Disclaimer: I don't own Higher Ground or anything related to it.
Auggie Ciceros and his girlfriend Juliette Waybourne stood under the shelter of a large fir tree in a dead lip-lock. When they finally pulled apart, Auggie smiled. Juliette started to smile back, then started.
"Oh jeez. What time is it?"
"I dunno," Auggie said, pulling her closer. "Bit after three, I guess."
"Shoot. I was supposed to be at Peter's office at three."
"Blow him off," Auggie suggested, and laughed, knowing that none of the students would ever dare 'blow Peter Scarbrow off.'
"See you soon," Juliette said, gathering her jacket from the ground and hustling toward the campus.
"Catch ya later!" Auggie called in response, then sat down on the cold ground. He was in no great hurry to return to the campus.
As he leaned back against the trunk of the massive tree, he heard giggling and whispers. He jumped to his feet.
"Scott? Man, is it you? Shelb?"
Scott Barringer and Shelby Merrick emerged from the deeper forest. Scott grinned openly and slapped hands with Auggie.
"Hey man, how 'bout a football game?"
Auggie shook his head. "Make it basketball and you're on, meat." It was a well-known fact that Auggie Ciceros couldn't throw a football worth beans. Shelby laughed, obviously picturing Auggie's last attempt at tossing the old pigskin.
"Count me in," she said, eyes sparkling. "Scott and I can kick your butt, Aug."
"I get David," Auggie returned, referring to another Cliffhanger boy, who could play a good game. "You can have Ezra." He said this in a mock-generous tone, and all three cracked up. Ezra Friedkin was the least athletic person at Horizon, as well as the biggest general klutz.
Scott shook his head. "Me and Shelby against you and David. You're on. Let's go."
Talking amiably, the threesome made their way back to the school they called home.