"How is she holding up, Karen?"

"She seems to be holding up well, and her vital signs are normal. Though I am still worried about her nevertheless."

Dr. Peterson nodded, "I understand, Karen. I would be too, if she were someone that was important to me as well."

Karen nodded as she eyed the doctor, "I... I actually have been considering adopting for. At least, for a time before she decides to move out of the house. I feel terrible for not being in her life for so long... I missed so much..." Karen felt as if she was going to break down into a messy flood that would be impossible to clean up, but she wanted to stay strong for her sake.

Dr. Peterson placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry. I'll even help you to pay for a counselor to go to court with. It's a long process, but if you're still willing to do it, I will be by your side doing it all."

Karen smiled, "Thank you, Rick. You've always been a trusted friend to the family. I trust you, and thank you for all that you have done for us."

"You're welcome, Karen. I'm glad that I could help out my best friend. Let's see if we can start the process now, if you would like; if Katie wants this of course."

Karen nodded, "Of course. I'll ask her as soon as possible. I was planning to ask her tomorrow since it's getting late."

He nodded, "That's alright. Does she have a car at all?"

"Yes, thankfully we were able to bring it with us by calling a tow truck. Sadly we didn't have anyone else to help drive her car. I volunteered to do so, but was instructed to be by her side at all times, which I didn't mind. I got to spend some time with her, time which I would never wish to take back no matter what someone offered me for that time," she laughed softly in disbelief. "She's grown into a beautiful young woman, I can't believe it... I really can't..."

He grinned, "That reminds me of my children. When I saw them grow up each year; I couldn't believe it... I still can't believe how fast they're growing up. Both my wife and I wish they could stay young forever, but of course, that won't ever happen. I hope you are able to be with her for as long as you can," his grin grew wider. "I wish you the best of luck for everything."

She smiled warmly, "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."

Dr. Peterson smiled, "That's why I'm wanting to help you out as much as I can, Karen. That's why I'm here for you. Also, I just got a call from my son saying that he wanted to visit Katie with my other kids. Apparently he told me that he met her today. I told him that he can come, but they shouldn't scare her or anything. If you wouldn't mind, I was thinking that one of us would want to tell Katie, just to prepare her for visitors."

Karen nodded, "Of course. I can go tell her right now, actually. I was planning to go help a patient that's down her hallway anyway. See you later, Doc," she smiled as she left the room.

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John was home with his older brother, younger sister, and mother, as they all waited for their father from returning home from work. They knew how late he stayed at the hospital working, and knew that his shift would be over soon. John's mind couldn't stop thinking of today, and what events that had happened today. It feels as if today was more than one day. It feels more like a few days or so. It's more than a day, that's for sure.

"John?" Kara sat next to her older brother out of curiosity. "You alright, John? You have just been staring at the window, basically doing nothing."

John turned to his sister expressionless, "I'm fine. I'm just tired. Today feels like it's been a longer day than it actually has been."

Kara nodded, "Yeah... It has been... I think it has been for all of us in all honesty."

John nodded and smiled, "Yeah, I guess you're right," he then remembered something. "Hey, I almost forgot."

Kara's curiosity grew, "What is it? What did you almost forget?"

"You usually tell me how your day has gone. You must have forgotten to tell me," he teased playfully. "Now, may I ask? How has your day been, little sister?"

Kara laughed softly, "It's been alright. Though if I had to be honest, it could have been better..."

John rose a brow, now curious himself, "How so?"

Kara sighed, "I don't know... It's kinda hard to explain really..."

"If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to, you know."

"I know, but I know I would feel better if I did."

John nodded, "Alright. Just know that I'm not forcing you to do anything, alright?" he smiled slightly. Then his smile turned into a playful grin, "Just don't act like I've warned you, and that I've told you so."

Kara couldn't help but giggle slightly from her brother's comment, "Alright. I promise that I won't complain to you if I end up regretting talking to you, and acting as if you forced me and such. I might even be dramatic if it works out like how I want it to," she smiled back playfully at her last comment.

John gently pushed his sister with his elbow, "Alright. I'll be waiting for that moment for when you do," he chuckled.

Kara smiled for a small moment, then her smile faded like the fog in a gloomy winter morning. She exhaled softly, "Alright... Would you like me to start from the beginning?"

"If you would like. I am willing to listen regardless of where you decide to start with your story. It's probably a crazy adventure too, knowing you."

Kara smiled slightly as she started telling her tale of the day, "Well... I guess I'll just start when I got into the school building. You know how I normally don't care about what others say about me, right?"

John nodded, knowing how easily she can take care of herself, no matter the situation, "Right. You're one of the toughest girls I know."

Kara grinned, "Thanks. Anyway... I don't know what came over me, but... Someone said something that I would never forget, and for some stupid reason... I felt more emotional than I ever have been in years. I mean, I didn't sob into countless river, but I felt like I could."

John turned to look into his sister's eyes with compassion and envy, "If you don't mind me asking, what did these people say to you?"

Kara sighed, "They..." she hesitated, but wasn't afraid of telling her brother. She felt close enough to her brother to trust him with her secrets, because she knew that he wouldn't tell anyone, unless she gave him permission to do so. She sighed once more, figuring out that she should just speak to get it over with, "They told me that... Nobody likes you, why do you even have friends, and... You should do exactly what Jenny did... Kill yourself..." Kara was almost in tears, looking down ashamed. "Th-This shouldn't even bother me!" she placed her head in her hands. "Maybe I'm just a baby today. I don't know what's wrong with me anymore, John! Why am I so... why do my friends keep leaving me in this world? Why can't I help them like how I want to help them? What am I doing wrong?"

John placed a gentle hand on Kara's shoulder to comfort her, "Kara, what those people told you today are not true. You are the best sister that I could ever ask you. So many people love you, including us and the rest of our family. How could someone not like you? Like, seriously! You're so down to Earth, and you get along with so many types of people. You're popular, and I'm always amazed how willing you are to do with anything that will benefit others. You're not all selfish, and that's what's amazing about you. Ask anyone else, and I know that they will see the side that you don't always see inside of you. There's this light that seems to shine all of the time, and it's always impossible to understand how others can dislike you so much."

Kara was in tears at this point. She had no idea what else to say, and wish that she could speak something that would help her somehow in this awkward situation that she felt embarrassed by. She rested her elbows and head on her legs, not wanting John to see her current condition. Please don't try to remove my face from my hands. It isn't a good time to do that right now. Please... Don't you dare... She waited for something, but nothing seemed to happen, and she wondered if John was still by her side. There seemed to be no trace of him near him, though she had no evidence that he wasn't still there near her.

She couldn't feel his hand on her shoulder anymore, and she wondered if he had left her alone to grieve. She was curious now if he still cared, though knew the truth that he did. The only problem was that her mind was so clouded, that even the truths that she knew, made her stop and think about if everything she believed was actually real or not. She blinked, trying to stop the river from falling. She was tired of being completely emotional. It was too much for her, and she wasn't used to it all. She just wanted to be alright again. She hated that she had to be reminded by past memories that she finally learned to forget, then had to be reminded of it all over again.

"John...? Are you still here? Or did you leave? I don't mind if you left... This is a terrible time to even look at me. Even if you're still here, just... Don't look at me... It'll make me feel a whole lot better if you didn't try looking at my ugly face like this... I appreciate it..."