Previously on Midway Prep
Episode Forty-Eight
Shannon closed her locker triumphantly. School was finally out, and she was finally a Freshman. To some it wasn't that big of a deal, but it meant a lot to Shannon because it meant that she could finally leave her junior high years behind. But the one thing she truly wanted to leave behind continued to haunt her, casting a shadow over her life. Ever since that fateful day at the beginning of the year, Shannon's life had turned into a centrifuge, whirling out all of her dreams, all of the plans she'd had for her future.
Shannon had been called into the school counselor's office for a long, deep discussion. Shannon had politely said "yes" and "I'll try" and "I'll get better," but she knew that she was only sinking deeper into the dark world that she'd created for herself when she'd taken her first whiff of Ecstasy.
Shannon was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Chloe walking her way. She jumped involuntarily when she looked up and saw Chloe.
"Hey, girl. How're you doing?"
Shannon shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
Chloe nodded knowingly. She'd witnessed Shannon's fall from grace over the past few months. She'd heard the insults, the tauntings, and the cruel jokes. Nevertheless, she still asked, "Things still rough for you?"
Shannon laughed wryly. Looping her arms through the straps of her backpack, she said, "Yes, Chloe. They've always been rough for me, haven't you been able to tell?"
Chloe backed away from Shannon. "Look, I'll leave if you want me to."
Shannon looked down and shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, it's just that...I don't know, Chloe. It's just becoming harder and harder for me to wake up everyday. The urges are still there, and I don't know how much longer I'll be able to fight them."
"The offer still stands," Chloe said quietly, her eyes full of sorrow and sympathy.
Shannon nodded. The tears that were unexpectedly leaping into her eyes only furthered Shannon's irritation. She didn't like to show weakness in front of others, but lately she'd let her guard down. "I just don't think I'm ready for it yet."
"There are people at the centers who can help you. You know Gia Montgomery? Well, she's trying to re-open the First Hope Teen Crisis Center. There are counselors there who could help you more than you could imagine. All I'm asking you to do is just try it. If not for yourself, then for me."
Shannon turned her back to Chloe. She'd been slowly shaking her head through Chloe's plea, and now she was only more convinced that she couldn't go through with such a plan. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I-I can't. I can't do it now."
-Trace and Cliff had a confrontation before Cliff went to the chief of staff
-Marlo advanced her plot to win over Kendall, though Jade was suspicious
-Eve confessed to Brent that she feared their relationship was falling apart
-Gia received a threatening letter
May 28, 2001