Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Higher Ground characters. I do own Kara,
Chase, and anyone else from Agnes High, or that you don't recognize.
AN: This is the sequel to my other fanfic Maybe Someday so if you haven't read it you
might want to before reading this. Please tell me what you think of this, cause I really
don't know whether or not to continue… Also, please review (if you have the time) cause
I love to hear what you guys think, and all your suggestions. You can also email me at
jd108@hotmail.com.
Second Chances
Chapter 1
Shelby stared blankly out the window, counting the minutes until Outdoor Ed
would be over. She let her mind wander as she gazed at the mountains that stretched
along the horizon, watching as the bright afternoon sun reflected off the snow-covered
mountaintops. Shelby was off in her own little world, only half listening to what her
classmates were saying.
"We blow Mr. Campbell." One of her fellow students complained to their teacher.
Memories of Horizon flooded Shelby's mind as she remembered the time those actors had
beat the Cliffhangers in a football game. She smiled slightly remembering the movie
Daisy and Ezra had made.
"Just be happy we're not stuck at a school full of screw-ups where they do that kind of
stuff all the time." Paige replied, smirking slightly. Shelby jaw tensed as she tried to hold
back the anger that boiled up inside her.
"At least they were good at it." Kara defended her friend.
"You're only saying that because you ad a thing for that Scott guy." Paige glared at Kara.
"As if you don't!" Kara shot back. Shelby glanced at her friend, surprised she hadn't
denied having feelings for Scott.
"Alright class! That's enough!" Mr. Campbell interrupted before anyone could say
anything else. "Since you all seem to agree that we have room for improvement, can
anyone suggest any ways of improving?" the teacher asked.
The students all looked around the classroom, as if daring each other to comment.
Slowly Shelby raised her hand.
"We're never going to get any better unless we work as a team and learn to trust each
other." Shelby smiled inwardly as she thought about how proud Peter would have been to
hear her say that.
"Like I'm gonna trust you! You're just a screw-up like the rest of your little delinquent
friends!" Paige said angrily. The room went completely silent as everyone waited to see
if Shelby would respond. Shelby tucked her hair behind her ear nervously, hoping
someone would defend her. No one did, and she felt the awkward silence in the room
growing. The blonde swallowed, hoping and waiting, but no one came to her rescue.
Finally Mr. Campbell spoke up. "Class this is ridiculous!" he scolded his students,
but from the tone in her teacher's voice, Shelby could tell Mr. Campbell agreed with
Paige. She looked out the window, ignoring the eyes she could feel drilling into her.
"Class, I want you each to write a page long report on ways we can improve. You will
submit it on Tuesday, at our next class." Mr Campbell looked at each of his students.
"You are dismissed, and I will see you next week."
Shelby grabbed her books and made her way out of the classroom. There was
nothing she wanted more than to get out of that school. She snatched her bag and coat
from her locker and ran down the front steps of the school. She didn't know how much
more she could take.
"Shelby wait up!" Kara called to the blonde once she was a few feet off campus. Shelby
sighed and stopped abruptly. She had hoped to escape without having to confront her so-
called friend. "I thought I was coming over tonight." Kara said, practically out of breath
once she reached Shelby. Shelby's mind raced as she tried desperately to think of an
excuse.
"Uh, I have to, um…" Shelby's voice trailed off as she gave up. "Look Kara, maybe this
isn't such a good idea." She finished honestly.
"What? Why not?"
"Well…I'm just getting that you're wearing a mask." Shelby remembered all the times
Daisy had accused her of the same thing.
"What are you talking about Shel?" Kara asked, confused.
"I have to go." Shelby turned and walked away. She didn't have the energy or the skill to
decide whether or not Kara was trustworthy. At that moment the only people Shelby
could trust were the ones sitting in a gazebo a few miles away, at a sanctuary known to
many as Horizon. To Shelby it was home…
* * * * *
Juliette squeezed her hands together, trying to keep them warm. They were
starting to tingle, and the teenager knew this couldn't be a good sign.
"Guys, when is Peter gonna get here?" she asked though gritted teeth. "I'm freezing." She
complained, snuggling closer to Auggie as they tried to keep warm. The sun was going
down and it was getting colder.
"Join the club." Daisy managed to say as she watched her breath form a white cloud in
front of her.
"I wonder what the important news is." Ezra spoke up in his gentle voice. Scott shrugged
slightly.
"I don't see what could be so important that he had to make us come out here to tell us."
He mumbled.
"Maybe there's a newbie!" Juliette exclaimed excitedly.
"What's exciting about that?" Scott asked.
"We get to dig out their dark and haunting past." Daisy replied dryly.
"Ok guys listen up!" Peter had somehow managed to sneak up behind them without the
Cliffhangers noticing. They all jumped, startled, and Juliette let out a squeal. Scott
covered his ears irritably.
"Gee Peter, are you trying to give us heart attacks?" Daisy asked. Peter just smirked.
"I have some news for you and I wanted to give you a few days to get used to it." Peter
announced calmly. The Cliffhangers looked at him expectantly. "We're getting a new
Cliffhanger on Monday." He paused to let the information sink in.
"I knew it!" Juliette squealed. Scott shot her a look.
"So who's the newbie?" Auggie asked.
"Anyone we know?" Scott asked hopefully. Peter glanced at him, knowing exactly what
Scott was thinking.
"Sorry guys, no Shelby." He apologized. Scott ran a hand through his hair and gazed off
towards the sinking sun, as the rest of the Cliffhangers' faces fell. Their hope
disappeared.
"Why does the newbie have to join our group? Why can't they join the Ridge Runners or
something?" Ezra asked. He was sick of awkward introductions and angry, hopeless new
kids.
"Yeah, Peter. Can't you just say 'sorry we have no more room' and send them away?"
Daisy asked.
"Come on guys, you haven't even met them yet. Give it a chance." Peter pleaded.
"It? Peter, that's not a nice thing to call a possible student of yours." Ezra replied, a slight
joking tone in his voice.
"Come on, just try it out." Sophie walked up to the group.
"When would this newbie be coming?" Scott asked. He didn't want any more changes in
his life.
"Are they are a girl or a guy?" Juliette asked.
"What's their name?" Auggie questioned. Peter held up his hand, signaling that the
questions should stop.
"HE is coming on Monday." Peter replied, ignoring Auggie's question.
"What about the name?" the Mexican teenager pressured.
"I'm not telling you guys his name so that you don't judge him before meeting him."
Peter replied.
"What? Is his name Grover or something?" Daisy asked dryly.
"I didn't picture you as the type to watch Sesame Street." Ezra observed with a little
laugh. Daisy shot him a little look and he was immediately quiet.
"No, his name is not Grover." Peter smirked slightly. "I'm not telling you his name
because you might recognize it, and I don't want anyone to have already decided whether
or not they like this new Cliffhanger before you've even gotten to know him." Peter
replied. "I've gotta go do some paperwork in my office, but if you guys need anything,
you know where to find me." Peter turned and walked away.
"Lights out in forty five minutes guys. No later." Sophie said, following Peter towards
his office.
She caught up to him and he took her hand as they walked across the campus.
"Why didn't you tell them who t was?" she asked quietly.
"Soph you saw their reactions when I told them it wasn't Shelby. We're lucky they
eventually accepted this." He paused as they reached the admin building. "They've had
enough turmoil in their lives recently." Peter explained
"You're right. They deserve some time to relax." Sophie nodded in agreement. Peter
sighed, squeezing Sophie's hand.
"When I tell them who the new Cliffhanger is, it's gonna rip them all to pieces…."
- - - - - -
Please tell me what you think!!! I don't know whether or not to continue! Who is the
newbie? Please review if you have the time!!! Thanks!
Chase, and anyone else from Agnes High, or that you don't recognize.
AN: This is the sequel to my other fanfic Maybe Someday so if you haven't read it you
might want to before reading this. Please tell me what you think of this, cause I really
don't know whether or not to continue… Also, please review (if you have the time) cause
I love to hear what you guys think, and all your suggestions. You can also email me at
jd108@hotmail.com.
Second Chances
Chapter 1
Shelby stared blankly out the window, counting the minutes until Outdoor Ed
would be over. She let her mind wander as she gazed at the mountains that stretched
along the horizon, watching as the bright afternoon sun reflected off the snow-covered
mountaintops. Shelby was off in her own little world, only half listening to what her
classmates were saying.
"We blow Mr. Campbell." One of her fellow students complained to their teacher.
Memories of Horizon flooded Shelby's mind as she remembered the time those actors had
beat the Cliffhangers in a football game. She smiled slightly remembering the movie
Daisy and Ezra had made.
"Just be happy we're not stuck at a school full of screw-ups where they do that kind of
stuff all the time." Paige replied, smirking slightly. Shelby jaw tensed as she tried to hold
back the anger that boiled up inside her.
"At least they were good at it." Kara defended her friend.
"You're only saying that because you ad a thing for that Scott guy." Paige glared at Kara.
"As if you don't!" Kara shot back. Shelby glanced at her friend, surprised she hadn't
denied having feelings for Scott.
"Alright class! That's enough!" Mr. Campbell interrupted before anyone could say
anything else. "Since you all seem to agree that we have room for improvement, can
anyone suggest any ways of improving?" the teacher asked.
The students all looked around the classroom, as if daring each other to comment.
Slowly Shelby raised her hand.
"We're never going to get any better unless we work as a team and learn to trust each
other." Shelby smiled inwardly as she thought about how proud Peter would have been to
hear her say that.
"Like I'm gonna trust you! You're just a screw-up like the rest of your little delinquent
friends!" Paige said angrily. The room went completely silent as everyone waited to see
if Shelby would respond. Shelby tucked her hair behind her ear nervously, hoping
someone would defend her. No one did, and she felt the awkward silence in the room
growing. The blonde swallowed, hoping and waiting, but no one came to her rescue.
Finally Mr. Campbell spoke up. "Class this is ridiculous!" he scolded his students,
but from the tone in her teacher's voice, Shelby could tell Mr. Campbell agreed with
Paige. She looked out the window, ignoring the eyes she could feel drilling into her.
"Class, I want you each to write a page long report on ways we can improve. You will
submit it on Tuesday, at our next class." Mr Campbell looked at each of his students.
"You are dismissed, and I will see you next week."
Shelby grabbed her books and made her way out of the classroom. There was
nothing she wanted more than to get out of that school. She snatched her bag and coat
from her locker and ran down the front steps of the school. She didn't know how much
more she could take.
"Shelby wait up!" Kara called to the blonde once she was a few feet off campus. Shelby
sighed and stopped abruptly. She had hoped to escape without having to confront her so-
called friend. "I thought I was coming over tonight." Kara said, practically out of breath
once she reached Shelby. Shelby's mind raced as she tried desperately to think of an
excuse.
"Uh, I have to, um…" Shelby's voice trailed off as she gave up. "Look Kara, maybe this
isn't such a good idea." She finished honestly.
"What? Why not?"
"Well…I'm just getting that you're wearing a mask." Shelby remembered all the times
Daisy had accused her of the same thing.
"What are you talking about Shel?" Kara asked, confused.
"I have to go." Shelby turned and walked away. She didn't have the energy or the skill to
decide whether or not Kara was trustworthy. At that moment the only people Shelby
could trust were the ones sitting in a gazebo a few miles away, at a sanctuary known to
many as Horizon. To Shelby it was home…
* * * * *
Juliette squeezed her hands together, trying to keep them warm. They were
starting to tingle, and the teenager knew this couldn't be a good sign.
"Guys, when is Peter gonna get here?" she asked though gritted teeth. "I'm freezing." She
complained, snuggling closer to Auggie as they tried to keep warm. The sun was going
down and it was getting colder.
"Join the club." Daisy managed to say as she watched her breath form a white cloud in
front of her.
"I wonder what the important news is." Ezra spoke up in his gentle voice. Scott shrugged
slightly.
"I don't see what could be so important that he had to make us come out here to tell us."
He mumbled.
"Maybe there's a newbie!" Juliette exclaimed excitedly.
"What's exciting about that?" Scott asked.
"We get to dig out their dark and haunting past." Daisy replied dryly.
"Ok guys listen up!" Peter had somehow managed to sneak up behind them without the
Cliffhangers noticing. They all jumped, startled, and Juliette let out a squeal. Scott
covered his ears irritably.
"Gee Peter, are you trying to give us heart attacks?" Daisy asked. Peter just smirked.
"I have some news for you and I wanted to give you a few days to get used to it." Peter
announced calmly. The Cliffhangers looked at him expectantly. "We're getting a new
Cliffhanger on Monday." He paused to let the information sink in.
"I knew it!" Juliette squealed. Scott shot her a look.
"So who's the newbie?" Auggie asked.
"Anyone we know?" Scott asked hopefully. Peter glanced at him, knowing exactly what
Scott was thinking.
"Sorry guys, no Shelby." He apologized. Scott ran a hand through his hair and gazed off
towards the sinking sun, as the rest of the Cliffhangers' faces fell. Their hope
disappeared.
"Why does the newbie have to join our group? Why can't they join the Ridge Runners or
something?" Ezra asked. He was sick of awkward introductions and angry, hopeless new
kids.
"Yeah, Peter. Can't you just say 'sorry we have no more room' and send them away?"
Daisy asked.
"Come on guys, you haven't even met them yet. Give it a chance." Peter pleaded.
"It? Peter, that's not a nice thing to call a possible student of yours." Ezra replied, a slight
joking tone in his voice.
"Come on, just try it out." Sophie walked up to the group.
"When would this newbie be coming?" Scott asked. He didn't want any more changes in
his life.
"Are they are a girl or a guy?" Juliette asked.
"What's their name?" Auggie questioned. Peter held up his hand, signaling that the
questions should stop.
"HE is coming on Monday." Peter replied, ignoring Auggie's question.
"What about the name?" the Mexican teenager pressured.
"I'm not telling you guys his name so that you don't judge him before meeting him."
Peter replied.
"What? Is his name Grover or something?" Daisy asked dryly.
"I didn't picture you as the type to watch Sesame Street." Ezra observed with a little
laugh. Daisy shot him a little look and he was immediately quiet.
"No, his name is not Grover." Peter smirked slightly. "I'm not telling you his name
because you might recognize it, and I don't want anyone to have already decided whether
or not they like this new Cliffhanger before you've even gotten to know him." Peter
replied. "I've gotta go do some paperwork in my office, but if you guys need anything,
you know where to find me." Peter turned and walked away.
"Lights out in forty five minutes guys. No later." Sophie said, following Peter towards
his office.
She caught up to him and he took her hand as they walked across the campus.
"Why didn't you tell them who t was?" she asked quietly.
"Soph you saw their reactions when I told them it wasn't Shelby. We're lucky they
eventually accepted this." He paused as they reached the admin building. "They've had
enough turmoil in their lives recently." Peter explained
"You're right. They deserve some time to relax." Sophie nodded in agreement. Peter
sighed, squeezing Sophie's hand.
"When I tell them who the new Cliffhanger is, it's gonna rip them all to pieces…."
- - - - - -
Please tell me what you think!!! I don't know whether or not to continue! Who is the
newbie? Please review if you have the time!!! Thanks!