CHAPTER 29

The cliffhangers were in class but not paying that much attention to what the teacher was saying. Shelby's hormones were working over time and she was almost crying thinking about all that happened over the past 2 days. The others could see tears forming in her eyes. They tried to reassure her but the truth was you never know how someone can survive in the streets and when he'll come back.

S : I shouldn't have let him go !

A : Me neither. But it was his decision. He wasn't about to change his mind.

D : Hey guys it's nobody's fault okay. You know how hard it is for him to face that…

E : Bitch.

D : Yeah right, thanks Ezra. To face that bitch again.

J : I don't understand how Peter could let such a thing happen ? How could he let her come back here ?

S (between sobs) : He… told… me he didn't… have …a choice

E : Yeah kiss my ass we always have a choice !

D : That's what Peter keeps telling us about the decisions we make.

A : This time was different. You can't tell someone from your family not to come and visit you.

E : I don't get it !

S : Peter never… thought she could… try something… with Scott… but I know… and Scott knows… she can always… find a way… to get to… what she wants !

J : We should kill her !

A : Yep, I'm with you !

D : We're all with you. But you know we can't, right ?

A : Sure but how about to send her to jail ? What do you guys think of that ?

S : Great but…

J : Scott already told his whole story to the Child Protection Service remember ? And it didn't work. They found his love letters for her…

E : There must be a way to prove they didn't have a meaning. We should be able to do something to help him and send her to the electric chair !

S : I hope so. But for now… all I hope… is that… Scott…is all right.

D (taking Shelby by the shoulder and smiling at her) : Sure he is. There's nothing he can't handle. He's a tough guy. He already left remember ? And he came back in one piece. It'll be the same this time. He'll never leave you, you know that right ? He loves you way too much for that Plus the baby'll be there soon and he's really happy about that, we all are.

S : What if he finds some old friends, what if…

D : He's smart and he'll never do something stupid.

A : Yeah right.

J : Plus who told you he'll meet some old friends ? What bad things could happen to him ?

S : He's in the streets, Princess, you know nothing about that but I do.

They were beginning to make so much noise the teacher approached them.

A :Everybody calm down the teacher's coming. Don't wanna have more punishments.

They all sighed.

The teacher : Something you want to share with the rest of the class ?

Nobody answered. Shelby was now crying. Everybody could see tears falling down her cheeks. She tried hard not to cry but she couldn't stop.

The teacher : Are you okay Miss Merrick ?

Shelby Fine.

A : Come on you see she's not doing fine.

E : Yeah she's been through a lot recently.

The teacher : Sorry I almost forgot. You want to go outside and take a breath of fresh air ?

Shelby nodded yes.

The teacher : Okay and Miss Lipenowski can go with you in case something happens.

D : Thank you sir.

He smiled and returned at the top of the class. They both went outside and sat on a bench. Shelby couldn't stop crying and Daisy couldn't really reassure her. She did her best though. Sophie was outside when she saw Daisy and Shelby on the bench, Shelby being in Daisy's arms. She went near them wondering what was going on. She saw Shelby crying, looking at the ground.

So : Is everything okay ?

D : The hormones plus Scott's disappearance that makes a lot.

So : I know. Shelby, look at me.

Shelby looked up at Sophie. Sophie looked really concerned and sad in front of Shelby's sadness.

So : Everything will be all right. They'll find him ! He'll be back here soon, you'll see.

D : I don't understand why you allowed her to come here after what she did to Scott ? None of us understand.

So :It's not that simple Daisy, we…

D : Yes it is. She did bad stuff she should be in jail but she's not. She threatened Scott to come and do that again and now he's gone.

Hearing that made Shelby cry even more.

'Man look what I've done' Daisy thought.

Class was now over and the Cliffhangers came out. They went over the three of them.

So : All I can say is that neither Peter nor I wanted her to come here, we didn't have a choice. Believe me.

D : We do believe you but we still think it's not fair.

E : I know what you're talking about.

J : You ok Shelby ?

S : I'm trying.

There was a moment of silence before something came up to Shelby's mind. A bad thought.

S : What if he doesn't want to be found ?

D : What do you mean ?

S :I mean when you run away, it's not to be found, right? When you escape from somewhere what do you usually do ?

J : I get your point. You hide.

S : Exactly.

So : No Shelby, don't think like that. He just left so he didn't have to see Elaine, right ?

Shelby nodded yes.

So : Then he'll be okay and come back.

S : What if he doesn't want to.

A : Shelby I can assure you he told me he'll come back very soon. He just couldn't face her anymore that's all. He told me how much he loved you and the baby you're gonna have and he didn't want to miss a single part of it. He'll be back soon. I'm sure he'll let Peter find him.

J : Will you be okay Shelby ?

S : Well I have to. I mean I don't have much of a choice, do I ?

So : Plus we're all here for you !

S : Yeahthat's right.

They all got up and hugged Shelby. She wiped her tears away and offered them a small smile.

D : He'll be back soon, I can feel it !

S : Hope you feel good !

D : Always. I'll read the tarots later if you want.

S : Thanks.

…

Scott didn't dare opening his eyes. He tried to hear where the voices were going. He thought he heard them entering the bar next to where he was hiding but he wasn't totally sure of that. Of course if he would open his eyes he'd see but he didn't want to. For some reason he didn't dare move.

'Man if I move and they hear me I'm caught. But if I don't and they're right in front of me I'm caught too. This doesn't sound good. What am I gonna do ?' he thought.

He finally decided to leave without running and making noise. If they were in the bar they couldn't hear him running anyway. But it's better to be careful. 'Peter's got big ears' he thought smiling.

When he was ready to open his eyes he felt a hand on his shoulder…

tbc…