A/N: Hey guys! I'll get straight to the point. This will be my last update till my finals are over. I really wish there was a way for me to update and focus on my school works, but I'm under a lot of pressure right now. I really hope you guys can understand.

Oh, before I forget. Amanda pointed out a good argument in her last review. I would just like t osay that it's gonna be addressed in a future chapter.

Just a quick shout-out to my wonderful friend, Aeroja. I just unofficially beta'd the prologue to his new story, and I must say that I can't wait till he publishes it. I don't think I'm even allowed to tell that he was going to write a story, but yeah. All I can say is that it's a Cargan story and the plot is sooo nice. PM him and tell him to hurry up with the story! =))) Check out the story! It's entitled "Past Influences".

Ughh. Prepare for a long scene of dialogues, although this would reveal more things about Logan. Yay! Don't worry it's only for the flashback scene. Everything else is written normally.

Disclaimer: I do not own BTR.

Chapter 4: Under an Orange Sky

"All right. Do five more laps, and we're done for the day."

Logan got into position and waited for the signal. As the coach blew the whistle, the swim team dove into the pool, and did their laps.

Joining the swim team was not a decision that Logan had made on his own. In fact, it wasn't even his decision at all. It was around a few weeks after his dad walked out on them. His mom was still in a coma, and the principal had mandated Logan to talk to the guidance counsellor every day.

At first, Logan did not like the idea. He'd rather not talk about the traumatic events, and pretend like they never happened. But when Principal Rocque threatened to expel him for defying him (which Logan still thinks was an empty threat), he decided to humour the man, just to get him off his back.

And that's how he met Ms. Wainwright. She was really nice and looked like she just graduated from college. Upon entering the room, Logan had his doubts that this woman would be able to offer any useful advice, only to be proven wrong.

"Good afternoon, Logan. I am Kelly Wainwright, the school's guidance counsellor. Please have a seat."

Well at least, she didn't act like she felt sorry for Logan, or acted like she knew how he felt.

"..." He took the offered seat and stared at her, just wanting to get this over with.

"So Logan, I hear that you are one of our brightest students in Woods High."

"..." Are they just going to talk about things that they both already knew?

If Ms. Wainwright felt uncomfortable, her face did show it. She continued smiling as if nothing was wrong.

"How about this, Logan? If you cooperate and talk to me for this session, we'll only need to meet again at the end of the week, just to see how you're doing. Then that's it. You won't be required to see me anymore."

"Okay."

The moment that he spoke, Ms. Wainwright scribbled something on her clipboard, as if a single word already gave her insight on how his mind worked.

"Good. Now, I'm giving you the liberty to talk about anything, and I mean it. I'm also giving you the authority to tell me if you'd rather not answer a question that I asked. Is that okay?"

Logan nodded.

"Good." She nodded her head. "Now, what do you usually do on your spare time?"

"I used to hang out with Camille."

"Used to?"

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Fair enough. What about now? What do you do?"

"Homework? Study?" Logan tried to look and sound as disinterested as possible. What did these things have to do with anything?

"I see." She scribbles again without really looking at the clipboard. "Now. I'd like you to describe yourself for me. Pretend that you were introducing yourself to someone."

"Do I have to?" Logan asked as he glanced at the clock. He can't believe he was missing Algebra for this non-sense.

"Yes."

"Fine. My name is Logan Mitchell. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor. I prefer to listen to what other people have to say rather than talk about myself. Is that good enough?"

The scribbling was driving Logan mad. He couldn't stand not knowing what she was writing about him.

"Okay then. Do you think that your personality has recently changed?"

"That's a little too vague to answer, but still... Don't you think that this is something that you should ask somebody else? I wouldn't really know if I changed, seeing that I would think that it was something that I already was, a long time ago." As Logan said this, he saw a twinkle in Ms. Wainwright's eyes.

"I agree." She finally stopped with her scribbling and glanced at her notes. Does this mean that it was finally over? After a few minutes, she looked at Logan and flashed him a grin.

"So can I leave already? I'd like to get back to class now."

"I'd like to make another proposition Logan."

"Let's hear it."

"Okay, you won't be required to see me again, even at the end of the week, if you join a non-academic extracurricular activity."

"Wait, what? I am confused. What does this have to do with anything I said?" Logan was now doubting Ms. Wainwright's sanity. She should be the one who should see a therapist.

"Well, from what I gathered from our conversation, you tend to avoid problems rather than try to solve them. You have trust issues. You are severely overworked and stressed..." She counted as she mentioned her point. "...which means that you need to have fun. Or at least have a distraction."

"Okay, I can see how you got those conclusions, but does it really have to be non-academic? Can't it be like the math club or something? I am already a part of that club."

"Wow. That's another interesting fact! No, you already over think things, Logan; which believe it or not, is a bad thing. Playing sports is a good way to empty your mind, and a great way to meet new friends."

Logan didn't need friends. Other people will only get in his way. He needed no one, and everyone else was better off without him.

"Well, if you're so good, then why don't you suggest a sport for me?"

"I suggest swimming. It's a sport that doesn't really require you to think or strategize. You just have to... swim."

"Fine. May I go now?"

"Just a moment. I've given you advice as a therapist, but I would also like to give you my personal advice. It may seem that the world is full of disgusting and horrible people, but don't lose hope. There are always people who are genuinely good. I've been through a somewhat similar experience to yours..."

Oh great, here comes the "I know how you feel" speech.

"Don't look at me like that. I know that you're thinking that I'm insinuating how you feel. I don't. I'm just saying that someday, you might encounter an experience or meet someone that will make you see the better things in life."

"I doubt that."

"Just don't do anything stupid, Logan. You are a smart kid; it's supposed to be against your nature to do something stupid. I personally think that you'll make a good doctor someday. I think you'd do well as a clinical psychiatrist."

Logan gave her a look, which probably looked more rude than he intended.

"I'll talk to the swim team coach to let you practice with the team. They practice every Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5. If you don't show up, you'll have to see me again on Friday and probably face more awkward questions. That is all. You may go back to class."

As Logan left the room, Ms. Wainwright asked her secretary to set up an appointment with Camille.

Up to this day, Logan had no idea whether Ms. Wainwright was crazy or brilliant.

She'd been wrong about one thing though. Joining the swim team didn't give him the opportunity to make new friends. These guys preferred to pretend that Logan did not exist, and he actually preferred it that way. Ms. Wainwright only said that it was a good way to make friends; she didn't specifically say that he had to make friends.

As they completed the required five laps, the other guys went to the shower room, whilst Logan continued floating around the pool. This was kind of the unspoken rule he had with the rest of the swim team. They shower first, and when they're all done, that's when Logan can shower. There was actually a time where he was idiotic enough to think that he could shower with the other guys. Well let's just say that they made it clear that they did not like Logan showering with them.

Yes, cause being gay means that you are attracted to anything that has a dick and would do anything to see one.

Idiots.

Carlos finished all of his homework during detention. Well everything except trigonometry. This in itself was a feat for him. He normally can't sit still and focus on anything for more than an hour. What changed, he didn't know.

He still couldn't help but feel frustrated at trigonometry though. He tried his best to understand, but numbers weren't really his strong point. They were only a few weeks into the school year, and he felt like he was already flunking the class. He'd have to find a tutor soon.

As the teacher told everyone that they could leave, Carlos felt smacking his head. In all his excitement with Logan coming over for dinner, he forgot to ask where they were going to meet.

Then another possibility occurred to Carlos.

Oh, Logan was really clever. Too bad Carlos could read him like an open book. He ran out of the room, hoping to catch another student who also had detention.

"Excuse me, but do you know where the pool is?"

Logan was walking through the hallways scrolling through his iPod, not really paying attention to his surroundings, when something rather someone bumped into him.

He was about to apologize to the other person, but decided against it. He knew who it was anyways.

"You are smart. A real genius." Carlos shook his head as he helped Logan up.

Well, there goes his plan. He accepted that the universe hated him and took out the ear buds from his ears.

How should he play this? Hmmm. Ah innocent would be safe bet.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't act innocent. I know that you purposely didn't ask where we were going to meet up so that you can weasel your way out of dinner." The Latino seemed really proud of himself. Logan would've given him credit, but that would be admitting that the other boy was right, and he thinks that the Latino's ego would bloat at any mention of a compliment from him.

"You have an overactive imagination." Logan rolled his eyes. Yup, he should've joined the drama club along with Camille and James. He would've been a great actor.

"Do not!" Carlos stuck his tongue out and made faces. "Race you to the end of the hallway. Last one there has to buy refreshments on the way home." And with that Carlos sprinted off.

Maybe he could take another route and escape?

"Don't bother trying to escape! I will hunt you down and drag you home, if I have to!" There goes another idea. What was wrong with his brain lately? He should've figured out a way to avoid spending time with this very energetic, not to mention childish, person.

He couldn't possibly enjoy spending time with him. Could he?

Logan entered the convenience store alone, as the clerk shouted something like "NO ROLLERBLADES ALLOWED". He went to where the refreshments were located and got himself a grape juice and an orange soda for Carlos. He paid for the drinks and went out, only to see Carlos crouched down, playing with a stranger's puppy.

He took the time to observe the other man, recalling Veronica's question as to whether or not he liked anyone in their circle of friends. At the time he was too busy fuming from being splashed by Carlos to really observe him.

The Latino was definitely cute. Logan can admit that much.

And now that he thinks about it, Carlos' optimism and bubbly attitude was a little infectious. His brain recalled what Ms. Wainwright said about meeting someone that will make him look at the better things in life.

As Carlos was petting the puppy, he looked up and smiled at Logan.

"Look Logan! Look at the cute little puppy. Isn't he adorable?"

"Yeah, he is." Were they still talking about the puppy? Yup, the puppy was adorable, not Carlos.

"Come over here and pet him."

"I'm not really good with animals..."

"Pshaw. It's just a puppy. It won't bite you or anything." Carlos stood up and dragged him towards the puppy. "Is it all right if my friend pets the puppy as well?"

"Go ahead." The woman replied.

Carlos crouched down again and Logan followed his lead. He observed Carlos as he stroked the puppy's fur. Carlos grabbed his hand and held it near the puppy.

"Open your palm and let him sniff it."

He did as he was told. He should've read more on rabies shot, seeing that he might need one after this.

The puppy noticed Logan's hand and approached it cautiously. It sniffed his hand and once it had deemed it safe enough, it started licking his hand.

"That tickles..." Logan laughed.

"See. It doesn't bite." Carlos clapped him on the back. "Now gimme me my soda!" And Carlos skated away.

"You're lucky to have a friend like him." The woman said as Logan stood up.

"Uhh. Thanks?" Logan was really unsure of what to say. "I also apologize for the intrusion."

"Oh, don't apologize. It was totally welcome. Now go, your friend seems to be getting impatient." The woman shooed him away.

As he walked towards Carlos, Logan reminded himself that the other boy was straight. He'd have to be content with being his friend.

"I'm hooooooome!" Carlos said in a sing-song voice.

A red-headed woman, who looked like in her mid to late thirties, came into the living room. Logan assumed that she was Carlos and Kendall's mom.

"Don't you dare think that we won't be talking about your detention young man!" Logan looked away, feeling guilty for Carlos.

"But mo-"

"No buts!" The woman glared at Carlos then turned to Logan with a smile on her face. "You must be Logan. It's nice to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too... Mrs-"

"Oh, call me Jen."

"All right then. It's nice to meet you too Jen. I do have to agree with Carlos on this one. It wasn't his fault that he got into detention it wa-"

Logan felt Carlos grab him and drag him off to god knows where.

"Call us when dinner is ready! I'll show Logan the den!" Carlos shouted as he led Logan towards another room.

"Are you crazy?" Carlos said as they entered what looked like the den. "If you told her that it was your fault, she might think that you're a bad influence on me and forbid me to be friends with you!"

"And why are you going through so much trouble to be my friend?"Logan quirked an eyebrow.

"Because you need more friends?" Carlos whispered.

"Look. I am not some charity case. Who are you to decide what I need?" He hated when people started thinking for him. He was capable of making his own decisions. "That's it. I'm leaving."

"No! Please. I'm sorry. It's just I really want to be your friend." Carlos pleaded before he could reach the door.

"Again, why?"

"I don't know! I just know that I want to be your friend. Is that so bad?" Carlos had this pleading look on his face. Damn, he was really persistent about this whole friendship thing.

"Fine. Do you mind if I do some homework while waiting for dinner?"

"Sure. Come on, you can do it in the den."

Logan closed his book and stretched. He managed to finish his homework within an hour, but he probably had to double check some of his answers when he got home. He looked at what Carlos was doing and saw the other boy seated at the sofa, probably surfing the net on the laptop.

Just then, Kendall walked into the room and plopped next to Carlos.

"You guys mind if I watch a little television?"

"Go ahead. We were about to leave anyways." Carlos said as he shut his laptop.

"We are? Where are we going?"

"To the tree deck" Okay, Logan was getting sick of Carlos grabbing his arm to drag him off, every time that they were going somewhere.

Logan felt a little curious with why Kendall looked so dumbstruck.

Carlos dragged him to their moderately spacious backyard. Logan could see a tree near the corner and what looks like an unfinished tree house... with no roof and had railings for a wall. Carlos ran to the tree and climbed the wooden planks that were nailed to the tree. As soon as the Latino got up, he waved at Logan, gesturing him to come up.

"So... This is a tree deck?"

"Uh huh. Dad wanted to make it into a tree house but I said that I didn't like a roof on it." Carlos lay down and Logan just stood there awkwardly.

"Why?"

"Come lay down, and you'll see."

Still confused and ignoring the unintentional innuendo, Logan did as he was told. As he looked up, he saw the orange sky.

It was breathtaking.

"If you think this is amazing, you should see the sky at night."

"I can imagine. So you like looking at the sky huh?"

"Yeah. It's just comforting to know that there's this thing that connects everyone. Everyone is looking at the same sky, the same heavenly bodies. Also, it used to be a bonding moment for me and my mama."

"Used to?"

"Yeah, you know. Before she passed away." Carlos said the words calmly, but Logan could feel the sadness behind the words.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I thought, you know..."

"It's okay. Rollerblading and looking at the sky in the only connection I have left with her."Carlos turned to face Logan. "Hey, I know this is a really big favour but can I ask you a question?"

"Depends. What's the question?" Logan felt bad for Carlos, but if he asked about his past, he wasn't going to answer it.

"Do you mind tutoring me in Trigonometry? I know that you're one of the smartest in our batch."

"And what do I get from it?" Logan smirked.

"Oh, you mean besides my eternal and undying love? Well, you can always have dinner with us. I'm sure our moms could work things out." Carlos had a mischievous grin on his face.

"Fine, but only if my mom agrees to it."

"Yes!" Carlos jumped up and did a happy dance. Logan sat up and just smiled at his friend's antics.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Carlos let someone up on the tree deck while he's there?!" Katie sounded indignant.

"Yes, little sister. I can't believe it myself either." Kendall replied as they both looked through the sliding door that led to the backyard.

"What makes him so special?"

"I don't know Katie. All I know is that whatever makes Carlos happy is fine with me."

"As long as he doesn't hurt him... Or else he'll have to deal with me." Katie cracked her knuckles and walked away, which cause Kendall to chuckle.

"Oh, sis. I don't think that Logan would hurt him. In fact I think it's the other way around." Kendall said in a whisper as he continued to observe Carlos and Logan.

A/N: So what do you guys think? I personally like Carlos here better than the Carlos in Stranger Than Fiction. I enjoy writing him more when he's so childish and innocent and oblivious to an extent.

Oh... Logan finally acknowledged Carlos as a friend. He didn't say it out loud, but he thought of him as a friend while laughing at his antics. Yay development!

Remember, the earliest I can update again is on September 5. Don't miss me too much! I'll try to update both stories the moment I get home from my finals.

Don't forget to check out Aeroja's new story entitled "Past Influences". And make sure to let him know how good it is!

Your views, alerts, favourites, and most especially the reviews are really appreciated. Reading what you guys think, or what you'd like to see in this story fills me with so much happiness.

Love lots, and keep on rushing!