A/N: Thanks for the reviews, they really motivate me. And, yes, I do read them, every single word!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters associated with Higher Ground
Life's A Dance26
Quote: Life's a dance you learn as you go.-unknown
Scott slowly walked up the steps of Peter's office. He was in no rush at all, and would probably still be making his way up the hill if Peter hadn't been right beside him giving him a nudge every time he slowed down. He wondered if this is what it felt like to be on death row. The silence on campus was deathly, and many people had stopped what they were doing to stare at him. He continued telling himself it would all be ok, but just the thought of possibly leaving Horizon made him sick. This place was his home, he had a family, and he had Shelby-whom he loved. He also knew he wasn't ready to leave, he wasn't ready to go back out into the real world. Not ready to face his dad-who still didn't believe him about the whole Elaine thing, and not ready to face his old friends. It was like Peter had always told him though, 'when you are ready, you will know it', and Scott knew he wasn't ready. He still remembered the feeling he had gotten hours earlier when he had found out about what happened to David. His heart had stopped beating and his blood was raging. He wanted to pound David's father for putting him through such hell, but he knew that wouldn't do any good. That was another thing-he knew that he wasn't ready to go back into the real world, because his raging temper was still raging. He hadn't gotten over everything that happened to him, it seemed that over the summer he had relapsed. He hadn't done drugs or anything, but being in the house that all the bad stuff had happened in…he shook the thought out of his head, not wanting to remember those awful nights. He looked up and jumped back as Peter touched his shoulder…
Peter gave Scott a concerned look, he was seeming 'spacey'
Peter: You ok man?
Scott looked at the ground and nodded his head
Scott: Yeah, I'm fine.
Peter was still concerned, but he didn't want to push it
Peter: Ok then, let's go.
They walked into the main building, Peter making sure he was right in step with Scott. They both stopped once they got to the door of Peter's office. Scott rubbed a hand through his hair, getting more and more nervous by the second. Peter sensed Scott's nervousness and put a hand on his shoulder
Peter: Look man, if there's something you want to talk about, let me know. Don't leave me hanging like this
Scott took in a deep breath, wondering if there was anything he needed to talk about. He wasn't sure of anything anymore, it was like all his thoughts were jumbled together and he couldn't think straightly. He slowly shook his head 'no'
Peter wasn't totally convinced, but he nodded his head. He patted Scott on the shoulder and turned to walk away
Peter: See you in a few then, and remember everything we've taught you while you are in there
Scott nodded his head, knowing what Peter meant. He took in a deep breath and put his hand on the doorknob, slowly turning it…
Ezra: CRAP, CRAP, CRAP.
He waved his hands in disgust, not knowing what was going on with him. He had left Jacky sitting there stunned, but he was more stunned then her. He felt liking kicking himself right about now, but knew he wouldn't be able to get his leg up to his face.
"Maybe I'll fall on something," he thought to himself disgustedly
He pulled his hood over his head and began walking, not knowing where he was going. He put his hands in his pocket and clinched his fists, trying to refrain from hitting himself right in the jaw. He rolled his eyes in disgust and confusion.
Ezra: I like Daisy. I like Daisy. I like Daisy.
He picked up his pace, walking as fast as his legs could carry him
Ezra: Then why is Jacky coming into the picture?
He looked around, needing a place to sit and think, but away from anything sharp so he wouldn't hurt himself- which is what he felt like doing at the moment. He walked towards the docks, and once he got to them, walked half way down, sitting in the middle of them as not to push himself into the water.
"I deserve to freeze to death though," he thought to himself annoyed.
Deep down he was kicking himself- hard. He pulled his legs up under him as to where he was sitting Indian style, then he put each elbow on a different leg, followed by placing his chin in his hands.
Ezra: Hmmp.
He knew he was being stubborn, but he was just trying to hide his confusion from the world
"Maybe I should borrow some of Daisy's makeup and just be honest about it," he sighed to himself.
Ezra: Daisy…see, I think about her all the time, even when I'm really ticked.
He smiled to himself, glad he did think about her
Ezra: Then there's Jacky…she made me laugh when I felt like blowing myself up…which I'm still considering.
He laughed at the thought of Jacky, but his look turned to a solemn one at the thought of blowing himself up
Ezra: At least it would take me out of this
He motioned his hand outwards-towards everything.
He shook the thought out of his head. Deep down he knew Horizon was his home, the only real one he had ever had.
He sighed in frustration
"If only I could talk with Daisy about this," he thought to himself-a bit sadly.
Auggie tapped on the window, hoping Juliete would hear him and let him in. He knew that if he were to get caught he would get shuns for forever, but he had to say was too important to wait. He pulled himself up and tapped on the window a little harder this time. Nothing happened…
"Oh, come on Jules," he sighed frustrated and impatiently.
He dropped himself down and looked up at the window-- which was about seven feet off the ground. He jumped up again, this time missing the window seal and falling to the ground---hard and noisy.
"Holy .…," he bit his tongue.
He was in pain. He maneuvered himself so he was up against the wall and in the shadows, just incase the nurse had heard the loud collision. He gasped for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath. Once he had caught his breath he closed his eyes, trying to make the pain go away. He looked down at his left arm, and then at his elbow.
Auggie: Dern, now Peter's gonna really let me have it.
He slowly took off his button up shirt, deciding that he wouldn't freeze to death in just a short sleeve, and began trying to stop the bleeding. He worked on his elbow first, which was swollen and looked pretty bad.
"Wait til Mama hears about this," he thought to himself, a little amused.
He tore his shirt and wrapped part of it around his elbow. It was nothing new to him, he had learned how to bandage himself while on the streets. That knowledge was really coming in handy now as he put his hand to his forehead. He brought it back down
"Bleeding there too" he sighed to himself.
He wrapped the rest of his arm and eventually had stopped the bleeding on the forehead
"Nothing but a lil' scratch," he thought to himself.
He slowly stood up and wiped some of the dirt off his clothes. He braced himself up against the building-- his head was spinning.
"All this for Jules," he laughed to himself while smiling and shaking his head.
After everything had stopped spinning and he felt like he had all his senses back, he furrowed his brow.
Auggie: How'm I gonna get to see her?
He rubbed his hand, the one had hadn't hurt, over the back of his neck in confusion.
"Auggie"
He quickly turned around to see Jeff standing there. He held up his hands
Auggie: Look man I can…
Jeff pointed towards Auggie
Jeff: What happened to you, are you ok?
Auggie furrowed his brow and then realized what Jeff was talking about. He looked down at his wrapped arm and cursed himself for wearing a colored shirt that was easy to see in the dark
Auggie: Yeah man, it's cool
Jeff looked at him concerned
Jeff: Were you trying to get into the nurses' station?
Auggie looked at the ground, and then back up at Jeff
Auggie: I w…
Jeff held up his hand
Jeff: Say no more, Miss. Wiliker just probably didn't hear you. Come on and I will get you in there so those cuts can get cleaned.
Auggie was about to object, but smiled to himself. Going to the nurses' station meant getting to see Jules. He nodded his head
Auggie: Ok man
Jeff gave him a supportive smile, and began walking towards the door --Auggie followed
Jacky looked at the door, that Ezra had recently walked out of, confused. She rolled her eyes
Jacky: Was it something I said?
She stood up and gave the punching bag a little punch and walked over to a little table that was in the far corner. She jumped up and sat on top of it. She leaned back on her elbows, trying to figure things out.
Jacky: Life-guess you ain't supposed to get it, huh?
She gave a little sneer. She tried to stop her mind from wondering, but she couldn't help it. She shut her eyes tightly, hoping they wouldn't come back…
*FLASHBACK*
Jacky: Come on Jason, my room is upstairs, we can watch the game up there.
She opened the door and walked into her hour, Jason followed. It was the night of the Super Bowl and she had her money on the Rams, all one hundred bucks. Jason rolled his eyes and followed her up the stairs.
Once in her room, Jacky turned on the TV and called her buddy Frank to make sure her bet still stood. She talked to him on the phone and watched as Jason took the nights' food supplies out of his bag. Once she got off the phone she walked over to her door and locked it so her stepbrothers wouldn't bother her…again.
It was halftime now and about an hour and fifteen minutes had gone by without interruption. Her team was ahead, but only by a touchdown. She looked over at Jason who was asleep on her bed
"He never could stay up when his team was losing," she laughed to herself.
She turned on her boom box and pulled her headphones on, her back facing the door. She watched as they showed highlights from the first half. She would clap every now and then when a good play was made. Half time was over and she stood up to wake Jason, but she felt a hand placed firmly on her shoulder and her knees locked beneath her, causing her to fall to the ground. She looked up in shock. Aaron and Tommy were standing over her with evil smirks on their faces. She closed her eyes, hoping, praying, nothing would happen to her. Aaron knelt down by her side and stroked her face
Aaron: Hey there little sis
She cringed as he kissed her on the cheek
Aaron: How is my favorite sister doing?
She tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat was too great.
She watched as Tommy walked over to Jason and sat on him. Jason woke up, and tried to fight Tommy off of him, but he wouldn't move. Tommy laughed at the site
Tommy: Geez little boy, why even try?
Tommy grabbed Jason by the neck and forced him to lie down. He then began choking the boy
Jacky closed her eyes. Jason was her best friend, why couldn't they just leave him alone?
Aaron laid down beside Jacky and began whispering in her ear…
Aaron: How much do you have riding on the game tonight, sis?
Jacky tried to speak, but nothing would come out.
Aaron: I said HOW MUCH.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to calm her nerves
Jacky: One hundred
Aaron blew in her ear and moved her hair out of her face
Aaron: Is that all?
Jacky slowly nodded her head 'yes'
Aaron slowly sat up and laughed at the site of Tommy tying a shirtless Jason to the bedpost
Aaron: And how much of that are you going to give to me?
Jacky: All of it.
Aaron: I didn't hear you, speak up
Jacky spoke in between clinched teeth
Jacky: ALL OF IT.
She clinched her teeth as Aaron patted her on the face
Aaron: Good doggy
He laughed as he stood up. Instead of walking over her, he stepped on her, making her yell in pain.
Aaron: Sorry sis, parents aren't here tonight, you'll have to yell louder than that.
He laughed as he walked over to Tommy who had cut big clumps of Jason's hair
Jason: Bastards
They both laughed at him, and each took a punch at him. He leaned over in pain as they left the room
Tommy: See you later, sis.
Aaron: We know you're looking forward to it.
*END FLASHBACK*
Jacky sat there hunched over. She hated the memory of that night, it would always haunt her though when she thought she had found a friend, and she thought that tonight she had found a friend in Ezra.
"They're always going to be there to ruin my life," she thought to herself coldly.
Auggie thanked the nurse and watched as she walked out of the room, followed by Jeff. He looked over at Juliete and saw her sleeping peacefully. He smiled to himself and quickly but silently went through the drawers until he found what he was looking for.
"Got it," he said under his breath.
He found a pen and looked at the small sheet of paper in front of him. He took in a deep breath and smiled to himself. He started to write
*WRITING*
Jules, I love you too.
He quickly folded the paper and walked over to Juliete's bedside--as noiselessly as possible so Jeff wouldn't hear him. He tucked the paper in her hand and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. He quickly walked back over to the door, just in time. Jeff walked in and nodded his head towards the door
Jeff: Ok Auggie, let's get you to the dorm.
Auggie nodded his head and took a quick look over at Juliete. He smiled to himself and followed Jeff out of the room.
Scott took in a deep breath and swung the door open. He slowly closed it behind it and smiled as his mom ran up to him and embraced him in a hug
Susan: Scott, it's so good to see you're ok.
She held his face in her hands and smiled at him
Susan: You really know how to scare me
Scott nodded his head and smiled at her
Scott: Sorry about that mom
Susan smiled at him and waved her hand
Susan: Ah, forget about it
Scott smiled at her and put his hands in his pockets. He looked around the room, he usually knew how to talk to his mom, but he couldn't find the right words right now. He shrugged his shoulders
Scott: So…what you want to talk about?
Susan smiled at him and walked over and sat on Peter's couch. She patted the spot next to her and Scott walked over and sat by her.
They sat there in awkward silence for a few minutes
Susan: Scott, you have always been able to come to me when something was bothering you.
Scott nodded his head and Susan gave him a small smile
Susan: Is something bothering you?
Scott looked at the ground and shook his head
Scott: I don't know mom, I'm just confused.
A confused look crossed her face
Susan: Well let me try and help you, Scott. I'm a fairly good listener
He looked up, smiled at her, and nodded his head
Scott: Yeah, I know you are.
She smiled at him
Susan: Well then…
He gave a little laugh, but then he started to feel nervous
Scott: I just want to know why dad wanted to give me up?
He looked at the ground, almost ashamed
Susan: Scott, it isn't like that. He loves you, he just had a hard summer
Scott looked up at his mom
Scott: Yeah, well, it was better than mine. He went on business trips and I got left at home all summer, mom. Not exactly my idea of a fun summer
She gave him a sympathetic look
Susan: Honey, you could have come and stayed with me.
Scott: I was supposed to spend a summer with dad. We were gonna have fun and I wanted him to forgive me so bad. That's never gonna happen though, mom 'cause he thinks all this stuff that happened was my fault.
Scott laughed at the ground
Scott: Funny how things are always my fault huh
Susan: Scott, don't think like that. Your father loves you
Scott looked up at her
Scott: Yeah, well he got a funny way of showing it
Susan looked around, not knowing what to say in this situation.
Susan: Scott, I can't make you believe that your father loves you, but I think that deep down inside you know he does.
Scott looked at the ground, and then nodded his head at his mom
Scott: I know he does
Susan smiled at her son's maturity
They sat there in silence for a few minutes, until Scott got the courage to ask what had been bothering him all week
Scott: So is he gonna give me up?
Susan looked out the window
Susan: No Scott. He was just going through some tough times. He didn't mean what he said
Scott looked at the ground with mixed emotions
Susan: However, if you feel that you are ready to go him, you can.
Scott looked at her shocked.
Scott: I can?
She smiled at him and nodded her head 'yes'
Laura tossed and turned. The nightmare was back, only this time she couldn't wake herself up to get it to stop. She kept seeing flashing lights and hearing screaming. She cringed in pain as she remembered the sight of the lifeless boy laying in front of her.
Laura: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please…
She began crying, but she still couldn't wake up. She watched as the ambulance pulled up and they ran over and began working on the motionless boy. The cops were holding his shocked parents back, and a crowd had gathered. They were all looking at the boy, and at her. She watched as they all whispered and pointed at her, as they put the boy on the stretcher and sped off, sirens blowing and people staring at her. A policeman and come to talk with her, and he had put her in his car and driven her to the police station. She had slept there that night in a nice room with a physician by her side.
She bolted up in bed, her pupils wide and heartbeat going crazy. She breathed heavily and slowly laid back down, shivering.
"Please let the nightmares go away," she said to herself between sobs.
Susan smiled at her son
Susan: Yes, Scott, the decision is yours
Scott stood up and began pacing the room, rubbing a hand through his hair
Scott: Why are you doing this to me? Why are ya'll confusing me like this? Do you have to do it? Is it some sick pleasure? I think things are going good and then you and dad come up with some announcement that screw everything up.
Susan watched and listened, confused at her son's reaction. She thought he would be happy, but he seemed upset. She stood up and slowly walked over to him
Susan: Scott, is everything ok?
He stopped pacing and looked at his mom
Scott: I'm sorry, mom
She smiled at him and nodded her head understandingly
Scott: I just thought that…
He motioned his hand, not knowing the word he was looking for. Susan gave him a confused look
Susan: It's ok Scott.
He looked at the ground
Scott: No
Susan looked at her son confused
Scott: No, I'm not ready to leave Horizon. God, dad should know that better than anyone
He rubbed a hand through his hair
Scott: I'm not ready to leave, I- I haven't healed or whatever you want to call it.
Susan looked at her son concerned
Susan: I thought you had gotten past the Elaine experience
Scott gave a small smile
Scott: Nah, I told them about it and that was the first step and stuff, but that's nothin'
Susan looked at her son confused
Susan: This school isn't helping you
He furrowed his brow
Scott: Yeah it's helping me, but it's not gonna help me like overnight. I can't just leave
He rubbed a hand through his hair
Scott: This is my family
They stood there in silence for a minute and then Susan smiled at her son
Susan: You have really grown up Scott, I'm very proud of you
The concerned look left Scott's face as a small smile crossed it. He nodded his head
Scott: Thanks, mom.
She smiled at her son and embraced him in another hug
Shelby sat on the steps of the girls' dorm. Her hands were clasped together as she was chewing on her fingernails, slightly rocking back and forth. She was worried that Scott would have to go home, and she didn't know what she would do without him. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She sat there in silence a few more minutes. She looked behind her at the sound of the door to the girls' dorm opening. She watched as Sophie walked out. She turned her attention back to her fingernails, and didn't move as Sophie sat down beside her.
Sophie: Hey
Shelby nodded her head, acknowledging Sophie
Sophie gave her a concerned look
Sophie: You ok?
Shelby shrugged her shoulders and Sophie nodded her head
Sophie: Scott talking with his mom now?
Shelby nodded her head 'yes'
Sophie 'clicked' her tongue and looked around the campus, and then focused her attention on the stars
Sophie: Ever wonder why God made the stars?
Shelby: *sarcastically* No, I'm too busy wondering why He made me
Sophie nodded her head
Sophie: Everybody wonders that at some point I their life Shelby.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes…
Shelby turned her head to face Sophie
Shelby: You have wondered about that, too?
Sophie nodded her head yes and looked at the ground
Sophie: Many times. Many times…
Shelby: What did you come up with?
Sophie put her hands on her knees and shrugged her shoulders
Sophie: Well, I can't say I know for sure, but I do believe that there is a reason for everything
Shelby gave a little sneer
Shelby: I'd like to know why I had to live on the streets on do what I did to stay alive
Sophie sighed, she had a feeling Shelby would bring this up
Sophie: I can't tell you the reason for that Shelby, but there is one.
Shelby shrugged her shoulders
Shelby: Such as…
Sophie looked at her
Sophie: Maybe it helped you grow into a stronger person.
Shelby chewed on her fingernail, letting what Sophie said sink in. She shrugged her shoulders
Shelby: Maybe
Sophie smiled at her
Sophie: Or maybe it happened so you could come here and meet people who care about you. Maybe even so you could meet Scott…
Shelby smiled and rolled her eyes
Shelby: I had a feeling you were going there
Sophie shrugged her shoulders
Sophie: Can't blame me for trying
Shelby looked at her hands
Shelby: Maybe you're right though
Sophie nodded her head
Sophie: Maybe I am
Shelby smirked at Sophie
Shelby: *sarcastically* Guess miracles do happen…you got something right
Sophie gave her a small smile, not in the mood to lecture anyone
Scott pulled away from his mom's embrace and stared at her with worried eyes
Scott: Will you do something for me?
Susan looked at him in confusion, but nodded her head 'yes'
Scott: We'll you tell my group that you're sorry
Susan looked at the ground
Scott: Please, mom?
Susan looked up at his pleading eyes
"I never could say know when he gave me that look," she laughed to herself
Susan: Scott, I think your friends officially hate me after what I said
Scott shrugged his shoulders
Scott: Could you blame them?
She gave him a hurt look, but knew he was right
Susan: I guess you are right.
Scott nodded his head
Scott: You'll tell them tomorrow at group then?
She looked at the ground again
Scott: Please…
She looked up at him and nodded her head 'yes'
Susan: Ok Scott, I will do it for you
Scott shook his head
Scott: No mom, I want you to do it because you are really sorry
She looked at him and saw the solemn look on his face
Susan: Ok, I am sorry, and I will tell them that.
He smiled at her and nodded his head
Scott: Good
Shelby sat up straight and sighed out of pure exhaustion. Sophie looked over at her concerned
Sophie: Been a rough day for you, too, huh?
Shelby nodded her head 'yes'. She leaned back onto her elbows
Shelby: I'm just tired
Sophie smiled at her
Sophie: Me and you both
Shelby gave a small smile
Shelby: Have any more clever sayings for me to think about?
Sophie smirked at her
Sophie: Maybe…
Shelby: That's good
She looked at the ground, knowing Sophie was bursting inside, wanting to tell her the saying
Sophie: Ok, do you want to hear it?
Shelby shrugged her shoulders
Shelby: Whatever…
She didn't want to seem too anxious to Sophie
Sophie stood up, knowing Shelby would want to be alone.
Sophie: There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it is easy.
Sophie patted Shelby on the shoulder and walked off.
Sophie: Good night Shelby.
Sophie walked away, glad that Shelby was beginning to open up to her a little. She smiled to herself. Laura was opening up to her, and now Shelby…
"Maybe today isn't such a bad one after all," she thought to herself.
She covered her mouth and yawned
"Doesn't mean it wasn't exhausting though," she thought to herself tiredly.
Shelby watched as Sophie walked away. She thought about the two paths Scott had to choose from, and which one would be the easiest.
"If he goes home and starts drugs, that would be easy for him," she thought to herself. "If he stays here anf goes against the odds…"
She chewed on her fingernails, the anticipation was killing her…
Susan looked at her son, she could tell something was still bothering him
Susan: What else is bothering you, Scott?
He rubbed a hand through his hair
Scott: There is something else…
She looked at him confused
Scott: I-I want you to apologize to Shelby
She looked at him confused
Susan: I am going to apologize to your group, son
Scott shook his head
Scott: I want you--I need you-- to apologize to Shelby ma.
Susan looked at her son's pleading eyes. She smiled at him
Susan: She is really that important to you?
Scott put his hands in his pocket and nodded his head
Scott: Yeah, ma, she is.
Susan smiled at her son, seeing the excitement in him
Scott: Remember that saying you told me when you were here before?
She thought for a moment, and then smiled at him, nodding her head 'yes'
Susan: Friends are two people sharing one soul?
Scott nodded his head
Scott: Yeah. That's the one
She looked at him, waiting for him to continue
Scott shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say.
Scott: Well…that's sorta how I feel about Shelby
Susan smiled at her son
Susan: I know that she makes you happy, Scott. I could tell the first time I saw you with her.
Scott furrowed his brow
Scott: Then why did you say that to Peter?
Susan shook her head and shrugged her shoulders
Susan: I guess it was the overprotective mother coming out of me
He smiled at her
Scott: So you like her?
Susan smiled at him and nodded her head
Susan: If you're happy, I'm happy.
He gave her a hug
Scott: Thanks mom
They both walked out of Peter's office
"Now I gotta go talk to Shelby," Scott thought to himself excited.
************************************************************************************
Next: Scott talks with Shelby
Sophie and Peter talk
Ezra does something a little stupid…
David finds out about Laura
A LOT more….
PLEASE REVIEW…12?