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, Marc, Belle, Billy, the stables, or any other horses in that stable. Don't SUE!
Author's Note: Hey Emma! (Not me, but you know who you are!) Thanks for your suggestions and ever-present pressure to update LOL. David is and always will be the best!!! And my love goes out to Kristen, Lay, and Julia! Thanks guys, for all your support and putting up with my Higher Ground obsession! LOL! By the way, I had to make them spill the beans or else there wouldn't be a story line anymore. You never know, there could be more to it than what is said... Enough of this, on with the show.
As he approached, his steps grew quicker, but as soon as he saw her, his heart stopped, along with his steps. She was so peaceful. She was sprawled out over the old wooden planks that made up the dock. Her hair was flowing over her shoulders like a beautiful, clear river. As she felt the extra presence, she lifted her head. When she saw whom it was, her face relaxed again and her arms opened up invitingly.
"Hey Cowboy!" she greeted him with an enormous grin.
"Hi beautiful, how's it going?" he asked, sitting beside her and pulling her into a tight hug. They stayed like that until they separated to kiss.
"It's all good now, I'll say that much!" she said, appreciatively.
"Ah, I like the sound of that. You know, we really might want to find a more discreet place to meet after lights out. I mean the docks are in full view."
"What are you planning on doing with me?" she asked seductively. He just looked at her with raised eyebrows and they both burst out laughing.
"Wait a second! What did you mean when you said that it's good now? Are you sure you're fine?"
"Yes, of course," was her quick response.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" he asked, raising his eyebrows once more.
"Uh, let me guess... Because we're at a school for people who aren't fine?" she guessed sarcastically.
"Bingo! Shel! I love you, you don't have to worry about telling me these things! We're getting married, remember?"
"I know you're right. It's just I can't stop thinking about it. About her!" she said, her voice quivering. Sensing she was about to cry, Scott took her in his arms and rocked her gently. Finally she calmed down and continued, all on her own. "I haven't told you about her. She is the one who introduced me to the world of... uh... turning tricks. She is Patti Maynes. Yeah, Andrew's sister. She was his big sister. She and I cooperated to make enough money so that we could at least have a motel room for the night. We eventually became really good friends. She once told me about Andrew. When we first met, she told me about how, if she died, she'd want to be a Jane Doe. You know, no ID. Well, I made her that way when I found her, dead, in our motel room one night. She'd O.D.ed on coke. I couldn't believe it! I knew she did drugs, but I had no idea it was nearly that bad!" she spat out.
"I understand," he said softly.
"No, Scott, you don't. The thing is, no one ever will! I was all alone after she left! No one! No one but the jerks that paid for my company! I didn't have anywhere to go, anyone to turn to. Then the cops came, and I knew I couldn't run any longer. I went home, and I swear to God, seeing Roger standing in the kitchen with my mother instead of him was the best thing I ever saw. Knowing I was coming here, away from Walt, was the best feeling. I may not have been free, but it was over. I was done!" Here she paused. Thought over what she wanted to say next, and continued. "You know, this is all an act! It's just that, I thought that if I were mean, no one would suspect, or care, that I was hurting inside. No one would care to look."
"Except me."
"Except you! Scott, if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be here right now. I'd be six feet under."
"Now I understand why you dreaded going home. Why you couldn't say good-bye. Good-bye to me was like good-by to her. You ended up home once more."
"That was part of it."
"And the other part?"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to say good-bye to the one person in the world who understands? The one person who knows your past? The one person you love above all others?"
"Yeah, I do. Why do you think I came back at the morp?"
"Because we're meant for each other!" she said, a little tease in her voice. They shared a sweet little kiss before she pulled away with tears in her eyes. "Now, you know everything about me." With that, all talk for the night was over and done with. But I won't neglect to say that body language means a whole lot. If it were all said in words, I'd have a book to write, instead of a chapter.
********************************************************************************
"How are you feeling?" Peter asked Marc as he began his first one on one session with him. It was late afternoon on Friday, March 31.
"I'm fine," he answered, no emotion whatsoever in his voice. He had a totally vacant expression on his face. In short, he was completely blank. Lost. All alone in a place we call a world. Only his eyes betrayed him, but only barely. There was just a trace of complete hurt.
"No you're not. I can tell by your eyes. They betray you, everyone, every time. You can't hide what you feel. And don't even think that I don't see right through that little façade you have up! I've seen too many students with it. That exact same one!"
"Don't you think it's there for a reason?" he asked defensively.
"Of course. The question is: what's it hiding?" Peter pushed.
"Absolutely nothing!" Marc yelled, getting up, knocking his chair over. He then began pacing around, pushing his hands through his hair.
"Right. Is that why you just acted out?" Peter pushed some more. He knew the way to him to talk was to push him over the top and react.
"No! I mean yes. I mean... I don't know what I mean anymore! I need a fix bad!"
"What?" Peter asked astonished.
"I need some morf. Bad!" he yelled, not realizing whom he was talking to. He broke out into a cold sweat. "Can I go? Please! I need to talk to my bro!" he said calmly, collecting him self. Peter looked at him, a bit taken aback by his little performance. "I need some fresh air," he said, completely calm this time. His act worked. Peter nodded and Marc left the office at a rather quick pace.
Once he reached the door, he opened it. As he stepped out, a big blast of cool spring air came blowing in his face. He stayed standing on the porch a minute, forgetting where he was, who he was, and all that had happened to him. This was one of few those moments when he realized that he really was alive. He could feel the air seeping into his lungs. He could feel his hair blowing back. It was the best feeling in the world. For those precious few seconds, he had no worries. But, like all good things, this moment came to an end, and he felt the need to vent his anger. The anger and frustration that had been boiling up in him since he had arrived at this place.
He left the porch and started searching campus for his brother. He later found him, sitting with Alexis. He slowly walked up to them, looking rather uncomfortable.
"James, can I speak with you?" he asked politely, not wanting to give him so much as a hint of what was to come.
"Uh, sure. I'll catch ya later Alex," James replied, giving Alexis a smile.
"Yeah, bye," she replied quietly to their retreating figures.
"What the fuck were you thinking? You are such an ass-hole! I can't believe you ratted me out!" Marc yelled when they were out of earshot of anyone around them.
"What?" James asked, completely not expecting that.
"You heard me, fuck face!" Marc yelled, pushing him.
"What's the matter with you?" James yelled back, finally getting what was going on. He got up and pinned his brother down. "You've never won a fight with me and don't think you're about to now!" he continued yelling. But Marc was mad and he was prepared to play dirty in order to gain his revenge. He punched him in the stomach and then proceeded to kick him where it hurts. This landed James on the ground, unable to stand up. Marc got up and began to kick his brother until he realized what he was doing and just left, seeing Alexis approach. He just left her to deal with James and left running towards the woods. He wasn't going to run, but he needed to be alone and to think.
"Wonder what he's up to," Daisy said more to herself that to Kristen, to whom she'd been talking.
"What? Who?" Kristen asked, turning around to see where Daisy was looking.
"Oh, Marc, I think. He looks really upset. Oh my god! No wonder! Look what he's done to James!" she said pointing to James's near limp body that was starting to gather attention. Kristen followed her gaze and gasped.
"You go check if he's okay, I'll check on Marc," she yelled, already running off to the forest. "Marc!" she yelled, reaching the edge.
"What do you want?" he yelled.
"To ask you why you beat your bro up!" she yelled back, rising to his challenge.
"That's none of your fucking business!" he yelled, getting up, using his height to try to intimidate her. Kristen looked all cute and innocent, but when she was faced with something like this, where she knew she wouldn't get hurt, she didn't back down.
"Well, I make it my business! Now, do you want to tell me, or the wardens at juvie?" she yelled back.
"You ask like I give a fuck! Just back the hell off. I don't want to talk to you, or anyone for that matter. Just leave." This was said calmly, not screamed. This scared her. Her wall to climb and conquer had just crumbled. She didn't know what to do with her self. She looked like she would return with a remark, but what would she say? He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to talk to her. She was cut deep by this, but something all the Horizon kids had learned at an early age was that you didn't show weakness. She glared at him and turned on her heel. That was the last he was going to see of her, she thought to herself. No more! No more! Enough!
Author's Note: Hey Emma! (Not me, but you know who you are!) Thanks for your suggestions and ever-present pressure to update LOL. David is and always will be the best!!! And my love goes out to Kristen, Lay, and Julia! Thanks guys, for all your support and putting up with my Higher Ground obsession! LOL! By the way, I had to make them spill the beans or else there wouldn't be a story line anymore. You never know, there could be more to it than what is said... Enough of this, on with the show.
As he approached, his steps grew quicker, but as soon as he saw her, his heart stopped, along with his steps. She was so peaceful. She was sprawled out over the old wooden planks that made up the dock. Her hair was flowing over her shoulders like a beautiful, clear river. As she felt the extra presence, she lifted her head. When she saw whom it was, her face relaxed again and her arms opened up invitingly.
"Hey Cowboy!" she greeted him with an enormous grin.
"Hi beautiful, how's it going?" he asked, sitting beside her and pulling her into a tight hug. They stayed like that until they separated to kiss.
"It's all good now, I'll say that much!" she said, appreciatively.
"Ah, I like the sound of that. You know, we really might want to find a more discreet place to meet after lights out. I mean the docks are in full view."
"What are you planning on doing with me?" she asked seductively. He just looked at her with raised eyebrows and they both burst out laughing.
"Wait a second! What did you mean when you said that it's good now? Are you sure you're fine?"
"Yes, of course," was her quick response.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" he asked, raising his eyebrows once more.
"Uh, let me guess... Because we're at a school for people who aren't fine?" she guessed sarcastically.
"Bingo! Shel! I love you, you don't have to worry about telling me these things! We're getting married, remember?"
"I know you're right. It's just I can't stop thinking about it. About her!" she said, her voice quivering. Sensing she was about to cry, Scott took her in his arms and rocked her gently. Finally she calmed down and continued, all on her own. "I haven't told you about her. She is the one who introduced me to the world of... uh... turning tricks. She is Patti Maynes. Yeah, Andrew's sister. She was his big sister. She and I cooperated to make enough money so that we could at least have a motel room for the night. We eventually became really good friends. She once told me about Andrew. When we first met, she told me about how, if she died, she'd want to be a Jane Doe. You know, no ID. Well, I made her that way when I found her, dead, in our motel room one night. She'd O.D.ed on coke. I couldn't believe it! I knew she did drugs, but I had no idea it was nearly that bad!" she spat out.
"I understand," he said softly.
"No, Scott, you don't. The thing is, no one ever will! I was all alone after she left! No one! No one but the jerks that paid for my company! I didn't have anywhere to go, anyone to turn to. Then the cops came, and I knew I couldn't run any longer. I went home, and I swear to God, seeing Roger standing in the kitchen with my mother instead of him was the best thing I ever saw. Knowing I was coming here, away from Walt, was the best feeling. I may not have been free, but it was over. I was done!" Here she paused. Thought over what she wanted to say next, and continued. "You know, this is all an act! It's just that, I thought that if I were mean, no one would suspect, or care, that I was hurting inside. No one would care to look."
"Except me."
"Except you! Scott, if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be here right now. I'd be six feet under."
"Now I understand why you dreaded going home. Why you couldn't say good-bye. Good-bye to me was like good-by to her. You ended up home once more."
"That was part of it."
"And the other part?"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to say good-bye to the one person in the world who understands? The one person who knows your past? The one person you love above all others?"
"Yeah, I do. Why do you think I came back at the morp?"
"Because we're meant for each other!" she said, a little tease in her voice. They shared a sweet little kiss before she pulled away with tears in her eyes. "Now, you know everything about me." With that, all talk for the night was over and done with. But I won't neglect to say that body language means a whole lot. If it were all said in words, I'd have a book to write, instead of a chapter.
********************************************************************************
"How are you feeling?" Peter asked Marc as he began his first one on one session with him. It was late afternoon on Friday, March 31.
"I'm fine," he answered, no emotion whatsoever in his voice. He had a totally vacant expression on his face. In short, he was completely blank. Lost. All alone in a place we call a world. Only his eyes betrayed him, but only barely. There was just a trace of complete hurt.
"No you're not. I can tell by your eyes. They betray you, everyone, every time. You can't hide what you feel. And don't even think that I don't see right through that little façade you have up! I've seen too many students with it. That exact same one!"
"Don't you think it's there for a reason?" he asked defensively.
"Of course. The question is: what's it hiding?" Peter pushed.
"Absolutely nothing!" Marc yelled, getting up, knocking his chair over. He then began pacing around, pushing his hands through his hair.
"Right. Is that why you just acted out?" Peter pushed some more. He knew the way to him to talk was to push him over the top and react.
"No! I mean yes. I mean... I don't know what I mean anymore! I need a fix bad!"
"What?" Peter asked astonished.
"I need some morf. Bad!" he yelled, not realizing whom he was talking to. He broke out into a cold sweat. "Can I go? Please! I need to talk to my bro!" he said calmly, collecting him self. Peter looked at him, a bit taken aback by his little performance. "I need some fresh air," he said, completely calm this time. His act worked. Peter nodded and Marc left the office at a rather quick pace.
Once he reached the door, he opened it. As he stepped out, a big blast of cool spring air came blowing in his face. He stayed standing on the porch a minute, forgetting where he was, who he was, and all that had happened to him. This was one of few those moments when he realized that he really was alive. He could feel the air seeping into his lungs. He could feel his hair blowing back. It was the best feeling in the world. For those precious few seconds, he had no worries. But, like all good things, this moment came to an end, and he felt the need to vent his anger. The anger and frustration that had been boiling up in him since he had arrived at this place.
He left the porch and started searching campus for his brother. He later found him, sitting with Alexis. He slowly walked up to them, looking rather uncomfortable.
"James, can I speak with you?" he asked politely, not wanting to give him so much as a hint of what was to come.
"Uh, sure. I'll catch ya later Alex," James replied, giving Alexis a smile.
"Yeah, bye," she replied quietly to their retreating figures.
"What the fuck were you thinking? You are such an ass-hole! I can't believe you ratted me out!" Marc yelled when they were out of earshot of anyone around them.
"What?" James asked, completely not expecting that.
"You heard me, fuck face!" Marc yelled, pushing him.
"What's the matter with you?" James yelled back, finally getting what was going on. He got up and pinned his brother down. "You've never won a fight with me and don't think you're about to now!" he continued yelling. But Marc was mad and he was prepared to play dirty in order to gain his revenge. He punched him in the stomach and then proceeded to kick him where it hurts. This landed James on the ground, unable to stand up. Marc got up and began to kick his brother until he realized what he was doing and just left, seeing Alexis approach. He just left her to deal with James and left running towards the woods. He wasn't going to run, but he needed to be alone and to think.
"Wonder what he's up to," Daisy said more to herself that to Kristen, to whom she'd been talking.
"What? Who?" Kristen asked, turning around to see where Daisy was looking.
"Oh, Marc, I think. He looks really upset. Oh my god! No wonder! Look what he's done to James!" she said pointing to James's near limp body that was starting to gather attention. Kristen followed her gaze and gasped.
"You go check if he's okay, I'll check on Marc," she yelled, already running off to the forest. "Marc!" she yelled, reaching the edge.
"What do you want?" he yelled.
"To ask you why you beat your bro up!" she yelled back, rising to his challenge.
"That's none of your fucking business!" he yelled, getting up, using his height to try to intimidate her. Kristen looked all cute and innocent, but when she was faced with something like this, where she knew she wouldn't get hurt, she didn't back down.
"Well, I make it my business! Now, do you want to tell me, or the wardens at juvie?" she yelled back.
"You ask like I give a fuck! Just back the hell off. I don't want to talk to you, or anyone for that matter. Just leave." This was said calmly, not screamed. This scared her. Her wall to climb and conquer had just crumbled. She didn't know what to do with her self. She looked like she would return with a remark, but what would she say? He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to talk to her. She was cut deep by this, but something all the Horizon kids had learned at an early age was that you didn't show weakness. She glared at him and turned on her heel. That was the last he was going to see of her, she thought to herself. No more! No more! Enough!