Disclaimer: I don't own Higher Ground or any of the characters from the show. All of the characters that you never heard of before are mine. I think you all no this stuff.

A/N: Hey! Just for the record it sucks being back in school. With that said thanks for the reviews. Like I promised this chapter is going to have some action. Let's get the story rolling.

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Best Friend

The next morning Kelly went and talked to Peter some more.

"When are they coming back?" Kelly asked nervously.

"In about an hour. You're nervous aren't you?" Peter observed.

"Wouldn't you be? What if they don't believe me?"

"Kelly don't think about that. Are you more nervous about how your brother will react?"

"Yeah. Tom is his best friend. He's probably going to hate me forever."

"This isn't your fault."

"I know," she said giving Peter a weak smile.

"Well you better go and get some breakfast before the kitchen closes."

Kelly walked to the cafeteria where she got her food and sat down with the rest of the Cliffhangers.

"What took you so long to get here?" Scott asked before he shoveled food into his mouth.

"I was talking to Peter," she replied picking up a piece of egg with her fork.

"About what?" Scott asked.

"I might as well tell you and Auggie. I was raped. You know that guy who came with my family? He was the one who raped me," Kelly said quietly while staring down at her plate. Ezra was rubbing her back trying to comfort her.

"So that's why you're here?" Auggie asked.

"No, my family doesn't know. You guys, Peter, and Sophie are the only ones who know. I'm telling them when they get here."

"When do they come back?" Ezra asked.

"In about an hour," she replied.

"Are you scared?" Daisy asked.

"I'm scared and nervous. It's like what if they reject me because of this."

"It wasn't your fault," Daisy replied.

Ezra smiled at Daisy's some what comforting words.

"We got kitchens today," Kat said changing the subject.

The group got up moaning as they went to their cleaning. After they were they finished they went outside and sat at the picnic tables. They were all talking when Peter and Sophie walked up behind them.

"Kelly they should be here any minute," Peter said.

She sat there twirling her hair, which is something she only does when she's scared or nervous.

"Calm down," Ezra laughed.

"I'm been trying to all morning."

Soon they saw the car pull up.

"Well let's get this over with," Kelly said getting up from the table.

"Good luck," they all said in unison.

"Thanks, I'll need it," she replied while looking at Ezra and seeing his reassuring smile.

Peter, Sophie, and Kelly walked over to the car.

"Good morning. There is something very important we need to discuss. Will you follow me into my office. I'm sorry but Tom can't come in." Peter said.

"I'll stay with Tom," John said while he gave Kelly a dirty look.

"That's fine for now but you will need to hear this after your parents," Peter replied.

They walked to the Peter's office leaving Tom and John outside.

"Is this discussion about Kelly's outburst at dinner?" Marie asked.

"Yes. Kelly has something she needs to tell you," Sophie said gently.

"Mom, Dad..." Kelly began with tears rolling from her eyes. "Tom raped me."

"Oh my God," Marie said in complete shock.

"When?" Dave asked, his temper rising.

"When you both were away," she replied. "He's the reason I ran away."

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Marie asked.

"I was scared and ashamed," she replied with tears streaking her cheeks.

"Kelly you should have never felt that way. I'm so sorry this happened to you," Marie said with tears in her eyes. She pulled Kelly into a hug.

"I have already reported this to the CPS. They will be coming here to get information so they can build a case," Peter said.

"To think we actually brought her abuser up here with us," Dave said angrily.

"You didn't know," Sophie said trying to comfort him.

John and Tom walked over to where the Cliffhangers were sitting.

"Hey Ez," John greeted.

"Hey. What's he doing here?" he asked, glaring at Tom.

"What's your problem? You're as bad as my sister."

"Do you ever stop and ask yourself why she hates him?" Shelby asked. John didn't answer. "I didn't think so."

"I didn't come here to be dissed by a bunch of social rejects," Tom said.

"You better step off man," Auggie threatened, standing right in front of Tom.

"What are you gonna do?" Tom said toughly.

Auggie and Tom started fighting. Ezra, Scott, and John broke it up.

"You should have let Auggie beat him up," Shelby said.

"What is wrong with you guys? You don't even know him," John said confused.

"No but we know what he's done," Juliette said.

"What are you talking about?" John asked.

"Tom raped Kelly," Ezra said.

"You're lying!" Tom yelled glaring at Ezra.

"Why would he lie?" John asked Tom.

"I...I don't know but he is," Tom answered.

John could see that Tom was lying.

"How could you do that to my sister? You're supposed to be my best friend!" John yelled.

With that said, John started punching Tom just as Kelly and the others were coming out of the office. They all ran to stop the fight. Dave restrained John while Peter did the same to Tom. After they calmed down the two men let go of their holds. As soon as John saw Kelly he pulled her into a big hug.

"I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I should have been protecting you but instead I caused this. I love you Kel," John choked on the words with tears in his eyes.

"It's ok John. I know you love me. I love you too." Kelly replied through muffled sobs.

"What are we going to do with this?" John asked angrily while looking at Tom.

"We'll get his parents to give him a ride back so he can get a lawyer to represent him," Dave said with rage in his voice.

"Sophie can you take him to the infirmary so he can get taken care of?" Peter asked looking at the black eye Tom was getting and the multiple cuts and bruises he had. "You can wait there until your parents come. I'll go call them."

John looked at the Cliffhangers. "Thanks for telling me."

"No prob. Anything for a friend," Auggie smiled looking at Kelly.

"Thanks guys," Kelly said.

"Tom's parents will be here in two hours," Peter said when he returned.

"We'll stay until they get here," Marie said.

"Kel can we talk in private?" John asked.

"Yeah. Come with me," Kelly said walking away from the group.

"Marie, Dave, let's go back to my office and talk more about this," Peter said walking away leaving the Cliffhangers alone.

"It's good to see how much John cares about Kelly," Juliette said smiling.

"They've always been close," Ezra replied.

"So is this where you sleep?" John asked Kelly.

"Yeah. This is my bed," she replied.

"Kel, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry this happened to you. If I weren't so stupid then this wouldn't have happened." John was crying once again.

"Like I said before, it's not your fault."

"Do you like it here? Do you want to come home? I mean we know what's wrong and we can deal with it at home."

"I like it here but nothing can compare with home. I don't think you guys can give me that kind of help. There is a chance that when I go back home I'll just run away again and Peter can teach me to control that urge."

"I missed you. You're like one of my best friends."

"I missed you too. I miss Mom, Dad, Nick, Tyler, and the rest of my friends."

"Tyler and Nicki have been asking a lot about you. I think Tyler has the hots for you."

"I know but..."

"You like someone else. Ezra right?"

"Yeah. I still have a crush on him."

"You should make a move."

"He's got a girlfriend remember?"

"Oh yeah."

"Do you think you could give Nicki and Tyler something for me?"

"Of course."

Kelly started writing them both letters while talking to John.

"Do you think we'll be able to take Kelly home soon?" Marie asked hopefully.

"Well we have to discuss what has happened to her and how her feelings about it are like before she can go home. If she goes home now she may run away again. Her room may bring back the painful memories," Peter replied.

"Can we see her again soon?" Dave asked.

"Well she's coming to her two-month review next month. During that time each student goes home. After seeing how that goes, Kelly may be ready to go home for good," Peter stated.

Back at the girls' dorm, Kelly handed John two letters.

"So what did you write in these? John asked.

"Thank you for letting me hide out at their houses and I told them what happened," Kelly replied.

"So that's where you went?"

"Yeah," Kelly said handing him a third letter.

"Whose is this?"

"Yours. Don't open it now."

"Ok I won't."

"Do you want to go by the others?"

"Sure. You know those people are true friends. They stuck up for you. Its not often you find people like that."

"I know. They're great."

Kelly and John walked outside noticing that the Cliffhangers were still at the picnic tables. Just as they reached them a car pulled up. Tom's parents got out.

"I'll go get Peter," Kat said getting up.

Tom's parents spotted Kelly and John right away. It looked like Tom's mother had been crying. Soon Peter and the Benedicts came out. Sophie was behind them with Tom. Tom's mother hugged him and began to cry. Soon they pulled away in their car, not wanting to stay there any longer.

"Well we better be going too. I wish we could have stayed longer. Kelly you know we love you," Dave said.

"I know I love you too," she replied giving her parents a hug.

"We'll see you in a month," Marie said.

"Come here," John said pulling Kelly into a hug. "I'll see you in a month I guess. I don't know what they're talking about. I'll write to you. I promise."

"Ok."

"You guys take care of her for me," John said looking towards the Cliffhangers.

"We will," Ezra replied.

They got into the car and drove off. While in the car John opened his letter. It read:

John,

At first I blamed you for what happened to me. I felt that if you weren't friends with Tom and if you never had that party then I wouldn't have been raped. I know it's not your fault. I know you love me and you would never hurt me. I was the way that you best the crap out of Tom. I can't wait to come home. I think my room will freak me out though. So many painful memories are in there. These people will help me deal with it. Have Tyler and Nick call and/or write me. You'll always be one of my best friends. If you ever need to talk to someone you know I'll be there for you. I love you.

Kelly

John smiled while putting the letter back in the envelope.

"Ok Kelly let's go talk in my office," Peter said.

"I've been talking all day," Kelly complained.

"I know but come on."

When they reached Peter's office they took their seats and started talking.

"How do you feel now?" Peter asked.

"Relieved. It's good to have gotten it out into the open," she replied.

"That's good. A person from CPS will be coming here in two days."

"Ok. I'm going to be able to see my family in a month?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah after two months every student here goes home for a week."

"That's great but what about my running away problem?"

"We're going to work on that and prepare you for your visit home. If everything goes well then you might be able to go home for good."

"Ok. Is that all you want to talk to me about?

"I think so."

"Thanks."

Kelly walked into the cafeteria five minutes early for dinner. The only Cliffhanger there was Ezra. Kelly got her food and joined him.

"How come you're here so early?" Kelly asked.

"I'm hungry. What about you?" Ezra replied.

"I had a big day and it made me work up an appetite."

"So how are you feeling?"

"Like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders but on one thing can make it come crashing down."

"Well that's why we're all here. We'll help you keep the wait off."

Kelly started laughing. "You sounded like Peter then." Ezra started laughing too.

"Guess what?" Kelly asked excitedly.

"You know I hate these games," Ezra replied dryly.

"Party-pooper."

"Will you go on with it already?"

"I get to go home next month for a week's visit. If everything goes fine then I might be able to go home for good."

"That's great."

"Yup. I'll get to see the gang again. I miss them."

"I miss them too."

"What if they don't want to be friends with me anymore because of this?"

"Just don't think about it. You guys were there for me and they'll be there for you too."

"Well how could I ever turn my back on my best friend especially when he needed help?"

Suddenly the others interrupted them.

"So how's the slop today?" Juliette asked.

"Just as bad as every other day," Ezra replied.

"How are you feeling Kel?" Daisy asked.

"Relieved," she replied.

"That's cool how your bro stood up for you like that," Auggie said.

"Thanks for standing up for me you guys," Kelly said.

"Don't mention it," Scott said.

"Yeah anything for a friend," Kat said.

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A/N: I told you there would be action in this chapter. Wait until you read the next chapter. We now know that Kelly has more than just friendly feelings for Ezra. Will she act on those feelings? Wow this was a long chapter. I have to correct something from last chapter. I would edit it but I kind of don't have it on disk anymore. I don't know what happened to it. Ok so this sentence "Yeah but at least she told someone about us." should be "Yeah but at least she told someone." Thanks again for the reviews.