Some of Camille's classmates were actually quite relieved that they could go back to school regularly, but most of the students were disappointed. But that was nothing compared to Camille's disappointment when she entered the classroom that Monday morning and found that Logan wasn't there. The chair next to Kendall was empty. Camille sat down next to her friends and checked her phone. But no calls or text messages were received. Was she really so wrong about Logan? He had promised it. Or had all this really been just a game for him? Had he taken advantage of her? Camille couldn't believe it. But the facts spoke for themselves. When the door opened, hope returned for a brief moment, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come. It was just Miss Collins. She greeted the students cheerfully and then began to check the attendance. When she reached Logan's name, Camille clearly saw disappointment in her face as well. Miss Collins looked over at Kendall, James, and Carlos. "Where is Logan?"

The three shrugged in sync. Someone in the class was laughing, and when Camille turned around, she realized it was Jett. Who else should it be?

"Who is surprised by this? I bet he got drunk again at the weekend and forgot that he had to come back to school today. Camille probably did all the work on her own anyway while he was having fun. Am I right?" He asked Camille, who preferred not to answer him. But Kendall said in a loud voice, "I swear to God, Jett, if you don't shut up, I will-"

"Okay, please calm down everyone," Miss Collins intervened. Kendall and Jett fell silent, but continued to stare at each other in anger. Miss Collins sighed and then said in a normal voice, "I'm happy to see you all again and even more I'm happy about all the great projects you've worked out. So, now one group after another will come forward and present their project to the rest of the class."

And so it started. One group after another presented their project. But Camille could hardly concentrate on it because her thoughts were constantly with Logan. Then it was her turn. Miss Collins gave her a somewhat sad smile when she said, "Well, Camille, please tell us about the project you and Logan have worked on."

Jett coughed. Camille went to the board, looked at her classmates and was about to start when it suddenly knocked on the door. Two people entered the classroom. One of them was Logan. But ... something was wrong with him. He was pale and seemed to be in pain. His stepfather was behind him. He smiled apologetically as he said to Miss Collins, "Please excuse the interruption, Miss Collins. Logan helped me renovate the garage over the weekend and fell off the ladder. I even had to take him to the emergency room. A doctor took good care of him and actually signed him off sick. I told Logan to stay at home today, but he insisted on coming here. I think it's because of the project, isn't it?" At his last words, he looked Camille directly in the eye. And Camille, who felt a mixture of anger, concern, and fear at Logan's sight, noticed too late that these sensations were reflected on her face. Charles's eyes narrowed. Camille felt a surge of horror rising in her when she realized that he had interpreted her facial expression correctly. He knew that Logan had told her everything. He had seen it in her eyes.

Miss Collins cleared her throat. "Logan ... if you are not feeling well, you can stay at home. It's fine. You can rest and when you feel fit again, you and Camille can present your project together."

Logan shook his head. "No, I'm okay. Really. I can do it." While he said this, he avoided any eye contact with her and with everyone else. Charles laughed and patted Logan on the shoulder. "Gradually my boy becomes a good student. Well, I would love to stay here and listen to the presentation, but unfortunately I have a very urgent appointment." He looked at Logan encouragingly. "Are you sure, champ?"

Logan nodded.

"He's a fighter. But if he doesn't feel good, please let him go home. Better yet, you call me. Okay?" He said to Miss Collins.

"Yes, of course," she replied. Charles smiled at her and Camille, then nodded to Kendall, James, and Carlos, all of three staring at him with petrified faces. Then he left the classroom.

In the first few seconds there was an absolute silence. Nobody said a word, not even Jett. Miss Collins cleared her throat a second time. "Okay, Logan, if you're sure everything is okay, then you and Camille can start now."

Over the next few minutes, a transformation seemed to be taking place. Not only with Logan, who made a great presentation despite his poor condition, but also with the rest of the students. Partly confused, partly impressed, they stared at Logan, listened patiently to him, and really noticed him for the first time.

"Ultimately, there's only one question: Is alcohol good or bad? The answer is both. Of course it can have serious consequences, and yes, that's coming from me."

The class laughed. For the first time in nearly two years, they laughed not at him, but with him. Camille was proud of him.

"But on the other hand, there are also some positive effects. So there is no reason to be ashamed if you don't drink and you don't have to be ashamed when you consume alcohol ... Well, of course, it's all theoretical. Because we are not officially allowed to drink alcohol, are we?"

Some of the students smirked.

"So, as long as you pay attention to a few rules, nothing stands in the way of the party weekend. Don't overdo it with the drinks, don't drive when you're drunk, and under no circumstances don't use your phone, because we all know that nothing good will come out of it when you make drunken calls or send confusing text messages asking your boss angrily or crying why he's broke up with you or told your ex that you quit your job."

They laughed again. Logan smiled and made a slight bow. "Thank you."

The students applauded and Miss Collins beamed. "That was really great. Thank you."

Logan and Camille went back to their seats, Logan limped slightly and sweated. Still, he seemed satisfied. Miss Collins thanked everyone for the great work and told them that she would grade the projects as soon as possible, then it was time for the break. Camille was one of the last to leave the room when Carlos's scream made her turn around.

"Logan!"

Horrified, Camille saw Logan lying on the floor, breathing heavily. Without paying attention to her friends' stunned faces, she ran to Logan and knelt down on the floor next to Kendall, while Miss Collins was calling an ambulance.

A few hours later, James, Carlos, and Camille met Kendall – who had been giving permission by Miss Collins to accompany Logan - in the waiting area of the hospital.

"How's Logan?" Carlos asked. Kendall shrugged. "He has to stay here for a few days." He looked at Camille, surprised that she was here. James noticed his gaze. "She asked us if she could come with us."

Kendall nodded. For a few minutes there was silence, then Carlos gave Kendall a hard poke in the ribs and pointed to the entrance. Charles was there, talking to a doctor. They saw the doctor patting Charles on the shoulder and muttering something to him. Charles nodded grimly. Then the doctor put a hand on Charles's back and walked away with him. The four teenagers looked at each other in confusion.

"Um ... Was this a normal conversation between a relative and a doctor?" Carlos asked, surprised.

"Do you know what I think? I think they know each other," Kendall said suspiciously.

Charles entered the hospital room of his hated stepson. Logan looked at him just as hatefully. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Not yet."

Logan snorted. "And how much do you pay your great doctor friend this time to fake the medical report so that no one gets behind your dark secret?"

Charles smiled smugly. "That is none of your business. But how about a deal?"

"A deal? Do you really think I'm so stupid to go into it?"

Charles laughed viciously. "I think when you hear what it's all about; you will change your mind."

"Fine. Speak!"

Charles bent down so close to him that Logan could feel his breath on his face.

"You told your little girlfriend everything, didn't you?"

"For the thousandth time, she's not my girlfriend. And I didn't tell her anything."

The slap came out of nowhere. "I told you not to lie to me, boy! I've seen it in her reaction. She knows everything. That's bad. Very bad."

"And what do you want to do about it?"

"You know, Los Angeles is a big and often a dangerous city. There are so many accidents every day. It would be a great pity if something like this happened to your girlfriend, wouldn't it?"

Logan's face, which had barely any color anyway, turned white in one fell swoop. "You wouldn't dare..." But Logan knew very well that his stepfather wasn't shying away from anything that could be dangerous to him. Charles smiled triumphantly. "Well, if you don't want something to happen to her, make sure she leaves you alone from now on. Otherwise you'll be responsible for all consequences."

Logan swallowed. "Do you promise not to hurt her if she stays away from me?"

Charles nodded. "That's the deal. So … what do you say?"

After Charles left the hospital, the boys went to Logan's room with Camille and stepped in. Logan looked at Camille. "What is she doing here?"

"She wanted to come with us," Carlos replied.

"Why?"

"I was worried about you, Logan."

"Well, how I feel is none of your business."

"But I thought we were friends."

Logan laughed humorlessly. "Friends? Oh, please, don't tell me that you actually believed all this crap."

"What are you talking about?" Camille asked, confused.

"Don't you get it? I used you to make this project more bearable for me. But now it's over, so I don't need you anymore."

"You ... you slept with me..."

"Yes, that's true. But do you know what? It was all just part of a bet. And I think I won."

"No ... I don't believe you."

"Ask them." Logan pointed to the guys. "Ask them if this bet actually existed."

"Is that true?" Camille asked, horrified. The boys looked at each other.

"Well, yes, it's true. Logan and James made a bet. They wanted to find out who would be the first to sleep with their project partner," Kendall explained uncomfortably. Camille stared at Logan in disbelief. What was going on with him? Why did he say all these things? With a slightly trembling hand, she carefully touched his shoulder. "Logan, does this have anything to do with your stepfather?"

"Don't touch me!" Logan snapped, and Camille pulled her hand away.

"Just leave. I don't want to see you anymore. Seriously, you've been on my nerves for weeks. I'm glad this time is finally over."

"I thought you were different..."

"Well, news flash: I'm not. And if you have a problem with it, you might better stay away from me."

She slapped him. "You're an asshole, Logan Mitchell!"

For a brief moment, Logan saw tears in her eyes, then she turned around and stormed out of the room. Logan closed his eyes and felt his own tears running down his cheeks...

Okay, guys, please please please don't hate me for this. I promise I will make it up to you in the next two chapters. And I promise to upload them as soon as possible.

And thank you NikkiNikki2018 for your long and great review! Glad to see you back on the story. ;)