Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Higher Ground characters Christopher Sia Normal Christopher Sia 3 285 2001-11-04T01:10:00Z 2001-11-04T01:11:00Z 2 1053 4530 94 44 7374 9.3821

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Higher Ground characters.  I do own all the names you don't recognize from the show.

Summer of Changes

Chapter 5 – Reconciliation

Talia sat on a large rock just on the outskirts of the forest.  She sighed, brushing her long brown strands of hair off of her face.  She didn't want to concentrate on Peter's art project.  What relevance did his little activities have for her anyway?  She'd already been in the real world, and she knew what it held and how she held out in it.  But if she didn't – Talia thought of the judge's words "This is your last chance, Talia.  Take it."  Her parents hadn't even bothered to be present at that trial; they were too embarrassed.  Talia gave a bitter smirk to herself.  And now there was Scott . . .

Suddenly two hands covered her eyes.  There was an evil laugh behind her.

"Guess who it is, oh lovely one," cackled a voice behind her.

With only a few days of Horizon behind her, Talia knew who it was right away. 

"David, get your filthy hands off of me," she snapped, shoving herself upright and turning to face him.

"You know my name!  I'm impressed."

"I've got to say I'm pretty impressed with myself too," said Talia.  "I don't normally take the time to notice scum like you."

"Likewise, I'm sure," said David.  Talia stared at him for a moment, then abruptly turned on her heels to walk away. 

"Wait!" David called, running to catch up with her.  He walked beside her, matching her quick pace. 

"What is your problem?  Didn't you hear what Roger said – we're not supposed to talk to anyone until 9 pm tonight!" said Talia.

"And since when has anyone at Horizon followed the rules?"

Talia laughed without humour.  "Good point."

David looked at her.  "Looks like you're in need of some cheering up," he said.  "I think I know just the place to go."  He took Talia's arm and, despite her protests, began pulling her in the opposite direction.

- - - - -

"Yay!  We made it guys!  I told you we could do it!"  said Juliette as she, Auggie and Daisy stepped out of the truck.

"Thanks, man," said Auggie to the driver of the truck.  The driver gave a nod and drove off. 

"So now what?" asked Daisy. 

"We've got to find Central Square – that's where the Independence Day celebration is supposed to take place," said Juliette happily.  

"I guess all we gotta do is follow the people, Jules.  For a small town, this place sure is lively," said Auggie.

"That's a good thing, with this crowd we'll be anonymous," said Daisy. 

They stared at the people all heading towards the centre of the town, then they joined the crowd.  Behind them, another car stopped and left off a hitchhiker. 

"Thanks, a lot," the hitchhiker said to the driver.  Then he scanned the crowd for the threesome.

- - - - -

Scott stared at the fireplace in the lodge.  To all outwards appearances, he was sulking.  But inside, he wanted to roll up in a ball and disappear.  The Talia he had grown up with, helped with math since grade three, been there for her when she needed to get away from her parents, that was the same Talia he'd just read about in her files?  A runaway from abusive foster parents?  A prostitute on the street?  Scott felt a tug in his heart.  He should have been there for her, she didn't belong in that world.  He needed to talk to her.  Scott rose to his feet, and headed to the door only to find his way blocked by Roger's burly form. 

"Going somewhere, Scott?" asked Roger.  Scott looked at Roger and saw the determination on his face.  Scott wasn't up to challenging him.  Not just yet.  Without answering, he went back to his former place and continued staring in the fireplace.

- - - - -

 After nearly an hour of walking uphill, David led Talia to a clearing.  At first, all she could do was gasp.  They were on the top of a cliff where the countryside was visible on all sides.  A forest of greens topped by the blue of the mountains, a town visible here and there.

"It's beautiful, David," she said finally.  For the first time in a long time she smiled and squeezed his hand, "I love it."  David seemed to have lost his cockiness.  He smiled back shyly. 

"Yeah, me too," he said.  "Whenever I can get away, I come here.  The Cliffhangers found it on one of our hikes.  As far as I know, we're the only ones who come here.  Me especially."

They lay down on their stomachs, staring down over the edge.

"So, Talia," said David after a while.  "What's going on between you and Scott?"

Talia didn't reply.  "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.  I just thought you might want to get it off your chest."  There was another silence.

"I've known Scott for pretty much forever," said Talia finally.  "We were neighbours and we grew up together.  We used to be close," said Talia.

"So just friends, huh?" asked David.

"No, not just friends.  We were closer –," Talia stopped, then continued quietly.  "He was like a brother, I relied on him for support.  Until . . . " her voice trailed off.  Then suddenly, another voice cut in.

"Until he needed you, Talia, right?" asked Shelby as she stepped out from behind the trees.  "Then you just left him hanging."  David glared at her, Talia looked away.

"Maybe you're right, Shelby," Talia finally said.  "But that's no less than what he did to me.

Then unexpectedly, Shelby walked over and sat down next to her.  Shelby pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them, staring down over the cliff.

"That's how everything goes, isn't it, Talia?  Good relationships never last."  Talia sat up, and mimicked Shelby's position.

"If you're talking about Scott, Shelby, it's not too late.  He's still in love with you, I can tell," Talia said softly.

"Yeah?" said Shelby with bitterness in her voice.  "But I know Scott also, Talia, and I know he's in love with you too."

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