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Literature Text
"Merry Christmas Matthew" Peter greeted cheerfully as he saw Matthew enter the living room. "Where's Charlie?"
"Sleeping. She woke up briefly. Utterly exhausted. What about Soph?"
"Feels a little queasy. Said she'd come down when she feels ready. What time is it?"
Matthew looked at his watch carefully and realised just how early it was. "6:30.We have to be in at 9 right?" He asked after informing Peter on the time.
"Yep 9am. Home by 7pm. Hopefully all will run smoothly this year." Peter said despite knowing there would be some sort of drama. There always is.
About half an hour had passed and Sophie came into the living room. "Merry Christmas!" She greeted both Peter and Matthew, giving Peter a special christmas kiss. "Where's Charlie?"
"Sleeping still. I think." Matthew replied. Almost as quick as a Split second after Matthew had finished speaking Charlie arrived downstairs, hugging herself close into Matthew.
"Merry Christmas baby" He said softly and firmly yet softly held her. "What does everyone want for breakfast?" He asked as Charlie released the hug.
"Well I quite fancy pancakes." Sophie responded "Anyone else?"
"Yes Pancakes sound good." Peter said. "Charl?"
"Sure."
"Ok Pancakes it is." Matthew smiled, as he too wanted pancakes and headed off into the kitchen to make the batter.
After the batter had been made it needed to rest. During this time presents were exchanged. Sophie snuggled up to Peter and Charlie resting her head on Matthews shoulder while one of his arms was round her back.
Matthew received some Trad climbing gear for his rack and Peter some ropes. Charlie got a diamond necklace from Matthew and some books from Sophie and Peter. Sophie got some CD's and a silver charm bracelet.
Arriving upon the Mt horizon campus they could feel the joy in the air. Despite being away from home at a school for profoundly dysfunctional adolescents everyone was happy. Excited. It was christmas. A time for love, joy and forgiveness.
"Merry Christmas Charlie!" Elsa greeted cheerfully.
"Merry Christmas Elsa!" Charlie greeted back and hugged her comfortingly knowing the holidays are challenging times for people with eating disorders.
"How are you Charl?" She asked, noticing even her counscellor seemed a little anxious.
"Good... I'm good. Just really tired. " Charlie replied smiling. "But don't mind me. It all comes with pregnancy. How are you?"
"Little nervous but excited too."
"Good. That's what I want to hear! Your doing so well Elsa. Honestly." She replied before hugging her quickly again. "It'll be fine. Just try to enjoy yourself."
"Thanks Charlie."
A few hours later all were sitting around eating Christmas dinner. Everyone appeared to be happy and enjoying themselves. Sophie smiled at Peter, noticing the success' they'd achieved together at Horizon. Charlie smiled, and looked into Matthews eyes. At this moment she did not want to be anywhere but here, she did not want to be anywhere that wasn't with him.
Playing Charades and speeches from councilors made everyone forget about their problems. Everyone had a laugh had fun and just for a day, worries were gone.
All at Horizon ran smoothly however Peter was right, Christmas' never ran smoothly. The four arrived home from Horizon at around 7pm, Peter and Sophie, were snuggled up on the Sofa watching some old black and white christmas movie, while Charlie and Matthew were upstairs, watching a climbing DVD. It was around 9pm when they got the call. That call they all dread, every night, pray nothing happense. The call from Horizon.
"Jess OD'd." Those letters where what Peter feared the most. Although Jess wasn't in the cliffhangers both Sophie and Charlie were worried and both volunteered to call Shelby, as both cared about her they decided it would be best if it was Charlie who called, as they had a better relationship.
"Charlie?" Shelby asked picking up the phone.
"Shelby, I'm sorry.... but I have some really bad news." She said, then stopped, paused for a bit.
Dread filled Shelby, she feared the worst.
"It's Jess... She OD'd." Charlie said. "She's in the hospital right now... a coma.." She continued. "We'll call if there are any changes to her condition."
Shelby was shocked, and fear took over her whole body Paralyzing her, she dropped the phone, it banged hard, on the cheap carpet and stone floor beneath. The sound awoke Scott, who had been asleep, startled him.
"What's going on?" He asked noticing the fear in Shelby's face.
"Jess.. She OD'd." Shelby said slowly, voice shaking, trying to hold back tears. "I need to go." She said, hurridley throwing essentials into her bag and rumaging around for her car keys.
"I'll come." He said and put his arm around Shelby for a brief second, before they quickly got into the car and headed straight for Horizon, Ignoring speed limits, hoping they would not get caught and hoping Jess would be ok, and if not that they would get there in time...
Coming around from her coma, the hospital lights almost burned her eyes, Jess was confused, all recollection of memory from the last few hours was lost, she wondered where she was.
Shelby and Scoot ran into the hospital, to find, Peter, Sophie, Charlie, Matthew and Martha (the councilor of the ridge-runners)all in the waiting room. They sat all in silence, the atmosphere incredibly tense, eventually the nurse came out saying Jess had come round and it was ok to see her. Shelby was relived, as was the others, it always hit a nerve when someone OD'd. Many could relate to the feelings that led to it and understood it wasn't for attention and that at the moment Jess really felt it was the only way out.
"Shelby?" Jess asked weakly, not sure weather it was actually Shelby standing there as she was still not quite with it due to the overdose.
"I'm here little sis... I'm here..." She said, holding Jess's hand, trying to comfort her and hold back her own tears. "I love you." She said softly, knowing often suicide attempts were partly to do with the feeling that no one cares... Shelby sat, on the chair next to Jess' hospital bed, just in silence, she couldn't leave, not ever, not until she knew Jess would be ok and not until Jess realized just how much people cared, how she really is a valued person and one of the most important people in Shelby's life. Without Jess, Shelby wasn't sure where she would be right now. She wasn't sure what she would have done all those years ago when facing sexual abuse from her dad.