Author's Note: Alright, here's the next chapter. A warning, it's a tad depressing. But I'm kind of trying to replicate the kinds of stories I like- one where everything seems to be headed in one direction, the wrong one, but a happy ending still, somehow emerges at the end of it all. (I'm an incurable optimist, a hopeless romantic myself, I like to think that happy endings can exist. Not perfect endings, but happy ones..) Since some of y'all have kind of gotten like, really emotionally attached to this fic, I'm going to assure y'all that the ending is a happy one, although it probably won't happen the way you'd expect ;) You'll just have to wait and see.. Thanks for reviewing, I totally appreciate it.. :)



"Shelby has done it," Peter announced, drumming his fingers against his desk.

"She has?"

"But I think she's driving Scott and herself both, insane."

Martin Barringer shrugged. "Well, I'll take my son, sane or not."

"You owe her a huge thank you," Peter said pointedly. "I can't imagine how she drew the strength to do what she did."

Martin nodded. "I understand," he said.

A knock came at the door to Peter's office, which followed with the door opening.

It was Scott.

"Hey," Scott said. His gaze transferred to the unlikely presence of his dad. "Dad. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing," Martin replied.

"Oh," Scott assessed. "Well, is the offer still up? The football?"

"It's still up, Scott."

"I want to take it, to get out of this place," Scott stated.

"I'm glad to hear that," Martin said, relieved. "So what caused the change of heart?"

"Ah, nothing. I just thought I had something worth staying for.. but I really didn't have anything."





Shelby's body wracked with uncontrollable sobs.

The pain in his eyes was etched so vividly in her memory. Such beautiful eyes, and such anguish fleeting in them. He doesn't deserve this, she thought. Not for a moment did he deserve this, to have the people around him scheming his own life. Obliviously, he is forced to stumble along with it.

Never had she anticipated that their parting would play out as it had, their relationship tainted with her lies, all for the promise of a brighter future.

She knew only one thing for certain: with Scott no longer present in her future, so much would change. Now, she would have to wake up knowing that she wouldn't kiss him again, wouldn't hear his sweet words, wouldn't see him ever again. Maybe not until forever.

The prospect of it sent tears cascading down her cheeks- once he was gone, she would have no real reason to live. She knew she'd never love anyone again like she'd loved Scott.

And as she lay there, draped across her bunk, alone in the girl's dorm, a blank look came across her features. Grim acceptance, demoralizing defeat, horrifying realization. More tears streamed down her face.

It was done. There was no turning back. She'd done it, but at what cost?

A sudden idea sprang to mind. One last breath.

Their time together had been an amazing journey, one Shelby knew she couldn't forget if she tried. But the last thing Shelby wanted was Scott to forget her completely once he was gone, and moved on. He'd love again, make something of himself, all the while believing that she had simply abandoned him, out of the blue decided she no longer loved him.

Shelby rummaged through her things, until she came across a small, rectangular box. On the outside, it appeared as though it were any old box, but that was very much not the case.

She opened the box delicately. Inside, was a myriad of photos. She lifted them out of the box, slowly sorting through them, until she came upon a certain one.

Holding it in her hands, she found herself unmoving, merely staring at the old photograph, her tears stopped.

Memories that had been pushed to the back of her mind, suddenly flooded forward. The picture meant more to than any of her other belongings, but if she would never see Scott again, she wanted him to have it.

Shelby flipped the photograph onto the reverse side. On the white, flat surface, hand-written in impermeable blue ink was her name, and the year in which the photo had been taken. She took out a pen, and added to the writing on the reverse side of the old photograph.

Once she was satisfied, she placed the picture aside, and replaced her others back into the nondescript box.

Shelby wiped the last tears from her eyes, and reached for the photograph. She gazed at it, mesmerized.

Auggie was seated in the boy's dorm, finishing up some homework.

A knock at the door interrupted his concentration, and focussed it towards the entrance. To his amazement, Shelby, alone, entered the dorm, closing the door behind her.

"Hey Shelby," Auggie greeted her.

"Hey Aug.. Has Scott already left?" Shelby asked, and Auggie noticed that she carried something in hand.

"Almost," he replied. "He's got his bags all packed to go over there."

"Okay, thanks."

Auggie watched as Shelby slid something into the side pocket of Scott's duffle, and silently left.

Auggie merely sat in his place momentarily, unmoving, debating in his head what to do.

Curiosity finally got the best of him, and he walked over to Scott's duffle. He kneeled as unzipped the side pocket like he'd seen Shelby do.

He gently pulled out a dated photograph, and upon registering what exactly it was, sat there, stunned.

It was a photograph of Shelby at a young age, 6 or 7, with a huge, innocent grin on her face, dressed like a little ballerina. Innocence was beautiful.





later..

Scott scrutinized his surroundings, breathing it all in. One final glance, one last time. This would be his last day here, a concept that seemed to him, as being preposterous considering he was leaving the one girl he loved, behind. If only she loved him too, he thought idly. After today, he'd begin life anew, in the real world- a daunting prospect, but not nearly as daunting as living in a world where your one true love didn't love you in return. That was just unfeasible, far too much to ask of Scott.

Every time she said those words, they cut deeply into him. There would be nothing left of him, if he stayed and things continued on as they were. There wouldn't be much left of him without her, either, but he knew he couldn't stay, not with her like this.

Classes were over for the day, night was beginning to fall. And he was beginning to leave. He would have left the next morning at first light, but his dad had insisted upon getting home as soon as possible. So, out of the blue, without warning, he had to depart. He wasn't sure what his dad was doing here exactly, but he wasn't about to complain. His dad was his ticket out of Horizon, and he was willing to take it.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of dread. Leaving Shelby, forever.. What a horrible prospect. He'd miss the old Shelby for certain.. The one who loved him and genuinely cared about him, the one he'd hold tightly in his arms, never wanting to let go. He wasn't sure how much he'd miss the present Shelby- she unwilling to have a civilized conversation with him, void, although still beautiful.

She'd always be beautiful, he thought.

"So this is goodbye, huh?"

Scott turned his attention towards the speaker. It was dark outside, dimly lit with the rays of the moon. He set his duffle onto the ground.

"Yeah, I guess it is," he replied.

"I can't believe you're going," Kat continued. "But I'm happy for you."

"Yeah."

"Bye Scott," Kat said, and hugged him.

"Yeah," Scott responded distantly. " Tell Juliette goodbye for me."

"Alright, I will."

Scott said the rest of his goodbyes, hugging all of his former classmates and friends, but a deadpan expression seemed plastered on his face.

It was all heartfelt, but Scott could feel nothing but emptiness. A part of him was missing, that could only be filled by the one girl he loved. He was empty, nothing without her, and he'd likely never see her again. There's nothing you can do, he tried to convince himself.

His eyes darted around, and suddenly it struck him, like a physical hard blow. "Where's Shelby?"

Daisy furrowed her brows. "You expected her to come?"

He could hear his heart beating, the heaviness of Daisy's words coming down on him like a ton of bricks, the truth in her words unbearable. Shelby might not love him, but he loved her more than the world.

Scott suddenly broke into a run, heading in the opposite direction, somewhere on campus in the darkened night.

The Cliffhangers exchanged startled glances, before darting after him.

Martin Barringer and Peter, who stood nearby, watched the commotion occur before them. Martin gave Peter a suspicious look, and took off after his son. Peter, reluctantly followed.



Scott ran at breakneck speed, aware of the stampede of people running after him. He could reason why they'd do so, they probably believed that he was fooling himself that he hadn't yet given up on Shelby.

He slowed as he reached the girl's dorm, where he knew Shelby would be. Scott knocked at the door, and gently opened it. He entered cautiously, spotting Shelby lying on her bunk, tears in her eyes. He watched as she registered his presence, angrily wiping away her tears, refusing to face him.

His heart went out to her. He wasn't sure why she was crying, wasn't sure at all. There was something she wasn't telling him, he knew, and in that moment he regretted his decision completely. He'd given up, taken the easy way out. But there was nothing he could do about that now.

Scott neared her closer. "Um.. Shel, listen," he began, and waited until she slowly turned to face him. "I'm leaving, but I know what I promised."

Shelby closed her eyes. "Scott- "

"Just let me talk," Scot interrupted, not wanting to hear her say how much she didn't love him. He met her heavy gaze, and continued softly, "I know I promised that I'd never leave you ever, and that we'd have a future after this."

A voice suddenly made him aware that they were not alone. "Geez, guys, give them some privacy."

Scott turned around, to see the door ajar, curious heads poking out, wondering what would take place. Irritated, Scott rolled his eyes, marvelling at their insensitivity and shut the door. He'd seen his father among the onlookers, a disapproving look on his face.

But that didn't matter now, to Scott. All that mattered was Shelby.

Scott turned back towards her.

"But you've made it pretty clear that you don't want that. So, I'm going to live my future without you."

Shelby's response was wordless, a mere glance. But not just any glance, was that despair in her eyes?

"I'm never going to forget you, Shel, who you were, I guess," Scott continued. "Even if you don't love me, I still-"

Shelby looked away. "Scott.." she began.

"I still love you. Whether you acknowledge it or not, I do. So if ever you decide that-"

Scott paused momentarily, seeing that Shelby was barely even registering his words, not meeting his gaze, seemingly trying to avoid it all. But he wasn't going to let her. He drew nearer to her cautiously, and lifted her chin to meet his gaze.

"..That you do feel the way you did yesterday, give me a call," he said softly, his eyes boring into her.

She still didn't reply, her only response was a single tear, that fell onto her cheek.

Scott gently wiped it away, albeit confused about her reaction. He'd thought that she'd be overjoyed that he'd decided to leave, but apparently, she wasn't. This confounded him, and he debated staying, not following through with the football for her sake. He loved her infinitely, and she was in pain.. "That's all," he concluded.

Shelby resisted his touch, and took a few steps backwards, increasing their physical distance. "Goodbye Scott," she said stolidly.

"Goodbye Shelby Merrick. I love you."

With that statement, Scott stood, unmoving, looking at her, not wanting to ever look away.

His father's voice brought him back to reality.

"Scott, hurry it up. We don't have all night."

With a final, wistful glance towards Shelby, Scott reluctantly made his way towards the dorm's exit. With the door still ajar, everyone awaited him. Shelby was looking away.

He made his way outside.

"Bye everyone," Scott announced.

They said their final farewells, but Scott's gaze and attention were still fixated on Shelby, sitting pitifully on her bunk, her back to him. He didn't hear a word of their goodbyes.

Scott proved to be unmoving, and he could faintly discern his dad nagging him to get going.

"C'mon Scott, we need to go."

Scott paid him no mind. "I love you Shel," he said instead, confident, and yet melancholy. He'd never see her again, he wasn't sure how she felt about him other than 'I don't love you', but her tears as he'd said goodbye seemed to contradict that, or at very least, made him question it.

Scott etched the picture of her in his mind, to cherish what they had infinitely, and reluctantly left with his dad.





"I love you too.." Shelby muttered distantly after Scott and his dad had gone.

"Shelby what the HELL is wrong with you?!"

Shelby miserably turned her gaze to the speaker, to none of her surprise, it was Kat.

"What's wrong with me? Life is wrong with me, circumstances are wrong with me," Shelby replied cynically.

"She feels she has no choice," Daisy stated.

"Don't speak for me, Dais," Shelby snapped.

Kat sat down next to Shelby, her eyes saddened and confused. "You just pushed him as far away as he can go! Shelby, why?"

Shelby met Kat's gaze, her own hardened and afraid. "Because I had to," she replied simply, rising from her bunk. "I love him so much.. So much.. and that's why.." Kat still wore a thoroughly confused expression, and in her mind, questioned Shelby's sanity. Shelby's voice hardened as she continued, "Now leave me alone." Tears flooded from her eyes, Shelby unable to stop them. She was bordering on hysterical.

Kat saw the display, and though confounded, she tried to put her arms around Shelby as consolation. But Shelby wouldn't have it, and tore herself away from Kat's embrace.

Just as suddenly, Shelby's tears stopped, as though she was physically drained, and had no tears left to cry.

Shelby collapsed onto her bunk miserably.

She didn't sleep at all that night- too filled with memories of Scott, the only thing she had left of him. The only thing she had left in the world.