AN: Thanks for your kind reviews, Linkie, Ghostwriter and 2008ccampbell!
Disclaimer: I don't own Higher Ground or any of the characters your recognize from the show. I do own Carla. (Forgot that in the last chapter. Don't sue me!)
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Everyone had gathered in the lounge for group. Finally Peter came in. "Time for group, guys. Does anyone want to discuss anything today?" He just got stares in response. "Ok, so everyone is going to say one thing that's on their mind right now. Ezra, could you start please?"
"I don't have much of a choice, right? Well, summer break. David."
"Sleep. Scott."
"Sunday. Shelby."
"A butterfly." When Shelby said that, Daisy, Ezra and Kat laughed, while everyone else looked confused. "Daisy."
"Sophie. Kat."
"Graduation. Jules."
"Scrabble. Auggie."
"Relativity."
"Ok, everyone. Now explain your choices.", Sophie commanded.
"I'm nervous of alternating between my parents' houses during summer break. I'm tired of being in the middle."
"I'm just plain tired.", David grinned. "Could you take group a bit more seriously?" Peter jumped in. "But that is on my mind right now!", David exclaimed. "Ok, go on Scott."
"I'm looking forward to Sunday, because I'll be able to talk to Shelby again.", he smiled at her when he said that, but shot an angry glare at Sophie just a second later.
"I'm worried about a butterfly, because today Daisy explained chaos theory and told me she had noticed such a butterfly that could cause a hurricane in my life. I'm nervous to find out what that is." Most of the others were still confused at that because they didn't know anything about chaos theory, but everyone wanted this group session to end so they didn't ask any questions.
"Sophie really surprised me today. I still have to wrap my mind around that." At that, Peter looked at Sophie, who kept her face blank.
"I'm nervous about graduation. I'll miss you all and I will have to cope with the outside world. I'm confident I can do it, but I know it will be difficult nonetheless."
"I'm happy we won at Scrabble today."
"We have to do a physics assignment about relativity. I've been thinking about it."
"Ok, everyone, go to your dorms now." Sophie ended group. "But before you go I have an announcement to make." Everyone stopped and looked at her expectantly. "On Tuesday we're going to go on a two day hike." She got groans from everyone. "Aren't you enthusiastic! Also, a friend of mine will come visit tomorrow, so don't worry if you see a strange woman on campus. Good night!"
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Leaving for their dorms, everyone stated speculating about Sophie's friend. Only Shelby dragged Daisy to the side and demanded, "Now tell me about that butterfly of mine!"
"Alright, alright, calm down. When you told me about your restrictions I went to Sophie, I told her that maybe she was a bit hard on you. Guess what she told me? She told me to tell you to be a little more discreet, to choose times and places where she doesn't have to run into you. Told me she didn't enjoy punishing you all the time. Do you know what that means? That she doesn't actually have anything against you two making out! Maybe she even turns a blind eye sometimes…"
"You're kidding me, right?"
"No! I mean you have to admit that it's pretty stupid to make out around lights out time. You were bound to be caught. You could just wait until later at night…"
"I wouldn't have thought that of Sophie. She always seemed to be such a stickler for the rules. Remember when we went to your mother's funeral?"
"When she wouldn't let us have coffee? Of course!" Both of them giggled at the memory.
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In the lounge. "Sophie, what was that all about? You having surprised Daisy?" Peter wanted to know.
Sophie grew a little uneasy. "Well, today she confronted me about Scott and Shelby's restrictions. When I told her to tell Shelby she just had to be more discreet, she seemed surprised." She knew that probably there was more to it, like her confiding in Daisy about her damage, and her feelings for Peter. That brought back to mind that she still hadn't told Peter. Maybe now was a good time? But no, she wasn't in a shape to take all these emotions right now. That'd have to wait for another day. She would tell him soon. But not today.
As if reading her thoughts, Peter started, "Sophie we have to talk."
She put on a smile and shut up her thoughts. "But we are talking!"
"About us, I mean. We can't avoid it forever." He sounded a bit frustrated.
"I know. I'm just not ready, ok? We should postpone that talk a bit. But I promise, we'll have it." Her voice sounded almost pleading. Peter sensed that something was hurting her, but he had to try, he wanted to know where he stood with her.
"You can't run away forever, Soph." At that , both of them knew that he was letting her off the hook. For now, at least.
A sigh. "I know. Tell you what, I promise we'll talk about it before summer break, alright? That's the best I can do."
"Promise?", he asked with the boyish half smile Sophie absolitely loved to see.
She had to smile back at him, but it was barely noticeable. She was still lost in thought. "Promise."
"Ok." He said, a bit calmer now. "Good night, Soph."
"Good night, mountain man."
The next morning, around seven, a car pulled up at Horizon. Out came Carlene Radzilovich. No one was there to welcome her. She knew they didn't expect her that early in the morning. Despite the early hour, some kids were already outside. A boy noticed her "Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"I hope so. I'm looking for Sophie Becker's cabin."
"Over there. The second cabin. So, are you that mysterious friend of Sophie's?" Curiosity was written all over his face.
She laughed shortly. "I didn't know I was mysterious, but yes, I'm a friend of hers. My name's Carla. Who are you?"
"I'm Ezra. I'm in Sophie's group, the Cliffhangers."
"Nice to meet you, Ezra. I guess I'll go looking for Sophie now."
"Yah right. Good luck, Carla."
She didn't go directly to the cabin. First, she looked around to familiarize herself with the terrain. Don't treat everything like it's enemy terrain! She scolded herself. But it never hurts to know where you are, right? Right. She finally arrived at Sophie's door and knocked. When Sophie opened she was surprised at who was standing in front of her door. She had expected a student. "Carla!" The two women embraced warmly. "How come you are here so early? I didn't expect you before afternoon!"
"I like to travel at night. That way, I have the roads to myself. Besides, arriving early in the morning, the whole day is still ahead of me."
"Let's go to the main building, I'll introduce you to Peter. And later also to my group."
"I already met one of the Cliffhangers. Ezra. He showed me your cabin. He seemed to be a nice enough guy. Didn't you say this is a school for oppositional children, even criminals?"
Sophie frowned. "That he is polite doesn't mean he isn't troubled. Besides, he has been here for a while and has come a long way."
"Sorry, I shouldn't jump to conclusions like that." She always thought she knew better than to judge a book by it's cover. No one is ever completely free of prejudices... Sophie's voice cut short her train of thought.
"So, care to tell me, why are you really here?" – "For our little competition of course!" A huge grin spread over her face and she even danced around, mimicking a little girl's behaviour.
"No really. You sounded worried on the phone. Are you ok?"
Sensing genuine concern, Carla decided to answer without sarcasm for once. "There's nothing wrong with me. But in August, I will have been with the Navy for eight years. That's a chance to retire with 25 percent of my pension. But I have to decide until Monday in ten days. I felt I needed to get away from it all to think about that decision properly. In San Diego, all kinds of people try to influence me. I have to get my head clear of that."
"I didn't think you would want to leave the Navy. You seemed happy with your position." Sophie was puzzled.
"So I put up a good front. Something like a year back, an injury practically confined me to boring paperwork. I'm just not cut out to sit in front of a desk all day. Still, I don't know what I would do after retiring. I have to think and that's why I'm here."
"Fair enough. I hope Mt. Horizon will help you." It had helped her to finally stay in one place and quit running away.
By now, they had reached Peter's office and went through the open door.
"Morning, Peter. This is my friend Carla. Carla, this is Peter, the school's headmaster."
When he turned around, both Peter and Carla gasped in shock. They couldn't believe who they were seeing…