Chapter Four

I woke up the next morning exhausted. I hadn't slept well, never slept well in new places. So, I decided at about five in the morning to get up and go outside to think. Though, I didn't like the outdoors, I liked to think outside. The fresh air helped to clear my head and the quiet surroundings gave me the serenity I needed to face whatever was bothering me then head back into the war zone.

I went out towards the dock and sat on the edge with my feet dangling in the water. I thought about my group members and what I had learned about each.

Kat was like a mother hen helping everyone and sort of talking charge of the group. Last night she had told me of her first night here and how she had run. She said that anything I was feeling was perfectly normal. Kat was quickly becoming my favorite person here.

Shelby I had quickly decided after meeting her was a bitch. Sorry for my language. All she did was make snide comments about me, my weight, the school, other kids and anything else she could think of. I felt that nothing would ever be good enough for her or maybe that nothing had ever been.

Ezra was just awkward though I really can't explain why. He's one of those weird kids I would avoid at school for a strange vibe that they held. He had told me of his past drug use and of the overdose that almost killed him. He's nice and I guess I could eventually become friends with him.

Auggie was tough. He acted as if he couldn't be hurt but I knew differently. Its amazing how I could see what he hides behind that mask he wears but I guess its because I hide behind a mask myself that I can see others. He told me that he had been court ordered to attend Horizon but wouldn't tell me why. Did it really matter?

In the horizon, the sun was rising. The sun was the only constant in my life. It rose and it set as if on a schedule while my life kept changing and, in my opinion, that changes weren't for the better. No matter what I could count on the sun.

"What are you doing up," Peter asked from behind me. I jumped, startled, and quickly turned.

"I couldn't sleep," I answered cautiously. Was I going to be in trouble? He nodded as if he had heard the answer before and sat beside me.

"You looked as if you were deep in thought. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

I thought for a moment then said, "I was thinking about the sun. How it rises and sets as if on a timer?" I shrugged. "Its stupid because I know that the earth rotates but-- I don't know."

"Did you get to watch the sun rising a lot at home," he asked.

I shook my head. "I was awake but always too busy. Mom didn't like us wasting the day."

"How do you like the other Cliffhangers?"

"I can see myself becoming friends with them easily. All except Shelby."

He chuckled. "Just give her time."

"I know her kind. I won't ever be buddies with her."

"You never know," he said. "This kind of place seems to bring people closer to those they never thought they would be." He glanced back at the school. "You better start heading back to the cabin. The other girls will be getting up soon and getting ready for breakfast. Make sure you go by the clinic before breakfast."

I huffed but stood gracefully and walked back to the cabin where Kat was already dressed. I didn't see why I need to get punished by having them weigh me every morning. I hadn't done anything wrong yet.

"Where were you?" She asked.

"Down at the docks."

"Yea, that seems to be a favorite hangout place around here. Go on and get dressed. Hannah will be in soon to wake up Shelby."

I went into the bathroom to take a shower then change into a long sleeve shirt and jeans. When I came back out Shelby was awake and grumpy. I ignored her comments and decided that I would rather sit outside than inside with Shelby. Grumbling I decided to walk to the clinic so I could just get it out of the way. Inside the clinic, the atmosphere was relaxing. The walls weren't the dull white of the hospital but a light yellow. I stood just inside the door glancing around nervously until a young woman in nursing pink nursing scrubs bustled my way.

"May I help you," she asked politely.

"I have to get weighed."

"Ah, yes, your name please."

"Juliet."

The woman hurried to the filing cabinet and rustled through until she found the folder she was looking for.

"Please just step over here and I'll get this done as quick as possible."

I nodded and stepped toward the scale where I was told to step on it backwards so that I couldn't see the number.

"You can get off now," she told me as she wrote down the number. I stepped off and she took my vitals. "I want you to come back between classes at ten then again at two forty-five and again at eight thirty for a snack."

I nodded though I had no intention of returning until tomorrow morning before breakfast and left the clinic. I headed towards the cafeteria and grabbed a breakfast plate. The plate had two buttermilk pancakes, some eggs and an apple. I was only going to eat the apple. Sitting in between Kat and Ezra, I started munching slowly at the apple.

"I hope you aren't planning on just eating that," Kat said. I shrugged. "Peter is going to be over here soon and he's not going to be happy."

"I couldn't care less." I tried to act tough but I did care. I didn't like to get into trouble preferring to staying in the shadows were I wouldn't get noticed. It was how I made it at home most of the time and I wasn't about to give it up now. All I needed to do was pretend to be getting better and get out. It shouldn't be that hard. After all by now I am an expert at faking.

"How is everyone this morning?" Peter asked standing behind Shelby. Mutters were heard from around the table. "What was that Shelby?"

"I said I would be better if I actually had some damn coffee."

"Thats not going to happen," Kat said. "I tried that for almost three weeks and it never worked."

Shelby turned. "I wasn't talking to you!"

"Shelby chill." Peter said. "Juliet, you are not going to leave until you finish at least a quarter of your breakfast."

I groaned and hoped that he would leave so that I could just throw the meal away. Luck, however, was not with me because Peter decided to join us at the table.

"Why are we having to endure your presence?" Shelby asked.

"Because believe it or not you guys are one of my favorite groups."

"Lucky us," Shelby murmured and I couldn't help but agree. So much for becoming invisible.