Disclaimer: I do not own Zoey 101/102 or any other franchises that are mentioned in this story, I think we've established that by now!
Even though this chapter will not officially be published until the 26th, I still wanted to acknowledge that today the 24th is indeed the kiss that cemented it all for our favorite Zoey 101/102 couple, Happy Kissaversary Logan and Quinn, & Happy Valentines Day/Valloween to anyone who celebrated it, I hope you had a wonderful day filled with so much love!
Special Dedication: To My Quogan Loving Sis, thanks for keeping me on track and motivated to post, it is because of your continuous support that I continue to update these chapters never forget how truly talented that you are!
Chapter 8: Sleepless in Yosemite
Quinn's POV: I rolled out my sleeping bag in front of the campfire, Mark was still searching for the rock that Logan hurled out into the distance hours ago. I glanced over at him providing a small wave. "Well, goodnight boys, I mean um er Logan." He grabbed ahold of my hand and I ignored the hairs standing up at the base of my neck. "Wait, you mean to tell me that you're sleeping out here with a thin blanket and a sleeping bag all by yourself?" He gestured to the roaring flame currently blazing in hues of orange and red. "By the fireside yes." I shrugged casually removing Logan's hand from my own. "Mark prefers his solitude, besides I don't mind sleeping alone, it's not unbearable when you've become accustomed to the environment."
He shook his head in disbelief. "Nuh uh Pensky, your not staying out here by yourself, he gestured over towards his tent. "I've got an air mattress if you don't mind sharing it or you could bring your sleeping bag inside whatever your most comfortable with, but your staying in my tent and that's final!" Mark finally returned to the campground, shoving his hands in his pockets without his newest prized collectible.
Logan casually strolled over towards him. "Sup Delfiggs, did you find your boulder?" He rolled his eyes in annoyance, clearly perturbed by Logan's question. "It's a rock and no!" Logan casually shrugged, placing both of his hands in his jacket pockets. "Whatever! your loss, the little lady and I are going to go hit the hay." Mark gestured towards the sleeping bag glancing over at me through his peripheral vision furrowing his brow in confusion as he spoke. "Wait, your not sleeping out here?" I placed my hands in my pockets, casually nodding. "Well, I was going to but Logan offered me his tent."
Mark nodded without any hint of sarcasm, irony or disgust. "Aw, that's nice of him so, he's going to sleep out here?" Logan casually wrapped an arm around my shoulder, smirking directly towards Mark.
"Hah, you wish I was rock boy!" I regained my composure as I listened to my boyfriend's complaints. "No, that's completely unacceptable! She can have my tent, I'll sleep on the ground." Logan shrugged his arm away from my shoulder. "You heard the lady, she's sleeping in my tent, but don't worry I'm sure your rocks will keep you warm!" He rolled out his air mattress, removing his knapsack from his shoulder blade. "If you get cold there's blankets, sheets, pillows, and there's always me!" I grabbed a set of sheets and blankets tossing them over my side of the air mattress.
"This is quite thoughtful of you, thank you Logan." He shrugged rolling over on the other side of the air mattress, I scooted over closer towards his side of the mattress, the air between us was thick, as we had both contemplated what had transpired between us only hours earlier. Finally after what seemed like the longest period of silence he finally broke the ice, initiating the first eye contact that we've had in over 20 minutes. "So, can I ask you something about Mark?" We both propped ourselves upwards onto the mattress without breaking eye contact, sitting closely together. "You mean my boyfriend?" I inquired.
He rolled his eyes playfully scoffing a bit on the side. "No, Mark the potato, of course I meant your boyfriend." I pondered for a moment about his inquiry before nodding. "Why, are you with him Quinn?"
I suppose I hadn't really thought about why I was with him, perhaps it was the fear of being relatively alone because no one else would consider having me. "I don't know, I mean at first I thought he was fun and his movie star looks were quite endearing, but I guess I've never really thought about how he treated me before. He's not the most affectionate individual and he certainly doesn't go out of his way to make me feel special." I hung my head a bit at that moment, breaking our prolonged eye contact. "I guess it's just become a routine at this point, I mean it's familiar, it's safe and predictable."
He gazed into my eyes, as if he was peering into my soul, knowing I needed something more. "But, does predictability make you happy, is that what you truly want?" There was a long pause between us as
I had contemplated his statement, hoping for some more clarity. "I think we both know the answer to that question Quinn." He retorted as he leaned over planting a brief kiss on my forehead. That kiss albeit friendly enough was enough to spiral me into a whirlwind of emotions, I couldn't even begin logically to process what I was feeling, I was completely perplexed, like a deer in the headlights and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks in intermittent waves. My heart had completely shattered and the only person that was able to fix it was sitting right next to me.
I thought that once I had Mark the feelings I had, correction have for Logan would dissipate, but the complete opposite occurred, sensing my distress he reached out to me offering a shoulder to cry on as I slightly crooked my head to adjust comfortably into his shoulder, he kept his touch light and gentle but firm enough where I still had his support.
And that was all I needed at the moment to get by, even if it was just for that moment to get by, even if it was just for that moment, it brought me much needed comfort, sadly the moment was cut short as he hesitantly removed his arm, trying to stifle a yawn, I suppose it had been a long and eventful day, maybe I was grasping onto the hope, that he'd stay in that moment with me for just a little bit longer.
He gently swiped away a single stray tear that had formed and fallen with his thumb, it was almost too much and I was thankful for his self restraint during that moment. "I'm going to get myself ready for bed, it's getting late, but sleep well in this big comfortable cozy bed." He was actually being sincere and sweet and respectful and then he had to go and ruin the moment by saying. "The futon is calling my name!"
Conjuring up his casual Reese smirk that I absolutely adored, casually winking on the side. "See, you in the morning sunshine, dream sweetly!" With visions of the almost kiss plaguing my inner cranium slumber was difficult to come across, but eventually I found some solace and my eyelids found darkness.
I awoke the next morning to find Logan sitting at the end of the mattress, I couldn't see anything but I felt a familiar pair of hands position my glasses over the bridge of my nose. "Logan? how long have you been up?" He shrugged casually taking in my appearance. "Couldn't sleep just thinking about, never mind." I frowned in dissatisfaction as I checked my phone in the hopes of Mark and I coming to a resolution before the day began, only to be disappointed yet again by another unanswered text. It wasn't unusual for him to make me his last priority. I was just hoping after a period of self reflection maybe he had noticed the error of his ways.
I grimaced as I slammed my phone back into the mattress. I felt a warm hand overtop of my own, something my own boyfriend had never even considered, I always had to be the one to reach out and even then he'd barely hold it. He gazed into his eyes imploring me for an answer. "Hey, what's wrong? talk to me Quinn." I shrugged casually, removing his hand from my own. "It's nothing, I don't like conflict so I texted Mark to try and apologize and he hasn't responded." He rolled his eyes in annoyance as if the name Mark was vitriol to his soul.
I playfully nudged his shoulder, attempting to break the semi awkward moment that just occurred between us. "You're jealous of him aren't you?" He scoffed an attitude of arrogance permeating around the room. "Psh, no of course not, I just think he's a dork, a nerd, a dweeb and an idiot." I thumped him across the forehead. "It's not very nice to mock Mark's attributes even if he is a bit dull."
He casually shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Like an unsharpened pencil!" I tried to stifle a laugh and failed miserably. He smirked, folding his arms across his chest before resuming a serious position. He began imitating Mark's patterns and speaking in a mocking tone. "Hi Quinn, oh wait I can't call you Quinn because I called you Clint." I covered my mouth to prevent myself from laughing.
He resumed speaking in the same tone as before. "I have a very extensive rock collection but my favorite set of rocks is from Florida." I gripped my hands over my mouth tighter. He glanced over towards me looking for a reaction before continuing. "I enjoy paying attention to everything but, my girlfriend I pretty much abhor all types of physical affection and was told by my girlfriend that my kissing skills were suckish."
My cheeks felt like they were about to burst from holding back so much laughter. He casually shrugged his shoulders before continuing. "I'm secretly jealous of Logan's social skills, I could never compete against someone as charming and charismatic as he is!" I removed my hands from my mouth, guffawing so loud I thought I'd break the sound barrier. I clutched my sides as I doubled over in continuous bouts of laughter. Satisfied with his performance, he leaned over pinning me down to begin a tickle fight.
I couldn't get out of his grasp and I didn't want to until the tickling became unbearable. "I surrender!" He offered a hand and I took it propping myself back up. We had a long adventure ahead of us so we needed to prepare accordingly to accommodate our trip. After both of our knapsacks were secured to our shoulder blades we began the long trek towards the mountain as I reluctantly released his hand contemplating everything that occurred between us these past few days, this was my best friend, not my boyfriend and he's shown more care and love for me than Mark has shown in this entire relationship.
Why couldn't things be different? I pondered, no matter what I seemed to do I could never hold his attention, but I suppose that I never really had that to begin with.
Our relationship started out on a lie, a pity date nonetheless that Mark was tricked into by Zoey well technically Chase if were being transparent. I suppose all of them lied to me really to try and spare my feelings, that seemed like such a long time ago, when in all actuality it was only a few years ago. One conundrum seemed to plague my mind, how did I end up falling for someone like Logan Reese?
I suppose the answer was simple Logan provided everything I could have ever hoped for. Not financially although he had no problem paying for all of us and did so on numerous occasions without any expectation of being compensated back for his services of kindness towards his friends. He has a golden heart that was hidden by numerous assumptions from our friends, labeling him as a rich kid, daddy's boy, and my least favorite idiom the PCA player.
Stuck in yet another predicament, the proximity between us only a few inches away, we gazed into each others eye's stepping closer towards one another as if we were drawn in like magnets towards one another. No! I couldn't possibly go through with this, my moral compass was too strong! How, could I cheat on my own boyfriend? I'd probably shatter his poor little heart, not that he really had much of one to begin with! I pulled back, keeping a reasonable distance between us. "L-Logan s-stop I c-can't do this, it's not right, it's not f-fair to Mark, I'm so sorry but this cannot continue!"
He nodded in understanding albeit a glimmer of hurt spread upon his lips as they drew into a tight fine line. Only a few moments later, I was putty in his hands as my resolve was weakening, trying to resist Logan was searing a hole in my heart, the unshed tears began to cascade down my cheeks for a man I knew I couldn't have. As he gently brushed my tears away, I noticed the unshed tears pooling in his eyes and something inside of me broke. But, before I could take a moment to reflect on the newest predicament we had seemingly gotten ourselves into, my left pocket vibrated.
Oh right, I had Logan's phone I had concluded, I hadn't had the opportunity to give it back to him, whichever one of his little trollops interrupted my moment, is going to have a very slow and painful demise! Oh relax! I know where your mind was going, how dare you think I would use my scientific advances for violence!
My heart completely shattered as the name scrawled across the screen was none other than my mortal frenemy Dana Cruz, the sharp witted, loud mouthed sports enthusiast who happened to have a massive crush on Logan. Also known as Zoey and Nicole's former roommate, Did I mention she absolutely despised me? My blood was boiling over, filled with simmering rage as the unpleasant memories permeated my mind. This was the same girl that Logan had asked to make out with twice! Feeling my resolve crumbling beneath me and nausea forming in the pit of my stomach I had brushed away the remaining tears that threatened to cascade down my face.
Falling onto my knees, he knelt down beside me, gingerly brushing the teardrops away from my cheeks. "What's wrong Quinn? talk to me." I gritted my teeth together, trying not to crush his cell phone between my palms. "Why don't you ask your little girlfriend Dana or better yet why don't you just start kissing her behind my back!" He furrowed his brows in confusion, his voice raised a few octaves.
"What are you talking about Quinn? I've never even kissed her!" I stood up jutting out my hip, still clutching his cell phone, giving my best Logan impression I could muster in that moment. "What, are you talking about Quinn?" "Oh, I don't know Logan, maybe the fact that you asked to make out with her twice!" He gingerly placed his hand over my shoulder whispering lowly. "But, I didn't kiss her Quinn."
I shrugged his hand away from my shoulder, blinking back more tears. "But, you would have kissed her Logan, if she had given you permission, you would have kissed her! Isn't that what you want Logan, wait don't tell me, I'm just your stupid little spazzy misfit aren't I? If it hadn't been for Zoey, taking the opportunity to get to know me, you wouldn't have even bothered to give me the time of day!"
He growled very lowly under his breath. "That's not true Quinn." I leaned in closer towards his face, insinuating for him to go on. "What was that Logan?" He raised his voice a few more octaves, gazing directly into my eyes as unshed tears pooled into his own eyes. "I said that's not true Quinn!" I rolled my eyes in disbelief completely gabberflasted. "That's so rich coming from you Reese!"
He rolled his eyes, crossing his own arms in defiance. "My financial status has nothing to do with with my feelings Quinn, and if you'd just take a moment to open up your damn ears and listen, you'd realize that I don't love her!" I wanted to believe him, I really did, I know his reputation he's a player and he will never change, I don't know why I thought he could change for anyone especially for me.
He's not capable of love, at least not of the romantic kind, he'll probably end up cheating on me if we did end up together, just like Mark. I know he never initiated that kiss with Lola but he didn't try to stop it either. Logan is just my friend. "Shut up!" Whoops did I just say that out loud? Logan leaned over cupping my face ever so slightly, reiterating his previous statement. "I don't feel anything for her Quinn, she was just my friend but we barely talk anymore."
He leaned in a bit closer, gazing at the bottom corner of my lips. "I don't want her Quinn." He stated as he began peppering kisses from my forehead, to my nose, towards both of my cheeks.
I pulled away swiftly before he could capture my lips within his own. I muttered lowly, hoping that Logan or any other entity for that matter wouldn't pick up what I was verbalizing. "T-this was a m-mistake I can't y-you can't w-we can't." I took a deep breath sighing heavily, blinking back more tears as I unclasped the memory bracelet from my left wrist, placing it into the palm of his hand, gently clasping it shut. It was in that exact moment that I witnessed him completely unravel.
As expression of shock and humiliation had befallen his normally playfully snarky demeanor. He gazed back into my eyes as hot teardrops cascaded down the sides of his face, clutching the delicate piece of gold jewelry against his chest, before safely tucking it back into his knapsack.
Sprinting away from the woman who had completely shattered his heart. "Logan, wait!" But, it was too late. He was already too far out of earshot to pick up the sound of my voice. I had fallen to my knees and sobbed for what seemed like hours.