A/N: I'm finally back! The move went well, and I'm updating my stories again. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story, especially those of you who review all the time (and a special thanks to Ellie-Swe for one of the nicest reviews I've ever gotten)! And thanks for waiting!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Sarah and her family. Cole Taylor belongs to HGMonkey017, and a BIG thanks to him for letting me use his character in my story.
Now without further ado, the story…
Sarah was in her dorm unpacking a few days later. She was finally off 24 hour watch and was allowed to sleep with the other girls. She was grateful. After nearly a week, her bed was a welcome sight.
She methodically organized her clothes, thinking about what Peter had told her the other day. She almost trusted him enough to tell him everything, but that had never worked for her before. No, things were going to be different this time. She would just ride it out until graduation, if she could make it that long.
She finished unpacking and went outside to find the rest of the Cliffhangers. She found them sitting at a picnic table talking and doing homework. Sarah sat down with them.
"Sarah, you've returned. And you're alone," observed Ezra. "Must mean you're not on watch anymore."
"Good observation, Einstein," countered Shelby.
"Yah, but have you heard we're getting a newbie today?" Ezra pointed out.
"Really?" asked Scott. "We just got one, isn't there like a newbie limit or something?" He glanced at Sarah, "no offense or anything."
Sarah just nodded, off in her own world. So she wasn't going to be the new girl anymore. Maybe Peter would finally just back off and let her ride until graduation. Now he could have someone new to focus his attention on.
"Yoo-hoo, earth to Sarah!" Sarah snapped out of her trance at the sound of Daisy's voice. "Are you listening?"
She shook her head. "No, what did you say?"
David looked exasperated. "Come on, we're starting a little betting pool on what the newbie will be like. You know, guy or girl, what their problem is, how long until they run…typical first week stuff."
Sarah stared at him a minute, then looked around the table. "Did you guys start a pool on me too?"
The other Cliffhangers tried to look away to keep from laughing, but Shelby didn't bother. "Of course we did. We're still waiting to see how it all turns out. And by the way, you cost me 5 bucks for not running your first week." She looked around at the group, "and I still say that her outburst during the English poems counted as running."
The others all groaned. "Give it up, Shelby, you lost." Scott pointed out. "So what's the deal Sarah? Are you in or not?"
"Yah, I'm in," she nodded. "Five bucks says it's a guy, who won't run, with a drug problem." She threw her five onto the stack in the center of the table as David wrote down her guesses in his notebook. "And hurry, Peter's heading this way."
Ezra quickly grabbed the money as David slid the notebook under his History textbook. "You know Sarah, you might just fit in here after all."
Sarah smiled as Peter approached the table.
"Scott, can I steal you away from your homework for awhile?" Peter asked.
Scott slammed his notebook shut. "Gladly. What's up?"
"A new Cliffhanger. Thought you could show him around?"
Scott nodded. "No problem," he said, as he stood to follow Peter back to the lodge.
"Thanks, and everyone, group tonight at 8 – you can all introduce yourselves, okay?"
Everyone nodded as Peter and Scott walked away from the table.
"Shoot," exclaimed Auggie. "I thought for sure it would be a girl. There goes my five bucks."
*****
Sarah was the last one to arrive at group that night. As she took the last remaining empty seat, she glanced over at the new kid sitting next to Scott. He looked young. Younger than the rest of them anyway. And he looked angry. She wondered if she had looked that angry when she arrived.
"Okay, everyone," started Sophie, "I would like to introduce you to our newest member, Cole." All eyes were on him now. "Cole, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?" Cole just stared at her, but didn't respond. "No? Okay, then how about the rest of the Cliffhangers tell you about themselves. Shelby, why don't you start?"
As the Cliffhangers took turns introducing themselves and offering advice to Cole, Sarah was reminded of her first night in group. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the new guy.
"Sarah? Your turn," instructed Sophie. Sarah really needed to stop zoning out so often.
She thought for a second. "I'm Sarah Corbridge, and I'm pretty new here too, so thanks for taking the heat off of me." Sophie glared at her. "Okay, fine, if you need help or anything just let me know."
With that, group was off and running. Sophie's topic that night was fitting in. Sarah really didn't have much to say, as she had never really fit in anywhere before. She decided to memorize the floor tiles instead of participating. After a few minutes and 139 floor tiles, she felt eyes on her. She glanced up quickly, and sure enough, she caught Cole staring at her. What was his problem? She tried to catch him at it again, but he knew he had been caught, and he spent the rest of group looking at his shoes.
****
Scott escorted Cole back to the boys' dorm after group with the other guys. As his first week buddy, Scott needed to make sure he didn't run. Actually, Scott's money needed to make sure he didn't run. He had lost the bet on Sarah, and he didn't plan on losing with Cole.
"So, this is it," Scott pointed out when the reached the dorm. "Home sweet home."
Cole sat down on the only empty bed. "Love what they've done with the place," he said sarcastically.
David was never one for small talk and wasted no time getting down to business. "So, what are you in for Cole? Drugs? Gangs? Abuse? All of the above? Come on, you can trust us newbie."
Cole wasn't one to take antagonizing lightly. He stood up and pushed David to the floor. It took several minutes and all of the other boys to pull the two apart.
"Yo, man, settle down," Auggie yelled at Cole. "You don't want any of Peter's punishments."
Cole just glared at them, turned, and ran out the door.
"Great, thanks a lot David," yelled Scott as he ran after Cole, "there goes another five bucks."
David just grinned.