Author's Note: Nope, we're still not at the core of the story, not even close. :D I've been updating quite a bit recently, I'm
addicted to writing this thing. Oh, and I used a song in this chapter, Running by No Doubt, which belongs to No Doubt. ~Jazz
Shelby was seated in class.. but she didn't hear a word that came out of her teacher, Jeff's mouth. Nor did she care to. Her thoughts were all directed towards a certain boy who wanted to stay with her for as long as she would have him. Perhaps there were such things as happy endings.
She could see her teacher's lips moving, but instead of listening, hoped that what he said wasn't important. Whatever he has blabbering on about, it couldn't be as important as thinking about Scott. Scott- he truly was amazing.
"Shelby?"
Shelby's daydreaming came to an abrupt end when Jeff said her name aloud.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Have you heard a word of what I've said?"
Shelby laughed nervously. "Can't say that I have.."
The others chuckled, and Jeff sighed heavily. "You've just missed what material you'll need to study in order to pass next week's history exam. Would you like me to repeat it?" he asked, somewhat irritated.
"No, really, it's alright."
Jeff wasn't convinced. "Shelby, your grade depends on this."
But Shelby didn't come close to caring. "If you want to repeat it so badly, then, by all means, repeat it."
"But are you going to listen? If you're not, there's no point in it and I can grade you right now. And trust me, you're not going to be thrilled with the mark."
Shelby shrugged. Unconvincingly, and somewhat sarcastically, she replied, "Sure, I'll give listening my best shot."
Jeff took a mental note of this, and repeated his speech nonetheless.
Juliette was seated at the lavish dinner table, elegantly decorated, an embroidered tablecloth, and matching dishes. Andrew and her mom were seated across from her.
"So Juliette," Andrew began. "I've heard a lot about you!"
Juliette smiled. "Some of it good, I hope."
"Oh yes," he replied conversationally. "You were quite the little beauty queen I hear."
Juliette winced. "Yeah," she began. "Once. I don't compete anymore."
"Why not? You're a beautiful girl," he stated. With a coy wink at her mom, Andrew continued, "You must take after your mother."
Juliette's mom was delightfully flustered at the comment. "Oh Andrew, you're such a dear," she replied.
Andrew raised his hands in surrender. "Oh no, just owing a beautiful, free-spirited woman her dues."
Juliette merely stared, as her mom's new husband poured on the compliments. Normally, she wouldn't care, but something about the exchange disrupted her.
"Juliette, I want you to take notes," her mom instructed, "This is the kind of man I want to see you marry. A man who knows your worth."
Juliette continued staring, not knowing how to respond. Luckily, Andrew intervened. "Anyways," he began, converting conversation topics, "Juliette, why not?"
"I haven't competed in like, years," Juliette replied. "And when I was sent off to Horizon, it's not like I could."
"So how was that experience?" Andrew asked amiably.
"It was good," Juliette responded. "I made some good friends."
"I met some of them, didn't I?" Juliette's mom added. "I met, what's his name, Doggie? And his parents during parents weekend. Lovely people," despite the compliment, Juliette was quick to know that her mom wasn't being sincere.
Juliette smiled. "Mom, it's Auggie, short for Augusto. Not doggie," she continued, laughing.
"Oh, my mistake."
"And you're returning on Monday?" Andrew asked Juliette.
"That's right."
Her mom was quick to say, "Juliette, dear, close your mouth when you chew."
"Yes. Right, mom."
"Will you compete in pageants when you get out of Horizon?" Andrew asked casually.
"When will you get out of Horizon, by the by?" her mom questioned.
"I don't think I'll continue competing," Juliette replied. "I want to do something with my life, I'm not sure what yet but beauty pageants are too competitive. And I'll be getting out of Horizon in a few months!"
"You must be excited," Andrew remarked.
"Yeah, but I almost don't want to leave. We've really grown close, all of us."
"That's wonderful, darling," her mom said superficially.
"Yeah."
"Are you finished, Juliette?" her mom implied, more than asked.
"Uh, yeah," she said.
Juliette's mom rose from her seat. "I'll be a moment," she said.
"So Andrew, um," Juliette began, "do you have any kids? Is this your first marriage?" When she garnered no immediate response, Juliette said quickly, "I'm sorry if I seem intrusive, I just don't know anything about you!"
"Oh it's no problem," he replied. "You should be curious, after all, I married your mother," he stated.
"And you're going to be here a long time!" Juliette said hopefully.
Juliette was taken aback when his face was blank. He quickly recovered. "Uh, right," he said. "Well, um, no kids, first marriage. I grew up in Utah, moved to California. That's about it."
"I see."
Juliette's mom returned, making a grand entrance. "So.." she began. "Is my new husband and daughter getting acquainted?"
"You can be sure of it," Andrew was quick to reply.
"So Juliette," her mom asked, "what do you think of number 6?"
Before Juliette could reply, Andrew intervened. "Oh darling, you're so precious," he began. Juliette couldn't decide whether or not his words were sincere, and her mom was oblivious to her internal struggle of accepting 'number 6'. "I'm labelled as a number now? How flattering," Andrew continued.
"You know, I have a theory about my many marriages," her mom said. "I'm indecisive and I'm picky."
"Mom," Juliette said, "You're supposed to figure out whether or not you like the guy you're marrying before you marry him."
"Don't tell me how to live my life, Juliette Waybourne," her mom snapped.
"Sorry."
"But I think I've made the right decision this time," her mom continued. "Don't you agree, Andrew?"
He smiled charmingly. "Of course."
"By the way," her mom added, "I'll be away for the afternoon tomorrow, as I have an important rendez-vous to attend. I apologize for the short notice."
"Dear, will I ever miss you!" Andrew said.
"You're such a darling," Juliette's mom remarked. "Now I remember why I married you."
Peter decided to idly survey the campgrounds. It was well past lights-out, and all he could discern was moonlight and darkness.
It was a beautiful night, a warm breeze sweeping the grounds, and the trees, outlined by shadows, swaying gently.
It was then that he spotted it, taking place on the docks. He could discern two mops of blond hair gleaming in the
moonlight, lips engaged in a passionate exchange. Hands clutching tightly at one another. He slowly advanced closer, to
assure himself that his eyes weren't deceiving him. That was all that he needed to see, as he instinctively ran towards them,
ready to end their fun.
Shelby suddenly pulled back from Scott.
"Do you hear that?" she asked him idly.
Scott furrowed his brows. "Hear what, Shel?"
Shelby looked around nervously. "Someone's coming, I could hear a branch snap under their weight."
Scott paused, and decided that he, too, could discern footsteps in the night. "Shit, you're right. Over there," Scott pointed towards an imposing figure running towards them.
Shelby gasped. "It's Peter!"
"Shit! Run!" Scott said despairingly. They ran, not knowing where they headed, only knowing that Peter couldn't be in two places at once.
~~~~Me ~~~~~
~~I'm the one you chose~
~~~~Out of all the people~~~
~~You wanted me the most ~~~~~~
~~~~~I'm so sorry that I'm falling ~~~~~
~~Help me up lets keep on running ~~~
~~~~Don't let me fall out of love ~~~~~
The two blonds halted when they reached the entrance to the forest.
"Into the forest, c'mon Shel," Scott urged.
Shelby shook her head. "We'll never get out of there."
Scott looked behind them frantically, seeing Peter hot on their tail. "Would you rather get lost, or have Peter catch us? C'mon."
"God this is stupid," Shelby stated.
"We can do this, Shel."
"You'd better be right."
"Hey," Scott began, "I love you Shel. If Peter catches us, we'll be separated for sure."
Shelby nodded. "We'd never see each other again, knowing Peter!"
"If we're going to survive, we have to outrun him," Scott said. "For us, Shelby. C'mon, grab my hand."
Shelby reached for his and, gathering her courage, dashed into the forest.
"Into the forest, it is."
~~~Running, running~~~
~~~~~As fast as we can~~~~~
~~~~I really hope you make it ~~~~
~~(Do you think we'll make it?) ~~
~~We're running ~~~
~~~Keep holding my hand ~~~
~~~~~~It's so we don't get separated~~
They ran as fast as their legs could carry them, but somehow Peter never seemed to be far behind.
"Crap, he's not far behind," Shelby remarked as she had glanced behind quickly.
"Oh, shit," Scott said, glancing back as he ran. "C'mon, we have to speed it up."
"I can't, Scott."
Scott couldn't believe her words. "Well, you have to try, c'mon."
"I can't see a freaking thing," Shelby complained. "Let's hide or something."
Scott glanced back again, paranoically. "He's getting closer, we can't give up."
~~~Be ~~~
~~Be the one I need ~~
~~~~~Be the one I trust most ~~~~
~~~Don't stop inspiring me ~~
~~~~~~Sometimes it's hard to keep on running ~~~
~~~We work so much to keep it going ~~~
~~~~~Don't make me want to give up ~~~~~~~~
"Scott, stop," Shelby instructed, but he failed to oblige.
"We can't," he stated. "What's wrong?"
"I have a cramp, I can't keep this up," she explained.
"Shit," Scott said, slowing to a jog. "K, climb on my back, I'm going to carry you."
"Well it's not like I'm going to protest," Shelby said as she hopped onto his strong back.
Scott smiled, as he adjusted her on his back. He subsequently began running. "This'll sure be something to tell our kids about, eh?" he remarked.
Shelby was skeptical. "We're going to have kids, Scott?"
Scott grinned. "Yeah, tons of 'em."
Shelby shook her head, smiling broadly, despite the circumstances. "You are so.. beyond description."
"Glad ya think so, Shel."
~~~~~Running all the time ~~~~
~~~Running to the future ~~
~~~~~With you right by my side ~~~~~~~
They travelled far into the forest, Shelby still snugly on Scott's back, her arms wrapped around his neck.
"I can't see a thing," Scott stated, suddenly coming to a stop.
Shelby was her cynical self. "Good, so I'm not the only one, huh?"
"Shit, this is serious."
"Hey, maybe not. If we can't see a thing, chances are neither can Peter," Shelby reasoned.
Scott nodded, coming to the same realization. "Yeah, you've got a point."
"I say that we park here for the night and conveniently sneak back into our dorms before anyone notices we're gone," Shelby smirked deviously, "and so then, Peter can't pinpoint us."
Scott let her slide off of his back. "Sounds good, babe." Teasingly, he added, "You're so brilliant."
"I know," Shelby replied grinning.
Scott seated himself on the forest floor, and Shelby climbed into his arms.
"I love you Shel."
"I love you Scott," she replied.
"Goodnight."
"Night."
"Wake up, you two."
Shelby and Scott were jolted awake by th imposing voice of their headmaster, looming over them. It was early morning, sunlight radiating through the countless rows of trees.
"That'd better not be who I think it is," Shelby said into Scott's chest, but knowing their fate.
"Shit. We're screwed," he whispered back.
"Yup. That's for sure."
"He can't keep us apart," Scott continued. "He can try, but he won't succeed."
Shelby smiled. "He couldn't keep us apart if he put us on different ends of the earth.