I'd like to thank Beckyyy, winterschild11, annabellex2, germanfanfictioner, Franshes, DeniseDEMD, nigelbtrlover24, Charlie-Rose94, The Senate, and Sir RCCS for taking the extra time to review. I'd also like thank those who faved and alerted as well. Much appreciated guys.
Chapter 2: Alone
Cooper Anderson yawned as he struggled to keep his eyes open. He was so tired, but he had a paper to finish. On top of that he still had to pick up Miri from Jake and Damien's apartment. Cooper closed his laptop. He'd go pick up Miri and get her home and maybe try and work on his paper later.
Cooper sighed as he thought over the last few months of his life. things hadn't turned out like he had planned them to. So much had changed and some things not for the better. Cooper had started college and had a part time job. He had also become a single dad when his boyfriend, Adam Knight, walked out on him.
Adam had came home one day and they started arguing and Adam had said he couldn't take it anymore and left. He had returned after Cooper had fallen asleep and returned his key, his engagement ring, and left a note. Cooper had never been so hurt before. He had broken down crying until his daughter, Miri started crying. Just the sound of her voice gave him what he needed to carry on.
Ever since he been alone and was taking care of her the best he could with help from his and Adam's families. No one had heard from Adam since he left a month and a half ago. Cooper had tried getting a hold of Adam but it was no use. He had Miri and school to worry about. It wasn't that Cooper didn't care, because he did, it was just he could take a hint. Adam wasn't interested anymore. Cooper just couldn't put himself through that anymore. He had to stop and focus on his life. That involved Miri and school right now.
Cooper looked around the library. It was so quiet and not helping him stay awake. He sighed and gathered his things. He stood and turned around as he tried to stuff his things into his bag. He wasn't paying attention and he ran into something solid. He hit he ground with a groan.
Cooper looked up of him and saw an upper classman sitting on the floor. He had raven black hair and blue eyes. He looked in a bit of a daze from the impact.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't paying attention," Cooper said scrambling to his feet. He held his hand out to help him up. The guy took his hand and allowed Cooper to help him up. Cooper apologized again and the guy held his hand. He picked up a book from the floor.
"It's part my fault too," he said.
"I am so sorry," Cooper said.
"It's ok freshie, I'm Jace, by the way," he said with a wink.
"I'm Cooper," Cooper said as he phone started ringing. He pulled his phone out and saw Jake was calling. "Crap, look I'm really sorry but I have to go," he said.
"Alright, I'll see you around," Jace said as Cooper took off.
Cooper answered his phone as he left the library. "Look Jake, I know I'm late and I'm sorry I'm on my way," He said.
"It's ok Cooper, I was just calling to check in," Jake said with a laugh.
"I'm on my way, I just got caught up in my research paper," Cooper said.
"Take your time, Miri's asleep," Jake said. Cooper relaxed and slowed his pace a bit.
"Thank you Jake I will be there to pick her up in like twenty minutes," Cooper said
"Sounds good, I'll have her stuff packed and ready," Jake said.
"Thanks Jake, I'll be there soon," Copper said hanging up his phone. He reached for his bag only to realize it wasn't there along with his laptop and keys.
"Cooper!"
Cooper turned and saw Jace jogging towards him with his messenger bag. He must've dropped it when he fell.
"My bag, thanks," Cooper said once Jace reached him.
"Yeah, I thought you might need it," Jace said with a charming smile. Cooper felt his cheeks heat up at that.
"Thank you so much, I would've lost my last four hours of work," Cooper said gratefully.
"No problem freshie," Jace said before turning and leaving.
Cooper rushed to his car. He had to pick up Miri and get home. He had so much to do and not enough time to get it all done. This was going to be a long night.
-We Are-
Leora, Lilly, Rion, and Jayda were sitting together in the food court at the mall. They had decided to take a break from shopping and get some smoothies.
"Man I forgot how much school sucked," Jayda whined.
"At least you're a senior, this is your last year," Leora said pointing a finger at the older girl. "You too, it's not fair," she said looking at Lilly.
"Yeah, but then it's college and listening to my dad try and talk me into premed," Lilly said making a face.
"But Lil, it's what your dad does, and you wanted to be a doctor at one point," Leora said making her voice deeper like Logan's voice. Lilly laughed. "Don't worry, you're smart, whatever you choose you'll be fine," Leora said leaning on her friend.
"I hope so," Lilly said with a thin lipped smile.
"I know what I want to be and that is a model," Jayda said striking a pose. She winked at the girls. "I've got an agency looking at me already. They want to sign me once I graduate, but my parents want me to go to college," she said making a face.
"Do what you gotta do," Rion said.
"Having a degree to fall back on would be nice though," Lilly said.
"I guess, but I'm almost in my prime. I've gotta look my best and aging isn't something I can afford," Jayda said, "not to sound conceded, but it's my dream," she added quickly.
The other three remained silent as they took in Jayda's words. She had a point. Being a model was demanding and the time to do it was limited for most.
"At least you know what you want to do with your life. I don't have a clue what I want to do," Rion said after a bit.
"This is my passion, just ask Kyle I've been in front of a camera my whole life," Jayda said slowly.
"Go for it, Jay, I don't think anyone deserves it more than you do," Leora said with a smile.
-We Are-
Kyle sighed as he listened to Jared and Matt bicker. They were at one another's throats again. Kyle was starting to see that this was normal. They were arguing about Matt's crush on the new girl and Jared was calling him a wuss for not making a move. Roldy and Noah were not making a peep either. It was best to let these two duke it out on their own.
"All I'm saying is be careful Matty, if you wait too long someone else might move in," Jared said putting his hands up.
"Don't you think I know that? I've got a plan Munroe," Matt said.
"What is this plan?" Jared asked.
"None of your business," Matt replied quickly.
"So-" Jared started.
Kyle and Roldy quickly slapped a hand over Jared's mouth cutting of his snarky remark.
"Enough," Kyle said.
"I agree," Roldy said, "let talk about something different please."
"Ok like what?" Jared said after pulling both hands from his mouth.
The five sat in silence. No one knew what to say.
"Have you guys played the new Zombie Attack! game?" Kyle asked suddenly.
"Not yet," Noah said.
"It's epic you should," Kyle said.
"How epic?" Noah asked.
"So epic I finished half the game in one weekend and it's a long ass game," Kyle said, "you know with Miles and Lucas' help," he added quickly.
"Oh my god I need this game!" Noah exclaimed.
"No you don't," Roldy said, "they rot your mind."
"If only you had told me sooner before I got addicted to video games," Noah said placing a hand to his head. "My brain must be a pile of goo by now," he added cheekily.
"You need a brain to start with?" Jared said earning laughs from Matt and Kyle.
"Screw you," Noah said sticking his tongue out at Jared. The guys all laughed and fell into a conversation about video games. It ended with Noah deciding he needed Zombie Attack! 3: The Dead Rise Again. He left with Roldy to go buy it. Roldy was protesting the whole way.
"You realize you just gave Noah an excuse to be late to work for like the next two weeks," Jared said looking at Kyle.
"Oh come on, it's not like Noah wasn't going to buy the game. He's been debating it for days now," Matt said.
"Besides if I can get my dads attention on anyone but me that's great," Kyle said as his cell started ringing. He groaned, as he pulled it out and glared at it. Kendall was calling. "I gotta go, I'll see you guys later. Tell Noah if he needs help text me and we can co-op," Kyle said standing up as he answered his phone.
-We Are-
Jake walked into the living room. Damien was sitting on the couch reading a book. Jake bit his lip as he watched him. Damien had been home for a couple weeks now, and they had been a bit distant from one another. They hadn't touched one another since the night Damien had arrived home.
Jake was worried. This was the longest they had ever gone without even touching one another in a long time. He didn't even want full on sex, he would just like a little attention from Damien. He wanted to know Damien was still attracted to him.
"You gonna stand there all night or are you gonna come over here?"
Jake snapped out of his thoughts. He saw Damien looking at him.
"Day?"
Damien smiled and motioned him over. Jake moved over to the couch.
"Sup Jake?"
"Nothing, just wondering what you wanted to do tonight," Jake said as he sat down next to his husband. He placed an arm around him and rested his chin on his shoulder.
"Actually, Tito invited me out to hang with the guys," Damien said.
Jake nodded his head. Tito was one of the guys Damien had gone to Paris with. All Jake had heard when Damien got home was Tito this and Tito that. He was in a lot of Damien's stories. Jake wasn't sure if he should be worried or not. It was probably harmless, but Jake couldn't help but worry.
Jake didn't want Damien to go, but he couldn't just demand he stay. That would only make things worse. Jake didn't want that, so all he said was, "Have fun."
"Thanks Jake, I'll make it up to you tomorrow night," Damien said with a smile.
"You work tomorrow night," Jake reminded him.
"Oh, my next night off I am all yours, promise," Damien said. Jake smiled weakly and nodded his head. Damien didn't seem to notice. He pecked Jake on the forehead and stood up. "Thanks Jake, love you," He said as he walked off.
"Love you too," Jake mumbled.
Jake sat there on the couch feeling alone. He liked that Damien had friends, but Damien always seemed to blow him off lately. They were all that mattered to him, it seemed.
With a sigh, Jake stood up and retrieved his laptop. He had some homework to finish.
-We Are-
Logan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Carlos was on the phone telling him he had to stay late on set. Logan knew this was bound to happen. The show's popularity had taken off. With the second season premiere coming up everyone was on edge hoping it would please people. They were all working extra to make sure everything was perfect.
"It's ok Los, this is your dream job, I don't mind," Logan said.
"I'm so sorry Logie," Carlos said once more.
"Carlos, enough it ok," Logan said firmly. "I get it. It's like when I was in medical school and I had to stay late," he said.
"Right, ok I'll see you later then," Carlos said.
"Yes," Logan said.
"Crap, they are calling me back I gotta go," Carlos said.
"Love you, bye Los," Logan said quickly. Carlos said good bye as well and hung up.
Logan sighed and sat there for a moment. The kids were out and Carlos was working. The house was empty and Logan didn't like it one bit. He had gotten so used to having people around. It was odd to be alone now.
Logan looked around the living room. He had nothing to do. He sighed and decided to go see what James was up to. He was usually home with Jenny and Miri.
-We Are-
Layla was sitting on the floor with Erika leaning against her as they listened to Millie go on about her annoying her new math teacher, Mr. Parker, was. They were at Millie's for the night. Erika would be leaving soon since she had a family thing to go to tomorrow.
"You know Mill, if you actually shut your mouth and listened, you wouldn't get in trouble as often," Layla said. Millie stopped dead and looked at Layla with shock.
"You know, only a true friend would be that brutally honest," she said wiping a fake tear from her eye. Erika and Layla laughed and shook their heads at her. "Besides being good is overrated," she added waving her hand.
"You are so full of yourself, you know that right?" Layla asked.
"There is nothing wrong with a little self confidence," Millie countered.
"She's got a point," Erika said.
"Ok I agree, but seriously you're going to step over the line soon and then your parents will be called," Layla warned her friend. Millie just out her hands up.
"Erika your mom is here!"
"Crap, I gotta go," Erika said. She turned and pecked Layla on the lips. "I'll see you Monday," she said. She jumped up and grabbed her bag.
"Yeah see you Monday," Layla agreed.
"Bye Mill, listen to Layla she's smart," Erika said as she ran from the room.
Once she was gone Mille grinned at Layla. "So you two are cozy," she said.
"Well yeah, we've been dating for awhile now," Layla said her cheeks turning red.
"You guys are adorable," Millie gushed. Layla's cheeks turned even redder as she looked away.
-We Are-
Kendall smiled as he watched Jenny run about the living room playing on the little four wheel bike she had gotten for her birthday. She was getting better at scooting around on it. It was hard to believe that she was already a year old. Time just seemed to be flying of by. He didn't like it one bit. He knew all too soon she'd become rebellious as well and hate him like Kyle seemed to do.
Kendall heard the front door open. He jumped up to see who it was.
"James?"
"No James, just Kendall," Kendall said once Logan rounded the corner.
"Oh, I thought James was watching Jenny today," Logan said shocked.
"Nah, he's at a shoot," Kendall said, "I took off early to look after Jenny since we haven't found a nanny yet," he said.
"No one good enough for you baby girl," Logan asked smiling fondly at Jenny.
"So it would seem, James seems to hate everyone we've interviewed. There's always something wrong," Kendall said annoyed.
"You'll find someone," Logan said with a chuckle.
"So what's up doc?" Kendall asked teasingly.
"Ha ha, nothing much. Kids are out and Carlos is working late. I figured I'd come and see what you were up to," Logan said shrugging.
"This is it, just letting Jenny play herself out," Kendall said gesturing to Jenny who was oblivious to the two as she rammed her bike into the arm chair trying to get past it.
"So have you heard from Adam yet?" Logan asked cautiously.
"No, and I don't like it," Kendall sighed. "He left a note, so the police aren't to worried especially since Adam has always been like this. He...I just wish he would come home," he said.
"Give him time I'm sure he'll show up," Logan said.
"What if something has happened to him-what if-what if-?" Kendall stopped not wanting to finish that thought.
"I'm sure he's fine," Logan said reassuringly.
"I hope so," Kendall sighed.
-We Are-
Adam sighed as he stared up at the ceiling above him. It was illuminated by the early morning light coming in from the window across the room. He glanced at the alarm clock beside his bed. It was almost six thirty. Which meant he would have to get up soon and be forced to work.
Adam wanted nothing more than to just stay and bed and not deal with life. He wanted to forget the last few months of his life. It would make everything so much easier.
Adam sighed once more and got out of bed. He walked over to the window. The sun was coming up, and it the cool autumn air was crisp. He sighed as he stood there.
Adam had left his life in Los Angeles behind. It had been the hardest thing he had ever done. He left his family and friends behind and hadn't looked back. It wasn't easy, especially since he missed his daughter and Cooper, his ex-fiancé. He still cared for them, but things had changed. Cooper wanted different things then Adam. They had argued over everything and Adam had gotten scared and left. He hadn't talked to anyone since. He knew they were all probably worried, but he couldn't talk to them without feeling so guilty for leaving his family.
The door opened behind him. Adam didn't tense or move at all. He had been expecting it. She was better than any alarm he could set. Alway the same time every morning. She was just here to wake him up was all. She needed to make sure he was getting ready for another long day of work.
"Adam?"
Big thanks to all for the support. lots happening and I don't have much time. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Any guesses as to where Adam is?
Always
OUTOFMYMIND