Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or features of Higher Ground, except the following: Emma Morgan, the Rivergliders, Alex, Andrew, James, Leonie, Kristen, Alexis, Fred, Belle, Billy, the stables, or any other horses in that stable. Don't SUE!
"Man, I'm so hungry!" Shelby cried, linking her arm into Scott's and walking off with the rest of the Cliffhangers in tow to the caf for dinner. They were all wet from the snow, tired, hungry, and in good moods. David and Daisy were hanging back.
"So, what's up?" Daisy asked nonchalantly. She was busy thinking about what she said when she told him she loved him. She was just scared of what he might say. Why was this so? She thought, he's just a guy. I thought I didn't have boyfriends. Why is he so special? I don't know, but he just is. He has a way of getting under my skin. He really is one of a kind.
"Dais," he said, he had stopped walking. She looked at him and let out a laugh. He was looking at her seriously. She had never seen him that way. As the other Cliffhangers retreated to the caf, she and David stood there, looking at each other. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing, you're just serious! I've never seen you that way!"
"Dais, I've been thinking," he said slowly. He knew he was torturing her and he loved it.
"Look, David, if it's about the love thing, just say it." Oh no! He doesn't love me! I knew it! Why did I start this whole thing? Work on pulling it back.
"Well, you see-" but he was cut off.
"David, look, don't. I know you're gonna say that you don't love me. I don't want to go back to 'just friends' so just-"
"Daisy! What are you talking about? I love you!" he yelled out to get her attention.
"You what?"
"I love you! Didn't you want to hear that?"
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" This was by far the happiest David had ever seen her. She squealed and jumped into his arms, hugging him. He couldn't believe it.
"Whoa there, girl! Calm down!" he was smiling. He was happy... when was the last time he felt that way?
After much talk, they finally headed to dinner, stomachs winning over hearts. They walked in the caf looking so happy that Shelby just looked at Daisy with raised eyebrows. She nodded and all was understood. Shelby got up and ran to hug her best friend. Dinner was, therefore, a very happy occasion that day. At least for everyone except Kristen and James who sat apart and talked in hushed voices. Everyone was too happy to notice them though.
"James, you have to talk to Peter!"
"Why? What's the point? He's going to call CPS and they're going to make a mess out of my life. I heard about them. They're horrible. They rip you apart," he was shaking as he said this.
"Since when? They're there to protect you, James. They only want to help!" she couldn't believe what he was saying.
"Oh, really? Ask Scott! Ezra told me what happened to him. I don't want to go to hell and back again for the sake of my stupid father who doesn't know any better!" he was getting mad, so Kristen decided to play on the Scott issue.
"Well, what happened to Scott?"
"What? Oh, CPS tore him apart. They made him look the fool. His step-mom abused him and they made him look the villain and her, the victim. No way am I doing that!" With that he stood up. He didn't know why he let her even suggest these things to him. He thought she was different. She was, he thought, she was different. She wanted to help. With those thoughts in mind he left her sitting there, stunned at his little outburst. One minute he looked at her with a "if looks could kill, you'd be dead" look and the next, he looked as though all he wanted to do was hug her. She was so confused. Right before he left, he threw her one last glance. It was stone cold and distant. It looked like he was in another world.
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"Hey," Andrew said, getting near Shelby during free period. She was reading and Scott was at the piano.
"Hey," she replied, looking up briefly from her book.
"What's that you're reading?"
"Pride and Prejudice. Classic love story. Classic English assignment," she said sarcastically.
"I see. I've read a couple of time. Do you like it?" he said, sitting down beside her on the love seat.
"Sure. Why not?" she had put it down and was looking at Andrew. She could see Patti shine through him. "You look so much like your sister."
"Thanks, but lets not talk about her."
"Why not?"
"Too many bad memories. Look, she was a good person, but had a way of quitting on me." He looked uncomfortable.
"Sorry. She was my best friend, you know. It's not something you forget easily."
"It must have been pretty traumatic. Finding her dead I mean."
"Who was it who said let the past be the past? And who said 'lets not talk about her'?" Shelby looked at him with a "I caught you" look. He smiled.
"Fine, you got me. Would you like to take a walk with me?" he asked seductively.
"As a big sister? Sure!" It was definitely not the answer he was hoping for, and she knew it. She was Scott's fiancée. Andrew knew that, and if he also knew what was good for him, he wouldn't ask such things... in such ways. She had, however, made a promise to Patti, years ago, to treat him like her brother if anything should happen to Patti. Something did happen and now that she knew who Patti's brother was, it was up to her to be the sister he never had. It sure as hell didn't make her comfortable, but she did it for her friend's sake. She just hoped Scott would be all right with it. As she left, he finished his little ballad. He turned around and saw her going out the door held open by Andrew. A killer glare flashed across his face as he saw Andrew. He got up and slipped on his coat without being seen by either of them. He was going to see what that guy wanted with his girl.
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"James, come on! Talk to me!" Kristen said, sitting next to him at a picnic table. After dinner, he had just disappeared. She was not going to let him win; not this way. She had been looking for him all free period and had just taken to looking outside.
"No, just leave me alone," he was surprised she was even there. He thought she wouldn't even talk to him anymore. "Why are you even here?" he said looking around him. He had a hurt look in his eyes.
"Look, other people may have given up on you, maybe that's why you don't want help. But whether you want it or not, I'm gonna help you, you have no say in this matter, so you may as well just give up on it!"
A smirk crossed his face. "You don't want me as your boyfriend. I'm way too screwed up!"
"Whoa! Who said anything about relationship? I'm just being a good citizen... or rather a good friend! Can I be your friend?" she said, her head cocked to one side, a light smile on her face.
"Yeah, as you said, I don't have a choice."
"You got that right, pal. Wanna tell me what's the matter? You looked so distant at dinner. You weren't even listening to me. So, what's wrong?"
"Look, I'll tell you, but you can't tell Peter," he looked scared.
"Cross my heart and hope to die," she said going through the motion of crossing her chest with her index finger.
"Fine," he said with a small smile on his face. "I can't tell Peter because I'm scared that if CPS doesn't believe me, they'll send me home."
"Look, even if they don't believe you, they won't send you home. They didn't send Scott home did they?"
"Guess not. It's just, I know he's hurting Marc and Mom, but I'm helpless!"
"No! You're not helpless. You can help them. How old is Marc?"
"15, but what difference does it make?"
"A whole lot! He can come to Horizon! That's Jess's age, and she's here. If you both speak out against your dad, you'll get him for sure. Peter'll help. So will I," she added the last one after a beat.
"You think? What about my mom though?" the look of terror still hadn't left his eyes. It was there when he arrived, it was there now.
"There are places she can go to get away from it all. Shelters."
"I guess. Kristen, can't I just think about it for a while?"
"Sure, I'll come by when it's lights out. If you go anywhere, let me know, or I'll worry!" she said, getting up.
"Yes, ma'am," he said and did a mock salute.
"Good boy," she said and turned to walk back to the lodge.
"Oh, and Kristen?" he called after her. She turned around with an inquisitive look. "Thanks." She just smiled and continued on her way. As she entered the lodge, Scott was leaving after Andrew and Shel.
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"So, uh, want to tell me about your past?" Andrew said, leading her to the docks.
"Nope, you wanna tell about yours?" she asked defensively.
"Nah, rather not."
"Then you see why I don't," she said with a smirk. They sat down on the bench. He turned to look her over. Man, she's hot. I bet I could score big time with her if stupid jock boy didn't follow her everywhere, he thought. Well, he not here now. Time to make my move! Shelby turned when she felt his eyes on her. Just as her eyes landed on him and she saw what he was doing, she tried to protest, but his lips had covered hers before she even began. She pushed him away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yelled, getting up and starting to walk away. He wasn't going to let her tell everyone what he'd done.
"You're not going anywhere," he whispered, grabbing her arm. Images of Walt crossed her mind.
"Get off me!" she screamed, but to no avail. He had pushed her down back onto the bench and was pushing his hands through his hair.
"Look, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I just..." he said, his voice cracking. He didn't know what he was doing.
"I'm leaving, you'd better not come after me." She got up and left.
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"What the hell do you think you were doing, man?" Scott yelled, walking into the dorm where Andrew sat. He looked at him, acknowledging his presence. "Shelby's my girl! My fiancée!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Dude, I'm not stupid! I saw what you did to her!"
"How do you know it was mutual?" he said, wanting to see where this led.
"What are you, stupid? No girl leaves, crying, seconds after a guy kisses her. And no girl pushes a guy off her if it's mutual!" Scott yelled. He couldn't believe he was hearing this.
"Whatever," Andrew said, dismissing his remark.
"Don't you dismiss me! Look, I love Shelby and she loves me, and if you want to walk out of here, to see another day, I suggest you don't touch her ever again."
"Fine. Don't touch Shelby, got it," he said while writing it down on a pad of paper. "Will you be wanting fries with your order?" he added, mimicking taking a restaurant order. Scott just looked at him with pure disgust on his face. He turned on his heal and walked out.
Thinking of more pleasant things, he ran into Shelby. She looked very excited all of a sudden, even though her eyes were still red from crying.
"Where's the fire?" Scott asked, happy to see that she was happy. He wasn't going to bring up his conversation with Andrew and make her upset again.
"Scott! Oh my god!" she was jumping everywhere. Finally he grabbed her shoulders and restrained her.
"Shelby what is it?"
"The bed's here! I get to sleep with you tonight," and realized how that came out, added: "Well, sleep in the same bed as you that is." Scott grinned. He was thrilled. She looked like a kid in a toy store. A kid in a toy store, hyped up on sugar! He just hugged her and kissed her. They stood there making out until Daisy came along.
"Guys, get a room!" she yelled.
"That's twenty today," Shelby said, getting her little notepad out to mark down how many times someone had told them that today. Scott smiled, and turned back to Daisy.
"We would, but all we got is the boys' dorm." Everyone laughed.
"Something may be changed in that area," Daisy said with a wink. Shelby and Scott just looked at each other with grins.
Eventually Shelby and Daisy went off to pack her things for the "big move" as everyone called it. They were both happy. Well, Shelby was a bit scared of Andrew. She had overheard Scott yelling at him, though, and that did appease her nerves a little. She knew that no guy in their right mind would wilingly fight Scott when it was over her. She'd seen how he acted with David sometimes. It wasn't a pretty sight.
She couldn't believe how unbelievably adorable Scott was. Everything was perfect just then. But, of course, as Daisy often reminded her, it was just a matter of time until life came and hit them with another roadblock.
"Man, I'm so hungry!" Shelby cried, linking her arm into Scott's and walking off with the rest of the Cliffhangers in tow to the caf for dinner. They were all wet from the snow, tired, hungry, and in good moods. David and Daisy were hanging back.
"So, what's up?" Daisy asked nonchalantly. She was busy thinking about what she said when she told him she loved him. She was just scared of what he might say. Why was this so? She thought, he's just a guy. I thought I didn't have boyfriends. Why is he so special? I don't know, but he just is. He has a way of getting under my skin. He really is one of a kind.
"Dais," he said, he had stopped walking. She looked at him and let out a laugh. He was looking at her seriously. She had never seen him that way. As the other Cliffhangers retreated to the caf, she and David stood there, looking at each other. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing, you're just serious! I've never seen you that way!"
"Dais, I've been thinking," he said slowly. He knew he was torturing her and he loved it.
"Look, David, if it's about the love thing, just say it." Oh no! He doesn't love me! I knew it! Why did I start this whole thing? Work on pulling it back.
"Well, you see-" but he was cut off.
"David, look, don't. I know you're gonna say that you don't love me. I don't want to go back to 'just friends' so just-"
"Daisy! What are you talking about? I love you!" he yelled out to get her attention.
"You what?"
"I love you! Didn't you want to hear that?"
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" This was by far the happiest David had ever seen her. She squealed and jumped into his arms, hugging him. He couldn't believe it.
"Whoa there, girl! Calm down!" he was smiling. He was happy... when was the last time he felt that way?
After much talk, they finally headed to dinner, stomachs winning over hearts. They walked in the caf looking so happy that Shelby just looked at Daisy with raised eyebrows. She nodded and all was understood. Shelby got up and ran to hug her best friend. Dinner was, therefore, a very happy occasion that day. At least for everyone except Kristen and James who sat apart and talked in hushed voices. Everyone was too happy to notice them though.
"James, you have to talk to Peter!"
"Why? What's the point? He's going to call CPS and they're going to make a mess out of my life. I heard about them. They're horrible. They rip you apart," he was shaking as he said this.
"Since when? They're there to protect you, James. They only want to help!" she couldn't believe what he was saying.
"Oh, really? Ask Scott! Ezra told me what happened to him. I don't want to go to hell and back again for the sake of my stupid father who doesn't know any better!" he was getting mad, so Kristen decided to play on the Scott issue.
"Well, what happened to Scott?"
"What? Oh, CPS tore him apart. They made him look the fool. His step-mom abused him and they made him look the villain and her, the victim. No way am I doing that!" With that he stood up. He didn't know why he let her even suggest these things to him. He thought she was different. She was, he thought, she was different. She wanted to help. With those thoughts in mind he left her sitting there, stunned at his little outburst. One minute he looked at her with a "if looks could kill, you'd be dead" look and the next, he looked as though all he wanted to do was hug her. She was so confused. Right before he left, he threw her one last glance. It was stone cold and distant. It looked like he was in another world.
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"Hey," Andrew said, getting near Shelby during free period. She was reading and Scott was at the piano.
"Hey," she replied, looking up briefly from her book.
"What's that you're reading?"
"Pride and Prejudice. Classic love story. Classic English assignment," she said sarcastically.
"I see. I've read a couple of time. Do you like it?" he said, sitting down beside her on the love seat.
"Sure. Why not?" she had put it down and was looking at Andrew. She could see Patti shine through him. "You look so much like your sister."
"Thanks, but lets not talk about her."
"Why not?"
"Too many bad memories. Look, she was a good person, but had a way of quitting on me." He looked uncomfortable.
"Sorry. She was my best friend, you know. It's not something you forget easily."
"It must have been pretty traumatic. Finding her dead I mean."
"Who was it who said let the past be the past? And who said 'lets not talk about her'?" Shelby looked at him with a "I caught you" look. He smiled.
"Fine, you got me. Would you like to take a walk with me?" he asked seductively.
"As a big sister? Sure!" It was definitely not the answer he was hoping for, and she knew it. She was Scott's fiancée. Andrew knew that, and if he also knew what was good for him, he wouldn't ask such things... in such ways. She had, however, made a promise to Patti, years ago, to treat him like her brother if anything should happen to Patti. Something did happen and now that she knew who Patti's brother was, it was up to her to be the sister he never had. It sure as hell didn't make her comfortable, but she did it for her friend's sake. She just hoped Scott would be all right with it. As she left, he finished his little ballad. He turned around and saw her going out the door held open by Andrew. A killer glare flashed across his face as he saw Andrew. He got up and slipped on his coat without being seen by either of them. He was going to see what that guy wanted with his girl.
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"James, come on! Talk to me!" Kristen said, sitting next to him at a picnic table. After dinner, he had just disappeared. She was not going to let him win; not this way. She had been looking for him all free period and had just taken to looking outside.
"No, just leave me alone," he was surprised she was even there. He thought she wouldn't even talk to him anymore. "Why are you even here?" he said looking around him. He had a hurt look in his eyes.
"Look, other people may have given up on you, maybe that's why you don't want help. But whether you want it or not, I'm gonna help you, you have no say in this matter, so you may as well just give up on it!"
A smirk crossed his face. "You don't want me as your boyfriend. I'm way too screwed up!"
"Whoa! Who said anything about relationship? I'm just being a good citizen... or rather a good friend! Can I be your friend?" she said, her head cocked to one side, a light smile on her face.
"Yeah, as you said, I don't have a choice."
"You got that right, pal. Wanna tell me what's the matter? You looked so distant at dinner. You weren't even listening to me. So, what's wrong?"
"Look, I'll tell you, but you can't tell Peter," he looked scared.
"Cross my heart and hope to die," she said going through the motion of crossing her chest with her index finger.
"Fine," he said with a small smile on his face. "I can't tell Peter because I'm scared that if CPS doesn't believe me, they'll send me home."
"Look, even if they don't believe you, they won't send you home. They didn't send Scott home did they?"
"Guess not. It's just, I know he's hurting Marc and Mom, but I'm helpless!"
"No! You're not helpless. You can help them. How old is Marc?"
"15, but what difference does it make?"
"A whole lot! He can come to Horizon! That's Jess's age, and she's here. If you both speak out against your dad, you'll get him for sure. Peter'll help. So will I," she added the last one after a beat.
"You think? What about my mom though?" the look of terror still hadn't left his eyes. It was there when he arrived, it was there now.
"There are places she can go to get away from it all. Shelters."
"I guess. Kristen, can't I just think about it for a while?"
"Sure, I'll come by when it's lights out. If you go anywhere, let me know, or I'll worry!" she said, getting up.
"Yes, ma'am," he said and did a mock salute.
"Good boy," she said and turned to walk back to the lodge.
"Oh, and Kristen?" he called after her. She turned around with an inquisitive look. "Thanks." She just smiled and continued on her way. As she entered the lodge, Scott was leaving after Andrew and Shel.
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"So, uh, want to tell me about your past?" Andrew said, leading her to the docks.
"Nope, you wanna tell about yours?" she asked defensively.
"Nah, rather not."
"Then you see why I don't," she said with a smirk. They sat down on the bench. He turned to look her over. Man, she's hot. I bet I could score big time with her if stupid jock boy didn't follow her everywhere, he thought. Well, he not here now. Time to make my move! Shelby turned when she felt his eyes on her. Just as her eyes landed on him and she saw what he was doing, she tried to protest, but his lips had covered hers before she even began. She pushed him away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yelled, getting up and starting to walk away. He wasn't going to let her tell everyone what he'd done.
"You're not going anywhere," he whispered, grabbing her arm. Images of Walt crossed her mind.
"Get off me!" she screamed, but to no avail. He had pushed her down back onto the bench and was pushing his hands through his hair.
"Look, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I just..." he said, his voice cracking. He didn't know what he was doing.
"I'm leaving, you'd better not come after me." She got up and left.
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"What the hell do you think you were doing, man?" Scott yelled, walking into the dorm where Andrew sat. He looked at him, acknowledging his presence. "Shelby's my girl! My fiancée!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Dude, I'm not stupid! I saw what you did to her!"
"How do you know it was mutual?" he said, wanting to see where this led.
"What are you, stupid? No girl leaves, crying, seconds after a guy kisses her. And no girl pushes a guy off her if it's mutual!" Scott yelled. He couldn't believe he was hearing this.
"Whatever," Andrew said, dismissing his remark.
"Don't you dismiss me! Look, I love Shelby and she loves me, and if you want to walk out of here, to see another day, I suggest you don't touch her ever again."
"Fine. Don't touch Shelby, got it," he said while writing it down on a pad of paper. "Will you be wanting fries with your order?" he added, mimicking taking a restaurant order. Scott just looked at him with pure disgust on his face. He turned on his heal and walked out.
Thinking of more pleasant things, he ran into Shelby. She looked very excited all of a sudden, even though her eyes were still red from crying.
"Where's the fire?" Scott asked, happy to see that she was happy. He wasn't going to bring up his conversation with Andrew and make her upset again.
"Scott! Oh my god!" she was jumping everywhere. Finally he grabbed her shoulders and restrained her.
"Shelby what is it?"
"The bed's here! I get to sleep with you tonight," and realized how that came out, added: "Well, sleep in the same bed as you that is." Scott grinned. He was thrilled. She looked like a kid in a toy store. A kid in a toy store, hyped up on sugar! He just hugged her and kissed her. They stood there making out until Daisy came along.
"Guys, get a room!" she yelled.
"That's twenty today," Shelby said, getting her little notepad out to mark down how many times someone had told them that today. Scott smiled, and turned back to Daisy.
"We would, but all we got is the boys' dorm." Everyone laughed.
"Something may be changed in that area," Daisy said with a wink. Shelby and Scott just looked at each other with grins.
Eventually Shelby and Daisy went off to pack her things for the "big move" as everyone called it. They were both happy. Well, Shelby was a bit scared of Andrew. She had overheard Scott yelling at him, though, and that did appease her nerves a little. She knew that no guy in their right mind would wilingly fight Scott when it was over her. She'd seen how he acted with David sometimes. It wasn't a pretty sight.
She couldn't believe how unbelievably adorable Scott was. Everything was perfect just then. But, of course, as Daisy often reminded her, it was just a matter of time until life came and hit them with another roadblock.