~Monique~
I spent most of the day unpacking and getting ready to start full swing at Mt.Horizon. That night at the first group meeting I would be formally meeting the rest of the Cliffhangers, I had met most of them that day and I knew I had to make an entrance. I dressed in a short black skirt and tight blue cris-crossed strapped top. My make up was flawless and so was my hair. The last thing I added was a silver chain that hung around my neck and was ornamented with a delicate angel figurine. I debated a while before putting it on and I noticed how my hands trembled when I clasped it around my neck. This wasn't going to be easy but I wouldn't let it show. When I entered the room all of the other Cliffhangers and counselors were seated in a circle talking amongst themselves. David was the first one to spot me in the doorway.
"Whoa." He shut his eyes and opened them again as if he didn't believe what he saw. Scott then looked up and his mouth dropped open. All of the other Cliffhangers turned to look, Shelby just squinted her eyes at me.
"I'm sorry am I late or something?" I said as innocently as possible. Peter sighed deeply and then shook his head.
"No, we were just starting. Have a seat." I gingerly sat down on the couch next to Juliette. She leaned over.
"Great outfit."
"Thanks."
Scott acted like he didn't notice but I saw him glance over a couple of times. He obviously wasn't happy but what did I care. I was out to make him see that I could take care of myself and I would.
"Ok. We'll start with a classic…I feel…Daisy, how about you start and Monique can get some idea of how it works."
Daisy, the girl dressed in all black, cleared her throat and began. "I feel like I'm making progress in a long journey of discovery."
"I feel like the world is on my shoulders but someone special shares the weight." Juliette said glancing at Auggie. I realized then that they were definently an item.
Shelby was next. "I feel like something might be slipping away but I plan to fight for it." I had a strange feeling this was directed at me but I chose to ignore it.
It was David's turn. From meeting him early I couldn't decide whether I liked him or not but his sarcasm did have a certain appeal. "I feel like puking up a big bowl of love and passing it around for all to share."
"David." Peter said in a warning tone but instead of making him repeat himself he just rolled his eyes. "Let's continue. Ezra you next."
"I feel happy where I am in my recovery."
After Ezra it was Scott's turn and he immediately looked at me. "I feel…I feel…angry at the fact that things have to change but happy that there's always a way back."
"Ok…Thank you, Scott. It's your turn, Monique." Peter said.
I looked Scott square in the eyes. Neither of us blinked. "I feel that betrayal and dishonesty are ugly but necessary in finding out who your real friends are."
Scott averted his eyes first and I sat back satisfied. I had struck a chord with him. Monique-one, Scott-Zero.
~Scott~
"Hey, everyone." I said joining the rest of the Cliffhangers at the hall. Shelby was there and I made the effort to smile, she smiled back but resumed her conversation with Daisy. Things were quiet because it was raining outside and no one felt like doing much. I sat down in an overstuffed chair and went to grab a magazine when something dropped out from underneath it. It was a notebook, a normal one, like someone would use at school but that wasn't what caught my attention, it was what was scrawled across the front. I immediately hid the magazine over it and stumbled out of the room. I reached my dorm, made sure it was empty and closed the door. Then I pulled myself up onto the bunk and laid it down in front of me. I didn't move and I barely breathed, I just stared at it. It even smelled like her, sort of a sedated flowery smell. I ran a finger across the letters that spelled Monique and then I did something I knew I never should have done, I opened it.
~Monique~
I searched high and low, ripping apart everything in search of my journal. An hour later I realized my efforts were futile and it was gone. Tears sprung to my eyes. If anyone read it I would die, no I would rather die than have anyone read it. There were things in the there that I never shared with anyone. I knew I had to find it so I kept looking. I went to my dorms and searched underneath pillows, mattresses, drawers and everywhere but it still hadn't turned up. I sat on my bed and buried my head in my hands. My life was over.
"Why didn't you tell me." I jerked my head up. Scott stood in the doorway, dripping wet and he clutched something to his chest.
"My journal! You read it!" I screamed. I lunged to snatch it away but he was an agile football player and moved out of the way.
"I asked you a question, Monique." I stopped. He looked at me with a blank expression, it was cold and I shivered. Then I ran, again. Out into the rain but he was prepared for this. He grabbed my wrist before I could get away. We were both dripping wet and rain pelted us like bullets, it was coming down harder and faster. I tried to get away but he had my in a strong hold, I knew it was going to leave a bruise.
"Stop running from me damn it!" He had to yell to be heard above the torrent of rain that was falling all around us.
"You taught me how." I said continuing to try and run. He held fast and then I started to cry. Sobbing uncontrollably. He let me go and I fell to the grass while my tears mixed in with the falling rain. He got down next to me and pulled me to his chest.
"Please, Mo. Please." He said rocking back and forth. He kept pleading with me but I didn't know for what. I had nothing to give him, but he had everything to give.
"I read it. I'm glad I did… How could I not see it, you are so small." I grimaced at the reference to my size. I pushed away and got up.
"That's none of your business."
He wasn't even mad. He shocked me when a single tear made a path down his face. "Did I really hurt you that bad?"
"Yeah. You did." I whispered.
He reached out his arms to me. "I'm so sorry, Mo. I'm so sorry."