Higher Expectations
Episode 2: Silence
"When people stop talking, they are becoming dangerous."- W.R. Espy
Yes, I know I posted just yesterday morning, but I wrote another chapter right after it and couldn't wait to post it! Looks like you wont be waiting a week for chapters. I wont make you wait longer though, hopefully. If I do, just email me and smack me or something! That should get me back on track. Now onto the story!
*****
Shelby couldn't decide what she wanted to do. She was tired but didn't want to sleep. What was she going to say in defence of herslef during the trial? Would she have enough strength and courage to go through with it? Her self esteem hadn't always been sky high, and now was not the time for her to be needing to believe in herself.
Walt would be there. The man she had feared for so long. The man she still feared, only not as much. Shelby could hear Daisy and Juliette's soft steady breathing, indicating that they were sound asleep. Every once in a while Juliette would say something in protest to her mother. Shelby was used to that by now.
The thing that was bothering Shelby at the moment was the fact that Kat was gone. She believed that if Kat were still there, she would go to her for advise. Kat was good at that sort of thing. Even though Shelby and Katherine weren't that close, Shelby missed her terribly. She remembered how helpful Katherine was. When her and Juliette would get into cat fights, Katherine would be there to seperate them before they got in trouble. Only now had Shelby realized how many months of shuns Kat had saved her from over the year and a half they were together.
The thought of Walt came back into her mind after a few minutes of resting. She sighed as she opened her eyes again. It hadn't crossed her mind at how Jess was reacting to this. Peter had convinced Mrs. Blaine to let Jess come to Horizon for the beginning of her Freshman year but since all this had come up, her transfer to Horizon had been postponed. Shelby figured Jess would come back to Horizon with her on Saturday morning.
Shelby sat up and sighed into the night. Things were messing up for her right now and she was starting to get agitated with it. She was tired and she couldn't hold back sleep any longer, the second her head hit the pillow again, she fell asleep.
*****
Juliette was up and gone before anyone else woke up that morning. She had decided to let them sleep in and get in trouble. They would one day learn to appreciate her wake up calls and come running back to her as pathetic as it would be.
Minutes after Juliette had walked out of the dorm, Shelby's alarm clock went off jerking both Shelby and Daisy from their dreams.
"Shelby! Why do you have that thing on?" Daisy asked groggily.
"Suddenly lose your sunny disposition?" Shelby asked, making eye contact with her best friend. Daisy laughed and rolled her eye.
"You're avoiding my question. Why do you have your alarm clock on?" Daisy asked again. She heard Shelby sigh.
"I'm leaving today." She simply stated not knowing how Daisy would take it. Daisy sat up sharply.
"Why? What did you do this time? You can't leave me alone with Juliette! The cards said there would be a small abrupt change but this is by far small!"
"Woah, Dais! Don't worry. I'll be back Saturday morning. I just have to go testify in court against my step father." Shelby explained.
"What a difference a few words can make.." Daisy said, tilting her head and smiling. "Wait, your ex step father.. right?" She asked. Shelby thought about it for a second and shook her head.
"I think they're still married." Then it hit her. What if Walt got off and went back to her mother? What if her problems weren't over? "Dais..." Shelby started but Daisy had already sensed what she was thinking.
"Don't worry. Your mother may have been stupid but she isn't that stupid. She would never take that sicko back, don't worry." Daisy smiled.
"You're right. She's not that stupid." Shelby replied though her mind was racing now.
*****
In the boys dorm, Scott sat up ready to start his last few hours with Shelby. She was leaving at 2pm and he didn't want to miss one minute with her. He got up and walked over to the bathroom only to find out that Ezra had occupied the bathroom.
"Aghh!" Scott groaned.
Auggie jerked up suddenly muttering something in spanish.
"Woah, amigo. What's up? You know how I hate it when you mumble in spanish." Scott said, Auggie shook his head.
"Oh, morning, Meat. I was just asking if someone called my name. Did you?" He asked, slipping out of bed and sliding some pants on over his boxers. He stood up and stretched his arms high into the air, yawning and stretching.
"Naw, but you know your hair is a total mess." Scott laughed as Ezra walked out of the bathroom and smiled wickidly at everyone.
"Morning boys! I decided to get freshened up before you guys got up.. but I see I didn't succeed." Ezra was still smiling.
"Woah, E.Z., man. You're acting weird. You always act weird, but you are acting just.. way off, man." Auggie said, staring at Ezra oddly.
"Yeah, man." Scott agreed as he started to walk in the bathroom.
"Oh, Meat, sorry." Auggie said as he ran into the bathroom. "I have to see Jules today!!!!" He yelled from inside as he locked the door. Scott groaned yet again as he banged his head on the door.
*****
Peter sat at his desk at 1:45 that afternoon staring out his window. He was dreading Shelby leaving just as much as she was dreading it herself. After she had learned of her mothers negligence, he couldn't stand the womans voice, much less the sight of her. Peter rubbed the bridge of his nose in attempts to rid himself of an oncoming headache.
"Hey, Mountain Man," Sophie said, somewhat seductively as she walked in the door.
"Oh, hey, Soph." Peter said, looking up. Sophie's eyes went from happy to worried.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned. Peter sighed.
"It's nothing, Soph, really." Peter explained. Sophie raised her eyebrow and looked at him.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Peter? Now what's wrong?"
"It's just that Shelby's mom is taking her home with her for the first time since she told on her step father just to have her face him again. I don't believe she's ready for it. She looked like she wanted to scream when I told her." He explained. Sophie seemed to consider what he was saying.
"I understand what you're getting at, Peter, but I think she's ready. Shelby is a strong girl, stubborn, of course, but she's strong. I believe she can take this on head first." Sophie explained. "Don't worry about Shelby. She'll be back before you know it."
"I'm really growing attatched to these kids, Soph. I don't know how I'll handle it when they all graduate this year. I mean, even David's going.. I'm going to miss him too!" He complained.
"Oh yeah, speaking of David, when's he coming home from visiting his father?" Sophie asked, she had been worrying about David ever since he left 3 days ago. The general didn't look like a very nice person.
"Um, I think he'll be back sometime tomorrow, why?"
"No reason, I've just been very worried about him. General Ruxton doesn't look like a very nice person." Sophie explained.
"Well, he isn't. If you stay on his good side, things are okay. However, if you stray toward his bad side, things can get ugly..." Peter said, laughing lightly at his own bad sense of humor. He saw the look on Sophie's face. "Don't worry. I don't think David's father will do anything physical. He may send him to his room alot but he's an officer of the army.. he wouldn't beat his own son."
"You're probably right. I'm just worrying too much. David will be fine. His father wouldn't do something that stupid. Besides, it's illegal and he's an officer."
*****
Shelby struggled to drag her bag down the steps of the girls dorm.
"Need a little help with that?" A strangers voice called out from infront of the dorm.
"Uh, sure." She mumbled, confused.
"I haven't seen you around before. What's your name?" The boy asked.
"Uh, Shelby. What's yours?" She asked. The boy just smiled widely and picked up her trunk.
"My name's Tyler. I'm in the RidgeRunners. I just got here about a month ago. I'm still on newbie duty." He said chuckling lightly. Shelby smiled back at him. He really was very cute. He had very light brown hair and green eyes. Even though he was a lanky sort of boy, hardly any muscles or meat, it seemed to suit him. The boy may have been cute, but he was no Scott.
Before Shelby knew it, Tyler had hauled her luggage out to the driveway where her mother would soon be.
"Thanks," Shelby said smiling, friendly.
"No problem," Tyler replied. "Oh, hey, tell Scott and Auggie that I'll meet them out back today on the basketball courts so I can whoop their butts!" he grinned, slyly. Shelby laughed.
"Okay, Tyler. So I'll see you around?" Shelby asked. Tyler nodded and ran off toward the basketball courts. Shelby laughed softly and smiled. 'I guess I just made myself a friend that Scott's okay with.' She thought as she heard a horn honking. It was her mother.
"SHEL!" Scott called from behind her, almost out of breath. "Wait up!" Shelby smiled that Scott had made it to see her off.
"Hey, Cowboy!" Shelby said grinning. Her mother pulled to a sudden halt and Scott jumped.
"Woah," he said, laughing. "Guess she was in a hurry." Scott said looking down at his watch. "Right on time too. It's 2:00 on the dot" He said, sighing.
"Shelby," Alice, Shelby's mom, stated as she walked up to her daughter.
"Mom," Shelby replied. "Um, this is Scott Barringer, my boyfriend." She said noticing her mothers confused look towards Scott. "Scott, this is my mother."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Merrick." Scott said as he extended his hand. Shelby's mom took his hand and shook it briefly.
"Same to you, Mr. Barringer." Shelby rolled her eyes at her mothers obvious fake formality. "Well, Shelby, are you ready to go?" She asked, pointing to the car. Shelby nodded.
"Yeah, just let me tell Scott a few things first." Shelby replied. "You can go sit in the car, I'll be there in a minute." She said, curtly. Her mother turned around and rolled her eyes, getting agitated.
"Oh, um, Tyler came by and helped me with my luggage. He said for you to meet him at the courts later so he could "whoop your butt" Scott laughed.
"Aight, I'll see him there." He bent down and picked Shelby up and twirled her around in a hug. "I love you." He said.
"I love you too, Scott." Shelby replied when he put her down. The first time he said this was still fresh on her mind.
[Flashback]
"Why'd you come back?" Shelby asked Scott as she saw him walk up. Scott was hesitant to say what he wanted to say.
"Because," He paused. Finally a blast of courage surged over him, "Because I love you!" He exclaimed. They sat watching the meteor shower for the rest of the night in total peace.
[End Flashback]
"Come on Shelby, we need to be going!" Alice yelled from the trunk of the car. Shelby rolled her eyes.
"Take care." Scott said sincerilly. "I'll see you on Saturday, okay?" Shelby smiled and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
"You too, cowboy." Shelby's grin faded as she walked toward the car, dragging her last bag along behind her. Scott's grin faded immediately as he saw the back of the car take off down the road.
This was going to be a long couple of days. He thought as he jogged up toward the basketball court, ready to kick some booty.
*****
The Cliffhanger boys dorm was silent that night. Scott usualy made alot of noise while getting ready for bed. He was still a preppy boy at heart and had to be clean and shaven before he slept every night. The only sounds came from Ezra as he sighed and set his book down.
"I have some wonderful news, guys!" Ezra announced. Scott was suddenly jerked out of his half sleep.
"What's up, amigo?" Auggie asked as he slipped under his covers, after emerging from the bathroom after his shower.
"Well, I know you guys wont believe this, I hardly believe it myself but..." He trailed off as he sighed again.
"What?!" Scott snapped, getting annoyed with Ezra for the hundreth time that day.
"Jeez, Scott. Chill." Ezra exclaimed, laughing. "I've got a girlfriend." He stated, simply. Both Auggie and Scott started laughing insanely. "Hey! It's true!"
"Sure it is, Ez. Is it that girl with the mouth full of metal from the Sundogs or Bertha in the RidgeRunners?" Scott asked, still laughing. Ezra looked appalled.
"No! Not them!" He yelled out. "For your information it's the new girl that was put in the Trackers a few weeks ago. Jessica Ridges." Ezra smiled, triumphantly. Auggie stared at Ezra in disbelief.
"No way, man!" Auggie exclaimed. "That chick is one hard to get girl! I mean, she's beautiful and blonde! Almost all the single guys are after her, and you get her?" Ezra's smile faded for a second while he thought.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" He asked as a grin formed on his face again. "I guess she just couldn't resist my charm." Scott and Auggie laughed again.
"Whatever, E.Z." Scott said. "I'm going to sleep now."
"Yeah, we got a basketball game to win tomorrow don't we, Meat?" Auggie asked, smiling.
"Sure do." Scott replied.
*****
Shelby arrived home late that night. She sighed as she entered the all familiar house she spent 15 years of her life in. She couldn't remember ever living anywhere else but there.. and Horizon, of course.
"SHELBY!" A young fifeteen year old girl cried from the top of the steps.
"Hey, Jess!" Shelby replied and dropped her luggage on the floor as her sister ran into her arms. "I've missed you so much!" Shelby said as she patted the back of her sisters head as they embraced.
"Oh me too. I was so dissapointed when I heard I would have to wait another week to be admited into Horizon. See, that bastard ruins everything." Jess smiled at her sister as Shelby laughed.
"Jess! Don't let me hear you say that word in this house again, you hear?" Alice, snarled, walking into the house carrying one of Shelby's bags. "Shel, hon, you can go get unpacked now if you want or we could maybe go out for burgers or something?" Alice asked.
"Nah, I'll go get unpacked now and spend some time with Jess." Shelby replied as she walked up the steps into her old room. She hated that room with all her might. As she walked in, she glared at her bed. It hadn't been made up since the last time she ran from home. It disgusted her in a way.
"So.." Shelby started. "How have you been dealing lately?" Shelby asked Jess as she sat down in a chair beside her dresser. Jess shruged.
"Things could be better." She replied, sitting down crosslegged on the floor.
"What does that mean?" Shelby asked, attempting to pry into her sisters life.
"Alot of the kids at the high school found out about it all somehow... they don't understand. All they can do is call me a wh-" Jess started but couldn't get the word out as she looked up at her sister. The word, being even half spoken, made Shelby wince. "Sorry..." Jess said, looking down at her lap.
"It's okay. Things will all be better once you get to Horizon. Even if the kids know, they wont call you names. Well, except for maybe David, but he's just a jackass." Shelby laughed and her sister smiled.
"So tell me about it. Horizon, I mean. What do you do there?" Jess asked. Shelby smiled.
"Well, it's not so bad really. Many people might say it is but it's not really. The only things that really make me mad is, one: we take hikes alot, two: the food tastes like a rubber ducky, three: Juliette, you'll know when you get there, and four: group." Shelby explained.
"What's group?" Jess asked, ready to learn all she could learn that night.
"Well...." Shelby started to explain. The night was going to be long.
*****
A/n: Hope ya liked! I realize that last chapter had alot of typos in it but, heh, It was all because of spell checker, ironicly. Anyway, THANKS Soooooo much for ALL your reviews. I got like 11 or 12 in the very first DAY! WOW! I've never gotten that many. Keep it up! You guys make me make another chapter for ya this fast by reviewing so much. Thanks a million! Read and Review!!!
Episode 2: Silence
"When people stop talking, they are becoming dangerous."- W.R. Espy
Yes, I know I posted just yesterday morning, but I wrote another chapter right after it and couldn't wait to post it! Looks like you wont be waiting a week for chapters. I wont make you wait longer though, hopefully. If I do, just email me and smack me or something! That should get me back on track. Now onto the story!
*****
Shelby couldn't decide what she wanted to do. She was tired but didn't want to sleep. What was she going to say in defence of herslef during the trial? Would she have enough strength and courage to go through with it? Her self esteem hadn't always been sky high, and now was not the time for her to be needing to believe in herself.
Walt would be there. The man she had feared for so long. The man she still feared, only not as much. Shelby could hear Daisy and Juliette's soft steady breathing, indicating that they were sound asleep. Every once in a while Juliette would say something in protest to her mother. Shelby was used to that by now.
The thing that was bothering Shelby at the moment was the fact that Kat was gone. She believed that if Kat were still there, she would go to her for advise. Kat was good at that sort of thing. Even though Shelby and Katherine weren't that close, Shelby missed her terribly. She remembered how helpful Katherine was. When her and Juliette would get into cat fights, Katherine would be there to seperate them before they got in trouble. Only now had Shelby realized how many months of shuns Kat had saved her from over the year and a half they were together.
The thought of Walt came back into her mind after a few minutes of resting. She sighed as she opened her eyes again. It hadn't crossed her mind at how Jess was reacting to this. Peter had convinced Mrs. Blaine to let Jess come to Horizon for the beginning of her Freshman year but since all this had come up, her transfer to Horizon had been postponed. Shelby figured Jess would come back to Horizon with her on Saturday morning.
Shelby sat up and sighed into the night. Things were messing up for her right now and she was starting to get agitated with it. She was tired and she couldn't hold back sleep any longer, the second her head hit the pillow again, she fell asleep.
*****
Juliette was up and gone before anyone else woke up that morning. She had decided to let them sleep in and get in trouble. They would one day learn to appreciate her wake up calls and come running back to her as pathetic as it would be.
Minutes after Juliette had walked out of the dorm, Shelby's alarm clock went off jerking both Shelby and Daisy from their dreams.
"Shelby! Why do you have that thing on?" Daisy asked groggily.
"Suddenly lose your sunny disposition?" Shelby asked, making eye contact with her best friend. Daisy laughed and rolled her eye.
"You're avoiding my question. Why do you have your alarm clock on?" Daisy asked again. She heard Shelby sigh.
"I'm leaving today." She simply stated not knowing how Daisy would take it. Daisy sat up sharply.
"Why? What did you do this time? You can't leave me alone with Juliette! The cards said there would be a small abrupt change but this is by far small!"
"Woah, Dais! Don't worry. I'll be back Saturday morning. I just have to go testify in court against my step father." Shelby explained.
"What a difference a few words can make.." Daisy said, tilting her head and smiling. "Wait, your ex step father.. right?" She asked. Shelby thought about it for a second and shook her head.
"I think they're still married." Then it hit her. What if Walt got off and went back to her mother? What if her problems weren't over? "Dais..." Shelby started but Daisy had already sensed what she was thinking.
"Don't worry. Your mother may have been stupid but she isn't that stupid. She would never take that sicko back, don't worry." Daisy smiled.
"You're right. She's not that stupid." Shelby replied though her mind was racing now.
*****
In the boys dorm, Scott sat up ready to start his last few hours with Shelby. She was leaving at 2pm and he didn't want to miss one minute with her. He got up and walked over to the bathroom only to find out that Ezra had occupied the bathroom.
"Aghh!" Scott groaned.
Auggie jerked up suddenly muttering something in spanish.
"Woah, amigo. What's up? You know how I hate it when you mumble in spanish." Scott said, Auggie shook his head.
"Oh, morning, Meat. I was just asking if someone called my name. Did you?" He asked, slipping out of bed and sliding some pants on over his boxers. He stood up and stretched his arms high into the air, yawning and stretching.
"Naw, but you know your hair is a total mess." Scott laughed as Ezra walked out of the bathroom and smiled wickidly at everyone.
"Morning boys! I decided to get freshened up before you guys got up.. but I see I didn't succeed." Ezra was still smiling.
"Woah, E.Z., man. You're acting weird. You always act weird, but you are acting just.. way off, man." Auggie said, staring at Ezra oddly.
"Yeah, man." Scott agreed as he started to walk in the bathroom.
"Oh, Meat, sorry." Auggie said as he ran into the bathroom. "I have to see Jules today!!!!" He yelled from inside as he locked the door. Scott groaned yet again as he banged his head on the door.
*****
Peter sat at his desk at 1:45 that afternoon staring out his window. He was dreading Shelby leaving just as much as she was dreading it herself. After she had learned of her mothers negligence, he couldn't stand the womans voice, much less the sight of her. Peter rubbed the bridge of his nose in attempts to rid himself of an oncoming headache.
"Hey, Mountain Man," Sophie said, somewhat seductively as she walked in the door.
"Oh, hey, Soph." Peter said, looking up. Sophie's eyes went from happy to worried.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned. Peter sighed.
"It's nothing, Soph, really." Peter explained. Sophie raised her eyebrow and looked at him.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Peter? Now what's wrong?"
"It's just that Shelby's mom is taking her home with her for the first time since she told on her step father just to have her face him again. I don't believe she's ready for it. She looked like she wanted to scream when I told her." He explained. Sophie seemed to consider what he was saying.
"I understand what you're getting at, Peter, but I think she's ready. Shelby is a strong girl, stubborn, of course, but she's strong. I believe she can take this on head first." Sophie explained. "Don't worry about Shelby. She'll be back before you know it."
"I'm really growing attatched to these kids, Soph. I don't know how I'll handle it when they all graduate this year. I mean, even David's going.. I'm going to miss him too!" He complained.
"Oh yeah, speaking of David, when's he coming home from visiting his father?" Sophie asked, she had been worrying about David ever since he left 3 days ago. The general didn't look like a very nice person.
"Um, I think he'll be back sometime tomorrow, why?"
"No reason, I've just been very worried about him. General Ruxton doesn't look like a very nice person." Sophie explained.
"Well, he isn't. If you stay on his good side, things are okay. However, if you stray toward his bad side, things can get ugly..." Peter said, laughing lightly at his own bad sense of humor. He saw the look on Sophie's face. "Don't worry. I don't think David's father will do anything physical. He may send him to his room alot but he's an officer of the army.. he wouldn't beat his own son."
"You're probably right. I'm just worrying too much. David will be fine. His father wouldn't do something that stupid. Besides, it's illegal and he's an officer."
*****
Shelby struggled to drag her bag down the steps of the girls dorm.
"Need a little help with that?" A strangers voice called out from infront of the dorm.
"Uh, sure." She mumbled, confused.
"I haven't seen you around before. What's your name?" The boy asked.
"Uh, Shelby. What's yours?" She asked. The boy just smiled widely and picked up her trunk.
"My name's Tyler. I'm in the RidgeRunners. I just got here about a month ago. I'm still on newbie duty." He said chuckling lightly. Shelby smiled back at him. He really was very cute. He had very light brown hair and green eyes. Even though he was a lanky sort of boy, hardly any muscles or meat, it seemed to suit him. The boy may have been cute, but he was no Scott.
Before Shelby knew it, Tyler had hauled her luggage out to the driveway where her mother would soon be.
"Thanks," Shelby said smiling, friendly.
"No problem," Tyler replied. "Oh, hey, tell Scott and Auggie that I'll meet them out back today on the basketball courts so I can whoop their butts!" he grinned, slyly. Shelby laughed.
"Okay, Tyler. So I'll see you around?" Shelby asked. Tyler nodded and ran off toward the basketball courts. Shelby laughed softly and smiled. 'I guess I just made myself a friend that Scott's okay with.' She thought as she heard a horn honking. It was her mother.
"SHEL!" Scott called from behind her, almost out of breath. "Wait up!" Shelby smiled that Scott had made it to see her off.
"Hey, Cowboy!" Shelby said grinning. Her mother pulled to a sudden halt and Scott jumped.
"Woah," he said, laughing. "Guess she was in a hurry." Scott said looking down at his watch. "Right on time too. It's 2:00 on the dot" He said, sighing.
"Shelby," Alice, Shelby's mom, stated as she walked up to her daughter.
"Mom," Shelby replied. "Um, this is Scott Barringer, my boyfriend." She said noticing her mothers confused look towards Scott. "Scott, this is my mother."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Merrick." Scott said as he extended his hand. Shelby's mom took his hand and shook it briefly.
"Same to you, Mr. Barringer." Shelby rolled her eyes at her mothers obvious fake formality. "Well, Shelby, are you ready to go?" She asked, pointing to the car. Shelby nodded.
"Yeah, just let me tell Scott a few things first." Shelby replied. "You can go sit in the car, I'll be there in a minute." She said, curtly. Her mother turned around and rolled her eyes, getting agitated.
"Oh, um, Tyler came by and helped me with my luggage. He said for you to meet him at the courts later so he could "whoop your butt" Scott laughed.
"Aight, I'll see him there." He bent down and picked Shelby up and twirled her around in a hug. "I love you." He said.
"I love you too, Scott." Shelby replied when he put her down. The first time he said this was still fresh on her mind.
[Flashback]
"Why'd you come back?" Shelby asked Scott as she saw him walk up. Scott was hesitant to say what he wanted to say.
"Because," He paused. Finally a blast of courage surged over him, "Because I love you!" He exclaimed. They sat watching the meteor shower for the rest of the night in total peace.
[End Flashback]
"Come on Shelby, we need to be going!" Alice yelled from the trunk of the car. Shelby rolled her eyes.
"Take care." Scott said sincerilly. "I'll see you on Saturday, okay?" Shelby smiled and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
"You too, cowboy." Shelby's grin faded as she walked toward the car, dragging her last bag along behind her. Scott's grin faded immediately as he saw the back of the car take off down the road.
This was going to be a long couple of days. He thought as he jogged up toward the basketball court, ready to kick some booty.
*****
The Cliffhanger boys dorm was silent that night. Scott usualy made alot of noise while getting ready for bed. He was still a preppy boy at heart and had to be clean and shaven before he slept every night. The only sounds came from Ezra as he sighed and set his book down.
"I have some wonderful news, guys!" Ezra announced. Scott was suddenly jerked out of his half sleep.
"What's up, amigo?" Auggie asked as he slipped under his covers, after emerging from the bathroom after his shower.
"Well, I know you guys wont believe this, I hardly believe it myself but..." He trailed off as he sighed again.
"What?!" Scott snapped, getting annoyed with Ezra for the hundreth time that day.
"Jeez, Scott. Chill." Ezra exclaimed, laughing. "I've got a girlfriend." He stated, simply. Both Auggie and Scott started laughing insanely. "Hey! It's true!"
"Sure it is, Ez. Is it that girl with the mouth full of metal from the Sundogs or Bertha in the RidgeRunners?" Scott asked, still laughing. Ezra looked appalled.
"No! Not them!" He yelled out. "For your information it's the new girl that was put in the Trackers a few weeks ago. Jessica Ridges." Ezra smiled, triumphantly. Auggie stared at Ezra in disbelief.
"No way, man!" Auggie exclaimed. "That chick is one hard to get girl! I mean, she's beautiful and blonde! Almost all the single guys are after her, and you get her?" Ezra's smile faded for a second while he thought.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" He asked as a grin formed on his face again. "I guess she just couldn't resist my charm." Scott and Auggie laughed again.
"Whatever, E.Z." Scott said. "I'm going to sleep now."
"Yeah, we got a basketball game to win tomorrow don't we, Meat?" Auggie asked, smiling.
"Sure do." Scott replied.
*****
Shelby arrived home late that night. She sighed as she entered the all familiar house she spent 15 years of her life in. She couldn't remember ever living anywhere else but there.. and Horizon, of course.
"SHELBY!" A young fifeteen year old girl cried from the top of the steps.
"Hey, Jess!" Shelby replied and dropped her luggage on the floor as her sister ran into her arms. "I've missed you so much!" Shelby said as she patted the back of her sisters head as they embraced.
"Oh me too. I was so dissapointed when I heard I would have to wait another week to be admited into Horizon. See, that bastard ruins everything." Jess smiled at her sister as Shelby laughed.
"Jess! Don't let me hear you say that word in this house again, you hear?" Alice, snarled, walking into the house carrying one of Shelby's bags. "Shel, hon, you can go get unpacked now if you want or we could maybe go out for burgers or something?" Alice asked.
"Nah, I'll go get unpacked now and spend some time with Jess." Shelby replied as she walked up the steps into her old room. She hated that room with all her might. As she walked in, she glared at her bed. It hadn't been made up since the last time she ran from home. It disgusted her in a way.
"So.." Shelby started. "How have you been dealing lately?" Shelby asked Jess as she sat down in a chair beside her dresser. Jess shruged.
"Things could be better." She replied, sitting down crosslegged on the floor.
"What does that mean?" Shelby asked, attempting to pry into her sisters life.
"Alot of the kids at the high school found out about it all somehow... they don't understand. All they can do is call me a wh-" Jess started but couldn't get the word out as she looked up at her sister. The word, being even half spoken, made Shelby wince. "Sorry..." Jess said, looking down at her lap.
"It's okay. Things will all be better once you get to Horizon. Even if the kids know, they wont call you names. Well, except for maybe David, but he's just a jackass." Shelby laughed and her sister smiled.
"So tell me about it. Horizon, I mean. What do you do there?" Jess asked. Shelby smiled.
"Well, it's not so bad really. Many people might say it is but it's not really. The only things that really make me mad is, one: we take hikes alot, two: the food tastes like a rubber ducky, three: Juliette, you'll know when you get there, and four: group." Shelby explained.
"What's group?" Jess asked, ready to learn all she could learn that night.
"Well...." Shelby started to explain. The night was going to be long.
*****
A/n: Hope ya liked! I realize that last chapter had alot of typos in it but, heh, It was all because of spell checker, ironicly. Anyway, THANKS Soooooo much for ALL your reviews. I got like 11 or 12 in the very first DAY! WOW! I've never gotten that many. Keep it up! You guys make me make another chapter for ya this fast by reviewing so much. Thanks a million! Read and Review!!!