Yeah, I know, I suck.
I know I haven't updated in quite a while but I was caught up with another writing project, one that I needed to finish. But now that's done I can get back to this! (Yay!)
So please don't hate me for my extended absence, I'd like to say I have an amazing chapter lined up for you guys but in all honesty I'm not at all happy with it, but I'll leave it up to you to decide.
Also feel free to send me threatening hate mail, that'll probably motivate me to get the next chapter up faster.
Chapter Thirteen
"What am I going to say, how am I supposed to explain where I was?"
"Don't worry about it, we'll figure something out," said Carlos, as he stepped out into the school's car park.
"I don't think I can do this Carlos," said Logan, crossing his arms over his chest, refusing to follow suit.
The Latino sighed, walking around to the passenger door to open it and stare at the brunette.
"Come on Logie, everything will be fine."
Carlos tugged at the brunette's sweater, it was a little too big for him, having come from the Latino's wardrobe. Logan only shook his head, staring straight ahead and refusing to meet the Latino's eyes.
"I changed my mind, I don't want to be here."
Carlos frowned, grabbing hold of Logan's hands, "Logan, you have to trust me, I'll be there with you every second, you have nothing to worry about."
"But I left my bag at home and I have homework due and, I don't know…" Logan offered the frail excuse with a meek look at the Latino, eyes wide. Carlos shook his head, pulling the brunette from the car and locking it.
"We'll deal with everything as it comes, okay?"
Logan gave him an unsure nod, letting Carlos take his hand again.
"We're going to walk in there together, I'm not going to leave you, not today, not ever."
The brunette smiled, letting the Latino lead him towards the school entrance. People turned to watch the pair as they passed, teens with shocked looks on their faces craning their necks to try and get a glimpse of the couple's entwined hands. By the time they had actually gotten into the school building people were whispering to one another, eyes following the pair's every move. Logan was all too painfully aware of the scrutiny they were receiving, he was all too aware of the feel of the Latino's calloused hand intertwined with his, of the appalled and envious looks every second girl shot at Logan. Carlos himself seemed quite oblivious to the entire spectacle, happily leading Logan through the winding halls in what the brunette guessed must have been a fevered search for his friends. To Logan everything seemed so surreal, he was so sure he'd wake up any moment, back in that cabin, with the noose hanging from the dusty rafters. He never imagined Carlos Garcia of all people would be standing at his side, his hand held steadily in his own. It was all Logan could do to smile, he was scared that if he did anything more then the illusion would be shattered, and he'd awaken.
"Carlos! Logan!"
The squeal pierced the air like a knife would flesh, Camille throwing herself onto the pair. The grin she wore looked almost painful, her eyes glinting with glee and joy.
"I was so worried!" She said, scolding the two, "wait till the others see you two!"
It was then she noticed their joined hands. Logan swore she looked ready to faint. She stared down at their hands for a moment then back up to their faces, the look of bewilderment on her face was almost comical, her voice hesitant when she finally spoke.
"You guys…? You two? Like, together?"
Logan looked to the Latino who nodded at their friend. Camille squealed again, gathering them up into another hug. It was at that moment that James, followed by Lucy and Jo appeared, the tall brunette and hot-headed girl in the midst of bantering. Camille turned to them, beaming.
"Guess what guys," she said, staring at the three expectantly.
James was the first to notice Logan, a small smile gracing his features, "Logan's back," he said.
"And…?" Camille prompted. When nobody answered she stepped to the side to reveal Logan and Carlos' intertwined hands. Lucy and Jo had the same, almost mandatory reaction as Camille. But James' features became blanched, the tall brunette stumbling back a few steps.
"I need to go to the bathroom," he said, to no one in particular before rushing off. No one seemed to take much notice of his sudden departure; the three girls too busy fawning over the new couple.
"So how did it happen?" Asked Jo, more or less shaking with excitement.
"I don't know," shrugged Carlos, "it just kinda, you know, happened…"
The reply seemed to quell the girl's curiosity for the moment, the three of them subduing into something best described as an awed silence. Logan shook his head, he felt the day would be a long and interesting one.
"Okay, well I think we're finished."
The words shook Logan out of his reverie, the brunette looking over at Carlos who was staring intently at a computer screen, "is there anything else you wanted to add to it?" He asked, tilting his head to the side as he asked the question. The words the Latino spoke went straight over Logan's head, the brunette too busy being mesmerised by Carlos to actually listen to what he was saying. He couldn't believe it, sure, it hadn't even been a day and Carlos had never technically asked him out, but what the brunette was living right now was so much more than he had ever dared he'd have with the Latino. Somehow Logan thought he should be back in that cabin, hanging tautly from the noose, skin growing cold, eyes empty and vacant. The brunette knew he was still caught in that almost surreal state, reality hadn't exactly caught up yet, nothing had really even sunk in.
"Logan?"
His reverie was broken for a second time, a small smile breaking out on his features.
"No," he answered quietly, "I'm sure it's great."
"Well why don't you take a look?"
Logan complied, taking a seat next to the Latino. His eyes inspected the pictures that were displayed, each one taking his breath away in turn, the captions beneath them almost bringing tears to his eyes. The brunette had never expected Carlos to be such a good photographer as he had turned out to be, in fact he seemed pretty well schooled in all arty activities. Logan had been shown scripts written by the Latino for short films and comic strips that had him in fits of laughter, just because of how absurd they were. Logan had quickly come to learn that the Latino was so much more than just a pretty face. His favourite photo was one of the first Carlos had taken, a wild rose at the base of an ancient gnarled tree, it's once lividly coloured petals wilting and fading, a beauty reverting back into a hideous and ungainly creature. The caption below it never failed to break Logan's heart.
Trying to push on with a withering heart.
Logan had no idea what it meant; Carlos had put it down as one of his own secrets, but it hurt the brunette every time he read it, what kind of pain was the Latino holding secret? Logan wouldn't have known by the constant radiant smiles Carlos wore and the hop he carried in his step, but somewhere behind those chocolate brown orbs pain brewed thunderous and volatile, the Latino was just good at keeping it hidden. The brunette had never broached the subject with him, he knew all too well how sensitive people could be about things like this, he just hoped that when he was ready, Carlos would talk about it with him.
"Do you think we'll get an A?" Asked Carlos, bouncing up and down in his chair energetically.
"With your photography skills," replied Logan, "how could we not?"
The Latino grinned and spun around on the office chair, Mr Petersen looking up from his laptop and only rolling his eyes at the boy's antics. Logan laughed, Carlos could be so childish, you'd never believe he had a driver's license, and that he'd saved a helpless boy from himself.
The gangly teacher chose that moment to stand up, announcing to the class at large that he'd now be collecting their assignments. The brunette was slightly disappointed that the assignment was finished, he'd had such fun with it, enjoyed spending the time with Carlos more than anything, although now he'd guessed he'd be spending a lot more time with the Latino. The thought sent shivers up his back, this whole relationship thing was so alien to Logan, it was like navigating completely uncharted territory.
Carlos transferred the pictures onto a flash drive, handing it over to Mr Petersen as he came around; he smiled at the two boys, as if he knew what he'd find on that flash drive would be nothing short of brilliant.
"So, you ready for our lunch date?"
Logan's heart nearly gave out.
"W-what?" He spluttered, looking at the Latino in bewilderment.
Carlos furrowed his eyebrows, "lunch, Logie," he said, "we have lunch next."
A heat that rushed up the brunette's cheeks as Carlos tried to stifle a laugh at Logan's embarrassment accompanied the realisation.
"Oh right, lunch."
As usual the lunchroom was a crowded menagerie of sound and smell, Logan finding himself sat next to Carlos at the Latino's usual lunch table, the others watching the couple expectantly as Carlos demolished a plate of pasta. Logan just wanted to melt into the ground, he wasn't used to this much attention, in fact he'd never had so many people even look at him before. He couldn't bring himself to eat, knowing his luck he'd probably manage to smear the pizza that lay before him all over his slightly oversized jumper.
"So…" Lucy began, watching as Carlos hastily shoved pasta into his mouth with mild disbelief, "how has everyone's day been?"
Nobody answered the question, everyone too preoccupied with staring at either Carlos or Logan. It was as if they were all waiting for the Latino to take Logan in his arms, and ravish him right there in front of them all. Logan silently chuckled at the notion; he wouldn't put it past the three girls. James was no where in sight, which the brunette was slowly growing used to; he seemed to hardly see the taller boy anymore. Kendall was present at the table though, and he didn't seem the slightest bit interested in Carlos. He was watching Logan intently, green eyes scanning the brunette's pale features. Every so often Logan would squirm, feeling the weight of the blonde's gaze. He knew Kendall took pleasure in making him feel uncomfortable but the look that he was giving Logan, the one that the brunette was trying to avoid, seemed to hint at something more. He was looking at Logan like he too was expecting something, but it had nothing to do with Carlos.
Most of lunch carried on in that fashion; the three girls staring at Logan and Carlos with something that looked to be admiration mixed in with envy, Kendall giving the brunette expectant looks of his own, and the witty tall boy with hazel eyes not bothering to make an appearance.
That was, until Jett Stenson entered the cafeteria.
He was flanked by a band of his cronies, Neanderthals from the football and basketball teams. He scanned the lunchroom, a snarl escaping his throat when his eyes landed on Logan, huddled up next to Carlos. He stalked over to the table, a twisted grin pasted on his lips. Lucy was the first to spot them, her mouth turning down in a frown as she watched them approach with suspicion.
"Freaks and geeks," he greeted the table at large, the brutes behind him sniggering at his remark.
"What do you want Jett?" Camille asked coolly, crossing her arms.
"You know," the athlete began, ignoring Camille's question, "I never really understood you guys, I mean you have people like Kendall and Carlos, you two are alright, everyone likes you two, why do you two waste your time hanging around with a wannabe goth, a theatre nerd, a catholic virgin and a social retard?"
Jett's question was accompanied by a series of guttural sneers.
Lucy jumped to her feet, livid , "Jett, how much do you value your front teeth?" She asked, hands bawled into fists.
It took all of Logan's strength not to get up and run, he didn't want this, not now, he didn't think he could deal with it. The brunette could feel how tense Carlos had become at Jett's venomous words.
"Now, now," the athlete tutted, "don't be getting feisty, I just wanted to say that this little outcast here," he said, pointing to Logan, "is a waste of time, he's a true freak, he's diseased, and I hear that Carlos might be infected now? I wouldn't worry too much, I hear there's a treatment for short term cases."
It was Carlos' turn to jump to his feet, the stocky Latino was bristling with fury.
"Wanna say that again, arsehole?"
Jett held his hands up, feigning fear, his posse snickering behind him.
Logan could see the anger that gleamed in Camille's eyes, and the hatred that lurked behind Jo's. The brunette glanced fleetingly at Kendall, but the hockey player only sat there, seemingly unfazed by the entire situation, his face a composed mask.
Lucy crept around the table to join Carlos, her teeth bared.
"Get out of here Jett," she warned.
The brunette got to his feet, trying to ignore the butterflies that swirled inside his stomach.
"What's your problem Jett?" He asked, stepping up next to Carlos, taking the Latino's hand in his.
Jett stared down at their entwined hands, distaste evident in his expression.
"That's my problem," he said, nodding down to the couple's joined hands, "you flaunt what you are like it's something to be proud of, and then you go and infect other people with it, you make me sick, people like you deserve-"
Jett was cut off by Lucy's fist connecting with his jaw, a sickening crack reverberating throughout the lunchroom as everybody fell silent. Jett stumbled back, one of his posse breaking his fall. People began to mutter, staring at the bruise that began to blossom on the athlete's cheek. He glanced around, growling as he turned back to face the trio.
"You bitch," he sneered, advancing on Lucy. The Latino pushed Logan back, barrelling forward into Jett as he did so. Jett was hurled off his feet, landing with a thud against the cafeteria's tiled floor. The thugs he'd brought along with him stood around him in a semi-circle, looking baffled by the sudden turn of events. The Latino raised a fist, intending to cause some real damage, but Logan put a hand on his shoulder, his eyes pleading. Lucy, with a smirk, grabbed a carton of milk from a nearby table, tossing it over the dazed athlete. The milk arched up through the air, the contents of the carton splattering over Jett's face and hair. He screwed his eyes shut, mouth hanging open in shock as he pushed himself onto his feet.
That's when the laughs started.
It was only a muffled giggle at first, sounding from the far corner of the cafeteria but within moments everyone was staring at Jett and his friends, pointing and laughing, some doubled over and struggling for breath. Jett spun around wildly, roaring at the lunchroom at large.
"No, stop!" He screamed, pointing desperately at Logan and the others, "they're the freaks! You should be laughing at them!"
No one seemed to pay him any heed, the athlete looking too ridiculous to take seriously. He turned on Logan, Carlos and Lucy, staring at the brunette spitefully.
"I'll get you Mitchell, just you wait, I'll make you wish you'd never been born."
"You touch him and you're dead," hissed Carlos, shoving Jett back.
The athlete grunted, glaring at them as he stalked away, followed closely by his seemingly useless posse of half-wits.
The rest of the lunchtime was spent trying to calm down the Latino, who was still adamant about tracking Jett down and pummelling him to death.
But Logan couldn't completely focus on Carlos' ranting, his eyes continuing to meet those expectant green ones.
Kendall was waiting for something.
Logan couldn't focus, the numbers on the page before him seeming to hold no meaning. He was sat in math, Carlos sitting next to him constructing paper airplanes. The brunette knew the bell would sound in less than ten minutes, which he was thankful for, he wasn't feeling overly productive. The look that Kendall had been giving Logan in the cafeteria had been playing at the brunette's mind the entire afternoon, he didn't understand what Kendall wanted.
Mrs Martin rose from her desk and cleared her throat, attempting to get the attention of the entire class. Logan looked up, glad for the distraction.
"Now, I just wanted to remind you all how close finals are-"
Logan didn't hear anymore, his eyes widening, a thought sparking off in his head. That look, like Kendall had been expecting something...
Logan's mouth turned dry.
The study notes, Kendall wanted study notes for finals, he wanted them by Friday.
Tomorrow was Friday.
Logan suddenly felt nauseous, the room going out of focus. The brunette glanced over at Carlos, who was still immersed in his paper engineering. He'd completely forgotten about Kendall's blackmail in the midst of everything that had unfolded in the past couple of days, and now here was the deadline, looming up before him. Logan knew he should say something, but he didn't think he could, Carlos and Kendall were friends, and if the Latino found out what Kendall had been doing Logan knew he'd try to turn all his friends against the blonde hockey player. The brunette couldn't do that to a person, no matter how wicked they seemed; he knew better than anybody what it was like to be alone, he couldn't bear the thought of forcing that life onto somebody else. Kendall hadn't done anything to him yet, he'd only made threats, and ones that didn't really pose any risk anymore; Logan resolved to himself that Kendall wasn't dangerous, that he'd be okay.
Well, he could only hope.
"Carlos, I really don't want to go back there, please, don't make me go back there."
The Latino stared at Logan with a frown, the terrified look the brunette wore almost shattered his heart all over again.
"Logie, you need to go back sometime, what are you so scared of?"
"I think you can figure that one out," Logan replied, bringing his knees up to his chest. The Latino grimaced, remembering the countless times Logan had come to school sporting a variety of bruises.
"Is it your father?"
The brunette only nodded, watching as Carlos' grip tightened on the steering wheel. They were sat in the Latino's car in the school car park, Logan having refused to go back home.
"Okay, I'll take you there and you can pack some of your things, you can stay at mine until we figure something out."
Logan gave Carlos a hopeful stare, "really?"
Carlos smiled, "of course, I love you Logan."
The brunette crawled over to Carlos, kissing the Latino's caramel cheek.
"Thank you," he whispered. Carlos smiled again, starting the engine.
The couple arrived at Logan's after Carlos had taken several wrong turns, Logan soon realising that the Latino had never memorised the directions to his home. The brunette sighed a breath of relief as Carlos pulled into the driveway, seeing that his parents weren't home. The two climbed out of the Latino's car, Logan leading the way to the door, pulling the spare key out from underneath the doormat. The front door squealed as the brunette pushed it open, the hall shrouded in shadows. The two stepped in, Logan heading directly up the stairs with Carlos in close pursuit. The brunette glanced around nervously, expecting his father to jump out from the shadows at any moment. He stopped short outside his bedroom, turning back to give Carlos a small smile. The Latino stared around in mild amazement, the house, looking humble from the outside, was decorated lavishly; the Latino never realised just how wealthy Logan's parents must be.
The brunette ushered Carlos into his room, closing the door behind him.
"I won't be a minute," he said to the Latino, before turning away to pull a bag out of his closet.
Carlos was surprised as he looked around Logan's bedroom; it was nothing like he'd imagined. The walls were painted white and were completely bare, his bed sheets a mix of neutral shades of grey. The brunette's dresser and desk were mostly plain, with only the basic necessities covering their surface. There was not a touch of colour in the room, not a touch of individuality; it was like Logan was living in a hotel room.
"Carlos could you-" the brunette was cut off as the Latino engulfed his delicate frame in a hug, muscly arms encircling his waist as Carlos buried his head in Logan's shoulder.
"What's the matter?" He asked, hesitantly returning the hug.
"Nothing," answered Carlos, his voice muffled, "nothing."
Logan furrowed his brow, gaze sweeping about his featureless room. The brunette's shoulders sagged, a realisation hitting him.
His boyfriend pitied him.
Logan wasn't overly surprised, he knew that Carlos had to pity him a least a little, but this only acted as fuel. He didn't want the Latino feeling sorry for him, he didn't want to be a charity case.
Carlos pulled away from the hug, holding the brunette at arms length, mirroring his expression when he noticed Logan's frown.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing," answered Logan, with a small smile, "we better go, my parents will be home soon."
I'm actually banking on some hate mail, you guys need to scare me into writing better!
Also, for any of you who are reading my other story, Fragments, I will be updating soonish, I haven't forgotten about it!