The day wore on slowly and painfully for James. He just couldn't seem to warm up, even though he never removed his coat. He was tired, having not gotten a decent nights sleep in what seemed like forever. Despite his desire to put his head down and pass out, he held his head up high and forced himself to focus on his schoolwork as if nothing was wrong.

As if nothing was wrong. Ha! What a joke. Something always was wrong. And it always started with his father. But he knew better than to say anything about it. James was an actor. He made it sixteen years so far without anyone finding out all of the secrets he kept hidden. Except his mom, of course, and mom couldn't tell anyone from where she was now…

James' eyelids felt heavy as he sat in the third row, last seat of his biology class. Carlos was seated to his left, three seats ahead, trying to balance a pencil on his nose. Kendall was sitting right next to James, half taking notes, half texting someone, probably Logan or someone from the hockey team.

Mrs. Chung rambled on and on about meiosis, lulling James further to sleep. He tried his hardest to fight it off, but the sleepiness he felt was too strong. He'd had a hard last couple of days and it really took a toll on him. Hell, he'd had a hard life.

Just as James was about to completely enter dreamland, the loud and obnoxious crackle of the loudspeaker shook everyone's ears and brought attention.

"Attention students and faculty, there is a large snow storm approaching within the next few hours. It is expected that there will be a snow emergency and the roads will be closed. Students and faculty will be dismissed early. All sports practices, which includes wrestling, basketball, hockey and gymnastics, will be canceled today. We ask that at this time everyone starts making their way to their destinations. Buses are here. That is all."

The classroom erupted in shouts of joy. Everyone, even Mrs. Chung, grabbed all their books and bags and stampeded toward the door, eager to get out of there.

James shuffled behind the crowd into the hallway. Carlos and Kendall were already way ahead of him, obviously to excited to stop and wait for their slowpoke friend. James hadn't been in the hallways for thirty seconds before he felt someone grab him by the shoulder. He whipped around to face Logan.

"Come on, you're coming home with me so I can keep an eye on you." Logan bossed.

"No, Logan, really, I'm fine!" James tried to argue with him. He was actually grateful for the offer, or order, but he'd never tell Logan that. He was just glad that he wouldn't have to go home to his dad.

"Your dad isn't home, is he?" Logan questioned.

"No…he's working a double shift." James informed him, not sure if it was the truth or not.

"Well I don't want to leave you by yourself like this. You're coming home with me and that's final!" Logan said, speaking with a great deal of authority.

Normally, Logan was quiet and passive, but when it came to his friends health he did not mess around. Health meant business to him and when he knew something wasn't right with a friend he wasted no time in trying to fix the problem.

James sighed, pretending to be frustrated as he followed Logan to the main entrance. He couldn't let Logan know how thankful he was for his doctor senses. If he did then Logan would start to really freak out.

He followed Logan in silence out to his car. He remained silent as they fought their way out of the parking lot. Silence continued as they drove through the blizzard to Logan's house. He didn't even say anything as they walked up the porch and Logan unlocked the door.

The two boys shuffled in, stripping off their coats and shoes and leaving them by the door. Logan led him over to the large tan couch, where the two boys plopped down.

"Where's your mom and dad?" James mumbled, finally breaking the silence.

"Mom's still landing planes and dad's gonna be late tonight. He has a lot of work to do on the Dentini VS Lisczyrski case." Logan explained.

Logan's mother was an air traffic controller and his father was a big-name lawyer. Both of his parents worked long and hard to earn their paychecks. The Mitchells were a family that definitely valued what they had.

"Come on, James, tell me what's bothering you," Logan gently encouraged him.

"Nothing is bothering me, Logan, I promise." James knew he would never buy that. He's Logan and he always knows better.

"Well something is wrong. Admit it James, so I can help you. You've been acting really weird lately and the guys and I are worried." Logan told him, eyes glistening with sincerity.

"I've been a little stressed, lately, no big deal, Logan, really." James told him, showing false honesty as he spoke. Being the actor James was, Logan was feeding into it just enough to let it slide.

Logan looked apprehensive for a moment, but gave a defeated nod. "Okay, but if there's anything else you know you can come to me or Kendall or Carlos, right?"

"Of course." Ha, another beautiful lie. He hasn't come to them with anything in years.

"Good." Logan gave a soft smile. "You wanna watch a movie?"

"Sure." James nodded, stifling a yawn.

Logan got up and walked over to the DVD player and popped in The Mighty Ducks, an old time favorite of the group. He then laid himself down on the couch, situating his head comfortably against a pillow.

James followed his lead, stretching his long legs out onto the big couch. He laid his head on the cushion, not bothering with a pillow. He was glad that Logan had a ridiculously large L-shaped couch, otherwise this might have been awkward; the two of them sprawled out on the couch in such a way.

Not even half an hour into the movie, James felt his eyelids starting to succumb to gravity. He forced them open as best as he could, getting ready to tape them open if it came to it. He didn't want to fall asleep. Logan would really freak out then. Everyone knew James didn't sleep a whole lot, and he almost never took naps during the day.

He didn't want to fall asleep. But his body was so tired. And Logan's couch was just so soft and comfortable. The house was warm and cozy and the low volume of the movie started to act as a lullaby.

"I'm going to make a sandwich for lunch. You want one?" Logan asked, yanking James away from sleep.

"Yeah, that sounds good." James replied, hoping he didn't sound groggy. He felt the end of the couch dip up as Logan went to go fix lunch for them.

James stretched and sat up in an attempt to wake himself up before Logan got back. He opened his eyes as wide as he could, determined to fight off the sleep that wanted him so badly.

Too bad that James' head started to loll and his eyes were turning into lead, or so it felt that way. Before he could stop himself, he fell sideways onto the couch, completely out cold, head on the couch cushion and legs dangling off the side.

"Hey James, what kind of meat do you want? We have ham, salami or bolo- oh." Logan stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed his friend had passed out on the couch.

Sighing, he made his way over to him and swung his legs back on the couch. He gazed at his friend, taking in how tired he looked. His eyes had dark circles under them and he seemed to frown in his sleep. And wait- was that a bruise on his arm? Logan shook his head, feeling worried and for some reason, guilty.

He draped the blanket from the back of the couch over James' sleeping form. He shook his head at his exhausted friend as he walked back to the kitchen to put away the food. Logan didn't know what was up, but at that point he knew something was very wrong with his best friend.

You guys got this chapter because I'm putting off my research paper on The Goblin Market. Have you guys ever read it? Ridiculously long, but great poem. You should really google it, check it out. Anyways, about MY writing…How was this chapter? What did you like about it? Dislike? Please inform me! I like knowing your opinions, whether they be good, bad or the other! Thanks for reading guys