Apology

Peter ran around the school for his early start. He was stressed out from everything that was going on at Horizon; more kids were enrolling and they didn't have enough room to help them all, some going back to their old ways, and having one of his students run away during a dangerous storm. It was common for students to run, some almost died, but for some reason that certain runaway got to him. He just didn't know why.

How is she different than any of the others? Of course she's unique like everyone is, but I care for all my students equally. What is it about her that makes me feel that way? She doesn't talk much, but she's only been here for a month and some students refuse to talk. She's hurt herself, not uncommon but what was it?

Peter shook it out of his mind, saying it's all in his head. That he just wants to help Annie like any other of his students.

"Hey, you went out without me," Sophie called, catching up with him. He slowed for her.

"Anything wrong?"

"Just the average stress," He answered.

"Oh, ok."

"It's just . . ." He paused thinking, "Juliette and others are falling back and we still don't know why Annie does the things she does."

"Juliette is getting help from us and friends and as for Annie, I know how you feel, but she'll come to us in time, trust us, and we'll be there to help her out."

"I know you're right, you've been saying that for a while. Its something more, like if you don't hold onto something, you'll lose it forever." Sophie nodded, understanding what he's talking about.


The Cliffhanger group looked up as Peter walked by to another table. They had hoped he would come to their table and tell them something about Annie, if she was okay or not.

Peter went to Lilly, in the Sun Dogs group. She was having problems with the rest of her group, so he decided to talk to her.

"What's up, Lilly?" Asked Peter.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Why is everyone at one end of the table and your on the other?" She shrugged.

"Can't think of a reason?"

"Well, I kind of broke Rachel's glass dolphin and Sara's hair dryer and I kissed Bobby when I didn't even know Marie was going out with him."

"It sounds like you should tell some people that you're sorry," Peter explained.

"I did, but they won't listen to me."

"Go take a walk, I'll talk to them." He sat next to Marie.

"So what's going on you guys?"

"She keeps doing everything wrong," Rachel explained.

"She kissed Bobby!" Marie shouted.

"I'm right here, you don't have to yell and she told me she didn't know you two were going out."

"So, she still kissed him."

"She didn't know. Everybody makes mistakes, you have to live on and learn from them. She said she was sorry, didn't she?"

"Yeah, but still."

"We're all human, forgive her. She'd do they same if you did something, right?"

"Maybe," Sara spoke.

"Give her a chance. K?"

"Sure," Rachel said.

"Good." Peter got up and went to the Cliffhangers.

"Is she okay?" Scott asked.

"Annie's fine for now, she'll live. You don't have to worry about her. If you all want, you can come with me to the hospital to see her later on today." They nodded.


Peter came back from Annie's room.

"She's awake. Who's going to see her first?" Peter asked. Scott got up and went to her room.

Annie's head turned toward him when he walked in.

"Hi." He smiled at her.

"Hi," She weakly greeted.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Fine I guess, but my lungs and throat hurt." Scott reached out, holding her hand.

"Everyone was worried about you. Even Shelby."

"I know, Peter told me."

"Afternoon Lisa." Said her doctor.

"Annie," She corrected.

"My mistake. How are you feeling? Warmer, I hope," She nodded, "Good." He checked her temperature and pulse.

"I'll let you two continue chatting."

"Lisa?" Scott asked.

"My birth name. I don't like it and I won't respond to it anymore."

"I think its pretty," He honestly told her.

"I like Annie better."

"Does anyone ever call you by your real name?"

"Not really. My parents didn't really like it when I stopped responding to it, but tough luck."

"Yeah. What I really hate is when you get in trouble they always yell out your whole name."

"My parents never did that to me."

"They did to me." Scott started laughing and Annie sort of joined it. They stopped

when Annie began coughing.

"I better go send someone else in. They all want to see you." Annie smiled shyly.

"I hope you get better. Bye."

"Bye, Scott."

"Bye, Lisa."

"Hey!" Scott smiled to show he was just messing with her.

"Next," He said to whomever as he came out.


Daisy, Ezra, Auggie, and Juliette went in and told Annie to get better and that they were sorry.

"Shel?"

"Yeah?"

"You want to say hi to Annie?" Peter asked.

"Yeah."

Annie's eyes opened when Shelby opened the door.

"Hi," Shelby said to the patient.

"Hi." She stood at the side of the bed for a moment.

"Listen, I'm not very good at these 'emotional touchy stuff' so I'll just say it to get it over with," Shelby began, "I'm sorry that I've been so mean to you. I should have given you a chance instead of jumping to conclusions."

"It's okay. As long as you say sorry and you mean it, it's okay. I probably would have done the same thing to you if I was more aggressive and if I thought you were trying to steal my boyfriend," She paused a second, "I should say sorry too. I shouldn't have tried to talk to Scott or have anything to do with him. It's just that he was the first person I got to talk to since I got here and I started feeling more comfortable around him since I told him some things about me. I just wanted someone to talk to."

"Yeah. Well, I guess you should get your rest. So, bye."

"Bye, and thanks."

"Your welcome," Shelby said, while leaving.


"You still look very tired." She nodded.

"The doctor said you should be in bed for the next couple days to get your strength back," He explained to the runaway.

"I know."

"That means you should eat as well, so you can feel better sooner."

"Hmm."

"He also said you only weigh 86 pounds."

She didn't respond to that statement, just stared as the scenery as Mt. Horizon appeared.

"Go to bed. I'll send Sophie or someone in with food so you can eat something and you better eat something," Peter ordered.

Without a word, she exited the vehicle and departed to the girl's dorm. Peter watched her for a moment as she strolled away, and then got out himself, heading toward his office to find his wife.

"Shel, has lunch ended yet?"

"No, not yet. Why?"

"Can you do me a favor and take something to the dorm for Annie? Try to persuade her to nibble on something, but don't be rude. If she still won't eat, don't worry about it. I'll have Sophie or myself go in and force her," Peter explained.

"Yes, captain."

"What about me?" Scott questioned.

"It's called the girls cabin for a reason Scott."

"But maybe I can get her to eat, since she trusts me more than Shelby."

"If Shelby can't, then you may, but you wait outside until Shel says she failed."

"I will."


"Just because Peter ordered me to do this, doesn't mean I'm standing here forever to make sure you eat," Shelby replied.

"You don't have to stay here, you know," Annie threw Shelby her own attitude.

"Fine."

"Fine." Shelby stormed out.

"Failed?"

"Yep, and I'm not staying here for long, so you better be quick."

"Be patient Shel, I'll be out when I'm out."

"Then I won't be here when you eventually do come out," Stated the frustrated teenager.

Before leaving into the dorm, he gave his girlfriend a long, meaningful kiss.

"I'll be back," He whispered, smiling. She smiles back at him.

"Leave me alone," Annie whined when she heard the door open and close.

"No, I'm gonna force you to eat something."

"Why does it matter if I eat or not?"

"Cause if you don't eat, you'll die."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"To you maybe not, but to those who care about you; yes it is," Scott reasoned.

"And you really care enough to take time out of your personal life to force me to eat?"

"Yes."

"Right," Annie whispered to herself, rolling her eyes.

"You may not think that people care about you, but some actually do. Like Peter, you're dad, and me. "

"The world would be better off without me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Cause it's true."

"No, its not."

"Why do you think that?" Annie asked.

"Everyone in this world was born to do something, to make a difference in the world. Everyone is special."

"Special Ed."

Scott shook his head, ripping off a piece of sandwich and offering it to her.

"I'm not eating it."

"Yes, you are."

He sat on the bed, and attempted to sit her up. She pulled away, hiding her face.

"One bite, that's all I'm asking and then I'll leave."

"How about you just leave right now?"

"No, you have to take a bit."

"Will you let me sleep then?"

"Yes."

Sighing, as she sits up, Annie took the piece out of his hand, chewed it, and swallowed it.

"There, now let me sleep." She lied back down, but as she did, Peter entered.

"Did she eat anything?"

"One bite."

"And he said one bite and he'd leave," Annie explained.

"Then he may leave, but I'm not leaving until you eat at least half of what's on that tray."

She groaned aloud.


A/N:The End of this season. I thank everyone whom has reviewed or even just read my story.
The next season "Boys" will hopefully be up either in a month or two depending on how busy I am.
Next month or earlier, I am releasing another Higher Ground fanfiction and I hope you all like it when I post it.
Hey All HG Fans! Are you interasted in playing your character online, playing a Cliffhanger, Ridgerunner, or counsoler? Then click here www.horizonschool