Summary: Scott and Shelby get cast as Romeo and Juliet in the school play. What will having to play lovers have in store for them?

Info: This is an Out-of-Horizon story.It will be written with every other chapter from Shelby's point of view and every other chapter from Scott's point of view. The school in this story is called Davidson High School, which is mainly full of rich people. Also, I didn't even notice this until I planned the whole story out but it seems to be loosely based off of "A Walk to Remember". I hadn't seen the movie it years, I planned this story out, I watched the movie again and I was like 'wow, this is a lot like my new story'. It's not exactly though. Another thing, I have this whole story planned out and I know exactly what's going to happen for all 35(yes, 35) chapters so if there's something someone doesn't like, too bad, it's not changing.

Rating: It will mostly be rated 'T' but there will be some rated 'M' chapters. I will have each chapter rating listed.

Characters: I have a lot of original characters in this story and almost all of the cannon characters from the show. Unfortunately, I didn't have a way to put Kat, Auggie or David into this story line. Kat is a year older and I wanted Scott and Shelby to be in their last year of high school so I couldn't have her. Auggie is not exactly rich so I couldn't think of a reason how he would attend such a high class school(and I mean this with absolutely NO offense to anyone.) And there was just no way for David to fit into this story line. I'm sorry for anyone who likes those characters. I like those characters as well, but it just wasn't possible for me.

Here's just a little bit of info about all of the characters in this story. There will be some other, very minor, characters but here are the ones who have significance...

Scott Barringer: He's a jock and captain of the football team. He gets cast as Romeo when he auditions to prove to his friends that he could play the role. His best friend is Justin and he's dating Juliet. He doesn't really like Shelby, Daisy or Ezra. He still has all of the same issues with Elaine but he never got into drugs bad enough to the point where he got kicked off the team.

Shelby Merrick: She's known as kind of "the slut" of the school due to some of her past hook-ups with guys. She gets cast as Juliet and knows the play by heart. She's best friends with Daisy and good friends with Ezra but still teases him. She doesn't really like Scott, Juliet, Justin or any of the other people in that crowd. She got the money to go to this school after her mom married Walt, who happened to be rich. She still has all of the same problems with Walt, drugs and running away.

Daisy Lipenowski: She's known as kind of "the freak" of the school. She's best friends with Shelby and Ezra. She gets cast as the Nurse in the play after she auditions by Shelby's request. She doesn't really like any of the jocks or other people in that crowd. She still has the same problems with her parents.

Justin Dethmer: Original Character. He's best friends with Scott. He's a jock and a football player. He hooked up with Shelby at a party in the past. He gets cast as Paris when he auditions as a joke. He doesn't really care much for Shelby, Daisy or Ezra. He's dating Suzy Thorton.(I give props to anyone who knows who this girl(Suzy) is. She was mentioned in the show by Juliet before)

Ezra Friedkin: He's a major drama geek and is the assistant director of the play. It was also his idea for doing 'Romeo and Juliet'. He's friends with Daisy and Shelby but doesn't like Scott, Justin or any other jocks. He use to like Shelby but now he likes Daisy. He still has the same problems with his parents and drugs.

Juliet Waybourne: She's a cheerleader and one of the most popular people in school. She's dating Scott. She became Shelby's understudy in the play after she auditioned for Juliet but Shelby beat her. She still has the same problems with bulimia, cutting and her Mom. She doesn't really like Shelby, Daisy or Ezra. She likes to think of herself and everyone else in the crowd she hangs out with as the 'royalty' or the school.

Jake Harris: He's a drama guy and got cast as Friar Lawrence in the play. He's friends with Ezra and all of the other drama people.

Colin Jones: He's a drama guy and gets cast as Benvolio in the play. He's friends with all the drama people.

Nathan Chase: He's a drama guy and gets cast as Mercutio in the play. He's friends with all the drama people.

Jackie Kehr: She's kind of a drama girl and gets cast as Lady Capulet. She's friends with Ezra, Shelby, Daisy and most of the drama people.

Amy Johnstone: She's a drama geek and gets cast as Lady Montegue.

Noah Sawyer: He's a drama guy and is cast as Lord Montegue. He is friends with all the drama people.

Ryan Summers: He's a drama guy and cast as Lord Capulet.

Sean Grey: He's a drama guy and is probably the best actor of the whole group. He was offered the role of Romeo but turned it down to play Tybalt.

James Wolf: He's a drama guy and gets cast as The Prince. He's friends with all of the drama people.

Kyle: Thompson: He's a drama guy and gets cast as Balthazar. He's friends with all of the drama people.

Sophie Becker: She's head of the Drama department and is in charge of the play. She's engaged to Peter Scarbrow.

Peter Scarbrow: He's the football coach. He's the one who convinces Sophie to cast Scott as Romeo. Engaged to Sophie Becker.

Elaine Barringer: She's the same as in the show.

Martin Barringer: He's the same as in the show.

Walt: He's almost the same as in the show but in this story, he's rich and made Shelby's family rich.

Jess Merrick: She's the same as in the show.

Alice Merrick: She's the same as in the show.

And as I said before, Kate, Auggie and David are not in the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Higher Ground' or anything that deals with it. I don't own 'Romeo and Juliet' either. I'm not getting paid for my writing but it would be wonderful if I was. I'm sure a lot of other writers agree with me on this. ; )

Chapter 1

I woke up to an annoying beeping that was coming from my alarm clock. I really didn't want to get out of bed and go to school. I mentally debated hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep for ten minutes but I didn't. I turned off my alarm clock in order to cease the annoying sound and sat up in my bed.

I stood up from my bed and started to walk towards the bathroom. Walking hurt once I felt the pain between my legs that was from Walt. He came to my room last night and forced himself on me like he always did. It was disgusting! He was suppose to me a father figure to me and instead he would molest me nightly. The only reason why I put up with it was to protect Jess for I knew if I said 'no', he would go to her and there was no way I was going to put her through that horror.

I closed my eyes and did my best to forget last night. I walked out of my room and there he was. It was only me and him right then. Jess had to go to school early and my Mom was already at work. He watched me as I walked and I tried my best to ignore him. I walked into the bathroom and he followed me like a lion would stalk it's prey.

"Walt, I would like to get in the shower," I said, hoping that he would realize that I wanted him to leave.

"So," He said calmly. "It's not like I would be seeing anything on you that I haven't seen before, Kitten."

I shuddered and stared at him as she stood just inside the doorway. I hated the nickname he had for me and that his words were completely true. He smirked at me which caused me to hug myself protectively.

"If fact," He started. "I need a shower as well. Why don't I join you?"

I pulled my arms around myself even tighter. I felt like I was going to be sick and cry at the same time. His suggestion was revolting to me. I think he knew I would think that too for his smirk grew with my reaction.

"I'd rather you didn't," I said and tried my best to keep my voice steady.

"But I need a shower," Walt contradicted.

"Then go to the other bathroom," I retorted, my voice no longer on the verge of shaking.

"But this one is so much more fun."

I couldn't handle what he was saying anymore. I wasn't afraid or even sickened anymore, I was simply pissed off.

"Screw it!" I said and I walked past him and into my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and started to grab my books for school.

Walt opened the door while my back was turned and said, "So, you're not even going to shower?"

"I didn't say that," I responded and grabbed clothes for myself.

"Then, what are you planning on doing?"

"I'm going to Daisy's."

With those final words, I walked past him, down the stairs and left the house. Daisy only lived a couple of blocks away from me so I didn't mind walking to her house. At least I wasn't going to be with him anymore.

Daisy knew about Walt and everything he had done to me so I knew she wouldn't mind me coming to her house. We actually had a type of routine. When ever I had to get out of the house, I would got to her house and she would take me in.

On the other hand, there were days when I couldn't stay at her house and I would commit myself to something almost as bad as being with Walt. I would sell myself on the streets. It wasn't something I was proud of at all but it got me away from Walt and that made it worth it.

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I reached Daisy's house and walked around to the back right away. I climbed up her back, outside staircase until I reached the balcony outside her room. It was all part of the routine we had. I walked through her door and into her room. She wasn't in the room which meant she was either getting something for breakfast or showering. I was going to go with the latter for she rarely ate breakfast.

She entered the room only moments after I came to the conclusion that she was showering and gave me a confused look. She was clearly questioning me about why I was there but all I had to do was give her a look that she had come to know very well and she realized it was because of Walt.

"What did he do this time?" Daisy asked casually.

"He wanted to shower with me," I responded, my voice showing how disgusting I thought it was.

"Well, you know where the bathroom is. There should be a clean towel in there."

"Thanks."

I walked out of her room and into the bathroom which was conveniently right outside and to the right of her bedroom. I walked into the enormous bathroom which was the size of my old bedroom before I moved here. When my Mother married Walt, we got lots of money along with the marriage and moved out of our little house. It was strange, I've had this new life style for almost two years and I still wasn't use to not having to worry about paying the bills.

I took off my blue pajama pants and white wife beater and stepped into Daisy's large marble shower. I turned on the water and immediately put my head under the water and let the hot, clear liquid stream down my body. The hot shower was also helping the pain left from Walt the night before. It wasn't that he was rough or anything but I would try to struggle and he wouldn't let me which only made the experience less enjoyable. It was bad enough that I would have to have sex with him.

I washed my body and hair quickly for I knew that I didn't have as much time to get ready that morning. Taking the time to come here and the discussion with Walt took a good fifteen minutes from my time to get ready.

Once my shower was done, I turned off the water and grabbed a large, soft, white towel that was hanging from a silver hook right outside the bathroom door. I dried myself off quickly and started to get dressed.

I put on my panties and bra with no problem but my jeans were difficult. It wasn't that they were too small for me, they were my size, but since I was still sort of wet, they were sticking to my legs which made them hard to get on. Once I got the jeans on, I was able to slip on my black, V-neck, form fitting shirt with no problem.

I combed out my hair, brushed my teeth and walked back into Daisy's room. I saw that she was practically ready. She had her face paler than her normal skin tone, her black eye make up on heavier than it should be and dark lipstick on. I never really liked the Goth look but Daisy was my best friend and if she liked it, I wasn't going to argue.

Most people questioned mine and Daisy's friendship for me and her don't have much in common but when I came to Davidson High School early last year, she befriended me with no questions asked. No one else did that. Ever since then, me and her have been best friends. Plus, we do have some things in common, just how we like to do our make up and dress isn't one of them.

"Hey, do you have any make up that I could use?" I asked while stressing the 'I' with a smile.

"If you can find something, you're welcome to use it," Daisy replied.

I walked over to her dresser and saw all of her make up spread around. There was a lot to choose from but not a lot that I liked. I settled for putting on some simple black eye liner and a clear lip gloss. It wasn't the best look for me but it was the best I could do.

"Come on," Daisy said. "We gotta go if we wanna get to school on time."

"Oh, yes. 'Cause it will be so terrible if we're a little late," I replied sarcastically.

"True."

"But, you're right. We should get going."

I sighed and we walked out of her room. We walked out of her house.

The instant we started to walk towards school, I grabbed a cigarette and my lighter from my purse. I lit the cigarette, put the lighter away and took a deep drag of the cigarette. I offered Daisy a cigarette before I put my pack away but she declined like she always did. I shrugged and put them away while taking another drag.

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We reached school just as I was finishing my cigarette. I threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it, putting it out. We weren't late like we thought we would be. In fact, we were kind of early. We still had a little over ten minutes before we had to get to our first class.

We walked into the school and went to our lockers to get our books. I grabbed my history book and notebook and then looked in the mirror that I had hanging up in my locker momentarily. With my one free hand, I tried to fix my hair a little but it did no good so I stopped.

"Hey, guys," Ezra said as he walked up in between me and Daisy.

"Hi, Ezra," Daisy replied.

"Hey, Frieken," I said and used the nick name I gave him last year.

"Ya know what? I give up on correcting you," Ezra said.

"Probably best," I replied and smirked.

I closed my locker and looked back to Ezra. He had a piece of bright yellow paper in his hand right in front of me. I gave him a confused look and he gave me the sheet of paper. I knew that the bright yellow was a sign of the drama club so I had no idea why he was giving the paper to me. He was part of the drama club so he was probably trying to advertise something but he was only giving a sheet to me, not Daisy.

"What's this?" I asked as I took the sheet.

"A paper telling you where the audition sign up sheet is," Ezra replied simply.

I looked down at the paper in my hand and saw that it was exactly what Ezra had said it was. It was for 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare. I loved the play and all of the movies that were based off of the play but I still didn't understand why Ezra was giving it to me. He didn't really think I was going to be in the Spring Play, did he?

"Why are you giving it to me?" I asked him, confused.

"You would be the perfect Juliet, Shelby," He replied.

I gave him a blank expression. I wouldn't be the perfect Juliet. Being a fan of the play doesn't mean I would be the perfect girl to be the star of it. Ezra was on drugs, literally, so I think something he either ate, sniffed or smoked this morning must have messed with his head a little.

"No, I wouldn't be," I stated.

"Yes, you would be," He pushed.

"He's got a point, Shelby," Daisy joined into the conversation, jumping on Ezra's band wagon. "Seriously, think of something in this school who would be a better Juliet."

"One of the little Princesses of the damn school," I said.

"You mean the popular cheerleaders? You're kidding, right?" Ezra said.

"Well, kinda. Why doesn't one of the drama girls play Juliet?" I asked.

"Look, we were going to have simple casting where Ms. Becker just chose who was going to play who but I suggested that we have auditions so you would have a chance."

"Well, you wasted your time, Friekin."

I tried giving the sheet of paper back to Ezra but he shook his head and wouldn't take it. I rolled my eyes. I folded the sheet of paper and slipped it in the back pocket of my jeans. I would have just thrown it in my locker but I didn't feel like opening it again.

The extremely loud bell sounded through out the hall way and all of us walked towards our first classes. Daisy and Ezra walked to Biology and I went to History. I hated the class. I loved the subject but the class was full of moronic idiots. History never bored me like it did most people but I had the class with all the little Princesses and Princes of the school and I hated it.

I walked into class and sat down in my seat silently. I was the only quiet one in the whole class room. The whole room was talking about the 'Romeo and Juliet' auditions. I scoffed and shook my head. Since when did drama become such an interest to everyone.

"Wouldn't we just be the perfect Romeo and Juliet?" I heard Queenie ask.

I looked over to the whole group of people and saw that the Queen of the whole damn school, Juliet, was talking to the popular King, Scott. She was asking him that question and I was only interested in the conversation at all because I wanted to know if they seriously thought if they could play the lead roles.

Scott didn't reply with words, instead he kissed her on the lips. Their kiss lasted until our teacher, Mr. Smith, walked into the room and their lips instantly separated. I smiled, shook my head and looked away from the whole group. I felt Scott sit behind me and saw Juliet sit next to me. I hated the seating arrangements in that class.

I thought it was funny that Queenie honestly thought she would get cast as Juliet. Same with Barringer getting cast as Romeo. Neither of them could act to save their lives. I may not be the best actor but I was a hell of a lot better than those two.

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The day went by surprisingly quickly which was okay for me that day. I knew that if I went home, Walt wouldn't be there. Jess would be but she was fine, I loved her and didn't mind her being home at all, my Mom either, I just hated it when Walt was home. I was so thankful that he had work.

I saw Daisy and Ezra at the end of the day and Ezra tried handing me another sheet of paper for the auditions of 'Romeo and Juliet'. I refused to take the sheet of paper and I left. I went home for at least there, I wouldn't be bothered by those two to get me to audition. I don't know why they wanted me to so bad anyhow.

I walked into the house and put my books down. Jess was already sitting in the living room, doing her homework. I smiled at her and then went into the kitchen to get a drink. I poured myself a cup of Sprite and took a small drink.

I walked back into the living room and sat down on the couch next to Jess. I grabbed my copy of 'Romeo and Juliet' and started to read it. I did that a lot when I was bored, part of the reason why I knew the play so well.

"Are you going to audition for Juliet?" Jess asked which caught me off guard.

"What?" I asked.

"Daisy said she was trying to get you to audition."

"When did you talk to Daisy about it?"

"Today. My locker's right next to hers, remember?"

"Right. Well, no, I'm not going to audition," I said and went back to the play.

"Why not?" Jess asked. "You would be the perfect Juliet."

"Why does everyone think that?" I asked and looked at her.

"Because it's true."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is," She replied sternly and went back to doing her homework.

I shook my head and went back to trying to read the play. I kept thinking about the people who knew me telling me to audition for I would be 'the perfect Juliet' and I couldn't understand why they thought that. I didn't think I would be the perfect Juliet, I actually thought I would be a very bad Juliet. I can't act that well and I would hate to see someone who can't act well as the lead role in my favorite play.

I was getting sick of everyone telling me to audition though. Maybe I should audition just to shut them up. I thought seriously about that but came to the decision that I shouldn't. I would like to enjoy the play from the audience.

"I'm gonna go for a walk," I told Jess and walked out the door.

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I walked to a park I've went to ever since I moved here and sat down on one of the swings. I lit a cigarette, took a drag and started to think about auditioning for Juliet again. As I was thinking about it, Juliet walked up to me. I looked at her with raised eye brows for I was confused as to why she would come to a park when she could be driving around in a Mustang.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"I heard you're going to audition for Juliet in the play," She replied.

Well, I guess rumors do go around quickly in high school. I always knew that before but it's different when the rumor is about me. I wasn't even going to audition but I didn't need to stress that issue to the Queen of the damn school.

"So what if I am?" I said.

"Well, don't bother. I'm auditioning for Juliet and you know I'll beat you. It's pointless to embarrass yourself," She said with an attitude.

I couldn't help but laugh at her comment. She seriously thought that she would be cast as Juliet in the Spring Play at school. It was a funny thought to me. I think I found it even funnier now than when I heard at school that day.

"What are you laughing at?" She asked and I couldn't help but think how stupid she was in that moment if she didn't realize I was laughing at her.

"If you're so sure that you're going to be cast," I said and took a drag from my cigarette. "Then you have nothing to worry about."

I stood up from the swing and blew the smoke in her face. I knew it was a stupid and pointless thing to do but I felt like doing it, so I did.

"Eww," The Princess said at the smoke in her face.

"Oh. I'm sorry," I replied sarcastically.

"You slut," She said with hatred and I think she was actually trying to hurt my feelings.

"Listen, Queen, if you're trying to get me upset, you're gonna have to try a little bit harder."

I rolled my eyes and took another drag of my cigarette before walking away. After that encounter with the little Princess, I came to the decision that I was going to audition for Juliet. I wasn't going to take any chance of her being cast.

The school was still open then so I decided that in stead of going home, I would stop at school and sign up. Football practice was going on right then so no one would mind another student in the halls. I could just say that I forgot a book or something.

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I walked into the school but had to stop to get the sheet of paper out of my back pocket. I looked at the bright yellow sheet of paper and saw that the sign up sheets were located right outside the performing arts center.

I walked to the performing arts center and saw several sheets of paper posted right outside the doors. There was a sheet for each role in the play down to each Capulet and Montague servant. Romeo was the first character and then was Juliet.

I looked at the purple she for Juliet that was nearly full. I looked at the last name written and saw 'Juliet Waybourne' written nicely. I scoffed and shook my head. I signed 'Shelby Merrick' on the line right below Juliet's name and smiled to myself. Even if I was only auditioning to shut my friends up and to piss my enemies off, didn't mean I couldn't be at least a little happy about the thought that I had a chance to be Juliet. Right?

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(A/N) New story, obviously. I'm like this with all my new stories, one good review and I'll continue. Please review and let me know how I'm doing so far.