When Logan got back from school, his mom wasn't there. He assumed she'd got delayed somehow at the hospital, so he didn't worry.
"Do you have that book I gave you?" James asked him from his place at the living room door.
"Yeah, it's around somewhere. Help me find it?"
James nodded. "I'll look in the living room." He went in and Logan headed upstairs. He rooted around in his room but couldn't find it anywhere. He dug through various drawers and cupboards, his frustration growing. "This is so annoying!"
He headed out into the hallway and opened the drawer of the table that was there. He didn't see James's book, but he saw a dusty photo album. Curiosity instantly came over him as he picked it up.
"Logan! I got it!"
Logan shoved the photo album back in the drawer and went downstairs. James held up the book and ginned. "I am awesome."
"Sure you are." Logan rolled his eyes. "I'm still not over the shock that you actually read books! I mean, you're a party-all-night guy."
"When you party all night, you stay in bed all day. And when you stay in bed all day, you might as well read something."
Logan shrugged. "I guess so."
James's smiled disappeared. "Logan, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." They both sat on the couch. "Do you think I should come out?"
"Hmmm." Logan frowned. "Honestly, I have no idea. It's impossible to tell if the results will be good or bad."
James nodded. "If nobody knows I'm gay, I might just be alone for the rest of my life." He looked at Logan. "Do you think there's anyone out there for me?"
Logan nodded, grinning. "Of course. There's someone out there for everyone. In fact, I predict that you will find that special someone very soon! You heard it from the master of perfect relationships!"
James rolled his eyes at him. Logan laughed, and then paused. "Do you think there's anyone out there for me?"
James nodded, getting up. "I need to go. Hey, how about this; I also predict you'll have your special someone very soon! You heard it from The Face!"
He waved. "I'll see you tomorrow." Logan watched him leave. Once he was gone, he dashed upstairs to get the photo album.
He picked it up again and went back to the living room, sitting down. He didn't know why he was so curious about it; but he couldn't resist. He opened it up
And stopped in shock.
The first picture in it was of three people. He recognized two of them; one was his mother, the other was him as a little kid. The third was a kid too, a little smaller than he was, with blonde hair. He had a pale mark on his cheek, and big green eyes.
Logan was confused. Who the heck was this kid? He turned the pages. All through it, there were pictures of him and the blonde boy. Some with his mom in them, others without.
Logan didn't even hear the front door open. "Logan, I'm . . ." she stopped in shock when she saw him. "Where did you get that?"
"I found it." Logan stood up, flicking back to the front page. "Who is this, Mom? You've failed to ever mention him!"
"I'm so sorry," his mom whispered, eyes filling with tears. "I should've told you but I didn't think you were old enough . . ."
"I'm sixteen."
"I know. I was fooling myself. You deserve to know the truth. Sit down." Logan sat back down, and his mom sat next to him. "Logan, he's . . ." she sighed. "He's your brother, Kendall."
The word brother echoed around Logan's mind. "What?"
"Your brother. He's seven months younger than you are."
"Where is he?" She didn't say anything. Horror coursed through him. "Did he die?"
"No! At least, I don't think so. I don't know where he is!" His mom suddenly burst into tears. "After your father and I got our divorce, it was just the three of us. I was so happy. You and Kendall were happy too. Then . . ." She cried harder. "It's my entire fault! I was only gone for ten minutes. But your dad came, and he took him away . . ."
"Why didn't you call the cops on him?" Logan demanded.
"He threatened to hurt us. Not just you and me, but Kendall too. And I didn't think the cops would be able to find him anyway. He can practically make himself disappear into thin air." She sniffed. "I'd give anything to have him back, and I'm just so glad I still have you."
Logan looked at the boy in the picture again. "What's the white mark on his cheek?"
"Oh." She smiled sadly. "He's always had that."
Logan smiled too. "It looks like someone pressed their thumb there. It's cute."
Kendall ran his thumb over the birthmark on his cheek, looking in the mirror. His head hurt. The again, some part of his body always hurt.
He sighed and fell back on his bed, wishing he could fall asleep. All night there'd been nothing but nightmares. He hated it. He looked at the ceiling. Then he realized something.
He sat up so suddenly the new bruises over his body made him yelp with the pain, but he chose to ignore it.
His dad had come in, totally drunk. He'd punched him and kicked him, and then he'd stormed out again, slamming the door shut.
But he forgot to lock it. Kendall leaped up and went to the bedroom door, opening it slowly and quietly. He listened carefully, and heard snores coming from the other room.
He smiled to himself and crept towards the front door. He opened it and looked out into the street.
There were a lot of people around, but no one was taking any notice of him. He stepped outside and shut the door behind him.
