Chapter 3

With the weekend again approaching, a decision comes to Regina. "You mind if I come with you again to Horizon, Holly?" Regina asks abruptly.

"You want to go over there again, Regina?" Paula suggests as the girls sit together in the cafeteria.

"There were some things over there that got me curious about the place," Regina explains.

"If you're wondering about who won that X-Challenge thing, I could always just ask and tell you about it," offers Holly.

"It's not just that, there's other stuff too," Regina replies.

"Okay then. Just drop by my house again tomorrow and we'll leave around noon."

The next day the two girls are back at Horizon again. They enter the lounge building. Holly looks around for her friend until a voice calls out.

"Up here, Holly." She looks up and sees Mike and several of his group mates up on the second floor. "I'll be down in a second." He gets off his chair and heads down the spiral staircase.

Mike approaches his friend and pats her on the shoulder. "Hey there Holly." He then looks over to Regina, "Surprised you came back."

"I'm a bit surprised I came back too," Regina remarks.

Mike looks back at Holly. "A couple of the guys and I were just playing some cards. Why don't you join us?"

"Sure," Holly responds.

"You're more than welcome to play too," Mike offers Regina. "The guys were talking about you after you left. They think you're cool.'

"Thanks, but I think I'll join you a bit later," Regina answers.

"Suit yourself."

Peter walks in. He notices Mike and Holly passing by him. "Hey Holly." Holly waves back to Peter. He then looks to the side and notices Regina. "Wasn't expecting you here, too."

"Mike tells me the same thing," she comments.

"Say Peter..." Holly turns around and walks up to him. "Where is everyone? Hadn't seen Jeff, and I noticed a few others are missing too."

"Jeff's out sick, and Frank is on a trip with the boys of the Cliffhangers' group," he answers.

"Speaking of Cliffhangers," Regina said. "How did that X-Challenge race go?"

Peter takes in a breath. "We lost," he tells it to her flat. "Had to cook the winning team dinner."

"He and the Cliffhangers had to sing YMCA in front of everyone too," Mike calls out.

"Wish you picked a different team, Peter?" Regina asks.

He pauses for a moment. "No. We might have lost, but the whole experience brought the Cliffhangers closer together. And in the end, everyone had fun. Besides other people were dancing and singing along to YMCA." Peter calls out to Mike, "And if I'm not mistaken Mike, you were dancing along to the song with the Lawrence Hastings students."

"The Lawrence Hastings students were the ones dancing, I was just slightly moving my body," Mike responds smugly. Holly smiles at him.

"Any other questions on your mind, Regina?" Peter continues.

"No, that's everything for now."

"Alright then." Peter nods a goodbye and continues on his way. Regina stares around the place. She decides to take a seat on one of the couches. She looks at a brown haired girl across from her with a deadpan expression and smirks.

"So you're back," says a voice from behind Regina. She turns around and finds Shelby walking over to the couch.

"Who is she?" the girl with the expressionless face asks.

"A visitor," Regina answers. "Don't think I've seen you yet."

"That's because I just got here," the girl replies.

"Her name's Daisy," Shelby tells Regina. "And you should've seen her the first day she arrived. Came looking like a vampire."

"Oh I get the expression now," Regina says to Daisy. "You're dead inside."

Daisy doesn't respond in the slightest way. "Take that as a yes," Shelby remarks. "There was a boy that arrived here on the same day as Daisy. OD'd the very next day. Hannah blamed herself and Peter tried to bake her a cake to get her to stay."

"I see I missed a lot in just a week," Regina says. "Did the boy survive?"

"Death, it's an inevitable force that claims us all sooner or later," Daisy blurts out.

"Word has it he's going to pull through and it wasn't the first time the kid OD'd," Shelby answers. "She's just weird and likes to talk about death and things like that."

"I don't mind. People were scared of me back in my old school, so it's going to take a lot to give me the creeps," Regina informs them.

Daisy comments again, "If you're not creeped out by that, you should've seen the cake Peter got us to help him make. Now that was scary."

"Heard Hannah buried the thing just out in the woods," Shelby adds.

Regina grins at them. "You two are funny."

A short while later Scott, Ezra, and Auggie enter the building and crash down on the couches next to the three young women. "I see you're back rich girl," Auggie comments after seeing Regina.

"Friends got to stick together," the blonde remarks.

"How's your adventure trip?" asks Daisy.

"It was... enlightening," Scott answers.

Holly walks up to Regina. "And there's the other rich girl," Auggie adds. Holly just smiles at him.

Regina looks up at Holly, "You're not playing cards anymore?"

"They're playing Speed now, and that's only two players." Holly looks around at everyone else and looks back at Regina. "I'm going to head outside just so you know where to find me."

"Sure."

Holly heads out. Coming in from another room, Juliette arrives. "You're back, Scott."

"Hey," Scott responds with a sort of tired voice. He looks around before responding again. "You want to go outside?"

Juliet gives him a grin. "Sure."

Scott gets off his seat to make his way to the door with Juliette following behind. Shelby watches them as they exit. "I'm going to head out too."

Outside the building, Shelby looks around the campus. She moves around the building and spots Scott and Juliette in the distance together.

"You want to sit down? It will make it look less obvious that you're spying on them," a voice calls out.

Shelby turns around, startled. She sees Holly sitting down on a round table. "Oh, you." Shelby looks at the couple and decides to take a seat next to the other girl. "It's wrong that a guy like him is with someone like her," Shelby remarks as she watches them.

"Will be pretty hard to get someone who's already taken," Holly tells her.

Shelby turns to look at Holly, "Maybe not for long."

"You have a plan in your head?"

"Already did it," Shelby says confidently. "Told Scott that I saw Juliette and Auggie kissing by the lake." Shelby turns to look at the couple again, "What do you think they're saying?"

"Could only guess. Was the Juliette and Auggie thing at least true?" Holly asks.

"I wouldn't make up something like that. It was back when your friend and Auggie just ended their feud."

"Mike did tell me they ended it there." She looks at Shelby, "I hope you're little crush is worth all this."

Shelby stares back at Holly. She was thinking of a good remark, but instead just says, "There's no one else that I want."

"I could relate."

Regina and Holly are in their car, driving back to Montreal. A thought occurred to Regina, "Hey, I don't think you ever visited my home yet. You want to drop by tomorrow?"

"Mind if I bring along some friends?" asks Holly.

"Of course, my mom even encourages I do so. We'll meet up at your place."

The next day Regina brings Holly and Kim to her home. "I'm home," Regina calls out.

"Nice place," Kim compliments.

"Thanks."

They remove their shoes and move around a bit. "There's my little sister Kylie." Regina points towards the living room. Kylie's up on her feet, dancing along to some of her favourite videos from the collection.

"Hi." The two visitors wave to her as they walk by.

"Hey," the little girl returns the greeting.

Mrs. George has the little family puppy in her arms when approaching the girls. "Aw, I love it when you bring friends over, Regina."

"Hey Mom, this is Holly and Kim," she introduces.

"Hello," they smile and wave.

Mrs. George puts down the dog and approaches Holly with open arms. "Welcome to our home sweetie," she hugs Holly first.

Kim looks back at Kylie and takes notice of the program she's watching. Mrs. George moves in to hug Kim next. "Mrs. George, are you aware your daughter is watching Girls Gone Wild?"

"Oh of course," Mrs. George says in a pleasant tone. "Kylie got curious, so I let her watch my husband's collection. They say when children are denied something growing up, they're more likely to act irrationally when they're old enough to get a hold of it." Mrs. George looks at her daughter and smiles. "She's a little angel and still thinks boys are icky."

"That's..." Kim pauses to think of the right thing to say, "Smart, actually.'

"Thanks dear," she turns to look at the rest of the girls. "So, you girls need anything?"

"No thanks, we're going to head to my room," Regina leads the girls upstairs.

"Well, if you girls want anything, don't be shy. There's no rules in this home," Mrs. George tells them.

"Sure thing," Kim confirms.

Mrs. George watches them walk away, "Aw, you girls keep me young."

Regina hurls a dodge ball and knocks another girl to the ground. Coach Stam stands next to the blonde. "That's some nice throwing arm you got there."

"I developed it back when I was in the lacrosse team at my old school," Regina informs.

Coach steps closer to the center, "So, is there anyone else who thinks they have what it takes to lead this team?"

"Don't be shy people," Regina adds. There's a reply of groans.

"Congratulations Regina, looks like you're team captain."

"Excellent," Regina comments.

While Regina is earning her dodge ball leadership, Holly is over in downtown. Bright camera flashes shine against the blonde teen as she wears a pair of formfitting jeans. Holly's been excused from school by her parents to take up her part time job as a model.

"Good, good, show me a little from the back," the photographer request as Holly takes a number of poses.

Juliette's down in a cavern she fell into. She later discovered there's a skeleton down there with her. She's only been down in it for a day, but she's already hallucinating.

Juliette stands back up on her feet. She lets out a scream as her body still hurts from the fall. "You know what's so funny about pain?" She asks her mind's manifestation of the dead Indian girl, who's been her companion for a while. "It's all mine. I can start and stop it. It's all mine. I own it. You know what I mean?" The nameless girl looks at her with a sad face.

"Are you cutting yourself again?" Her mom's voice calls out to her, "Are you?"

"No," Juliette answers.

"What about your calorie count?" Her mom's voice continues.

"It's what we agreed to."

Her mom's image appears in front of her. "I want my diet pills back. You promised me you wouldn't get this way again."

"I didn't mean to," Juliette tells her.

"You want me to put you back in the hospital, do you?"

"No."

"You want them to shove that tube back down your throat and be force-fed again?"

"No." Juliette begins to get depressed.

"You're making Daniel really nervous. Are you trying to blow this for us?" Juliette's speechless by her mom's questions. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes!" Juliette shouts back. Thoughts of her mom criticizing her are beginning to get the better of Juliette again.

"I despise you when you get this way."

"Use your tools," the Indian girl tells her.

"I have given you everything I know how to give."

"Make her stop," Juliette pleas to the other girl.

"Use the tools Hannah taught you," the other girl tells her.

"You make me feel like my life is all but unbearable," her mom goes on.

"I won't listen to this!" Juliette says as she's breaking down.

"Why do I have to put up with this from my own daughter, why? Why?"

"Take Control," the other girl says to Juliette.

"You have no right!" Juliette yells back.

"Your behavior is unacceptable."

"Don't give her the power to hurt you," the other girl says, trying to push Juliette.

"I will not be made to pay the price for your pathetic acts of defiance."

"I'm not defiant," Juliette replies back, sobbing.

"Tell her, tell her the truth," the mysterious girl suggests to Juliette.

"I'm sick!" Juliette tells her mother.

"Then you need to be taken care of. Put away up on that mountain. Out of my sight."

"Yes, send me there. Away from you and your abuse!" Juliette fires back. "You have no right, and I won't allow it!" The image of her mother disappears in front of her as the emotionally distraught Juliette slowly slides against the rocky wall back down to a seated position.

"Good. You took control. She can't hurt you anymore. You're free," the Indian girl says as she walks up to Juliette.

"Thank you. Thank you," Juliette says relieved.

The nameless girl smiles and reaches her hand out to Juliette. Juliette reaches out and tries to grab the other girl's hand.

"Juliette," a voice calls out as he grabs her hand. It's Peter. He grabs hold of her then calls out to the rescue team above. "I got her."

A man is standing around in Peter's office, reading a magazine. Peter sees him through the window and walks in. "Jerry?" Peter asks.

Jerry turns around, "Peter."

"What are you doing here?" he asks, confused.

"The door was open. I'm supposed to meet Hannah," Jerry answers.

"Here?"

"Yeah. She didn't tell you?"

"Didn't tell me what?"

Jerry shifts his attention slightly. Peter looks to the side and sees Hannah in the doorway. Jerry puts the magazine down and decides to let the two of them have a moment alone. "I'll wait for you outside," he says softly.

"Yeah," Hannah responds as Jeff gives her a kiss on the side of the face before leaving.

"What?" Peter shrugs his shoulders confused.

Hannah steps into the room and closes the door behind her. She takes a deep breath and walks closer to Peter. "I'm leaving Horizon, Peter."

Peter lets out a sigh. "Hannah, we've been through this. You're needed here. You're wanted here."

"Jerry and I decided to give our marriage another chance," she replies back. "In Toronto." She pauses a bit to let Peter take in the news. "He wants to make it work, Peter. He wants to have kids. So do I," she adds.

"Huh, kids." He tosses the notebook in his hand away. "After all you two have been through?"

"It's just one of those risks I want to take."

Peter attempts to reason, "I know, but Hannah-"

"No, don't," she cuts him off, "Just let me finish okay?"

"Sure," Peter says with a small nod.

Hannah walks past Peter with her back to him. "Your heart is with those kids Peter. It always will be. Healing them, it somehow heals you. It makes you whole. It's not like that for me Peter." Peter wants to say something, but just can't find the words. "Their pain becomes my pain, and I carry it with me. And... I can't do that anymore." Hannah turns to face Peter. "You need someone Peter. Someone to share this with, share your life with. It's not me. We both know that." She sobs a bit before continuing. "You've been a wonderful friend to me, Peter. It's something I will always cherish."

Peter takes it all in. "Can I hug you?"

"Yeah," Hannah nods. They embrace.

"You made the right choice Hannah," Peter tells her as they continue to hug.

Flash walks into the Student Bodies newsroom. Mags and Grace quickly approach her. Mags puts an arm around Flash's shoulders as Grace hooks one of her arms with Flash's. "Flash, how nice to see you," Grace says as the two girls stand with Flash wedged in between them.

Flash claps her hands together. "So how was the date?" she says confidently with a smile.

"You know it wasn't that bad," Mags answers. Flash raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, they thought we were gorgeous. They treated us like goddesses," Grace adds. "And at the end of the night, there was no wrestling match."

"Glad it worked out for ya." Flash is eager to walk off, but Grace and Mags pull her back.

"Oh yeah, but there was this one little remark that you made," Mags adds. "What did you call me? Oh yeah, an airhead."

Flash attempts to think of the right thing to say, but instead opts to just run away. She heads into the dark room before Mags and Grace can catch up to her.

"I have all day Flash," Mags says, amused.

"Me too," Grace adds.

"Victor, make them go away," Flash requests from the other side of the door.

Victor looks at his watch. "Ah yeah, look at that. It's lunchtime. Sorry Flash, you're on your own. Let's go," he whispers to Cody and Romeo and they take off.

Grace picks the darkroom key off the wall and hands it to Mags. The girls have an idea in their minds. Mags then inserts the key into the lock and locks the door from the outside. They walk off with the key still in the lock.

Flash turns the knob, but the door won't open. "Hey, guys? Hello? Guys? You are taking this way out of context. I probably said the redhead." She still tries to get the door open, but it won't budge. "Guys? Argh! Airhead!"

The days soon start to fly by faster, and as the Saturdays approached, Regina begins making a habit of joining Holly on her cross border trips to Horizon. She wasn't sure what it was, but something about going there felt almost therapeutic for her. It might have been the whole getting out of the city and experiencing the air and scenery of the place. Maybe seeing two completely different outlooks on life intrigue her. Or maybe after hearing about Horizon, Regina just got curious what other stories would arise in that establishment.

Like how a skeleton was discovered when Juliette fell and was trapped down a cave for a day. Also Hannah left Horizon a few days later. She heard it had something to do with Hannah wanting to have a fresh start with her husband.

Then again, the lure might simply be that Horizon just made Regina appreciate her life more. Seeing all those abandoned kids, one can't help but feel lucky it isn't her.

Though Victor also kept Regina informed on his stories regarding the staff of Student Bodies. Like how recently everyone except Victor and Flash all went on blind dates on the same day. Not as entertaining as the Horizon's stories, though the part of Flash setting Mags and Grace up with child prodigies, then the two girls deciding to lock Flash in the darkroom for her efforts was pretty funny.

"Been checking you out lately," Scott tells someone.

He comes face to face with the other person and it's none other than Shelby. "It's about time."

"So I was thinking that, uh, you and I could hook up later."

Shelby starts to form a smile. "You mean like, um, sex?" Shelby replies in a seductive tone.

"Yeah, maybe."

Shelby grins. "Sounds good to me."

The spectators howl. Auggie claps at the display while Ezra isn't too fond of what he's seeing. Scott looks to the side and points to Shelby. "If she's going to keep on doing this, you can count me out of your little experiment, Jeff."

"Alright, alright, you two can come down now," Jeff tells them. Scott and Shelby get off the gazebo while Jeff approaches it. "Very nice, uh, authenticity Scott and Shelby."

Shelby sits down on the ground beside Auggie. He gives her a look, "Can't even keep your hormones in check, even for a class project, huh?"

Shelby is still smiling. "Can't help it if they have a mind of their own." Juliette has a bummed out look on her face.

"Now that wasn't exactly what I was trying to accomplish here," Jeff tells his students, "But you get the general idea. Sex is a very powerful thing, but sex also has consequences."

"Blah, blah, blah, blah," Auggie interrupts him. "If God really wanted us to 'just say no', I mean why did he made it feel so good?"

"Well, I for one am all for total abstinence," Juliette says humbly.

"Abstinence is good," Daisy adds. "There's already too many hungry children in the world."

"I'm afraid you're all missing the point," Jeff comments.

Peter walks in with a carton of eggs in his hand. "I think they should maybe experience it first-hand." He approaches the gazebo. "Do you mind?"

"No, no, not at all," Jeff gets off the bench and lets the school director take the stage. "I was just about to suggest the same."

"Eggs are a little... kinky. Don't you think Peter?" Shelby expresses.

"Not the way you'll be using them Shelby," he responds.

He walks past them with an egg in his hand. "These little guys here, they're going to represent your kids." The students are going to find out what kind of role playing Peter has in mind.