Every struggle is like mud- there are always some lotus seeds waiting to sprout. - Amit Ray, Nonviolence: The Transforming Power
After Scott graduated and left Mount Horizon High School, Shelby's graduation happened a few months later. There were only two of them graduating then, so there was no prom, but a small celebration within the Cliffhangers group. It was bitter sweet for Chris, because she was happy for Shelby, but sad to see her best female friend leave. In the final group session for Shelby, she told them that even her sister was doing well without her. Chris promised to be there for Jess, if a shoulder to lean on was needed.
Peter also let them know that Ezra and Daisy would be leaving the group too in the near future. Auggie and Juliette, weren't too far behind. That meant Chris would be meeting new members, as more troubled souls replaced those that left the Cliffhangers. She didn't really mind newbies, but loosing everyone who'd become her family, would be a trial in itself for her. As far as inner growth was concerned, Chris knew her friend Mark was improving at the same speed. But Peter and Sophie were pleased with how they were all learning to cope with their personal struggles and gaining confidence in themselves.
Thanks to Daisy, Chris had become good at self reflection and analysis. Sometimes now, she even heard Daisy's sarcastic or dry voice in her mind, asking questions that made Chris be harshly honest with herself. It made her more insightful about others and her own situation, often surprising even Peter with the solution to what she was feeling.
Via art and Auggie's encouragement, Chris found a positive way to release her fears, anger and inner demons. His friendship reminded her to never give up, because there was a solution for everything, once you opened your mind to the possibilities.
Juliette helped Chris find her inner and outer beauty, so that she took pride in her appearance once more. Gone were the clothes that hid her from the world's eyes. Chris now knew how to choose fashionable clothing, at cheap prices and look presentable, without causing destructive thoughts.
Always the peacekeeper, Ezra proved that following the rules, could be rewarding in itself. Chris often found herself reflecting on what he might do, as she became a mediator between other Horizon members.
These people who'd become her family, had taught Chris so much, as they learned to handle their own issues and grow into adults. Together they had helped with her emotional growth and find a balance within herself. Mentally and physically the Cliffhangers, Mark, Peter, Sophie and her best friend Mike, had all helped her overcome herself. The physical and mental aspects of who Chris was, were almost complete in being able to handle life on her own.
Chris was walking with Mark towards class, "sometimes you have to shut your eyes, in order to see. Auggie taught me that one time during a group art project. I was so blocked by my mental shit. Even if the brush hadn't been in my hand, I understand what he was saying. Trust yourself Mark, because you do know how to live."
"Maybe that's what that quote by Lao Tzu means. You know the one that says, 'when I let go of what I am, I become what I might be'. I see now what you're saying and get it. Letting go of the person created by negativity, means I'll be the real me." Mark smiled and gave her a small hug.
"I'm like Jimi Hendrix, who said that knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. I bet now you can finish that essay," Chris smirked and returned the high-five.
Sophie heard them as they joined the class that was already seated. "Those are great quotes. My favourite is from Jon Sinclair; failure is a bruise, not a tattoo."
Tammy from the Ridge Runners laughed. "So did you get a tattoo saying that?"
Sophie smiled, "no but that would be ironic."
Joe snorted, "for irony how about the quote from Stephen Hawking. He said 'quiet people have the loudest minds.'"
Chris laughed, "then mine must be screaming!"
Joe shook his head negatively. "Naw, you never shut up, so you're mind is empty."
She threw a crunched up paper ball at him, which he easily caught. He was one of the guys who'd begun to run with her and so Chris knew Joe was teasing.
"Alright settle down. Open your books to page 76 and let's take up the work from the last lesson," Sophie focused their minds on schoolwork.
After class, it would be lunch time. Even though there was a routine to everything done at Mount Horizon, there was still plenty of chaos and change. What Peter and all the councillors worked towards, was having the teens enrolled there, become proud of each step they took to achieve their goals and to be proud of that, not just the end result. Helping them get started, by talking and doing, was one of the most important qualities his school had. Even when it seemed that a kid took two steps back, at least there was movement. Some needed help to go forward and others just needed to get started. It wasn't every day, but often enough, that new kids came to them. The kids seemed like seeds to Peter. Some grew in mud, others in perfect soil, all needed nurturing and the right combination of love and light, to grow. In the end most lives they came in contact with, changed for the better and bloomed into something beautiful.
**~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~**
It had been many years since she'd been in the place of these kids; angry, fearful and fighting themselves and everyone around them. Chris was councillor of team Cliff Hangers of Mount Horizon High School. After she had graduated and reunited with Shelby and Scott, they'd all completed college together. A few times Chris had returned to Mount Horizon to talk to sexually abused girls, during the group sessions. Peter knew she was working in the Mental Health industry, so had offered her a position as a councillor with the school. And Chris had accepted. She still ran marathons or did triathlons with some of the kids from the Mount Horizon teams. Via social media, Skype and emails, everyone that she still called her family, kept in touch.
When Auggie and Juliette got married, everyone had united to celebrate the union that had been predicted when they were all Cliff Hangers. Auggie and Juliette's careers often overlapped. Juliette was a fashion designer, who'd even shown her line at New York Fashion Week and Auggie had become a very in demand graphic artist. The two of them did want kids, but that was further in the future, as their careers took all their time.
Next was Daisy, who'd become a make-up artist working on movie sets. She worked all over the world and had a condo just outside of Hollywood. For a while she'd dated Ezra, but her schedule made it more of a long distance relationship. Eventually they did break up, although remained great friends. Ezra had become a chemistry teacher, always joking that Peter had turned his drug abuse into a positive outcome.
After college Scott played football professionally, until he got a knee injury that benched him as a professional athlete for life. Then he did some sports commentary, before being picked up as a coach for college lacrosse and football teams in New Orleans. He never changed the state he worked in, because that's where Shelby had become a police officer. Scott had recently called Chris, to ask if she'd be the godmother for the twins they were expecting. She'd of course agreed and promised to visit for a few weeks, in the month the babies were due.
The most recent wedding she'd attended was that of Mark and his partner Adam in San Francisco, California. Mark had become a lawyer and met his husband, the defending lawyer, in court. They often teased each other, who'd made their relationship legit first.
And Chris too, was finally engaged to her best friend and love of her life, Mike. They had a cabin on Mount Horizon, so that it was easy for Chris to go to work. He'd become a pilot and loved relaxing at home. It had been thanks to Scott and Shelby's encouragement, that Chris had proposed to Mike first. He'd thought that she wouldn't trust him, due to always being away due to work. Physical distance, didn't override their love for each other and only made reunion unforgettable. The four of them, prior to Shelby becoming pregnant, would take a week off and spend the vacation together.
All the couples had much more loving and balanced families than what they'd grown up with. Peter had broken the abusive cycle and they'd forever love him for that. As adults they could handle any crisis thrown their way. At one time in their life they'd felt completely alone, only to become bonded through the love and understanding of the man that believed in them all. Forever they would always be Cliff Hangers, as they climbed the mountain of life.
~THE END~
