Chapter Nine: A Moment to Deliberate

Augie

"There's something I need to tell you." She whispered to Augie, completely aware of the fact that what she was going to change could change everything, would change everything.

"What is it?" Augie wondered, still mesmerized by the perfectly woven waves in her jet-black hair. Afraid of what to say or do next, she remained hidden in the shadow, shielding herself behind her hair.

"I didn't come to Horizon for vacation." Augie laughed, not understanding where she was coming from.

"Chica, no one comes here to chill out. We're all here to get better." He explained.

"You see, that's what you're not getting. There's nothing wrong with me … I mean emotionally, or mentally … I mean--"

Shelby

Shelby approached Scott's cabin, hoping to get a few more words out to him before she completely gave up. She knew that if he really understood, he would be there for her. She couldn't understand why … Almost opening the door, she stopped, hearing two voices. Maybe it was Jenni and Scott … whoever it was, it sounded intense.

Augie

"I thought you were past denial. It's okay if you don't want anyone to know that we grew up together and used to do everything together. I respect that, but you'll never get out of here if you don't start to realize that. I can't be a true friend to you if I don't help you to get past this denial." Augie continued, unaware that Shelby was listening behind the door. Slowly, she moved to the window in order to hear better and confirm that it either was or was not Scott and Jenni talking.

"No Augie. That's just it. You don't listen. You never do. I'm trying to tell you something and I think it's something that you'll want to hear…"

Manny

"It can not be real. This is not happening. This is not real." Manny muttered to herself, searching her bookbag for something sharp, anything. She knew she used to keep scissors in here. Just as she was removing them from her bookbag, Stephanie walked in.

"What are you doing Manny?"

"Leave me alone. Craig loves me because h- he said he did. I-I know …" Stephanie rushed over to Manny, hugging her tightly as Hazel walked into the bathroom moments later.

"Shh. It's okay now. We're here."

"No, but …" Manny's voice trailed off as she left herself be partially comforted by her friend's voices. She listened quietly as they told her how Craig was a loser and how Ashley was being a bitch about everything. But trash-talking Craig only seemed to make him more important to Manny. She wanted someone to love her, and all this Craig drama was making him miserable. Well, if she was going to live the rest of her life wanting him and without anything, and if he wasn't going to give her what they both wanted then she was going to make his life equally miserable. Desperate situations called for desperate actions. Who cared if her life got any worse than it was already? Her life ended the day Craig walked out. Forever.

Ashley

"Manny is totally delusional. Did you see what she was doing back there … trying to interfere. You'd think that this would mean something to her." Ashley held up her hand, still gloating. Taking Craig back hadn't been the worst mistake of her life after all. "And then she kept running after us like a sick puppy dog. I almost felt bad for her." Paige nodded, completely able to relate to Ash's situation since Manny had tried to steal Spinner from her. "How pathetic. Right baby?"

Ashley squeezed Craig's hand as he nodded, literally biting his tongue to keep from speaking. He couldn't stand to hear anyone sit around and bash Manny. She hadn't asked to be brought into his Ashley-drama but, because of him, she was.

"I'm going to the snack machine. Want anything?"

"No, that's sweet of you, but I'm fine." Ashley smiled brightly, kissing Craig zealously as he slowly walked away, as not to provoke suspicion from Ashley in anyway.

Craig

"Glad to be out of there." Craig muttered, under his breath watching a wide-eyed Manny surrounded by Hazel and Stephanie. "Manny, hey!" He yelled as she didn't even bother to look back at him. If anything, her eyes grew dimmer, as if she didn't notice him at all.

Augie

"I don't get it." Augie admitted, still left in the dark.

"I came here to help my family through some things. I love them to death and I couldn't let…"

"What are you talking about? They don't just let people come here to help others through their struggle. Have you completely gone mad?" Augie wondered, walking over and sitting next to her. Softly, he started playing with her hair, something that had worked as a way to calm her down.

"I came here because Jenni wanted to get Scott back … we switched our files with someone else's and ended up here."

Shelby crouched lower into the grass, not really meaning to eavesdrop, but growing interested when she heard Jenni's name being mentioned.

"You've got to be joking. You let some people go free who really needed help because Jenni wanted another shot at Scott?" Augie yelled, removing all contact between himself and Rose. "That's really messed up Rose. How could you do something so stupid? There are people out there… But there's more, isn't there?"

"Yeah." She looked down and away. "I got knocked up and … I didn't know where else to go. I knew that you were the only one who could help me through this … I don't think that I can be a mother. I can barely handle dealing with my own siblings. What happens when I can't just say 'shut up and leave me alone?'" Rose wondered, hoping that Augie hadn't figured out the rest of the puzzle yet.

"So you came to me? We haven't talked in months. I know there's something else Rose. Spill it."

"It's been four months." She whispered. "Do you really need me to spell it out anymore for you?"

Manny

"You're the only one who ever really tried to understand me, but now you don't even care." Manny had torn down everything in her house that reminded her of Craig and now she just needed to get away. She had gotten a doctor to come and see Jimmy, who was fine minus a few scrapes. "I don't know why I ever believed you." Tears began rolling down her face as she looked over at Jimmy. He was lying on his bed, sleeping.

"You wouldn't have treated me like that, would you Jimmy?" She whispered. "You wouldn't have treated me like I didn't matter, only coming back for one thing and then trying to pretend like nothing happened. Does he even care?" Manny continued to rant. "You know what … it doesn't matter because I know something he doesn't." She giggled to herself.

"I know what it's like to be completely alone, without anyone. I know what it feels like to feel like you're constantly bleeding, and even though it isn't reality you want it to be so that you don't exist anymore. Even more importantly," Manny began, taking Jimmy's hand in hers and noticing how fragile he had become. "I know how to make you hurt more than I ever have. And I know who just to start with." Dropping Jimmy's hand, Manny closed the doors behind her, grabbing a knife on her way out. Too bad she didn't notice that Jimmy winced a little while she talked over him. Too bad she didn'tknow he was a light sleeper, and very much awake.

(A/N: What do you think? I haven't written this in so long that I feels so detached and uninspired. I'm not liking it too much, but let me know what you think and suggestions, please. NL)

Thanks to Julia, Lacey, and lovefromthefire for reviewing the last chap.