Higher Expectations
Chapter Fifteen: Guys Don't Cry.
"Should I be happy because you're my friend, or cry because that's all we'll ever be."- Unknown.
*****
A special thanks to hwy417 for the Auggie idea that I will attempt to play out well. I hope you like. You too hwy417. Only eight more chapters. I've tried to plan them out well.
*****
It took them all a while to remember why they were standing infront of a medium sized fold out table with Peter sitting behind it because they had just woken up.
"Why are we doing this again?" Ezra asked, scratching his head.
"Because, Friekin'," Shelby shot out, her obvious anger rolling off her tounge like a bowling ball down a slick bowling alley. "Peter needs to know who is going home so him and Sophie can plan for Horizon's Christmas dinner. He does have paperwork to fill out as hard of a concept as that may be to you." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her long blonde hair that was brushed perfectly over her shoulders. Ezra sighed and decided not to try and fix her purposful error, but to shrug it off this time and not give her the attention he thought she was looking for.
"Okay guys, don't pick at each other." Sophie's voice rang out over the thick silence that hung in the air. Scott seemed a little nervous. He glanced at Shelby and then to the table and then back down at his feet. His face was slowly turning red, but he had to keep it up as the tough guy most people in the school thought him to be, so he crossed his arms over his chest in an "I don't really care one way or another" manner. Shelby, on the other hand, tried her hardest not to look at Scott. She still hadn't told him that she had decided to go home. She couldn't; just like last time.
"Earth to Shelby." Peter's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Yeah?" Shelby asked him.
"For the second time, have you decided if you're going home?" He asked. Evidentally she had dazed out and not heard him. She sighed and looked at Jess. Jess gave her an encouraging look and Shelby nodded her head slowly.
"I guess so." Peter smiled at the answer.
"Good. Now you might be able to-"
"I don't really want to hear it, Peter. I- I mean, I'm just too tired to go over this again." She said looking down at her feet. She could hear Scott's breath speed up behind her and she winced.
"I understand. Scott. You're next." Shelby walked off toward the cafeteria in search of something to eat to maybe calm her nerves. Not to mention her stomach was growling more than usual.
She flipped through the packets of carrots in the lunch line and decided on the ones that looked less disgusting and then went to sit down. Midway through her so-called breakfast, she got the feeling that someone was watching her. She looked up only to be met with Scott's light blue eyes.
"Hey." He said shyly playing with his hands.
"Hey." Shelby replied.
"Um, I heard.. and, well, I don't have a problem with you going home, I don't guess. I mean, you have the right to go and make up with your mom and well, all I wanted to say was, well, I think I'll go home and try my dad again. Peter said that he'd make my dad agree to let me come back if I agreed to go home for Christmas. My mom's supposed to drop by." The corner of his mouth turned upward for a second while he pondered the thought. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you to be careful while you're there and all. I-"
"I know, Scott, thanks." She said quickly wanting to avoid the topic of discussion. Scott looked hurt, but Shelby just lowered her head and pretended she didn't notice. "I'll be sure to call you while I'm there." Scott's nerves got the best of him, and before he could stop himself he looked up, his once hopeful blue eyes now a cloudy gray.
"Whatever. You don't have to if you don't want to. I know, everyone else is more important than me right now. I'll uh, I'll talk to you later. I guess." He walked off slowly, regreting his words instantly. He hoped that maybe Shelby would stop him, but she didn't.
" 'Kay...." Shelby said trailing off. She shoved the feelings she had down and refused to call him back and apologize. Scott turned his head slightly to his left so no one would see his eyes tear up.
'Get a grip, Barringer!' The thoughts rung out in his head. He quickly fanned air in his eyes to dry up the tears. Scott looked down at his arms and flexed his muscles, hoping to feel manly again, but all he wanted to do was cry. 'You're so weak. I don't see how anyone could possibly be as weak as you. You make Ezra seem like Muhammad Ali. Just look at yourself!' Scott hit himself in the head hoping to shut.. himself up. 'Aw, is pretty Scotty boy going to cry? Aw. Just go cry now. Like a baby. The baby that you are. Just know, Shelby is never going to love you as much as you love her. She will always-'
"SHUT UP!" Scott yelled out. The people walking on the sidewalks just outside the cafeteria turned and looked at him. Scott opened his mouth to say something, but the words refused to come. As hard as he tried all he wanted to do was go to his dorm, lay on his bed, and cry to himself. He knew he couldn't though. He had to be strong.
'Be strong, Scotty.' Scott closed his eyes tightly and walked even faster. He reached his dorm room and threw himself on the bed.
'Guys don't cry.'
*****
"Can we get some serivce around here or is this a ghost town!?" Peter's office door opened and a distressed looking Peter limped out.
"Oh- of course, of course. Come on in. I was just- I had to fill out some paper work. The juvenille facility your son was at just faxed me his transcripts." Peter closed the door and offered the couple and a young teenager around the age of sixteen the three chairs infront of his desk. The couple sat down, but their son chose to stand. "It's kind of long. Ricardo? Do you mind sitting down? I tend to talk a while."
"Yo, it's Ricky, man." the young man stated, the disdain in his voice rolling off his tounge. Peter shrugged it off. Almost one-hundred percent of the student population was the exact same way at arrival. He knew he could eventually teach Ricky some respect. Enough to live with, anyway... he hoped.
"Yes, yes of course. Ricky." Ricky sat down in the chair and slumped. He put his elbows on his legs and adjusted his hat. "Anyway," He looked down at his records. "I think I'll put you in the Trailblazers. All the other groups have more than seven members, and the Trailblazers only have six. I believe that will even it out, unless you would rather be in an all boys group..?"
"Why the hell would I want that?" Ricky remarked.
"First of all, we don't accept that language here, and second of all, some boys prefer to be in the all boys group either because they want to heal and not look at the girls, they're known for violence toward women, or they're uncomfortable around them. If you don't fit those categories, then you'll go into the Trailblazers." Ricky snickered.
"Is there an all girls group?" He asked.
"Well, yes, but that would defeat the whole point of it being an all girls group to add you to them, now wouldn't it. So sorry, Ricky. You'll just have to do with a group with four girls in it. This is a place to heal and get your life on track, and that's where the rules come in. Mr. and Mrs. Alihejo, your son will be well off here. If there are any problems, we'll notify you at once and we send weekly reports if nessisary, and you will get a required monthly report. Visitations are allowed after the first month, and home visits are allowed after the first three. Phone calls are always allowed, but only to family and/or the extended family for the first six months and then calling friends is a privilage after that. Privilages can be broken here. If there aren't any questions, I'll have Jeff lead you back to the admit building to sign a few papers?" The Alihejos nodded and stood and left the room.
"That was all textbook. I'm proud of you, man." Ricky said laughing to himself. Peter leaned up against his desk and looked the young man in the eyes.
"Well, with eight years of practice you sort of get used to this. Now, for the rules. One, there is no cussing. Two, there will be no sex, drugs or innapropriate touching, and we stress the fact that violence will be met with severe consequences. Lights out at nine thirty pm, and on weekdays you are up for classes by seven. On the weekends, assuming you're not on any punishment duty, you may sleep in until nine. After nine, you get up and have breakfast. You have free time until five pm. You can do anything, such as reading, or even swimming in the lake in the summer when we have a lifeguard supervising. Afterwards we have a two hour group, whether you like it or not. Now, I've had a very rough day, so I'm going to send you with Sophie for a bag check. We don't take this lightly. Whatever you have on you, we'll find. Don't even worry about that. I wouldn't even try hiding it, so if you have anything, hand it over right now."
Ricky laughed and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a switchblade and laid it on the table. Peter looked at it. "Good. Glad we're straight with each other. Now, Mr. Alihejo, if you will please go with Mark. He will be your first week buddy, and he will take you to Sophie where she will proceed to check your bags." Peter whistled and a skinny boy with dark black hair walked in. He took one look at the strong boy sitting in the chair and pushed his glasses up farther on the bridge of his nose in nervousness.
"Let's go Markey boy!"
*****
David dwindled about the school grounds just before group thinking. He knew that way back in the depths of his brain there was a little piece of him saying that he should tell Peter all about his father. No one knew how long he would stay at Horizon. The general could up and move him before he could even protest.
"Why can't I just be happy for once? Why can't these people just learn to like me. I don't want to be mean to them, it's just- I can't help it!" He whispered to himself in a scolding voice. "I just- I wish I could have someone actually care for me for once. No one does.." He looked down at his feet and sat down in the gazeebo.
"I do." a familiar female voice said softly. David jumped and looked up to find a pair of dark brown eyes staring down at him. His eyes travled to her smiling lips and realized how truely beautiful she was.
"You do?" David asked, stuttering over his words, before finally getting them out.
"Well, of course. You're my friend." Daisy spoke sweetly, and smiled a half smile at David before hugging him. "I know this may sound completely corny, but I really do like you, David. Everytime you come by, I may scoff and make it seem as if I want you to go away, but you're my friend, David. I've learned to really like you.." Daivd smiled and thought for a second, then he frowned.
"Like me how though?" He asked. Daisy looked down at her hands and sighed.
"As a friend, David." She said. "I'm sorry. I'm just not-"
"I- I know. Thanks. I-uh, it's time for group. I have to go."
Daisy watched as David went and lowered her head as well. It felt as if someone had just hit her in the chest with a hammer. "I'm sorry, David.." She got up and walked off toward the lodge for group.
*****
"Okay, guys. I've had a few things to do today. I know I planned for us to go to the ropes course after breakfast, but I couldn't make it there. I had a few newbies to get to and alot of paperwork to do." Alot of the Cliffhangers looked at Peter as if he was going to cancell group, hopefully. "But!" They all groaned. "I'm here now, and so let's get onto our group session. First off, one word to describe how you feel. Scott"
"Regretful. Jess"
"Anxious. Shelby"
"Numb. Daisy."
"Sorry. Ezra."
"Weak. Auggie."
"Confused. Jules."
"Scared. Gid."
"Bored. David."
"Alone." Daisy looked at David and sighed. Peter looked at them all.
"Well, those weren't exactly the positive answers I was hoping for, but you were honest. Now. Why. Scott.
"I said stupid things to the one I care about most. Jess"
"Going home. Shelby."
"Everything. Daisy."
"I made someone feel bad. Ezra."
"I'm just so tiny. Aug."
"I think I saw someone I used to know walking around.." He looked distressed but turned to Juliette. "Jules."
"Home." She figited with her fingers. "Gid."
"I don't know. I'm just bored. Sorry.." He looked at Peter and shrugged.
"Okay Gid. David?" Peter said.
"Um. I'm just alone. That's all." David replied. Peter looked at him confused.
"What makes you think that, David?"
"I don't know! I just am. Just.. just leave me alone." He said and got up.
"David! Don't walk out, David." Sophie yelled after him, but all they heard was the slam of the door. Daisy put her head in her hands and sighed out loudly.
"That's all for tonight, guys. Lights out in ten minutes."
*****
Chapter Fifteen: Guys Don't Cry.
"Should I be happy because you're my friend, or cry because that's all we'll ever be."- Unknown.
*****
A special thanks to hwy417 for the Auggie idea that I will attempt to play out well. I hope you like. You too hwy417. Only eight more chapters. I've tried to plan them out well.
*****
It took them all a while to remember why they were standing infront of a medium sized fold out table with Peter sitting behind it because they had just woken up.
"Why are we doing this again?" Ezra asked, scratching his head.
"Because, Friekin'," Shelby shot out, her obvious anger rolling off her tounge like a bowling ball down a slick bowling alley. "Peter needs to know who is going home so him and Sophie can plan for Horizon's Christmas dinner. He does have paperwork to fill out as hard of a concept as that may be to you." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her long blonde hair that was brushed perfectly over her shoulders. Ezra sighed and decided not to try and fix her purposful error, but to shrug it off this time and not give her the attention he thought she was looking for.
"Okay guys, don't pick at each other." Sophie's voice rang out over the thick silence that hung in the air. Scott seemed a little nervous. He glanced at Shelby and then to the table and then back down at his feet. His face was slowly turning red, but he had to keep it up as the tough guy most people in the school thought him to be, so he crossed his arms over his chest in an "I don't really care one way or another" manner. Shelby, on the other hand, tried her hardest not to look at Scott. She still hadn't told him that she had decided to go home. She couldn't; just like last time.
"Earth to Shelby." Peter's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Yeah?" Shelby asked him.
"For the second time, have you decided if you're going home?" He asked. Evidentally she had dazed out and not heard him. She sighed and looked at Jess. Jess gave her an encouraging look and Shelby nodded her head slowly.
"I guess so." Peter smiled at the answer.
"Good. Now you might be able to-"
"I don't really want to hear it, Peter. I- I mean, I'm just too tired to go over this again." She said looking down at her feet. She could hear Scott's breath speed up behind her and she winced.
"I understand. Scott. You're next." Shelby walked off toward the cafeteria in search of something to eat to maybe calm her nerves. Not to mention her stomach was growling more than usual.
She flipped through the packets of carrots in the lunch line and decided on the ones that looked less disgusting and then went to sit down. Midway through her so-called breakfast, she got the feeling that someone was watching her. She looked up only to be met with Scott's light blue eyes.
"Hey." He said shyly playing with his hands.
"Hey." Shelby replied.
"Um, I heard.. and, well, I don't have a problem with you going home, I don't guess. I mean, you have the right to go and make up with your mom and well, all I wanted to say was, well, I think I'll go home and try my dad again. Peter said that he'd make my dad agree to let me come back if I agreed to go home for Christmas. My mom's supposed to drop by." The corner of his mouth turned upward for a second while he pondered the thought. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you to be careful while you're there and all. I-"
"I know, Scott, thanks." She said quickly wanting to avoid the topic of discussion. Scott looked hurt, but Shelby just lowered her head and pretended she didn't notice. "I'll be sure to call you while I'm there." Scott's nerves got the best of him, and before he could stop himself he looked up, his once hopeful blue eyes now a cloudy gray.
"Whatever. You don't have to if you don't want to. I know, everyone else is more important than me right now. I'll uh, I'll talk to you later. I guess." He walked off slowly, regreting his words instantly. He hoped that maybe Shelby would stop him, but she didn't.
" 'Kay...." Shelby said trailing off. She shoved the feelings she had down and refused to call him back and apologize. Scott turned his head slightly to his left so no one would see his eyes tear up.
'Get a grip, Barringer!' The thoughts rung out in his head. He quickly fanned air in his eyes to dry up the tears. Scott looked down at his arms and flexed his muscles, hoping to feel manly again, but all he wanted to do was cry. 'You're so weak. I don't see how anyone could possibly be as weak as you. You make Ezra seem like Muhammad Ali. Just look at yourself!' Scott hit himself in the head hoping to shut.. himself up. 'Aw, is pretty Scotty boy going to cry? Aw. Just go cry now. Like a baby. The baby that you are. Just know, Shelby is never going to love you as much as you love her. She will always-'
"SHUT UP!" Scott yelled out. The people walking on the sidewalks just outside the cafeteria turned and looked at him. Scott opened his mouth to say something, but the words refused to come. As hard as he tried all he wanted to do was go to his dorm, lay on his bed, and cry to himself. He knew he couldn't though. He had to be strong.
'Be strong, Scotty.' Scott closed his eyes tightly and walked even faster. He reached his dorm room and threw himself on the bed.
'Guys don't cry.'
*****
"Can we get some serivce around here or is this a ghost town!?" Peter's office door opened and a distressed looking Peter limped out.
"Oh- of course, of course. Come on in. I was just- I had to fill out some paper work. The juvenille facility your son was at just faxed me his transcripts." Peter closed the door and offered the couple and a young teenager around the age of sixteen the three chairs infront of his desk. The couple sat down, but their son chose to stand. "It's kind of long. Ricardo? Do you mind sitting down? I tend to talk a while."
"Yo, it's Ricky, man." the young man stated, the disdain in his voice rolling off his tounge. Peter shrugged it off. Almost one-hundred percent of the student population was the exact same way at arrival. He knew he could eventually teach Ricky some respect. Enough to live with, anyway... he hoped.
"Yes, yes of course. Ricky." Ricky sat down in the chair and slumped. He put his elbows on his legs and adjusted his hat. "Anyway," He looked down at his records. "I think I'll put you in the Trailblazers. All the other groups have more than seven members, and the Trailblazers only have six. I believe that will even it out, unless you would rather be in an all boys group..?"
"Why the hell would I want that?" Ricky remarked.
"First of all, we don't accept that language here, and second of all, some boys prefer to be in the all boys group either because they want to heal and not look at the girls, they're known for violence toward women, or they're uncomfortable around them. If you don't fit those categories, then you'll go into the Trailblazers." Ricky snickered.
"Is there an all girls group?" He asked.
"Well, yes, but that would defeat the whole point of it being an all girls group to add you to them, now wouldn't it. So sorry, Ricky. You'll just have to do with a group with four girls in it. This is a place to heal and get your life on track, and that's where the rules come in. Mr. and Mrs. Alihejo, your son will be well off here. If there are any problems, we'll notify you at once and we send weekly reports if nessisary, and you will get a required monthly report. Visitations are allowed after the first month, and home visits are allowed after the first three. Phone calls are always allowed, but only to family and/or the extended family for the first six months and then calling friends is a privilage after that. Privilages can be broken here. If there aren't any questions, I'll have Jeff lead you back to the admit building to sign a few papers?" The Alihejos nodded and stood and left the room.
"That was all textbook. I'm proud of you, man." Ricky said laughing to himself. Peter leaned up against his desk and looked the young man in the eyes.
"Well, with eight years of practice you sort of get used to this. Now, for the rules. One, there is no cussing. Two, there will be no sex, drugs or innapropriate touching, and we stress the fact that violence will be met with severe consequences. Lights out at nine thirty pm, and on weekdays you are up for classes by seven. On the weekends, assuming you're not on any punishment duty, you may sleep in until nine. After nine, you get up and have breakfast. You have free time until five pm. You can do anything, such as reading, or even swimming in the lake in the summer when we have a lifeguard supervising. Afterwards we have a two hour group, whether you like it or not. Now, I've had a very rough day, so I'm going to send you with Sophie for a bag check. We don't take this lightly. Whatever you have on you, we'll find. Don't even worry about that. I wouldn't even try hiding it, so if you have anything, hand it over right now."
Ricky laughed and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a switchblade and laid it on the table. Peter looked at it. "Good. Glad we're straight with each other. Now, Mr. Alihejo, if you will please go with Mark. He will be your first week buddy, and he will take you to Sophie where she will proceed to check your bags." Peter whistled and a skinny boy with dark black hair walked in. He took one look at the strong boy sitting in the chair and pushed his glasses up farther on the bridge of his nose in nervousness.
"Let's go Markey boy!"
*****
David dwindled about the school grounds just before group thinking. He knew that way back in the depths of his brain there was a little piece of him saying that he should tell Peter all about his father. No one knew how long he would stay at Horizon. The general could up and move him before he could even protest.
"Why can't I just be happy for once? Why can't these people just learn to like me. I don't want to be mean to them, it's just- I can't help it!" He whispered to himself in a scolding voice. "I just- I wish I could have someone actually care for me for once. No one does.." He looked down at his feet and sat down in the gazeebo.
"I do." a familiar female voice said softly. David jumped and looked up to find a pair of dark brown eyes staring down at him. His eyes travled to her smiling lips and realized how truely beautiful she was.
"You do?" David asked, stuttering over his words, before finally getting them out.
"Well, of course. You're my friend." Daisy spoke sweetly, and smiled a half smile at David before hugging him. "I know this may sound completely corny, but I really do like you, David. Everytime you come by, I may scoff and make it seem as if I want you to go away, but you're my friend, David. I've learned to really like you.." Daivd smiled and thought for a second, then he frowned.
"Like me how though?" He asked. Daisy looked down at her hands and sighed.
"As a friend, David." She said. "I'm sorry. I'm just not-"
"I- I know. Thanks. I-uh, it's time for group. I have to go."
Daisy watched as David went and lowered her head as well. It felt as if someone had just hit her in the chest with a hammer. "I'm sorry, David.." She got up and walked off toward the lodge for group.
*****
"Okay, guys. I've had a few things to do today. I know I planned for us to go to the ropes course after breakfast, but I couldn't make it there. I had a few newbies to get to and alot of paperwork to do." Alot of the Cliffhangers looked at Peter as if he was going to cancell group, hopefully. "But!" They all groaned. "I'm here now, and so let's get onto our group session. First off, one word to describe how you feel. Scott"
"Regretful. Jess"
"Anxious. Shelby"
"Numb. Daisy."
"Sorry. Ezra."
"Weak. Auggie."
"Confused. Jules."
"Scared. Gid."
"Bored. David."
"Alone." Daisy looked at David and sighed. Peter looked at them all.
"Well, those weren't exactly the positive answers I was hoping for, but you were honest. Now. Why. Scott.
"I said stupid things to the one I care about most. Jess"
"Going home. Shelby."
"Everything. Daisy."
"I made someone feel bad. Ezra."
"I'm just so tiny. Aug."
"I think I saw someone I used to know walking around.." He looked distressed but turned to Juliette. "Jules."
"Home." She figited with her fingers. "Gid."
"I don't know. I'm just bored. Sorry.." He looked at Peter and shrugged.
"Okay Gid. David?" Peter said.
"Um. I'm just alone. That's all." David replied. Peter looked at him confused.
"What makes you think that, David?"
"I don't know! I just am. Just.. just leave me alone." He said and got up.
"David! Don't walk out, David." Sophie yelled after him, but all they heard was the slam of the door. Daisy put her head in her hands and sighed out loudly.
"That's all for tonight, guys. Lights out in ten minutes."
*****