Disclaimer: The characters of Higher Ground belong to Fox Family and are not my own.

Comment: Wow! I'm sorry it has been a really long time since I have written. I have been in the lab doing research and really got caught up in it. However, I do plan to finish this story during the summer. Thanks for the feedback!


Pura Vida (part 11)


*********************** Breakfast Table************************************

Everyone is eating breakfast, except Auggie and Juliette who are absent. Although everyone else in the cafeteria is excited about the Disneyland trip, it is the furthest thing from the minds of the Cliffhangers.

Ezra: I can't believe she is really going to be gone. I mean, Jules was here before I came.

Kat: Actually, she was the first of you guys to come. I had been here a year before Juliette was brought to Horizon. She was the same ole perky Juliette like she was when each of you met her.

Again silence subdues the table as each person remembers the first time they met Juliette.

Shelby (laughs): God! She really was perky!!!

Everyone joins in the laughing.

Scott: I guess we should try to cheer those two up today. Summer is only 3 months. They can make it.

Daisy: You and Shelby couldn't survive 3 weeks!

Scott: Okay, you've got a point. How bad was Shelby when I left?

Kat: Horrible! She was constantly provoking fights, especially with Jules.

Shelby: Okay, all right. Enough. So I was crabby. I missed you Scott.

Scott: Well, I missed you when I was away. More than I thought I could ever miss anybody. (They kiss...many groans heard)

David: Please. Some of us are trying to eat.

Unbeknownst to the Cliffhangers, Peter has walked up behind them.

Peter: And some of us should obey rules. (He looks sternly at Scott and Shelby) You two...my office before noon (the only response they give is to hold hands). Also....(Peter looks around)...wait...where are Auggie and Juliette?

Kat: Auggie came earlier, but went for a walk. Jules was in the bathroom when we came to breakfast and she hasn't shown up yet.

Peter: Well, would you mind checking up on her? I have to meet the new student. And as a matter of fact, I want all you cliffhangers to look after those two today. Also, we are going to have a special group tonight since it will be the last one Jules will participate in a while.

Ezra: It really is going to be weird without her around.

Peter: I know. But we all have to adjust to unexpected changes in our lives. Life doesn't stop when things go bad, it moves on anyway.

David: Hey! I thought group wasn't until tonight? Geez, Friedkin, you really are a nerd! (Peter gives David a LOOK)...wait I mean...I can't wait until group! Thanks, Ezra!

Peter: And David, how about you stop by my office before noon also? (Peter leaves).

Daisy: Same ole morning!

Kat: Not quite. Well, I'm off to see about Jules. How about you and Shelby joining me?

Scott: Go ahead. We guys will try to find Auggie.

Ezra: Good luck.

kat: I really think we are going to need it.


**************************Girl's Cabin************************************

Kat: Juliette? (knocks on the bathroom door) Hey Jules, you still in there?

There is no answer. Shelby knocks on the door.

Shelby: Hey Queenie, some of us have to use the bathroom too! (Shelby turns the knob..doors can't be locked at Horizon. Shelby walks inside and sees Juliette standing in front of the mirror holding a razor to her face to which she responds very quickly) Hey now...give me that (Shelby quickly takes the razor from Juliette's hands, and looks perplexly at the other girls..)...that's my razor. Hey Jules? (Juliette continues to stare into the mirror as if she hasn't seen or heard shelby)

Kat: I am going to get Sophie.

Daisy: Me too. (They run out quickly).

Finally after what seemed an eternity Jules touches her face and just realizes the razor is not there....she kind of wakes up from the trance and sees that Shebly is standing there)

Shelby: Welcome back. (Juliette still looks confused until Shelby holds up the razor) Looking for this?

Juliette: Hey, give that back!

Shelby: Why? You were about to cut your face with it! Look, I know you're upset about going home, but don't do things like this!

Juliette: Why do you care anyway? You think I like being this way....that I like doing this? All the time people see this face, my mother sees this face, and they think here is just another pretty airhead. It is the only thing people like about me, and I hate it! All I am is this face and I want to destroy it! (She lunges at Shelby, but shelby moves out the way and pushes her. Juliette lands on the nearest bed. She gets back up quickly and heads again for Shelby)

Just at this time, Sophie, Kat, and Daisy run up.

Sophie: Hey! (She grabs Juliette, but she struggles to hold her) Calm down, Jules! Calm down, please!

Jules finally stops struggling so much, and Sophie is just holding her sitting on the floor. Jules starts sobbing and saying "I'm sorry" over and over again.

Kat: Is she going to be okay?

Sophie (looks up as she continues to rock Juliette against her) We were kind of expecting this..thank God you guys came in before she did something. There is a lot she's keeping inside that she needs to let out. Could you guys go and find Peter for me?

Kat: Sure.

Sophie: Oh and Shelby please come back. I would like to talk to you about what happened.

Shelby (says very quietly): Okay. See you later Jules.

The three girls hurry out leaving Sophie, who continues to comfort Juliette as she sobs.


***************** Peter's Office ************************************

Peter (talking on the phone): In light of what has happened, I really don't think....yes I know...but, after what happened.....yes, I know you're her mother..that is not the point...okay...okay...I will see you tomorrow. Bye.

(Peter slams down the phone): That went well.

Sophie: What did she say?

Peter: Well, she can't stay here. Her mother will pick her up herself tomorrow. *Sigh* I don't know, Soph. I just can't get her to see that she is not ready. And I am afraid. Juliette doesn't appear to be too stable right now, and I just have a gut feeling that something bad will happen.

Sophie: Well, right now Jules is still resting. You should talk to her soon. As she was crying earlier, she mentioned something about Auggie, and I do not know if something happened between them...or...I don't know. But I think I should talk with him. I really do not think I am the best person to talk to Jules about her mother, since I can't even talk to my own.

Peter: Have you thought about giving her a call? Will you just try, for me?

Sophie: I don't know. Maybe. Let me think some more about it, okay? (She smiles up at Peter, trusting that he will not pressure her anymore about this)

Peter (Smiles back): Sure. Oh, and before I forget...the new student is running late and won't arrive until this afternoon. I think I will put her with the Cliffhangers.

Sophie: You think this is a good idea? The Cliffhangers have been through so much in the last year...

Peter: Yeah, I do. They will be able to handle it. And I really think they will be able to help and learn from this young lady.

Sophie: Well, you're the boss!


*************************** Boy's Cabin *********************************

Scott: Hey Auggie, you in here man?

Auggie (walks from the bathroom): yeah, Meat. What's up?

Scott: Nothing...we were just wondering how you're doing and all.

Auggie: Not too good. (Sighs and lays down on his bed) Not too good.

Sophie walks in: Hey Auggie, I need to talk with you...you guys mind?

Ezra: Not at all, we were just leaving. Good luck Auggie.

Auggie: Thanks (watches the guys leave)..so...have you seen Jules? How is she?

Sophie: Upset, but she did mention you. What happened?

Auggie: We kind of had a fight, and can we leave it at that?

Sophie: Well, try to talk with her. However, she is under surveilance until she leaves.

Auggie: Why? What happened? She didn't try to hurt herself, did she? (Auggie is becoming increasingly upset) did she? Sophie, please just tell me! Tell me!

Sophie (sighs as she resigns the knowledge): Yes. But Shelby stopped her before she could hurt herself. I am really worried about her and you Auggie. She needs something positive right now, and I hope you are the one able to make her see things clearly.

Auggie: I don't know. It seems lately that she doesn't hear me at all.

Sophie: Just give it a try. She leaves tomorrow and she will need all her strength. Okay?

Auggie: Okay. (mumbles under his breath) but what will I say?

****************************************************************************

Next time: Jules & Peter talk. Peter meets the new student. Auggie and Jules talk. Cliffhanger group meeting. Sophie calls her sisters.