Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Higher Ground characters in my story. All rights are reserved to whoever owns the show now. Yada, Yada, Yada. I'm sure you get the picture.
Summary: Scott and Shelby are forced to go their separate ways after they graduate from Horizon. Can fate bring them back together?
Category: Romance/Drama
Rating: I'll just say PG-13
Author's Note: In this next chapter, a guy named Derek Pritcher will be introduced. He's not a big part of the story, but while I was writing this chapter I couldn't help but think that I've heard that name before. With that said, I'll say this: If you've heard of him before than I don't own him either. If not, then I do.
Chapter Two: The Invitation, Pt. 2
"Mr. Barringer," Scott's secretary came booming over the intercom. "Derek Pritcher is here to see you. Would you like for me to send him in?"
Scott pressed down the button on his intercom before speaking. "Yes, Melinda. That would be fine. Send him in." Scott released the button and waited only a few short seconds before his friend came bounding through the door happily. "So what brings you by, Derek? Anything that even remotely deals with business?"
"Oh, come on, Scott, you know me better than that. Of course it doesn't." Derek cast his innocent smile toward his friend, Scott rolling his eyes in response. He should have known. Derek never dealt with business unless he absolutely had to. "Speaking of business, how is yours doing?" Derek stressed, speaking of Scott's newly earned partnership with one of the biggest law firms in all of New York.
Scott smiled. Davidson & Barringer. He still couldn't quite get used to seeing that as he entered the building every morning. "Good, D. Really good. Being a partner really is all it's cracked up to be. I'm loving every minute of it."
"I think that you are now the youngest partner of any law firm in New York. 28 and partner with the most prominent firm in town. Quite an accomplishment, Scott."
"So if not for business, then why did you come here?" Scott blushed and quickly changed the subject. Talking about himself wasn't on a list of favorite things to do. It always made him feel so self-conscious.
"Oh, right." Derek stood only to pull an envelope from his back pocket. "You've got mail." he handed it over to Scott and waited as he began to open it. "So what is it?" Derek continued to look on as his friend scanned over his mail.
Scott read over what looked like an invitation. 'Horizon Reunion'. He suddenly felt his mouth go dry. A reunion? He couldn't possibly go to a reunion. Shelby would be there and he was positive she wouldn't want to see him, not after he had just walked away from her so many years ago.
"Hello? Scott?" Derek waved a hand in front of Scott's face, forcing him back into reality. "What do you have there?"
"It's an invitation." Scott's eyes met his friends only for a second before scanning back over the invitation. "It says that my old school is having a class reunion and I'm invited." he spoke slowly, his mind fixating on one person. A person that since the night he'd walked away from her, Scott had unsuccessfully tried to forget.
"So you gonna go?" Derek asked simply, after a few minutes of silence. Scott shook his head vigorously, indicating his answer without having to speak it. "What are you talking about? No? What about this girl, Scott? I'm sure she'll be there."
"Precisely, D. I can't face her now. Not after everything that has happened. She probably hates me."
Now it was Derek's turn to shake his head. "I don't think so, Scott. You are going. Day in and day out I've had to sit in our apartment and listen to you ramble on about the one that got away. Now is your chance to change that. You are going and that's the end of the discussion." his voice was firm, as were his arms when they crossed over his chest. He needed to stand firm for Scott. He'd thank him later. Derek was sure of that.
"I can't leave New York for a week. Not after just getting this partnership. It could jeopardize everything I've worked for." Scott began to make excuses although he was beginning to see the one positive thing that could come out of this trip. Shelby. He still loved her after ten years, and he was sure he'd still love her after fifty years. This could be his once in a lifetime chance to get her back into his life.
"That's one of the perks of being partners. You have the other to run things while you are away. Davidson won't mind, Scott. Not about something like this. I'm sure he's been to a few reunions in his day as well. He'll understand."
Scott's mind began to drift. The urge to pack and head to Horizon was becoming harder and harder to resist. He didn't have anything to lose, but everything to gain. Davidson would understand. He'd understand completely. And Shelby. She'd be there. She'd want to see all of these people so there was no chance of her not being there, right?
Scott stood quickly and was moving for the door when he was halted by Derek. "Where are you going, man?"
"To pack. I have a reunion to go to."