Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone apart from Emma, Belle and Fred.
Scott approached the girls' dorm. At that point, Shelby was leaving it and they met half-way between where they stood.
"Hey beautiful! How are you doing? I mean that was quite a shock."
"No kidding! I didn't think anyone would ever beat my step-dad up, let alone my boyfriend." Here, Scott started to open his mouth to defend himself, but Shelby shut him up with a gentle, passionate kiss.
"So, you're not mad at me?"
"Of course not! He needed to know he couldn't mess with me or Jess anymore and I always hoped you would teach him that lesson and you did," she said, smiling up at her protector. His beautiful blond hair glimmered in the warm, orange sunlight that was produced by the setting sun. Scott gently cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head to find her lips. As they kissed, a cold northern wind came in a lifted Shelby's hair. She didn't even shiver, not with Scott protecting her from the wind. As their faces separated, they looked deep into each other's eyes.
"Shelby, I love you," he whispered, not wanting to utter those words aloud.
"I love you too Scott," she said gently.
"Meet me in the kayak barn tonight, after lights out?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"I think dinner's starting soon." They walked off, holding hands, savouring the moment. As they reached the porch to the dining hall, Scott turned back to her.
"Why are you so wonderful?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"If I'm so wonderful, you've made me this way. You've taught me to love and trust again. I owe you so much." She gave him a last kiss. "Alright, cowboy, time to face the music."
********************************************************************************
"Where were you two?" Jess asked as they walked in.
"Oh! You know them, they couldn't keep their hands off each other," David said, nudging Daisy. She smiled.
"David, shut up," Scott said as he sat down.
"Hey gang, group after dinner," Sophie said as she appeared at the table. She was just in time because David was about to make a comeback, which would have provoked Scott into a fight. All Sophie got in response was a bunch of moans and murmurs. It was all she needed.
Sophie went off to Peter's office before she prepared for group.
********************************************************************************
"Hey, hunny! How's it going?"
"Ah! This is crazy!" Peter looked exasperated,
"What is it?" Sophie asked, now worried.
"We have an overflow of students. I'm going to have to make a new group. I don't even have enough counselors. Do you think Fred could do it?"
"Uh, maybe, but what would happen to the horses?"
"Ya, you're right. I'll make some calls tomorrow morning, first thing. The issue of space may be a problem though."
"Don't worry. They can bunk with the Cliffhangers. They're the smallest group and still have enough room in the dorms."
"Sound good. So they'll do everything with the Cliffhangers until I find a counselor for them. I'll help you out, but I can't be around all the time. I'll teach their classes though. Can you handle that?"
"Sure. I hope the Cliffhangers won't mind. Oh! The things people do to their kids." With that she gave him a kiss and left to get the kids from the list Peter had given her.
********************************************************************************
"As the Cliffhangers started showing up for group, they noticed some other kids hanging around. There were three girls and three guys.
"Guys, clear off, we have group now," Auggie called out.
"Uh, I think it's a joint group or something," one of the boys said. All the Cliffhangers looked confused. They had never had a joint group session before.
"Hey guys," Sophie said as she arrived at a jog.
"Soph, what's happening? Why are these kids here?" David asked.
"There's an overflow of students. These are the Rivergliders. They're going to be a part of the Cliffhangers until Peter finds a new counselor to take them. In the mean time, you guys'll do everything together except for classes."
"What? No! That can't happen!" Scott burst out, along with several similar protests from the other Cliffhangers.
"What? Are we not good enough for you?" one of the boys asked, indignant.
"Cliffhangers!" Sophie yelled to get their attention. "You don't have a choice! There just aren't enough counselors. Sorry!"
"Fine whatever," Scott said, grabbing Shelby's hand and dragging her over to a couch and put his arm around her. Auggie took Jules's hand and David propped himself up on Daisy's shoulder. They all went to sit down on one side of the circle, whereas the Rivergliders went to sit on the other side.
"Alright, we'll start with introductions," Sophie said calmly. She threw the staff to Scott.
"Scott Barringer," was Scott's short reply.
"Well, you could say something about yourself," Sophie added sarcastically.
"Here for drug, abuse, and theft. Shelby's my girl." He said "my" rather emphatically, seeing one of the guys checking her out.
"Shelby Merrick; abuse."
"I'm Juliette Waybourne and I was bulimic and I started cutting."
"Augusto Ciceros, gang and drug related problems."
"Jess. I'm Shelby's sister. I had a problem with abuse."
"Emma Morgan. Drugs, theft, ran away from home."
"Ezra Freidkin and I was a pawn in my parents' messy divorce which led me to do drugs."
"David Ruxton. Coolest guy ever." When he saw Sophie's eye, he added: "Here for abuse. Oh, and you can forget about Daisy, she mine," he said noticing another of the guys. The Cliffhangers looked around, amazed. David had never really been protective of Daisy. They figured he just didn't like competition in general. Shelby knew that there was more to that though.
"Daisy Lipenowsky, here for conking my dad on the head with a seven iron," she said with a cryptic smile.
This is where the Rivergliders began.
"Andrew Maynes. Drugs, physical abuse," was his cold reply. He was probably very new and still had his wall up. He was a tall, lean guy. He had short brown hair and wore baggy clothes. He looked tired, probably hadn't slept in a while.
"Alex Crouch. Gang and drugs, had a couple of run-ins with the law," the reply of a slightly smaller guy. It was hard to tell what this one's features were since he had them hidden under big clothes and had his head under a hood. He had just arrived that day and Peter had gone easy on him about his clothes.
"Hi! I'm Leonie Hum. I had an eating disorder and suffered abuse," this reply came from a girl, who in many ways resembled Jules. She was tall and long brown hair, a wide smile, and inviting eyes. She had the same bubbly and happy attitude. This was obviously her defense mechanism. She was Chinese, which was almost the only thing that separated her and Juliette!
"Kristen Soo, here for running away from home, theft, and physical abuse from siblings," was the answer of a small, Chinese girl. She was the epitome of cute. She had shoulder-length black hair, had big, brown eyes and a small, round face. Juliette wondered how on Earth anyone might want to hurt her.
"Hi, I'm James Wood. Drugs, violence, and theft were my problems." Oh no, Shelby thought, another David; I was wondering when it would happen. The boy was tall, had bright, green eyes hidden beneath a mop of light red hair. He had a wide devilish grin on his face.
"And I'm Alexis Morgan," at this response, a loud murmur came from the Cliffhangers. Both Juliette and Emma stared at her. Juliette got up.
"Ali? Is that you? What are you doing here, you bitch!" she yelled.
"Jules!" Sophie yelled, rising. "Sit down and calm yourself!"
Juliette fell down on the floor beside Auggie. She broke into tears on his shoulder. He looked at this Alexis and immediately hated her. It was Ali's turn to reply.
"Ya, it's me. How are you doing, Juliette. Long time no see. And you miss Emma Morgan. Wow! When you guys abandoned me, I was the scapegoat for mummy and daddy dearest. What a small world we live in when I can end up at the same school as you two. I didn't know this was a school for the mentally disabled!" she said, calmly. She was tall, had long, dirty blond hair that was pulled up in a ponytail and was slim. If Kristen was the epitome of cute, she was the epitome of beautiful. Scott didn't like her one bit. He immediately felt her eyes on him and turned to Shelby. She held his hand tightly and comforting. He winked at her.
"Remember the kayak barn tonight," she whispered with a smile on her lips.
"How could I forget?"
"Alright gang," Sophie broke in. "Enough is enough. I think you guys need a breather. Take five and then I'll show the girls to the dorm and get them organized and Peter will do the same with the boys."
Scott approached the girls' dorm. At that point, Shelby was leaving it and they met half-way between where they stood.
"Hey beautiful! How are you doing? I mean that was quite a shock."
"No kidding! I didn't think anyone would ever beat my step-dad up, let alone my boyfriend." Here, Scott started to open his mouth to defend himself, but Shelby shut him up with a gentle, passionate kiss.
"So, you're not mad at me?"
"Of course not! He needed to know he couldn't mess with me or Jess anymore and I always hoped you would teach him that lesson and you did," she said, smiling up at her protector. His beautiful blond hair glimmered in the warm, orange sunlight that was produced by the setting sun. Scott gently cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head to find her lips. As they kissed, a cold northern wind came in a lifted Shelby's hair. She didn't even shiver, not with Scott protecting her from the wind. As their faces separated, they looked deep into each other's eyes.
"Shelby, I love you," he whispered, not wanting to utter those words aloud.
"I love you too Scott," she said gently.
"Meet me in the kayak barn tonight, after lights out?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"I think dinner's starting soon." They walked off, holding hands, savouring the moment. As they reached the porch to the dining hall, Scott turned back to her.
"Why are you so wonderful?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"If I'm so wonderful, you've made me this way. You've taught me to love and trust again. I owe you so much." She gave him a last kiss. "Alright, cowboy, time to face the music."
********************************************************************************
"Where were you two?" Jess asked as they walked in.
"Oh! You know them, they couldn't keep their hands off each other," David said, nudging Daisy. She smiled.
"David, shut up," Scott said as he sat down.
"Hey gang, group after dinner," Sophie said as she appeared at the table. She was just in time because David was about to make a comeback, which would have provoked Scott into a fight. All Sophie got in response was a bunch of moans and murmurs. It was all she needed.
Sophie went off to Peter's office before she prepared for group.
********************************************************************************
"Hey, hunny! How's it going?"
"Ah! This is crazy!" Peter looked exasperated,
"What is it?" Sophie asked, now worried.
"We have an overflow of students. I'm going to have to make a new group. I don't even have enough counselors. Do you think Fred could do it?"
"Uh, maybe, but what would happen to the horses?"
"Ya, you're right. I'll make some calls tomorrow morning, first thing. The issue of space may be a problem though."
"Don't worry. They can bunk with the Cliffhangers. They're the smallest group and still have enough room in the dorms."
"Sound good. So they'll do everything with the Cliffhangers until I find a counselor for them. I'll help you out, but I can't be around all the time. I'll teach their classes though. Can you handle that?"
"Sure. I hope the Cliffhangers won't mind. Oh! The things people do to their kids." With that she gave him a kiss and left to get the kids from the list Peter had given her.
********************************************************************************
"As the Cliffhangers started showing up for group, they noticed some other kids hanging around. There were three girls and three guys.
"Guys, clear off, we have group now," Auggie called out.
"Uh, I think it's a joint group or something," one of the boys said. All the Cliffhangers looked confused. They had never had a joint group session before.
"Hey guys," Sophie said as she arrived at a jog.
"Soph, what's happening? Why are these kids here?" David asked.
"There's an overflow of students. These are the Rivergliders. They're going to be a part of the Cliffhangers until Peter finds a new counselor to take them. In the mean time, you guys'll do everything together except for classes."
"What? No! That can't happen!" Scott burst out, along with several similar protests from the other Cliffhangers.
"What? Are we not good enough for you?" one of the boys asked, indignant.
"Cliffhangers!" Sophie yelled to get their attention. "You don't have a choice! There just aren't enough counselors. Sorry!"
"Fine whatever," Scott said, grabbing Shelby's hand and dragging her over to a couch and put his arm around her. Auggie took Jules's hand and David propped himself up on Daisy's shoulder. They all went to sit down on one side of the circle, whereas the Rivergliders went to sit on the other side.
"Alright, we'll start with introductions," Sophie said calmly. She threw the staff to Scott.
"Scott Barringer," was Scott's short reply.
"Well, you could say something about yourself," Sophie added sarcastically.
"Here for drug, abuse, and theft. Shelby's my girl." He said "my" rather emphatically, seeing one of the guys checking her out.
"Shelby Merrick; abuse."
"I'm Juliette Waybourne and I was bulimic and I started cutting."
"Augusto Ciceros, gang and drug related problems."
"Jess. I'm Shelby's sister. I had a problem with abuse."
"Emma Morgan. Drugs, theft, ran away from home."
"Ezra Freidkin and I was a pawn in my parents' messy divorce which led me to do drugs."
"David Ruxton. Coolest guy ever." When he saw Sophie's eye, he added: "Here for abuse. Oh, and you can forget about Daisy, she mine," he said noticing another of the guys. The Cliffhangers looked around, amazed. David had never really been protective of Daisy. They figured he just didn't like competition in general. Shelby knew that there was more to that though.
"Daisy Lipenowsky, here for conking my dad on the head with a seven iron," she said with a cryptic smile.
This is where the Rivergliders began.
"Andrew Maynes. Drugs, physical abuse," was his cold reply. He was probably very new and still had his wall up. He was a tall, lean guy. He had short brown hair and wore baggy clothes. He looked tired, probably hadn't slept in a while.
"Alex Crouch. Gang and drugs, had a couple of run-ins with the law," the reply of a slightly smaller guy. It was hard to tell what this one's features were since he had them hidden under big clothes and had his head under a hood. He had just arrived that day and Peter had gone easy on him about his clothes.
"Hi! I'm Leonie Hum. I had an eating disorder and suffered abuse," this reply came from a girl, who in many ways resembled Jules. She was tall and long brown hair, a wide smile, and inviting eyes. She had the same bubbly and happy attitude. This was obviously her defense mechanism. She was Chinese, which was almost the only thing that separated her and Juliette!
"Kristen Soo, here for running away from home, theft, and physical abuse from siblings," was the answer of a small, Chinese girl. She was the epitome of cute. She had shoulder-length black hair, had big, brown eyes and a small, round face. Juliette wondered how on Earth anyone might want to hurt her.
"Hi, I'm James Wood. Drugs, violence, and theft were my problems." Oh no, Shelby thought, another David; I was wondering when it would happen. The boy was tall, had bright, green eyes hidden beneath a mop of light red hair. He had a wide devilish grin on his face.
"And I'm Alexis Morgan," at this response, a loud murmur came from the Cliffhangers. Both Juliette and Emma stared at her. Juliette got up.
"Ali? Is that you? What are you doing here, you bitch!" she yelled.
"Jules!" Sophie yelled, rising. "Sit down and calm yourself!"
Juliette fell down on the floor beside Auggie. She broke into tears on his shoulder. He looked at this Alexis and immediately hated her. It was Ali's turn to reply.
"Ya, it's me. How are you doing, Juliette. Long time no see. And you miss Emma Morgan. Wow! When you guys abandoned me, I was the scapegoat for mummy and daddy dearest. What a small world we live in when I can end up at the same school as you two. I didn't know this was a school for the mentally disabled!" she said, calmly. She was tall, had long, dirty blond hair that was pulled up in a ponytail and was slim. If Kristen was the epitome of cute, she was the epitome of beautiful. Scott didn't like her one bit. He immediately felt her eyes on him and turned to Shelby. She held his hand tightly and comforting. He winked at her.
"Remember the kayak barn tonight," she whispered with a smile on her lips.
"How could I forget?"
"Alright gang," Sophie broke in. "Enough is enough. I think you guys need a breather. Take five and then I'll show the girls to the dorm and get them organized and Peter will do the same with the boys."