Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Higher Ground. I do however own Chase.
AN: Sorry it took me so long guys!!! Please forgive me! And please, please, please review!!! Thanks J
Second Chances Chapter 9The sun wasn't even above the horizon when Shelby stepped out of her tent, ready to face a new day. Chase's speech the night before had brought back so many horrible and painful memories, and his words had haunted the blonde's sleep. It was barely even morning yet Shelby was too scared to close her eyes again. Petrified of the images that might permeate her mind. Shelby closed her eyes, trying to erase her memories. Her heart, having been bruised and scarred so many times, couldn't take much more pain. She had been betrayed so many times. So often, people had turned their backs, denying Shelby of even a fragment of self worth, every time leaving her with less to survive on. Pretty soon, Shelby thought bitterly, there won't be anything left in me. I'll be nothing more than a wasted carcass. A pathetic excuse for a human.
Suddenly Shelby felt a comforting pair of arms wrapping around her, and Scott's familiar scent filled her nostrils. Despite the unpleasant thoughts that scraped through her mind, the seventeen year old (remember guys, this is the second season) couldn't hide the small smile that played at the corner of her mouth.
"What are you doing up so early?" Scott asked, burying his face in Shelby's hair. It felt like it had been so long since he had held her close to him. Shelby shrugged slightly.
"You're only gonna live for so long, there's no point in wasting time on sleep." Shelby lied through her teeth. Scott tilted his head to the side as if to say 'I know you're lying but I'm smart enough not to pry'. Shelby looked away. She hated lying to Scott, especially when she knew he knew she was lying. She sighed and turned to face him. "Bad dreams." She admitted honestly.
Scott pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. How does he know exactly what I need? Shelby wondered, mystified. Taking her by the hand, Scott led her to the logs that were strategically placed around the now-burned-out fire. Shelby sat down next to her boyfriend, knowing exactly what he wanted. To talk. Shelby exhaled slowly and stared at the white ashes that lay where a fire had once been. Ashes that had burned while a group of torn teenagers whispered their regrets, hoping to be forgiven. Hoping also, for reasons unknown, to be accepted in a world that was so cold. A world that had cast them aside so many times, afraid to admit to even the possibility that problems like theirs existed. A world that, from their standpoint, would never come to understand. Shelby looked at Scott in silence, hoping that he wouldn't try to pry open her shell. Yet deep down inside, Shelby knew it would be for the best. She knew it was what she really needed.
"Isn't it enough that I lived through it?" Shelby asked suddenly. "I mean, why do I have to relive it over and over again?"
"I guess it's so that you are forced to deal with it." Scott replied, remembering his own nightmares.
"How do you deal with almost being raped?" Shelby wondered, confused. Scott shrugged.
"I can't answer that." Scott replied truthfully. "I don't know." He clarified. Shelby sighed and leaned against him, knowing that feeling him near her would help. Scott took her hand in hers. "How are you coming on your task?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I've been done for a while." She replied, remembering her conversation with Ezra. "How about you?"
"I'm still struggling." Scott replied.
"Anything I can do to help?" Shelby asked sincerely.
"Nope, I've just gotta keep looking." Scott replied vaguely.
"Ok, well if you change your mind…" Shelby offered.
"I'll be sure to ask you." Scott answered. Shelby smiled.
"You look good at five in the morning." She watched as Scott's features melted into a warm smile.
"So do you." He complemented on her beauty, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Shelby relaxed, leaning against him, and minutes later she had drifted into a light sleep.
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"Guys I have some good news!" Peter announced excitedly after a interesting breakfast of pancakes. The group groaned in unison, afraid to find out what their counselor had in mind. "Sophie and I have decided that, from what we've seen, you guys are well on your way to completing your tasks, so once we have completely cleaned up the site, we will be hiking back to Horizon. Those who yet to complete their tasks have until we get back to Horizon to do so." Peter finished. The group cheered, excited to get back to showers and buildings.
Forty-five minutes later, the Cliffhangers were back on the trail, making their way back to Horizon. Shelby and Scott walked hand in hand, enjoying each other's company as they walked in silence. Both of them were listening to the conversation going on between the three teenagers in front of them. Daisy, Auggie and Ezra were walking in a horizontal line, with Auggie in the middle.
"Ezra, do you really mean what you said last night?" Daisy asked, changing the subject from regular conversation material to a more serious topic.
"What I said about what?" Ezra asked, confused at to what exactly she was talking about. Daisy hesitated for only a second before continuing. She had to do this.
"About…trying to impress someone." Daisy hinted. Realizing what Daisy was getting at, Auggie spoke up.
"I'm gonna go see how Jules is doing. She looks kinda bored walking with Sophie and Peter." Auggie made a quick exit, leaving the two 'friends' alone.
"Uh…that depends. Were you serious about what you said?" Ezra said quietly, unsure of which way to go. What is Daisy trying to say? Ezra wondered to himself.
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Can I get 5 reviews? PLEASE????
Coming soon:
-Daisy's response to Ezra question
-The Cliffhangers have group and reveal their tasks to each other (and explain how they accomplished them…)