Hurray for fast updates? I was very hesitant to put this up... I proofread this many times, but still I have my doubts...
I should probably update slower in case I contract the unfortunate disease of writer's block... again.
Anywaaaaay... enjoy my lovelies~.
When Carlos woke up the next morning, his body was aching in eleven different locations. Not to mention, it was winter in New York and fucking cold. He lazily checked his clock.
Hm... ten o'clock...
He let his eyes close again.
Wait... TEN?
He sprang off of the ground and onto his feet, his eyes still feeling heavy as they weren't yet adjusted to the blinding daylight. He was supposed to wake up early to help sneak Logan out, but... wait, where was Logan?
Carlos blankly stared at the empty bed, neatly made. He advanced towards it, noticing a piece of fold up paper on the pillow.
Dear Carlos, it read, you were sleeping so I decided to not wake you up. Don't be alarmed that I'm not in your bed. I left. Thanks for taking care of me, albeit I didn't need it. Still, it was a caring gesture that I will always remember. I hope we cross paths someday. Until then, stay safe kid, and definitely stay in school. :) -Logan.
His felt confused as he was waiting for himself to wake up from this sad dream. He couldn't just go, could he? Carlos was supposed to enlighten Logan, and show him the better way of life. No more committing crimes or partaking in gang activities, or whatever landed the boy in juvenile hall. And there wasn't even a damn phone number left on the note.
Frustrated, Carlos threw the piece of paper down to the ground and flung himself onto the neatly done bed. He could almost smell Logan's scent. It wasn't strong or of cologne; it was just... Logan.
He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, reaching for his phone. I need someone to talk to.
"So who's this Latino boy? Carlos was it?"
"None of your business, Stetson," Logan sighed, rubbing his glove-clad hands together in an attempt to heat himself up.
"Well, I want to know who got you to let your guard down and love unconditionally," Jett jokes, nudging Logan on the shoulder.
Logan gave him an eye roll. "I don't love him. I don't even like him. I don't like anyone, and you know was just a friend, okay?"
The blonde took a seat on the bench next to his friend.
"Don't you think you should try to love again?" Jett suggested. "You know what they say: 'If we deny love that is given to us, if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss, then our lives will be empty, our loss greater.'"
"No, love makes a man weak," Logan snorted, as if the it was the most ridiculous idea ever brought up. He paused before he added, "Quite the philospher, hmm?"
Jett chuckled. "Well, Mr. Romantic, it happens to be true. It's a quote for reason."
Logan laughed. "Well anyway, what I said is correct. You know, about how love makes a man weak. Haven't you ever fallen in love before? It screws with you, you know? I don't have all that time to feel."
"Well, maybe you've just been falling for the wrong people. From what you have said, this boy that took you in and offered hospitality seems great. Maybe it's what you need. Plus, it seems like he got you to feel. Was it a waste of time then?"
Logan tried to hide his blush. He couldn't deny that he felt and acted differently with Carlos, but still, it didn't change anything. "Y'know, sometimes, I question why I'm even friends with you."
"Hey, we've been friends since fifth grade! No backing out now."
Logan chuckled.
Jett rested his hand on Logan's right thigh, in a friendly way. Logan looked up at Jett, who was staring at him intently.
"Look Logan, you know I don't approve of the way you live, perpetrating crimes and shit like that. That's not how we were raised."
"Well, you weren't raised like I was," Logan snapped, getting defensive. His family was always a rather touchy subject.
"It doesn't mean you have to be like this." Jett managed to remain calm. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, because I know you won't listen. But... I can't always be holding your hand when it comes to facing your emotions and your past."
"Your point?" Logan muttered, averting eye contact. He hated how Jett was always right. Of course, he could never bring himself to admit it...
"My point is you need someone else to back you up as well, someone to confide in."
"I have Kendall and Dak," the brunette pointed out.
Jett sighed. "Kendall and Dak, yes, but I know you don't talk to them about your issues. Plus, they're not exactly stellar role models."
Logan remained silent. He had nothing to say. It was true. "They saved me and helped me cope."
"I'm not going to argue with you about this, but did they really?" Jett asked, forcing Logan to face him.
"Yes."
Jett let out an exasperated breath. He had given up for the time being. Everyday, he tried to convince Logan of reevaluating his life and correcting his ways, but all his attempts so far were futile.
"Fine, let's drop this," Jett decided. He glanced at the watch strapped to his wrist. "Oh crap, I have to go work. I'm so going to get fired if I don't show up on time today."
"Where do you work again?"
"At Tom's Diner on Broadway," he replied as he stood up. "You going to be okay and stay out of trouble?"
Logan smirked. "As long as I don't cross paths with Neal."
Jett scoffed and let out a laugh. "Alright, see ya."
"So he just... left," James clarified, walking down the bitter cold streets of New York with his best friend Carlos.
"Yeah, left me a note with no number, no contact info, no nothing," Carlos glumly confirmed, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. "Fact is, J, I'm going to dying alone."
"That's not true, C. Any guy would be lucky to have you," James comforted, wrapping his left arm around Carlos' shoulders. "Trust me."
"Easy for you to say, Mr. I-Get-Every-Girl-And-Boy-With-A-Flash-Of-A-Smile."
"Hey, look, don't worry about it. You're gonna find the one," James assured, reaching for the door handle and pulling it open.
"I hope," Carlos sighed, stepping into the restaurant.
"Welcome to Tom's Diner! How many?"
"Just a lonely boy and his best friend with a love life in full bloom," Carlos replied.
The blonde waiter shot him a weird look before grabbing two menus. "Okay... sirs, follow me."
"Carlos, what was that?" James asked, stifling his laughter.
Carlos pouted. "I was just speaking the truth. James, I really can't stop thinking about him."
"Here is your table, sirs. Would you like to start off with any drinks?" he cordially asked.
"Um, just water," James said with a smile.
"I want a boyfriend," Carlos muttered.
The waiter laughed nervously and shuffled from foot to foot. "Um, I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear; your name is Carlos right?"
Carlos nodded slowly. "Er, yeah. Why?"
"And this boy that you 'really can't stop thinking about...' Is his name, uh, Logan? If not, I'm really sorry that—what? What's wrong?"
James and Carlos' jaws were on the floor.
"H-how'd you... w-who told... huh?" Carlos cried, suddenly incapable of forming a complete and sensible sentence.
"Um, I should probably start off by introducing myself," the blonde chuckled apologetically. "My name is Jett Stetson. I'm a friend of Logan."
Carlos wanted to faint again for the fifth time that day. How crazy was this, meeting Logan's friend? And if his friend knew him, Logan obviously talked about him.
Oh my God, he gasped to himself, Logan talked about me.
"Did Logan, uh..." Carlos cleared his throat several times. "Uh... did he say anything about me?"
Jett shrugged. "I'm in no position to talk about that, as our conversations are confidential and private."
He saw Carlos' shoulder drop along with his gaze. So the next thing he did surprised even himself. It was as if he his mind was praying, "Don't do it, Stetson!" but his body disregarded it completely.
He took his pen out and a napkin from his apron, writing down something before handing it to the smaller boy.
"...What's this?"
"Places where he hangs out a lot, alone. And that's his phone number," Jett explained. "He's probably going to kill me for this, but... good luck kid."
Carlos eyed the napkin for the longest time, still in shock and disbelief of the the event that had just occurred. What just happened? Did he somehow meet a friend of Logan's and score his number?
He was brought back to reality when James' fist came flying to his arm.
"Dude!" James exclaimed, a huge grin plastered onto his face. "See? Fate wants you two to be together."
Carlos shook his head and picked up the menu, scanning the list of sandwiches. "I'm not calling him, or finding him."
"What? Why not?" the pretty brunette demanded, probably harsher than it was sought out to be.
"Because that's like, stalking!" Carlos answered. "Look, I don't even know him. I talked to him for a day. I still don't know a thing about him, and it's not worth going through all this trouble and looking like a creep. Plus, J, he's... troubled, and a lot of trouble. I don't know if it would even work, or if he'd even like me. Okay, I'm not explaining this because from what I can gather from your facial expression, you're confused. So long story short, I'm not doing this."
"But you keep thinking about him! Maybe you can just go see him, try this out, and drop it if it doesn't! It's worth a shot," James persuaded.
"No, James, I'm not doing that. Besides, my dad would kill me. You know he'd send me to boarding school if he ever discovered I was in contact with Logan. Imagine what he'd do if he found out we were dating?"
Carlos stuck out his right thumb and index finger, imitating a gun, and brought it to his head, making an explosive noise like a gunshot.
James rolled his eyes after letting a laugh escape. "Aren't you the one that says: 'I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together?'"
"That was Julia Roberts, James."
"Well still!" he continued. "It doesn't make it wrong."
Carlos let out a breath. "Fine, if I find him, will you shut up and order lunch? I'm starving."
James beamed, clearly feeling accomplished. "Sure, what're you going to get?"
"Hmm..." Carlos quickly glazed over the menu one last time. "I'll get the meatball sub."
James closed his menu and put it back down. "And I'll get the cheeseburger."
Yay for a 'Big Time Dates' reference, haha!
I just thought it was so perfect. Okay, happy moment over.
I will try to portray a more badass Logan after Carlos and Logan talk and shit goes down. :)
Right now, it's like before the storm.
I've read several of these "bad boy" stories, and they're all quite similar. My goal is to make this more surprising and non-cliche.
So yeaahh... not sure why I just told you that but I guess I ramble a lot. OKAY, OKAY, RAMBLING OVER NOW. Review at your will, though greatly appreciated! Crossing my fingers it wasn't bad, because then I will be sad and should've just rewritten it. K :D Byebye xx.
