A/N: Another short chapter, but at least it's something. ;) This just came out of me when I sat down to work of this story. I hope you guys enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: Y'all get the point by now ... Characters are not mine, never were. ;)
*** Logan's POV ***
It's the strangest dream he's ever had. Even in the midst of the dream, he knows that it's beyond strange ... which somehow makes it all the more odd. Having that self awareness in a dream, being so lucid ... was like having a near death, out of body experience while still conscious. If that makes any sense.
He's at school - good ole Neptune High (he really loves that he's dreaming of school by the way) only the walls have been overcome by tall wild grass, moss and vines. Trees have taken root and grown so high they've broken through the roof letting the sun shine down in patches throughout the hallways.
Welcome to the jungle, indeed.
His fellow students mill about, only they are all animals. Not like actual animals, but everyone is dressed as animals. Ridiculous costumes making them all look like misfit rejects from 'The Lion King'. A few jocks from the football team pass by dressed as Gorillas, freshmen running around in packs as scared Lemurs ... across the hall Dick and a few other 09er boys watch them whilst cackling like the Hyenas they're outfitted as.
'Quite fitting, actually.' Logan thinks with a smirk.
Looking down at himself he expects to see a costume to match his friends, only to his own surprise he doesn't. He's decked out as a Lion. For some reason, he instantly feels like a fraud - like a Hyena in Lion's clothing. He may have been 'King of the Jungle' once, back in the era of 'Fab Four', when Lilly was alive and he could at least fool himself into thinking he was happy ... but nowadays, he was more just King of the Jackass Hyenas.
Down the hall he can see Duncan making his way toward him, the large ears of his Elephant costume fluttering with each step, a goofy smile peeking out from under the ridiculous trunk that adorns his face.
The goofy smile puzzles Logan. Duncan is far more stoic now and less happy-go-lucky. More startling still, was the figure beside Duncan dressed as a beautiful gold and scarlet Phoenix.
Startling because obviously the bird is mythical and definitely not something you'd find in a jungle ... but mostly because it was Veronica ... holding Duncan's hand. And not the cotton candy sweet rendering, but the short haired, sharp tongued variant.
He's hypnotized watching her as they make their way through the foliage, the other animals parting ways to let them pass like royalty. She's radiant and Logan can't help but think that her costume might be the most fitting of all. Veronica never belonged with them in this jungle, much like the mythical creature. She was too righteous for the likes of them - the 09ers - every last one of them spoiled and corrupt by their parents money. Veronica of the past and present was too good a person, stronger in every way. Strong enough to pull herself up to rise from the ashes of her old life when it had burst into flames.
"Wow." Is all he can think, eyes never leaving her.
"I know, right!" a familiar voice enthusiastically agrees with him. Not realizing that he'd spoken aloud, Logan pulls his attention away from Veronica to take in yet another surprising sight.
Beside him, beaming as she looked at her best friend, stands Lilly - most appropriately dressed as a Peacock, feathers proudly on display.
"I always knew she'd look good in red." Lilly says with a soft, proud smile. Turning her gaze toward Logan, her expression changes to determined. "As interesting as this scene you've painted here is Logan, you need to wake up." Lilly states matter-of-factly, hand rested on her jutted out hip.
"Huh?"
"You need to wake up. You're missing it." Lilly insists.
"Missing what?"
"The beginning of everything you've ever wanted." Lilly's voice had the distinct sound of an unspoken 'Duh!'
"Lilly, I don't understand ..." And Logan honestly didn't. He found this whole dream disorienting, Lily's appearance and attitude certainly didn't help.
Smiling at him with that mischievously glint her eye, Lilly reaches over and grasps Logan forearm. "You will." With a wink, she pinches him hard. "Now, WAKE UP!"
Logan's eyes snap open, Lilly's voice echoing in his ears. He blinks his eyes hard against the sun lite room and tries to clear his head of the fading jungle scene. It's not until he tries to move that he feels the light weight against his side and chest that he looks down.
Instantly understands what Lily was talking about. The vision before him is indeed something that he wouldn't want to miss. Veronica asleep, curled into his side, with one arm thrown around his waist and head resting on his chest.
He wonders briefly how this came about, but really doesn't care. She looks peaceful, he feels peaceful and he just wants to enjoy the moment for a minute or two - or as long as he can. Which shorter than he's hoped because Veronica starts to stir, slowly waking. He holds his breath as her arm moves away from his waist and up to rub her eyes with her hand before it returns back almost pulling herself into him further.
Her eyes finally flutter open slightly, taking in her surroundings (including his body beneath her) and Logan notes how she makes to attempt to move. She hasn't noticed him watching her yet, her frame is still relaxed against him. A full minute passes (Logan was counting) before she moves her head ever so gently to look up at Logan.
The moment their eyes lock on one another he feels her body tense up, like she was just caught red handed in some misdeed. He expects her to jump away from him and off the bed as quickly as possible., but she doesn't. They both seem frozen in some sort of standoff - unsure what to say or do next.
TBC - ya know - eventually ... hopeful not too long. :)