Chapter 4
The next week
Dustin was seriously irritated.
It wasn't that he minded that Lola and Quinn wanted to celebrate their birthdays together, they were only five days apart after all. It also wasn't that he couldn't think of anything to get them. In fact Dustin had found the perfect gifts, not only for their birthdays but also to thank them for their help and support they had given him since his family had left him. From homework to bullies, giving him the opportunity to vent his frustrations of not hearing from his family since they all relocated to England, being a shoulder to lean on when the frustration threatened to overwhelm him. Zoey, even at her best, had not been the big sister those two had been. Of course he realized that the thought could come from just being upset that she hadn't bothered to keep in touch since moving which was probably unfair but he also thought that the lack of contact was at best odd. No, Dustin was angered by the same thing that usually got in the way of his plans.
His lack of money.
The boy pondered his options, which seemed very few indeed. He couldn't ask Lola and Quinn for money to buy their own birthday presents because that would just be wrong and missing the whole point. He could work for Logan again but Dustin just cringed at that thought. Letting out a long groan of frustration, Dustin walked to the outside cafeteria area to further ponder the problem. As he was nearing it, Dustin noticed Logan making out with a girl on a bench that was partially secluded by trees. Curious he slipped around the couple. Something about the girl made it seem like an important thing to do. When he found a spot where he could remain hidden but see the girl more clearly an evil grin spread across his face. Those birthday presents were good as bought. He waited until they were done and the girl left. Logan leaned back on the bench and pulled out his ipod.
Dustin emerged from his hiding spot "Hi Logan." he said with a friendly smile. Since Logan was now in such a good mood, he returned the smile.
"Hey kid, what's up?"
"Oh not much. Was that Stacy Potter?" he asked. Logan's grin became wider.
"Yeah." the young man answered seeming very satisfied with himself.
"You know she's dating Jimmy Pankin, don't you?" asked innocentely. Logan looked at him curiously.
"She is?"
"Yeah, I saw them together this morning doing pretty much what you were doing just now." Logan's eyes widened in surprise.
"You saw us?!" he asked in shock.
"Yeah, just passing by, you know, and I didn't want to disturb you." Dustin's expression changed as if he was seriously trying to remember something. "Jimmy's captain of the football team isn't he?" Logan gulped.
"Yeah."
"You probably wouldn't want him finding out about this. I mean you of all people know how the football players can be." Logan's mouth slowly dropped open. Dustin's expression remained impassive but on the inside he was loving this. Logan regained his composure slightly and sighed in frustration. The kid had him and he knew it.
"What do you want?"
"I can show you if you can arrange for us to get to the mall."
Grumbling to himself, Logan pulled out his phone and stood up.
"Come on then."
Logan had to admit when he saw the gifts that Dustin had chosen, that the kid had taste and class when it came to picking out a present for a girl. He thought that the next time he needed to get one, he'd pay Dustin to help him out.
& & &
Two days later, Sushi Rox became a private party for Lola and Quinn. They had gone through all their presents except for the last two which were small and wrapped in identical paper. Each noticed that the gifts were from Dustin who they both smiled at with great affection before tearing off the paper to reveal identical jewelery boxes. Lola and Quinn looked at each other with confused expression. Logan bit his lip to prevent a knowing smirk from crossing his face. Dustin just sat there happily. When they opened the boxes what they saw inside took their breath away.
Hanging from two golden chains were two small identical heart shaped pendants. The pendants had identical inscriptions on them in fancy script.
Big Sister
They pulled Dustin into a hug between the two of them. They had received cooler presents. They had received more expensive presents. However, when the evening ended, no present was as important to them as two small necklaces which hung around their necks.