I woke up with an awful stomach ache, and a horrible headache. I was still in Logan's big, warm, comfy bed and I snuggled in the covers more, not wanting to get out just yet. I glanced up on the alarm clock on the desk by his bed and smiled. It was noon. He let me skip school.
I remember the previous night, and it made me want to cry. How could he have been so understanding? I went to a party with my ex, let myself get roofied, and then let him suck on my neck. Logan bails me out and then lets me sleep next to him, like it wasn't a big deal. Why? If the roles were reversed…I would have lost my mind. Of course I doubt he would have gone to a party and gotten a roofie slipped in his cup. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a maturity thing. He was understanding because maybe he didn't think of it as cheating. Maybe it was just a dumb mistake on my part that he could look over. If that's the case, I'm grateful.
I eventually pushed myself out of bed, and walked in his bathroom. I turned on the light and went pee quickly. When I got done, I saw a collection of things on his counter. Toothbrush, dark green, with a special little thing on the back to brush the tongue. Colgate toothpaste, mint flavor. A stick of deodorant, Axe brand. A bottle of cologne, which I picked up and sprayed two pumps on me, which was Ralph Lauren. The guy definitely had good taste. I walked out turning the light off and waking in his room right to his closet. I opened it up and smiled stepping in a little.
He had at least 7 different suites, either black, or blue. He had a couple pair of tan pants, and God knows how many button up shirts. I thumbed through them, loving how nerdy his wardrobe was. Everything was nice and neatly hung, with no creases. On the floor were a couple pair of nice shoes, I had seen him wear to school, and then a couple pairs of different expensive looking sneakers. I smiled while opened the other side of his closet, but it quickly faded. Up on the shelf was a box, with one word written in big black letters on the side: JAMES. I swallowed hard as I imagined what could possibly be in it. I looked down quick at the jeans and casual clothes that were hung on this side and tried to force myself to close the door. I just couldn't.
I stared at the box on the coffee table and drummed my fingers on the wood. Seeing his name made me nervous. Seeing his name on a box, at the top of his closet made me nervous. Sure I shouldn't have been snooping…but curiosity got the best of me. I looked at the watch on my wrist and started bouncing up my legs. It was only 12:05. Logan wouldn't be home until 4…maybe. His last gets out at 3:30 on Tuesdays, and as he was leaving he told me he would stop by the store after work if I was still there.
I stood up quick hearing my stomach growl and rushed into the kitchen to busy myself from the unopened box. However, making myself a sloppy peanut butter and jelly sandwich only lasted so long, and eating it…no matter how slowly I forced myself to do so…eventually stopped and again I was faced with my snooping problem. I sighed and pulled the box closer to me. I unfolded the top and pushed the lids down. I stood up, avoiding looking directly in.
I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe James Diamond himself to poke out and beat the hell out of me. I don't know. But when I did look in, I lost some breaths. Held together by a piece of string was a bundle of papers. When I looked at the top one, seeing Logan's handwriting which had tiny hearts placed all over the white paper, my heart sank. They were love notes. I quickly lifted them and set them next to the box to look at more things. Under where the notes where, was another smaller box which I took out, and opened up quick. I heard a little bomb explode in my head as I saw silver, gold and diamond in the box. I assumed it was a box of jewelry and things James bought him, and it made me feel awesome about myself. Yeah like I could afford 24 karat diamond anything with my salary, which was simply money coming from my parents.
I closed the lid up quick and set that to the side looking in once more. There was a sweater, folded neatly and when I took it out, at the very bottom of the box, was a photo album. I unfolded the sweater and had to smile. It looked two sizes too big for Logan, but had Yale written over the front. It must have been James's. I set it down and picked up the book, sitting back in my seat.
I sighed out hard, and opened the front. The very first picture was of Logan and James, Logan standing by James's side, an arm around his toned body. James had a hand wrapped around his shoulder and was leaning his head to the side, so it was next to Logan's, both wearing big smiles. They were dressed up nicely, both holding a glass of wine. I couldn't tell where they were, but it was a nice place. I also noticed how young looking Logan was and smiled. I flipped the page only seeing two pictures of James. The first, he was turned away from the camera, and lying in a bed. He didn't look happy with his hands up trying to push, who I assumed to be Logan off of him. I looked to the next one and they were at the beach. James was standing in front of the ocean with his arms out stretched mouth wide open. He had a hat on backwards, no shirt and black swim trunks, hung low on his hips. I turned the page, hating how good looking and muscular he was.
I flipped through the whole book, seeing happy memories caught on camera that made me sad. When I got to the last one, I heard and felt my heart break. Someone else was taking the picture, clearly. James was sitting in a chair, with Logan straddling his lap, facing him. He had his arms on his shoulders, hanging off lazily. James was smiling, with his hands on his hips, only seeing Logan. I don't know why but I couldn't stop looking at that picture. They looked so happy…so in love, I couldn't imagine why James would have cheated.
I jumped up holding my chest hearing a phone ringing. When I saw it was Logan's home phone, I walked to it, recognizing Logan's cell number. I glanced at the clock, grateful my picture looking only lasted an hour.
"Hello?"
"Hey! There you are! I tried calling and texting you like 20,000 times but got no response."
"So-sorry…I was in bed still…don't feel very well." Only one part of that was the truth. I felt like shit.
"Oh…I'm sorry…is there anything I can do for you?" I sat back down looking at the last picture again and screamed in my head to ask him to tell me he loved me. I kept my mouth shut and closed the book. "Babe?" I forced a smile and shook my head.
"No I'm alright…when are you coming home?"
"I have two more classes and then I'm going to the store. I did a little research on drugs that are usually slipped in drinks at parties, and one of the side effects the next day are upset stomachs, so I'm going to make you my mom's famous soup. It cures every pain and sickness. Hand to God." I smiled for real this time and brought my legs to my chest hugging around them.
"Sounds great." We both went quiet and I glanced at the notes. My curiosity was kicking in again. "Well I'll let you go back to work."
"Okay…I'll call when I'm on my way." I managed a nod and ran my free hand through my hair. "See you later." We said goodbye and I hung up, picking up the pile of notes and walking out into the living room.
I told myself to be very careful as I untied the string. When it was free I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. Did I really want to read their love notes? Was I going to stop myself? The answers to those questions were the same, no, so I picked up the first one and sat back slowing my breathing.
"Dear James.
Last night was incredible. I had so much fun…more fun than I've had in a really, really long time. I still can't believe it was me you decided to leave with but I'm choosing not to question it because I guess you're right; I over think too much. How you managed to gather that about me in one night I will never understand, but I don't care.
I told myself I would not fall for the good hair, hot body, lame pickup lines, but I couldn't help it. Your way to irresistible. If it wasn't for you, I would actually be listening to my professor talk about the German invasion of Poland. But because of you, I'm sitting in my class, writing you a note, like a little school girl. Pathetic right?
I can't tell you why I'm writing you, because I don't know. Maybe there is something I want to tell you, that I know I can't in person. And I know as soon as the words come out of my mouth you'll be freaked out, and out of my life fast than I can think. I know…it's been probably less than 24 hours since I've known you but, give a guy a break, your God like, and it hurts to think about you. So do me a favor, when you read this, don't think about the geeky dork you mistakenly hooked up with because you were drunk. Think of me as the one person in Connecticut you will always remember as a fun night. Please, it will help my complex.
Sincerely, Logan Mitchell.
P.S. You are the first guy who've let effect my school work. Congratulations."
I swallowed hard and put the note face down on the table as I picked up the next note, in a new handwriting.
"Logan,
Let me just start by saying you are the most difficult person to find. It felt almost as if, you were avoiding me, but that couldn't be true…because like you said, I'm God like right?
Honestly…I didn't see you as the nerdy guy I hooked up with, for one, because I wasn't drunk. And two, I don't care if you're a nerd. Your cute, and have a great ass. Also I would appreciate it if you didn't call my pickup lines lame. I work really hard on them.
I feel something for you Logan…something that is really new to me, and it kind of scares me. I don't want these stupid butterflies in my stomach, and I sure as hell don't want my head swimming with thoughts about you. I wonder what he's doing right now? I wonder if he remembers the nickname I gave him as we cuddled in that strangers bed. (Genius move by us by the way. Who knows what could have happened to our sleeping bodies during the night? Not that I would let anything happen to you.)
I'm not saying I don't like you. That's where my problem lies; I really, really, really like you. And only after one night! DO you know what a guy like you could do to a guy like me? I just see it now…a white picket fence in a modest neighborhood, with a modest two story house, with two little kiddies running around in the front yard with our dog Spot. Yeah I think I'm going insane about you.
On a happier note, I managed to convince my grandma to let me stay with her for a couple more weeks, which means I can see you again, only if you want. And yes this is my way of asking you out on a date. No cheesy, corny, or in your words, lame pickup lines. I just want…I need to see you again Logan, and I don't care if it means you ditch class. You're not paying attention anyway right? Besides, you do realize how extremely boring and annoying history is right? You should be doing like English or something…just a suggestion.
Please, please for the love of God call me back.
Oh and P.S. You are not pathetic."
I set the note back on the table and felt my stomach twisting into not's.
Curiosity definitely killed the cat.
