Okay... This is not my story. Let's start with that. Bestie Wynter-Solstice asked me to post this up for her so I did :) We'll be sort of writing it together, I guess.
It's sort of a prequel to her story We'll Fly Away, but you don't have to read it. It's going to lead up to there eventually, so yeah. Um... Enjoy :D
I FOUND YOU
Outside, the sky was a canopy of silvery graphite. The rain barely making its presence felt, falling to the ground as delicating as a spring shower. Logan peered through the semi-closed blinds, wishing he could find himself caught in the impending downpour. But his mind over ruled his heart. He was twenty-nine years old, and there were some things you simply just didn't do at that age. No matter how much comfort it could give; Reliving memories that had long passed. What good could come out of it?
But it was weather like this that made him remember. Remember. Laugh. Cry. And sometimes, like today, it took all of his mental resolve to shut it out.
He shut the blinds.
At least now he could concentrate. And in his line of profession, it was vital.
The good part of his job was that he could take his lunch break at whatever time he felt hungry. Though out of sheer courtesy for the people who visited, he kept the hour fixed. He was his own boss, in his own special way, and it was a fact, whenever he dwelt on it, made him quite content. After all, now, no one could tell him what he could or could not do; No one would tell him that he was wasting his time trying to help people who didn't deserve it.
The truth was, even while growing up, he always knew he'd settle into a comfortable life like this. Nothing stressfull. Nothing burdensome. Doing something he always wanted to do.
He knew he would grow up and make something of himself. He knew he would never be filthy rich, after all, how many of those who came could actually pay for the services he rendered to them? Not that it mattered. Money never mattered; The smile on their faces as they left was enough.
But as Logan sat back against his seat, he knew, and acknknowledged, that perhaps there was something he needed in his life. Something he left behind nine years ago.
A knock on his door.
"Come on in," he called softly, knocking the pained expression off his face.
The doorknob turned slowly, and he distinctly heard his secretery say to the patient, "The doctor's lunch break is finishing in about five minutes. Can you wait, sir?"
Logan sighed, turning his back to the door. He had a couple more minutes to himself. He leaned into his chair, closing his eyes.
Logan did not hear the man's reply that it was urgent... and neither did he hear his door open and the man enter his office.
"Dr. Mitchell?" a baritone voice addressed him in a soft voice.
Had Logan been anyone else, he would have spun around and told the person off. But every logical thought seemed to leave his body when he finally lay eyes on the man standing in front of him.
"Kendall," he breathed, and immediately wished he had held his tongue.
A look of recognition ventured onto the blond's face, his green eyes enrapturing Logan's brown ones all over again.
But the warmth was gone and an awkward moment. Tension seemed to spring up between them. Nine years ago... Logan bit his tongue. Medicine was about science and reasoning. NOT about letting your feelings get the better of you. Calm.
"Mr. Knight," Logan corrected himself, "Would you like to have a seat?"
Kendall scoffed, but there was an undertone of something sad about it. After all these years, Kendall hadn't changed one bit. "There are many things I'd like to do right now, but sitting isn't one of them."
The stubbornness was still there, Logan recognised, and it brought a small smile to his face. But... professionalism.
"So what seems to be the problem Mr. Knight?" It wasn't just the doctor in him asking. It seemed that his teenaged hormone ridden self, had taken a keen interest.
"Why are you here?" he asked, none too kindly. "After SAT's you left to go medical school, halfway around the country, and..."
"It was actually the other side of the country... John Hopkins? I had told you." Why he felt the need to correct the blond was beyond him. The truth wasn't all that pleasant, compared to the lie. But this was Kendall. He needed to know.
"Oh, and by the way, call me Kendall. Not that Mr. Knight nonsense. But why are you here? You could've stayed across on that side."
The comment stung, but he didn't let it show. And it was a question he asked himself. Why did he come back?
"Nine years!" Kendall continued, "You left for nine years. No call, no text, no email... not even Skype. At least answer that. Why? I thought we were best friends?"
Logan looked away from him. "Kendall, you wanted to go into special effects. I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that to study in California when I got an opportunity to study at the best."
"You didn't answer the question Dr. Mitchell."'
"I don't know where to begin."
"Logan," Kendall said, and the doctor turned to meet his eyes. There was so something about his tone, a subtle 'why are you doing this to me'.
"I owe you an explanation," Logan began shakily, "I never thought the day would come that I'd have to say it... but I guess life is funny that way, isn't it?" He looked at the blond. He had no smile on his face.
"I needed to get away from you, Kendall. I needed to run away from everything that was normal and comfortable in my life, and forge my own path. I needed to realise for myself that as much as you were my best friend, there were some things we couldn't do together. I didn't mean to be insensitive; But it wasn't something I expected you to understand." He took a pause, and in a softer voice, "You said that we would always be together, as friends, and I wanted to. I wanted it to be that way, Kendall, but it was hard. I needed to prove to myself that I could be fine without you."
Someone had told him once that distance was good in relationships but it took a lot out of the brunet. Logan hadn't been fine without him. In a new place, sure you had a new start, but it meant making friends. And Logan's heart wasn't ready for that.
"But why'd you come back to California,? Surely you knew I never moved. I'm like the most famous special effects director this side of the Hollywood sign"
"I'm not the only practising doctor this side of town either." Logan pointed out, "You came despite seeing my last name on the door?"
At that, Kendall looked away. "I always thought you'd come back. Even when we were younger, and mad at each other, and we weren't talking, we were never far apart."
"I'm sorry Kendall."
"Some part of me understands, and another still wants to be mad at you. I don't have to say you're forgiven now, do I?"
"No. I'd be scared if you did."
Kendall walked to the side of the room, where stood a tall glass cupboard. "First class honours? In neuroscience?" he asked.
"Yeah... I always had a thing for helping people with brain issues,"
Kendall flashed him a look, but it was light-hearted now.
As he continued to read the certificates, Logan's fingers fiddled with the pen on the table. He wanted to ask Kendall so badly. But knew it was not his place to say something so personal to a person you'd met after nine years.
"So, Kendall, what have you been up to?" he asked instead.
"After SAT's? Well I studied special effects, did a course in management, and am now CEO in effects for Lionsgate."
"That's wonderful," Logan said and Kendall scoffed.
"Why don't you ask your follow-up question?"he asked.
"What?"
"Jo? Before you left, you know she signed up to go in the same university as me..."
"That's hardly my concern." Logan whispered, but deep down he was curious. Did they date? Jo always had a thing for Kendall, something that Logan was highly uncomfortable with and he never failed to remind kendall .
Kendall took a seat opposite the brunet, and watched him appraisingly. "When will you learn that you can't lie to me?"
"I will always keep trying."
The blond rested both his hands on the table, and Logan was surprised he hadn't paid attention to them before. Nine years of training in the art of observation down the drain.
On his left hand, fastened securely around his fourth finger from the right, was a silver ring.
"We got engaged last month."
Logan stared at him, at first confused, then the truth sank in. Breathe, he told himself. The risk of this happening was high, he always knew it. After all, how long could you ignore someone who made their feelings quite obvious? He pushed his chair all the way back, and stood. "Mind excusing me for a second? I need to go... check something."
"Logan, wait..."
But the brunet didn't hear him; He marched right out of the office into the adjoining room where there was a bathroom. He locked himself inside.
This couldn't be happening. Kendall couldn't… really… be getting married. Not to Jo. Just no. He wanted to cry, but most of all, he wanted to storm into that room and tell him the real entire truth as to why he left; The 'why' he hadn't kept in touch. He hadn't lied per say. But there were some things Kendall couldn't know.
The blond had chosen his life partner already.
What a pity Logan was still waiting for his to come around, and who was, co-incidentally, in love with the person he couldn't stand.
Medical school taught Logan many things: The actual book knowledge that everyone had to know, but more importantly, how to be strong even when your natural reaction is to puke, or pass out. Over his two years of practical study, he had seen cases of all sorts of neurological disorders: Muscles, brain, nerves, spinal column… And to be honest, there were some things a person could live their whole life and not see.
He had learned to remain stoical. He had learned to put on a brave face and do what he had to do- out of sheer responsibility. He found strength in the fact that the person under the knife trusted him enough with their life. And they shared nothing.
Logan found himself tapping into his own mental resolves as he walked back into the room. He could do this; He kept his own feelings hidden for so long… what was another decade, or even his lifetime?
"Logan." Kendall said as he stepped inside. "Look, I didn't mean…"
The brunet silenced him with a shake of his head. "Don't worry about it. I was shocked, that was all. And I needed to take my medication."
"That's… ironic."
"My whole life is ironic."
Kendall looked confused, but Logan dissipated the mood.
"Hey, anything else I should know about?"
"Maybe I should ask you something. Is there anyone special in your life?"
"Many. Mum. Dad. The Dean of Studies in the University was really nice to me…"
"You know what I mean," Kendall said.
"Actually, no. I haven't really been looking out for it, or putting myself out there. Like some people," Kendall had the decency to feign being abashed. "But I always thought it was hard having a steady relationship with someone, when it's at the risk of my career."
"Must you think for everything?"
Logan looked at him. "Yes, I think I do." A pause. "You know what's the weird thing here? You've been here for over fifteen minutes and we haven't begun to discuss what's wrong with you."
"And how perfect is it that I find a GP who couples as a neurologist?"
"So what's wrong?"
Kendall fixed a look on the brunet, as though he was asking the obvious. "I found my best friend. If anything, that's exactly what I needed."
"You really haven't changed one bit Kendall Knight."
""Did you expect me too?"
"Maybe a tad. But seriously, you don't want me to be recommending anything for your mental incapacities: Aleve? Panadol?"
"I'm fine," He stressed, standing up to leave, "But expect to see me again. And Logan?"
"Yes Kendall?"
"It's really good to see you again."
Please review? Hope you like it :)
xoxo,
Cheesecake (Chelzi & Wynter) :*