" Um...thanks for showing me everything," Kes replied back with a small smile of her own.
" Well this aint the whole place but you've already seen the main buliding where the classrooms are and where we eat and have meetings. We still have some time before Peter expects us back. Wanna go sit by the lake?"
"Sure. It seems very nice and peaceful out here," I just hope it lasts Kes continued in her mind.
" Trust me it's not gonna be quite tonight. Whenever there are newbies there is some sort of party or games. Plus tonight we have two so probably twice the noise...but also twice the fun I guess. So while it is nice and quiet out here...what's your story?"
"My story? What do you mean?" although she knew exactly what he meant.
"Ya know...why you're here at Horizon. Everyone here has a story-so what's yours?"
"It's stupid..."
"Hey don't think that. Everyone is here has a story that they might consider stupid but they are all good resons-so they aren't stupid. Ya know what I mean? If ya are afraid to share though I can tell you my story if ya like."
"Yeah I know what ya mean...it's just I don't know. I don't you to think lower of me. The one true friend I had hates me now cause of what I did.I'd like to hear you're story-you seem too nice and normal to end up here..."
Laughing Auggie says," Hey we're all normal here. At least that's what Peter keeps preaching to us. I got here cause I got involved with a gang back where I used to live. Also I was doing really poorly in school. When I got here they figured out I have dyslexia where when I see words they kinda get mixed around before they reach my brain."
"Yeah I've heard of that before. My cousin Sarah had it. I can't believe that you were in a gan though. Like I said before you seem to nice." If he was in a gang that means he has to be pretty strong...and can be mean. I hope he doesn't turn out to be like my brother...
"Kes...Kes? Hello...you in there?"
"huh? Yeah i'm here...did you say something."
"Yeah I asked what you meant by your cousin had it. I didn't think it could be cured...?"
"It can't...she...she killed herself last year. So i guess you could say it was cured," She said with a wry smile.
Ouch..okay bad topic. Remember to not ask about cousins " I'm sorry. I've known some people who died but it was always gang related-never killing themselves. Well Ezra has tried that before...and wouldn't be surprised if the others have before too."
"Really?" Kes asked trying not to sound too hopeful. She figured it would help to be around people like her...well people who tried the same thing.
" Yeah...Speaking of everyone else we better get going. Almost time for 'dinner'," he laughed putting quotes around dinner.
"I'm guessing the food is about as good as cafeteria food."
"If we're lucky...if not it can be worse sometimes. Hopefully that got cafeteria like food so as not to traumatize you on your first day. Come m'lady," he said playfully while bowing.
Kes just looked at him trying not to laugh and started walking towards the 'dining' building. She couldn't get to close until she learned more. Even then she had to be careful...Just thinking about her brother and ex made her extra careful not to act to intrested in him.
*At the Cliffhangers table*
"Anyone want some extra food?"
"C'mon Jules. You know you're not supposed to give away your food...but hey Peter's not looking. I'll take it," Scott switches trays with Juliette.
"Peter may not have seen but I did. I'll let it slide tonight but Juliette please try to eat more okay?" Sophie said.
"Sure thing Sophie," Juliette sighed.
"For the newbie here, Jules has an eating disorder. She doesn't like to eat much and when she does she usually throws it up," Daisy threw in.
"Yeah and stay away from Daisy if she has a golf club," Juliette said back.
"Nice one Princess. Now that we're on the topic of how screwed up we are...what brought you here Kes?" Daisy asked.
"A car."
"Ohhh what wit. Guessing you don't feel like sharing what makes you a loser like the rest of us? What don't want everyone to hate you on the first day? Can't be that bad. We have a personal pharmacy here, an ex-tagger, little miss princess who also cuts, Mr.Not so all American ex-football player, ms. runaway and give my body away and of course me. Ever played golf?" Daisy asked to give her little summary a nice twisted twist.
Everyone laughs if only a little nervously. Daisy's initial question is forgotten by Peter coming up to the table.
"Our other new Cliffhanger just arrived. Time to come meet him."
"Yeah another lost soul to add to our group of misfits," Ezra whispered to Daisy.
"Yes but also remember. Fresh meat," Daisy slyly whispered back.
"Hey Peter what's the new guys name? If Im gonna be his buddy I should at least know it " yelled out Shelby.
" Good point. His name is," Peter double checks his clipboard," Rick Landor."
No....there's no way....no possible way....I thought he was going to juvinile...he can't be here. I was supposed to be able to get away from him, Kes thought while stopped dead in her tracks. The only one who noticed this was Auggie.
"Hey, what's wrong? Ya look like you've seen a ghost."
"No...no I haven't. At least not yet."