Disclaimer: I don't own Higher Ground Characters.

Claimer: I own Chelsea, Lindsay, Abby, Chris and Jason.

Previous Chapter: Shelby invites the Cliffhangers down for Halloween. They agree.

Chapter 10

*Merrick House*

Shelby and Mike are eating breakfast, Mike is already dressed in some causal clothes eating in the kitchen while Shelby still in her pjs is in the living room watching tv and eating with a sleeping Abby next to her.

Mike:(walking into the living room) Shel, School (tapping his watch) come on.

Shelby: (pleading) why can't I go, they are my friends, well most of them.

Mike: beacuse you have school, I'm already letting you off Mon. and Tues. so go. (pushing her towards her room to get dressed)

Shelby: but.....(before she could finish he had already pushed her in her room and shut the door then went back into the living room waiting for her finish)

Mike: (looking down at his watch again) come on shelby Let's go (a few minutes later she came out dressed and with out saying a word to him grabs his keys and leave in her VW Bug, my dream car!)

*Airport (about 4)*

Mike is standing in a waiting area looking out the window, and holding Abby. then a plane pulls up to the gate and he waits fo his vistors. like 20 people past through the gate and finally he spotted Peter with a group of teenagers.

Peter: (waling up to Mike) Hello, Mr. Merrick (looks around) where's Shelby?

Mike: She's in school and please call me Mike (Peter nods and introduces the cliffhangers)

Peter: (pointing to each of them) that's Scott...Daisy...Ezra...Chelsea...Juliet...Auggie...Daivid...and their counsler Sophie (smiling)

Mike: Hello everyone this is Abby (nodding to the frightened Chimp in his arms)

Jules: She's so cute, can I touch her? (he nods and Jules tries to pet her but Abby jumps up onto his soulder to hide)

Daisy: She doesn't trust you.

Mike: no she's just scaried, when she gets used to you, she'll come around. Let's your luggage (they head to luggage pick up place adn once everyone gets their stuff they pile into the airport van Mike rented for the evening)

*Merrick House*

Mike Pulls up the long drive to teh door and gets out. The others just sat back in aw at how good the house looked. Eventually getting out

Mike: Shelby's not back yet but should be here any minute now (as if on cue she pulls up the driveway)

Shelby: (noticing everyone as she gets out) hey everyone how's it going?

Jules: (puts down her bags and runs over to her nearly knocking her over) I missed you (and hugs her)

Shelby: I can tell, now do you mind breathing is essential you know.

Jules: (embarassed) sorry. (by now the rest of the cliffhangers including Peter and Sophie were there but Chelsea stayed by the van keeping a close eye on Scott)

Shelby: Do I get a hug from ya'll or not? (one at a time they all hug her) Hey Dais miss me?

Daisy: you bet (they hug)

Shelby: Scott are you gonna gimme a hug or do I have ta beat it out of ya. (joking)

Scott: you always were a smart ass (hugs her close, to close for Chelsea's liking) missed ya.

Shelby: (not answering Scott) Come on I'll show you the house, so grab your stuff.

*Inside*
She had already shown htem the den livingroom kitchen, diningroom, pool her dad's room and a bathroom.

Shelby: (opening a door) this lovely and yet somehow messy space is my room, Jules, Dais, and Chelsea will sleep in here with why don't you put your stuff down, just throw it in there it can't get anymore messy. (they drop their stuff in the room and shut the door back and walk across the hall) Teh guys stay in that room and Peter and Sophies room is that one, you guys get to share bathroom in the middle it connects to both room so make sure you lock both doors ,please!!!! (joking and backing everyone let out a small laugh while they put their stuff doen and head back out into the living room.)

Peter: Now what are we going to do. (the phone starts ringing)

Shelby: Costumes!

Jules: Shopping?!?!(Shelby gives he a "duh" look)

Mike: come out of the kitchen with the phone) Shel phone call (she takes th ephone and walks into the den with Abby trailing shortly behind) Anyone thirsty? (everyone shakes their head)

Peter: I think we've fine, but thanks anyways.

Mike: (there was an uncomfortable silence) so anyone know what they want to be for Halloween.

Jules: I have no idea.

David: I think Ezra wants to be a Power Ranger, the pink one right (looking at Ezra)

Ezra: sorry I wouldn't want ot take your costume Davy. (knowing he had beaten him smiles as the rest of the group laughs at the comment. Shelby done on the phone walks in)

Shelby: (confused) what'd I miss?

Daisy: the usual rag on David.

Shelby: oh that's easy, anyways Lindsay, Jason, andChris should be here soon to, Chris and Jason can take 4 and I can take 3, so how are we gonna do this?

Peter: Simple, girls with you and guys with Jason and Chris.

Shelby: sounds good (plopping down on the sofa next Scott) sorry Peter and Sophie but you stay here with my dad. No offense or anything but no adults aloud, besides you wouldn't want ot come anyways, Peter, right dad?

Mike: (knowing what she was talking about, a few months ago when he took her to get some more clothes and ended up buying underwear, bathing suits, girl stuff.) no you don't wan to go believe me, that girl is crazy.

Shelby: thank you (smiling. 2 cars appeared in the driveway and 3 people got out and came inside) hey you guys, took you long enough, oh you remember my group. (most of them nod) well why you guys introduce yourselves again. After they finishing greeting each other the get in the cars just as preposed and left.)

They were at the mall fo rhours and finally came home around 9 with hands full of bags. Lindsay, Jason and Chris left knowing it was way to over crowded.

Shelby: Bye gusy see~ya tomorrow (waving as the trio leaves then follows everyone inside)

Mike: let's see those costues!

Shelby: (acting like a little kid) no not til tomorrow night, Loser (joking with the loser part)

Mike: (acting tough) you did not just call me a loser? (as she nods he picks her up and walks over to the pool and throws her in.)

Shelby: (coming up, everyone is laughing and when Mike leans down to help her out she pulls him in too, with that everyone else jumps in except Peter and Sophie.)

Mike finally getting out and grabbing a towel and then sitting with the other adults watching the kids

Peter: Shelby looks so happy.

Mike: she is and so am I, yeah we have our usual fights which usually end in a big hug and ice cream but everythings great. (watching Abby stick her hand in the water and pull it back really fast and run inside.)

Sophie: how's he doing in School?

Mike: A's and B'a except for that C in chemistry but I can't blame her for that. (they continue talking about her til the Cliffhangers finally get out and go change for bed)

Hey guys hope you liked it. I need some help on what each person is going to be on Halloween, so please help me, please!!!
-Kelly