Return to Mt Horizon

17

JJ's pov
"So who wants to go put the flag up with her?" Rossi asked, causing everyone to raise a hand, Scott only put one up because Auggie made him. "I think all the Cliffhangers should go. You helped us, we help you." Kat said, looking at Scott. "If JJ goes, we go." Derek said, my team nodded.

I tried to imagine what Reid, Pen and Rossi would do in the woods, it made me laugh. "Thank you for the support but I know some of you would hate every step. Penelope, we are talking about a hike where we sleep in the woods, hunt and live off of nature. I love you but I know you. Thank you for the attempt but I will not let you go."

Penelope laughed and hugged me. "Thank god. I would love to join but I don't do outside." I nodded. "Spence and Dave. I don't think you want to do this either. I don't want you to do this." Reid smiled and Rossi put a hand on my shoulder and nodded. "You forget I was a marine. But I'll stay back with the kids. Keeping them safe until you get back."

Everyone else was told what to pack and given what they needed, no one had planned for a hike. "Ready to go?" Emily asked as I filled up my water bottles. "I am. When I would think about the things I regret, this was always one of the biggest. I saw all my friends put up their flag and I want to say I did the same."

She didn't say anything, she just kissed my forehead. Every bad feeling I have had disappeared, just for a moment. "Thank you." I whispered as I kissed her. She tilted her head and I smiled. "For being you." We met the others and I led them through the woods. "So. You and Emily?" Daisy teased as we walked. She elbowed my side and I laughed.

"You are really in love with her." I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I am." She laughed and poked me again. "I don't think I have ever seen you so comfortable with someone. She likes you too." I looked back at Emily, she was trying to push Derek into a tree. "She did. Before all this came out. Now I'm not sure." Daisy grabbed my arm and made me look at her.

"Don't let Shelby keep you from seeing what's in front of you. Everyone can see the way you guys interact. She likes you. Problems and all. Don't let Shelby win." I could tell she was serious and nodded. "I won't." We kept walking until Sophie called for a break. "It's almost the halfway point. What's the plan kid?" She asked.

I looked at the sky and noticed it was getting dark. "It's getting dark. Let's find a place to stop for the night and we can leave when the sun comes up." Peter smiled and we found a flat area we could set up. I showed Emily how to build a fire while the guys went for firewood and the other girls set up the tables and tents.

As soon as the guys got back, we got food cooking and ate dinner. We sat around the fire and talked, I answered questions mostly. After a while, Scott left. I knew he wasn't using the bathroom so I followed him. "What is your problem, Scott?" I asked. He didn't say anything so I grabbed his arm. "Will you just talk to me?" I yelled.

He turned around and just looked at me. "What do you want me to say? Do you want to yell at me? Do you want to cuss me out for leaving? What? If you have a problem, tell me. Don't tiptoe around it." I yelled. I want him to yell at me. "Shelby what is wrong with you?" He said. I shrugged and tried to get him to say more.

"I'm serious. What is in your brain that allows you to be the most draining, poisonous, worst human being alive? I am sick of all your shit. Just get out Shelby." He yelled. "You think I know? You think I wanted to live a lie this long? It's all I have. I have nothing left. My family, my friends have only ever hurt me. You included." I snapped back.

"I loved you." He said. I shook my head. "You loved that I cared about you when no one else did. But the moment your father came back, you left me here. Alone. Don't act like that was love. You said it yourself, you don't go for used cars." I thought back to when we went to school together, everything he said about me.

I laughed at his inability to come up with a response. "The minute someone else cared for you, you kicked me to the curb. You never loved me and you never could. I know what love feels like and that's not it." He took a step back and I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry okay? Is that what you want me to say?"

I didn't say a word. "I know okay? I wanted to be mad at you for running but it wasn't your fault. I want to be mad at you for lying and disappearing but I can't. Because at least you are alive. I treated you terribly and you didn't deserve any of it. I'm sorry." I didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry too." I whispered.

It was like a mutual agreement, we didn't hate each other but we weren't friends. We were in a middle ground. I left it at that and went to join the others. Emily looked at me and gave me a look. She was asking if I was okay. I nodded and went back to talking.