I want to give a huge thanks you to Jenny-Rambling-Ravie for the awesome review. You made my day with all the nice things you had to say! And trust me, when you tell an aspiring writer that her writing is comparable to her favorite author's that really means a lot!

So anyways, I hope you like this chapter, please please review! It really helps me out! Also, I'm not sure of the exact month in which this book took place so I'm just making an educated guess so sorry if it's wrong and I just forgot!

I slipped quietly out the doors just as chaos erupted in the room. The ghost of a smile was still on my lips as I walked out the door. I strode through the parking lot to my car parked in the back. The April air was hot and humid as the sun beat down on me. I stood by my car door for a moment and basked in the sun as I enjoyed the momentary happiness of supposedly saving Mara from that hell called the inpatient center. The happiness only lasted so long as I got in my car and drove onto the highway. I still had to deal with the reason Mara was even in that mental hospital in the first place, Jude. I would do anything to find out where that bastard was and make him regret ever scaring Mara. I contemplated everything option I had but with such limited knowledge of the whole situation, I decided I might as well wait.

After making my decision, I figured the best place to wait for Mara's arrival was at the Dyer residence itself. I was sure Daniel wouldn't object. I mean, after all, we had become quite good friends, especially over the course of the past few weeks. He had told me all about Mara's situation. He obviously believed the side that the doctors were telling them. Despite that though, he never once gave the impression that he even cared about what they were saying. His respect for her was admirable. I would do anything to have that kind of bond with Katie. But, ever since she started hanging around Anna, we have only grown farther and farther apart. In addition, her comments regarding Mara's predicament didn't help improve our relationship at all. If it weren't for Daniel and his encouragement that Mara would be okay, I don't know what would have done. Helpless was one thing I hated feeling. Daniel only dulled the feeling. Seeing her today though made the feeling vanish for the mean time.

I pulled into the driveway at the house and walked out to knock the door. Right as a raised my fist, the door sprung open in front of me, revealing Joseph, wearing an elaborate suit, pocket square and all. I looked down at him with a questioning look and he said, "Don't worry about it, it's for school!"

"Well you look quite handsome then, Joseph. Where's Daniel by the way?" I said, looking over him into the house.

"He's right over there." Joseph said and started making his way into the kitchen with me following behind.

Daniel sat on one of the chairs, his head buried in a large book.

Typical.

I slid into the chair next to him as he looked up at me and said, "Well, look who it is. I wonder why you are here on this fine day just hours before my lovely sister is to return home."

The sarcasm was evident in his voice and I put my hands up defensively and said "What, a guy can't come to hang out with one of his friends?"

Daniel laughed. "No, you can. But, your true intentions aren't that hard to figure out."

"I guess you're right then. So what are you reading there?" I said, pointing down at the large book in front of him.

"Well, this and this" he said pointing at the book in front of him and then at another one to his left "are two books on some of the many philosophers of our world."

"Interesting choice," I said, raising my eyebrows.

"Research paper for my history class. Thought I might as well get a head start on it."

"Spring break just started though. Why the rush?"

"Why not?" he said, looking confused.

I laughed. "Alright then, would you mind if I helped?"

"No, not at all have at it."

I grabbed the other book and immersed myself in the pages. Daniel and I read and exchanged information, then read some more, until we finally heard the sound of the front door opening. Our conversation on a Russian philosopher, Mikhail Bahktin, was halted as Daniel got up and started heading for the door.

Showtime. I thought. The only way I was going to be allowed into Mara's life would be if her parents deemed me to be a good, responsible influence on her. I would save everything else for when we were alone. I just pray that we will have that time.

Bits and pieces of their conversation floated to where I was. Eventually there was a slight pause in the conversation so I decided I might as well make my move now. Closing the book, I walked into the front hall and started my act. "You're completely wrong about Bakhtin—" Mara's eyes went straight to me, stopping my words on my tongue. It was all I could do not to pick her up in my arms and hold her for all eternity. I did my best not to show it though, averting my eyes to rest on her parents and Daniel for brief moments before they settled back on her.

"Mara," I said as casually as I could, hiding my emotions as I had so many times before. "Good to see you"

She looked as if she wanted to say more but all that came out, given the circumstances, was, "You too."

Now is not the time Noah.

"Mr. Dyer," I said, tearing my eyes away from Mara, "you're looking quite well.

"Thank you, Noah. That gift basket you brought kept me from starving. The hospital food nearly killed me."

I turned my eyes to Mara as I answered, "Then I'm thrilled to have saved your life."