Disclaimer: I do not own Zoey 101/102 or any part of the franchise or any other franchise for that matter.
Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
Warning: Brief mention of fighting towards the end of the chapter.
Chapter 6: Don't Smash My Rusty Relics
Quinn's POV: A few hours after our arrival after Logan and I stowed away our luggage, and got settled down for a bit, we decided to fully immerse ourselves in our surroundings, carrying only our knapsacks and phones we made our way out onto a side pathway.
The rocky terrain ahead of us crumbled beneath our feet as I carefully used his arm as a guide. This place could be a catastrophe waiting to happen but beyond the element of danger, it was so beautiful. And I knew I was safe with someone as strong as Logan by my side.
As we turned around a corner I spotted something quite unusual and pointed it out towards him. It was a horseshoe jammed into a nearby tree ahead of us and it wasn't just any horseshoe, it was formed into the shape of a heart.
As if on instinct Logan released my arm gently to fumble through his knapsack pulling out a professional grade camera that I'm sure costed more than my allowance and a portable tripod. Carefully setting it up and looking into the viewfinder for the right angle.
I had no idea he had such a knack for photography. A secret hobby of mine that Mark deemed as stupid.
After he was satisfied with the positioning of the angle of the camera and tripod, he wheeled around quickly squeezing himself into the frame as the camera snapped a picture of us staring into each other's eyes using the heart horseshoe tree as our backdrop.
After quickly adjusting the camera and tripod again towards a different angle he quickly shifted back into the frame, placing his arms slightly above my hips. For the last frame we decided to recreate the hug from last year where Logan and I had actually hugged for the first time.
He gently hoisted me over his lower torso, holding onto the middle of my back for support, as I swung my legs over using his neck for support. I don't know how long we stayed in that position, but it was well after the camera had captured the moment.
Both of us had the goofiest grins plastered across each of our faces as I gently pulled away from him wishing I could prolong this moment more. Every once in a while we'd stop along the trail to point out different objects that we found fascinating and to avoid objects that were considered hazardous.
Logan was well versed in the elements of nature I actually found it intriguing how much information he seemed to absorb. He soaked it in like a sponge. Was he embarrassed to present a more intellectual side? I had pondered as we continued down the trail searching for more rusty relics. About half an hour later we were presented with a path to an off-beaten trail.
Using caution and our own instincts we decided to examine the pathway, the rocky terrain still underneath our feet. Logan pointed out a fascinating relic up ahead of us some may even think of it as an artifact. It was a rusty piece of old metal, I could tell by the way it was twisted and broken, it had probably aged about 15 years give or take.
I bent down further to examine it with my advanced Quinnoculars with Logan following suit. Our hands accidentally brushed against one another as I was examining the relic instead of moving my hand out of place, I let it linger even further. As we slowly both propped ourselves up, glancing again at the relic in our pathway he turned towards me with that mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hey Quinn, these are some interesting rusty relics, I may be a bit rusty but I'm definitely not a relic!" For such an abysmal joke he always knew how to turn on the charm. I chuckled to myself as I playfully grabbed his bicep. "Oh Logann, oh my gosh you are so corny." I felt my face heating up a subtle shade of scarlet dancing upon my cheeks.
"But, I like it." I continued completely immersed in being in that moment with him. I'd forgotten how it felt to be so silly and mischievous mostly because Mark's idea of funny was tossing rocks at a riverbank, it always had to be something with either rocks or potatoes. He wasn't well versed on jokes he didn't carry them the same way that Logan did with that sophistication and charm.
Although Logan and I bickered it was quite riveting, he really knew how to hold his own and I always respected him for that. Logan is exhilarating like that roller coaster ride you were convinced you'd be terrified of, only to want to repeat the same pattern again and again as you felt such a jolt of excitement, it became your new favorite ride and one you'd probably venture on for a lifetime.
Mark on the other hand was more like a merry go round, safe, predictable, and not very spontaneous. I lost my footing expecting to fall face first into the stone pile beneath us.
A strong muscular arm wrapped around my upper torso pulling me away from the obstruction. I glanced over towards Logan smiling as we fell into place as he guided me through the rest of the rocky terrain. Until we had reached our next destination.
We decided to take an opportunity for a break retrieving some of the snacks from our knapsacks, some pre-cooked spicy ramen and a handful of green grapes on the vine.
I was absolutely flabbergasted when Logan started popping the grapes into the mouth like candy when Mark couldn't even be bothered to pour me a glass of juice without grimacing. Even though we weren't technically on a date, just two friends goofing around.
We were having a blast together it was so easy to be myself around Logan. He nurtured the side of me that most people abhorred.
I wished we had, had more time in the beginning to really get to know each other better. I know someday this will all be a distant memory in the rearview mirror. I'll be going off to one of the most prestigious scientific colleges in California and he will be juggling his first relationship. And as much as it pains me to think about him being so lovey dovey with someone else.
I know the time we've spent together and the memories that we've shared with one another will always be something I'll cherish for the rest of my lifetime. After we finished our snacks and carefully disposed of them properly.
We continued onto the next trail which took a little over half an hours time. It was so very hot, without any warning Logan carefully yanked off the t-shirt he was wearing. My eyes now roaming across his physique. I'm a woman okay who just so happens to have a very attractive male best friend, sue me! I struggled to form a sentence. "P-please put your shirt back on Logan."
His eyes sparkled in the sunlight before he turned around smirking at me with that signature Reese grin that made me fall harder every time. "So modest aren't we? You didn't seem to have any issues with my attire during volleyball practice, but fine have it your way Pensky, but you're going to start drooling soon if you don't shut your trap!"
I abruptly thumped him across the forehead. "Could you be any more egotistical?" He scowled looking into his travel pocket mirror to inspect his face for any damages. "Could you be any more un-egotistical?" He exclaimed throwing up his hands in frustration.
I rolled my eyes abruptly, he's turning back into that same old self centered jerk that I initially hated. A few moments later we both burst out laughing at how ridiculous we sounded, our outbursts long forgotten as he playfully punched me in the shoulder.
He may be a jerk sometimes and a bit inconsiderate and rude but he's still hot. We continued on a few more miles as Logan pulled out his camera photographing every moment we spent on the trail.
As the hours ticked away we had almost made it towards the end of the day.
The last thing he wanted to do was watch the sunset, as the pink, purple, and orange hues danced across the skyline, we made our way to a vantage point to get the best view possible. As I gazed out into the sunset with Logan sitting by my side I felt the urge to pull him closer towards me so I did, we were practically sitting hip to hip.
I could feel his breath tickling the back of my neck. I gazed into his eyes deeply feeling drawn in, in a way I couldn't explain. "This sunset is one of the the most majestic settings I've ever witnessed, it's so beautiful." He gazed back into my eyes catching me off guard with three little words. "So are you." Did he really just say that? I turned away quickly as my cheeks flushed three shades of scarlet.
It's probably just the inner workings of a calculated player I had just as much assumed. But, did he actually mean that? Before I had time to ponder how close Logan and I were and what his sentiment meant, we were cornered by my current boyfriend Mark Delfiggalo.
And every thought I had of Logan vanished into the distance as I ran right into my baby's arms, he tried and failed miserably to scoop me up into an embrace. So I settled for our usual side hug instead. It would be nice if every once in a while he made an effort to try a little bit harder to initiate more physical contact between us.
Surprisingly what he chose to do next was very unexpected and very un-Mark like, he leaned in to kiss me and it was so dry, so passionless, why did he decide to kiss me now in-front of Logan? I pondered.
When I've had to beg him for attention in the past, I could barely get him to hold my hand or try a new ice cream flavor. But, now here he was attempting to be affectionate with me and I was so puzzled by his behavior. I quickly pulled him away from me gathering my own thoughts.
I could see Logan practically seething in the background, since when has he cared about Mark's affections towards me? "Not that I'm not happy to see you and all but what are you doing here baby?" Mark shrugged nonchalantly as usual.
"I didn't want you to be alone, Reese over here isn't the best with directions and you know I thought this could be an opportunity for us to rekindle our more passionate moments."
As abruptly as Mark grabbed one hand, Logan grabbed my other hand as they both glared directly into each others eyes. "Is this really necessary, don't I get a say in this?" "No!" Both bellowed out in angry tones.
Logan smirked gripping onto my hand a bit tighter. "I got this Delfiggs, Quinn came here with me and I'm plenty capable of protecting her, so you can hop back in your little car and drive away." Mark retorted, yanking my hand closer. "Don't you have one of your little floozy's to go make out with Reese?"
Logan pulled my hand back further as if my skin was made of some kind of stretchable elastic. "I cleared this whole entire trip to be here with Quinn, not some dumb bimbos not like you have the decency to stop hugging other girls or did you forget about that Delfiggalo?"
Mark shoved a finger into Logan's chest. "Not like you have the decency to stop touching things that don't belong to you!" Logan yanked my arm back a bit further.
"You're such an idiot, haven't you stopped and thought about how much you've hurt Quinn?" He exclaimed as he gripped my hand tighter. "Don't you know who she cries to at night, when you're not around, yeah that's right, me!" Finally Mark released his grip sending me barreling straight into Logan's chest.
Logan wrapped his arms loosely around my hips holding me steady. "She cries every night for your dumb a** god knows why she's still with you and she reaches out to me!" Mark crossed his arms, suddenly directing his glare towards me. "Is that true baby, do you really reach out to him?"
I sheepishly nodded, glancing at Logan before turning my gaze back towards Mark. "He's a really good listener and makes me feel so secure." Mark glanced between Logan and I narrowing his eyes towards my lower hip bones. "What did I say about touching things that aren't yours? Get your hands off my girl, Reese!"
Logan scoffed, dropping his arms casually away from my lower torso. "It's not my problem that you don't know what to do with them!" He sneered.
I had finally heard enough, stepping between both Logan and Mark to de-escalate their ongoing feud. "Logan you're acting like a child, and Mark, we all know you're terrible with your hands!" Mark's face tried contorting into what I assumed was a frown.
But, they always say honesty is the best policy. He will get over it and hopefully take some feedback and analyze his own self esteem issues.
I can't believe that my best friend and my boyfriend have so much hatred in their hearts for one another.
I glanced over towards Mark before gazing deeply into Logan's eyes. Something about his demeanor felt so warm, so caring, even when he laughed I just couldn't get enough of his smile it was so precious. Apparently Mark wasn't too fond of my affections towards Logan as he grabbed my hand intertwining our fingers together and it felt so wrong.
I had wished that it was Logan holding my hand instead. Our fingers intertwined into one another's like a missing puzzle piece that was finally found. I slowly released my hand out of Mark's cold and clammy one. As I caught Logan smirking out of the corner of his eye.
My adrenaline was running unusually high as just being in Logan's vicinity made my heart pitter patter with nothing but pure love and adoration.
Being in Mark's presence was underwhelming, there was no spontaneity, no excitement, and definitely no passion. I felt more in those embraces I shared with Logan, than the side hugs I'd shared with Mark.
My heart fluttered in anticipation as the thoughts of Logan holding me protectively wrapping his arms around my upper and mid torso invaded my mind.
I couldn't stop blushing and smiling, he had that effect to make me feel so special. Apparently Mark noticed this interaction as well as he caught Logan out of his peripheral vision winking towards my direction.
As he yanked my arm towards him hard as he had once done previously in one of our earliest encounters.
Logan barreled through gently guiding me away before reaching over and clocking Mark right in his rocks! "Get the f**k away from her, she is not an object to be toyed with, I won't tell you again, disrespect her and you'll be dealing with me rock boy!"
Surprisingly Mark was emboldened by Logan's interaction forcefully grabbing him by his t-shirt collar and returning the ammo by punching him in the face.
"I've had it with you Reese, disrespecting my relationship and my girl!" Mark growled lowly in a voice that wasn't even audible to the human ear, yet somehow I picked up the words that were exchanged with Logan. As they tussled to the ground exchanging blow after blow.
Mark's resolve eventually weakened and he crumbled under Logan's pressure.
Knowing it was Logan who initiated the attack between them first, I rushed over towards his side examining his face for any possible injuries. He wasn't fighting Mark to assert his dominance, he fought him to protect me, it was purely self defense I had concluded.
Mark was being very aggressive and forceful and tossing me around like some sort of rag doll. "Logan, are you alright?" I gasped when I saw a crimson strain trailing down his left cheekbone.
Thinking quickly I rummaged through my knapsack and pressed a cool disposable rag across his face while bandaging up his wound.
Luckily it was only a minor scratch that would heal up quickly and none of his other features were tarnished. I ruffled my fingers through his soft brunette curls, thankful that my friend hadn't sustained any substantial physical damage.
He enveloped me into a warm embrace which I readily accepted, leaning over his neck as he softly caressed the skin near my lower torso. "Oh Logan, I was so worried about you."
He leaned in closer pulling us closer together closing the few inches of distance left between us. "I know, but he put his hands on you, and nobody messes with my g-nobody messes with you!"
I smiled widely touched by the warmth that I felt radiating from his heart. "You really are such an enigma Logan Reese from one moment to the next I can't figure out if you like me or if you hate me or if-"
I stuttered for a moment biting my lip in contemplation before hesitantly choking out the next sentence. "If you l-love me."
But, surely he doesn't love me, hate is always a strong possibility and maybe he even tolerates me since he's forced to be around me because we all hang out in the same friend group. I bit my lip again, glancing away from his direction.
As he slightly turned towards me pulling me back in gently caressing the side of my face with his fingertips, I knew I was falling more in love with him even harder and deeper than I had intended.
Feeling Mark's gaze upon us, I quickly and swiftly pushed myself away from Logan's grasp not trusting my own self judgement.
As I felt a pang of disappointment and sadness wash over my chest, as I forced myself to walk back over towards Mark my current boyfriend. Logan trailing slowly behind us as we made our way back to the main campground.
As the cool breeze of the night air swept in, Logan and I had huddled together for warmth, laying across from the makeshift fire pit. I don't remember much after that as we had both succumbed to slumber under the starry night sky.
The next morning I awoke to find Logan's arms securely wrapped around my waist. The flames surrounding the fire now only remnants. I smiled widely anticipating the day lying ahead of us, any thoughts I had of Mark dissipated the minute I saw Logan's eyes gazing into mine.
