~~~ Author's note ~~~
Thanks Tiggs (aka Leonie), Lauren, and all the others for your reviews. They were much appreciated. And YES Ley, you will be getting to see more of Leonie... ah! That sounds so funny! (The Rivergliders are all based on school friends and my sister.) I promise no more "Author's Notes" unless you ask for them.
Disclaimer : I own nothing about Higher Ground, except the characters Leonie, Kristen, Alexis, Alex, Andrew, James, Emma, Fred, and Belle. I also own the stables and the other horses in there.
After their showers, Kristen and Leonie, or Ley, as everyone called her now, were sitting around waiting for their hair to dry. Although they were both in the Rivergliders, they hadn't had much time to talk and to get to know each other. Apart from Jules, Jess, and David, they were the most sociable. Like those three, they didn't have many defenses up. They were straight forward and up front. Kristen was one of those kids who trusted really easily despite her past abuse. Leonie was a bit careful but apart from that, was open.
"So, where are you from?" Kristen asked, not wanting to sit around in awkward silence.
"I'm from Los Angeles. That's how I developed the eating disorder. Do you know how hard it is to compete with people for attention in that city. Everywhere people want the 'movie star' type, but it's a hundred times worse. I went to school with actors and actors' kids. It was too hard. I suffered several breakdowns and then I landed in this place." She looked around, looking relieved.
"I bet it was a relief," Kristen said comfortingly, seeing her expression.
"You have no idea!" Ley said, meaning it from the bottom of her heart. "What about you?"
"Uh, well, I didn't have the greatest siblings in the world," she said, sounding uncomfortable. "I was adopted. I'm much smaller than they are - and weaker. They all took care of me," she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. All of a sudden, it was all gone. "Except for one of them - Julia. She was sweet and protective. After me, she was their next target. I bet they got at her pretty quickly after I left. Their scapegoat was gone and so I bet they used her." Her voice went bitter, and then had started cracking and her eyes swelled up with tears.
Ley got up from her bed and went to sit down beside Kristen. She put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"It's okay. We've all been through tough times and had to see loved ones go through them too. Our demons will always be there, all we can do is push them out of sight and out of mind."
"Thanks," Kristen said, wiping her tears away, turning to face Ley and hugging her. As they hugged, all their problems seemed to be lifted. Friends do that.
Finally, Ley checked the time.
"Holy shit! We're late!"
They ran out of the dorm, pulling on their coats - it was about -30ºC with the wind and humidity factors.
"Sorry we're late," Kristen said as they jumped in class.
"That's alright, next time try to be on time," Peter said. He had become a teacher once again since he couldn't find a counselor. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He had found this woman called Ariane Charlebois. She seemed up for it. She had agreed to come down for an interview on Saturday afternoon. This had the double purpose for Peter of Actually meeting her and of seeing how she interacted with kids.
With that thought he continued his history class, teaching them about Napoleon Bonaparte and his exhalation to the isle of Elbe.
Most kids weren't really paying attention. Andrew was one of them. He was looking out the window at the Cliffhangers. They were having a science class on weather. Sophie had in fact finished the class early. As his usual dopey self, David suggested that the all go test the theory that no two snowflakes are the same instead of doing homework. They were all searching for two identical snowflakes. Well, not exactly... they were using that excuse to get out of class. Shelby and Scott were behind a tree, making out. Auggie was talking to Jules about their latest English assignment, an essay entitled "The Most Important Person in my Life." Emma was with Ezra, talking (they both thought David was insane, this just confirmed things). Daisy was watching and laughing as David was genuinely looking. The second Sophie officially dismissed them and went off to do some paper work, David stopped searching and turned to face Daisy. She looked at him. He was suddenly serious.
"Daise, you know what kind of person I am, and you like me all the same. Why?" he sounded worried. Was David actually saying this, and without sarcasm? Daisy wondered.
"Because..." she paused as she realized she that she didn't have a reason. Why did she like him? He just disgusted everyone else at Horizon, but she stood on, loyal, despite her belief that she didn't have boyfriends. "Because, you put up with my crap all this time."
"Hold on! No fair, that was my answer!" Daisy just grabbed the front of his coat and kissed him. As they pulled apart, she looked at David. They hadn't kissed yet. He looked shocked but delighted.
"Damn Daise! I didn't know you had it in you!" he said as he went in for some more. They broke it up to yells of "Get a room Ruxton... and Daisy?" They turned to face the others, looked at each other and laughed. It was officially official like it had never been before! They weren't going anywhere.
********************************************************************************
As they all sat down to lunch there were many smiles. All the Cliffhangers were in great moods after having seen Daisy so happy and David calmed by her. She was like a sedative to him. Since that morning kiss, he hadn't cracked as many stupid jokes. Daisy looked pleased with her handiwork. She was sitting at one end of the table with Shelby beside her and Emma and Jules in front of them. David was on her other side and had his arm around the back of her chair. He was talking to Alex and Andrew. Scott was talking to Auggie, relating all the details of the night before. Alexis, Ley, Kristen, Ezra, and James were chatting at the other end of the table.
"So? Where did that kiss come from?" Shelby asked Daisy in a half-whisper.
"I don't know. I guess it was time. I've been holding out on him for so long with my excuse that I just don't have boyfriends. I was tired of it. Tire of always being alone. Even with you, Shel, I needed someone. Like how Scott is with you. You know I've like David for awhile. I thought I might as well take the next step," she said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She gave David a smile and he winked at her. It was done. They were dating and he had started to really like her... maybe even fall in love. He trusted her, which was not something any kid at Horizon did easily, let alone David. Something Daisy had noticed long ago was that David's stupid jokes and sarcastic comment were a defense mechanism. One that was working all too well. No one believed, trusted, or even liked David, except Daisy. He had figured that if no one liked him, then no one would hurt him. She understood this, being Shelby's best friend. Shelby had been known for a while as the Ice Queen due to excessive use of sarcasm. That was all before she grew to love Scott and be loved. Daisy had seen right through both their masks and had grown to love both dearly despite all she found out about their pasts. This was why she like him. She knew now. It was all clear. She turned to David.
"I have to talk to you. I've figure it out."
"What? Figure what out?" he looked confused.
"Come!" Once outside on the porch, she continued. "The reason I love you -" Here David cut in.
"You love me?" A smile formed on his lips as he said those three words.
"Uh, yeah. I love you."
"I love you too, Daise." He kissed her. David had changed. Or at least around her. He was so warm and kind.
"The reason I love you is because I saw through your mask and into your soul."
"That was beautiful," he paused. "Did you do that with your tarot cards?" David asked, sarcastic again, but a sarcasm that was hilarious to Daisy.
"No! By observation, silly. The tarot cards lead, help, and hint. Observations show, tell, prove."
"Just like you to analyse this." He kissed her again. Scott came out at this moment.
"Guys, get a room or come to class, but don't do that in public!"
"You do it, Scotty boy," David said teasingly.
"Ya, but me and Shelb have been together a while. I'm still no used to this."
"Away to class we go," Daisy said sarcastically.
"Aw! I wanted to get a room!" Daisy slapped him over the top of the head, grabbed his hand, and followed Scott.
Thanks Tiggs (aka Leonie), Lauren, and all the others for your reviews. They were much appreciated. And YES Ley, you will be getting to see more of Leonie... ah! That sounds so funny! (The Rivergliders are all based on school friends and my sister.) I promise no more "Author's Notes" unless you ask for them.
Disclaimer : I own nothing about Higher Ground, except the characters Leonie, Kristen, Alexis, Alex, Andrew, James, Emma, Fred, and Belle. I also own the stables and the other horses in there.
After their showers, Kristen and Leonie, or Ley, as everyone called her now, were sitting around waiting for their hair to dry. Although they were both in the Rivergliders, they hadn't had much time to talk and to get to know each other. Apart from Jules, Jess, and David, they were the most sociable. Like those three, they didn't have many defenses up. They were straight forward and up front. Kristen was one of those kids who trusted really easily despite her past abuse. Leonie was a bit careful but apart from that, was open.
"So, where are you from?" Kristen asked, not wanting to sit around in awkward silence.
"I'm from Los Angeles. That's how I developed the eating disorder. Do you know how hard it is to compete with people for attention in that city. Everywhere people want the 'movie star' type, but it's a hundred times worse. I went to school with actors and actors' kids. It was too hard. I suffered several breakdowns and then I landed in this place." She looked around, looking relieved.
"I bet it was a relief," Kristen said comfortingly, seeing her expression.
"You have no idea!" Ley said, meaning it from the bottom of her heart. "What about you?"
"Uh, well, I didn't have the greatest siblings in the world," she said, sounding uncomfortable. "I was adopted. I'm much smaller than they are - and weaker. They all took care of me," she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. All of a sudden, it was all gone. "Except for one of them - Julia. She was sweet and protective. After me, she was their next target. I bet they got at her pretty quickly after I left. Their scapegoat was gone and so I bet they used her." Her voice went bitter, and then had started cracking and her eyes swelled up with tears.
Ley got up from her bed and went to sit down beside Kristen. She put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"It's okay. We've all been through tough times and had to see loved ones go through them too. Our demons will always be there, all we can do is push them out of sight and out of mind."
"Thanks," Kristen said, wiping her tears away, turning to face Ley and hugging her. As they hugged, all their problems seemed to be lifted. Friends do that.
Finally, Ley checked the time.
"Holy shit! We're late!"
They ran out of the dorm, pulling on their coats - it was about -30ºC with the wind and humidity factors.
"Sorry we're late," Kristen said as they jumped in class.
"That's alright, next time try to be on time," Peter said. He had become a teacher once again since he couldn't find a counselor. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He had found this woman called Ariane Charlebois. She seemed up for it. She had agreed to come down for an interview on Saturday afternoon. This had the double purpose for Peter of Actually meeting her and of seeing how she interacted with kids.
With that thought he continued his history class, teaching them about Napoleon Bonaparte and his exhalation to the isle of Elbe.
Most kids weren't really paying attention. Andrew was one of them. He was looking out the window at the Cliffhangers. They were having a science class on weather. Sophie had in fact finished the class early. As his usual dopey self, David suggested that the all go test the theory that no two snowflakes are the same instead of doing homework. They were all searching for two identical snowflakes. Well, not exactly... they were using that excuse to get out of class. Shelby and Scott were behind a tree, making out. Auggie was talking to Jules about their latest English assignment, an essay entitled "The Most Important Person in my Life." Emma was with Ezra, talking (they both thought David was insane, this just confirmed things). Daisy was watching and laughing as David was genuinely looking. The second Sophie officially dismissed them and went off to do some paper work, David stopped searching and turned to face Daisy. She looked at him. He was suddenly serious.
"Daise, you know what kind of person I am, and you like me all the same. Why?" he sounded worried. Was David actually saying this, and without sarcasm? Daisy wondered.
"Because..." she paused as she realized she that she didn't have a reason. Why did she like him? He just disgusted everyone else at Horizon, but she stood on, loyal, despite her belief that she didn't have boyfriends. "Because, you put up with my crap all this time."
"Hold on! No fair, that was my answer!" Daisy just grabbed the front of his coat and kissed him. As they pulled apart, she looked at David. They hadn't kissed yet. He looked shocked but delighted.
"Damn Daise! I didn't know you had it in you!" he said as he went in for some more. They broke it up to yells of "Get a room Ruxton... and Daisy?" They turned to face the others, looked at each other and laughed. It was officially official like it had never been before! They weren't going anywhere.
********************************************************************************
As they all sat down to lunch there were many smiles. All the Cliffhangers were in great moods after having seen Daisy so happy and David calmed by her. She was like a sedative to him. Since that morning kiss, he hadn't cracked as many stupid jokes. Daisy looked pleased with her handiwork. She was sitting at one end of the table with Shelby beside her and Emma and Jules in front of them. David was on her other side and had his arm around the back of her chair. He was talking to Alex and Andrew. Scott was talking to Auggie, relating all the details of the night before. Alexis, Ley, Kristen, Ezra, and James were chatting at the other end of the table.
"So? Where did that kiss come from?" Shelby asked Daisy in a half-whisper.
"I don't know. I guess it was time. I've been holding out on him for so long with my excuse that I just don't have boyfriends. I was tired of it. Tire of always being alone. Even with you, Shel, I needed someone. Like how Scott is with you. You know I've like David for awhile. I thought I might as well take the next step," she said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She gave David a smile and he winked at her. It was done. They were dating and he had started to really like her... maybe even fall in love. He trusted her, which was not something any kid at Horizon did easily, let alone David. Something Daisy had noticed long ago was that David's stupid jokes and sarcastic comment were a defense mechanism. One that was working all too well. No one believed, trusted, or even liked David, except Daisy. He had figured that if no one liked him, then no one would hurt him. She understood this, being Shelby's best friend. Shelby had been known for a while as the Ice Queen due to excessive use of sarcasm. That was all before she grew to love Scott and be loved. Daisy had seen right through both their masks and had grown to love both dearly despite all she found out about their pasts. This was why she like him. She knew now. It was all clear. She turned to David.
"I have to talk to you. I've figure it out."
"What? Figure what out?" he looked confused.
"Come!" Once outside on the porch, she continued. "The reason I love you -" Here David cut in.
"You love me?" A smile formed on his lips as he said those three words.
"Uh, yeah. I love you."
"I love you too, Daise." He kissed her. David had changed. Or at least around her. He was so warm and kind.
"The reason I love you is because I saw through your mask and into your soul."
"That was beautiful," he paused. "Did you do that with your tarot cards?" David asked, sarcastic again, but a sarcasm that was hilarious to Daisy.
"No! By observation, silly. The tarot cards lead, help, and hint. Observations show, tell, prove."
"Just like you to analyse this." He kissed her again. Scott came out at this moment.
"Guys, get a room or come to class, but don't do that in public!"
"You do it, Scotty boy," David said teasingly.
"Ya, but me and Shelb have been together a while. I'm still no used to this."
"Away to class we go," Daisy said sarcastically.
"Aw! I wanted to get a room!" Daisy slapped him over the top of the head, grabbed his hand, and followed Scott.