Dear Diary

t w e n t y - n i n e

At the sight of Geoff's car in the lane way, Ari stiffened.

"Niall," she said cautiously as I turned the car off. "Why are we here?"

"Same reason as why we visited your dad," I said. Spotting the uneasy look on her face, I added, "Don't worry, I'll be here the entire time."

Ari took a deep breath and then knocked on the door. Footsteps sounded from inside, and a boy's voice cried, "I'll get it!"

The door opened a tiny crack, and a little boy who I presumed was Carson stuck his head out. His eyes widened at the sight of his sister.

"Ari?" he gasped.

Ari managed a small smile. "Hi, Car," she said.

Carson grinned, before yelling, "Mom!" and running off. Ari and I stepped into the house, not bothering to take our shoes off.

Ari's mom ambled into the room, looking exhausted, and then her mouth fell open at the sight of Ari. She burst into tears, pulling Ari into a tight hug.

"I missed you so much!" she exclaimed. "He said we should leave you because it was the safest thing to do, but I was so heartbroken, Aristasia, I love you so much!" She let go of Ari, and then noticed me. "Who's this?"

"My friend," Ari said.

"Hello," her mom said politely. "I'm Melissa."

"I'm Niall," I answered.

Melissa led us to the kitchen, where she asked us if we wanted anything to eat. Ari asked for an apple, but I politely declined.

Melissa frowned at me. "Are you sure you don't want anything? You're frightening skinny."

"Mom!" Ari hissed, glancing at me.

I kept quiet, just remembering the days, those horrible days, when I locked myself in my room and didn't do anything.

"I guess I'll have an apple," I said quietly.

Melissa tossed me one, still frowning but happier that I decided to eat.

Heavy footsteps sounded, and Ari stiffened, trying to act as though she hadn't heard them. I shot a look at the stairs and saw a man standing at the bottom, sipping a beer. The man was tall and muscular, and very frightening.

"Hello, Geoff," Melissa said, standing on her tiptoes and kissing him on the cheek as he entered the kitchen. "Look who decided to pay us a visit."

Geoff glanced at Ari, then sneered. "Sweet little Aristasia, is it?" He glanced at me. "She escaped the hospital just to go find a boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend," Ari said stiffly.

Geoff shrugged, taking a swig of his beer. "Whatever. Are you planning on killing yourself again?"

Ari sucked in a breath, then swallowed and regained her calm posture. "Not unless I have a reason to."

"Sure, if that's what you say," he said. "I think you did it just to gain attention."

Ari bit her lip, trying not to jump over the counter and tackle Geoff. I can't blame her.

"She did not," I said hotly.

Geoff turned his attention to me. "Oh, pretty boy speaks."

"Nobody just commits or attempts suicide for no reason," I reasoned. "Everyone has a reason, and in case you didn't know, you're a reason for Ari's attempts."

Geoff looked hurt and surprised for a second, but he went back to acting dumb so quickly, I still don't know if I imagined it or not.

"And you think I care?" he said. "Aristasia can go die in a hole for all I care."

Before I could stop her, Ari was tackling Geoff. They both fell to the tiled kitchen floor with a loud thump; Melissa gasped.

"Ari!" I tried to pull her off of the man, but she pushed me away.

Geoff was too stunned to do anything, so he took Ari's punches.

I tried again to pull Ari off of Geoff, and only somewhat managed before she pushed me away again.

"Ari!" I yelled, panicked, tugging at her arm. She didn't listen to me, which made me guess that she didn't hear the police sirens.

By the time she did, it was too late; the door was kicked open, and officers flooded into the room.