Don't regret the things that you've done, regret the things that you didn't do when you had the chance. - Unkown
If it weren't for family visitation or external competitions, the Horizon kids would think that their high school and home there, was the only thing that existed. Time seemed to move differently, than out in the real world. Chris thought it was weird how they all thought like that; 'The real world' where they'd come from. It wasn't that here was any less real, it was that out there there was no sanctuary from life. The more a person was able to handle that, the less restraint was put on them. Many kids had jobs in the local town or did sports on teams that were not part of Horizon. She wondered if she'd ever get to that point herself. Sure she had run a marathon, but her security blanket had been there the whole way too. Chris admired Scott and it wasn't because of her sexual attraction either. He was becoming a well adjusted person. Everyone could see it, he had let go of the pain his father and step mother had caused. Football and striving to do get good grades to go to college, had become a main focus. He didn't mean to leave Shelby behind, it just gradually happened. They still loved each other deeply, but his healing was a lot further advanced than hers.
The excursions off campus to watch Scott's at home football games, was like a little vacation for the Cliff Hangers and Mark. His coach and team were pleased with him too and that made Peter happy. When some of the players on the team asked if Scott could also play on their rugby team, the coach endorsed him. Peter agreed, if Scott continued to maintain his grades. Peter decided to invite Katherine 'Kat' Cabot to come and talk to the students at Horizon about life after graduation. She'd done this before, but now she was training for the Olympics for swimming. He felt she'd have valuable information and encouragement for Scott, who so obviously was talented at various sports. He was bound to get a scholarship at a good college or university.
Ezra saw Katherine talking to some other students, "Kat! Kat!" He called running towards her with open arms. "How are you?"
Katherine smiled, "Ezra! I'm great, what about you?"
"I've got a girlfriend and no it's not Daisy," he laughed when she rose an eyebrow in suspicion. "Oh and I've forgiven my parents, realizing I make my happiness not them."
"Wow listen to you! I haven't been gone that long have I?" Katherine asked.
Shelby came to join them, "no, but long enough. Wow you look great!"
"Thanks Shelby," she said giving the blond a hard hug.
Juliette squealed and came running, "Kat you're here!"
"Jules, you look fantastic!" Kat gushed impressed with how healthy and glowing the brunette was.
Auggie came with his girlfriend, "she hasn't barfed in months and has maintained a proper weight. Twig ain't a twig anymore."
Katherine laughed, "so much has changed!"
The others joined them, including Peter and Sophie. "We've got two groups for you to talk to this morning Kat; the Cliff Hangers and Ridge Runners. After lunch, they'll go to classes and we'll bring in the Sun Dogs. They've become a larger group than the others. A break before we have the Trackers and Wind Dancers before dinner. Does that work for you?"
"Sure Peter, I'm use to a much more hectic schedule. Being here is like being on vacation," Kat laughed.
They all walked towards the lunch room, that had been re-arranged in a big circle for the group discussion. Kat sat down, as did the Cliff Hangers and Ridge Runners, until all the chairs were filled. Respecting their guest, the kids put up their hands to ask their questions. They asked about handling the pressures of college and family. Those more active in sports enjoyed the talk about training and her Olympic hopes. Then she got down to the emotional things of how to move on from the Horizon nest. Everyone had tears, but they all had smiles too. Katherine turned out to be the best motivational speaker and Peter had known she would be. Reconnecting with her friends, helped Katherine too.
Lunch came and Katherine joined the Cliff Hangers, continuing with her reuniting. Scott and Chris talked to her about sports, which she loved talking about swimming. "It's hard work, but I love it. When you do something that makes you happy, the pressures that come with wanting to succeed don't really matter. And once you get where you want to be, the reward... it's just amazing. Letting go of the past was hard, you all know that, but we can do it."
Chris nodded and asked, "is it really like Peter says? If you think you are too small to be effective, you just have to remember about being in the dark with a mosquito."
Katherine laughed, "I miss some of those Peter-isms. It's true though, life is so like that. A mosquito is tiny and yet on every camping trip we went on, there was always one that got in the tent. And it would have a feast on me, no matter how much bug spray, lotion and slapping went on."
They all laughed. Then began sharing their camping experiences. The ants, the bugs, the night sounds and storms. Shelby hugged Scott as they remembered the night he found her in a terrible storm, when she'd been lost and scared. Scott also asked about her graduation hike to the top of Dante's Peak. He felt he was ready to lead the Cliff Hangers there and wondered how she got Peter to let her do it.
"First convince these guys to do it for you. Then start planning what you will need. Remember he'll give you obstacles to overcome. Once you think you're ready, then talk to him about it." Katherine coached and grinned when Shelby groaned.
"Ugh, not another one!" Shelby sighed, then saw the disappointment on Scott's face. "But for you, I'd walk to the ends of the earth."
Chris snorted, "wow you guys make me sick." She laughed when Shelby punched her in the arm.
"I've got to get ready for the next group. It was great to see all of you guys. I've miss you!" Katherine said.
"We'll see you at dinner... and Kat we've missed you too," Daisy added.
Scott, Ezra and Auggie all discussed Dante's Peak for the rest of lunch. They told him about some of the fails, that didn't make it, but still graduated.
"Why do it?" Brandy asked Ezra, overhearing the discussion when she joined them.
"Pride that he made it when other's failed. Personal achievement and knowing you can handle anything life throws at you," Ezra explained.
"Now you sound like Kat," Auggie teased.
Scott said, "hey if Peter gives me the chance I'm taking it. Are you guys with me?"
The Cliff Hangers all nodded, some of them a little reluctantly. Then they left to go to their classes. Before dinner, but after classes were done for the day, Scott approached Peter and asked about his graduation.
"What do the Cliff Hangers say?" Peter asked.
"They'll follow me to Dante's Peak," Scott said confidently.
Peter smiled, "then we'll do it, next weekend. I'll give you the basics and equipment list now."
Scott followed Peter to his office. He was handed a clip board with information pages. "Thanks Peter."
"You've come a long way, since you first came here. I'm proud of you Scott," Peter said and accepted the quick hug from the blond boy.
"I was wondering if my football and rugby teammates could come too?"
Peter had to mention, "it will put more pressure on you to succeed. Are you sure you want them to come for this?"
Scott nodded, "even though they don't know the whole story of why I'm here at Horizon, they're behind me 100%."
"Okay I'll talk to Sophie and your coaches about it. They'll need to sign waivers and permission forms from their parents too. No guarantees, but I'll look into it."
Scott left Peter's office feeling good. He was done with past regrets and failures. He would face the future head on. There were so many things that could go wrong and he may not make it to the peak, but he had to take the chance. He was driven to try.
