Thanks girls !

CHAPTER 27

Scott turned to him and recognized him after thinking a few seconds.

Sc : Hey Mark.

M : You've been gone for a long time, what happened ?

Sc : Long story. Lets say that I was sent to another school for troubled kids and I decided to leave at night.

M : I see. You couldn't stand the place anymore, right ? It's you, you can't stay at the same place for a long time.

Sc (lying) : Yeah sure that's the way I am.

M : Talking about the way you are you look straight. Did you stop using drugs ?

Sc : Yeah I realized it wasn't that good for me.

M (showing him a bag of white powder) : That's a pity cause look at what I have here for both of us. And don't worry if you don't have the money it's free. Lets say it's a gift for seeing you again.

Sc : Thanks man but like I told you I don't do drugs anymore.

M : Are you sure ? You don't look so good right now !

Sc : I know. I'm just tired.

M : You have a place to stay ?

Sc : Not yet.

M :I have one. You're welcome if you want.

Sc : Are you serious ?

M : Come on Scott you know me better than that ! Of course I'm serious. We were friends remember ?

Sc : Yeah, right !

M : Come on. Lets go get some sleep.

They walked to Mark's place. It was a small room with only mattresses to sleep on the ground. There was another man in there already sleeping.

M (pointing at the guy) : This is Sean.

Scott nodded. Mark showed him where the little bathroom was and there was nothing else but the bathroom and this piece to sleep on the ground.

M : You sure you don't want something to feel better and forget your troubles ?

Scott was hesitating cause he knew he'd feel better but he thought about Shelby and all he went through because of drugs. He refused while his friend sniffed a bit more cocaine before sleeping. They only slept a few hours. Well Scott couldn't really sleep cause he thought a lot about Shelby and the pain she must have felt when he told her he had to leave even if he promised her to come back. He also knew he had to find a job to earn money and be able to live by himself in a small flat unless his friend lets him stay here. But still he had to find money to eat. He knew it wasn't going to be easy. He succeeded sleeping a bit and woke up in a bad state like when he first came in here. Hopeless, fragile, sad and lost inside.

…

As the morning came and Shelby was already taking her shower while Juliette and Daisy were still sleeping. Ezra was the first man to wake up and he began searching for Scott who was usually still sleeping till someone wakes him up. After a few seconds of research in the dorm he woke Auggie up.

E : Auggie wake up ! Scott's not here. I think he might have left.

A : Don't be stupid. Why would he do that ?

Than Auggie remembered his conversation with Scott when he was about to leave. For a second he thought it was a dream but he realized it was the reality and he had to lie to his friends. Ezra was a bit hysteric this morning and shook Auggie till he was up. Ezra took him with himself to go knock on the girls' dorm.

A : Man what are you doing ?

E : We have to tell the girls about that.

A : Look, um… don't you think he might have been for a walk ? You'll look stupid in front of the girls and you'll scare them. Do you think it's good to scare Shelby in her state ?

E : You're right. He must have gone for a walk and he'll be back soon.

Auggie felt bad and relieved at the same time. Bad for lying to his friend and relieved for succeeding. They all got ready for breakfast and nobody saw Scott. Peter went to their table asking for him.

E : He wasn't in the dorm when I woke up.

P : On no ! Shelby did he tell you something.

S : No, why ?

J : You don't think he ran away again ? He had no reason to do that !

'Yes he had' Peter thought to himself and remembered he had done the same last time his father and Elaine came to visit him.

Auggie and Shelby exchanged a discreet look and nobody noticed it.

J : He really didn't tell you anything Shelby ?

S : Would you please stop it Jules ! Why would he always tell me everything ?

J :I'm sorry Shelby I didn't want to get on your nerves.

S : Too late.

Shelby got up and went outside. Auggie followed her to talk to her. He succeeded to calm her as he told her Scott was going to be back in a few days or weeks and he asked him to take care of her. The rest of the cliffhangers went to the lodge as Peter went to talk to Shelby outside.

P : Shelby look at me. Did Scott tell you something about that ?

She didn't respond but tears began forming in her eyes.

P : Shelby please tell me something.

As she was going to say something a car arrived. It was Martin Barringer and Elaine. Shelby took advantage of the situation and of Peter looking at the car to get away. Martin and Elaine walked towards Peter.

Martin : I'd like to see Scott now, please.

Elaine : Where is he ?

Peter looked confused and didn't know what to say. He showed them to his office and asked them to take a seat.

Martin : So where's my son ?

…