Higher Expectations
Chapter Sixteen: Home Sweet Home
"I wanna hold you, protect you from all the things I've already endured." - Staind, "Zoe Jane" from "14 Shades Of Gray."
Sorry it took me months to update. A lot of stuff has happened including a nasty fight with my -former- best friend. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Hopefully I've finally gotten over my immense writers block, but don't mind the grammar errors. I have been lacking those skills lately because of being surrounded by internet idiots who don't know how to spell any more than a kindergartner does.
Good news. I just spend two hours going over my story and giving you guys a summary of what's been going on. It helped me too, so for those of you who have totally forgotten what has happened and don't want to read back, here's your summary of everything that's happened.
Chapter one: The beginning of the school year Peter calls Shelby to his office to tell her that she needs to testify against her stepfather Auggie is in a tenth grade writing class to help his writing. Shelby tells Scott that she's going home and he tells her to say goodbye because she didn't the last time.
Chapter two: Shelby's restless about the trial. Shelby wakes up the next morning and Daisy freaks out when she says she's going home, but Shelby tells her about the trial. Daisy talks to her and reassures her that it's all right. Ezra starts acting insanely happy, and strange. Auggie wants to see Jules, Scott wants to see Shelby off. Peter and Sophie talk about Shelby, and then Sophie explains how she's worried about David's trip home to his father. Shelby meets a newbie named Tyler who plays basketball with Scott. Scott meets Shelby's mom. She seems distant with him and cold. Shelby leaves with her mother. We learn Ezra has a girlfriend. Shelby gets home and sees Jess. They go to Shelby's room to talk about Horizon and what had been going on at home.
Chapter three: Shelby has a nightmare about the trial and wakes up to her mom going through her stuff. Ezra's girlfriend breaks up with him. Scott talks to Peter about why he couldn't go with Shelby for support like Shelby did with Daisy. Jess thinks that what happened with Walt was her fault and Shelby tries to assure her otherwise. David is four hours late getting back and when he does, he has a limp, and Sophie is worried.
Chapter four: Scott almost fights with David when he pisses him off, and David has a flashback where his dad hits him for coming home late. Shelby gets into it with her mother. Go read it to better explain it, I think it's one of my better arguments. Hehe.
Chapter five: Scott gets onto David about his dad but doesn't push it. Scott tells Frank about what happened with David, and David jumps him after hearing it. Frank tries to break up the fight, but gets knocked back and passes out. A boy comes in to Peter's office while Peter and Sophie are talking to tell him about Frank.
Chapter six: They check on Frank in the hospital but there's nothing they can do so they go back to wait at Horizon. Shelby goes on the stand. It's quite long, but she relives what happened. Go read back for further clarification.. it's really hard to explain. Juliette calls her mother to wish her a happy birthday, but her wishes are turned down. Juliette feels disgusted with herself and goes to find a bathroom.
Chapter seven: Juliette throws up into the toilet, wishing to be perfect with Daisy listening in on her. Jess decides not to testify because she's so shaken up. She can't manage it and Alice doesn't force her. We learn Frank dies. Juliette walks out of the bathroom with the knife, drops it on the floor and goes to her bed to lay down. Daisy is stunned at what happened and decides to tell Peter about it at dinner.
Chapter eight: We learn of a new boy's situation where his father kills his mother right in front of his eyes in a jealous rage. This new boy, now seventeen, named Thomas Gideon travels to Horizon with Roger. Scott's excited that Shelby is coming back. Daisy reads Juliette's cards and figures that she is lying about her mother's call. Shelby comes home and introduces Scott to Jess... again. Shelby learns that Frank has died. Daisy tells Peter about Jules. David talks to Scott some more after some flashbacks. Thomas Gideon arrives at Horizon.
Chapter nine: Tom tries to sneak out in the morning. Tom, or Gid as he likes to be called, meets with Peter about the rules. Jess and Shelby ask Peter about the trial, he lies and says it looks good. Shelby is sad when Jess says "I haven't stopped feeling bad since the last time you left and never came back for me." Daisy acts like Peter once more and talks to David. Peter and Roger check Juliette's stuff and she gets mad at him for not leaving her alone. Peter gets Sophie to talk to Jules, and it seems as if things will be okay with her for a while. The nurse notices the scars, cuts, bruises and welts on Gid's back. He says he got them from gang fights. Ezra gets the number to his real parents house.
Chapter ten: Gid meets Ezra and they take a small tour. David breaks down in group for the first time. Everyone is stunned, but he recovers. They get a new counselor named Dan while Sophie takes some time off planning their wedding. Gid writes in his journal that Peter has given to him for being on Newbie duty.
Chapter eleven: The Cliffhangers get suspicious of Dan, and they are informed that they are going on a hike. Dan informs the girls of what to pack and when to be ready for the hike. He catches a small glance with Jess, and she is suspicious. Shelby is also, but they think nothing of it. While hiking, they stop for lunch and Jules throws her lunch away without telling anyone. Dan helps Jess put up her tent, and Jess feels weirded out by it. She writes in her journal that she's just nervous because of what happened with Walt, and that nothing bad would happen because Peter hired this guy.
Chapter twelve: It's one week later and Scott refuses to get out of bed. Sophie eventually makes him and they talk about what Dan tried to do to Jess. We learn what he did, and Scott is obviously angered. Scott's father calls him and asks him to try and visit home again. Scott yells at him and hangs up. Daisy talks to Juliette. Shelby talks to Jess. David wonders if things will be okay now that Peter sort of knew what had happened. Scott reassures Shelby that even if the trial goes bad, that he will be there for her.
Chapter thirteen: David tries to assure Peter that his dad didn't hurt him, a drug dealer did when he wouldn't buy. Peter gets a call. The verdict is in. Shelby and Jess freak out. The verdict is not guilty because only Shelby testified... They have group and Gid is just confused because he doesn't know what's going on.
Chapter fourteen: Shelby agrees to think about going home for Christmas. Gid astounds the teacher with his intelligence. Jess convinces Shelby to go home with her.
Chapter fifteen: Shelby tells Peter she's going home, and Scott tries to talk to Shelby. She just closes herself up and avoids Scott talking. This hurts Scott and his mind races, going over everything. Ricardo Alihejo comes to Horizon and is put in the Trailblazers group. Daisy talks to David again, but once he learns that she still only likes him as a friend, he's hurt and walks off. Group.
"So she's not even going to come pick us up?" Shelby exclaimed getting up out of her chair and pacing the room.
"She has plans, Shelby." Peter sighed and sat down behind his desk expecting a long, drawn out fight with what could be his most stubborn student.
"So," She stopped pacing and looked Peter in the eye, "the woman who asked us to come visit her after all she did, or rather didn't do, isn't even going to come and pick us up? There's something wrong with that."
"Look, Shelby, all I know is that your mother asked if we could have Roger drive you and your sister down there because she wouldn't be able to come pick you up for another day. She said she would meet you at the house a few hours after you arrived. She figured that since you're seventeen, you could handle your little sister at the house for a few hours." Peter explained to her.
Shelby rolled her eyes and mumbled, "She seems to think I'm her little Betty homemaker. First it was taking care of Walt," Her voice started to rise, "and -now- it's taking care of my little sister when the woman is perfectly capable of doing it herself!"
"Shelby! There's no need to yell. Now, if you're going to be like this, we can always keep you here and just send your little sister, but I thought the whole reason you were going in the first place was to be there for Jess..." This was all Peter had left. He had to play the guilt card. He watched as Shelby, still fuming, contemplated her choices.
"Fine. But I'm NOT going to enjoy this."
"If you were to ever say you enjoyed going home, it wouldn't be right. Not at all." Peter smiled, hoping to ease the situation.
"Very funny, Peter." Shelby mumbled and walked out the door without another word.
"Mami!" Auggie exclaimed into the phone.
"Hola, Augusto." Mrs. Ciceros replied.
"I can't wait to come home Mami. I'm looking forward to your cooking, and your-"
"Por eso yo lo llamé, Augusto." Auggie's mother said in pure Spanish. This indicated that she was wishing to speak quickly. After a while, Auggie nodded and sighed getting ready to hang up the phone.
"I understand." He said frowning. "I love you, Mami."
"I love you also, Augusto. Goodbye." She replied sounding sad. Auggie placed the phone on the receiver and opened the door to the office.
"So," Peter asked as soon as Auggie walked out of the office and shut the door behind him. He looked up at Peter for a moment and then dropped his head again. Peter knew something was up. "What's wrong, Auggie? Is it something to do with your brother?" Auggie shook his head.
"No, man... it's worse. My grandma, they found a disease in her or somethin', I'm not sure how to say it. They don't know what's wrong with her because they haven't seen many of these cases before. I don't know, but the main point is, my parents can't take me home for the holidays. They are going to fly out there to see grandmami and they don't have enough money to take me along. So I'm staying here with you guys..."
Sophie sighed and looked at Peter sleeping at his desk. It was 4pm, and Peter was already conked out. She smiled at him as he drooled all over admit papers and his stapler. It seemed as if he just passed out while working on something. She went over to him and moved the hard stapler out from under his head and laughed.
"Peter." She chuckled. The sleepy body jerked up at once and looked around, drool dripping off his chin.
"Yes, yes, I'm awake. Time for student sign outs today is at 5pm. Please sign here." Peter exclaimed and Sophie burst out in laughter.
"Oh, Peter, you look exhausted." Peter coughed and rubbed his eyes.
"Sorry, Soph. I've been up for the last 27 hours working on all this stuff and dealing with stuff, and it's just getting to me. "
"I can tell. Why don't you go take a nap. Roger, Jeff, and I will handle sign outs today. I know what you're going to say, and yes, I'm sure I can handle this. I'll get Roger to take Shelby home after everyone else is gone just so I'll be sure to have enough help. Now go." Sophie pointed to the door and Peter followed her command like an obedient puppy.
"You're a lifesaver, Soph."
"Go." She said sternly, yet playfully.
As five o'clock rounded near, several of the students were getting anxious, and some were completely dreading what was to come. You could tell that some of the teenagers had a glint in their eye, a glint that would more than likely keep them here for another couple years. That look always meant that they had some tools to use while gone, but they weren't about to use them. They were in need of a fix, and since their parents wanted them home, there was nothing Peter or Sophie could do about it.
"Testing, testing, one two three, testing!" Sophie said loudly and clearly into the loudspeaker she had. All of the students stopped and only a low murmur was still heard compared to the ruckus from moments before. "All students need to get in their groups whether you're going home or not. I'll be around for a head count shortly. I want Cliffhangers over there, Trailblazers-..."
"This is so lame," Auggie explained to Scott as they traveled over to their appointed section. "I was supposed to go home, ya know, but my grandmother got put in the hospital and now I can't even go see her. She may be dying, I don't even know. This is so-..." Auggie started to get frustrated.
"Hey, muchacho, at least you have a family that actually cares about you." Scott said softly.
"Come on, homes, you know your dad cares for you. And as for that chick he married, she wasn't a parent. You know your mom cares about you. I met her before when she came here, she seems cool." Auggie tried to convince Scott.
"Ya, I guess." Scott replied not really wanting to talk anymore.
"You got that?" Sophie yelled over the speakers. A handful of students could be seen running from their "significant other" to their group's designated location. Scott looked at them, glanced at Shelby and shook his head. He didn't know what was going on, but he hoped everything would be okay. He decided he would call her while she was at home, just so he would have a good reason to talk to her. He couldn't think of anything to say to her right now.
"You know, guys," Ezra said, walking up between them and resting his elbows on their shoulders, "I'm actually looking forward to this quick journey home. It is a good time to, well, get caught up on old times." Ezra said smirking. Scott and Auggie pushed him back, somewhat playfully and Scott threw his duffel bag at him. "I was kidding! I wouldn't do that, you know I wouldn't..." he said standing up and brushing himself off. He threw Scott's bag back at him and pointed to the Trailblazers group, "But I'm sure he would."
"Man, Peter's letting him go home?" Auggie said, emphasizing the word 'him.' "But he's like the biggest drug addict in this school!"
"Ya, man, didn't he try to smuggle cocaine in the last time he came back from a visit home?" Scott asked. Ezra laughed.
"Not only did he try that, among every other trip home, but he even tried to have one of his friends drop by and smuggle it in for him."
" Not only is he a druggie, he's stupid too." Auggie said, chuckling. "No offense, Ez."
"Okay, guys!" Sophie yelled out in the loudspeaker again.
"And girls!" Some female yelled out.
Sophie smiled, "AND girls." She corrected herself. "I've already come by for a head count, and everyone's here that should be here. Now, I want all the ones NOT going home to please go to where Roger is standing, and don't try and sneak away, we know who's leaving and who's not." Auggie, and David walked over to Roger while Daisy said a few good byes to Shelby and Jess.
"Don't worry, Shel. Things will be great. You and your mom might be able to make up and stuff. I read my tarot cards and they said that a change will fall over us, and that it might not be bad." Daisy said, giving Shelby a hug. Shelby laughed.
"Where have I heard that before?" She asked referring to the last time she was forced to go home and take care of Walt. Daisy smiled at her.
"Things wont be bad, Shelby." Jess said.
Shelby wanted to believe Jess and Daisy, but somehow she couldn't. Somewhere, deep inside her gut, was a feeling as if something terrible was about to happen, and there would be very little she could do about it.
"Mark," Sophie yelled out, "Daisy, RICHARD! How many times do I have to tell you, go to Roger. I know you're not going home, so don't even try- and Jessie, get back in your group, you ARE going home. There's nothing I can do about it." Daisy gave Shelby and Jess a quick hug while a sullen looking blonde, with a small build sulked back to the Sundogs that were left and sat down upon a rock. Shelby looked at the girl, who was about a year or two younger than herself more or less, and realized that she reminded her of how she felt, only she would never show how scared she was of going home. She was supposed to be the tough girl. She had to keep it that way, or be trampled by everyone... including Peter and Sophie.
David kicked back on his bed, glad he didn't have to go home, "Man, this is great." He sighed. Auggie looked at him like he was crazy.
"No it's not. I wanted to go home, but I can't. If I had a choice like you, and could go home if I wanted to, I'd jump at the chance to leave this place for a while." Auggie replied sighing and looking around the dorm he thought he'd be rid of for two weeks.
David peeked out of one of his eyes and then sighed and closed them again, "For one, I don't have a choice, and two, if I did, I'd be stupid to go home." He replied, balancing his foot up on the end of the bed post.
"Why is that?.." Auggie asked, confused and concerned a bit. Well, about as concerned as he could get of David.
David stiffened up, "Why would you care," He asked, opening his eyes.
"I just would, now why?" Auggie replied. David sat up on his bed and put the usual smirk on his face.
"Well, I would probably go smoke up and then end up beating the shit out of some guy and getting myself landed right back here on punishment. Just like old times." He said and he leaned back again, "Besides, my dad probably doesn't want me home again. I went home not too long ago, and that was good enough for me." He lied. 'Yeah, he probably does want me home, just to knock me around and force me to be his slave.' He thought.
"Ah, okay." Auggie said, getting up.
"Now, if you don't mind, I want to catch a few Zs before our next wholesome little group session. You know they're going to pick us clean this time seeing as how they have more time to do so because it's a smaller group." He said, trying to seem less than friendly again.
"That's a good point... see ya later, man."
After the last car had rushed off of Horizon grounds with it's own angsty, glaring teenager, Roger prepared to buckle up his truck and take Shelby and Jess home. "You guys ready?" He asked. Shelby smiled at him sarcastically.
"But of course. I am just beyond excited to visit mother dearest." She chuckled and took her stuff to the truck quickly. Roger looked at Jess, who was shaking her head, almost angry.
"What's the matter, Jess?" Roger asked her. Jess hardly ever got angry... she was such a laid back girl despite all the things that had happened to her.
"I hate it when she gets like this. She can't just stop with it all already... doesn't she see what it's doing to our family? We now have the chance to put it back together again and Shelby is just going to ruin it! I just want my family back..." Jess exclaimed. She had kept it down for a while, but she just had to let it out.
"Don't worry, she'll warm up. Just keep your head up. You've been doing such a great job of being optimistic lately. You're a good girl, and good things happen to good people in time. Just talking to her about what you want is the best way to deal with this, but come on. Let's get to the truck and hurry back. Your mom just called and said she had enough time to meet you at your house for about ten minutes until she had to leave." Roger explained. Jess nodded and grabbed her stuff and took it to the truck. Roger shook his head and sighed. This was going to be hard on all parties involved.
Auggie, Jules, David and Ezra sat in a small circle in the lodge awaiting Peter to start his talk.
"Hey guys!" Peter said enthusiastically.
"Joy, he's happy and perky. Kind of like a high school cheerleader." David said sarcastically.
"Funny, David. Really. No, actually, I just had a nap and I feel extremely refreshed. What we're going to do for group today since there are so few of us, and an even number, we're going to go to the ropes course like I had planned earlier, and we're going to do one round and come down and have group. I don't have much planned and I can't just let you keep going easy on groups." The four Cliffhangers moaned and groaned. They didn't stop until they got to the course and were done with climbing.
"Okay. Now, one word how you feel and explain it." Peter explained. The group rolled their eyes. "David."
"Just jolly." David replied. Peter looked at warningly.
"For one, that's two words, and two, David, I know you don't feel like that. Truthfully, guys."
"Okay, I feel... bored, I guess." Ezzzzzzzra!
Ezra glared at David and then shrugged it off, "I feel excited." Juliette.
"I'm happy." Auggie?
"I'm kind of ticked, but at the same time, happy. Sorry, Peter... I have two." Peter nodded.
"It's okay Auggie. Now, guys, why?"
"I'm bored because, well, I just am. This gets old after a while..." He said truthfully, shrugging at Peter.
"I'm happy because I might get to contact my real parents today." Ezra said. Peter nodded again.
"I'm happy because Auggie's here with me, and I wont miss him for two weeks." Juliette said forcing out a smile. She wished she could have gone home, but her mother didn't want her there... Auggie smiled at her.
"I'm sort of ticked because I can't go home, but I'm also happy I get to stay with Jules." Auggie said.
David rolled his eyes, "Oh God. Chill out, you two. It wasn't cute the first time, it's not cute now."
"Yo, meat, shut your mouth!" Auggie said, getting worked up.
"GUYS!" Peter yelled out. "You both chill out." David snickered and Auggie glared until Jules patted him on the back and he settled down. This was going to be a long two weeks.
The house looked just as it had the last time Shelby left it over a month ago and when she stepped out of Roger's truck, the same disgusting feeling she got last time swept over her. It was sickening and she could tell Jess felt the same.
"Girls!" Alice, Shelby and Jess' mom exclaimed as she ran out of the house. Shelby rolled her eyes. She knew this was definitely an act so that Roger wouldn't hesitate leaving quickly when in truth, Alice was more of an indifferent mother. She just didn't want to care anymore it seemed. Maybe things would change. She hoped.
"Hello, Mrs. Blaine." Roger said. Jess hesitated to walk over to her mother. Mrs. Blaine? Was she still married? I mean, sure it hadn't been a while since the trial had ended, but her mother would have divorced him already wouldn't she? She shrugged it off. Common mistake. People sometimes called her Mrs. as well.
"Hey mom." Jess said giving her mom a weak hug. Shelby, however, stayed back, but advanced away from the truck some so as not to seem completely cold and call for any type of anger from her mother.
"Hey," Shelby said. Alice looked at her sadly, kind of like she felt guilty for something. Shelby noticed this and decided that she needed to feel guilt... not that it would make up for anything, though.
"Well," Roger said dropping the last bag off. "I suppose I'll be going now, if you don't need me." Shelby felt kind of sad that he was leaving. Her only connection to Horizon while she was at home. "Have a good time, girls. I hope to see you back at Horizon in two weeks." Shelby and Jess nodded.
"Bye." They said in almost unison.
"Come on, girls. I started some dinner that you can eat while I'm gone."
Gideon was just as nervous. He sat in the back seat of his father's car twiddling his thumbs. He wondered if his father had changed while he was gone. Maybe he thought about what he had been doing, and decided that he really did love his son. Gid scoffed, 'Yeah right.' He thought.
"What're you doing back there grunting for?" His father asked, sounding drunk. Nope, Gid thought, same old daddy. "You gonna answer me, boy?" He said, looking through his rear view mirror straight into his son's eyes.
"Sorry." Gid replied, trying not to make him angry.
"Don't give me that. Well, at least they cleaned you up some at that school. You're not wearing all that black bullshit that you had on before. You look at least somewhat sensible. Now maybe I wont be afraid to have some women over." Gid was disgusted. How could he just say he was going to bring women over, and screw them right in front of his son... the son whose mother he murdered years and years ago? It was sickening just looking at this man.
"Yeah." He just said. Joseph, his father, laughed at him.
"What happened to you responding 'whatever' to everything?" Joseph asked him. Gid thought for a moment. What could he say to not anger him?
"I guess they just taught me better at school." He responded. Joseph chuckled.
"Don't get too comfortable." He said.
Well, I hope you enjoyed... I really will try and update more. Seriously, if I'm not updating, e-mail me and yell at me =P Actually, I really hope I update a lot because if I don't I'll never finish this story because I'm moving all the way across the country (From North Carolina to California) at the end of July and, well, we wont be taking the computer. There's no telling when I'll get another one... if ever... whimper So MAKE me update before then. At least finish this story.
Sorry I haven't updated since February. I felt bad but I didn't have anything to write. Please review, though.. I have a summary and all. I still hope you like my story.
Love to all of my readers -
Flamingteen (Katie)
Chapter Sixteen: Home Sweet Home
"I wanna hold you, protect you from all the things I've already endured." - Staind, "Zoe Jane" from "14 Shades Of Gray."
Sorry it took me months to update. A lot of stuff has happened including a nasty fight with my -former- best friend. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Hopefully I've finally gotten over my immense writers block, but don't mind the grammar errors. I have been lacking those skills lately because of being surrounded by internet idiots who don't know how to spell any more than a kindergartner does.
Good news. I just spend two hours going over my story and giving you guys a summary of what's been going on. It helped me too, so for those of you who have totally forgotten what has happened and don't want to read back, here's your summary of everything that's happened.
Chapter one: The beginning of the school year Peter calls Shelby to his office to tell her that she needs to testify against her stepfather Auggie is in a tenth grade writing class to help his writing. Shelby tells Scott that she's going home and he tells her to say goodbye because she didn't the last time.
Chapter two: Shelby's restless about the trial. Shelby wakes up the next morning and Daisy freaks out when she says she's going home, but Shelby tells her about the trial. Daisy talks to her and reassures her that it's all right. Ezra starts acting insanely happy, and strange. Auggie wants to see Jules, Scott wants to see Shelby off. Peter and Sophie talk about Shelby, and then Sophie explains how she's worried about David's trip home to his father. Shelby meets a newbie named Tyler who plays basketball with Scott. Scott meets Shelby's mom. She seems distant with him and cold. Shelby leaves with her mother. We learn Ezra has a girlfriend. Shelby gets home and sees Jess. They go to Shelby's room to talk about Horizon and what had been going on at home.
Chapter three: Shelby has a nightmare about the trial and wakes up to her mom going through her stuff. Ezra's girlfriend breaks up with him. Scott talks to Peter about why he couldn't go with Shelby for support like Shelby did with Daisy. Jess thinks that what happened with Walt was her fault and Shelby tries to assure her otherwise. David is four hours late getting back and when he does, he has a limp, and Sophie is worried.
Chapter four: Scott almost fights with David when he pisses him off, and David has a flashback where his dad hits him for coming home late. Shelby gets into it with her mother. Go read it to better explain it, I think it's one of my better arguments. Hehe.
Chapter five: Scott gets onto David about his dad but doesn't push it. Scott tells Frank about what happened with David, and David jumps him after hearing it. Frank tries to break up the fight, but gets knocked back and passes out. A boy comes in to Peter's office while Peter and Sophie are talking to tell him about Frank.
Chapter six: They check on Frank in the hospital but there's nothing they can do so they go back to wait at Horizon. Shelby goes on the stand. It's quite long, but she relives what happened. Go read back for further clarification.. it's really hard to explain. Juliette calls her mother to wish her a happy birthday, but her wishes are turned down. Juliette feels disgusted with herself and goes to find a bathroom.
Chapter seven: Juliette throws up into the toilet, wishing to be perfect with Daisy listening in on her. Jess decides not to testify because she's so shaken up. She can't manage it and Alice doesn't force her. We learn Frank dies. Juliette walks out of the bathroom with the knife, drops it on the floor and goes to her bed to lay down. Daisy is stunned at what happened and decides to tell Peter about it at dinner.
Chapter eight: We learn of a new boy's situation where his father kills his mother right in front of his eyes in a jealous rage. This new boy, now seventeen, named Thomas Gideon travels to Horizon with Roger. Scott's excited that Shelby is coming back. Daisy reads Juliette's cards and figures that she is lying about her mother's call. Shelby comes home and introduces Scott to Jess... again. Shelby learns that Frank has died. Daisy tells Peter about Jules. David talks to Scott some more after some flashbacks. Thomas Gideon arrives at Horizon.
Chapter nine: Tom tries to sneak out in the morning. Tom, or Gid as he likes to be called, meets with Peter about the rules. Jess and Shelby ask Peter about the trial, he lies and says it looks good. Shelby is sad when Jess says "I haven't stopped feeling bad since the last time you left and never came back for me." Daisy acts like Peter once more and talks to David. Peter and Roger check Juliette's stuff and she gets mad at him for not leaving her alone. Peter gets Sophie to talk to Jules, and it seems as if things will be okay with her for a while. The nurse notices the scars, cuts, bruises and welts on Gid's back. He says he got them from gang fights. Ezra gets the number to his real parents house.
Chapter ten: Gid meets Ezra and they take a small tour. David breaks down in group for the first time. Everyone is stunned, but he recovers. They get a new counselor named Dan while Sophie takes some time off planning their wedding. Gid writes in his journal that Peter has given to him for being on Newbie duty.
Chapter eleven: The Cliffhangers get suspicious of Dan, and they are informed that they are going on a hike. Dan informs the girls of what to pack and when to be ready for the hike. He catches a small glance with Jess, and she is suspicious. Shelby is also, but they think nothing of it. While hiking, they stop for lunch and Jules throws her lunch away without telling anyone. Dan helps Jess put up her tent, and Jess feels weirded out by it. She writes in her journal that she's just nervous because of what happened with Walt, and that nothing bad would happen because Peter hired this guy.
Chapter twelve: It's one week later and Scott refuses to get out of bed. Sophie eventually makes him and they talk about what Dan tried to do to Jess. We learn what he did, and Scott is obviously angered. Scott's father calls him and asks him to try and visit home again. Scott yells at him and hangs up. Daisy talks to Juliette. Shelby talks to Jess. David wonders if things will be okay now that Peter sort of knew what had happened. Scott reassures Shelby that even if the trial goes bad, that he will be there for her.
Chapter thirteen: David tries to assure Peter that his dad didn't hurt him, a drug dealer did when he wouldn't buy. Peter gets a call. The verdict is in. Shelby and Jess freak out. The verdict is not guilty because only Shelby testified... They have group and Gid is just confused because he doesn't know what's going on.
Chapter fourteen: Shelby agrees to think about going home for Christmas. Gid astounds the teacher with his intelligence. Jess convinces Shelby to go home with her.
Chapter fifteen: Shelby tells Peter she's going home, and Scott tries to talk to Shelby. She just closes herself up and avoids Scott talking. This hurts Scott and his mind races, going over everything. Ricardo Alihejo comes to Horizon and is put in the Trailblazers group. Daisy talks to David again, but once he learns that she still only likes him as a friend, he's hurt and walks off. Group.
"So she's not even going to come pick us up?" Shelby exclaimed getting up out of her chair and pacing the room.
"She has plans, Shelby." Peter sighed and sat down behind his desk expecting a long, drawn out fight with what could be his most stubborn student.
"So," She stopped pacing and looked Peter in the eye, "the woman who asked us to come visit her after all she did, or rather didn't do, isn't even going to come and pick us up? There's something wrong with that."
"Look, Shelby, all I know is that your mother asked if we could have Roger drive you and your sister down there because she wouldn't be able to come pick you up for another day. She said she would meet you at the house a few hours after you arrived. She figured that since you're seventeen, you could handle your little sister at the house for a few hours." Peter explained to her.
Shelby rolled her eyes and mumbled, "She seems to think I'm her little Betty homemaker. First it was taking care of Walt," Her voice started to rise, "and -now- it's taking care of my little sister when the woman is perfectly capable of doing it herself!"
"Shelby! There's no need to yell. Now, if you're going to be like this, we can always keep you here and just send your little sister, but I thought the whole reason you were going in the first place was to be there for Jess..." This was all Peter had left. He had to play the guilt card. He watched as Shelby, still fuming, contemplated her choices.
"Fine. But I'm NOT going to enjoy this."
"If you were to ever say you enjoyed going home, it wouldn't be right. Not at all." Peter smiled, hoping to ease the situation.
"Very funny, Peter." Shelby mumbled and walked out the door without another word.
"Mami!" Auggie exclaimed into the phone.
"Hola, Augusto." Mrs. Ciceros replied.
"I can't wait to come home Mami. I'm looking forward to your cooking, and your-"
"Por eso yo lo llamé, Augusto." Auggie's mother said in pure Spanish. This indicated that she was wishing to speak quickly. After a while, Auggie nodded and sighed getting ready to hang up the phone.
"I understand." He said frowning. "I love you, Mami."
"I love you also, Augusto. Goodbye." She replied sounding sad. Auggie placed the phone on the receiver and opened the door to the office.
"So," Peter asked as soon as Auggie walked out of the office and shut the door behind him. He looked up at Peter for a moment and then dropped his head again. Peter knew something was up. "What's wrong, Auggie? Is it something to do with your brother?" Auggie shook his head.
"No, man... it's worse. My grandma, they found a disease in her or somethin', I'm not sure how to say it. They don't know what's wrong with her because they haven't seen many of these cases before. I don't know, but the main point is, my parents can't take me home for the holidays. They are going to fly out there to see grandmami and they don't have enough money to take me along. So I'm staying here with you guys..."
Sophie sighed and looked at Peter sleeping at his desk. It was 4pm, and Peter was already conked out. She smiled at him as he drooled all over admit papers and his stapler. It seemed as if he just passed out while working on something. She went over to him and moved the hard stapler out from under his head and laughed.
"Peter." She chuckled. The sleepy body jerked up at once and looked around, drool dripping off his chin.
"Yes, yes, I'm awake. Time for student sign outs today is at 5pm. Please sign here." Peter exclaimed and Sophie burst out in laughter.
"Oh, Peter, you look exhausted." Peter coughed and rubbed his eyes.
"Sorry, Soph. I've been up for the last 27 hours working on all this stuff and dealing with stuff, and it's just getting to me. "
"I can tell. Why don't you go take a nap. Roger, Jeff, and I will handle sign outs today. I know what you're going to say, and yes, I'm sure I can handle this. I'll get Roger to take Shelby home after everyone else is gone just so I'll be sure to have enough help. Now go." Sophie pointed to the door and Peter followed her command like an obedient puppy.
"You're a lifesaver, Soph."
"Go." She said sternly, yet playfully.
As five o'clock rounded near, several of the students were getting anxious, and some were completely dreading what was to come. You could tell that some of the teenagers had a glint in their eye, a glint that would more than likely keep them here for another couple years. That look always meant that they had some tools to use while gone, but they weren't about to use them. They were in need of a fix, and since their parents wanted them home, there was nothing Peter or Sophie could do about it.
"Testing, testing, one two three, testing!" Sophie said loudly and clearly into the loudspeaker she had. All of the students stopped and only a low murmur was still heard compared to the ruckus from moments before. "All students need to get in their groups whether you're going home or not. I'll be around for a head count shortly. I want Cliffhangers over there, Trailblazers-..."
"This is so lame," Auggie explained to Scott as they traveled over to their appointed section. "I was supposed to go home, ya know, but my grandmother got put in the hospital and now I can't even go see her. She may be dying, I don't even know. This is so-..." Auggie started to get frustrated.
"Hey, muchacho, at least you have a family that actually cares about you." Scott said softly.
"Come on, homes, you know your dad cares for you. And as for that chick he married, she wasn't a parent. You know your mom cares about you. I met her before when she came here, she seems cool." Auggie tried to convince Scott.
"Ya, I guess." Scott replied not really wanting to talk anymore.
"You got that?" Sophie yelled over the speakers. A handful of students could be seen running from their "significant other" to their group's designated location. Scott looked at them, glanced at Shelby and shook his head. He didn't know what was going on, but he hoped everything would be okay. He decided he would call her while she was at home, just so he would have a good reason to talk to her. He couldn't think of anything to say to her right now.
"You know, guys," Ezra said, walking up between them and resting his elbows on their shoulders, "I'm actually looking forward to this quick journey home. It is a good time to, well, get caught up on old times." Ezra said smirking. Scott and Auggie pushed him back, somewhat playfully and Scott threw his duffel bag at him. "I was kidding! I wouldn't do that, you know I wouldn't..." he said standing up and brushing himself off. He threw Scott's bag back at him and pointed to the Trailblazers group, "But I'm sure he would."
"Man, Peter's letting him go home?" Auggie said, emphasizing the word 'him.' "But he's like the biggest drug addict in this school!"
"Ya, man, didn't he try to smuggle cocaine in the last time he came back from a visit home?" Scott asked. Ezra laughed.
"Not only did he try that, among every other trip home, but he even tried to have one of his friends drop by and smuggle it in for him."
" Not only is he a druggie, he's stupid too." Auggie said, chuckling. "No offense, Ez."
"Okay, guys!" Sophie yelled out in the loudspeaker again.
"And girls!" Some female yelled out.
Sophie smiled, "AND girls." She corrected herself. "I've already come by for a head count, and everyone's here that should be here. Now, I want all the ones NOT going home to please go to where Roger is standing, and don't try and sneak away, we know who's leaving and who's not." Auggie, and David walked over to Roger while Daisy said a few good byes to Shelby and Jess.
"Don't worry, Shel. Things will be great. You and your mom might be able to make up and stuff. I read my tarot cards and they said that a change will fall over us, and that it might not be bad." Daisy said, giving Shelby a hug. Shelby laughed.
"Where have I heard that before?" She asked referring to the last time she was forced to go home and take care of Walt. Daisy smiled at her.
"Things wont be bad, Shelby." Jess said.
Shelby wanted to believe Jess and Daisy, but somehow she couldn't. Somewhere, deep inside her gut, was a feeling as if something terrible was about to happen, and there would be very little she could do about it.
"Mark," Sophie yelled out, "Daisy, RICHARD! How many times do I have to tell you, go to Roger. I know you're not going home, so don't even try- and Jessie, get back in your group, you ARE going home. There's nothing I can do about it." Daisy gave Shelby and Jess a quick hug while a sullen looking blonde, with a small build sulked back to the Sundogs that were left and sat down upon a rock. Shelby looked at the girl, who was about a year or two younger than herself more or less, and realized that she reminded her of how she felt, only she would never show how scared she was of going home. She was supposed to be the tough girl. She had to keep it that way, or be trampled by everyone... including Peter and Sophie.
David kicked back on his bed, glad he didn't have to go home, "Man, this is great." He sighed. Auggie looked at him like he was crazy.
"No it's not. I wanted to go home, but I can't. If I had a choice like you, and could go home if I wanted to, I'd jump at the chance to leave this place for a while." Auggie replied sighing and looking around the dorm he thought he'd be rid of for two weeks.
David peeked out of one of his eyes and then sighed and closed them again, "For one, I don't have a choice, and two, if I did, I'd be stupid to go home." He replied, balancing his foot up on the end of the bed post.
"Why is that?.." Auggie asked, confused and concerned a bit. Well, about as concerned as he could get of David.
David stiffened up, "Why would you care," He asked, opening his eyes.
"I just would, now why?" Auggie replied. David sat up on his bed and put the usual smirk on his face.
"Well, I would probably go smoke up and then end up beating the shit out of some guy and getting myself landed right back here on punishment. Just like old times." He said and he leaned back again, "Besides, my dad probably doesn't want me home again. I went home not too long ago, and that was good enough for me." He lied. 'Yeah, he probably does want me home, just to knock me around and force me to be his slave.' He thought.
"Ah, okay." Auggie said, getting up.
"Now, if you don't mind, I want to catch a few Zs before our next wholesome little group session. You know they're going to pick us clean this time seeing as how they have more time to do so because it's a smaller group." He said, trying to seem less than friendly again.
"That's a good point... see ya later, man."
After the last car had rushed off of Horizon grounds with it's own angsty, glaring teenager, Roger prepared to buckle up his truck and take Shelby and Jess home. "You guys ready?" He asked. Shelby smiled at him sarcastically.
"But of course. I am just beyond excited to visit mother dearest." She chuckled and took her stuff to the truck quickly. Roger looked at Jess, who was shaking her head, almost angry.
"What's the matter, Jess?" Roger asked her. Jess hardly ever got angry... she was such a laid back girl despite all the things that had happened to her.
"I hate it when she gets like this. She can't just stop with it all already... doesn't she see what it's doing to our family? We now have the chance to put it back together again and Shelby is just going to ruin it! I just want my family back..." Jess exclaimed. She had kept it down for a while, but she just had to let it out.
"Don't worry, she'll warm up. Just keep your head up. You've been doing such a great job of being optimistic lately. You're a good girl, and good things happen to good people in time. Just talking to her about what you want is the best way to deal with this, but come on. Let's get to the truck and hurry back. Your mom just called and said she had enough time to meet you at your house for about ten minutes until she had to leave." Roger explained. Jess nodded and grabbed her stuff and took it to the truck. Roger shook his head and sighed. This was going to be hard on all parties involved.
Auggie, Jules, David and Ezra sat in a small circle in the lodge awaiting Peter to start his talk.
"Hey guys!" Peter said enthusiastically.
"Joy, he's happy and perky. Kind of like a high school cheerleader." David said sarcastically.
"Funny, David. Really. No, actually, I just had a nap and I feel extremely refreshed. What we're going to do for group today since there are so few of us, and an even number, we're going to go to the ropes course like I had planned earlier, and we're going to do one round and come down and have group. I don't have much planned and I can't just let you keep going easy on groups." The four Cliffhangers moaned and groaned. They didn't stop until they got to the course and were done with climbing.
"Okay. Now, one word how you feel and explain it." Peter explained. The group rolled their eyes. "David."
"Just jolly." David replied. Peter looked at warningly.
"For one, that's two words, and two, David, I know you don't feel like that. Truthfully, guys."
"Okay, I feel... bored, I guess." Ezzzzzzzra!
Ezra glared at David and then shrugged it off, "I feel excited." Juliette.
"I'm happy." Auggie?
"I'm kind of ticked, but at the same time, happy. Sorry, Peter... I have two." Peter nodded.
"It's okay Auggie. Now, guys, why?"
"I'm bored because, well, I just am. This gets old after a while..." He said truthfully, shrugging at Peter.
"I'm happy because I might get to contact my real parents today." Ezra said. Peter nodded again.
"I'm happy because Auggie's here with me, and I wont miss him for two weeks." Juliette said forcing out a smile. She wished she could have gone home, but her mother didn't want her there... Auggie smiled at her.
"I'm sort of ticked because I can't go home, but I'm also happy I get to stay with Jules." Auggie said.
David rolled his eyes, "Oh God. Chill out, you two. It wasn't cute the first time, it's not cute now."
"Yo, meat, shut your mouth!" Auggie said, getting worked up.
"GUYS!" Peter yelled out. "You both chill out." David snickered and Auggie glared until Jules patted him on the back and he settled down. This was going to be a long two weeks.
The house looked just as it had the last time Shelby left it over a month ago and when she stepped out of Roger's truck, the same disgusting feeling she got last time swept over her. It was sickening and she could tell Jess felt the same.
"Girls!" Alice, Shelby and Jess' mom exclaimed as she ran out of the house. Shelby rolled her eyes. She knew this was definitely an act so that Roger wouldn't hesitate leaving quickly when in truth, Alice was more of an indifferent mother. She just didn't want to care anymore it seemed. Maybe things would change. She hoped.
"Hello, Mrs. Blaine." Roger said. Jess hesitated to walk over to her mother. Mrs. Blaine? Was she still married? I mean, sure it hadn't been a while since the trial had ended, but her mother would have divorced him already wouldn't she? She shrugged it off. Common mistake. People sometimes called her Mrs. as well.
"Hey mom." Jess said giving her mom a weak hug. Shelby, however, stayed back, but advanced away from the truck some so as not to seem completely cold and call for any type of anger from her mother.
"Hey," Shelby said. Alice looked at her sadly, kind of like she felt guilty for something. Shelby noticed this and decided that she needed to feel guilt... not that it would make up for anything, though.
"Well," Roger said dropping the last bag off. "I suppose I'll be going now, if you don't need me." Shelby felt kind of sad that he was leaving. Her only connection to Horizon while she was at home. "Have a good time, girls. I hope to see you back at Horizon in two weeks." Shelby and Jess nodded.
"Bye." They said in almost unison.
"Come on, girls. I started some dinner that you can eat while I'm gone."
Gideon was just as nervous. He sat in the back seat of his father's car twiddling his thumbs. He wondered if his father had changed while he was gone. Maybe he thought about what he had been doing, and decided that he really did love his son. Gid scoffed, 'Yeah right.' He thought.
"What're you doing back there grunting for?" His father asked, sounding drunk. Nope, Gid thought, same old daddy. "You gonna answer me, boy?" He said, looking through his rear view mirror straight into his son's eyes.
"Sorry." Gid replied, trying not to make him angry.
"Don't give me that. Well, at least they cleaned you up some at that school. You're not wearing all that black bullshit that you had on before. You look at least somewhat sensible. Now maybe I wont be afraid to have some women over." Gid was disgusted. How could he just say he was going to bring women over, and screw them right in front of his son... the son whose mother he murdered years and years ago? It was sickening just looking at this man.
"Yeah." He just said. Joseph, his father, laughed at him.
"What happened to you responding 'whatever' to everything?" Joseph asked him. Gid thought for a moment. What could he say to not anger him?
"I guess they just taught me better at school." He responded. Joseph chuckled.
"Don't get too comfortable." He said.
Well, I hope you enjoyed... I really will try and update more. Seriously, if I'm not updating, e-mail me and yell at me =P Actually, I really hope I update a lot because if I don't I'll never finish this story because I'm moving all the way across the country (From North Carolina to California) at the end of July and, well, we wont be taking the computer. There's no telling when I'll get another one... if ever... whimper So MAKE me update before then. At least finish this story.
Sorry I haven't updated since February. I felt bad but I didn't have anything to write. Please review, though.. I have a summary and all. I still hope you like my story.
Love to all of my readers -
Flamingteen (Katie)