Landon is Tom Thornton in his high school play. Miss Garber is their drama teacher. Jamie then approaches the orphanage director to see if they can perform their lines in front of the children. This causes Landon to pay more attention to the play because he doesn't want to be embarrassed in front of the orphans. Miss Garber happily agrees with their plan to perform. When Jamie stops by Landon's house she is amazed of the size and how it appears. When they go to the orphanage and ask Mr.Jenkins declines the offer about their performance because he believes it may make the children sad. Landon starts to grow as a person in the novel. Landon states, "Unlike Jamie, I deserved to feel bad about myself-I knew what kind of person I was..."(Sparks 90). Landon realizes that he can be a better person and starts to want to be a better person. This quote also shows Landon's feelings growing more than as a friend. Landon is starting to realize that he cares about Jamie even if he doesn't want to admit it. Jamie is changing Landon by her presence and attitude towards life and how you should live it. 

     After their rehearsals Landon walks Jamie home because she always asks him to. Landon agrees because he doesn't want to hurt her feelings. During their walks together Landon starts to learn more about Jamie and realize she isn't exactly what he thought she would be. Landon learns that Jamie's mom died and the bible which she carries everywhere belonged to her mother. Eric and Margaret see them walk together and they tease Landon about him being with Jamie. Eric then tells the school about them hanging out and Landon gets teased a lot. Landon did what many people would do in modern time. Normally when you get teased about something you avoid it. You avoid it because you don't want other people to think that your uncool. Landon gets very frustrated and yells at Jamie. Landon doesn't want to like Jamie so he tries and pushes her away.

    Landon feels bad for lashing out towards Jamie so before their final performance and he apologizes to Jamie. When Landon is backstage Eric asks whats his plan for the performance. In other words how is Landon planning to ruin the play. Landon states that he is going to try his best in the performance. Eric responds,"I guess you're finally growing up, Landon" (Sparks 112) This shows another example of Landon's character growing. In the last few chapters Landon has been more mature and less sarcastic. Landon has also became more grateful when he went to the orphanage and by Jamie's reaction to his house. Landon's family is wealthy but he never thought about it till he met Jamie. He became more greatful for this family because he saw the children's lives in the orphanages.