NAOMI'S POV:

"Naomi, are you okay?" Jasper asked, extending his arm to lightly brush his hand against mine.

I inched my knees tighter into my chest, trying not to seem so squeamish. "I'm fine."

I hadn't told Jasper about my grade, nor have I told him about my pathetic effort to hide the test from everyone else. Mr. Davis wasn't the only one I was afraid of disappointing, it was bad enough I had to listen to Mr. Quimby lecture me about how much better I should be doing.

"I don't believe you," He moved closer and let out a small smile. "You look like you have a secret. Something's on your mind, something's making you feel guilty."

He saw right through me, he always did. Maybe I was subconsciously horrible at hiding my emotions, or maybe Jasper understood people much better than I knew, but he could always call me out on my lies.

I don't think I like that about him.

We've been sitting here for almost an hour, watching the sun fall below the hill. Neither of us had said much, mostly because my mind was occupied and he was left to deal with the awkward silence. I keep replaying all the feelings of self-doubt and despair that I feel whenever my dad would tell me that I could do better, that I should have done better...telling Mr. Davis, who emphasizes so much how important my education is, is something that I just don't have the heart to do. I can't let him down again.

"Naomi, talk to me." Jasper said with a full heart.

The confinement was eating me alive, it felt like there was rift in my heart every time someone spoke to me. I needed to let this out, but would Jasper think less of me if I told him?

"I, uh," I wiped my glassy eyes. "I got a bad grade in Geometry."

"Oh." He nodded, patting my hand in the process. "I'm sorry to hear that, are you worried about telling Mr. Davis?"

I let out an ironic chuckle, "Well, about that..."

We made eye-contact given his confusion, I was hoping he would put it together so I wouldn't actually have to say these words out loud but he seemed lost.

"I," Crouching my knees even tighter against my chest, I whispered the remaining sentence. "I forged his signature on the test and gave it back to Mr. Quimby."

I turned my head immediately because I was too afraid to see his reaction, I could hear him shift back some but that was all.

"You what...? Naomi, you need to tell Mr. Davis what you did."

"No," Shaking my head, I wiped my cheeks on my shoulders. "no, no, I can't do that."

"You have to, it won't be long before the school phones your guardian to discuss it. How bad was the grade?"

"It was bad." Tears began flowing from my cheeks, which incidentally embarrassed me even further. "Really bad. I can't, I just can't tell Mr. Davis."

"How bad? You can tell me."

Sniffling, I could feel that rift inside my chest growing deeper and deeper. "I got a C+."

He leaned back, blinking at me a few times. "Naomi, that's not that bad. You should have just of told Mr. Davis from the beginning instead of..."

"No! No, absolutely not."

"I know the punishment will be severe but..."

"I'm not worried about the punishment," I glanced out the window, trying to dissipate my tears. "I'm worried he'll be disappointed in me."

"Naomi it was just one average grade. Mr. Davis might be upset but you're panicking way too hard."

"Don't you get it?" I accidentally shouted, it just snuck right out of me. "I put a giant gap in our relationship when I broke into his office, which reopened old wounds for him, then I got caught with my cell phone at school and he caught me in a lie..." I began listing my wrongdoings frantically. "You just don't understand; this has happened before. It's like a time bomb that's going to go off again."

"Again? What do you mean again?"

I haven't given Mr. Davis a lot of reasons to trust me lately. Being stuck at the Academy deprived of answers about my missing parents had given me a lot of time to think, a lot of restless nights filled with empty theories...but what I do know is that I was a good kid before they brought me here, even though I had a series of 'hiccups' before then.

The only logical reason for sending me here was because of those hiccups.

"Be-before my parents brought me here, my dad gave a stern lecture about how...about how I was doing everything wrong. About how I needed to be better, in all respects, because I couldn't settle for anything average." I looked to him but he wasn't quite sure how to respond. "Sometimes I think that's why they sent me here...and why they left me here. I guess I was just too much to handle."

"Listen to me..." He began, pausing momentarily for me to recoup.

But I couldn't.

"I'm, I'm messing everything up Jasper." Tears flowed down my cheeks as I interrupted him. My voice softening as if there was no air in my lungs. "I'm watching as I go down this slippery slope, I'm watching it happen and I can't stop myself."

Jasper had gone completely silent at this point, maybe he knew I needed to vent everything out, but the only expression he could give me was an empathetic look.

"And he's going to leave me because of it, and then what'll I do?" I cried.

He reached for my hand but I immediately pulled it away and tucked it against my chest. I didn't want comfort right now; I only wanted answers to my ridiculous questions.

"What'll I do?" I asked again.

"Naomi Taylor." Mr. Davis said from the other side of the wall, showing a dark expression as he turned the corner. "Get over here now." He pointed to right in front of him.

I could see it there; the unsatisfied morose expression. He knows everything now, and I would have to let my inner demons out just to resolve this whole situation. But will this finally be enough for him? Will he have enough of me after this?

"Mr. Davis, she..." Jasper began but stopped once Mr. Davis shook his head.

I walked slowly, trying not to subject myself to that heartbreaking look on his face.

"Jasper, leave us please."

"But sir, she said..."

"Rest assured Jasper, I'll take care of everything." He shot him a warning look and Jasper, despite hesitating at first, rubbed his hand gently on my shoulder before exiting the nook.

Kneeling down to my height, he stared into my eyes, though I kept them fixed on the floor.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Davis....I-I'm sorry about the grade and about not telling you, I know you're disappointed." I said in a low whisper.

"Oh I'm not disappointed Naomi, I'm disheartened." He responded loudly, causing me to flinch. "Disheartened you think that for even a second I'd ever leave you."

I slowly forced my eyes to meet his and, for the first time in almost eight months, I felt like I really could see him for who he is. He edged forward and put my arms around his neck as he pulled me fiercely against his chest.

"Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes it does feel like we have consistent bad luck, but you're still learning and it's my job to make sure you do."

I had to gasp otherwise I'm sure I'd faint from a lack of air. My crying had grown to a stuttering sob.

"I don't ever want to hear you say anything that ridiculous again. I won't tolerate it." He squeezed me tighter. "I'm fully committed because I love you."

I sniffled, not even noticing that I was drenching his shoulder. "I love you too."

"Grab yourself a glass of water and go straight to my office. Okay?" He patted my hand. __________________________________________

MR. DAVIS'S POV:

I watched as she slowly descended downstairs, carefully taking each step at a time as she gripped the railing tightly. My nerves were becoming frazzled, I needed some time to dissipate my anger. Especially now.

I don't believe I ever gave her such cause to think that I would leave or send her away, but her anxiety is understandable given everything she's been through. Her parents left without a single trace; no note, not a phone call, not even a goodbye. I wish I could explain everything to her, she deserves some answers but not even I know everything. Especially with Audrey gone.

"M-Mr. Davis?" Jasper reappeared.

I glanced over my shoulder to make sure it was him before turning around completely. "What is it Jasper?"

"Will you please take it easy on Naomi?" He asked clearly. Quite boldly actually.

"Jasper, don't meddle in this. This is something I will take care of as her guardian, we have a long road ahead of us...but I'll try to make it as smooth as I can for her."

He nodded, "I know sir. If I can do anything, just let me know."

"Thank you for befriending her Jasper." I took a step forward. "You've been the nicest person here for her, a good, good friend and it really means a lot to me."

"Well I'm not just her friend..."

"Don't push it Jasper." I interrupted, watching as a snide smirk appeared on his face.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and took a step back. "Right, right, sorry. Goodnight sir."

"Goodnight." I waited for him to turn and exit through the left stairwell before I began making my journey to my office.

Unfortunately, there was no one here for me to bounce my thoughts off of. Jim was on vacation and Audrey is gone...I could call Sarah but she would only tell me to schedule a therapy appointment for Naomi. It's not a bad thought, I just wish that I could resolve this with her alone. The last time someone in my life got involved with therapy, a tragedy happened.

"Naomi." I said immediately as I entered the room, she was sitting on the couch.

She was no longer crying, but she still looked very pale from the stress. Her composure was steady, as was her expression, but there was still fear lingering in her eyes. Whether it was from the anxiety or from the anticipation of a punishment, I did not know.

She began to stand but I waved her to remain seated.

"Listen to me," I knelt down in front of her and took her by the shoulders. "I will never, never give up on you. I will get angry, will be disappointed and even upset at times, but there is no emotion great enough that would cause me to abandon you."

She nodded, her eyes becoming glassy again. "I-I'm sorry about the grade Mr. Davis. I'll work really hard to bring it up..."

"Naomi I am very disappointed in the grade but I'm even more disappointed you lied to me." I waited until her eyes met mine.

"I didn't mean to forge your signature, I just got scared that you'd finally have enough of me."

"I know you were scared and anxious, but don't you ever forge my signature and lie to me like that again. Do you hear me?"

"Yes sir, yes, I'm sorry." She removed her hand from mine and used her sleeve to wipe her cheeks.

Standing straight, I crossed my arms over my chest. "I didn't tell Mr. Quimby about it, so I lied for you once Naomi, I won't do it again."

"Yes sir." She said lowly.

"As a condition of me not giving up on you, which is something that will never happen, you know that I'm going to punish you for that."

I waited for her acknowledgement, which she showed through a nod.

"But that won't happen tonight." I watched as she looked up with hope, which soon disappeared after she realized that she'll be forced to wait for it. "I want you to go back to your room and try to get some sleep, you look like you've been crying all day." I wiped her tears with my thumbs. "Then come back here in the morning after chore duty."

Looking down, she nodded. "Yes sir."

"Goodnight honey." I said softly.

"Goodnight."