Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Higher Ground characters. I'm just playing with them.

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

This is right before the school year starts. The Cliffhangers are at school a couple of days before so they can get settled in. Right now, they are all outside on the field.

"It's such a nice day...I can't believe we have class again tommorow." Juliette looked to the sky, and sighed. It was a perfect day, and she wanted to spend her last 24 hours worry free. She had gone home to her mother, and it wasn't the best summer ever. Juliette had stood up to her mother, and told her that she didn't want to be controlled by her. Mrs. Smithe, having been married to her 6th husband now, had ignored her daughter the whole summer. Juliette thought it was better than being controlled all the time.

"Hey Queenie, you forgot to mention group discussions-" Shelby yelled out right beside her, with her eyes closed. It had been a long flight from Miami. Her mother had insisted on taking her and Jess on a little family vacation to make up for what she had missed, and Walt. Of course Shelby had resisted, but she finally decided to go on the last minute. Now that she had though about it, it had been worth all the stupid hours in the plane.

"-and buddy hikes, detentions, and kitchen duties." Daisy finished for Shelby. Daisy's summer was boring. Her father had insisted her to come home, but left her everyday at home alone. Since Daisy's mother had passed away, Mr. Lipenowsky had to work double time to pay for Daisy's schooling. Daisy was thankful that he at least was sober now.

The guys were playing soccer nearby, 2 on 2, with Ezra and Auggie on one team, and Scott and David on the other. It wasn't much of a game, but the Cliffhangers were the first group to come back to Horizon, so there was no one else. Auggie scored a goal, and Juliette let out a cheer.

"God, Queenie. Can't you be quiet? Someone's trying to sleep here!"

"Sorry your sleepiness. It's not my fault that my boyfriend's team is beating your boyfriend's team by 4 points!"

"What?!" At this, Shelby woke up, and started cheering Scott on. Juliette, not being outdone by Shelby, started cheering for Auggie. Daisy watched on, amused by the two girls trying to outdo each other. The game ended in a tie when Peter came up to Auggie.

"Auggie? Your mom's on the line!" Peter headed back to the building.

Auggie jogged over to Juliette at first, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and jogged inside, to the phone.

"Augusto?" Mrs. Ciceros' voice came on the line.

"Si mam its me."

Mrs. Ciceros sighed. She didn't know how to break it to her younger son.

"Mam? What's wrong?"

"Augusto..your..your pap has...cancer..liver cancer to be exact. The doctors discovered it early, so your pap has a large chance of living if he gets an operation right away."

"Really? Pap's going to be alright...right?"

"Yes Augusto..but there's one thing. The operation's very expensive. More than your pap and I can handle. I'm sorry, but we're going to have to take you out of Horizon."

Auggie felt if the world around him had fallen away. Away from Horizon? Away from all his friends, especially Juliette?

"August? Are you alright?"

"Sort of. Mam, when are you going to pick me up?:"

"In about a month. I understand you don't want to leave..Your father and I have enough money for only a month. Would that be enough to say goodbye?"

"Yes Mam. I have to go now. I'll call you later."

"Take care Augusto. I'm sorry."

Auggie hung up the phone and turned around. Peter was there with a concerned look. He started to say something, but Auggie brushed past him. He wanted to be alone.

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

What do you think? Do you think I should continue? Please r/r and tell me!