I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Thank you to all those who have served and are serving. If you have family members in the military, please extend to them my gratitude.
Author's Note: I love how a few of you have theories but don't want to tell me them. I'd love to hear them because I'm still completely stuck and need something to help me out with this next chapter that I'll be writing. Also, I'd like to thank everyone who has continued reading from "Over Him". I really, really appreciate your support and love that you are enjoying this story.
I hope you all like this chapter just as much. Reviews and comments are love... Thanks!
Carlos' flight is scheduled to depart at the same time Logan's class ends. Logan is very adamant about skipping class but Carlos reminds him that it's review day and Logan's not one to skip a review day. Logan pouts but reluctantly agrees.
They say their "see you later's" at the apartment. Carlos and Logan refuse to say "goodbye" because it seems so final and they just can't handle it. They walk out the door together, give each other one last hug before Logan walks to his car and Carlos heads over to the awaiting taxi.
Logan sits in his car watching the driver help Carlos put his luggage into the trunk. He smiles thinking about how frantic Carlos was while packing last night. Carlos was so worried that he'd forget something, but Logan assured him that if he did, just to call and it'll be on the way a week later. In the end though, two bags were packed with half of what Carlos owned.
The slamming of the trunk brings Logan back to the present. He shakes the memory from his head and looks back in time to see Carlos climbing into the back seat. Half in and half out, Carlos turns towards Logan's car, sees him, smiles, and waves. Logan smiles and waves back. Carlos completely enters the vehicle and shuts the door. Just like that, the vehicle begins to pull out of the apartment complex. Logan continues to watch the taxi until it is out of sight. As he turns on his own car and puts it into reverse, a tear rolls down his cheek. This is going to be a very difficult week.
Thirty minutes later the taxi pulls up to the terminal. Carlos and the driver get out of the vehicle and pull Carlos' luggage out of the trunk. Carlos pays the man and steps up onto the curb. He takes a deep breath and walks inside the building to check in. Another twenty minutes later he has his tickets, gone through security, and is sitting in a fairly empty, quiet section outside the gate.
He has another thirty minutes to wait before boarding begins. He takes out his phone, knowing he shouldn't, about to text Logan, when he sees that there's already one waiting for him. He smiles as he unlocks his phone to read it.
Miss you already!
Carlos checks the time, almost an hour ago. He does the math quickly in his head and realizes that it was just about the time he was pulling out of the apartment complex. He wonders how he didn't hear it, but remembers that the driver had the radio on pretty loud. He quickly texts back.
Ditto!
Not even a minute later, Logan responds.
This week is going to be the worst week ever! :(
Carlos is a puddle.
I know, but I'll make it all worth it. :D
Oooo… I like the sound of that…
Carlos smiles knowing that Logan is thinking of something completely different, but definitely not out of the question.
o_0 Figured you would… now pay attention in class
Not gonna happen… :P
A voice comes over the intercom announcing the boarding of his flight. He picks up his carry on and gets in line to board. It takes a bit, but he's finally on the plane, bag put away, and relaxed. He's so happy that he got a window seat on such short notice. He can now properly end… well, at least continue… this conversation with Logan before all electronic devices need to be put away.
Keep dreaming, mister.
Have been for the past six years… all have come true so far.
God, Logan! I wish you could be here next to me.
Me too, babe.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the doors of the airplane are being closed. As we prepare for departure, we ask that all electronic devices be turned off at this moment. We thank you for your cooperation."
Taking off in a bit. Will call in three hours. I love you!
Carlos quickly shuts off his phone and puts it in the seat pocket in front of him as a flight attendant passes by on her pre-flight check. As the plane taxies onto the runway, Carlos stares out the window thinking about the past six months and how much Logan means to him. The plane stops at the end of the runway waiting for clearance. Carlos sighs, wondering if he'll really be able to help Kendall, survive this week alone, and put his plan into motion. The engines begin to hum and Carlos watches as the ground around him flies by and then begins to get smaller as the plane ascends into the air. It's going to be a tough week, but he knows that within the next two weeks, his life will change… hopefully for the better.
Logan arrives home completely expecting to see Carlos passed out on the couch waiting for him, but when he walks in the door, reality hits him upside the head. Carlos is gone and he won't feel his touch for an entire week. He wanders through the apartment in a daze, doing everything instinctively, closing the door behind him, setting his keys in the bowl at the edge of the counter, placing his backpack on the dining table, and taking a seat on the couch.
It's at this point where he usually lifts Carlos' head to allow him to slide onto the couch allowing his head to rest in his lap and they stay that way until Carlos decides to wake up. Today, though, he has to settle for hugging a pillow. He sits there for a few minutes, rocking back and forth, wondering how he's going to get through this week.
Six months ago Logan finally felt complete. It was six months ago that Carlos told him he loved him, always had. A month after that, Carlos moved down to Florida and they haven't been apart since. Logan knows he shouldn't worry, but the two years prior fueled his fear of what this time apart could do to them. They were both a mess. Sure neither knew how the other felt, nor were they talking, but still. Logan's ability to over think things tends to get him into trouble.
He stops rocking and starts talking to himself. "Get it together, Logan! You can get through this. There is nothing to worry about. This isn't like the last time you guys were apart. You know that you'll be talking, texting, and chatting every chance you get. Now, find something to do for the next…" he glances at the clock, "… two hours to keep your mind off things. So when Carlos calls, you won't be a complete train wreck."
He chuckles and knows exactly what he should do. He tosses the pillow back onto the couch, makes his way to the dining table and pulls out his textbook, notebook, pens, and computer. What better way to kill time than to get lost in Organic Chemistry.
An hour later he has half a notebook full of benzene mechanisms and just as he is about to start on the next set of reactions his phone rings. Without looking at the caller ID, he hits answer.
"Carlos?" he yells into the phone.
"No, James. Logan, what's wrong? Is Carlos in trouble?"
Logan sighs and looks at the clock. He should have known that the benzene mechanisms didn't take up two hours.
"No, I just miss him."
"Miss him? Logan, I swear if he hurt you again. I'll… I'll…"
Logan chuckles, "Don't worry, James. Everything's good over here, he just left early for vacation."
"Now why would he do that?"
"You hear about Kendall?"
"Yeah, actually that's what I was calling you about, just heard about it today. I feel like a horrible friend."
"Us, too…" Logan continues to explain to James the conversation they had with Mrs. Knight the night before and then the decision for Carlos to head up a week early. James agreed, they didn't want a repeat of high school.
"So when does Carlos arrive?"
Another glance at the clock, "Thirty minutes…" Logan answers with a hint of longing in his voice.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay for the rest of the week?" James asks concerned.
"No, but what choice do I have?"
"They're calling me back to set, but seriously call me if you need anything. If I don't answer, call my agent and tell her that 'Hortence is flying with pigs,' and she'll contact me no matter where I am."
Logan smirks at the code phrase they made up senior year when he needed to talk to James about Carlos.
"I can't believe you still remember that and you're bringing it back."
"At least this time I can tell you how much he loves you!"
"Thanks, James!" Logan says with a smile.
"Ok, I really gotta go! They're yelling at me. Oh, look! Your boyfriend should be calling you in less than five minutes." James teases.
"You're gonna get in trouble. Now go! Really, though, thanks, James! I'll call you later?"
"You better!"
Logan hangs up and sits back in his chair, blankly staring at his phone.