There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.- Beverly Sills
CHAPTER #17
Everyone was enthralled with Scott's tales about his football practices. The team had not so readily accepted him, until he had taken a big hit and shook hands with the guy who had delivered it. He worked hard to impress his new team and they in turn welcomed him. They could all see that playing football again, was a huge positive change. He was always smiling now. When Chris told Shelby and Scott about ratting out her parents to Peter, they both were supportive.
While they were talking, Shelby's sister came to say hello. She introduced her to Chris. "Jess this is Chris, a newer Cliff Hanger."
"Hi," they said to each other.
Jess looked at Chris and said, "I heard that you told Peter about your parents beating you. That took a lot of guts."
"Thanks I think. How did you find out?"
"One of the seniors in my group over heard Peter on the phone, when he was reporting it."
"Great, I guess it's all over campus by now. So I'm a rat."
Jess grabbed her arm and said, "don't ever think that. We don't. I should've spoken up sooner about Walt. You just proved to everyone how strong you really are."
Chris hugged the younger girl. "Were you around when I went into the water and Scott pulled me out? I'm a nut job, I'm not strong."
Shelby laughed, "we're all nut jobs. So when we tell you that you did good, you know it's something."
"Thanks everyone," Chris finally accepted the compliment.
Scott held Shelby's hand and squeezed it. "There's hope for all of us."
"Say's the football hero. I can't wait to see you play," Auggie said coming over to join them.
"Ya for once we don't have to take the punishment of trying to tackle you," Ezra added.
"Seeing you in your gear is going to make me all hot and bothered," Shelby said with sexual heat.
"You're always horny Shelby," Daisy teased.
"Guys in football gear are so hot," Juliette said.
"Well this guy is all mine, so don't you girls forget it." Shelby said a little territorially.
"It will be so fun to go to a game and watch you stomp them," Chris said. "If we stay out of trouble, maybe Peter and Sophie will let us go to every home game Scott plays in."
"That would be awesome," Auggie said.
In the mean time, they all had class to go to and shortly parted. Auggie and Chris went to art class. Today's project was all about sharing your inner self. They were allowed to use whatever medium they wanted. Chris used mixed media, she painted and then glued and moulded. From her station, it looked like a tornado had gone through it. Auggie used his paints at first, but when he saw Chris gluing stuff to her painting, he explored using other media too. They were given the whole class to work on it, but only that time. The teacher was impressed with Auggie's work and disturbed by what Chris had done.
"This is all open to interpretation, if you're willing to do so, turn your work around for everyone to see. Then we'll take turns saying what the work tells you," Roger said. To his surprise Chris turned hers around. When she did that, slowly, one by one everyone turned their work around. "Okay who wants to start?"
Auggie said, "I want to tell you what Chris's work says to me."
Chris shrugged and Roger nodded for him to continue.
