Unhappy birthday part thirteen
It had been a week since Shelby had returned to Horizon. She had told the cliffhangers and Peter and Sophie about what had happened to her on the streets. She had decided that they needed to know. Actually that she had needed to tell them. Shelby had been suprized by their reactions. Scott and Daisy had already understood, and that didn't change. Once Shelby had told them the first thing Scott had done was pull her into his arms. Shelby had been really suprized though about how understanding Julliette was trying to be. She had accepted it and told Shelby she was sorry if she'd ever said anything that had brought back old memories. Shelby had said that was ok. And she'd meant it. Shelby was through with that part of her life. And now when she said she wasn't proud, but she wasn't ashamed she actually meant it.
I wish things between me and mom had been that easy, Shelby thought. Alice had showed up while Shelby was telling the cliffhangers and had heard everything Shelby had said.
Flashback
"I... I know, that thanks to my mom you guys all know what it is that happened to me. I know you know what it is that I did." Shelby said her voice a little shaky. "I. I uh ran because it hurt and because I thought you would all look at me differently." Shelby said looking at her hands. "I was on the streets for three days, when I realized I had no money and it actually hit me that I was on the streets again. I knew I had to do something." She paused for a moment, tears forming in her eyes. "This car pulled up next to me. I got in and I was given money. And the man, he. he started to, to ... I didn't resist.' Shelby said tears beginning to fall down her face. "But something inside finally hit me. I uh remembered everything that I went through, everything I had been taught all the things you guys said and I fought him off. He uh, he managed to get in a few good hits." Shelby said and pushed back her hair revealing a dark purple bruise. " I was afraid to come back. I didn't know what you guys would think. But I knew I had to tell you. If you guys never speak to me again I'll understand." Shelby said crying. She stood and headed for the door. Scott stood and stepped in front of her.
Shelby looked up at him. He had tears falling down his face, for a moment Shelby thought he would walk away from her, but instead Scott pulled her into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder. The other cliffhangers gathered around her too. They were all crying.
"Shelby." Shelby had pulled from the embrace of the others to see her mom standing in the doorway. Scott had stood on one said of her, his arm around her and Daisy and Jess had been on the other.
'You look like hell, mom." Was all Shelby said. Alice hadn't slept in days and was pale.
"I was worried about you." She said.
"Worried about me?" Shelby asked. "You're the reason I left."
"Shelby I am sorry." Her mother looked away. "But I can't do things alone." Shelby sighed. Nothing had changed her mom still wanted Walt back. Shelby started to say something, but Jess cut her off.
"If you let that man back into our house, I will not come home." Jess said.
"Jess, your my daughter.' Alice looks at Shelby. "See what you're making you sister do?" This had astonished Shelby.
"What she's making me do?" What she's making me do?" Jess had shouted. 'You chose him. You chose him over your own daughters. You once asked Shelby when she was going to grow up and stop blaming everyone else for her mistakes, well when are you going to? You ignored it mom. You knew and you ignored it, but we can forgive you for that. But only if you admit what a monster he is and get him out of our lives."
End of flashback
Shelby smiled at the memory. Jess had really stuck up for her. Things were not perfect by far, but Shelby was through with it. The scars that she had from prostituting and being abused were still there, but they weren't as deep. And Shelby knew her mom was still having trouble accepting it all, but she hoped that maybe this was a start. Jess had decided to go home with their mom and Alice had allowed Peter to give her a list of counselors and support groups that she could turn to for help.
Shelby, who had been straightening her area of the dorm, discovered a brown box. It was under her desk. How did I miss this? She asked herself pulling it out from under her desk. Maybe because I haven't really been at my desk this week, she thought. Most of her time had been spent with the other cliffhangers or with Peter and Sophie.
Shelby sat down on the bed and then put the box on the floor in front of her. On the top part of the box was an envelope, and her name was written across it. Shelby took the enveloped and opened it up. Inside was a letter.
Dear Shelby,
We wanted to get you something that you could really enjoy for your birthday, but we know Peter doesn't allow things like that here at Horizon.
Shelby rolls her eyes, with a slight laugh as to what it says.
Anyway, since we couldn't get approval to go off campus and shop (trust us we tried, we begged, but they said no), we decided instead that the best gift to give you would be us. So inside this box is something of each of ours. We hope you like it.
The cliffhangers.
Shelby carefully put the letter back into the envelope and then opened the box. There was old newspaper crammed into the box, like tissue paper. Shelby reached in and pulled out something that was wrapped in the newspaper. She unwrapped it and inside she discovered a projection film. Attached to it was a note.
This is the film Daisy and I made, I thought you might like it.
Ezra
Shelby set that aside and pulled out the next item. She unwrapped it and laughed when she saw what it was. 'Only you princess." Shelby said and set the plastic tiara that Jules had given her on her desk.
The next item was a small leather bound journal. Shelby opened it. On the inside page was a note from Sara. I brought this from home, but haven't used it, thought you might want it.
The next item was from Auggie. It was a sketch of his tag.
The next item was from David. Shelby stared at the package for a moment. This could be scary she thought. She unwrapped it slowly. Inside though was a scented candle and a note.
I know that you know how to get stuff, but I thought that I'd go ahead and hook you up with something for your birthday. There should be more on the next supply truck. David.
Shelby shook her head in disbelief. Maybe I was wrong about him, she thought.
Shelby reached back into the box and came up with a small box. She opened it and inside was a picture of her and Scott at the morp. "Who is this...?" Shelby said, but then she saw the post it note.
The cliffhangers called me and I went through the photo album Julliette made me for graduation. I found this and thought you might want to have it. Tell everyone I said Hi and I'll see you over thanksgiving break.
Kat
Shelby smiled and put the picture on her nightstand. Shelby reached back into the box and came up with a pile of letters that were hooked together.
Shelby,
I know this may seem strange, but I'm a Goth, so I decided to give you back all the letters you sent me while you were away. I thought maybe someday you would read them and be able to see how far you've come. And if not, at least you'll have the satisfaction of being the one to burn them.
Daisy
Shelby reached inside and pulled out a script. Shelby looked at it; it was from the play Ezra had "written". Why would he give me this?
She wondered. She began to set it down, but then she noticed writing on it.
Dear Shelby,
I know we never got to do this play since you left, but I thought I would let you know that you will always be my Gillian and I will always be your Bobby Joe.
Love,
Scott
Shelby rolled her eyes. She was actually touched by the each gift, but some of them had been pretty interesting. She started to put the box aside when she realized there was still stuff in it. That's odd, all the cliffhangers have given me a gift.
Shelby reached down and pulled out two small packages. Inside one was a small snowglob. Inside the other was a small carved bear.
Attached to them was a letter.
Shelby,
Once we heard the cliffhangers idea and how good it was, we decided to participate as well. I gave you the snowglob, and Peter gave you the bear. We hope you enjoy them and have a great birthday.
Peter and Sophie.
Shelby smiled. It had been a week since her birthday and so much had changed. But one thing hadn't. Scott and the other cliffhangers would always be there for her. I guess it wasn't such an unhappy birthday after all, she thought. And with that she ran off to find the others and thank them for their gifts.