Chapter 8

Saturday November 10

1:30 PM

The boys' soccer team for Jump City High School is playing in the State championship game. The score is currently tied 1-1. There are five minutes left in the game. JCHS is preparing for a corner kick. The ball is kicked into play and both teams go for the ball. The opposing team heads it away from the goal but it goes to Logan. He kicks it towards the top right of the net. The goalie is unable to block it and JCHS scores and now leads 2-1. They continue to play until time expires. The final score of the game is 2-1. An awards ceremony is held after the game; the team captains for JCHS receive a trophy for the team. The fans go onto the field to congratulate the State champions. Raven, Kori, Dick, Bee, and Victor go onto the field to find Logan. After a few minutes, they find him getting pictures taken with the team and trophy. They take a few pictures of their own then wait for him to finish getting pictures taken. Once he is done, he makes his way over to them.

"Great game man," Victor says, clapping him on the back.

"Congratulations!" Kori exclaims happily.

"Thanks," Logan replies.

"You got the game winning goal," Bee says.

"Yeah, it was pretty sweet," Logan says.

"It was awesome," Dick says.

"Thanks," Logan says.

"Nice job," Raven says.

"Thanks Raven," Logan replies. They continue talking for a little bit then decide to leave. Kori, Dick, Victor, Bee, and Raven start to head to their car when Logan calls Raven back.

"Did you want something?" Raven asks.

"Just to say thank you for being here and keeping your promise," Logan says.

"Why would I make a promise and not keep it?" Raven says.

"I don't know but I'm glad you came. It means more to me than you know."

"You're welcome. I have to go. The others are leaving and they're my ride. I'll see you back at the Tower." Raven walks away toward the parking lot. She gets to the car where the others are waiting.

"What did Logan want?" Dick asks. "To kiss you?" He and Victor smirk at her.

"We are not dating so no, he did not want to kiss me," Raven says while glaring at the boys. "He just wanted to talk to me."

"Why didn't he just say whatever he wanted to before we left?" Victor asks.

"Because it did not involve you all. And because he didn't want to. Can we go now?" They get in the car and they drive back to the Tower. The trip takes two hours. When they get back, they decide to order pizza instead of cook something. Logan gets back to the Tower as the pizza arrives. They all eat then decide to have a movie night. Logan takes a shower and they all change into their pajamas. When everyone is back in the living room, they watch The Blind Side and Next. After the movies are over, they all go to their bedrooms and fall asleep.

Sunday November 11

8:00 AM

Raven wakes up and gets out of bed. She goes down to the kitchen and finds Dick drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. She starts heating up water to make tea.

"Everyone else still sleeping?" Raven asks.

Dick looks up from the paper. "Kori is and I think Vic and Bee are too," Dick says. "Logan left around 7:30."

"Where'd he go?"

"I don't know. He just said he'd be back later."

"Could be out celebrating yesterday's win with the other players."

"Maybe."

Raven makes her tea then takes a drink of it. "I'm going to go to the bookstore or library for awhile. I need a new book."

"Okay." Raven finishes her tea then goes to her room and gets dressed in jeans and a zip-up hoodie. She then drives to the Jump City Public Library. She looks through the shelves and finds several books she's interested in. She goes over to one of the couches and starts reading. A few hours later, she gets a text from Dick. The text reads: "Can u try to find/get ahold of Logan? We havent heard from him & he hasnt answered his phone. We r getting worried." She texts back a reply of "I'll try" then texts Logan.

(text convo)

Raven: "Where r u? The others the Tower r worried."

Logan: "The others but not u? ;)"

Raven: "If I say I am too will u tell me where u r?"

Logan: "Don't worry. I'm fine. Just needed some time to myself. I'll be home l8er."

Raven: "Ok."

(end convo)

Raven picks up her books and checks them out. She then gets into her car and starts driving. She gets to the beach, finds the hidden trail, and follows it to the wall of rocks. She climbs over it and lands softly on the other side. Logan is sitting facing the water. He turns when he hears someone.

"Hi," Raven says as she straightens up.

"Hi," replies Logan, surprised and confused. "What are you doing here? How'd you know I was here?"

"You said you needed time by yourself and you weren't at the Tower so I guessed you'd be here. I also figured you must have something on your mind since you should be out celebrating the win with friends. So I'm here if you want to talk."

"Thanks. Something is on my mind. Something important."

"What?"

"You have to tell a secret later." Raven nods her agreement. "I don't know if you've noticed my mood at all this past week."

"You seemed really focused on soccer. Not as much of your normal happiness. I just figured you were preparing for the game."

"Part of that was focusing on the game. Most wasn't though. It was mostly because of today."

"What happened today?" Raven walks over to him and kneels beside him.

Logan gets tears in his eyes. "Today is the day my parents died. It's too far to visit their graves though so I came here." Tears spill out of his eyes.

"I'm sorry Logan."

"I dedicated my performance yesterday to them. It was all for them."

"They would've been proud of you."
"I just wish they were here to see it. Everyone yesterday had their parents and other family there for them, except me. It just made me miss my parents even more. And being the day before they died didn't help either. I miss them so much." He cries harder. Raven just sits there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then she slowly puts an arm around him and pulls him slightly towards her. He cries into her shoulder and she rubs his back soothingly. After a few minutes, he stops crying but keeps his head on her shoulder.

"I know it's not the same as parents," Raven says, "but you did have me and the others cheering for you."

Logan lifts his head. "I know," he says. "And I really appreciated it. I liked knowing that there were some people at the game solely because I played. Asante."

Raven looks at him, confused. "What?"
Logan slightly smiles. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Raven removes her arm from around him but doesn't move away from him. They are silent for awhile, just looking out at the ocean. A thought occurs to Raven.

"So how did you get out here? You don't have your own car and no vehicles were missing," Raven asks.

"I walked," Logan replies.

"You walked?" Raven asks incredulously. Logan nods his head. "It's about a forty minute drive here."

"Okay, so I took a bus part of the way here."

"Why didn't you borrow one of the vehicles at the Tower?"

"Victor and Dick wouldn't have let me and you probably wouldn't want me to drive your car by myself."

Raven is quiet for a moment then speaks. "You could have come to me to talk."

"I didn't want to wake you. And I wanted to be alone for a while. But thank you for coming here. Talking does help somewhat."

"You're welcome." They sit in silence for several minutes looking out at the ocean.

"So what's your secret?" Logan asks, breaking the silence and turning toward her.

"Huh?" Raven replies confused, facing Logan.

"You said you would share a secret after I finished."

Raven sighs. "I guess I did."

"So what is it today?"

Raven thinks for a little bit. "…I hate my birthday."

"Why?"

"Several reasons."

"Like what?"
"Can I just leave it at that?"

"Is it because of your dad?" Raven slowly nods her head. "And his friends?" Again Raven nods. "What did they do to you?"

"I'd rather not say."
"That's why it's a secret. Please Raven?"

"I can't."

"Why not."

"Because I can't! I don't want to relive it more than I have to!"

"What?" Logan looks at her confused.

"I already have to deal with it on my birthday. I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you saying that he does something to you every year on your birthday or something he did in the past on your birthday?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to tell me about it today, maybe another time. But if he is going to try to hurt you on your birthday, please tell me. I want to protect you from him."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I don't want you hurt either."

"I can deal with it."

"You shouldn't have to."

"But I do. And I have ever since he started it. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I always am."

"You trying to convince me or yourself?" Raven doesn't answer him; she just looks out at the ocean. "Raven," he says softly. She looks at him. "It's okay to be scared. It's also okay to ask for help."

"I don't get scared."

"Yes you do. You just don't like to show it. Any emotion really. Why is that?"

"I've already told you something today for you sharing."

"Fair enough. Will I get the same response if I ask about my other statement?"

"I've never had anyone who I could go to for help before. Old habits die hard."

"That they do," Logan murmurs. "But you can always come to me for help."
"I know I can." Raven slightly smiles at him. "We should get back so the others stop worrying."

"Yeah I guess so." They get up and go down to Raven's car. They drive to the Tower and park in the garage. They get into the elevator and go up to the living room. Dick and Kori are in there. When Logan and Raven step out of the elevator, Kori envelops Logan in a tight hug.

"Friend Logan! We were all worried about you. We feared that something horrible happened to you," Kori says. She finally releases him.

"I'm fine, Kori," Logan says.

"Where were you?"

"I just had some things on my mind and went somewhere to process them."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Dick asks. "Or answer your phone?"

"I didn't want to be questioned by all of you," replies Logan.

"How did Raven find you?"

"Because she's smart and can read between the lines."

"What?"

"When he responded to my text, he didn't tell me where he was but I found him anyway," Raven says.

"Why did you text Raven back but not us?" Dick asks.

"Because I did," Logan responds. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to my room." Logan then proceeds to leave the living room and goes to his room. The others turn to look at Raven.

"What's up with him?" Dick asks Raven.

"He probably just wants to be alone for a while," Raven replies.

"Logan is not usually one to be alone," Kori says.

"He's just dealing with a lot this week," says Raven.

"Like what?" Dick asks.

"It's not my place to say. If Logan didn't tell you, then I'm not talking about it."

"He told you something but not us?"

"What about it?"

"Nothing. I just didn't know he told you something that he didn't tell us."

"Maybe he didn't want you to know."
"Why not?"

"Maybe it's personal. Maybe he doesn't want anyone to judge him or make fun of him or change their attitude toward him. I don't know. I'm not him. Go ask him if you want to know." With that, Raven walks out of the room. Dick and Kori just stand there for a little bit before turning to each other.

"What's up with her?" Dick asks.

"I am unsure," Kori replies. "Maybe she and I can engage in the girl talk. I shall go try." Kori leaves the living room and goes to the hallway with Raven's room. She knocks on the door.

"Who is it?" Raven asks from inside.

"It is Kori," Kori answers.

"What do you want?"

"I am merely wishing to talk with you. You seem to be acting different than normal."

Raven opens her door. "How am I acting different?"

"You and Friend Logan seem to be acting different toward each other. Do you have the feelings for him?" Raven's eyes widen at this and she slightly blushes. She pulls Kori into her room and closes the door.

"No! I don't have feelings for Logan. Why would you think that?" Raven asks.

"You two seem to be acting nicer toward each other," Kori responds.

"Maybe we're tired of fighting with each other."

"You agreed to be his date for the dance."

"It wasn't a date. We just went as friends because I had already paid for the admission tickets."

"You two were cuddling and sleeping together."

Raven blushes more at this. "We were watching a movie and fell asleep."

"You went to his soccer games."

"That's because he's my friend and I was supporting him."

"That didn't happen until after Malcolm." Raven doesn't say anything. "He also got you to come out of your room after Malcolm broke up with you when the rest of us couldn't."

"Maybe he just said the right thing."

"What did he say?"

"That's between me and him."

"Are there other things that are just between you and him?"

"Define other things"

"Secrets that the rest of us do not know."

"Yes. And before you ask, no we are not in a secret relationship. We're just friends."

"I was not going to ask that."

"Good."

"Why do you have secrets with him when you two do not get along well?"

"We get along better now. When Logan took me somewhere that day after the Malcolm thing, I didn't want to talk about what happened. But Logan convinced me to."

"How?"
"He said that he would tell me about his past if I told him about mine. He never talks about his past and I was curious so I agreed with him and told him about my past and what happened with Malcolm after he had shared with me. Now we are not keeping things from each other, and when one of us tells a secret, then the other person has to reciprocate. It helps us to understand each other more."

"So you two know each other's secrets now?"

"Not all secrets, but we are sharing them when we feel we can talk about them."

"Like when you two are alone together?"

"Well that and some secrets are harder to share than others and it takes time to be able to talk about them. I have some secrets that I am not ready to share and I'm sure he feels the same way."

"Will you share them with him?"

"Eventually maybe."

"Will you share them with me?"

Raven looks down and says softly, "I'd rather not."

"Why not?"

"I don't like to talk about that stuff. I'm already telling Logan. I don't want to talk about it more than with him."

"Why Logan?"

"I already told you. He tells me his secrets and I tell him mine."

"But why are you talking to Logan when you two have little in common?"

"I actually found out that we do have a similarity. Not the same thing happened to both of us but we share similar experiences."

"Do you like talking to Logan?"

"I don't like talking about my secrets but it is nice to have someone to talk to."

"Do you like spending time with him?"

"Well you and Dick are always together and Victor is either working or with Bee so I don't have anyone other than Logan to spend time with."

"You two are very different."

"We are actually more alike than I realized."

"How so?"

"How would you describe Logan?"

"Funny, happy, friendly, sometimes immature. How would you describe him?"

"Before we started talking, annoying, immature, unreliable, and he has a big ego. Now though, I see that he cares about his friends and will do anything to protect them, he's sensitive, serious at times, compassionate, loyal, and trustworthy."

"Do you find him attractive?"

Raven blushes slightly. "He has…grown up a bit. He has also gained some muscle."

"That did not answer the question."

"He is decently good-looking."

"How do you feel when you're with him?"

"Do I have to answer that?"

"Yes!"

Raven sighs. "Safe, accepted, included, liked."

"And when he's not around?"

"Alone, sometimes scared depending on where I am and who else is there, like a freak that doesn't fit in."

"You are not a freak."

"Doesn't mean I don't feel like that at times."

"I think that you like Logan. As more than a friend."

"I don't!"

"You have said that you find him attractive and you see him differently than the rest of us. You said that you are more similar than you originally thought. And you said that he makes you feel safe and included. I saw how close you two were dancing together. And you two on the couch."

"…Okay so maybe I kinda like him."

"How wonderful! You two can begin dating and go on double dates with me and Dick and—"

"Kori," Raven cuts her off. Kori looks at her. "We're not going to date."

"Why not?"

"He doesn't know that I like him like that."

"When are you going to tell him?"

"I'm not."

"But why not?"

"Because there's no way that he'd like me back."

"Why would he not?"

"Because I'm a creepy, emotionless freak."

"You are neither creepy, emotionless, nor a freak. You do not show emotion much but that doesn't mean you're emotionless."

"We're so different."

"Opposites attract. Besides, you said yourself you two have more in common than you thought."

"He would never date me."

"Why?"

"He's loud and likes to have fun and be in big groups and I'm not like that. He also doesn't think I would date him."

"Would you?"

"I probably wouldn't say no if he asked me out."

"So you would date him?"

Raven doesn't answer for a little bit then quietly says, "Yes."

"Did you tell him that?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I know he doesn't like me like that. We're just friends."

"Perhaps if you told him how you feel—"

"No. We're just friends. I don't want to lose that."

"But—"

"Can we stop talking about this please?"

Kori sighs. "Okay. As you wish. I shall leave you alone now." She gets up and leaves Raven's room, shutting the door behind her. Raven picks up one of the books she got at the library and starts to read. After ten minutes, thoughts of Logan start to creep into her mind. She tries to ignore them and continue to read but she is unsuccessful. She closes her book and lays back on her bed. She sighs and closes her eyes. I can't believe I just admitted to liking Logan to Kori, Raven thinks. I admitted it to her before I did to myself. Hopefully she doesn't tell anyone. I don't want anyone to know, especially Logan. I know he would never like me back. No guy would want to be in a relationship with me. They all only want one thing. Malcolm is proof of that. Although Logan is different from Malcolm. But he only likes me as a friend, nothing more. I can't let him know I like him. That would ruin our friendship. I don't want to lose the closest friend I have. I've already lost people I was close to. Besides, he doesn't even think that I would date him, even though I told him any girl would be lucky to date him. I guess I'm not included with those girls. Raven gets up from her bed and goes to the kitchen for some hot tea. As she's heating up the water, she starts thinking about Logan again. She shakes her head to clear her thoughts and mutters, "Damn you Logan."

"What did I do?" Raven looks up at the sound of a voice. She sees Logan sitting on the couch in the living room turned around to face her; a video game is paused on the TV. Raven blushes and is glad her hood is up.

"Nothing."

"Then why did you just say 'Damn you Logan'?"

"I didn't say that."

"Yes you did. I have really good hearing, remember?"

Raven doesn't say anything as she makes her tea. "It was nothing," she says then takes a sip.

"You don't say anything for no reason. If I upset you, tell me what I did wrong."

"I, uh, I was going to watch a movie out here but you're playing video games so I'll just watch it in my room."

"You can watch it out here. I can shut my game off. I've beaten it anyway. I'll watch the movie with you too."

"You don't have to do that. I'll just go back to my room." She starts walking to the door.

"Raven wait! I'm being serious. Watch the movie out here. You don't have to always be in your room. I'll shut my game off and watch the movie with you." He turns his game off. Raven sighs and walks over to the couch.

Way to go. Now I have to watch a movie that I didn't want to watch in the first place with Logan, Raven thinks.

"What movie did you want to watch?" Logan asks.

Raven looks over at the shelves of movies. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," she says, picking the first movie she sees.

"I thought you said that movie looked dumb?"

"Well I'm giving it a chance." Raven puts the movie in and sits on the couch. Logan goes to the kitchen and makes popcorn. He walks back to the living room with the bowl of popcorn and two glasses of water. He puts the drinks on the coffee table and sits next to Raven with the popcorn on his lap. Raven slightly moves away from him as she starts the movie. Logan puts the popcorn between them to share with Raven. They watch the movie and eat popcorn, Raven being careful not to grab any while Logan is. When the bowl is empty, Logan puts it on the coffee table. He moves closer to Raven when he sits back and puts his arm on the back of the couch behind Raven. She moves away slightly again. Forty-five minutes later, the movie ends. Raven turns off the movie then gets up to take it out.

"So how did you like the movie?" Logan asks.

"It was better than I thought it was going to be," Raven says as she takes out the movie. "It was really good actually. How did you like?"

"I really liked it, too. It was also kinda sad."

"Yes it was." She puts the movie on the shelf then starts walking to the door.

"Hey Raven?" She turns around and looks at Logan.

"What?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"No. Why do you think I am?"

"You just kept moving away from me. So I figured you were mad at me or maybe even afraid of me for some reason."

"I'm not mad or afraid of you."

"So why did you keep moving away? You've been fine with my arm around you before."

"I was cold and we were sharing a blanket that time."

"That was the only reason?"

"Was there supposed to be another reason?"

I had hoped so, Logan thinks. "I guess not," he says. He gets up and walks over to the door. "I'm gonna go work out. See ya later, Rae." He leaves the room. Raven goes to her room to read. After one hour of reading and ten minutes of reading the same paragraph over and over, Raven decides to go to bed. She puts down her book, changes into her pajamas, and then gets into bed. As she tries to fall asleep she starts thinking of things, most revolving around Logan. After an hour, she finally falls asleep.