Disclaimer: The only characters I own are the ones from Agnes high school. Please don't sue.
AN: Ok guys this is the last chapter!!! I hope you guys are satisfied with it! The song used is Dearest
Friend, written by Myra Slind. I found it in my mom's book of songs, so I don't know if anyone sings it.
(It only says the writer and composer.) Well, here it is! Enjoy! Also, I LOVE REVIEWS!!! (hint hint)
Chapter 9 - saying goodbye
Shelby sat on the picnic table, patiently waiting for her classmates to be ready for the
competition that was starting in half an hour. Even before he was at the picnic table, Shelby could feel
Scott's presence behind her. Scott placed a box of equipment on the table and sat down next to her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Daisy walked over and joined them.
"Am I interrupting something?" she asked before sitting down next to Scott. Scott and Shelby both
shook their heads. "Doesn't this bring back memories? We've spent so much time sitting on these picnic
tables." Daisy continued sadly.
"This whole place brings back memories Daisy." Shelby replied, picking up a compass and playing with
it in her hands. "Some good, some bad, some I don't even want to think about." Shelby paused and
glanced at Daisy, and then at Scott. "Some I never want to forget." She smiled slightly.
"Hey guys, how's it going over here?" Sophie asked as she walked up.
"Just reminiscing." Daisy replied.
"Ok, well, Shelby, Peter wanted to see you in his office. You too Scott."
"Me?" Scott asked, surprised.
"Yup." Sophie replied.
"But what about the competition?" Daisy asked.
"It starts in half an hour. There's still some time. Once your group is ready bring over to the front of the
admin building and Scott and Shelby should be done by then. They'll join you there."
"Ok." Daisy nodded.
"Shelby, Scott, come on, let's get going."
* * * * *
A few minutes later Scott and Shelby were sitting outside Peter's office.
"He should be ready for you in a minute." Sophie said, turning and leaving. "Just wait out here."
Scott looked at Shelby, who was nervously twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"You ok?" he asked quietly. Shelby nodded.
"I guess. I'm just a little nervous." Shelby admitted. Scott reached over and took her hand.
"It's gonna be ok. He probably just wants to here your side again. Don't worry." Scott comforted her.
She was quiet for a few seconds.
"Do you think Chase is in there?" she whispered. Finally Scott understood why she was nervous.
"I'm not gonna let him hurt you. Shel, listen to me. No matter what he says, you've gotta tell Peter the
truth. Don't lie, ok? Just ignore him. Pretend you're telling me, ok? Peter won't judge you. He believes
you. Trust him." Scott convinced her quietly.
Suddenly the door to Peter's office opened.
"Scott, Shelby, come on in." Peter invited them in. Shelby wiped her clammy hands on her pants, fear
bubbling up inside her. Walking into the office she used to know so well, she noticed that there were
already others in there. Mr. Campbell was sitting in an armchair beside Peter's desk, and Chase was
sitting in one of the chairs that looked like it had been taken from the cafeteria. He glared at her.
Shelby's eyes paused on a Chase's mom. What was she doing here? Shelby wondered to herself. Mrs.
Anderson glared at her. Shelby sat down on the couch next to Scott.
"Shelby, it has been brought to my attention that Chase might have tried to abuse you in October. Is that
true?" Mr. Campbell asked. Shelby nodded. "Pardon me? I couldn't hear you." Mr. Campbell told
Shelby sternly. Scott rolled his eyes. If Mr. Campbell wanted to get Shelby to talk, this wasn't the way
to get her to.
"Y-yes." Shelby said loudly enough that everyone in the room could hear her. Scott gritted his teeth.
This wasn't fair to Shelby. It was taking her so much courage to finally tell what had happened, and Mr.
Campbell was treating her like dirt. No, like something lower than dirt, something horrible and
disgusting. The only one who should be treated that way was Chase.
"You know that's not what I was trying to do! Shelby tell them the truth! You know you wanted it. You
were asking for it, you know that. Come on, just admit it." Chase yelled at the terrified teenager.
"Shelby why don't you tell us what happened, in your words, so that Mr. Campbell can understand
what happened to you." Peter cut Chase off. Shelby swallowed. Why did she have to go through this
again? It was hard enough telling Scott. Now she had to tell Mr. Campbell? Why did he have to know?
Shelby blinked back tears.
"Come on Miss Merrick, we don't have all day." Mr. Campbell interrupted the silence. Shelby eyes
widened with anger and fear. How could he have just said that? Did he not realize how hard this was for
her? She glanced at Scott, who immediately read the look in her eyes.
"Shelby, ignore him, just look at me." Scott said desperately. "It's ok, pretend it's just me. There's no
one else here. It's just us, Shel you can tell me. I believe you, you know that. Take your time." He
whispered to her.
For the first time since Shelby had arrived on Friday, Peter realized why Shelby was so comfortable
around Scott. All his attention was on her. It really was as if there was no one else in the room.
Slowly Shelby began to tell her story again, keeping her eyes on Scott the whole time. Gently he
squeezed her hand every few minutes, letting her know he was still there for her. Letting her know that
he still loved her. Shelby finished, glancing at Peter as her eyes filled with tears.
"I don't believe it!" Mrs. Anderson exclaimed. "My Chasey wouldn't do that would you sweetie?" she
asked her son.
"Tell them Chase. For once just tell the truth! Tell them how you ripped off my shirt and tried to get my
pants off. Tell them everything...Just give up!" Shelby yelled at him, desperate to stop fighting. Wanting
so bad to just give up herself. Was fighting really worth it? What was she fighting for anyway? She
already had the scars, she wasn't saving herself from any pain either. That had already come.... Maybe
she was fighting for the pain to stop, Shelby realized suddenly.
"Honey tell me it's not true! Tell me this whore is lying! That she's just trying to cover herself, that she's
trying to look innocent and sweet." Mrs. Anderson held her son by his shoulders and looked into his
eyes.
Slowly Chase shifted his eyes towards Shelby. He watched as Scott put his arms around her, probably
holding her back from hurting his mom.
"She doesn't know you Shelby. Don't listen to her. I know that's not what you are. Let it go." Scott
whispered into Shelby's hair. She just held onto him tighter.
"You can save yourself Chase. All I need to hear are two words. That's all I'm asking for." Peter told
Chase. Mr. Campbell sat in silence, shocked at what he saw. "Stop before it's too late." Peter
continued.
Shelby looked at Chase and their eyes met. Slowly he ran his tongue along the top of his mouth. It felt
like sandpaper. He swallowed, searching his brain for two very simple words.
"It's true." He whispered. Peter, Shelby and Scott all relaxed a tiny bit. Mr. Campbell stared at Chase,
wide eyed.
"Honey I know you're lying. Sweetie, honey, tell me you're lying." Mrs. Anderson said desperately.
"I'm not lying mom." Chase looked his mom straight in the eyes.
"Shelby, Scott, can I see both of you in the hall, please?" Peter asked. Shelby and Scott followed him
into the hall. Shelby didn't let go of Scott's hand. "Shelby, thank you for repeating that for us...I know it
was hard and I'm sorry I asked you to do that." Peter apologized.
"Is it over now? Do I have to do that again?" Shelby panicked.
"No, it's over. Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Anderson will deal with Chase the way they see fit. You can go
get washed up in the bathroom if you would like. It's - "
"I know where it is." Shelby interrupted quietly. Peter nodded.
"Right, of course. Sorry."
"It's ok. Can I still do the competition?" she asked. Peter nodded, surprised.
"Of course, if you want to. You don't have to though..."
"I want to."
"Ok, well once you're done here just join your group outside." Peter smiled. Shelby nodded and made
her way towards the bathroom, finally letting go of Scott's hand.
"Shel?" Scott said. Shelby turned around. "Do you want me to wait here?"
"Yes please." She replied with a faint smile. Scott nodded as he and Peter watched Shelby go into the
bathroom. Peter turned to Scott.
"Keep an eye on her, ok?" he asked.
"I thought I was on shuns." Scott replied, surprised that Peter was asking him to do that.
"Yeah, well, your performance today proved to me that maybe I should reconsider your punishment. Or
at least until Shelby has gone home." Peter explained. Scott smiled a tremendous smile.
"Thank you Peter." He said. Peter nodded.
"Your welcome." He turned and walked back into his office.
* * * * *
Five minutes later, Shelby and Scott walked out if the admin building, hand in hand.
"How'd it go with Peter?" Daisy asked her friends. Scott and Shelby looked at each other.
"It's over." Shelby replied simply. Daisy smiled.
"He confessed?" she asked. Shelby nodded. Daisy gave her a hug. "It's about time." She whispered.
"The competition is starting in five minutes. The order is hike, kayaking, rock climbing. Scott, lucky you,
you get to do each of the events. Shelby, you get to choose what you want to do." Daisy explained.
"I'll hike." Shelby replied confidently. "Maybe I'll make it through this one without breaking down." She
added quietly.
"You will." Scott assured her calmly. "It's over. Keep telling yourself that." Shelby nodded.
"Right. It's over. I'm gonna be ok. I can do this." She told herself, trying to get herself to believe in the
words she was saying.
* * * * *
Two hours later, Shelby sat on the front steps of Horizon, waiting for her team to cross the finish
line. All her classmates who hadn't done the rock climbing were sitting around her, all their eyes were on
the tree line in front of them as they waited for their team to appear. The other team's members were
sitting on the grass, all watching the same place. Juliette wandered over and sat down beside Shelby.
"Hey." She said cautiously. Shelby glanced at her then continued to throw rocks onto the road.
"Hey." She replied. "I bet you're probably counting the hours until I go home, right?'" she asked,
keeping her eyes on the tree line.
"No. Are you?" she asked calmly.
"No, I just thought that-"
"I don't hate you Shelby. I just don't understand why you were so mean to me all the time." She replied,
cutting Shelby off. Shelby looked at Juliette.
"I thought that if I was mean, then maybe people wouldn't notice my pain. You were always so happy,
so nice to everyone, and I couldn't understand why someone as happy as you would be at Horizon. I
thought we were so different...I guess it took me a little too long to figure out that your happiness was
mainly there to cover up your pain, just like my anger was. By the time I realized that maybe we weren't
so different, it was too late. I was already home...I'm sorry." Shelby apologized. Juliette thought for a
second.
"It's ok. I mean, I wasn't exactly nice to you either." She replied. Shelby sighed.
"It's weird how whenever I make a realization like that, it's always too late." Shelby noticed.
"It's not too late this time. You're still here. You have a whole-" Juliette glanced at her watch, "hour
before you have to leave." Juliette smiled. "But Shelby, you do realize that not all my happiness is an act,
right?" Juliette asked. Shelby laughed.
"Yeah." She replied with a little smile.
"I'm sorry to interrupt the little bonding moment going on here, but there's a team coming." Daisy joined
the conversation. Shelby looked up and smiled as she saw Scott leading their group across the wide
field that separated them. She turned to Daisy.
"It would appear that our team won." She said. "Why am I not overflowing with joy like the rest of my
teammates?" Shelby asked as she watched her classmates cheering and jumping around.
"Because as it also is with me, this success is a little too small to brighten your world."
"Apparently." Shelby replied with a little chuckle. Juliette pouted.
"We lost." She said sadly.
"Don't worry Jules, it doesn't feel much better to win." Shelby replied. Juliette smiled.
"Good." Juliette's pout disappeared and was replaced with her usual perky smile.. Shelby smiled, happy
to have made her day a little better.
* * * * *
Fifty minutes later Shelby watched as her bag was loaded into the bus. She sighed sadly. She
had been dreading this moment since she had stepped back onto the Horizon campus. She watched as
Chase stepped into his mother's car and they left. She bit her lip, wondering what would happen to him.
Would he be at school on Monday? She wondered to herself. Mr. Campbell's hoarse voice interrupted
Shelby's thoughts.
"Ok, everyone on the bus, let's go!" he called. Shelby turned around and saw the Cliffhangers sitting on
the steps. Slowly she made her way over to them, smiling slightly as they stood up when she got in front
on them. She looked at Peter and Sophie.
There are times in your life
When you meet a certain someone
And you know from the start
That you will never be the same
"Thank you Peter." She whispered.
"You're always welcome here." He replied. Shelby turned to Sophie.
"I-I'm sorry I was always so hard on you. I guess I never really gave you a chance...I'm sorry." She
whispered.
"Oh Shelby, it's ok." Sophie managed to hold back tears.
From the moment that I met you
I know I won't forget you
'cause you've touched a part
of me that has no end
Slowly she turned towards the Cliffhangers.
"So I guess this is it..." she said quietly, trying to hold back tears. Slowly she took a step towards Ezra.
"Hey. Don't give up on Daisy, ok? You never know, she may come around some day." Shelby said
quietly. Ezra raised his eyebrows.
"I don't Shelby, I mean, she doesn't seem to want anyone."
"Just don't give up yet." Shelby gave him a hug. "You never know."
"Ok. Good luck Shelby. As Peter would say, use your tools. You can make it." Ezra smiled at her. She
rolled her eyes.
I call you friend,
The sweetest thing to me
No matter where you are
That's what you'll always be
"Bye." She replied and slowly moved on to Auggie.
"Can you do me a favor?" she asked him quietly.
"Depends...what are you wanting me to do?" he asked, a little cautious.
"Keep an eye on Scott for me, will ya? Don't let him sink again. Please?" she begged.
"Yeah. I think I could manage that." he replied with a little laugh.
"Thank you." Shelby replied as they hugged. Shelby took a deep breath as she stood in front of Juliette.
And when we part
Until we meet again
I'll hold you in my heart,
My dearest friend
"Keep eating, ok? There are a lot of people who care about you. Don't be afraid to turn to them, they
can help you...And, uh...if you ever need it, my phone line is always open, ok?" Shelby said, hesitantly.
Juliette smiled.
"Thanks Shelby. That means a lot to me." Slowly she hugged Shelby. Uncertainly at first, and then
tighter.
"I'm sorry I was always so mean."
"I know, it was just a shield, a weapon, a mask...I get it." Juliette accepted the apology. Slowly Shelby
stepped in front of Daisy.
I'm so glad for this time
That we share here with each other
It's a time I can recall
If I am ever feeling blue
"This has got to be the worst part of leaving...Finding the words. I guess I'm not scared of going home
this time. Or not for the same reasons at least." She looked Daisy in the eyes, blinking back tears.
"Thanks for being there for me Dais. I'll keep writing this time, ok? I won't stop when I get scared of
what I might admit. I'll let it all out. I'll call you too. I won't shut you out, I promise." She whispered,
hugging her friend tightly.
"Stay strong Shelby. Don't let the small things get to you ok? And just remember, if you ever need
anyone, you have a family here for you, waiting. We'll help you if you ever need it." Daisy wiped away a
tear. "Ok, get going before I melt into a puddle of tears." Daisy smiled at her friend. Shelby smiled back
and moved on to Scott.
I'll reach out across the miles
For your laughter and your smiles
And the memory of you
Will see me through
She stood there for a few seconds looking at him, drinking in every detail of his face, his hair, his smile,
everything.
"I wanted to do this right this time." She said quietly, handing him an envelope.
"What's this?" he asked quietly.
"It's a letter...I wasn't sure how to say everything that I wanted to say, so I wrote it down." Shelby
explained. Scott smiled. "Don't read until I'm gone though, ok?" she asked. He nodded.
"Ok." He reached into his pocket and placed a small rock in Shelby's hand.
"What's this?" she asked. "Well, I know it's a rock, but, what's the significance?" she asked, confused.
Scott smiled slightly, brushing a strand of hair off her face.
"On the docks you told me that every night you've wished that you were here at Horizon. I knew I
couldn't give you all of Horizon, so I thought I could give you a little piece of it. So, whenever you wish
you were here, or you miss the Cliffhangers...or me, you just hold onto this, and it would kind of be like
you were here." Scott explained with a sheepish smile. "I know it's lame, but..."
"I love it." Shelby whispered, hugging him tightly. "Thank you." She whispered, not bothering to wipe
away the tears on her face.
"I'll call and write, ok?" Scott said into her hair.
"Me too." Shelby replied. "Goodbye Scott." She whispered, choking on her tears. Scott held her tighter
for a few seconds, waiting for her to relax a bit.
"It's all going to work out...I'm always here if you need it." He said finally, kissing her gently and then
releasing her. Gently, he wiped a few tears from her face. Shelby squeezed his hand and then turned
away, not looking back.
I call you friend,
The sweetest thing to me
No matter where you are
That's what you'll always be
Shelby stepped onto the bus, not embarrassed that she was crying. She searched for a seat,
suddenly uncomfortable standing all alone at the front of the bus.
"Do you want to sit here?" Kara asked from the middle of the bus. Shelby smiled, relieved.
"Yes." She sat down. "Thank you so much." She replied.
"Your welcome, but there's one condition. You have to sit by the window." Kara answered. Shelby
smiled, she loved sitting by the window and watching the scenery roll by.
"Deal." Shelby laughed. The two girls switched positions and Shelby glanced out the window, and there
was Scott standing beside the window. Shelby pressed her hand against the cool glass, clutching the
rock in her other. Scott lined his hand up with hers on the other side of the glass. He smiled.
"Look in your bag when you get home." He called. Shelby had to strain to hear him, but she did. She
smiled and nodded.
"I will." She mouthed, and then paused. "I love you." She mouthed the words slowly. Scott's smile was
bright and warm as he mouthed back.
"I love you too."
And when we part
Until we meet again
I'll hold you in my heart,
My dearest friend
* * * * *
Scott waited until the bus was completely out of view before he turned and slowly walked back
to the others who were sitting on the steps. Slowly they all got up and walked into the lodge, silenced by
their own thoughts.
"Half an hour until dinner." Peter said suddenly, breaking the silence. The Cliffhangers all nodded, in a
daze, as they sat down on the couches and chairs that were sprawled throughout the lodge. Scott sat
down by the fireplace and unfolded Shelby's letter slowly.
Dear Scott,
You probably think it's weird that I wrote this letter even before I left horizon, but there
are a few things that I wanted to say. Things that I don't know if I would ever be able to say out
loud.
Saturday morning on the docks was the first time in months that I have ever felt safe. The
first time I have felt accepted, and the first time I have felt loved since I left Horizon. You are the
only person that can make me feel this way. Recently I've been so scared, so lonely, and I want to
thank you for forgetting the things I've said (or didn't say) and done in the past to hurt you.
Hopefully this time I will be able to say goodbye...I know I hurt you and I'm sorry.
You are the only person in the world who understands me. You are the person who knows
me better than any one else, who knows all my secrets, my faults, my dreams. You are the only
person who knows how to give me my hope back. That's exactly what you did this weekend. You
gave me the hope that I needed, the hope for better times to come, and you stood by me through
everything. (The whole Chase thing, my explosion in the woods, everything.)
I'm a little scared now, because I don't know when I'm going to see Chase again. I hope I
never do. He ripped me apart and then blamed it on me...Neither of those things are things that
you would do, thank you for that.
Most of all, Scott, thank you for saving me, for healing me, and for loving ALL of me. Just in
case I forget to say this out loud, thank you for the dance. Maybe someday we'll be able to share
another moment like that.
I love you forever and always,
Shelby
Ps: Look in the envelope... They symbolize the hope that you gave me. Thank you.
Scott reached into the envelope and took out some pine needles. He smiled and slipped them
and the letter back into the envelope. They were something he would keep forever.
* * * * *
Shelby stepped off the bus and got her bag from the back of the bus where it had been
carelessly dropped. She clutched the rock in one hand, and a slip of paper in the other hand. It was
Kara's number. Slowly she sat on the school's steps to wait for her mom to come pick her up. Kara
walked up, and Shelby stood up.
"Call me, ok?" Kara asked. "I want to hear all your Horizon stories. The good and the bad." Kara said
with a little smile. Shelby nodded.
"Ok." She replied. "I will." She smiled back. Maybe it wasn't so hard to make friends, you just had to
try.
Twenty minutes later, Shelby fell backwards onto her bed, exhausted. She almost fell asleep
when she remembered what Scott had said. His voice filled her head.
"Look in your bag when you get home." Shelby jumped off the bed and ran over to her bag, pulling it
open. Lying on the top was a white envelope, and beneath it was a small package wrapped in a map of
the Horizon campus. Shelby lifted both from the bag, her hands shaking a little with excitement. Slowly
she sat down and opened the envelope, careful not to rip it. She looked at the letter for a few seconds
before reading it.
Dear Shelby,
My mom gave this to me and told me to give it to that "special friend". My best friend,
my soul mate. She said when I met you, I'd know. Maybe I didn't realize it right away (I was too
wrapped up in my own pain) but you are that special friend. The person I can't live without. So
that's why I'm giving you this. So that you know that I love you and I always will. No matter how
far apart we are, or how much pain we've put each other through, I love you. That's something
that will never end.
Love,
Scott
Ps: If you're ever hurting, just hold onto your rock...Your own little piece of Horizon. And if it
rains, think of me. I'll be thinking of you. If you need me, I'm only a phone call away. Stay strong,
it'll all work out. I love you, Shel.
Shelby smiled and picked up the package, turning it over in her hands. What could it be? She
wondered silently. Carefully she opened the package, hardly able to breathe.
Shelby reached into the package and took out a bracelet. It was a delicate silver chain that sparkled in
the light. Very carefully Shelby slipped it onto her wrist and smiled. It fit perfectly. Suddenly there was a
knock on Shelby's bedroom door. She looked up to see Jess in the doorway, a look of mild confusion
on her face.
"What are smiling about?" she asked, surprised to see her sister smiling after so many months of
sadness.
"Nothing. I'm just...happy." Shelby replied quietly.
"Ok, well mom said that since it's raining you should close your window. She doesn't want the rain
coming in your window." Jess said, turning and walking away.
Shelby turned towards her window. She hadn't even noticed the rain. She smiled slightly and
walked slowly over to her window. She opened it all the way and lay back down on her bed. Shelby
closed her eyes and lay there, listening to the rain. Slowly she breathed in, filling her lungs with fresh air.
It felt good to breathe again. With her rock in one hand and a little smile on her face, Shelby drifted to
sleep. Thanks to a group of friends named the Cliffhangers, a place called Horizon, and Scott, Shelby
was ready to live again. Someday she would think of a way to thank them.
* * * * *
Ok that's it!!! I'm gonna write a sequel, and for all of you who wanted Shelby to stay at Horizon, don't
worry! Things will change! Anyway, here are a few hints about what's gonna happen in the sequel: (I
don't know what I'm gonna call it yet though.)
-There is a new addition to the Cliffhangers (and trust me, it's not who you expect!)
-People at Agnes start to find out things about Shelby's past...but how?
-MUCH MUCH MORE!!!
Anyway, please review and give me some new ideas for the sequel! I don't really know how to start
it!!!
Bye 4 now! I hope to hear some ideas soon! And PLEASE REVIEW!!! JEN
AN: Ok guys this is the last chapter!!! I hope you guys are satisfied with it! The song used is Dearest
Friend, written by Myra Slind. I found it in my mom's book of songs, so I don't know if anyone sings it.
(It only says the writer and composer.) Well, here it is! Enjoy! Also, I LOVE REVIEWS!!! (hint hint)
Chapter 9 - saying goodbye
Shelby sat on the picnic table, patiently waiting for her classmates to be ready for the
competition that was starting in half an hour. Even before he was at the picnic table, Shelby could feel
Scott's presence behind her. Scott placed a box of equipment on the table and sat down next to her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Daisy walked over and joined them.
"Am I interrupting something?" she asked before sitting down next to Scott. Scott and Shelby both
shook their heads. "Doesn't this bring back memories? We've spent so much time sitting on these picnic
tables." Daisy continued sadly.
"This whole place brings back memories Daisy." Shelby replied, picking up a compass and playing with
it in her hands. "Some good, some bad, some I don't even want to think about." Shelby paused and
glanced at Daisy, and then at Scott. "Some I never want to forget." She smiled slightly.
"Hey guys, how's it going over here?" Sophie asked as she walked up.
"Just reminiscing." Daisy replied.
"Ok, well, Shelby, Peter wanted to see you in his office. You too Scott."
"Me?" Scott asked, surprised.
"Yup." Sophie replied.
"But what about the competition?" Daisy asked.
"It starts in half an hour. There's still some time. Once your group is ready bring over to the front of the
admin building and Scott and Shelby should be done by then. They'll join you there."
"Ok." Daisy nodded.
"Shelby, Scott, come on, let's get going."
* * * * *
A few minutes later Scott and Shelby were sitting outside Peter's office.
"He should be ready for you in a minute." Sophie said, turning and leaving. "Just wait out here."
Scott looked at Shelby, who was nervously twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"You ok?" he asked quietly. Shelby nodded.
"I guess. I'm just a little nervous." Shelby admitted. Scott reached over and took her hand.
"It's gonna be ok. He probably just wants to here your side again. Don't worry." Scott comforted her.
She was quiet for a few seconds.
"Do you think Chase is in there?" she whispered. Finally Scott understood why she was nervous.
"I'm not gonna let him hurt you. Shel, listen to me. No matter what he says, you've gotta tell Peter the
truth. Don't lie, ok? Just ignore him. Pretend you're telling me, ok? Peter won't judge you. He believes
you. Trust him." Scott convinced her quietly.
Suddenly the door to Peter's office opened.
"Scott, Shelby, come on in." Peter invited them in. Shelby wiped her clammy hands on her pants, fear
bubbling up inside her. Walking into the office she used to know so well, she noticed that there were
already others in there. Mr. Campbell was sitting in an armchair beside Peter's desk, and Chase was
sitting in one of the chairs that looked like it had been taken from the cafeteria. He glared at her.
Shelby's eyes paused on a Chase's mom. What was she doing here? Shelby wondered to herself. Mrs.
Anderson glared at her. Shelby sat down on the couch next to Scott.
"Shelby, it has been brought to my attention that Chase might have tried to abuse you in October. Is that
true?" Mr. Campbell asked. Shelby nodded. "Pardon me? I couldn't hear you." Mr. Campbell told
Shelby sternly. Scott rolled his eyes. If Mr. Campbell wanted to get Shelby to talk, this wasn't the way
to get her to.
"Y-yes." Shelby said loudly enough that everyone in the room could hear her. Scott gritted his teeth.
This wasn't fair to Shelby. It was taking her so much courage to finally tell what had happened, and Mr.
Campbell was treating her like dirt. No, like something lower than dirt, something horrible and
disgusting. The only one who should be treated that way was Chase.
"You know that's not what I was trying to do! Shelby tell them the truth! You know you wanted it. You
were asking for it, you know that. Come on, just admit it." Chase yelled at the terrified teenager.
"Shelby why don't you tell us what happened, in your words, so that Mr. Campbell can understand
what happened to you." Peter cut Chase off. Shelby swallowed. Why did she have to go through this
again? It was hard enough telling Scott. Now she had to tell Mr. Campbell? Why did he have to know?
Shelby blinked back tears.
"Come on Miss Merrick, we don't have all day." Mr. Campbell interrupted the silence. Shelby eyes
widened with anger and fear. How could he have just said that? Did he not realize how hard this was for
her? She glanced at Scott, who immediately read the look in her eyes.
"Shelby, ignore him, just look at me." Scott said desperately. "It's ok, pretend it's just me. There's no
one else here. It's just us, Shel you can tell me. I believe you, you know that. Take your time." He
whispered to her.
For the first time since Shelby had arrived on Friday, Peter realized why Shelby was so comfortable
around Scott. All his attention was on her. It really was as if there was no one else in the room.
Slowly Shelby began to tell her story again, keeping her eyes on Scott the whole time. Gently he
squeezed her hand every few minutes, letting her know he was still there for her. Letting her know that
he still loved her. Shelby finished, glancing at Peter as her eyes filled with tears.
"I don't believe it!" Mrs. Anderson exclaimed. "My Chasey wouldn't do that would you sweetie?" she
asked her son.
"Tell them Chase. For once just tell the truth! Tell them how you ripped off my shirt and tried to get my
pants off. Tell them everything...Just give up!" Shelby yelled at him, desperate to stop fighting. Wanting
so bad to just give up herself. Was fighting really worth it? What was she fighting for anyway? She
already had the scars, she wasn't saving herself from any pain either. That had already come.... Maybe
she was fighting for the pain to stop, Shelby realized suddenly.
"Honey tell me it's not true! Tell me this whore is lying! That she's just trying to cover herself, that she's
trying to look innocent and sweet." Mrs. Anderson held her son by his shoulders and looked into his
eyes.
Slowly Chase shifted his eyes towards Shelby. He watched as Scott put his arms around her, probably
holding her back from hurting his mom.
"She doesn't know you Shelby. Don't listen to her. I know that's not what you are. Let it go." Scott
whispered into Shelby's hair. She just held onto him tighter.
"You can save yourself Chase. All I need to hear are two words. That's all I'm asking for." Peter told
Chase. Mr. Campbell sat in silence, shocked at what he saw. "Stop before it's too late." Peter
continued.
Shelby looked at Chase and their eyes met. Slowly he ran his tongue along the top of his mouth. It felt
like sandpaper. He swallowed, searching his brain for two very simple words.
"It's true." He whispered. Peter, Shelby and Scott all relaxed a tiny bit. Mr. Campbell stared at Chase,
wide eyed.
"Honey I know you're lying. Sweetie, honey, tell me you're lying." Mrs. Anderson said desperately.
"I'm not lying mom." Chase looked his mom straight in the eyes.
"Shelby, Scott, can I see both of you in the hall, please?" Peter asked. Shelby and Scott followed him
into the hall. Shelby didn't let go of Scott's hand. "Shelby, thank you for repeating that for us...I know it
was hard and I'm sorry I asked you to do that." Peter apologized.
"Is it over now? Do I have to do that again?" Shelby panicked.
"No, it's over. Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Anderson will deal with Chase the way they see fit. You can go
get washed up in the bathroom if you would like. It's - "
"I know where it is." Shelby interrupted quietly. Peter nodded.
"Right, of course. Sorry."
"It's ok. Can I still do the competition?" she asked. Peter nodded, surprised.
"Of course, if you want to. You don't have to though..."
"I want to."
"Ok, well once you're done here just join your group outside." Peter smiled. Shelby nodded and made
her way towards the bathroom, finally letting go of Scott's hand.
"Shel?" Scott said. Shelby turned around. "Do you want me to wait here?"
"Yes please." She replied with a faint smile. Scott nodded as he and Peter watched Shelby go into the
bathroom. Peter turned to Scott.
"Keep an eye on her, ok?" he asked.
"I thought I was on shuns." Scott replied, surprised that Peter was asking him to do that.
"Yeah, well, your performance today proved to me that maybe I should reconsider your punishment. Or
at least until Shelby has gone home." Peter explained. Scott smiled a tremendous smile.
"Thank you Peter." He said. Peter nodded.
"Your welcome." He turned and walked back into his office.
* * * * *
Five minutes later, Shelby and Scott walked out if the admin building, hand in hand.
"How'd it go with Peter?" Daisy asked her friends. Scott and Shelby looked at each other.
"It's over." Shelby replied simply. Daisy smiled.
"He confessed?" she asked. Shelby nodded. Daisy gave her a hug. "It's about time." She whispered.
"The competition is starting in five minutes. The order is hike, kayaking, rock climbing. Scott, lucky you,
you get to do each of the events. Shelby, you get to choose what you want to do." Daisy explained.
"I'll hike." Shelby replied confidently. "Maybe I'll make it through this one without breaking down." She
added quietly.
"You will." Scott assured her calmly. "It's over. Keep telling yourself that." Shelby nodded.
"Right. It's over. I'm gonna be ok. I can do this." She told herself, trying to get herself to believe in the
words she was saying.
* * * * *
Two hours later, Shelby sat on the front steps of Horizon, waiting for her team to cross the finish
line. All her classmates who hadn't done the rock climbing were sitting around her, all their eyes were on
the tree line in front of them as they waited for their team to appear. The other team's members were
sitting on the grass, all watching the same place. Juliette wandered over and sat down beside Shelby.
"Hey." She said cautiously. Shelby glanced at her then continued to throw rocks onto the road.
"Hey." She replied. "I bet you're probably counting the hours until I go home, right?'" she asked,
keeping her eyes on the tree line.
"No. Are you?" she asked calmly.
"No, I just thought that-"
"I don't hate you Shelby. I just don't understand why you were so mean to me all the time." She replied,
cutting Shelby off. Shelby looked at Juliette.
"I thought that if I was mean, then maybe people wouldn't notice my pain. You were always so happy,
so nice to everyone, and I couldn't understand why someone as happy as you would be at Horizon. I
thought we were so different...I guess it took me a little too long to figure out that your happiness was
mainly there to cover up your pain, just like my anger was. By the time I realized that maybe we weren't
so different, it was too late. I was already home...I'm sorry." Shelby apologized. Juliette thought for a
second.
"It's ok. I mean, I wasn't exactly nice to you either." She replied. Shelby sighed.
"It's weird how whenever I make a realization like that, it's always too late." Shelby noticed.
"It's not too late this time. You're still here. You have a whole-" Juliette glanced at her watch, "hour
before you have to leave." Juliette smiled. "But Shelby, you do realize that not all my happiness is an act,
right?" Juliette asked. Shelby laughed.
"Yeah." She replied with a little smile.
"I'm sorry to interrupt the little bonding moment going on here, but there's a team coming." Daisy joined
the conversation. Shelby looked up and smiled as she saw Scott leading their group across the wide
field that separated them. She turned to Daisy.
"It would appear that our team won." She said. "Why am I not overflowing with joy like the rest of my
teammates?" Shelby asked as she watched her classmates cheering and jumping around.
"Because as it also is with me, this success is a little too small to brighten your world."
"Apparently." Shelby replied with a little chuckle. Juliette pouted.
"We lost." She said sadly.
"Don't worry Jules, it doesn't feel much better to win." Shelby replied. Juliette smiled.
"Good." Juliette's pout disappeared and was replaced with her usual perky smile.. Shelby smiled, happy
to have made her day a little better.
* * * * *
Fifty minutes later Shelby watched as her bag was loaded into the bus. She sighed sadly. She
had been dreading this moment since she had stepped back onto the Horizon campus. She watched as
Chase stepped into his mother's car and they left. She bit her lip, wondering what would happen to him.
Would he be at school on Monday? She wondered to herself. Mr. Campbell's hoarse voice interrupted
Shelby's thoughts.
"Ok, everyone on the bus, let's go!" he called. Shelby turned around and saw the Cliffhangers sitting on
the steps. Slowly she made her way over to them, smiling slightly as they stood up when she got in front
on them. She looked at Peter and Sophie.
There are times in your life
When you meet a certain someone
And you know from the start
That you will never be the same
"Thank you Peter." She whispered.
"You're always welcome here." He replied. Shelby turned to Sophie.
"I-I'm sorry I was always so hard on you. I guess I never really gave you a chance...I'm sorry." She
whispered.
"Oh Shelby, it's ok." Sophie managed to hold back tears.
From the moment that I met you
I know I won't forget you
'cause you've touched a part
of me that has no end
Slowly she turned towards the Cliffhangers.
"So I guess this is it..." she said quietly, trying to hold back tears. Slowly she took a step towards Ezra.
"Hey. Don't give up on Daisy, ok? You never know, she may come around some day." Shelby said
quietly. Ezra raised his eyebrows.
"I don't Shelby, I mean, she doesn't seem to want anyone."
"Just don't give up yet." Shelby gave him a hug. "You never know."
"Ok. Good luck Shelby. As Peter would say, use your tools. You can make it." Ezra smiled at her. She
rolled her eyes.
I call you friend,
The sweetest thing to me
No matter where you are
That's what you'll always be
"Bye." She replied and slowly moved on to Auggie.
"Can you do me a favor?" she asked him quietly.
"Depends...what are you wanting me to do?" he asked, a little cautious.
"Keep an eye on Scott for me, will ya? Don't let him sink again. Please?" she begged.
"Yeah. I think I could manage that." he replied with a little laugh.
"Thank you." Shelby replied as they hugged. Shelby took a deep breath as she stood in front of Juliette.
And when we part
Until we meet again
I'll hold you in my heart,
My dearest friend
"Keep eating, ok? There are a lot of people who care about you. Don't be afraid to turn to them, they
can help you...And, uh...if you ever need it, my phone line is always open, ok?" Shelby said, hesitantly.
Juliette smiled.
"Thanks Shelby. That means a lot to me." Slowly she hugged Shelby. Uncertainly at first, and then
tighter.
"I'm sorry I was always so mean."
"I know, it was just a shield, a weapon, a mask...I get it." Juliette accepted the apology. Slowly Shelby
stepped in front of Daisy.
I'm so glad for this time
That we share here with each other
It's a time I can recall
If I am ever feeling blue
"This has got to be the worst part of leaving...Finding the words. I guess I'm not scared of going home
this time. Or not for the same reasons at least." She looked Daisy in the eyes, blinking back tears.
"Thanks for being there for me Dais. I'll keep writing this time, ok? I won't stop when I get scared of
what I might admit. I'll let it all out. I'll call you too. I won't shut you out, I promise." She whispered,
hugging her friend tightly.
"Stay strong Shelby. Don't let the small things get to you ok? And just remember, if you ever need
anyone, you have a family here for you, waiting. We'll help you if you ever need it." Daisy wiped away a
tear. "Ok, get going before I melt into a puddle of tears." Daisy smiled at her friend. Shelby smiled back
and moved on to Scott.
I'll reach out across the miles
For your laughter and your smiles
And the memory of you
Will see me through
She stood there for a few seconds looking at him, drinking in every detail of his face, his hair, his smile,
everything.
"I wanted to do this right this time." She said quietly, handing him an envelope.
"What's this?" he asked quietly.
"It's a letter...I wasn't sure how to say everything that I wanted to say, so I wrote it down." Shelby
explained. Scott smiled. "Don't read until I'm gone though, ok?" she asked. He nodded.
"Ok." He reached into his pocket and placed a small rock in Shelby's hand.
"What's this?" she asked. "Well, I know it's a rock, but, what's the significance?" she asked, confused.
Scott smiled slightly, brushing a strand of hair off her face.
"On the docks you told me that every night you've wished that you were here at Horizon. I knew I
couldn't give you all of Horizon, so I thought I could give you a little piece of it. So, whenever you wish
you were here, or you miss the Cliffhangers...or me, you just hold onto this, and it would kind of be like
you were here." Scott explained with a sheepish smile. "I know it's lame, but..."
"I love it." Shelby whispered, hugging him tightly. "Thank you." She whispered, not bothering to wipe
away the tears on her face.
"I'll call and write, ok?" Scott said into her hair.
"Me too." Shelby replied. "Goodbye Scott." She whispered, choking on her tears. Scott held her tighter
for a few seconds, waiting for her to relax a bit.
"It's all going to work out...I'm always here if you need it." He said finally, kissing her gently and then
releasing her. Gently, he wiped a few tears from her face. Shelby squeezed his hand and then turned
away, not looking back.
I call you friend,
The sweetest thing to me
No matter where you are
That's what you'll always be
Shelby stepped onto the bus, not embarrassed that she was crying. She searched for a seat,
suddenly uncomfortable standing all alone at the front of the bus.
"Do you want to sit here?" Kara asked from the middle of the bus. Shelby smiled, relieved.
"Yes." She sat down. "Thank you so much." She replied.
"Your welcome, but there's one condition. You have to sit by the window." Kara answered. Shelby
smiled, she loved sitting by the window and watching the scenery roll by.
"Deal." Shelby laughed. The two girls switched positions and Shelby glanced out the window, and there
was Scott standing beside the window. Shelby pressed her hand against the cool glass, clutching the
rock in her other. Scott lined his hand up with hers on the other side of the glass. He smiled.
"Look in your bag when you get home." He called. Shelby had to strain to hear him, but she did. She
smiled and nodded.
"I will." She mouthed, and then paused. "I love you." She mouthed the words slowly. Scott's smile was
bright and warm as he mouthed back.
"I love you too."
And when we part
Until we meet again
I'll hold you in my heart,
My dearest friend
* * * * *
Scott waited until the bus was completely out of view before he turned and slowly walked back
to the others who were sitting on the steps. Slowly they all got up and walked into the lodge, silenced by
their own thoughts.
"Half an hour until dinner." Peter said suddenly, breaking the silence. The Cliffhangers all nodded, in a
daze, as they sat down on the couches and chairs that were sprawled throughout the lodge. Scott sat
down by the fireplace and unfolded Shelby's letter slowly.
Dear Scott,
You probably think it's weird that I wrote this letter even before I left horizon, but there
are a few things that I wanted to say. Things that I don't know if I would ever be able to say out
loud.
Saturday morning on the docks was the first time in months that I have ever felt safe. The
first time I have felt accepted, and the first time I have felt loved since I left Horizon. You are the
only person that can make me feel this way. Recently I've been so scared, so lonely, and I want to
thank you for forgetting the things I've said (or didn't say) and done in the past to hurt you.
Hopefully this time I will be able to say goodbye...I know I hurt you and I'm sorry.
You are the only person in the world who understands me. You are the person who knows
me better than any one else, who knows all my secrets, my faults, my dreams. You are the only
person who knows how to give me my hope back. That's exactly what you did this weekend. You
gave me the hope that I needed, the hope for better times to come, and you stood by me through
everything. (The whole Chase thing, my explosion in the woods, everything.)
I'm a little scared now, because I don't know when I'm going to see Chase again. I hope I
never do. He ripped me apart and then blamed it on me...Neither of those things are things that
you would do, thank you for that.
Most of all, Scott, thank you for saving me, for healing me, and for loving ALL of me. Just in
case I forget to say this out loud, thank you for the dance. Maybe someday we'll be able to share
another moment like that.
I love you forever and always,
Shelby
Ps: Look in the envelope... They symbolize the hope that you gave me. Thank you.
Scott reached into the envelope and took out some pine needles. He smiled and slipped them
and the letter back into the envelope. They were something he would keep forever.
* * * * *
Shelby stepped off the bus and got her bag from the back of the bus where it had been
carelessly dropped. She clutched the rock in one hand, and a slip of paper in the other hand. It was
Kara's number. Slowly she sat on the school's steps to wait for her mom to come pick her up. Kara
walked up, and Shelby stood up.
"Call me, ok?" Kara asked. "I want to hear all your Horizon stories. The good and the bad." Kara said
with a little smile. Shelby nodded.
"Ok." She replied. "I will." She smiled back. Maybe it wasn't so hard to make friends, you just had to
try.
Twenty minutes later, Shelby fell backwards onto her bed, exhausted. She almost fell asleep
when she remembered what Scott had said. His voice filled her head.
"Look in your bag when you get home." Shelby jumped off the bed and ran over to her bag, pulling it
open. Lying on the top was a white envelope, and beneath it was a small package wrapped in a map of
the Horizon campus. Shelby lifted both from the bag, her hands shaking a little with excitement. Slowly
she sat down and opened the envelope, careful not to rip it. She looked at the letter for a few seconds
before reading it.
Dear Shelby,
My mom gave this to me and told me to give it to that "special friend". My best friend,
my soul mate. She said when I met you, I'd know. Maybe I didn't realize it right away (I was too
wrapped up in my own pain) but you are that special friend. The person I can't live without. So
that's why I'm giving you this. So that you know that I love you and I always will. No matter how
far apart we are, or how much pain we've put each other through, I love you. That's something
that will never end.
Love,
Scott
Ps: If you're ever hurting, just hold onto your rock...Your own little piece of Horizon. And if it
rains, think of me. I'll be thinking of you. If you need me, I'm only a phone call away. Stay strong,
it'll all work out. I love you, Shel.
Shelby smiled and picked up the package, turning it over in her hands. What could it be? She
wondered silently. Carefully she opened the package, hardly able to breathe.
Shelby reached into the package and took out a bracelet. It was a delicate silver chain that sparkled in
the light. Very carefully Shelby slipped it onto her wrist and smiled. It fit perfectly. Suddenly there was a
knock on Shelby's bedroom door. She looked up to see Jess in the doorway, a look of mild confusion
on her face.
"What are smiling about?" she asked, surprised to see her sister smiling after so many months of
sadness.
"Nothing. I'm just...happy." Shelby replied quietly.
"Ok, well mom said that since it's raining you should close your window. She doesn't want the rain
coming in your window." Jess said, turning and walking away.
Shelby turned towards her window. She hadn't even noticed the rain. She smiled slightly and
walked slowly over to her window. She opened it all the way and lay back down on her bed. Shelby
closed her eyes and lay there, listening to the rain. Slowly she breathed in, filling her lungs with fresh air.
It felt good to breathe again. With her rock in one hand and a little smile on her face, Shelby drifted to
sleep. Thanks to a group of friends named the Cliffhangers, a place called Horizon, and Scott, Shelby
was ready to live again. Someday she would think of a way to thank them.
* * * * *
Ok that's it!!! I'm gonna write a sequel, and for all of you who wanted Shelby to stay at Horizon, don't
worry! Things will change! Anyway, here are a few hints about what's gonna happen in the sequel: (I
don't know what I'm gonna call it yet though.)
-There is a new addition to the Cliffhangers (and trust me, it's not who you expect!)
-People at Agnes start to find out things about Shelby's past...but how?
-MUCH MUCH MORE!!!
Anyway, please review and give me some new ideas for the sequel! I don't really know how to start
it!!!
Bye 4 now! I hope to hear some ideas soon! And PLEASE REVIEW!!! JEN