Disclaimer: I don't own any characters except for the ones from Agnes high school. Please don't sue…
AN: Please read chapter 6 again before you read this cause I uploaded the wrong copy. (the new one's longer and has Shelby's "explosion" that was mentioned in chapter 7) Sorry about this!!! Ok guys so this is chapter 8. Possibly the last chapter. I haven't decided yet. If this isn't the last chapter, it's the second last one. Anyway, keep review cause I love to hear what you guys think!
Chapter 8 - Silence
Suddenly there was a bright light on Scott and Shelby's faces, interrupting the silent moment. Shelby closed her eyes against the light, hoping that when she opened them it would be gone. It wasn't. She and Scott both turned to see Peter standing there, a flashlight in his hand. He looked angry. But was there maybe a little relief in his eyes?
"I didn't hurt her." Scott said immediately, letting go of Shelby and taking a few steps away from her. He was trying to prove to Peter that he was telling the truth. Peter nodded.
"Shelby go back to the infirmary, get dry and warm. Scott, get to my office. Now." Peter said angrily. Shelby could tell he was only half-mad. She looked at Scott once, and then walked back to the infirmary.
* * * * *
Scott bit his lip. Why did this have to happen? Why did Peter seem to have the worst possible timing? Slowly he followed Peter back to his office, but he didn't sit down. Peter looked at him as if he was trying to understand what was going through his head. Finally he spoke.
"Scott I let you go for this morning on the docks, but this is too much. You have to be punished for this." He said sternly. Scott stared at him. How did he know about this morning? Suddenly the rest of what Peter said registered in Scott's head.
"Punished? For what? Peter nothing happened. I didn't do anything wrong!" Scott exclaimed, completely confused.
"Scott, you were out after curfew. You were with a girl from Agnes high school, which by the way, is completely off limits. You completely disappeared. I had no idea where you were, neither did Sophie. You broke many rules, Scott. I'm going to have to put you on shuns for at least a week."
"First of all, Shelby is not just any girl from Agnes, ok? If she had the choice, she'd be going to Horizon. And shouldn't you be happy we're talking? I've never been this happy with her Peter. And SHUNS? Really, the only thing I did wrong was being out after curfew! That doesn't deserve shuns!"
"Scott listen to me. I see where you're coming from, but this wasn't my choice." Peter explained calmly. "Mr. Campbell had gone to talk to Shelby, and she wasn't there. When we went to ask you if you had seen her, you weren't there either, so we knew that you guys were together. I told Mr. Campbell that, and he got to choose your punishment because Shelby is his student."
"How did he know about shuns?" Scott asked angrily.
"I told him the different kind of punishments that there were, and he chose shuns. Scott I didn't think he would. It's a pretty extreme punishment for your case, but he doesn't know your background."
"So in other words, he thinks I'm a deeply problemed and dysfunctional teenager, like the rest of the students who go here?" Scott asked. Peter shrugged.
"I don't think he thinks that exactly…"
"Can you get me out of it?"
"What?"
"Well, isn't there a way you can get me out of shuns? Just for tomorrow? I just want to say goodbye to Shelby." Scott pleaded.
"You'd have to talk to him, Scott." Peter paused and pulled a notebook out of his desk drawer. "Until then, here." He handed Scott the notebook and a pen. "Write what you feel." He said.
"This is so unfair." Scott complained.
"You will sleep in your tent, as planned, but you won't talk to anyone. Especially not Shelby. I'll explain your situation to the group so that they understand what's going on."
"Peter they'll probably try to get me to talk. They'll bug me forever."
"Then ignore them."
"Easier said then done." Scott grumbled.
"Try Scott. Now come on, it's getting late." Peter led Scott from the office.
* * * * *
Shelby lay curled up on her bed, hugging her teddy bear. For the third time that day, tears slid down her face. Why did moments like that always end so badly? She swallowed and heard a knock on the door.
"Come in." she practically choked on her tears. Sophie opened the door and stepped into the room.
"Hey there. How are you feeling?" she asked quietly. Shelby shrugged. "You really scared us you know. Disappearing like that. We had no idea where you were." Sophie scolded lightly. Shelby could feel a lecture coming on.
"What is Peter saying to him?" Shelby asked, stopping the lecture before it came. Sophie looked away for a second, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news.
"Scott is on shuns for a week." Sophie said softly.
Shelby froze. It felt like her heart had stopped and she could barely breath. Now she knew what Juliette and Auggie had felt when they hadn't been able to see each other. It felt like her insides were being torn apart.
"But…why? He didn't do anything. He would never hurt me. Can't you guys see that? Both of us have been hurting for so long and now you guys are keeping us apart? Can't you see that that's the one thing that will hurt both of us the most?" Shelby asked.
"Shelby, it wasn't our choice. Mr. Campbell got to choose Scott's punishment. Peter and I had nothing to do with it."
"You're punishing him for making me feel safe? For comforting me and protecting me and loving me as is, past included? You're punishing him for giving me hope? Isn't that what you strive to give us here? Or has it changed that much since I left?" Shelby started to fall apart. She could feel the walls falling in on her.
Sophie looked at her, shocked that Scott had given her so much in one day. Yet, when she thought about it, it made perfect sense. Scott was the only one who had ever been able to give Shelby these things.
"Shelby if I could I would change his punishment, I really would. After hearing you say all that I probably wouldn't punish him at all. But this isn't under my control. I'm sorry."
"Well then can I talk to Mr. Campbell? Can I explain to him that Scott would never hurt me? That for the first time in I don't know how many months, I actually feel safe."
"I suppose you could try talking to him tomorrow, but for now try to get some sleep." Sophie replied. Shelby stared at her in amazement.
"You actually think I can sleep?" she asked, incredulous. "What do you think is going on in my head? It's not like I'm pretending to feel all this stuff, you know."
"I know sweetie." Sophie bit her lip. "You know, you could always write him a letter. He'd really appreciate it." Sophie said with a faint smile. Shelby looked at her.
"Good idea…thank you."
"Your welcome." Sophie replied. "Good night Shelby." She said as she left and closed the door behind her. Shelby grabbed her journal and ripped a page from the back. She took a pen out of her bag, and started to write.
Meanwhile, in his tent, Scott had the same idea. If he couldn't talk to her, he could write.
* * * * *
The next morning, Scott woke early. He slipped out of his tent and made his way over to the picnic table to start preparing breakfast. He needed something to keep himself busy. Fifteen minutes later Daisy joined him.
"So where were you last night? Or should I even ask?" she asked, smiling slightly. Scott just shrugged. How could he explain when he couldn't talk? "Wow, you're certainly quiet. I thought you'd be happy!" she continued when he didn't say anything.
Scott went to his tent and grabbed his notebook and a pen. Quickly he wrote Daisy a message.
I'm on shuns for a week. He wrote quickly and handed her the notebook. Daisy read it and raised her eyebrows.
"Why? It's not as if anything would have happened…right?" she asked.
Nothing happened. Mr. Campbell went to check on Shelby and she wasn't there. He, Peter and Sophie looked for me and when I wasn't there he knew we were together. Mr. Campbell got to pick my punishment. Scott scrawled quickly.
"You're being punished for comforting her? For helping her feel better? That's so not fair!" Daisy exclaimed.
Yeah, I know. Scott wrote, and then quickly closed the book. Peter was coming towards them.
"Hey you two. I see you've found other ways of communicating." He said.
"Is that allowed or is writing off limits too?" Scott asked sarcastically.
"That's fine." Peter paused. "Guys I have some bad news for you. Today you're going to have to be short one team member for part of the day."
"What?" Scott asked angrily.
"Who?" Daisy questioned.
"I'm taking Chase Anderson away from his group today to talk to him about something." Peter explained.
"Peter we're not dumb. We know why you're talking to him."
"Ok, then you'll also understand that when he gets back this afternoon, it's strongly suggested that you keep him as far away from Shelby as possible."
"That won't be a problem." Scott exclaimed stiffly. "If he goes anywhere near her I'll…"
"Scott I understand that you don't exactly enjoy his presence, but you still have to respect that he is a guest here."
"A guest? Peter he tried to molest Shelby!" Scott bit his lip, immediately regretting speaking up.
"He did WHAT?" Daisy almost yelled.
"That's why she got so mad yesterday. It happened in October. They had been going out for awhile. She got away before he did anything but she's still hurt emotionally." Scott explained.
"I'll have to talk to her before I talk to Chase. To hear what happened before I talk to him." Peter thought out loud. "I'll see you guys and your team at eight for the rock climbing." Peter finished and walked towards the infirmary to talk to Shelby.
* * * * *
Shelby woke up to a knock on the door. She had no idea how much sleep she had gotten, but she was tired.
"Come in." she called. Peter walked tentatively into the room.
"Good morning Shelby." He said cheerfully. Shelby just looked at him.
"It's morning, but it's not a good one." She replied quietly. Peter pulled up a chair next to her bed and sat down.
"Shelby I just talked to Scott. He told me that Chase tried to molest you. Is that true?" he asked. Shelby looked away, reminding herself that Scott was just trying to help. Slowly she nodded.
"It was in early October. We'd been going out for about a month. I guess he thought that I…" Her voice trailed off. "What are you going to do about it?" she asked.
"Well I was going to talk to him this morning about yesterday, so I'll see what he has to say about this too." Peter told her. He watched as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.
"Am I going to have to be there?" she asked, scared of what that might be like. Terrified of the lies that Chase might say. Would he some kind of trick up his sleeve like Elayne had?
"Not unless you want to be." Peter replied. Shelby immediately shook her head. "Ok, well, do you think you can participate in the activities today?" he asked. Shelby nodded.
"Yeah." She whispered. "I guess so. How long is Scott on shuns for?" Peter lowered his head, angry at himself for letting Mr. Campbell choose Scott's punishment
"A week. Shelby if I had known that Mr. Campbell would choose shuns I wouldn't have even mentioned it." Peter apologized.
"It's not your fault, I guess, I mean if you didn't know…" Shelby swallowed back tears. "You believe Scott though, right? That nothing happened?" Shelby asked.
"Yes." Peter paused. "It's just too bad Mr. Campbell doesn't. You should get dressed and get some breakfast. Daisy and Scott are making it right now. Pancakes." Peter said as he got and left, closing the door behind him.
* * * * *
Fifteen minutes later Shelby sat down at the picnic table next to Daisy. Daisy smiled a sad, understanding smile. Shelby gave her a little smile back. Scott slid his notebook in front of Shelby.
Pancake?
Shelby smiled. "Yes please." She replied softly. Scott placed a pancake on her plate and handed her a fork.
"Hopefully it doesn't taste too disgusting. We tried." Daisy said with a little laugh. Shelby took a small bite.
"Not too rubbery." She answered.
"Good." Daisy replied.
Suddenly Chase appeared and was about to sit next to Shelby. Shelby glanced frantically towards the tents.
"Actually Kara was going to sit there." She said loud enough so that Kara, who was just coming out of her tent, could hear her.
"Yeah. I was just getting my plate." Kara lied as she sat down next to Shelby. She gave her a little smile. "Did you stay in a dorm or something yesterday?" Kara asked Shelby, interested.
"The infirmary. It's pretty quiet and peaceful in there and the dorms can get kind of loud if there's people there." Shelby explained.
"Are you feeling better?" Kara asked.
"Yeah, I guess."
"I'm glad. I was kinda worried yesterday 'cause they just took you away and didn't say where you were going."
"Oh, well I'm fine now. Thanks."
Kara nodded. "Hey Scott, where were you last night?" she asked.
"Actually Scott is on shuns. He can't talk to us. He has to write in his journal. No communication allowed." Daisy explained.
"Oh. Well, what did he do that was so wrong?" Kara asked, confused.
"He…" Daisy tried desperately to think of an answer.
"He was with me." Shelby answered honestly. Scott looked up from his journal, completely surprised.
"Did you guys…"
"No! Why do people automatically assume that?" Shelby asked.
"Well, considering your background," Chase started.
"Shut up man!" Scott threatened without looking up from his notebook.
"I thought you weren't allowed to talk!" Chase exclaimed.
"He was talking?" Peter asked, coming up behind them. Scott froze.
"I didn't hear him." Kara replied, hoping everyone would play along.
"Me neither." Shelby said, trying to hold back a laugh.
"Yeah, it was probably the wind. It has that effect on people up here in the mountains. You know, it sounds like talking?" Daisy said, managing to keep a straight face. Peter rolled his eyes.
"Ok guys, finish eating and then join me at the rock climbing site in twenty minutes!" Peter paused. "Scott I talked to Mr. Campbell. You're allowed to talk to everyone but Shelby."
"But Peter…" Scott started to complain.
"Take all the freedom you can get Scott!" Peter cut him off. "Chase can I see you in my office?" Peter asked, walking away. Chase gave him a confused look, but followed him away.
"Thank you everyone for saving my butt." Scott said once Peter was gone. He looked Shelby in the eye.
"Any time cowboy." she said, giving him a level gaze. Scott smiled to himself as he remembered when she had first called him that.
* * * * *
The morning passed slowly as Scott watched Shelby spending more time with Kara. He was happy that she was talking to one of her classmates, but deep inside it hurt. Watching her talk to the students of Agnes high school meant that she was one of them now. It meant that she belonged with them, not at Horizon. But, to Scott, she belonged at Horizon, with him.
He watched in silence as she climbed the rock-climbing wall, wondering if she was afraid of heights. He wanted to cheer her on, tell her she was doing great, but he couldn't. Not with Mr. Campbell standing a few feet away. So, angry that he couldn't give Shelby support, Scott watched in silence.
"Why are you looking at her like that?" Mr. Campbell's voice sent Scott reeling back into the 'real world'.
"Pardon me?" he asked, trying to be polite.
"Well, you were looking at her like you were fantasizing about her." Mr. Campbell continued. Scott couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Excuse me, Sir, but you have no right to tell me what I'm thinking. And, I'm curious Sir, what's wrong with fantasizing?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"It's a disgusting habit that I don't tolerate at Agnes high school." Mr. Campbell replied angrily.
"Well then it's a good thing I don't attend Agnes high school, isn't it?" Scott asked, with a faint chuckle.
"The reason you don't attend my school is because you screwed up. Big time. So instead, you are locked up here. No privileges, no future, no freedom. No nothing."
Peter listened to the interesting conversation from behind Scott. It wasn't quite time to interrupt. He wanted to see how Scott would handle the situation.
Scott smiled to himself. Mr. Campbell thought he knew the Horizon world, but apparently he didn't.
"Sir I'm sorry to say this, but I'm afraid you're mistaken. You are wrong about me and about Horizon. I have every one of the things you claimed I didn't have. I have the privilege of being alive, of realizing that not all my problems are my fault, and of graduating from this school not as a screw up, but as a person who has admitted that I have problems, and who has overcome them. As for having a future, well Sir, all I can say is that if I hadn't come to Horizon I wouldn't have a future, but because I did, I know I will succeed. I may even have more success then someone who didn't come to Horizon, because they have yet to learn that all it takes to make it through the day is hope. As for freedom? I have more freedom here then I have ever had. I have the freedom to speak, to admit things about myself and to not be judged for them, and most importantly, I have the freedom to make mistakes. And sir, I do make mistakes, everyone does. But the thing about Horizon, is that when I slip up, there are people here who accept me, no matter what I did wrong, and who help me find my legs to stand." Scott finished, slightly out of breath. Mr. Campbell just stared at him. Peter stepped forward.
"How's everything going over here?" Peter asked.
"I was just telling Mr. Campbell what Horizon has to offer a screw up like me." Scott gave Mr. Campbell a huge, fake smile.
"Oh and sir?" He said to the Outdoor Ed teacher who was still speechless from Scott's speech. "I also have the freedom to fantasize here at Horizon. So seeing as how we're on Horizon property, you don't have the right to tell me not to. And just for the record? I wasn't fantasizing. Seeing as how I am unable to communicate with Shelby, I was giving her silent support. It's something we do here. Give support." Scott finished, then turned and walked towards the rock climbing wall where there seemed to some sort of commotion.
"Scott, Kara is stuck up there and she's really scared. She won't come down." Shelby explained, keeping her back to Mr. Campbell and Peter so that they wouldn't see her talking. Scott jogged over to the wall.
"Ok Kara hold on. We're gonna figure something out." Scott called up the girl who looked like a sculpture she was so still. "Shel, I want you to keep encouraging her. Keep telling her that everything is gonna be ok. Can you do that?"
"Sure." Shelby nodded.
Scott jogged over to Peter and explained the situation.
"How did you get Shelby to encourage her if you're not allowed to talk to her?" Mr. Campbell questioned. Scott and Peter both shot him looks of amazement.
"Sir this is a crisis situation so I assumed that it would be ok to talk to her since I knew that Shelby is sort of friends with Kara…" Scott's voice trailed off.
"You did the right thing. Now come on, it's time for you to do some climbing!" Peter replied.
"What do you mean?" Scott asked.
"You're a good climber Scott. I want you to climb up and encourage her to climb down with you. It usually works." Peter instructed him. Scott nodded and ran back to the wall to get a harness on. Quickly Peter made sure he was properly secured and then Scott started scaling the wall. Everyone watched in amazement.
"Now don't you wish that was you?" Daisy asked Shelby with a little laugh.
"I'd have to be pretty desperate for his attention to do that. He'd think I was such I loser, that I'm really weak, or that I need his help or something."
"It's ok to need people you know." Daisy told her friend quietly. Shelby nodded.
"I know…Scott told me that once." Shelby replied, not taking her eyes off Scott. Both girls watched in awe as Scott and Kara slowly made their way back down the wall. Five minutes later Kara was on the ground, tears rolling down her face. She looked at Scott.
"Thank you. I was so scared, I couldn't move, I-I-I" Kara choked on her tears. She fell into Scott's arms in a well of tears. If Scott had thought she was faking he wouldn't have hugged her back, but he could tell she really was scared. Her entire body was shaking as she held onto Scott so tightly.
"It's ok, you're safe now, you're on the ground." Scott comforted her quietly. Shelby watched from where she stood next to Daisy.
"Ok, now I'm getting a little jealous." Shelby said sadly. Daisy laughed.
"Yeah but think about it. Kara didn't get to sit in his arms and watch the sunrise, and she didn't get his company during dinner or a moonlit walk halfway across campus. Or a dance in the rain."
"Yeah, but she's allowed to talk to him. I'm not."
"Shelby would you rather be able to talk to him right now, or would you like to have experienced all the things I just mentioned?" Daisy asked.
"I guess you have a point." Shelby smiled at her friend.
"I know I do." Daisy smiled back.
"Thanks Dais."
"Anytime."
The two girls laughed to themselves as they watched Scott taking off his harness and walking over to talk to Peter. Daisy was right. Maybe it was better to have amazing memories rather then pointless conversations. The best moments were the silent ones anyway. Shelby smiled as she remembered how good she had felt this weekend when Scott had been around. Just his presence made Shelby feel safe. It made her feel good…about herself. A year ago Shelby would never have guessed that a guy could make her feel this way. She glanced at Scott, and was surprised to find that he was watching her. He offered a little, discreet smile, that no one else would have noticed. Shelby smiled back.
* * * * *
Ok, I ended that kinda weirdly, sorry! I had more written, but I'm saving it for the last chapter. (Chapter 9, which should be coming soon!) Please review so that I know what you guys think and if you have any suggestions for the last chapter. Or you can email me at