Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Higher Ground. I own nothing!!!

Author's note: Sorry for the delay, I've been studying like crazy for exams and I've been orking on another story a little...Please review!!! And thanks sooooooooooo much to those of you who reviewed the first chapter, you guys are the best!

Chapter two

The sun was barely over the dark green treeline when David stepped out into the early morning's mellow sunlight. Sleep had betrayed him, providing ample time for painful childhood memories to seep into the dark haired boy's head, leaving behind a sickening fear in the pit of his stomach.

The light snow came down in pure white flakes, turning the Mt. Horizon campus into a winter wonderland. David walked slowly towards the docks, in hopes of cherishing his last day at the one place that really made him feel safe.

Although he didn't necessarily feel loved - his group mated still pretty much ignored him - he did feel somewhat protected at the mounatin school he had grown to call his home. His mom's house had once provided a sense of safety, but that had faded fast, and the teenager had quickly found himself back where he had once been sent.

The lonesome boy was surprised to see another figure sitting by the water. For the first time since David had met the beautiful girl sitting a few feet away, he hesitated. Choosing his heart over his mind, he ,ade his way towards the end of the dock.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked hoping she wouldn't be mad that he had interrupted her time alone.

Time alone was something the students selmdom got there - and something many of them dreaded. Being alone was maybe the scariest thing for some of the 'lost souls' that attended the school. Partly because they didn't want to remember why they were at the school in the first place, and partly because they were afraid to admit what unescapable truths lay inside.

Daisy Lipenowski didn't even look up. She knew that voice well. Wordlessly she shuffled over to make room next to her. A small smile appeared on David's lips as he sat down next to the silent girl.

"What are you doing up so early?" David questioned curiously. "Aren't you missing out on your beauty sleep?"

"Outer beauty can only be possessed once beauty is within." Daisy replied wisely. "And besides, I'm not Juliette."

David chuckled softly and stared at the water.

"You never answered my first question." Once again, David's face was a mask of seriousness.

"My dad is coming up for a visit in a week." Daisy answered softly.

"At least you're not being sent home." David said, immediately regretting it.

"What?" Daisy asked, startled by the boy's comment.

"Apparently the General isn't satisfied with my progress thus far and has decided I would 'heal' better at home." David explained.

"When are you leaving?"

"Today."

A thick silence settled around the two teenagers as the realization sunk in. David fiddled nervously with his coat zipper, staring intently at the water, as if it were the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

"Are you coming back?"

"Peter didn't say, but I doubt it." David paused. "Just when I was starting to be ok here, and everything was kind of good, my dad had to think of something to screw it up."

"David I don't think he was tryi-"

"Don't try to make things better for me, ok?" David interrupted. "I'm leaving and there's nothing anyone can do."

"I'm trying to make it easier on myself David."

"What do you mean?"

"Once you're gone, nothing's going to be the same."

"You're right. Everyone will be happy again."

"I won't have anyone to make me laugh, and I won't have a date to this year's morp." Daisy elaborated, ignoring David's comment. This was something she had to say. There won't be anyone to make me feel good about myself, not the way you do."

David sighed as Daisy leaned against his shoulder. Turning his head slightly, David pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, not bothering to wipe the small tears that skimmed down his cheek. Being that close to her, or even that honest and comfortable with her, was something that David had wanted for so long, yet the scene that loomed regardlessly in the future seemed to eradicate any possible happiness that could have been found in that moment.

"I'll come back some day, I promise." David whispered into her hair.

***********************************************************************

Ok, I know that was short, and really bad, but I wanted to post something...Please review!!!!