FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY

Chapter 4: Broken Promises

Rating: Rated PG for sexual content and mild language

Disclaimer: Everything is owned by FFC, with the exception of this story. I take no credit for the show.

Author's Note: Y'all are awesome! I'm LOVING the reviews! Sorry it took me a lil bit to post this chap; homework has been KILLER!

Another Note for Damara: I was little harsh in my last little note for you, and I apologize for that. I appreciate your apology! We all have bad days…I have a tendency to take it out on other people, a lot! Anyway, thanks again, and no hard feelings!

Recap: CHAPTER 3-Shelby and Scott make a deal to meet every night and ask each other questions about themselves.

Auggie quickly sat up in his seat as he spotted Juliette waiting in the lunch line.

His eyes studied her every detail, and he couldn't help but drool. She is so beautiful! I didn't know gorgeous girls like that EXISTED!

His smile faded as he realized something, and he tore his eyes away from Juliette's pretty face. If only she cared about me like I care about her…

Juliette daintily strolled through the line as she retrieved her food from the server.

Once she had balanced the contents on her tray, she glanced towards the corner of the cafeteria where the Cliffhangers's table was.

She scanned the table for Scott, but only Auggie and Katherine sat at the wooden table.

Juliette tried to hide a frown. I'm definitely losing him…he's always really upset-looking or running off. Maybe I should just break up with him

Her expression was then replaced with determination. No, I CAN'T lose him…I CAN'T let Shelby win…

Her thoughts were interrupted by Auggie's Spanish accent. "Yo, Jules! Over here!" he called, pointing to their table.

Juliette managed a fake smile and started to make her way across the room to the table.

Katherine laughed to herself as she noticed how Auggie's face had lit up once he had seen Juliette. He is so in love with her! Maybe Jules would be, too, if she knew what Scott's been doing…

"Hey, guys," Juliette greeted the two with fake eagerness as she approached the table.

"Hey," the two dark-haired teenagers replied, monotone, but Auggie with a little more enthusiasm.

Auggie's eyes never left Juliette's face, as he tried to find the answer in her eyes. I wonder what's up with her

Juliette gracefully sat down next to Katherine and across from Auggie, trying not to make contact with either of the two. "So, um, where is everybody?" she asked, her eyes on her salad.

"Well," Katherine started, "Ezra hasn't been feeling well, so he's in the infirmary. Scott took his dinner outside, and, uh…"

Juliette's eyes widened in confusion. "What?" she questioned.

"And, uh, Shelby never showed up for dinner," Katherine finished quietly, her brown eyes full of concern.

Juliette looked up at Katherine. "Why did you hesitate to tell me that?"

Katherine quickly looked over at Auggie, silently asking for help.

Auggie, as if reading her mind, broke the utter silence. "So, Jules, how are you?" he asked, secretly hoping he wouldn't say something stupid.

Why did she say that, damnit! Juliette turned to look at Auggie. "Um, sorry. Did you say something?" she asked, trying to forget about Katherine's last comment.

"Yeah, I asked how you're doing," Auggie repeated politely.

"What…do I look sick or something?" Juliette asked defensively. What is going on here?

Auggie scrunched his eyebrows. "What? No! You don't look sick! You look beautiful!"

His face then turned beet red, as he realized what he had just said. "I mean, you look normal, like you look every day," he sputtered quickly.

Katherine tried to hide a smile. Aww! That is so sweet!

Juliette gave Auggie a confused glance, but, inside, she was extremely flattered. No one's ever called me beautiful before! "Um, thanks," she finally replied, a slight smile on her face.

Auggie then gave a slight grin. She didn't laugh at me!

He started to open his mouth, but then shut it quickly. Just don't say anything. You don't want to make a complete idiot of yourself. Just walk away…you need to get some advice on what to do

The two girls looked up at Auggie as he hurriedly stood up and pushed his chair in while grabbing his tray. "Well, I'll, uh, see you guys later!"

Once he had made it to the door, he stole one more glance at Juliette. I just hope she feels the same way

After Auggie had run out of the cafeteria, Juliette looked over at Katherine, an amused look on her face. "Whoa…guess he had to be somewhere."

Katherine stared intently at Juliette, trying to see if she was joking or not. You have GOT to be kidding me! She doesn't even know that he cares about her, and she has no idea that Scott doesn't like her…how dense is she? "Juliette, I need to talk to you."

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Shelby carefully tore the piece of paper out of the spiral notebook, making sure not to tear the paper.

She then quickly scanned it, reading the questions over and over again. What is your favorite food? Why are you here at Horizon? What do you look for in a girl? The questions covered almost every topic.

Shelby then gently laid the paper on her desk and lay back on her bed, a lazy smile on her face. I can't wait to find out how Scott's gonna answer these! Wait, what kind of questions will he ask me?

She quickly sat up at this thought. Do I tell him about Walt and the streets if he asks? She couldn't think of answer. I can't tell him…he'd think I'm a slut, a whore…everything he already thinks of me!

Shelby then smiled again, moved her half-eaten food off of her bed, and closed her eyes, her arms behind her back. It's settled then. Scott will never, ever find out my past

She lay there for a few minutes with her eyes closed, lost in different dreams…all of which were about Scott, of course.

Her eyes then fluttered open. Oooh! I have another question!

Shelby swiftly picked up a pen and piece of paper from the floor and wrote down the question.

She then put down the pen and glanced at the newly written sentence as the sky-blue writing jumped out at her: BOXERS OR BRIEFS?

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Juliette gave Katherine a confused look, her eyes wide. "Okay, what about?" she asked curiously.

Katherine gingerly laid her fork on the table and rested her elbows on the table. "Jules, I saw something last night that I think you might want to know about," she stated quietly.

Juliette sat up straight in her chair, her head spinning. "Well, what is it?" she questioned quickly.

Katherine pushed her lips together nervously. How do I tell her this without getting her upset? "I saw Scott last night…"

Juliette nodded her head, urging Katherine to continue. "And?" she asked expectantly.

Katherine pushed a hand through her hair. Just say it. Jules doesn't deserve to get hurt…especially by him "And I saw him with…Shelby."

Juliette felt like someone had just punched her in the stomach. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but no words would come out.

"What were they doing?" she finally forced out.

There was a pause. "Well, they weren't making out or anything…or atleast I didn't SEE them makeout," Katherine answered honestly.

Juliette exhaled sharply. "What were they doing when you saw them, Kat?" she asked sternly.

Katherine gave a slight shrug. "They were smiling at each other. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was just the way they were looking each other. It was like…"

She looked up at Juliette. Ohmygosh, this is tearing her apart "Well, anyway, that's not all I wanted to talk to you about," Katherine finished.

Juliette lifted her head from the table and gave her friend a tired look. "There's more?" she asked.

Katherine sighed. "Jules, why are you with Scott? I mean, does he treat you well? Does he talk to you? Ask you how you're doing?"

Juliette slightly tilted her head. "Yes, err…no. Or yeah, he does. Wait, I guess not. Ugh! I don't know!" she replied finally, resting her head on the table, once again.

"Well, from what it looks like to me, the answer's no," Katherine said softly.

When Juliette didn't reply, Katherine continued. "Ya know, Auggie's a really nice guy."

Juliette looked up at Katherine. "Where are you going with this?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"Jules, I'm just trying to help you out. All men are pigs, and they care about one thing," Katherine started.

"Where does Auggie come in?" Juliette interrupted, not seeing the point.

"But," Katherine continued, "there are some guys out there that care about other things, too. Like your well-being, and stuff like that," she finished.

"And you think Auggie's one of those lucky few."

Katherine shrugged. "Just think about it, Juliette. Think of how you want to be treated. Ignore appearance, pay attention to the personality," she stated wisely.

And with that, she was gone.

Juliette sank down in her chair and thought hard. Maybe Scott doesn't treat me GREAT, but I can't let Shelby get him…if I do, I'll never hear the end of it. Scott is MINE, not hers. And that's how it's going to stay, regardless of the way he treats me, and that fact that I don't even like him. I have something Shelby doesn't have, and I'm not giving that up. No matter how I feel about Scott…

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~AT THE DOCKS~

7:55 P.M.

Shelby took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. Okay, Shelby, chill. It's just a guy. But she knew this wasn't true. But Scott's not just a guy! He's everything I'm looking for…and more

At the thought of Scott, Shelby eagerly looked at her watch, a notebook and blue pen in her hand. 5 more minutes…Thank God! It's pretty cold out here! If he doesn't hurry up, I'm just gonna leave

But once again, Shelby knew she would never do that, so there was no point of lying to herself.

Shelby glanced out at the water, wisps of blonde hair covering her eyes. This is definitely going to the slowest 5 minutes in all eternity

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~*IN THE TOOLSHED*~

7:56 P.M.

Scott slowly moaned in a low voice as he felt Juliette's soft lips against his neck. I may not know much about her, but damn…this girl can kiss!

Juliette smiled to herself as she listened to Scott's moans. He'll never pick Shelby now…he can't resist our little makeout sessions

She then leaned into Scott closely and kissed his moist lips. Who cares if we don't really talk? We're together, and that's that

Scott looked down at Juliette, his lips still on hers. Why aren't your eyes closed? Your eyes are ALWAYS supposed to be closed when making out with a girl!

But they wouldn't close. Scott had always heard stories that when your eyes automatically shut when kissing a girl, that girl was your soulmate. Whatever. It's just a stupid lie. Plus, Jules isn't my soulmate…she's just my makeout partner. Nothing serious

Juliette felt Scott's tenseness as she put her mouth to his soft earlobe. Fine, then. If you're turned on by Shelby's seductions, then I'll just be seductive

She then moved her arms to his lower back and then began kissing his neck.

Scott's eyes widened, as he tried to get rid of the sick feeling he now had in his stomach. This is what Elaine used to do. She used to wrap her arms around me this same way while she…I can't handle this

Juliette's lips pursued as she got ready to kiss his lips once again, but she then realized that Scott had moved away to the corner of the shed, as far away from Juliette he could possibly be.

She arched her eyebrows in surprise, hands on her hips. "Scott, what's wrong?"

Scott looked at the floor, his hands in his pockets. "I don't feel good all of a sudden," he lied.

Juliette took a step close towards him. "Well, maybe I can make you feel better," she hinted suggestively, a smirk on her face. Jules, this isn't you!

She then shook her head slightly, still making her way towards Scott. Who cares? It's obviously who Scott wants!

Scott put his hand on the peeling wall, his eyes avoiding any sort of contact with Juliette. "Nah," he replied quickly.

Juliette was now standing in front of him, her hands at her sides. "You sure?" she questioned while tenderly putting a hand to his cheek.

"Yeah."

But Juliette wasn't giving that easily. Her lips were on Scott's before he could protest.

Scott tried to pull away, but he gave in, for he felt weak, defeated. Just don't think about Elaine. It was a long time ago. It's over

Juliette grinned internally as Scott eagerly returned the kiss. I've got you, now

The memories of Elaine had almost disappeared, when another thought crossed Scott's mind. Crap, I forgot I have to go meet Shelby for that stupid bet

As he pulled his mouth away from Juliette's, she moved her arms to his neck and began giving him little kisses.

Scott opened his mouth tell her to stop, when he, all of a sudden, felt a sweet sensation as Juliette's lips sucked on his skin. It didn't feel tingly, like he was in love, but it did feel good. I'll just stay here for a little while. I'll catch up with Shelby later…

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8:24 P.M.

Shelby quickly got up from her position on the bench and began pacing around on the dock. He's gonna be here. He promised. He WILL be here

She looked towards the campus while scratching her head. "Where are you?" she asked aloud.

After five more minutes of waiting, Shelby angrily grabbed her red spiral notebook and tore each page of questions she had spent so much time and effort writing out of the book. Prove to me you're not a football jock. How many siblings do you have? What do you look for in life?

Shelby ripped each paper up and then tore each into little pieces.

Then, with a fling of her hand, she threw them into the water, the little white specs of paper ruined, as if there had been no writing on them at all.

Her head spinning, she watched the pieces be picked at by little fish, unbeknownst to the situation. How dare he! Ooh…I'm gonna gave him a piece of my mind once I see him. He better order a freakin restraining order against me!

Shelby stood up and then kicked the bench with all might, trying to release some of her fury, her eyes in angry slits. I mean, I took all this time to plan everything out, and then he just doesn't show up!

As a lump formed her throat, Shelby internally groaned. No, you're not doing this. You're angry; HE STOOD YOU UP! It's not sad…it's time to get revenge!

But her body wouldn't cooperate.

A defeated Shelby sunk to her knees, the tears falling freely. He doesn't care about me. He…doesn't care

Shelby still felt the extreme anger deep inside of her, but the extreme hurt inside her heart was too much.

The velvety sky blanketed the newly twinkling stars, while the small blonde lay curled in a ball, crying, all of her dreams and fantasies falling apart.

Aww! Poor Shelby! Sorry guys; had to have a sad ending for the chapter! 10 REVIEWS, and I'll post chapter 5!

In chapter 5: Shelby confronts Scott, Auggie gets some advice, some more A/J action, and a newbie arrives