Chapter 35 Trusting?
Shelby and Scott stand side by side as the car approaches closer and closer. When the car pulls in front of the administration building, Peter and Sophie join Shelby and Scott. Roger gets out of the drivers seat and then opens the back door for Jess to get out. Jess gets out and looks at everyone who is standing to greet her, she gets a big smile on her face. Shelby goes over and wraps her arms around her younger sister, after a few minutes she pulls back and looks at Jess.
"I'm so glad that you are back." Shelby says and gives her sister another hug, but this one much shorter.
"I'm happy to be back too." Jess says as she pulls away from Shelby.
Sophie and Peter are there and each give Jess hugs. Roger then pulls Peter aside and holds up a baggy of meds.
"They said she should take these for a few more months and then wean her off within the year."
"Why don't you take them to the infirmary to be locked up. . .we can't have them laying around for students to get a hold of them."
Roger takes the baggy of meds and walks towards the infirmary.
"How are you feeling Jess?"
"Bit tired." Jess says not looking up at Peter.
"Today, take it easy and tomorrow we'll get you started back to school and groups."
Jess begins to walk towards the Grizzly Bear girl's dorm. Shelby runs up behind her to follow her.
"I don't want to talk right now." Jess says sensing her Shelby behind her.
Shelby stops in her tracks, a little heart.
"I'm here if you need me." Shelby yells after Jess. Jess just waves her hand and she continues to walk away.
Scott comes up behind Shelby and puts his arms around her.
"Give her sometime." Scott says as Shelby lays her head on his chest.
Scott and Shelby stand there for a few minutes. Peter and Sophie look at each other. Taylor, Daisy, Ezra and Trey walk by Peter and Sophie. Daisy sees Scott and Shelby.
"Finally." Daisy says with a huge smile on her face.
"Finally?" Taylor looks at Daisy confused.
"Scott and Shelby." Ezra fills in for Daisy.
"Yeah." Taylor looks over at the two. "Scott and Shelby."
"You mean to tell me that he is dating her?" Trey asks a little astonished.
"And why wouldn't he be?" Daisy stops and asks looking at Trey with folded arms.
"Do I even have to say?" Trey looks at the two discussed.
Ezra and Taylor stop in their tracks as well.
"Please enlighten us." Daisy now has her hands on her hips.
"You know. . ." Trey becomes angrily defensive.
"Know what?" Ezra asks with a sly smile, helping Daisy to push Trey.
"A woman should be faithful to one man." Trey gets this serious look on his face.
Taylor laughs. Trey gets angry and raises his hand to hit Taylor. Ezra and Daisy fall back as Taylor steps up to Trey.
"Do it." Taylor stares Trey down, daring him to hit her.
Before Trey can hit Taylor, Roger comes running over and stops him by grabbing his hand. Peter and Sophie soon follow.
"What's going on here?" Roger grabs Trey pulling him back. All three counselors wait for an answer.
"Nothing sir." Trey cools off and Roger is able to let him go.
"You know that there is no violence here Trey." Peter reminds his newbie.
"Yes sir." Trey kicks the dirt not looking Peter in the eyes.
Everyone stands still for a few seconds looking at each other unsure of what really happened.
"So is anyone going to tell us what's going on?" Peter folds his arms staring at the four students.
Everyone glances at each other, no one dares says a word.
"Trey, you'll have nighttime dishes tonight." Peter informs
"For what? I didn't hit her." Trey tries not to loose his temper and then adds. "Sir."
"Just be there." Peter says. "Isn't there a class everyone's missing?"
Ezra, Daisy and Trey walk away joining Shelby and Scott. Taylor goes to follow them; Peter taps her on the shoulder. She rules her eyes then turns to face him.
"What happened?" Peter asks looking Taylor in the eyes.
"Narrow minded thinking." Taylor replies shrugging her shoulders. "Can I get going to class now?"
"Your not attending class today." Peter informs Taylor.
"I'm not?" Taylor says surprised.
"Sophie and I are going out on a trip and we've decided that you're coming with us."
"You people never cease to amaze me." Taylor replies letting out a little laugh. "Why me?"
"Because you've worn out your welcome in the classrooms." Sophie speaks up. Taylor just looks at them unsure of whether to laugh or make a smart- ass comment. "You might want to go and change into something easier to move in." Sophie advises. "We've packed you a bag. Meet us here in five minutes."
Sophie and Peter head to their office. Taylor heads to the girls dorm. She is inside changing as Sophie advised. She looks inside a book and finds an empty baggie.
"Damnet." She mutters and then puts the book back. She goes into the bathroom and begins to look around in the bathroom. In one of the stalls comes a nasty noise, like someone vomiting. She goes over and knocks on the stall door. "Whose in there?"
"Just me." Comes Juliet's small and frail voice. A tone that indicates that she's been crying.
"Ah, you've musta ate lunch." Taylor replies shaking her head. "What's wrong now?"
"Bite me." Juliet fires back. She opens the stall door and goes over to the sink. She begins to brush her teeth.
"A lot of good that'll do." Taylor says continuing to look for her belongings.
"Who asked you to but in?" Juliet replies angrily with a mouth full of toothpaste.
"I thought you were done with all that?" Taylor stops after she finds her baggie she's hidden.
"I thought you were done with that." Juliet nods towards the baggie full of little pills.
"Touché." Taylor replies and then takes a seat up on the counter. "So what's really going on?"
"Like you care." Julie becomes defensive.
"Fine, I won't ask." Taylor jumps down off the sink and opens the baggie. She counts out a few and downs them in a hurry. She then puts the little baggy back. "You didn't see that."
"Ditto." Juliette wipes her face with her towel and then the two stand in silence. "You really want to know?"
"Sure." Taylor shrugs her shoulders.
"Auggie broke up with me for no reason."
"So you hurt yourself because some boy broke up with you? That doesn't make since."
"Neither does your pill taking." Juliette stares at herself in the mirror.
"Wow your on fire. You got me again."
"So why do you do it?" Juliette turns around and looks at Taylor.
"No reason." Taylor now is the one getting uncomfortable.
"Taylor are you in here?" Sophie's voice comes through the dorm.
"Not a word." Taylor says.
"You too." Juliet whispers and goes back into the stall. She stands on the toilet so Sophie can't see her feet.
"I'm right here, I had to use the bathroom."
Sophie enters and finds Taylor washing her hands.
"Who were you talking too?" Sophie looks around the girl's bathroom.
"Myself." Taylor says. "Perfectly insane conversation."
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Sophie follows Taylor out of the bathroom, taking one more look around and not really seeing anything out of the ordinary. When Juliet thinks it's clear, she climbs down off of the toilet and stares at herself in the mirror.
*********
Horizon Classroom (Indoors)
Juliet goes running up to the classroom. She is now 15 minutes late and knows that she is going to end up doing some stupid ridiculous punishment that Peter and Sophie would come up with. What could she tell Sophie when she comes to the room? Her brain begins to think of excuses as she opens the door to the classroom. Instead of finding Sophie, she finds Roger standing in front of the classroom and ever student is silently reading or doing homework. Roger turns his attention to Juliet.
"Where have you been Miss Waybourne?"
"I didn't feel that well. I was laying down in the dorm."
"Do you have a nurse's excuse?" Roger pushes, reading that Juliette is really lying.
"No." Juliette looks down at the ground. "I truly didn't feel well."
"Looks like you and Mr. Adair will be spending sometime together tonight in the kitchen."
Juliette looks over at Trey, whose reading his book and not paying attention to anything Roger is saying.
*********
Scarbrow Trip
Peter drives the jeep into a clearing and stops it. Sophie lovingly and caringly puts her hand on Peter's hand. In the back seat, Taylor notices this and gets uncomfortable. Peter and Sophie get out after a few minutes of sitting in silence. Taylor remains sitting in the back. Peter pops the back open and they pull out their bags.
"Taylor, please join us." Peter says pulling out a third daypack.
Taylor sits in the car for a few more seconds and then reluctantly gets out before being told again. Peter hands her the daypack.
"Ready?"
"For?" "School."
"School?"
"School."
"What type of school?"
"Life."
"Been there done that, don't want to go back."
"Keep up." Sophie challenges as she begins to walk down a path. Peter follows.
Taylor stays behind for a minute and then runs to catch up. Sophie glances at Peter and gives him a smile. The trio walks in silence until they arrive at the camp sight. Peter begins to build a fire. Sophie is the first to break the long silence.
"Taylor, what did you want to be when you grew up?" Sophie asks pulling on some plants next to her and begins to chew on them. She offers some to Taylor, who is watching Peter rebuild a fire pit.
"No thanks." Taylor says seeing Sophie out of the corner of her eye.
"So what did you want to be?"
"Never really thought about it." Taylor finally responds. "Never really had a childhood ya know."
"You can't go back and change the past, all you can do is live the future." Sophie pauses. "Taylor, you have every right to be bitter and angry for what has happened to you, but the longer you stay that way, the longer you violators have control over you." Sophie says. "The more you hold on to the hate, the more you do drugs to escape . . .they win." Sophie pauses and then says. "Grant wins."
"Why do you people keep insisting that I talk when I don't want too. If I wanted to talk I would." Taylor just stares at Peter who is lying kindle in the fire pit.
"What we are doing up here today Taylor, is rebuilding camp sights for solo hikes." Peter informs Taylor as he looks around to finish up rebuilding the pit. Peter hands Taylor a map. She takes it and looks at it. "There are six camp sights circled that need rebuilding before the solo hikes. Split it up into threes and we'll be done before dark. We'll meet at the central location a mile hike from each camp sight." Peter continues to point things out to Taylor. You take these three, Sophie will take these three and I'll finish up here and take these two. Just rebuild and do a few clean up. Two hours is all you have to do this."
"Two hours." Taylor looks up at Peter.
"Take the map and go."
Taylor folds the map up and puts it in her bag. Sophie walks over to Peter and puts her arms around her husbands waste. They watch as Taylor starts hiking towards the first camp sight.
"Think she'll run?"
"Don't know."
"Why are you letting her go by herself?"
"To build trust." Peter says putting his arms around Sophie. "For all over us." "You never cease to amaze me." Sophie kisses him.
*********
Shelby and Scott stand side by side as the car approaches closer and closer. When the car pulls in front of the administration building, Peter and Sophie join Shelby and Scott. Roger gets out of the drivers seat and then opens the back door for Jess to get out. Jess gets out and looks at everyone who is standing to greet her, she gets a big smile on her face. Shelby goes over and wraps her arms around her younger sister, after a few minutes she pulls back and looks at Jess.
"I'm so glad that you are back." Shelby says and gives her sister another hug, but this one much shorter.
"I'm happy to be back too." Jess says as she pulls away from Shelby.
Sophie and Peter are there and each give Jess hugs. Roger then pulls Peter aside and holds up a baggy of meds.
"They said she should take these for a few more months and then wean her off within the year."
"Why don't you take them to the infirmary to be locked up. . .we can't have them laying around for students to get a hold of them."
Roger takes the baggy of meds and walks towards the infirmary.
"How are you feeling Jess?"
"Bit tired." Jess says not looking up at Peter.
"Today, take it easy and tomorrow we'll get you started back to school and groups."
Jess begins to walk towards the Grizzly Bear girl's dorm. Shelby runs up behind her to follow her.
"I don't want to talk right now." Jess says sensing her Shelby behind her.
Shelby stops in her tracks, a little heart.
"I'm here if you need me." Shelby yells after Jess. Jess just waves her hand and she continues to walk away.
Scott comes up behind Shelby and puts his arms around her.
"Give her sometime." Scott says as Shelby lays her head on his chest.
Scott and Shelby stand there for a few minutes. Peter and Sophie look at each other. Taylor, Daisy, Ezra and Trey walk by Peter and Sophie. Daisy sees Scott and Shelby.
"Finally." Daisy says with a huge smile on her face.
"Finally?" Taylor looks at Daisy confused.
"Scott and Shelby." Ezra fills in for Daisy.
"Yeah." Taylor looks over at the two. "Scott and Shelby."
"You mean to tell me that he is dating her?" Trey asks a little astonished.
"And why wouldn't he be?" Daisy stops and asks looking at Trey with folded arms.
"Do I even have to say?" Trey looks at the two discussed.
Ezra and Taylor stop in their tracks as well.
"Please enlighten us." Daisy now has her hands on her hips.
"You know. . ." Trey becomes angrily defensive.
"Know what?" Ezra asks with a sly smile, helping Daisy to push Trey.
"A woman should be faithful to one man." Trey gets this serious look on his face.
Taylor laughs. Trey gets angry and raises his hand to hit Taylor. Ezra and Daisy fall back as Taylor steps up to Trey.
"Do it." Taylor stares Trey down, daring him to hit her.
Before Trey can hit Taylor, Roger comes running over and stops him by grabbing his hand. Peter and Sophie soon follow.
"What's going on here?" Roger grabs Trey pulling him back. All three counselors wait for an answer.
"Nothing sir." Trey cools off and Roger is able to let him go.
"You know that there is no violence here Trey." Peter reminds his newbie.
"Yes sir." Trey kicks the dirt not looking Peter in the eyes.
Everyone stands still for a few seconds looking at each other unsure of what really happened.
"So is anyone going to tell us what's going on?" Peter folds his arms staring at the four students.
Everyone glances at each other, no one dares says a word.
"Trey, you'll have nighttime dishes tonight." Peter informs
"For what? I didn't hit her." Trey tries not to loose his temper and then adds. "Sir."
"Just be there." Peter says. "Isn't there a class everyone's missing?"
Ezra, Daisy and Trey walk away joining Shelby and Scott. Taylor goes to follow them; Peter taps her on the shoulder. She rules her eyes then turns to face him.
"What happened?" Peter asks looking Taylor in the eyes.
"Narrow minded thinking." Taylor replies shrugging her shoulders. "Can I get going to class now?"
"Your not attending class today." Peter informs Taylor.
"I'm not?" Taylor says surprised.
"Sophie and I are going out on a trip and we've decided that you're coming with us."
"You people never cease to amaze me." Taylor replies letting out a little laugh. "Why me?"
"Because you've worn out your welcome in the classrooms." Sophie speaks up. Taylor just looks at them unsure of whether to laugh or make a smart- ass comment. "You might want to go and change into something easier to move in." Sophie advises. "We've packed you a bag. Meet us here in five minutes."
Sophie and Peter head to their office. Taylor heads to the girls dorm. She is inside changing as Sophie advised. She looks inside a book and finds an empty baggie.
"Damnet." She mutters and then puts the book back. She goes into the bathroom and begins to look around in the bathroom. In one of the stalls comes a nasty noise, like someone vomiting. She goes over and knocks on the stall door. "Whose in there?"
"Just me." Comes Juliet's small and frail voice. A tone that indicates that she's been crying.
"Ah, you've musta ate lunch." Taylor replies shaking her head. "What's wrong now?"
"Bite me." Juliet fires back. She opens the stall door and goes over to the sink. She begins to brush her teeth.
"A lot of good that'll do." Taylor says continuing to look for her belongings.
"Who asked you to but in?" Juliet replies angrily with a mouth full of toothpaste.
"I thought you were done with all that?" Taylor stops after she finds her baggie she's hidden.
"I thought you were done with that." Juliet nods towards the baggie full of little pills.
"Touché." Taylor replies and then takes a seat up on the counter. "So what's really going on?"
"Like you care." Julie becomes defensive.
"Fine, I won't ask." Taylor jumps down off the sink and opens the baggie. She counts out a few and downs them in a hurry. She then puts the little baggy back. "You didn't see that."
"Ditto." Juliette wipes her face with her towel and then the two stand in silence. "You really want to know?"
"Sure." Taylor shrugs her shoulders.
"Auggie broke up with me for no reason."
"So you hurt yourself because some boy broke up with you? That doesn't make since."
"Neither does your pill taking." Juliette stares at herself in the mirror.
"Wow your on fire. You got me again."
"So why do you do it?" Juliette turns around and looks at Taylor.
"No reason." Taylor now is the one getting uncomfortable.
"Taylor are you in here?" Sophie's voice comes through the dorm.
"Not a word." Taylor says.
"You too." Juliet whispers and goes back into the stall. She stands on the toilet so Sophie can't see her feet.
"I'm right here, I had to use the bathroom."
Sophie enters and finds Taylor washing her hands.
"Who were you talking too?" Sophie looks around the girl's bathroom.
"Myself." Taylor says. "Perfectly insane conversation."
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Sophie follows Taylor out of the bathroom, taking one more look around and not really seeing anything out of the ordinary. When Juliet thinks it's clear, she climbs down off of the toilet and stares at herself in the mirror.
*********
Horizon Classroom (Indoors)
Juliet goes running up to the classroom. She is now 15 minutes late and knows that she is going to end up doing some stupid ridiculous punishment that Peter and Sophie would come up with. What could she tell Sophie when she comes to the room? Her brain begins to think of excuses as she opens the door to the classroom. Instead of finding Sophie, she finds Roger standing in front of the classroom and ever student is silently reading or doing homework. Roger turns his attention to Juliet.
"Where have you been Miss Waybourne?"
"I didn't feel that well. I was laying down in the dorm."
"Do you have a nurse's excuse?" Roger pushes, reading that Juliette is really lying.
"No." Juliette looks down at the ground. "I truly didn't feel well."
"Looks like you and Mr. Adair will be spending sometime together tonight in the kitchen."
Juliette looks over at Trey, whose reading his book and not paying attention to anything Roger is saying.
*********
Scarbrow Trip
Peter drives the jeep into a clearing and stops it. Sophie lovingly and caringly puts her hand on Peter's hand. In the back seat, Taylor notices this and gets uncomfortable. Peter and Sophie get out after a few minutes of sitting in silence. Taylor remains sitting in the back. Peter pops the back open and they pull out their bags.
"Taylor, please join us." Peter says pulling out a third daypack.
Taylor sits in the car for a few more seconds and then reluctantly gets out before being told again. Peter hands her the daypack.
"Ready?"
"For?" "School."
"School?"
"School."
"What type of school?"
"Life."
"Been there done that, don't want to go back."
"Keep up." Sophie challenges as she begins to walk down a path. Peter follows.
Taylor stays behind for a minute and then runs to catch up. Sophie glances at Peter and gives him a smile. The trio walks in silence until they arrive at the camp sight. Peter begins to build a fire. Sophie is the first to break the long silence.
"Taylor, what did you want to be when you grew up?" Sophie asks pulling on some plants next to her and begins to chew on them. She offers some to Taylor, who is watching Peter rebuild a fire pit.
"No thanks." Taylor says seeing Sophie out of the corner of her eye.
"So what did you want to be?"
"Never really thought about it." Taylor finally responds. "Never really had a childhood ya know."
"You can't go back and change the past, all you can do is live the future." Sophie pauses. "Taylor, you have every right to be bitter and angry for what has happened to you, but the longer you stay that way, the longer you violators have control over you." Sophie says. "The more you hold on to the hate, the more you do drugs to escape . . .they win." Sophie pauses and then says. "Grant wins."
"Why do you people keep insisting that I talk when I don't want too. If I wanted to talk I would." Taylor just stares at Peter who is lying kindle in the fire pit.
"What we are doing up here today Taylor, is rebuilding camp sights for solo hikes." Peter informs Taylor as he looks around to finish up rebuilding the pit. Peter hands Taylor a map. She takes it and looks at it. "There are six camp sights circled that need rebuilding before the solo hikes. Split it up into threes and we'll be done before dark. We'll meet at the central location a mile hike from each camp sight." Peter continues to point things out to Taylor. You take these three, Sophie will take these three and I'll finish up here and take these two. Just rebuild and do a few clean up. Two hours is all you have to do this."
"Two hours." Taylor looks up at Peter.
"Take the map and go."
Taylor folds the map up and puts it in her bag. Sophie walks over to Peter and puts her arms around her husbands waste. They watch as Taylor starts hiking towards the first camp sight.
"Think she'll run?"
"Don't know."
"Why are you letting her go by herself?"
"To build trust." Peter says putting his arms around Sophie. "For all over us." "You never cease to amaze me." Sophie kisses him.
*********