A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews! I'm so glad you all like this story. I will try to update a couple times a week. So far most of the story has been focused on Peter and Scott. The rest of the Cliffhangers are coming. I promise!
Disclaimer stuff: All the usual – I don't own any of the HG stuff.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Scott was dreading group that night. Although it would be great to be allowed to talk, he had caused the Cliffhangers to take two drug tests in the last two days. They had to be pissed at him. Add to that the fact that he hadn't confided in any of them, not even Shelby, and he knew he was in for a tough night.
Peter escorted Scott into the group room. The rest of the Cliffhangers were already there. Scott grabbed a seat as far away from the group as possible. This was not going to be fun.
"Well, aren't we a happy couple," whispered Daisy snidely, referring to Peter and Scott.
"Daisy," said Peter, "thank you for picking tonight's topic." He glanced around the room. "I'd like to hear each of your feelings regarding the events that have taken place the last few days." He smiled at Daisy. "Why don't you start us off?"
Daisy rolled her eyes. "I'm irritated. I don't like being accused of things." She looked directly at Peter. "I'm not using."
"You know the rules, Dais," retorted Auggie. "We're guilty by association."
"Even if we haven't been associating with Scott lately?" asked Shelby, aiming her question directly at Scott. They hadn't spoken since he returned from his uncle's house. She didn't appreciate hearing about his life second hand.
Peter interrupted. "If you have something to say to Scott, say it to him. Now's your chance to get it out." He hesitated. "Ezra, what do you have to say to Scott?"
"I wish you would have come to us. We're your family."
"Some of us are even more than that," said Shelby.
"I can't believe you're putting us through this." Auggie was both confused and angry. How could he have missed the changes in his friend?
"You are such a waste of space." David was forever the antagonizer.
Scott had been quiet up to this point. "David, why don't you – "
"That's enough Scott," warned Peter. "Why don't you tell the group some of your feelings?"
Scott stared down at his sneakers. He understood why everyone was upset with him, but what could he say about it? "Sorry," was the best that he could do.
Juliet, who was always quick to forgive, finally spoke up. "What's wrong? Why don't you tell us what's going on? Maybe we can help."
Scott just shook his head. "I don't think so Jules."
Peter waited for Scott to say more. When he realized that there was nothing else, he dismissed the group. "That's enough for tonight. Lights out in 30 minutes."
The Cliffhangers headed out toward the dorms. Shelby hung back to talk to Peter. "Can I talk to Scott? Just for a minute?"
Peter shook his head. "Not tonight. If you want to talk to him, it has to be in group."
"I just want a second with him alone."
"Sorry, Shelby. He's on shuns. You know the rules."
Shelby glared at Scott and then headed back to the girls' dorm. How were they supposed to stay together if Scott wouldn't confide in her and Peter wouldn't even let them talk?