Disclaimer: I own Higher Ground (as you may have guessed). I own The Offspring's song, The Kids Aren't Alright. I rule the world, you pitiful fools! OK, um, yeah, on with the story.

There was a comfortable silence around the dorm as the boys waited for sleep. Well, silent except for the music that Rowan's headphones emitted. "Hey man, could you have it any louder?" asked Auggie sarcastically. Ezra didn't hear the remark; too busy wondering when Rowan had come in least night. So it came as a bit of a shock (just a little bit though) when The Offspring began blasting from the speakers Rowan had pulled from underneath his bed and jacked into his CD player.

When we were young the future was so bright

The old neighborhood was so alive

And every kid on the whole damn street

Was gonna make it big and not be beat

Peter burst in a moment later. "What the heck!" his voice sounding feeble to the music that blasted, shaking the room. He went over to Rowan and tried to figure out how to turn down the volume, Rowan being of no help- lying under the covers with an angelic look on his face.

Now the neighborhood's cracked and torn

The kids are grown up but their lives are worn

How can one little street

Swallow so many lives

"What's going on?" asked Peter angrily. Ezra couldn't blame him- 11:30 was not exactly happy hour for most people, well, except for bat people, but as Mt. Horizon had none of those Ezra had a feeling a lot of other people weren't feeling in a jovial sort of mood. One of the angry was Scott who and been falling asleep when Rowan's detonation of music caused him to hit his head on the ceiling.

Chances thrown

Nothing's free

Longing for what used to be

Still it's hard

Hard to see

Fragile lives, shattered dreams

"Do you mind?" asked Rowan, sounding as if he was at a quiet tea party, not next to speakers from which music poured at concert-level. "I'm trying to sleep."

"Haven't your ear drums exploded by now?" asked Auggie.

"I'm sorry, I can't quite make out what you're saying. Please write a note and give it to me in the morning."

Jamie had a chance, well she really did

Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids

Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job

He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot

"Oh, funny. You have such a great sense of humor," said Peter, "NOW TURN IT DOWN!"

"Could you repeat that?"

"That's it- to my office. I'm calling Dwayne."

"Oh no. Anything but that," Rowan grasped his chest in fake horror. "He might- gasp- yell at me. Or," he gave a fake sob, "tell me I'm a bad boy. My delicate nature can't stand such negative abuse."

Jay committed suicide

Brandon OD'd and died

What the hell is going on

The cruelest dream, reality

(5 minutes later)

"I can't believe you Rowan!" shouted Dwayne, on speakerphone, "Do you know what time it is!"

"Actually no. What time is it?"

"Midnight!"

"I'm glad you informed me. I was worried for a moment there."

"First refusing to write poetry, acting up, now this?! Take me off speaker, "Rowan cautiously held the phone to his ear, in case Dwayne began screaming again. "Look, Rowan, if you blow this place you might not see Ireland until you're 18."

"But they can't do that. Won't I just be deported back if I act up enough?"

"No. You were a minor when the court gained custody of you and since your mom is an American citizen and you have dual citizenship, you can be kept here until age 18." Dwayne paused, to let this remark sink in. "If Mount Horizon isn't your deal, we can transfer you to the other facility we had in mind. Would you-"

"No. Look I'll be a good boy and eat all my peas from now on. Go back to sleep." Rowan hung up the phone.

Chances thrown

Nothing's free

Longing for what used to be

Still it's hard

Hard to see

Fragile lives, shattered dreams

Peter looked at Rowan, who stared out the window into the inky black matter that the stars pierced with weak shafts of light. "We'll discuss your punishment tomorrow. For now, go back to your dorms. Try to keep the music low, though?"

"Right-o captain. I'll be sure to play nice with the other children too." Rowan got up and walked to the door. Peter stared at the retreating form that seemed at home in the darkness. 3 weeks and he still didn't know what to make of Rowan. He wondered if he'd ever.

A/N- People, I want reviews. Pretty please? A cheery on top? The first 3 reviewers kept a cookie with brownie and a sundae. OK, they won't, you'll get a figurative cookie with a brownie and a sundae. You lucky people (that's the best line in the play Tommy, in case you were wondering)