Hey There,

Welcome! It's Thursday! It's party time! Because we're here and this update is happening! Yay!

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots. Most will be returned unharmed.

Enjoy!

"The Collective Trials of a Quinnventor… and Logan"

Chapter 20 - WAKE UP!

(Quinn's Perspective)

"Quinn! Wake UP!" Zoey's voice cut through everything and woke me up from a sound sleep.

I was so disoriented I looked all around me in shock, where was I? Was I back at PCA?

I was in Labroom 9 on the second floor with most of my creations, but I had nodded off on top of one of them. The windows had all gone dark. And honestly, I was surprised to find myself at school again. After spending almost four full days in the far reaches of the north pole.

But I really was back at school and I really had pushed myself too far. Zoey had to assure me, that it was Sunday. I had just arrived back earlier this evening. "We all tried to get you to go rest. Logan knocked out in his dorm, but you came here."

Lola came in and asked me, "Are you trying to give us the runaround? Come on! What happened up there in the north pole? Besides Logan carrying around a few extra people in layers? All we know is that you handled the cold and wet better than him. It's like he was gonna melt or something."

"Yeah!" Zoey added to Lola's idea. "We haven't even gotten a chance to catch up yet."

Now I remembered…

Lola and Vince had said they were studying in our dorm room. But I got the vibe they wanted to be alone. So I had come here to check on my all but abandoned Quinnventions. To discover that a few had even been tampered with while I wasn't here to keep borderline obsessive watch over them. In the middle of this investigation… I must have fallen asleep.

I knew that there was going to be a lot of things I could share with my roommates. Just like I knew that there was going to be a plethora of things I couldn't say. So I tried to estimate how much they'd heard. By asking, "Well, what's to tell? It was cold, it was a lot of work but fun too. What did you wanna know?"

Lola, of course, wanted to know more about the actors, actresses, models and the scene work I'd witnessed. Zoey was asking more questions about the dances we'd been made to attend. Because apparently, James had been working with her in their dorm while Logan was trying to sleep. He'd gotten snippy with both Zoey, James [and later Lola too] when they tried to ask him.

He was probably grumpy from all of the travel we'd just been through. It had been a lot and not easy. It had taken three separate chopper rides, two different private planes, and a dog sled team to get us here. All to arrive very late in the day, today. Back to school and our more normal routine. But since it was still Sunday, class wouldn't start till tomorrow.

Even though travel isn't new to either of us, it was a lot… for anyone. My head was pounding just thinking about all of it again.

But then Lola flipped open her laptop and pointed at pictures on her screen asking. "Is that you sitting with all the beautiful people? Is that Stella Spectra? And Tara Monroe the face of Beauty Mark Makeup?" She named everyone else in the photograph correctly too. I just focused on the picture in question.

I took the computer from her to take a closer look… and it was me. But even I didn't think I looked so out of place in those photos. I'd fit right in, with Peony's posse. I really needed to thank all of those girls again. Even if I couldn't breathe so easily in their wardrobe selections.

I owned up, "Yeah… that was me last night. Logan had to sit with all of the executives and directors both times. The first night I sat with the Pyro-techs, then last night I spent more time with Stella's group. But I had fun both nights, in-between all of the work."

I think Lola heard me, I'm not sure. She was already on to her next query. "Why are you wearing two different colored gowns?"

Zoey beat me to it answering, "Lola, it's clearly two different nights. Quinn sort of just explained that."

Lola gasped as she realized, "She didn't even have to wear the same look twice? Lucky!"

I confirmed, "Yep, the green dress was all my choice. But when you see me in blue, that was when Stella and the girls who picked everything for me, that night."

Lola had said, "Oh yeah, twist your arm." Clearly not seeing how a night like that could be concealed as more work. But if she's going to be an actress as she plans. She'll find out for herself.

Zoey just kept saying, "how great I looked both times." Even if she was more partial to the blue too. Even when I kept stressing it was amazing I wasn't blue to match the dress. I couldn't breathe or move as well.

Zoey was also a little more understanding than Lola, by saying. "I know how grueling a trip like that can be. Tell us they didn't work you too hard. You did have fun and relax sometimes? Right?"

The rest of our conversation was ruled by Lola wanting to know anything I was willing to share. About hanging out with Stella and her entourage. Zoey was more about what everyone had been wearing, or talking about and what things had been happening on the set. I filled in what I could, but it made my head and chest hurt all of the things I couldn't tell.

All of the best parts of that trip had all been things they couldn't know. But then things got interesting when Zoey and Lola brought me up to speed on what had been going on around here. While Logan and I were gone. After having to conceal and skip over so many things. It was a real relief to get back onto subjects that were more free and I didn't have to be so cryptic and careful. When I could just talk to them and ask them questions.

Like how Mark has been caught cheating again and Brooke is inches from dumping him. He was claiming innocence the same way he had with me (and I had believed him, even though I knew better now). But Brooke wasn't nearly as forgiving as I had been. I had to respect that even if that still doesn't mean I like her.

Did Brooke really NOT see this coming? Did Mark really think he could do better than such a pretty and popular girl? I tried to rationalize either of their logic(s) and came up with nothing. All I did discover was how glad I am that I'm out of that and free of any regret.

But then both roommates had started to complain about Logan again. No matter how I tried to give him a pass for being SO exhausted and fatigued… probably to the point of illness {my poor guy}. They were both determined to remain teed off at him. Claiming he'd almost bitten their heads off when they had been showing him the same pictures they were showing me.

I just slated it as normal Logan behavior, but maybe I would check on that later. Just to make certain, because I sensed there was more to that somehow.

Since I wasn't going to get ANY work done today apparently. I went to a late dinner with my friends. Since Logan was asleep I was the odd man out, but I didn't mind. I decided to utilize this time by jotting down the things I couldn't share with Lola and Zoey. Here! Where it's all kept safe and while it's all still fresh in my head.

Like last night, when Logan had let me drive the mobile to the lounge. That had been SO fun! Finally getting to show off my skills.

Nearly the moment we'd reached the resort, Peony came to claim me and dragged me back to the ladies changing area. Where all present ladies were dealing with painful and even some blistering sunburns or wind burns from so many long hours in the harsh elements. The Sun wasn't always visible up there, but when it was the light was intense from all the white surrounding you. Making it so much easier to burn if you're not careful. After roughing it for ages, their human faculties could only handle so much.

Peony had let me cover her face in the same protectant I'd created. When we had been hanging out at her cabin. Her friends and collages weren't so lucky, so I was treating all of them with something to help them get through the night. And handing them all protectant to use throughout the rest of the shoot. Something that could work beneath all of that Hollywood makeup.

Logan had helped me cook up enough for everyone in a hurry. I shouldn't be surprised, but that had been so much fun. Working together on something, when usually we were always working separately. And getting to flirt with him, when usually we've gotta keep such a tight lid on that. It had all been just fantastic. And he really does have a talent in Chemistry… The subject, not just what's happening between him and me. That's a different talent, that he also has surprising proficiency in. But, we'll get to that in a minute here.

After all of the girls were feeling better, and were able to apply their make-up comfortably. They were all so grateful. That I suddenly didn't just have Peony's respect and appreciation, I had the entire room's… even the makeup artists. Who were all begging me to make this a paten in the skincare world. I promised to consider it, wouldn't that be something?

Suddenly it was everyone's mission to repay me, by letting me sit with them and look like I belonged there. After looking at the pictures on Lola's laptop, I can see that they had done an amazing job. But in the moment, I felt like I was being pulled in twenty different directions and everything was happening all at once. Hair, Makeup, fingernails and toenails were being painted to match the dress.

When I mentioned how I felt, all the models kept swearing, "That's just like working the runway then."

I asked Peony, "Is this really what it's like?"

She affirmed, "Mmm-hmm." Before I realized she had my phone in her hand. She explained, "I'm texting your man to let him know if he wants to match you. There's been a change on the color front. I let him know it was me too, I can't wait to see his face."

The dress they'd picked for me was royal blue, a much darker color than I would have picked for myself. But I have to admit, it did make me look sophisticated and more grown up. It may be something to consider for my senior prom next year. I'll probably pick something more bright and fun this year, it's just more me. Where this dress wasn't a class act, it was primarily backless, it had one thick strap on my right shoulder and was very tight around the top. When I tried to complain about the tightness, they asked me, "Could I breathe?"

When I confirmed, "Barely."

They all said, "Perfect fit."

While I hoped I was gonna be able to sit down. This gave me flashbacks to my pageant days and not good ones. It felt like no time at all before my hair was braided down my back. My feet were harpooning heels tall enough to make me almost match Logan's height. I hoped to the heavens I wouldn't be too tall. The girls around me were all amazons, I didn't quite trust their judgment till I was standing with my guy again. Even Peony was swearing she'd watched Logan and I ride in together and she'd judged our height difference then. Sitting and standing.

When they stood me up, Peony took both of my hands and told me. "We're gonna go down first because we all want to see your big entrance. I'm gonna be right by Logan, so I get the full effect from his perspective. But you just keep your head up, chin high and know you're AMAZING… okay. You don't let anyone try to change your mind about that. Okay."

Her friends all wished me luck or told me to "own it."

I hope I did them all proud when I came down, because all I could see was Logan's face. The moment I came out. He was at the foot of the stairs when I got there. And it was a good thing too, because this tighter dress didn't allow me to move quite as well and when I tripped, I'd gone flying off of one of the last steps. But Logan had caught me easily and asked me, "Are you alright?"

I said, "Yeah... I'm fine…" Even if my pride was in tatters. There had been an audible gasp of the surrounding populace. It was still echoing in my ears as I straightened my glasses on my face. I went on, "Thanks for catching me, are you alright? That was fast thinking."

He still had me sort of dipped backward when he smiled, "Never better." Before he glanced down and teased, "Didn't you say your dress tonight was gonna be red?"

"Yeah," I flustered as we side-stepped the greeters and he placed me back on my feet but still held on to me. As I explained. "The girls picked out this one for me... is it okay? Cause I can still go back and change if-"

"No." He'd said a little louder and more serious than he'd meant. "This is fantastic! Who knew blue could look so good?... And Stella may have texted me a picture with this shade of blue attached telling me 'If I wanted to match my date, match that.' But I wasn't expecting... God! You really look amazing!"

"Thanks," I finally let the smile I had been fighting show. "So do you, of course."

"Yeah," He agreed.

"For once, we actually look like we're together," I commented. I had just noticed that his tie, flower and pocket square all matched me perfectly. The pop of color in his pocket even shinned like my dress. We'd never gotten to do anything like that before.

That was when Malcolm came over and slung his arms around both of us saying. "The party is happening through those doors over there. Son, I need you to pick up your tongue, sling it over your shoulder and start heading that way, okay?" I tried not laugh, but when Logan rolled his eyes I did let a laugh slip. Before Mr. Reese complimented, "Quinn! You have never looked better, so grown up. Have fun, but please don't forget we've all still got work to do too."

I told him, "Yes, sir. Please feel free to still send anyone you would like me to speak with."

"Excellent!" He clapped before sending us on.

So Logan offered me his arm and I took it. Before I was pulled the other way, I snuck a quick peck on his cheek and wished him luck. But he caught me before I got too far and said, "You have got to quit all of that cheek stuff."

He gave me a quick real kiss right there in front of whoever was looking. Including all of my new friends, while they high-fived, clapped their approval, or fanned themselves. After imagining how our friends would react back at school so much. Their playful happiness for us was very refreshing and so appreciated.

Logan told me to "Have fun."

And I told him, "You too." Before we had to go our separate ways for a bit. Just like last night…

Only tonight not only did I expect this split. But whenever I caught Logan's eye, he didn't seem quite so miserable either. Even now writing this, I wonder what could have made that change.

Then I was talking with all of those girls like we'd been friends for years. And not hours, like the truth. They weren't so different from my roommates back at PCA. I guess it's hard to believe such famous people are still regular people, in the end. Who weren't so far from my age and did a lot of the same things. It was a blast, and whenever I needed to switch gears and be a scientist. Even when I had to leave and take part with the rest of the pyro and effects teams. Nobody called me a dork or a dweeb or dare I say a spazz. I was just Quinn and that was really nice for a change too.

Again I didn't cross paths with Logan again until the music had started. And this time he came over and asked me before the girls could steal me for their group dance. Saying, "Hey Beautiful? Wanna dance?"

"Sure, but could you help me up? Please?" I asked as he took my hand and helped me. I complained, "This dress is so tight. I'm afraid if I'm not careful I'll turn into a diamond."

A little science joke, and it did make Logan smile. Before he asked me, "Are you going to be able to dance?"

"Yeah, just maybe no swing dancing tonight," I advised, joking again. I really had no idea how to do any of that. But I couldn't even try in the vise-like grip of that gown.

Logan pulled me super close again and asked, "Slow dances are still okay though, right?"

"Yep," I nodded, trying to fight back the blush so insistently heating up my face. If I wasn't careful my glasses could fog just from dancing with this boy. Heaven help me if he saw it and realized the cause of it.

He asked after a few steps, "Having fun?"

"Yeah, how about you?" I asked trying to catch a glimpse of his face.

But he snuggled his face against mine slightly and took a breath, before saying. "I'm a lot better now."

"Oh come on," I encouraged, "You looked like you were having more fun tonight than last night."

He maintained, "That doesn't mean it was any easier being across the room tonight. You should see yourself."

"I can see you," I reminded him. "That's hard enough to resist." Then waited for the boast to affect his ego. It was instantaneous. I could even feel his chest swell slightly under my hand, even through all of his layers of dress ware. How does he make what used to be so annoying, that cute now?

Like the night before we both ended up dancing with several other people in between. But we did still sneak dances in there together, whenever we could. And those were the dances I still remembered best. It seemed not nearly as long tonight, till the last dance was being announced.

Another breakup song was playing, what's with this DJ? Did he just go through something?

Before Logan could grab me for the last dance, Chauncy caught me to let me know that all of my plans had been carried out. Even heading off Logan so he wouldn't plan something else had all been handled. So I was free to spoil him just as planned. I thanked Chauncy just as Logan was pulling me with him. I was even sort of afraid that he'd heard some of our conversation and it had tipped him off. But if he had, he never said anything. He just asked for the "Last Dance" and pulled me back out on the dancefloor.

He said, "I know we should probably be rushing back and packing because we're gonna be leaving very soon from now. But, one more dance can't hurt."

I had to admit, as I put my arms around him. "Talking about leaving, it's making me already miss this."

"What? The Dancing?" He wanted to clarify.

"Yeah… but also the not having to hide everything so much too. The freeness of it all too." I tried to explain.

While he added, "Not to mention all of the freeness to flirt without worrying if any of our friends heard us."

"That has been really nice." I had to acknowledge. I was a little anxious to get to my surprise and may have tried to get Logan to leave a little earlier. Before the last dance ended… again the night was ending on a bit of a sour note with the song choice. I hoped that would be the only off part of the afterparty. But Logan had insisted on staying on that dance floor and holding me close till the last musical note was hit. It was so sweet, I just melted for him and was glad for my plans.

Before we could split up and go bundle up for the journey home. I set the course in motion, letting Logan know. "Before we go back to the cabin and start packing everything up. Can you come with me this way for a minute?"

"Ah, sure." He said, and he let me take his hand and lead him back to the area where all of the resort's private hot tubs were. As he started to realize where we were heading he asked. "Ah Quinn, where are we going? We don't have much time."

"Yeah, about that…" I hinted as he leaned against the wall next to me. Obviously picking up on my ploy. I confessed, "I may have planned something. For you, then got your Dad and Chauncy in on it so you wouldn't plan something else."

His face was priceless, and I could tell, he wasn't used to people surprising him like that. I got nervous as I realized that this could go wrong or backfire. But I plowed on anyway, asking the person responsible for these reservations about our time slot. When it was all confirmed and we were led to a spot designated for this plan, and a changing area was pointed out to us as well as a rack of swim clothes (probably provided by Chauncy as well). I thanked our handler and they left. Logan still hadn't said anything…

So… I started talking and explaining. As I tend to do, "You can take as long as you like. They only made our leaving sound so dramatic because they wanted you to not plan anything else. I know this is something you usually do a lot. When you have to be out in the cold. And I know a lot of why you haven't done it at all this trip and how weird that is. And I know that some, if not all of that, has been because of me. So I just thought it would be nice if you had some time before we have to go home-"

That was when he stopped me putting a gentle hand over my mouth. Then he hugged me so tight and said, "This is the nicest thing anyone's done for me… in a while. Thanks, Quinn."

I hugged him back and asked, "So you like it?"

"Are you kidding?" He asked, backing up to look at my face. "This is nearly the best thing that's happened since we got here." He said before picking me up and kissing me while I was still up there. The kiss lasted till long after I was on my feet again.

I told him, "Well I'm definitely gonna wanna know what the BEST thing was. But you'd better get changed and enjoy it while you can. We've got some time but we do need to eventually pack up and get ready to go back to school."

"Why do you sound like you're going somewhere?" He asked somehow catching me before I could even say.

"Well, I booked this for you because I know this is your thing. I have only done that like once before and I wasn't gonna invite myself." I shrugged.

"You've only been in a hot tub once?" He asked like that was unheard of. Then he got even more vocal on his realization. "And you DIDN'T think I would want YOU with ME?"

"Well, your father and Chauncy were both pretty convinced that I was why you hadn't been here sooner. I thought that they meant you preferred to go alone." I shrugged it was a fair assumption, I still know that writing this hours later and in a completely different setting.

But Logan laughed and let me know, "No... they're right, just not in the same way you think."

"How do you mean?" I asked crossing my arms.

"Wow, that little turn of your hip and attitude you just gave me. Way different in that dress!" He laughed again, "Only making my point that much more true."

"I don't follow, what do you mean?" I asked and he spelled it out for me.

He took my glasses and wiped them off on his coat for me, they'd fogged over pretty bad. But I get the vibe he didn't want me to see him when he said this either. "Because in all of my other trips to places this cold. I went with friends or just family and I didn't have a girlfriend to hold on for dear life on snowmobile rides or keep me warm at night. So while this did cross my mind, it wasn't as needed as it was before and that is all because of you. But not because I want to be alone. It's more that I'm much warmer this time…" He put my glasses back right on my face. "Get it?"

When he came back into focus, his face was all rosy, and I don't think it was all because of the humid atmosphere either. I hugged him and kissed his cheek, before I said, "Glad you like it, but seriously go get changed or you'll never be able to enjoy it."

He reminded me again, "Girl! You've gotta quit that cheek stuff! Come back here!"

Then he disappeared with a pair of trunks under his arm… after another real kiss. I kinda like our little game though, so I'm still gonna go for the cheek sometimes.

It wasn't till I was browsing this rack of options that it occurred to me that… I was about to go in front of my boyfriend in a bathing suit. Of course, it wasn't the first time I had done that. But it was the first time since we'd become a couple. And Chauncy had left a lot of one-pieces. But they all looked way too frumpy and old for me. The two pieces were more me, but did I want to be that brave? I didn't know. So I braved it and picked a bright blue one, sticking with the whole blue theme of the night.

Looks like I wasn't the only one either, Logan had selected blue striped trunks (the strip went vertically down each leg). He came out way too confident and shirtless. I forgot how shirtlessness could be considered a superpower for this man.

I voiced my amazement, "Did you miss the red ones right there, Hollywood?" Red is his favorite color.

"I saw them," He grinned, before saying. "The blue was just calling me for some reason." Then he teased, "It could be something even in this room."

"Hmm," I shook my head and headed for the changing area myself. Trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. But they were nipping at my heels a little more with every step. I rallied to be brave and then… I completely forgot how many people it had taken to get me in this dress and I couldn't get the zipper down. And there was no way I could get out of this dress any other way… So I had to ask, "Logan! Have you already climbed in? Or are you still out there?"

"I'm here? What's up?" It had taken him a moment to get to me and answer so it wasn't like he'd been right there.

I asked, "Is anyone around out there that could help me? Like preferably female... who could help me?"

"Uhh," I could just hear him walking around and looking. "No one but me. What's wrong?"

"I think the zipper on this dress may be broken. I can't seem to get it down, where's a pair of pliers when you need em?"

He'd told me, "Calm down, Let me see if I can help."

"Are you trying to come in here?" I asked and I guess my voice sounded a little freaked at the idea.

Because the first thing he said was, "Don't panic." In his softer tone, then he instructed. "Just stick the part of you where the zipper is out of the door and let me see if I can help. If I can't I will go track down someone who can. But first let me see if I can do it. Okay?"

I asked him, "Do you have a can opener or a pair of pliers?"

"Don't be like that," He was still soothing somehow. "Come on! Let's see the damage?"

So I did as he asked and turned my right side to him. I really was thinking that had been the only zipper. But I forget how many people had been working on me and how tightly I was confined. Logan noticed it zipped on both sides and down the teeny bit of back the dress had (Because it was mostly backless).

When he tried the same zipper I had been tugging, he admitted. "Yeah. That seems stuck, but let's try the others and see if that helps. Let me see the other side again." It unzipped easier. My breathing already felt slightly easier too. Then he tried the other side again and it still didn't budge till the back zipper was down. When all three were finally unzipped. It's amazing how much more relaxed I was when I could finally take a full breath again, without restriction. I'd even gotten a little lightheaded and lost my balance. Even though I was in bare feet and had long ago abandoned my heels.

Logan caught me and steadied me on my feet again. He even helped me sit down on the bench inside the changing room and joked. "Maybe don't go this tight on your prom dress."

"No! That's not happening." I had to stress, there was no way I would do this to myself on purpose. Before I dared to ask, "Do I even want to know how you knew what to do?"

He laughed and said, "Even I'll admit I'm not that much of a Casanova. Okay, It's something you pick up when you're on enough sets with crazy costumes."

"That story I'll buy." I smiled up at him, and said, "Thank you."

He leaned down and kissed me real quick before saying. "Sure, glad I could help you for a change. I've watched you help everybody else... this was fun."

I shrugged, and the very loose strap slid down my arm. I grabbed it threw it back out onto my shoulder as I said, "Just doing my part."

But I'd seen the way his eyes had locked onto that movement. And he had to snap back to reality. "Yeah! I'll leave the rest to you... unless you think you'll need more help-"

"No! I got it! Thanks!" I was quick to assure and he laughed as he walked back out of the tiny room.

Shutting the door behind him, but from the other side of the door, he flirted. "Don't keep me waiting too long out here, professor."

I don't know how he'd pulled off making that line flirty. But he had!

When I came back out I was more appropriately dressed for the steamy humid setting. Not that it was so much... well, there was romantic steam a little bit too. But being where all of these hot tubs were all together. The whole area felt far more naturally warm than the rest of the resort. I was glad my hair was braided because it would have been a frizzed-out mess by now, otherwise.

When I walked back out Logan had said, "Oh thank God!"

"What makes you say that?" I asked him and he clarified.

"When I saw all of those one pieces I was afraid you might use one of them. If you got nervous enough." Then he even said, "Thank you for not doing that!"

"Sure, but the thought did cross my mind." I shared, as he stepped in and reached back to help me.

"Why? Your hot!" He'd said without thinking because he stage coughed and corrected himself. "I mean, you weren't sitting with models and actresses just for conversation. You looked like one of them tonight."

The hot water was bubbling and lapped up to our waists now. Already relaxing the overworked muscles in my legs. When I asked him, "Really, you didn't think I looked silly?"

"Nobody Did!" He said taking hold of my waist again and telling me. "All I kept hearing all night was how beautiful you were. And you have no idea how hard it was getting all of that work done. When really all I wanted to do was be where you were."

I know I'd smiled at him and kissed him for saying that. Then he had gotten me to sit down and after an entire night of being squeezed WAY too hard in that dress. That water felt so nice I could barely speak. All I remember is how nice it felt. And how much better it had gotten when Logan had lifted me in the water to place me across his lap after a while. He just held me there for the rest of our time. And even now, sitting back at PCA after hours of travel. I didn't feel nearly as sore as I should have because of the relaxation and healing that went on in that session.

So my closing statement for this experience is, that you will never again hear me doubt the healing magic of a hot tub. Especially if the right person is in it with you. Not even after a week like mine, and Logan's. He may have been right about this. But please don't tell him, I'll never hear the end of it.

As I finished scribbling this down in my book's pages. Logan has appeared in the flesh, at our late dinner table. He stole the only available seat which yes. Is next to me, but I was the odd man out. Everyone else at our table is paired off and even his old self would have chosen to sit with the only other single person. Rather than wedge himself between pairings.

Lola asked him, "Have you quit being such a crab yet?"

He answered her, "I don't know have you quit being so annoying yet?" Then they both pretended to lunge for the other.

"Hey, hey, HEY! Easy there!" Michael tried to ease. "Cheese and Rice! Logan didn't getting SOME sleep help."

"If I had gotten sleep, do you think I would sound this ticked off?" He asked right back. While I'd snuck my hand into his waiting open one right under the table. I felt him [and saw from the corner of my eye] that he had glanced my way when we made contact. But I was already putting on the show I knew we both needed to perform. Playing the totally innocent and uninterested bystander. Busy, still writing in my book, and too engrossed to comment.

But when Stacey Dillsen walked up carrying her latest crazy creation out of cotton swabs and white glue. They were a life-sized guy and girl in formal wear for the prom display in the quad. All of our friends looked at her, Logan took that moment and tugged my hand to make me look at him.

When I did we started having a full-blown conversation, without ever speaking a single WORD.

With his eyes he asked me, "If I was okay."

I'd nodded that I was smirked back. Before asking, "Was he okay?"

He nodded once and somehow let me know that he was.

And I was sure of it all... somehow. But I have no idea how that's possible.

Then James noticed us and asked, "Are you two gonna try to kill each other? You were looking pretty intense at each other."

We both looked away and I told James, "No. We're both far too exhausted for anything that dramatic tonight."

Logan added, "Yeah! Quinn's the only person as tired as me. And the only one of you not being a total jerk right now."

Michael asked, "How in the world did you two not kill each other during the last four days and nights? Were you too cold up there? Or was Logan spending every spare moment in a hot tub again?"

"What's wrong with that? You battle the cold your way and I'll do things my way!" Logan argued right back.

Thankfully, the arguing only carried on so long. Before all of the pairs were racing off to either prepare for class tomorrow. Or to make out till curfew. I honestly can't remember who had said they were doing what. All I can say for sure is that it wasn't long at all before Logan and I were the only ones still sitting there and there weren't so many people around to convince anymore.

Logan said darkly, "No place like home."

"Well, it is a bit warmer here," I tried to look on the bright side. "You don't need so many stifling sleeves anymore."

"Yeah, but sleep hasn't been easy." He complained.

I tried to assure him, "They all have to go to bed sometime. They'll quiet down, you'll be back in your own bed and it'll be a lot better. You'll see."

That was when I had to quit writing for a minute and looking so distracted. Because the area we were in had been cleaned out of all people besides us and Logan asked, "Could you look at me for a minute?"

I'd done what he'd asked and when I was able to look at him. I realized that he had pulled out his chair and turned it to face me, he even turned my chair to face him and took my other hand. So he was holding both when he said. "I didn't know it would be this hard."

"What? What's so hard?" I asked.

"Going back to the way things were? Did that feel so terrible before?" He asked me honestly and I had to reason.

"I don't know, I guess we were more worried about what everyone would think or say. When this first happened, anyway. We were so ashamed and wanted to avoid any one we know finding out." I tried to figure out. "But after our trip and not having to hide everything... it was nice... nicer than we expected?" I guessed.

He agreed, "Way better than we expected."

I reasoned further, "It's a bit hard to stick it back into the shadows again, isn't it?"

"When everyone was here, it felt IMPOSSIBLE!" He stressed before he revealed. "I almost told Zoey, James, and Lola like nine times today. When they wouldn't leave me alone about the pictures they found online with us in them."

"Really? Nine times?" I repeated.

"Yep, and I was getting so pissed because all the pictures they found were of us dancing or talking to other people. Never each other, and I kept remembering how many of those wolves were out to date you. I kept getting jealous and they didn't know why I was so mad."

"Ohhhhhhhhhh." I realized. So that's why he'd been so crabby and short with them. He was trying to cover for jealous reactions. How adorable is that?

So I pretended to go back to reading and writing because some other kids were walking through and I asked quietly. "Would making out till curfew help at all?"

"I'm never gonna turn that down." He answered so quickly, before he was closing the book in front of me and telling me. "This can wait, we gotta go."

And we were running to the closest hiding spot to do just that. So we're back at Pacific Coast Academy and West Coast. But even the make-out session tonight just felt different somehow. I hope it's in a good way, it certainly hadn't felt bad.

That's all for this Chapter!

(AN: Just for fun I will mention some of that musical inspiration in both chapters where the dances were happening, I was playing these relevant tunes on loop as I was writing, "Farther Down" -by Matthew Sweet from the movie soundtrack of 'Can't Hardly Wait.' "Little Heaven" -Toad The Wet Sprocket song from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Movie soundtrack. "I Think We're Alone Now" - Originally by Tommy James and the Shondells but the Tiffany's and Billy Jo Armstrong's Covers are both awesome too. "They Don't Know" - Tracey Ullman. I will warn my taste in music can run pretty old school. I just find it the most comforting, somehow)

If any of you have go to jams for Quogan, please let me know some of your faves. In a review or PM. I have really loved finding songs for these two. And those above are just SOME from my sis and my collaboration lists.

But don't worry guys. I will be back to post more next Thursday with more from Logan's Perspective. If you get a chance, please write in and review, I would love to hear from you. Hope you're having a great day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85!