Part Two: The Moon Sees the One I Want to See
"Nidia this is for the best." Mrs. Manuela tried to tell her. "Yeah, it's best for Pamela." Nidia shot back, referring to her real mom who was the whole reason why she was going to Horizon, or so she thought. "You know we wouldn't send you here if we didn't love you." Her father declares as he reaches through the front seats, trying to get a hold of Nidia's shoulder. She pulls away. "You shouldn't have let Pamela get custody of me. You knew- you guys knew what she was like . her past and everything." Nidia yelled accusingly as her voice started to quiver. Not again, she thought. "What kind of place is "Horizon" anyway? I mean look at it." Nidia complained as their 2001 Honda Civic pulled into the parking lot near the front of the school. Her parents continued to ignore her as they got out the car and started to walk away. "Aren't you coming?" Angela Manuela asks as Nidia reluctantly slides out of the car and catches up with her mom. "See that wasn't so hard." Angela continued with a warm smile as she followed her daughter into the front area.
"I don't think we should do this anymore." Juliet whispered as a tingling sensation lingered on her lips. "Everything was going good." Cameron began as he started to think about the first time he met Juliet. She was a mess, but he had "fixed" her. "It was for a little while, but this is getting a little old Cameron." Juliet answered giving him an obviously fake "sympathetic" look. "Juliet . I really want to be with you." Cameron continued as Juliet blocked out all the emotion from him that was traveling to her.
"Don't tell me that you haven't thought about other girls Cameron. I mean look at this campus. I'm sure you can find someone in no time." She uttered as she started to walk towards her dorm room. "You didn't break up with him." Cameron remarked as Juliet stopped dead in her tracks. "No." "Why not?"
"Because Augie means too much to me Cameron. He's been there for me."
"And I haven't? You were a wreck when you first came here. You had nothing to live for and-" Cameron argued, his voice escalating. "And what? You saved me Cameron? Be honest for a moment." Juliet started. "We were both hanging by a think string and we met each other. And things were great, but they aren't as great as they are with Augie . It's over." She ended with a sense of finality in her voice. "Just like that? In the blink of an eye?" Cameron questioned her, hoping that she would change her mind. He had really grown attached. "In the blink of an eye." Juliet mumbled back as she stalked away while flipping her brown hair over her right shoulder.
"What is it?" Hank asked Kat again as she started to calm down a little. "Everything is ruined." Kat mumbled between sobs. "How so?" Hank inquired as he brushed her brown curls out of her face once again. "You know my graduation right?" She began as Hank nodded. "Guess who's not going to be there." Hank gave her a weird look as his eyes grew wide and things started to make sense again. "You parents." He whispered softly. "Ding. Ding. Ding." Kat replied. "I can't believe that he would do this to me."
"Your father did this intentionally?" Hank asked in disbelief. "He claims to be sick you know and as much as I want to believe him and my mom, I can't. I keep thinking about that time he told me that it was my fault my sister died and." Her voice trailed off as the river of tears began again. "Hank. I'm so scared." Kat whispered. "What if it's going to be like this forever . my parents hiding from me and making up excuses. What if I never have anyone to be there for me again." "Shh. I'll always be there for you." Hank uttered as he took Kat's chin in his hand and slowly pressed his lips against hers. Another tear fell from Kat's cheek.
"Don't we look distressed." Shelby remarked as Juliet walked into the room looking upset. "What did you hear Shelby?" Juliet questioned, looking really irritated. "Oh nothing . just that you've been cheating on Augie." Shelby admitted with a grin. She was really enjoying backing little-miss-perfect into a corner. "As if you already didn't hear someone else saying that. Honestly Shelby, you shouldn't believe all the stuff you hear around these parts. Why if I did I'd say you were a ." Juliet let her voice trail off, but they both knew what she had insinuated. "I always knew that you were no good. First with Scott and now with Augie. Who's next Jules? Friedkin?" Shelby shot back, trying to control her anger. If there was one that she had learned from Horizon, it was not to let dogs like Juliet get her. "Oh please Shelby. Don't tell me that you're still bitter about me getting Scott first. I was really grateful to have you take him off my hands. After all, he was just my leftovers." Juliet continued, trying to make herself feel better about her reputation. "Don't even let her get you angry Shelby." Daisy commented, appearing from the shadows. "Okay that creepy shadow thing has to stop." Shelby joked with a smile as Juliet scowled at her. She didn't have the power to make Shelby loose it like she use to. "And you guys arguing all the time has got to stop. Isn't Horizon the place where everyone tries to get along with everyone?" Daisy joked as Juliet plopped on her bed angrily. This day wasn't going well for her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Daisy said as Shelby walked out the room. "Do I dare ask why?" Juliet asked, hating the fact that both Shelby and Daisy had been rubbing off on her lately. "You'll be late for class."
"We have someone new coming in." Sophie proclaimed as Peter looked up from his morning paper. "Why have you started reading that so much? It's like you're addicted." Sophie commented. "Better this than coffee, right?" Peter asks with a smile. Sophie picks up Nidia's file and throws it onto Peter's desk. "So what do we have here?" "Her file of course." Sophie replies. "Haven't we already been over it?" Peter inquired as he reluctantly pushed his paper aside. "Yes, but there's still some stuff that doesn't make much sense." Sophie began. "I mean her file has a lot of missing links." "And we'll get to the bottom of them." Peter promised, trying to ease Sophie's tension.
Kat walked into class late, with a late pass of course. She quietly took her normal seat, next to Augie across from Juliet, two rows in front of Scott and Shelby. "What's wrong?" Juliet asked. Kat pretended not to hear her and tried to tune everything out except the sound of Mr. Michels voice. It was a hard thing to do . listen to him read his pre-prepared history notes in a steady monotone. And if anyone dared to ask a question or interrupt, he would get into a heated discussion, eventually leading to the simple fact that he thought he knew better than anyone else, and there was no possible way that he would let a student show him up. No way. Juliet finally passed Kat a note, mid-way through the class.
Kat, What's wrong? R U ( ? I hope not. Did Hank forget your anniversary again? I'm sure he didn't mean it. N E way, don't look so (. Mr. Michels is boring as all heck, but we only have a few minutes left. ¡Yeah! Love, Jules
Juliet, Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired. Mr. Michels isn't helping that any. (Lol) Anyway, Hank didn't forget our anniversary because it's not here yet! I don't think my parents will make it to my graduation, but it's okay. I mean there's always my college graduation, right? At least you guys will be there . and Hank. I better send this note because Mr. Michels is looking at me strangely. With Love, Kat
"What do mean your parents aren't coming?!" Juliet screamed in Kat's ear as soon as class was over. "My dad's really sick." Kat answered glumly, not really wanting to get into the details. "Oh my God. I am sooo sorry Kat." Juliet retorted as she gave Kat a tight hug. "I'm fine Juliet. I'm fine." Kat mumbled as she pried Juliet away from her. "No you aren't. I can see it in your eyes. You can't lie to me Kat. We've been friends since forever," Juliet said exaggerating just a bit. "You are not fine."
"I am so fine." Kat lied as she wished that she hadn't said anything. She knew that once Juliet knew, everyone at Horizon knew. "Do you promise not to say anything?" "I promise." Juliet replied while walking into her Algebra II class. "We'll see how long that lasts." Kat uttered to herself as she bumped into one of Juliet's friends, Cameron. "Sorry." He said while picking up all of Kat's stuff as well as his own. "Could you give this Juliet?" Cameron inquired, not waiting for Kat to say yes. "Thanks." Kat looked down at her hand. The note was pretty thick. It reminded her of time that Augie and Juliet broke up and she sent a four page letter to Augie about how they should end up together. She looked at the note again as she continued walking to class. The only way that someone would write a note this long was if they hadn't seen each other in years, or if it something to do with love. Kat carefully started to peel open the note, but the warning bell sounded. She broke out into a run, barely making it to her fourth period American Government class. The note would just have to wait.
"Hello. I'm Peter." Peter Scarbrow introduced himself to Mrs. Manuela, Mr. Manuela, and of course Nidia. Mr. and Mrs. Manuela shook his hand while Nidia stood back in the corner, just as content as can be reading another Lurlene McDaniel book. "Isn't that right Nidia?" Mrs. Manuela asked as Nidia nodded. To hell with what they have to say, she thought as she flipped to the last chapter of the book. After about ten more minutes, the meeting was done and Nidia was on the last page of her book. Tears welled up in her eyes. She sure does know how to make tear jerkers. "Don't cry honey," Mr. Manuela said as he gave Nidia one last hug and kiss.
"I'm sorry daddy. The book just touched me, you know." Nidia replied with a huge grin. Her parents were taken aback and gave her a strange look. To hell with them. They've been giving me those looks since Pamela intervened with my life. "We'll see you soon." Her mom whispered. "I hope it's not too soon, especially if you're bringing Pamela." Nidia mumbled to herself as she watched her "parents" walk out the office. She lifted up the blinds and watched their Honda roll away. Good. "Okay. Follow me." Sophie uttered as Nidia put her book in her book bag purse and walked off. ~~
"Nidia this is for the best." Mrs. Manuela tried to tell her. "Yeah, it's best for Pamela." Nidia shot back, referring to her real mom who was the whole reason why she was going to Horizon, or so she thought. "You know we wouldn't send you here if we didn't love you." Her father declares as he reaches through the front seats, trying to get a hold of Nidia's shoulder. She pulls away. "You shouldn't have let Pamela get custody of me. You knew- you guys knew what she was like . her past and everything." Nidia yelled accusingly as her voice started to quiver. Not again, she thought. "What kind of place is "Horizon" anyway? I mean look at it." Nidia complained as their 2001 Honda Civic pulled into the parking lot near the front of the school. Her parents continued to ignore her as they got out the car and started to walk away. "Aren't you coming?" Angela Manuela asks as Nidia reluctantly slides out of the car and catches up with her mom. "See that wasn't so hard." Angela continued with a warm smile as she followed her daughter into the front area.
"I don't think we should do this anymore." Juliet whispered as a tingling sensation lingered on her lips. "Everything was going good." Cameron began as he started to think about the first time he met Juliet. She was a mess, but he had "fixed" her. "It was for a little while, but this is getting a little old Cameron." Juliet answered giving him an obviously fake "sympathetic" look. "Juliet . I really want to be with you." Cameron continued as Juliet blocked out all the emotion from him that was traveling to her.
"Don't tell me that you haven't thought about other girls Cameron. I mean look at this campus. I'm sure you can find someone in no time." She uttered as she started to walk towards her dorm room. "You didn't break up with him." Cameron remarked as Juliet stopped dead in her tracks. "No." "Why not?"
"Because Augie means too much to me Cameron. He's been there for me."
"And I haven't? You were a wreck when you first came here. You had nothing to live for and-" Cameron argued, his voice escalating. "And what? You saved me Cameron? Be honest for a moment." Juliet started. "We were both hanging by a think string and we met each other. And things were great, but they aren't as great as they are with Augie . It's over." She ended with a sense of finality in her voice. "Just like that? In the blink of an eye?" Cameron questioned her, hoping that she would change her mind. He had really grown attached. "In the blink of an eye." Juliet mumbled back as she stalked away while flipping her brown hair over her right shoulder.
"What is it?" Hank asked Kat again as she started to calm down a little. "Everything is ruined." Kat mumbled between sobs. "How so?" Hank inquired as he brushed her brown curls out of her face once again. "You know my graduation right?" She began as Hank nodded. "Guess who's not going to be there." Hank gave her a weird look as his eyes grew wide and things started to make sense again. "You parents." He whispered softly. "Ding. Ding. Ding." Kat replied. "I can't believe that he would do this to me."
"Your father did this intentionally?" Hank asked in disbelief. "He claims to be sick you know and as much as I want to believe him and my mom, I can't. I keep thinking about that time he told me that it was my fault my sister died and." Her voice trailed off as the river of tears began again. "Hank. I'm so scared." Kat whispered. "What if it's going to be like this forever . my parents hiding from me and making up excuses. What if I never have anyone to be there for me again." "Shh. I'll always be there for you." Hank uttered as he took Kat's chin in his hand and slowly pressed his lips against hers. Another tear fell from Kat's cheek.
"Don't we look distressed." Shelby remarked as Juliet walked into the room looking upset. "What did you hear Shelby?" Juliet questioned, looking really irritated. "Oh nothing . just that you've been cheating on Augie." Shelby admitted with a grin. She was really enjoying backing little-miss-perfect into a corner. "As if you already didn't hear someone else saying that. Honestly Shelby, you shouldn't believe all the stuff you hear around these parts. Why if I did I'd say you were a ." Juliet let her voice trail off, but they both knew what she had insinuated. "I always knew that you were no good. First with Scott and now with Augie. Who's next Jules? Friedkin?" Shelby shot back, trying to control her anger. If there was one that she had learned from Horizon, it was not to let dogs like Juliet get her. "Oh please Shelby. Don't tell me that you're still bitter about me getting Scott first. I was really grateful to have you take him off my hands. After all, he was just my leftovers." Juliet continued, trying to make herself feel better about her reputation. "Don't even let her get you angry Shelby." Daisy commented, appearing from the shadows. "Okay that creepy shadow thing has to stop." Shelby joked with a smile as Juliet scowled at her. She didn't have the power to make Shelby loose it like she use to. "And you guys arguing all the time has got to stop. Isn't Horizon the place where everyone tries to get along with everyone?" Daisy joked as Juliet plopped on her bed angrily. This day wasn't going well for her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Daisy said as Shelby walked out the room. "Do I dare ask why?" Juliet asked, hating the fact that both Shelby and Daisy had been rubbing off on her lately. "You'll be late for class."
"We have someone new coming in." Sophie proclaimed as Peter looked up from his morning paper. "Why have you started reading that so much? It's like you're addicted." Sophie commented. "Better this than coffee, right?" Peter asks with a smile. Sophie picks up Nidia's file and throws it onto Peter's desk. "So what do we have here?" "Her file of course." Sophie replies. "Haven't we already been over it?" Peter inquired as he reluctantly pushed his paper aside. "Yes, but there's still some stuff that doesn't make much sense." Sophie began. "I mean her file has a lot of missing links." "And we'll get to the bottom of them." Peter promised, trying to ease Sophie's tension.
Kat walked into class late, with a late pass of course. She quietly took her normal seat, next to Augie across from Juliet, two rows in front of Scott and Shelby. "What's wrong?" Juliet asked. Kat pretended not to hear her and tried to tune everything out except the sound of Mr. Michels voice. It was a hard thing to do . listen to him read his pre-prepared history notes in a steady monotone. And if anyone dared to ask a question or interrupt, he would get into a heated discussion, eventually leading to the simple fact that he thought he knew better than anyone else, and there was no possible way that he would let a student show him up. No way. Juliet finally passed Kat a note, mid-way through the class.
Kat, What's wrong? R U ( ? I hope not. Did Hank forget your anniversary again? I'm sure he didn't mean it. N E way, don't look so (. Mr. Michels is boring as all heck, but we only have a few minutes left. ¡Yeah! Love, Jules
Juliet, Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired. Mr. Michels isn't helping that any. (Lol) Anyway, Hank didn't forget our anniversary because it's not here yet! I don't think my parents will make it to my graduation, but it's okay. I mean there's always my college graduation, right? At least you guys will be there . and Hank. I better send this note because Mr. Michels is looking at me strangely. With Love, Kat
"What do mean your parents aren't coming?!" Juliet screamed in Kat's ear as soon as class was over. "My dad's really sick." Kat answered glumly, not really wanting to get into the details. "Oh my God. I am sooo sorry Kat." Juliet retorted as she gave Kat a tight hug. "I'm fine Juliet. I'm fine." Kat mumbled as she pried Juliet away from her. "No you aren't. I can see it in your eyes. You can't lie to me Kat. We've been friends since forever," Juliet said exaggerating just a bit. "You are not fine."
"I am so fine." Kat lied as she wished that she hadn't said anything. She knew that once Juliet knew, everyone at Horizon knew. "Do you promise not to say anything?" "I promise." Juliet replied while walking into her Algebra II class. "We'll see how long that lasts." Kat uttered to herself as she bumped into one of Juliet's friends, Cameron. "Sorry." He said while picking up all of Kat's stuff as well as his own. "Could you give this Juliet?" Cameron inquired, not waiting for Kat to say yes. "Thanks." Kat looked down at her hand. The note was pretty thick. It reminded her of time that Augie and Juliet broke up and she sent a four page letter to Augie about how they should end up together. She looked at the note again as she continued walking to class. The only way that someone would write a note this long was if they hadn't seen each other in years, or if it something to do with love. Kat carefully started to peel open the note, but the warning bell sounded. She broke out into a run, barely making it to her fourth period American Government class. The note would just have to wait.
"Hello. I'm Peter." Peter Scarbrow introduced himself to Mrs. Manuela, Mr. Manuela, and of course Nidia. Mr. and Mrs. Manuela shook his hand while Nidia stood back in the corner, just as content as can be reading another Lurlene McDaniel book. "Isn't that right Nidia?" Mrs. Manuela asked as Nidia nodded. To hell with what they have to say, she thought as she flipped to the last chapter of the book. After about ten more minutes, the meeting was done and Nidia was on the last page of her book. Tears welled up in her eyes. She sure does know how to make tear jerkers. "Don't cry honey," Mr. Manuela said as he gave Nidia one last hug and kiss.
"I'm sorry daddy. The book just touched me, you know." Nidia replied with a huge grin. Her parents were taken aback and gave her a strange look. To hell with them. They've been giving me those looks since Pamela intervened with my life. "We'll see you soon." Her mom whispered. "I hope it's not too soon, especially if you're bringing Pamela." Nidia mumbled to herself as she watched her "parents" walk out the office. She lifted up the blinds and watched their Honda roll away. Good. "Okay. Follow me." Sophie uttered as Nidia put her book in her book bag purse and walked off. ~~