Entering the waiting room, Logan is greeted by Jordan.
"Are you ready for your appointment, Logan?" Jordan asks.
"Yes, there's a lot I need to discuss with you and Callie," Logan replies.
"Is there an issue with your schedule? We can always make adjustments," Jordan offers.
"No, the schedule is fine. This is about Callie and my girlfriend, Camille," Logan explains.
"I don't understand," Jordan admits.
"Neither do I," Callie chimes in as she walks into the room.
"Let's move to my office so we can have a better understanding of what you're talking about," Jordan suggests.
They all proceed to the office, where Jordan closes the door and takes a seat. "Logan, please continue."
"Alright, well, um, Camille is... how do I put this... she's very protective of our relationship and feels threatened because of Callie," Logan confesses.
"Me? What have I done that's so threatening? I've never even met Camille," Callie protests.
"That's part of the problem. Camille has been unfairly judging you and assuming you have romantic feelings for me. This strain on my relationship with her has been weighing heavily on me. We haven't been able to agree on anything regarding you for the past few days. Personally, I think you're amazing, but she believes you have ulterior motives because I'm a teenage celebrity patient and part of a boy band. I had initially thought about requesting a male physical therapist to ease her concerns, but after a phone call with my mom, I've changed my mind. I'm truly sorry, Callie. None of this is your fault," Logan apologizes.
"Speechless, I am. Never have I encountered such a quandary on my path before. Typically, personal matters are not divulged to me unless they pertain to a patient's well-being and purpose here. This is a dire situation we find ourselves in. I have no desire to be the wedge between you and Camille. I only wish for both of you to find happiness in each other. Perhaps it would be best for you to seek out a male physical therapist," Callie reflects.
"Nonsense, Callie. You are more than just my physical therapist - you are a friend who I deeply care for and appreciate," Logan assures. "Camille's insecurities are not your burden to bear. Unfortunately, it falls upon me to rectify the situation."
"What do you plan to do to mend the love and trust with her?" Callie inquires.
Logan heaves a heavy sigh, his hands covering his face. "Truth be told, I am at a loss for solutions to this dilemma," he confesses.
"I have a suggestion. Let's have Camille come on Friday so she can witness the chemistry between us. I want her to see that I am focused on my job and nothing more. It's important to me that she trusts and likes me," Callie proposes.
"Absolutely, I will make sure that happens. This disruption shouldn't have occurred in the first place. I apologize for the inconvenience," Logan responds.
"Don't worry, Logan. Relationships can be tricky, especially at a young age. You and Camille will overcome any obstacles and your bond will flourish once again," Jordan assures.
"I hope you're right," Logan murmurs.
"You must have been quite charming back in Minnesota. Have you had girlfriends before Camille?" Callie inquires with a smile.
"James was the fortunate one, not me. Among the four of us, James always managed to capture the most attention from girls, followed by Kendall occasionally, and even Carlos if he happened to come across a girl who was the daughter of one of the police officers at his dad's workplace. But as for me, it was a different story. The only reason girls ever took an interest in me was because of my intelligence. They would approach me solely for help with their schoolwork. Being the top math student throughout middle school, girls would often thrust their homework into my hands without uttering a word, expecting me to complete it for them instead of guiding them through it. I despised being used in such a manner. Gradually, I began to resent being intelligent. It seemed to be a recurring stereotype in shows and movies that the smart kids excelled in math and science, making them easy targets for bullies. That was my reality. I was viewed as the go-to person for doing other students' homework. No girl wanted to spend time with me because I was occupied with their academic tasks. Even in group projects, I found myself shouldering the majority of the workload while the other members procrastinated. I didn't desire a girlfriend, but I did long for a female friend who would appreciate me for who I am, rather than exploiting me for my academic abilities." Logan expresses.
"Logan, it sounds like you've really overcome some tough obstacles," Callie says with empathy.
"It was a challenge, but I've adapted," Logan replies.
"Do you face similar situations at Palm Woods School?" Jordan inquires.
"At times, I do get approached by classmates for homework help, but I've made it clear that I expect dedicated effort in return. So far, it hasn't been a problem," Logan explains.
"Excellent," Callie responds with approval.
Logan and Ms. Knight make their way back to the Palm Woods, seeking solace and tranquility. Logan, desiring peace, ventures to a secluded spot near a park, nestled atop a short yet steep hill. The melodious chirping of birds, the playful chittering of squirrels, and the gentle caress of the breeze against his hair and face envelop him in a sense of calm. Lost in his thoughts for a brief moment, he is startled by the sound of approaching footsteps. Whirling around, he finds no one in sight, prompting a sense of unease and apprehension. Gripping a nearby sturdy stick as a makeshift weapon, he hears rustling emanating from a nearby bush. With a swift motion, he raises the stick, ready to defend himself against the unseen threat. However, his actions come to a halt as a voice breaks the silence. To his surprise, a human hand emerges from the bush, followed by a familiar hockey helmet - it's Carlos. Startled by the unexpected encounter, Logan drops the stick in disbelief.
"Carlos, you nearly gave me a fright! I thought I had harmed an innocent creature with that stick. What brings you here, hiding in the bushes?" Logan exclaims.
Concern etched on his face, Carlos explains, "I noticed your distress after returning from physical therapy with Mama Knight. Curious about your well-being, I followed you here to ensure you were alright. I stayed hidden, fearing you might run away."
Chuckling softly, Logan responds, "Only half of what you said makes sense, but I appreciate your concern. I came here to clear my mind, away from Camille. Rest assured, I have no intentions of running away."
"Are you alright, my friend? Did something unfortunate occur during your physical therapy session?" Carlos inquires.
"No, nothing bad happened. I actually had a lengthy conversation with Jordan and Callie. We've devised a plan to address Camille's insecurities about Callie. This may be my last chance to salvage my relationship. I can't bear the thought of losing Camille simply because we have differing opinions on me having a female physical therapist," Logan explains.
"What is the plan?" Carlos asks, taking a seat beside him.
"The plan is to bring Camille to the physical therapy facility so she can witness how professionally Callie behaves around me. This way, Camille's unfair judgments towards her will cease," Logan reveals.
"Do you truly believe that will be effective?" Carlos questions.
Sighing, Logan responds, "I certainly hope so. I need your support for this idea."
"Of course, my friend. I will always have your back," Carlos assures him.
"That's great. There's something else I need you to do for me," Logan adds.
"What is it?" Carlos inquires.
"Promise me that you'll keep this plan strictly between us. Please don't disclose it to James Kendall, Jo, or even Katie. Most importantly, don't tell Camille," Logan pleads.
"I hockey player promise," Carlos affirms, referring to a pact they made years ago in Minnesota where they vowed to keep any promise, no matter how serious, to one another.
"Thank you, my friend," Logan expresses his gratitude, relieved that Carlos, despite his usual lighthearted and wild nature, can be serious enough to keep an important secret.
"Are you a regular around here?" Carlos inquires.
"Absolutely. When the chaos of Los Angeles life as a teenage boy band member becomes too much to handle, I find solace in escaping here. It's a sanctuary where I can shed my worries and just be at peace," Logan explains.
"Have you told James, Kendall, or even Katie about this hidden gem?" Carlos wonders.
"No way. It's our little secret," Logan replies with a smile.
"I admire your discretion," Carlos nods in approval.