FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY

Chapter 12: A Moment in Time

Rating: Rated PG for mentions of blood and slight language

Disclaimer: I do not own Higher Ground. However, I own this fanfic, so please do not steal!

Author's Note: Hey, guys! Thank you for the AWESOME reviews! I really am sorry about how short my chapters have been. I decided that I would make them shortER than they were, but chapter 11 was pathetic! I'm really going to try and make it up to you all! Ohmygosh…aren't fanfiction.net's colors so ugly now? When you click on an option, it like turns an ugly shade of yellow. Lol…anyway, R&R!

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Recap: CHAPTER 11- Juliette talks to her mom and has to deal with her criticisms. Juliette, having a low self-esteem, cuts herself to end the pain. Scott and Shelby meet at the docks for their first meeting and begin to ask each other questions.

Last Line: Shelby- "Right. First question."

Last Thought: Shelby- Ooook. Here we go. Let the party begin.

**********************BEG. OF CHAP**********************

Auggie quickly shuffled his feet through the hallway of the main lodge, as he pushed a hand through his dark hair. I haven't talked to Mama and Papa in so long! I'm glad they finally called!

After walking for a few moments, he then stopped at his destination at the end of the hall: Peter's office.

Just a few minutes earlier, Peter had told Auggie that his parents had called, and that he could take the call in his office.

Auggie, not bothering to knock, burst through the wooden door to the office, not prepared for what he would see next.

His heart ached at the crumpled sight sitting in front of him. "Juliette!?" he asked in disbelief.

The small brunette looked up at him, eyes wide and dropped the razor blade she had been holding to her arm. "AAAuggie?" she whispered, slightly stuttering.

Auggie, his mouth agape, walked towards Juliette, concerned. "Juliette, what did you just drop on the floor?" he questioned, hoping she hadn't been doing what he thought she was doing.

Juliette eyed the blade, which had fallen underneath her chair. Think fast, Juliette! "Um…nothing," she answered quickly, her eyes now on Auggie.

Before she could protest, Auggie bent down to her eye level and reached underneath the chair, picking up the blade.

Juliette gulped as Auggie held it in his hand, glancing at it. Busted. "Auggie, it's not what you think. I was just…"

Auggie looked up at the woman he loved and felt his eyes start to tear up. Oh my God. She…she could have died! "Why did you do this?" he asked after a beat, his voice cracking.

Juliette's eyes widened in confusion. Why does he care so much? No one gives a crap about me! "I didn't DO anything," she finally replied, lying through her teeth.

Auggie was about to say something, when he noticed Juliette's bloody hand.

His eyes widened, and he bit his lip to try to stop the tears.

Juliette followed Auggie's gaze and mentally kicked herself for not covering up her hand. Now he thinks you're disgusting. You just love to make people think less of you, don't you?

Without saying a word, Juliette picked up a paper towel from Peter's mahogany desk and wrapped her hand up, trying to avoid Auggie's disgusted gaze at all costs.

Auggie just watched her, his head spinning. Why would she do this? Does she not know how much everyone loves her?

When Juliette finally turned around and looked Auggie in the eye, he realized why she had cut herself. He could see it in her eyes. Rejection. I recognize that look. Scott broke up with her, and so she's feeling all of this pain. She has to realize she's better than this! I have to prove it to her!

Without any warning, Auggie made his way over to Juliette and pulled her in his arms.

Shocked, Juliette tried to pull away from Auggie's gentle embrace, but then she heard his sobs.

They weren't soft, and he wasn't trying to hide them. They were loud, and Auggie was obviously having a hard time breathing.

He began to whimper, and Juliette felt a teardrop fall onto her shoulder. Oh my God. He's crying…for my pain!

She then had no desire to pull away. All she wanted to do was collapse in Auggie's arms.

And so she did.

Juliette pulled Auggie closer and cried onto his shoulder.

The two teenagers held onto each for dear life while shedding tears caused by failed expectations, even though they were not even the best of friends.

They were just two people who had been through a battle, and who just wanted to be loved.

*************************************************************

"What's your favorite movie?"

Scott's eyes widened in surprise. That's how she wants to start the meeting off? Um…ok. Well, at least she didn't ask any personal questions. "Any Given Sunday," he finally answered confidently.

Shelby laughed to herself. Figures he'd like a football movie. We'll have to ask the personal questions once we warm up to each other. This is just an icebreaker. "Alright, then. Why do you like it?" she asked. She knew the answer, but she just wanted Scott to say it himself…so he'd realize that he really WAS a football-obsessed jock.

Scott rolled his eyes. Don't mention anything about football. "'Cause Cameron Diaz is really hot," he replied, smirking, while trying to keep a straight face.

Shelby smirked, also. "Scott, do you remember the terms to this whole thing?"

Before he could answer, she spoke up once again.

"I can refresh your memory. We are both supposed to answer the questions HONESTLY because this whole thing is based on trust," Shelby finished, eyebrows raised.

Scott nodded. "You just wasted your breath because I know all of that," he stated, in a smart-alecky tone.

"Then why did you just lie?"

Scott's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "I wasn't lying! Cameron Diaz IS really hot!" he exclaimed, a hint of anger in his voice.

Shelby smirked, a half-smile on her face. "And that's the ONLY reason you like that movie? Because you're a Cameron Diaz fan?" she questioned, testing him.

There ya go! There's your excuse! "Yup. I'm a HUGE Cameron fan," he answered.

"Oh, then I guess you love her other movies, as well. Right, Scott?"

Scott didn't even think about twice about the answer. "Sure do," he replied quickly.

Shelby gave him a mischievous smile. "Oh! Cameron was GREAT in My Best Friend's Wedding. I didn't know you were a fan of chick flicks!" she exclaimed, trying not to laugh.

Scott was about to nod his head, when he heard the last part of what she had said. "Chick flicks?" he asked in disbelief, his eyebrows arched.

Shelby nodded. "Yup! She was most definitely in that one. What…you didn't see it? I thought you were a HUGE Cameron fan!" she quoted with a chuckle.

Scott groaned, for he knew Shelby had tricked him. Ugh…which will it be? Admitting I lied about being a Cameron fan and give Shelby the idea that I'm ONLY a football jock? Or should I tell her I DID see My Best Friend's Wedding and give Shelby the idea that I like chick flicks? "I like it because of the football," he grumbled, slightly pouting.

Shelby then began laughing uncontrollably.

When she calmed down, she looked over at Scott, who was fuming. "You learned your lesson. Don't lie anymore…you'll always get caught," she explained thoughtfully.

Scott didn't say anything, for he was too mad. Now she's being all friendly, and she's probably thinking that just because I was NICER to her today than any other day, we're gonna be good friends…and more. I need to set her straight. "Just because we're doing this does NOT mean we are friends or anything. And it doesn't mean I'm gonna stop calling you names or anything. As far as I am concerned, you are the same slut…Excuse me, PERSON that you've been the whole time. Understand?"

Shelby's smile faded at Scott's change in attitude. Why are you acting so surprised? You knew this was true. To him, this is just a bet because that's all this is…all this is. "Um…right. I know. I'm trying to get you to NOT think of me as a slut, though," she finally answered quietly.

Scott rolled his eyes. But you ARE a slut…I probably can't say that out loud. I might break one of the "rules" of the getting-to-know-each-other game. Hold up…why do you care if you break one of the rules? She doesn't control your life!

But before Scott could say anything, Shelby spoke first. "Well, it's 5 'til 9. Guess that's end of tonight's meeting," she stated, whole looking at her watch, purposely not looking at Scott.

Scott squinted his eyes in confusion. "Really? That was it? I mean, I'm glad it is because it's not I enjoy this, but we only asked one question," he rambled, words just coming out of his mouth.

Shelby shrugged. "Well, I showed up ten minutes late because…Well, you know why," she stated, not bothering to tell why because of the glare Scott was giving her.

"Plus, we just kinda sat here in silence for a while, and we didn't ask the first question 'til pretty much the end of the meeting," she finished, taking a breath, for she had said a lot.

Scott just nodded. "Yeah, I guess that explains it."

Shelby nodded, also. "Tomorrow we'll just go right to the questions, so be prepared. Have your questions ready because you'll be asking ME, first, tomorrow," she informed him, bossing him around.

What the hell? Why am I letting her boss me around? I NEVER have let a girl tell me what to do…and I don't intend to start now! But strangely, Scott couldn't find the words to say.

Luckily, he didn't have to.

"Well, I'm gonna go to the dorm. See ya tomorrow, Scott. And don't forget about the questions!" Shelby advised him, while giving him a tight smile.

As she turned to leave, Scott just watched her, not knowing what to think. Shelby Merrick is certainly like no other girl I have ever met.

He then turned to the front and pulled his feet out of the water. Which is why I would never get involved with her.

************************END OF CHAP***********************

I really tried to make that one longer, so I hope you enjoy! Oh, I have a question for you guys: how would you feel about an AJ/Hayden fic in the near future? It would be fiction based on facts…does that make sense? Anyway, I really wanna know what you guys think about it! Either email me at afgirl122@hotmail.com or just tell me what you think in a review. 10 reviews, please, and I will post chapter 13!

REMEMBER: mailing list, email/review S&S question, and let me know thoughts on AJ/Hayden fic!

In chapter 13: Auggie and Juliette's moment is broken…how does Juliette now feel about Auggie and will Auggie tell Peter about Juliette cutting? How do S&S treat each other in public? FINALLY, some D&E action!

IN CASE I DON'T POST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL...REMEMBER THE REASON OF IT ALL! GOD BLESS YOU!