisy ran after Scott. "She's gone, Scott!"
[End Flashback]
His worries were finally set to rest.
"Hey, Cowboy," He could hear her voice from behind him.
Scott smiled widely and turned around, grabbing Shelby and pulling her into his lap.
"Woah, were's the fire?" Shelby asked, laughing.
"I missed you," Scott whispered and Shelby blushed.
"Scott... I've been gone for, what, five hours-"
"Six" Scott corrected.
"Okay, I've been gone for six hours and you've already developed symptoms of withdrawl!" Shelby grinned at him but her smile soon faded when Scott asked his next question.
"So," he asked. "What did Peter want?" Shelby sighed.
"Well, it's not like I'm going home never to return." She grinned at him. A relief suddenly spread over Scott. "But.." There was always a but, "But I have to go home for two days to... to testify against Walt" She said Walt with such disgust that Scott winced.
"That mad, huh? You know you don't have to go..." Scott was hopeful.. maybe she wouldn't go after all.
"No, my sister needs my support. She has to do this or he'll get off. My mother's testifying that she knew about it but that isn't as good as a first hand testimony... and two makes it better." Shelby explained. Scott sighed.. he was feeling strange. He knew what he needed to hear from her.
"Say goodbye." He stated. He wanted her to at least say goodbye this time.
"Why?" Shelby asked, raising her eyebrow in confusion.
"Because I want to hear it this time. I know you're not going away forever this time... but I still need to hear it. To make up for last time." Scott answered. Shelby understood.
"Okay, goodbye until next time, Scott." Shelby said, leaning her head on Scott's shoulder. She would be leaving the next day for two days. She thought secretly how she didn't know if she could handle being in that house for even two minutes.. but her sister needed her, so she had to go whether Scott wanted her to or not.
*****
A/n: Well, that didn't take too long. After Bringer of Futures ended, I felt like I needed to write. I guess I could 'a felt that way a little earlier so you could get Bringer of Future's last chapter sooner, huh? Well, here ya go! I hope you will enjoy this! I know I'll love writing it.
Flamingteen
PG 13
*****
Taking place soon after "Because I Love You", Scott, Shelby, Peter and all your favorite Cliffhangers and Staff are back for another year of happiness and heartache. This is my own account of how Higher Ground Season Two, would have and still would be.
*****
Disclaimer: To prevent myself from having to say this in the beginning of each chapter, I'm going to say that throughout these 22 or so chapters, I do not own any of the characters in this story. Any character such as a newbie or a character that you did not see in the original Higher Ground is mine and if you want to get permission for use, e-mail me at purplehole@hotmail.com
*****
Episode One: Not Enough
"See, Think and Decide for yourselves"- Malcolm X
*****
"Wake up, Wake up, Wake UP!" A young seventeen year olds voice rang out in an obscene hour in the morning throughout the Cliffhanger dorm room. Groans and moans could be heard from under the blankets. "It's 6:30! The first day of our SENIOR year! Come on guys- GET UP!" She yelled jerking the blankets off of another girl in the dorm. She headed toward the bathroom to shower.
"Queenie!!" A blonde hair, blue eyed girl yelled as she popped her head up from under the covers. "This is HORIZON! Be it our Senior year or our Freshman, Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will change!" She plopped her head back down on her soft pillow and was about to nod off again when another Cliffhanger girl spoke.
"Ah! Another morning full of sunshine and happiness for us ever so disturbed teenagers. " She said as she swung her feet out of her bed and onto the floor. She shivered lightly but her grin still stood out noticeably on her face. "I, for one, just cannot wait to start my first day of honors calculus! Yes, the class I got into mistakenly. Our fearless leader won't let me out-"
"Oh, drop it, Daisy! You have shown us your utter happiness toward the new year already." Shelby said as she too swung her feet onto the floor. She shivered too.
"Oh you're just jealous I can maintain my sunny disposition at this insane hour of the morning." Daisy said yawning.
"More like snowy disposition!" Shelby exclaimed, jumping back under her covers. "Who invited Mr. Cold over for breakfast?" She asked shivering still.
After a few more very cold minutes, Juliette emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and clean.
"Your turn, your holiness!" Jules said smirking at Shelby.
"You can call Peter for all I care. I'm NOT moving!" Shelby said, holding the covers up to her nose.
*****
Sitting at the breakfast table that morning, Daisy smiled cynically at Shelby.
"You move-"
"Oh shut up, Dais! Here comes Scott." Shelby smiled widely as Scott walked up and sat down. He looked straight into her eyes.
"Hey, beautiful," Scott Barringer said smiling slyly while leaning in for a quick kiss."
"Ahh, another PDA offence I see, Mr. Barringer." Scott's face turned red quickly and so did Shelby's. However, Ezra grinned devilishly.
"Oh, hello Frank! Top of the morning to 'ya!" Ezra said, raising his eyebrows at Scott in an "Ohhh- You're- In- Trouble" look. Scott glared at him.
Frank didn't say another word to Scott, however. Instead, he placed his hand on Shelby's shoulder, much to everyone's surprise.
"Ms. Merrick," he said.
"Frank.." Shelby replied.
"Peter would like to see you in his office in five minutes." He finished and walked off. Ezra couldn't wait any longer. He burst out laughing and smiled again, devilishly at Shelby this time.
"Shut up, Freakin'!" Shelby exclaimed, using Ezra's nickname, much to his demise.
"Hey, I'll see you later, huh? Second period, maybe? You know how Peter likes to talk..." Scott trailed off, sad that he would have to leave Shelby by herself with Peter. He, however, pulled off another sly smile that Shelby couldn't resist. She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. This time making sure that no one was around, of course.
Ezra could be heard laughing again, "Have fun with Peter, Shel. Be sure to bring me back a souvenir!"
Shelby just smiled at him and walked around behind him and smacked him on the back of the head. "Shut your trap, Freakin." She replied, walking toward the door.
"Hey! Remember, you'll have to get my name right sometime!" Ezra yelled after Shelby.
"Whatever you say, Freakin!" And she was gone out the door.
*****
Auggie made his way with Jules into the tenth grade writing and reading reform class that Jeff was teaching this year. If he was to make the grades to be accepted into a college, he would have to work his butt of this year.
"You'll be fine this year, Augustos. I'm proud of your progress of the summer." Jeff was seen sitting on a desk holding a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird"
"Aghh!" Auggie could be heard groaning. "I tried to read that book by eighth grade year. I couldn't even get past the first page!"
"You'll do fine!" Jules reassured him. His dyslexia was really getting on his nerves and everyone could tell.
Auggie looked back up at Jules and grinned, "I'll try... Just for you, Stick."
"Oh, Augustos!" Juliette exclaimed and gave him a giant hug.
"Um, Jules...." Auggie laughed nervously, looking around the room. "Jules," he attempted again. This time Juliette noticed the light laughter around the room. Both her and Auggie's face went red.
"I'll see you later, Auggie." Juliette said, walking out of the room to her own twelfth grade english class.
*****
Shelby knocked on the already open door.
"Come in," Peter Scarbrow, headmaster of the school called from inside. Shelby slipped in and looked at him confused.
"You rang oh Holy One?" Shelby asked. Peter strained to find laughter.
"Uh, yeah, I got a call from your mother today," he explained. Shelby raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah?" Peter nodded. "And?"
"And..." Peter hesitated to go on, "And she needs you to come home to testify against your step father. You'll only be down there for two days. Don't worry.. nothing will happen. Though I think your sister needs your support.
Shelby bit her lip to keep from yelling out in protest. Her sister needed her... she couldn't back down.
"When?" She simply asked. Peter was surprised at her maturity.
*****
The end of the school day came and went and Scott noticed that there was still no sign of Shelby. His stomach clenched and did back flips as he remembered what happened last time-- she went home without even telling him.
[Flashback]
"I wasn't THAT good!" Scott exclaimed, pulling away from Shelby's hug.
"That wasn't for the play." Shelby replied.
[End Flashback]
Scott would later learn that it really wasn't for the his performance in Bobby Joe and Gillian. She went home with her mother that day and wasn't supposed to return.
[Flashback]
Daisy ran after Scott. "She's gone, Scott!"
[End Flashback]
His worries were finally set to rest.
"Hey, Cowboy," He could hear her voice from behind him.
Scott smiled widely and turned around, grabbing Shelby and pulling her into his lap.
"Woah, were's the fire?" Shelby asked, laughing.
"I missed you," Scott whispered and Shelby blushed.
"Scott... I've been gone for, what, five hours-"
"Six" Scott corrected.
"Okay, I've been gone for six hours and you've already developed symptoms of withdrawl!" Shelby grinned at him but her smile soon faded when Scott asked his next question.
"So," he asked. "What did Peter want?" Shelby sighed.
"Well, it's not like I'm going home never to return." She grinned at him. A relief suddenly spread over Scott. "But.." There was always a but, "But I have to go home for two days to... to testify against Walt" She said Walt with such disgust that Scott winced.
"That mad, huh? You know you don't have to go..." Scott was hopeful.. maybe she wouldn't go after all.
"No, my sister needs my support. She has to do this or he'll get off. My mother's testifying that she knew about it but that isn't as good as a first hand testimony... and two makes it better." Shelby explained. Scott sighed.. he was feeling strange. He knew what he needed to hear from her.
"Say goodbye." He stated. He wanted her to at least say goodbye this time.
"Why?" Shelby asked, raising her eyebrow in confusion.
"Because I want to hear it this time. I know you're not going away forever this time... but I still need to hear it. To make up for last time." Scott answered. Shelby understood.
"Okay, goodbye until next time, Scott." Shelby said, leaning her head on Scott's shoulder. She would be leaving the next day for two days. She thought secretly how she didn't know if she could handle being in that house for even two minutes.. but her sister needed her, so she had to go whether Scott wanted her to or not.
*****
A/n: Well, that didn't take too long. After Bringer of Futures ended, I felt like I needed to write. I guess I could 'a felt that way a little earlier so you could get Bringer of Future's last chapter sooner, huh? Well, here ya go! I hope you will enjoy this! I know I'll love writing it.
