Disclaimer: The characters of Higher Ground belong to Fox Family and are not my own.
Comment: Thanks for the feedback. I will try to keep writing about once a week, but this is the best I can give right now.
Pura Vida (part 10)
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It is Thursday: the day after Kat's party and Juliette's last day at Horizon for the summer. The sky is overcast, the weather gloomy, and the atmosphere humid in anticipation of a pre-summer storm.
*************** Peter & Sophie's Kitchen **********************
Sophie is in the kitchen, apparantly searching through the cabinents for coffee. Her rustling around has obviously awoken Peter, who comes into the kitchen and exclaims,
"What the...Sophie it's 4:30 in the morning!"
Sophie (looks guilty): I know. I know. But I just couldn't sleep with all that is going on with Juliette leaving and all.
Peter: Why does this have you all worked up? Sophie...I think it is time you tell me about your own mother.
Sophie: Peter, I don't think (Peter puts a finger to her lips)
Peter: Don't think, Soph, just tell me. okay? Please?
Sophie: Peter, she just, well, she always pushed me a lot and drove a wedge between my sisters and I, and everything escalated when my father left. (She gives a weak laugh). You know I became just like him...running away when ever things got too tough or too comfortable. Like right now (she turns to leave the kitchen, enters the bathroom and locks the door).
Peter (knocks on the door): come on, Soph, please just get it out. You'll feel better. It's time to practice what you preach all the time and tell me the truth. Keeping it in will only hurt you more in the long run.
Sophie (opens the door): I know. But Peter, I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it all...so many times I wanted to talk with her or go see her...you know I haven't seen or spoken to her since the day I left and that was ten years ago?
Peter (looks shocked): 10 years? That is a long time to be running, Sophie. How do you know she is still alive?
Sophie (looks exasperated): I do have two older sisters, Peter. I keep in touch with them. I'm not that cold-hearted, I would care if she died.
Peter: Well, what do your sisters think about it all?
Sophie: I'm sure they are tired of being in the middle, but we were never really close so I guess I really don't know how they feel. I guess it's a good thing I can't be a mother right? I mean I can't even have healthy relationships with my own family members, let alone any new ones!
Peter: Hey, don't talk like that! You know as well as anybody else that we can't judge each other based on our family members. And you will make a wonderful mother. You are already a mother to all the children at Horizon...so don't beat yourself up about that anymore. Okay?
Sophie (gives Peter a hug): Thanks, Peter. You know I love you, right?
Peter (gives her a feather kiss on the lips): Yeah, I know. I mean really, how could anyone resist me?
Sophie (gives him a punch on the shoulder): very funny
Peter: now let's go back to bed and get some sleep, okay? I'm not letting you off the hook about this, but I know in time, you will tell me Soph and it will be when your ready.
Sophie (has tears in her eyes and whispers as she slips in beside him): Thanks, Peter. I love you.
Peter (wraps his arms about her so that she is lying on his chest): I love you too.
****** Girl's Cabin 5:00 AM *************************
Everyone else is sleeping, but Juliette is perched up on her bed, looking out into space. She is thinking and staring so hard at the wall, almost as if she was trying to tear a hole in it. It is apparant that she did not get much sleep and that she has been busy....her pink flowered journal that she keeps has been torn to shreds and strown across her covers. She gingerly picks up a photo of Auggie and herself, and traces the outline of his face as she falls back with a sigh into her pillow. Tears begin to flow, and along in her mind comes the question, "Was their love ever real?"
With Juliette's sigh, Daisy opened her eyes. She had not slept much either, but lately that was not anything unusual. With all that has happened in the last few months, she just couldn't help but to continually ask "Why?" What is the purpose of life? Love? Happiness? Virtue? Truth? Where did mom go when she died? Heaven or hell? Is there heaven or hell? Is there a god? I remember when I was little and we would all go to church, and here the sunday school stories, and the sermon. I loved to sing in the choir, and my parents seemed the proudest when I would sing in church, especially amazing grace. Maybe because it would really take an amazing grace to save them? I guess that is why I chose Goth as my vice of rebellion.... because in church we set up facade that was not replicated at home. I don't think my parents ever listened or they would have been better parents, stopped the drinking, and the fighting. And what does that mean? All these things are on my mind, and Ezra and David want a decision about love? (Daisy clenches her fists as she thinks) We hardly know what romance and love is due to our dysfunctial upbringings...and want I am thinking about seems more important than this petty attempt to be like every other "normal" teen, and have their oh-so little problems of who to date. I don't want to hurt either of them, but I can't be what they want me to be for them until I know what I want to be for myself.....
**************** Boy's Cabin 6:00 AM ***********************************
Everyone's bed is occupied, except for Auggie's. He left the cabin about an hour ago to walk around the campus, thinking only of what had happened last night after talking with Juliette.
**** Flashback to last night *******************
Juliette finally finished sobbing, and looked up into Auggie's face. She kissed him gently, and looking into his eyes said, "Augusto, I want to ask you something?"
Auggie: Sure, Twig ask me anything.
Juliette: I want to....will you...what I mean is.... (Juliette is very nervous, but takes a deep breath)...will you be with me tonight?
Auggie (takes in a breath, not believing what he just heard): You mean....
Juliette: Yes. I trust you Auggie more than anyone in my entire life, and what if we never see each other again? I want something special to remember of us.
Auggie: don't talk like that, Jules. We'll see each other at the end of the summer...you will come back, I know you will. Your strong.
Juliette: You don't know my mother. She has ways of bending me to her will...I dont' know how long I'll hold up.
Auggie (gets emotional as he grabs her shoulders): don't say things like that Jules; you're stronger now, and you won't let her get to you, okay? (She doesn't answer, so Auggie repeats more forcibly) Okay?
Juliette (half-hearted attempt to smile): okay, if only for you Augusto. (She rewards him with a kiss, but when he attempts to pull back, she deepens the kiss instead. Finally breaking apart, they are both out of breath and Auggie looks confused).
Auggie: Jules, we can't.
Jules: You mean, you won't? You don't want to be with me?
Auggie (turns her face towards him): Of course, I want you Jules. But this isn't what we need to do...and I am not sure you're ready.
Jules: Don't worry Auggie, I'm not a virgin or anything.
Auggie (looks very surprised to hear this because he has always thought of Jules as innocent): You're not?
Jules: (laughs) Well, neither are you, are you?
Auggie (looks sad and says quietly): No. But that is not the point. This time is different Jules because I love you.
Jules: Do you? Do you really? Then why? Why won't you do this for me?
Auggie: Because this isn't about us. This is about you. And think about consequences...what if you got pregnant? I will not ruin your chances at having a good life. And trust me, I have been around a lot of girls your age with babies and it is not a pretty picture...and I don't want that for you Jules. I don't want to have to force our love through life Jules.
Jules: What if I told you that there was a slim to impossible chance for me to have a child? Would you even reconsider?
Auggie: What are you saying Jules? You can't have kids?
Jules (gets defensive): I didn't say that. I really shouldn't have said anything...it's clear what your answer is.
(Juliette runs in the direction of her cabin)
Auggie: Jules, wait! Please stop! Juliette!
*********** End of flashback *****************************************
Auggie continues thinking as he walks. What am I going to do? I love her, and I would love to be with her, but this wasn't how I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be out of love, not desparation. Plus, last night when she told me she couldn't get pregnant...was it true? How is it true? Once again, he wonders if he knows Juliette at all.
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Next time: Juliette leaves....a new student arrives. I know I wrote that on the previous part but this time I mean it.
Comment: Thanks for the feedback. I will try to keep writing about once a week, but this is the best I can give right now.
Pura Vida (part 10)
*************************************************************************************
It is Thursday: the day after Kat's party and Juliette's last day at Horizon for the summer. The sky is overcast, the weather gloomy, and the atmosphere humid in anticipation of a pre-summer storm.
*************** Peter & Sophie's Kitchen **********************
Sophie is in the kitchen, apparantly searching through the cabinents for coffee. Her rustling around has obviously awoken Peter, who comes into the kitchen and exclaims,
"What the...Sophie it's 4:30 in the morning!"
Sophie (looks guilty): I know. I know. But I just couldn't sleep with all that is going on with Juliette leaving and all.
Peter: Why does this have you all worked up? Sophie...I think it is time you tell me about your own mother.
Sophie: Peter, I don't think (Peter puts a finger to her lips)
Peter: Don't think, Soph, just tell me. okay? Please?
Sophie: Peter, she just, well, she always pushed me a lot and drove a wedge between my sisters and I, and everything escalated when my father left. (She gives a weak laugh). You know I became just like him...running away when ever things got too tough or too comfortable. Like right now (she turns to leave the kitchen, enters the bathroom and locks the door).
Peter (knocks on the door): come on, Soph, please just get it out. You'll feel better. It's time to practice what you preach all the time and tell me the truth. Keeping it in will only hurt you more in the long run.
Sophie (opens the door): I know. But Peter, I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it all...so many times I wanted to talk with her or go see her...you know I haven't seen or spoken to her since the day I left and that was ten years ago?
Peter (looks shocked): 10 years? That is a long time to be running, Sophie. How do you know she is still alive?
Sophie (looks exasperated): I do have two older sisters, Peter. I keep in touch with them. I'm not that cold-hearted, I would care if she died.
Peter: Well, what do your sisters think about it all?
Sophie: I'm sure they are tired of being in the middle, but we were never really close so I guess I really don't know how they feel. I guess it's a good thing I can't be a mother right? I mean I can't even have healthy relationships with my own family members, let alone any new ones!
Peter: Hey, don't talk like that! You know as well as anybody else that we can't judge each other based on our family members. And you will make a wonderful mother. You are already a mother to all the children at Horizon...so don't beat yourself up about that anymore. Okay?
Sophie (gives Peter a hug): Thanks, Peter. You know I love you, right?
Peter (gives her a feather kiss on the lips): Yeah, I know. I mean really, how could anyone resist me?
Sophie (gives him a punch on the shoulder): very funny
Peter: now let's go back to bed and get some sleep, okay? I'm not letting you off the hook about this, but I know in time, you will tell me Soph and it will be when your ready.
Sophie (has tears in her eyes and whispers as she slips in beside him): Thanks, Peter. I love you.
Peter (wraps his arms about her so that she is lying on his chest): I love you too.
****** Girl's Cabin 5:00 AM *************************
Everyone else is sleeping, but Juliette is perched up on her bed, looking out into space. She is thinking and staring so hard at the wall, almost as if she was trying to tear a hole in it. It is apparant that she did not get much sleep and that she has been busy....her pink flowered journal that she keeps has been torn to shreds and strown across her covers. She gingerly picks up a photo of Auggie and herself, and traces the outline of his face as she falls back with a sigh into her pillow. Tears begin to flow, and along in her mind comes the question, "Was their love ever real?"
With Juliette's sigh, Daisy opened her eyes. She had not slept much either, but lately that was not anything unusual. With all that has happened in the last few months, she just couldn't help but to continually ask "Why?" What is the purpose of life? Love? Happiness? Virtue? Truth? Where did mom go when she died? Heaven or hell? Is there heaven or hell? Is there a god? I remember when I was little and we would all go to church, and here the sunday school stories, and the sermon. I loved to sing in the choir, and my parents seemed the proudest when I would sing in church, especially amazing grace. Maybe because it would really take an amazing grace to save them? I guess that is why I chose Goth as my vice of rebellion.... because in church we set up facade that was not replicated at home. I don't think my parents ever listened or they would have been better parents, stopped the drinking, and the fighting. And what does that mean? All these things are on my mind, and Ezra and David want a decision about love? (Daisy clenches her fists as she thinks) We hardly know what romance and love is due to our dysfunctial upbringings...and want I am thinking about seems more important than this petty attempt to be like every other "normal" teen, and have their oh-so little problems of who to date. I don't want to hurt either of them, but I can't be what they want me to be for them until I know what I want to be for myself.....
**************** Boy's Cabin 6:00 AM ***********************************
Everyone's bed is occupied, except for Auggie's. He left the cabin about an hour ago to walk around the campus, thinking only of what had happened last night after talking with Juliette.
**** Flashback to last night *******************
Juliette finally finished sobbing, and looked up into Auggie's face. She kissed him gently, and looking into his eyes said, "Augusto, I want to ask you something?"
Auggie: Sure, Twig ask me anything.
Juliette: I want to....will you...what I mean is.... (Juliette is very nervous, but takes a deep breath)...will you be with me tonight?
Auggie (takes in a breath, not believing what he just heard): You mean....
Juliette: Yes. I trust you Auggie more than anyone in my entire life, and what if we never see each other again? I want something special to remember of us.
Auggie: don't talk like that, Jules. We'll see each other at the end of the summer...you will come back, I know you will. Your strong.
Juliette: You don't know my mother. She has ways of bending me to her will...I dont' know how long I'll hold up.
Auggie (gets emotional as he grabs her shoulders): don't say things like that Jules; you're stronger now, and you won't let her get to you, okay? (She doesn't answer, so Auggie repeats more forcibly) Okay?
Juliette (half-hearted attempt to smile): okay, if only for you Augusto. (She rewards him with a kiss, but when he attempts to pull back, she deepens the kiss instead. Finally breaking apart, they are both out of breath and Auggie looks confused).
Auggie: Jules, we can't.
Jules: You mean, you won't? You don't want to be with me?
Auggie (turns her face towards him): Of course, I want you Jules. But this isn't what we need to do...and I am not sure you're ready.
Jules: Don't worry Auggie, I'm not a virgin or anything.
Auggie (looks very surprised to hear this because he has always thought of Jules as innocent): You're not?
Jules: (laughs) Well, neither are you, are you?
Auggie (looks sad and says quietly): No. But that is not the point. This time is different Jules because I love you.
Jules: Do you? Do you really? Then why? Why won't you do this for me?
Auggie: Because this isn't about us. This is about you. And think about consequences...what if you got pregnant? I will not ruin your chances at having a good life. And trust me, I have been around a lot of girls your age with babies and it is not a pretty picture...and I don't want that for you Jules. I don't want to have to force our love through life Jules.
Jules: What if I told you that there was a slim to impossible chance for me to have a child? Would you even reconsider?
Auggie: What are you saying Jules? You can't have kids?
Jules (gets defensive): I didn't say that. I really shouldn't have said anything...it's clear what your answer is.
(Juliette runs in the direction of her cabin)
Auggie: Jules, wait! Please stop! Juliette!
*********** End of flashback *****************************************
Auggie continues thinking as he walks. What am I going to do? I love her, and I would love to be with her, but this wasn't how I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be out of love, not desparation. Plus, last night when she told me she couldn't get pregnant...was it true? How is it true? Once again, he wonders if he knows Juliette at all.
********************************************************************************
Next time: Juliette leaves....a new student arrives. I know I wrote that on the previous part but this time I mean it.
