FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY

Chapter 9: Rude Awakenings

Rating: PG13 because of use of the "f word" and sexual content and slight violence

Disclaimer: HG is owned by FFC…or should I say "ABC Family." I only own this story. Please don't sue me.

Author's Note: 20 reviews…you guys SERIOUSLY ROCK! I'm so happy! I'm sorry I couldn't post before I left for Disneyworld…on Thursday night, I had to pack, and I had two tests to study for. Then on Friday, I left from school to go to D-World. I just got back Tuesday morning at 2, and I've had homework to make up for the past two days. SO, because I received MANY reviews, I tried to make this one longer. Enjoy!

A Note for Katina: Haha…I decided to leave you a lil note since you always review! Thanks for the reviews, and I gotta talk to ya tomorrow at school! (it seems like I haven't talked to ya in a while!)

A Note for Sanich: Yes, my chapters are short, and that is because I never have time to write long ones, so I post short ones. I mean, it's either that or posting long chaps like once every few weeks. Thanks for the review!

A Note for Christ: Thanks for reviewing! Don't worry…I'm going to keep posting-promise! Sometimes, I take a while to post, but I won't stop!

A Note for Christine: Aww! Thanks for the compliments! They were very sweet! Don't give up on S&S, yet…I never said they weren't gonna get together. Maybe they will, maybe they won't……

Recap: CHAPTER 8-Daisy meets the Cliffhangers, except for Scott, and Ezra develops a little crush on her. Daisy makes predictions about Scott and Shelby, only to find out they are not even on good terms. Scott refuses to take place in any Cliffhanger activity. Katherine gets fed up with this and calls group.

Last Line Said: Katherine-"I'm calling group."

Scott's eyes left his torn up tennis shoes as his gaze rested on the silent Cliffhangers, each one trying to avoid conversation at all costs. "Well, this is off to a great start," he muttered sarcastically.

Peter stepped in towards Scott and turned to Katherine, who was sitting cross-legged on the couch. This is definitely good. The kids need to let out their feelings, and since Hannah's on vacation, they haven't had group in a while. "Katherine, you called group, so you have the floor."

Katherine looked up, her big brown eyes unblinking.

She then regained her posture and sat up straight, pulling her legs out from beneath her. "Okay…"

Each of the Cliffhangers watched Katherine in awe, wondering what her next words were going to be.

Katherine turned her attention to the blonde boy sitting across from her. Here goes nothing. "Scott wants nothing to do with us. He IS a newbie, but that doesn't cut it."

There was a pause as Scott's anger built up.

"I mean, Daisy is new here, and you don't see her acting all withdrawn from the group," Katherine continued, the words just flowing out of her mouth.

"DON'T compare me her. I'm not like ANYONE here," Scott growled, finally speaking up.

Peter kneeled in front of Scott as each of the teenagers, excluding Scott, gave each other questioning glances. "Elaborate on that, Scott," he said softly, trying to get through to the troubled boy.

Scott rolled his eyes as he looked up at the ceiling, silently cursing himself for stating that last comment. "Just…never mind."

Ezra squinted his eyes in confusion. "No, Scott, tell us. What did you mean by that?" he questioned, his tone cold and uninviting.

Scott then stood up, his blood boiling. "I DON'T BELONG HERE! DO YOU HEAR ME? I DON'T BELONG HERE!" he shouted loudly.

Juliette jumped back, startled by his outburst. "Why don't you belong here?" she asked quietly, her eyes silently begging him to calm down.

Scott turned around abruptly, knocking over his chair in the process. "All of you," he started, while pointing to each of the Cliffhangers, "you're all druggies, rejects, LOSERS."

He then looked at Shelby, who had been silent the whole time. "And SLUTS," he hissed.

Shelby's light blue eyes clouded over, and she held in the tears, which were just waiting to fall. I HATE that word. And I HATE it when he calls me that.

Scott's gaze never wavered, as he waited for Shelby to react to his statement.

Shelby looked away, unable to speak. You're such a wimp.

Auggie then jumped up off of the couch and hurled himself towards Scott, his arms around the blonde's neck. "THE ONLY LOSER, DRUGGIE, AND REJECT IS YOU, MAN! IT'S YOU!" he screamed, starting to pull Scott into a headlock.

Peter quickly ran to Auggie and pulled the small teenager off of Scott. "Auggie! Come on, Auggie! You're better than this!" he yelled, carrying Auggie to the far corner, away from Scott.

"HE HAS BEEN RUINING EVERYTHING SINCE THE DAY HE GOT HERE!" Auggie shouted while kicking his arms and legs to unnerve Peter.

Scott quickly stood up and started to hurl himself towards Auggie, but he was pulled back by Katherine.

"GET OFF ME!" he screamed in his thick accent, trying to pull himself out of Katherine's grasp.

Katherine, with a force no one knew existed, yanked Scott back to his seat by his ear.

She then threw him in his chair, and brought her face close to his. "Don't you EVER call us that. You know NOTHING ABOUT US because you make no attempt to get to know us!"

Scott just watched her, shocked at seeing her act this way.

Katherine gave Scott another scowl before relaxing on the couch, once again.

Ezra then stood up and started clapping, a grin on his face. "You go, Katherine! Way to show him who's boss!" he exclaimed with pure amusement in his voice.

Daisy smirked and then stood up and also started clapping. "I have to admit…you did push him around, but…don't get used to this praise I'm giving you."

Katherine laughed, her brown eyes full of joy. "Yeah, I guess that was a good one, huh?" she asked, smiling.

Scott's stomach dropped, as he felt a wave of jealousy run through him. They're all laughing…about me. They have this freakin bond that I'm not apart of.

He then shook his head, as if to slow down all of his emotions. What the hell is wrong with me? First I can't think of any comebacks to save my life when talking to a skank who is soo beneath me…and then I feel guilty about it! And now, I'm letting this girl push me around, and I'm starting to get jealous of these fucked up druggies. It's time to get past this little phase I'm going through.

By now, Peter and a calm Auggie had returned to where the group was being held.

Auggie took his old seat on the couch, and then gave Katherine, Juliette, Ezra, and Daisy, who were all laughing hysterically, a questioning glance. "What's so funny? I thought this was group," he stated, a look of confusion on his face.

Peter gave the four a stern look. "Alright, guys, let's calm down."

Almost immediately, the laughing stopped, for the teenagers recognized the man's tone.

"Okay, how about we all go around and share what we're feeling about this situation with Scott, starting with…"

Peter's gaze rested on Shelby, who was sitting on the end of the couch, her eyes on the floor. "How about you, Shelby…you've been awfully quiet tonight. What do you think?" he questioned softly, hoping the blonde would give an honest answer for once.

Shelby looked up, her eyes dazed, as if she had been in some sort of a dream. Or nightmare, Peter thought to himself, for her mouth was set in a straight line.

"Um…whatever. I'm just observing," Shelby finally replied, praying that her voice wouldn't crack. Please don't ask me any more.

Peter nodded understandingly, but his heart ached for the poor girl. I have to break through those walls. "Okay. What about you, Ezra?" he asked, his eyes never leaving Shelby.

Ezra shrugged sheepishly. "I think Scott is a pretty cool guy, and I think he'd realize we're pretty cool people, too…if he'd just give us a chance."

Scott rolled his eyes. "Right," he mouthed to Ezra. What a bunch of losers.

Auggie glared at Scott, for he had seen what Scott had mouthed to Ezra. "Yo, meat, you're lookin for a…"

"Alright, good Ezra," Peter interrupted.

He turned his attention towards Katherine. "Katherine? Thoughts?"

Katherine gave a small laugh. "Well, I think everyone knows how I feel about the whole thing," she answered simply.

Peter shrugged. "Okay…what about you, Daisy? Your opinion is important because you're also new here, just like Scott."

Before Daisy could answer, Scott spoke up. "Why are you talking like I'm not here? I'M SITTING RIGHT HERE. And I'm hearing everything you say," he snarled angrily.

All eyes were then on Scott.

"I'm sorry if it seemed like that, Scott. I just thought that you would want to say what you think after everyone else said what they thought. But if you want to do it now…"

"No," Scott answered, interrupting Peter, "Ya know what? FORGET IT!" he yelled, before jumping out of chair and heading for the door.

"Fine! Run away! It's what you do when you can't deal with anything!"

The Cliffhangers whipped their heads towards Juliette, surprised she would say something like that.

Scott turned around and gave Juliette a beyond angry look, but he didn't say anything.

Juliette, seeing the look everyone was giving her, then realized what damage she had just done. "Wait, Scott, wait!" she called out, as Scott walked out of the door.

The thin brunette darted out of the lodge as she ran to save what was left of her relationship with Scott.

Once the two were out of earshot, Peter put his head in his hands and sighed. I don't know how to get through to that boy.

He looked to see everyone staring at him, different expressions on each face.

"Why did you just let him go?" Auggie asked, confusion all over his face.

Peter's eyes remained on the floor, pondering the answer to the question. "He needs to let off some steam. He's not ready to be confronted, yet," he finally answered after a beat.

"That doesn't matter. He's been given the golden treatment, Peter. He can't just do whatever he wants," Katherine spoke up quietly.

Peter looked over at Katherine, nodding. "I know," he said, his eyes locking with hers. "It's just that otherwise…he'll run."

Juliette quickened her pace behind Scott, as he sped up, eager to get away from her.

"Scott, please don't do this! I'm sorry!"

Scott then abruptly turned around, almost knocking Juliette to the ground. "Whatever! I really don't care!" he yelled, his eyes narrowed.

Juliette smiled to herself, grateful that he was at least talking to her. "Well, we can get over this! We can take a step in our relationship!" she pleaded with him, her brown eyes staring him down.

Scott's eyes bulged so big that Juliette thought they were going to burst out their sockets. "TAKE A STEP IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP? WE HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP!" he screamed, his face turning purple.

Juliette stuck her lip out. "What are you talking about?" she questioned, her eyebrows raised.

Scott rubbed his temples tiredly. "We make out…that's it. We never talk or anything. We mean NOTHING to each other. This not a relationship," he explained, a little calmer than before.

Juliette looked down at the ground, trying to hide the disappointed look on her face. You knew it was coming, Jules. Face it, Shelby won. You're never going to be able to keep a steady relationship going.

"So, I guess this is it."

Juliette looked up at Scott, a strong and determined look on her face. "Yeah, I guess it is," she said smoothly.

Scott shoved his hands in his pockets and forced a small smile. "See ya later, Juliette."

He gave her a quick glance before walking away, the typical Scott Barringer frown being placed back on his face.

Juliette managed a tiny smile. Goodbye, Scott.

Scott swiftly threw the rock in the water, watching it skip and make little ripples. Well, single again.

He laughed to himself. I can't remember the last time I was single.

Scott then picked up another rock and threw it in the water again.

But before he could enjoy the privilege of watching the ripples in the water, a voice spoke. "Nice night, isn't it?"

Scott turned around and rolled his eyes at who was standing behind him. "Isn't there a rule that says that 'After third attempt at seducing a guy, slut must move on to a desperate and STUPID guy?'" he asked, smirking.

Shelby mirrored Scott's actions and rolled her eyes, also. Ignore it. Just talk to him, and don't break down. He can try, but you're stronger than that. "Oh, see, that already happened with another guy. That's why I'm talking to you now," she stated smugly, not bothering to defend herself. I've done that enough.

Scott shook his head, his eyes closed. "Look, I've had a hard day. And for ONCE, I'm in a good mood, so please don't spoil for me. Just leave!"

Shelby sat down on the docks, near where Scott was standing. Good mood…it'll be even easier to talk to him! "I'm not going to spoil ANYTHING for you. See? I'm just going to sit here and mind my own business…okay?"

Scott just groaned. "Whatever," he muttered, rubbing his hand through his hair.

Shelby grinned. "Okay," she agreed, gazing out at the water.

But her gaze, of course, returned to Scott. God, he is so gorgeous. This is the LAST time I am going try this. If this doesn't work, I'm letting go of Scott…FOREVER.

Okay, it's like 11:30, so sorry it was a lil rushed. In the next chap, you'll see why Scott and Shelby had such a sudden change in attitude. Now, about the whole "severed ties" part, you all now know who the two people that broke it off are…stay tuned to this story for the joining part. It may be more than two people. And the joining doesn't necessarily mean dating-wise. It could just mean joining as friends. SO, how about 10 reviews, and I'll post chapter 10 ASAP!

In chapter 10: What does Shelby have up her sleeve? Juliette deals with the breakup, and Auggie (FINALLY) receives some advice.