Sorry it's been so long, I have had a terrible bout of writers block and school has been more than I thought it was going to be. Sorry for the delay for those of you that are still reading also I'm trying to finish this up as soon as possible (I make no promises) because I am writing a new story that won't escape my mind as well as trying to get some leeway on 5 years.

Also I want to thank all those that favorited and alerted my story and me and those who reviewed. THANKS SO MUCH!

So without taking up any more of your time…

Chapter 3

"Noah where are you? Why aren't you home? It's getting late and … Noah please tell me you are not doing that again."

"No Mom, I'm not doing anything like that again. It's not…I'm at the hospita-"

"Are you okay? Why didn't you call me sooner? Noah what happened? I'm on my way."

"No! No!No! Wait Mom it's not me. I'm fine. It's this girl I go to school wi-"

"You didn't get her pregnant did you? Noah?"

"No Mom. Can you just let me talk?"

"Don't get smart with me Noah Puckerman."

"I'm sorry," Puck says rolling his eyes. His mom always assumed the worse about him; then again, he had given her plenty of reason over the years. "It's this girl I know from English class I found her passed out or dead in the girl's bathroom and tried to revive her, but when that wasn't working I called for an ambulance. I've been here with her since."

"Why haven't you called? Do you know what happened?"

"I don't know, maybe I was a bit preoccupied; a girl was dying. I am so sorry I didn't think to call you." The sarcastic tone in Puck's voice stunned his mother. She didn't expect him to be so unnerved about someone other than himself. Feeling her son's agitation, she let this one slide.

"So do you know what happened; is she okay?"

"Mom I think…" Puck's voice was beginning to crack but he fought back his emotions speaking stoically. "I think she may have tried to commit suicide." Puck's mom gasps and stifles her concern a little.

"Noah were you two close. I mean did you know her?"

"No, nothing like that, I just had a class with her."

She could hear how somber her son was and knew her son felt more for this girl from class than maybe even he knew. "Do her parents know?"

"I don't even know where they are; I have left two messages and I haven't heard from them at all. How could they not know something is wrong? Mom? How could they not know something's wrong?"

"Maybe they work late, Noah, I'm sure they would be there if they knew. Did you contact anyone else?"

"I don't know any of her friends. I don't think she has any."

"Oh, well, are you staying? Do you need me to come there with you?"

"No, Mom, I'm good. Look, I don't know if I'll be home tonight. I kinda want to be here with her when she wakes up."

"Okay, Noah, but if you need anything please call me. Okay? I love you, Noah."

Puck smiles knowing his mom means it with all of her heart in spite of all he does. "I know, Mom, and I love you too. Thanks, you know…for…everything." Noah's mom hung up the phone with tears in her eyes. She had always known that one day her beautiful son would show that big heart of his he kept hidden and guarded.

Puck puts his phone back into his pocket thinking of his mother. He really does appreciate everything she does for him and everything she puts up with. As he pulls his hand out his pocket, the very paper he had been dreading to read and anxious to read simultaneously, fell out onto the floor by his foot. He picks it up and unfolds it immediately wanting to get it over with, curious about what could possibly be written on the paper. Just as he is about to read the first line, the nurse returns with a sandwich and drink in her hands. God, I'm never gonna get to read this letter. "Thanks." Puck grabs the meal hoping the nurse will see he doesn't want to be bothered and will leave.

"You're welcome. I just heard about your girlfriend."

"You did?" I know I should tell her I'm not her boyfriend but I just can't seem to make the words form in my mind or mouth.

"Yes, Dr. Fabien said to tell you that she was stable. Although, they almost lost her; she is fine now. The contents of her stomach showed a few pills; they suspect that she tried to commit suicide. Do you know anything about this?"

Finally hearing that Mercedes was at least okay, made Puck feel much lighter, but that was juxtaposed by the latter revelation. "That's good to hear." The nurse looked at Puck questioningly "About her being okay, but, um…no, I don't know anything. Not really. I don't know anything… about her trying to take her life I mean."

"Oh, okay. He also said that they were going to keep an eye on her for a while, monitor her progress, if there is any, which should be about an hour or two. After that, they're going to take her to a room."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, she's going to be staying for a couple of days to recover and for us to keep an eye on her."

"Why?"

"She's on suicide watch." Puck looks down. This is horrible she does not deserve this. "Look," the nurse places her hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes as she speaks, "it's procedure, and with a boyfriend like you, she'll come around soon. She'll be alright. Hey, I have to go but make sure you eat this. I'll come get you when the room is ready." The smile on the nurse's face makes Puck feel at ease. English girl's boyfriend, huh?

"Yeah, thanks for the food and for letting me know about Mercedes."

The nurse gave Puck another smile and walked away, and he sat down to eat the sack lunch the nurse just gave him. He finishes his sandwich, and sleep forcibly takes him captive as he dozes off. He doesn't know how long he has been sleeping when he wakes up finding the nurse, who has been a liaison of sorts, approaching him with that comforting smile she has been wearing all evening. "So you're awake."

"I guess so, what's up? Is she in her room yet?"

The smile grows even brighter as she proceeds to tell Puck the good news. "Yes, she is in room 213. She's going to be out of it for a while, and we're not sure when she'll wake up, but she's doing fine and should wake up in the morning if she doesn't wake up tonight. Do you want me to take you to see her?"

Puck nods and begins to follow the nurse. He can't think of her name and it irks him. He should know the name of the person who has been so nice to him. "Hey, uh, I didn't get your name."

"April, it's April." They continue the rest of the way to the room in silence. Puck's silence due to the frog in his throat steadily rising the closer he gets to the room threatening to choke him if he speaks. He approaches the hospital room with such trepidation that his hands were trembling. He wasn't sure what he was going to see once he entered the room. The last time he had seen Mercedes she was being shocked with a crash cart near death with tubes protruding from every orifice. So he had to prepare himself mentally. April, on the other hand, was allowing the patient's boyfriend to ready himself for what he was about to see. "She's right in here…"

"Puck, oh I mean, Noah. It's Noah."

"Okay, Noah, I'll leave you alone with Mrs. Jones. If you need anything press the button and I'll be in here to help you."

"Okay. Thanks April."

April smiles at Noah and is nearly out the door when she turns around and asks Noah a question. "Have you heard from her parents?"

"No, I couldn't contact them, but I'm sure they'll be here when they find out."

April flashes Noah a faint smile and exits the room.