Chapter Twenty-Nine – to be a coward

"HEY, ARE YOU FEELING BETTER?" I asked Wes, assuming he was absent on Thursday because he was sick.

"Yeah I'm good. Thanks," he smiled back before looking back down at his book.

"Ready for the game?" I grinned.

"Yep." He didn't even look up at me. I saw him glancing from side to side at everyone around the room. Not very chatty. I could practically feel the chills from beside him. Awkwardly waiting for class to begin, I started spinning my pen, only to flick it off the table.

I smiled awkwardly and hopped out of my seat to go grab it. Only then did Wes look up momentarily before looking away again.

"Just double checking, it was seven tonight right?"

His eyes flickered towards me momentarily again before he responded with a "yep." If the whole avoiding me thing was a shy trait, it certainly hadn't come up before. He didn't normally act like that.

I gave up on trying to talk to him, but people continued to look at us. For the rest of the lesson, even after we'd been assigned exercises, Wes barely spoke to me, only answering my questions, usually with one-worded answers.

Human biology was usually one of my more bearable classes, but if every class in the future was going to be like that, it was quickly becoming one of my worst classes.

As per usual, I met Elaine in the cafeteria for lunch. "With everything that's happened I haven't even had time to talk to you about your date tonight," Elaine grinned, obviously trying to distract me from the obvious.

"I don't think it's a date. Wes was being hell weird in bio today," I replied.

"Weird like how?" Elaine asked, shoveling salad into her mouth.

"I don't know. Normally he's talkative, he gave me like one worded answers mostly."

"Maybe he's suddenly nervous or shy?" She suggested. "You guys are still going for dinner tonight, right?"

"I'm assuming so. I mean, he hasn't said anything." Then I remembered I still didn't have anyone to use the second ticket to the game. "Also, come with me to the football game tonight. I can't go alone."

"I promised my parents I'd be home for dinner in exchange for letting me go out later tonight. I'm so sorry Daisy," she replied.

"Why do I have no other friends?" I whined.

The bell tolled to signal the end of our break.

"Ok, so I'll come pick you up after dinner at about nine? And then we go eat all of Clarissa's food, drink all her booze, yes?" Elaine confirmed one last time.

"Sounds good," I laughed, overlooking the 'drink all her booze' aspect of Elaine's plan.

--

Physics was the second last class of the day. I'd managed to temporarily forget that I no longer had anyone to sit with in physics, so coming at the usual time was no a wise decision. Almost everyone was already inside by the time I arrived. My usual spot was still empty.

I spotted Holden and Parker in their usual seats, talking to Steph. I kept my head down and quickly walked towards an empty seat in the opposite corner of the room. From memory, the seat was usually unoccupied.

Me changing seats in physics was probably enough for everyone to notice and start speculating about, but sitting next to the people who'd stabbed me in the back was arguably worse.

Even if they hadn't been my friends, how could anyone befriend a person who went out of their way to publicly humiliate another? I kept my head down and didn't dare to even look in their direction.

At the end of class, they filed out as usual and being at the back of the class, I was one of the last to leave. It was unusual. Physics was one of my favourite classes because I liked the content...but also the company. That day, I was walking out alone, and I'd nearly fallen asleep during class.

When I made it into the corridor, Parker and Holden had definitely left already. A part of my heart sunk, knowing that they hadn't waited for me so we could head off together. Why was I still clinging onto stuff like this?

PE was the final class of the day. I never would've fathomed the day where having class with Logan was a relief. "You look happy to see me," Logan remarked, stretching.

"Don't flatter yourself," I responded. I still didn't have anyone to use the second ticket.

"What's been happening, Sorenson?" Logan asked, doing some high knees on the spot.

"Wait a sec. You're a living, breathing human right?" I grinned.

"Pretty sure I am," he said, looking down at himself.

"Are you going to the game tonight?"

"Paying to watch our team play football? Probably not. Why?"

"I have a spare ticket because Elaine can't go."

"So I'm your rebound? Rude," he said, feigning offense. I rolled my eyes. "Sure, I'll go. Which seats?"

"Pretty much front row of the bleachers."

"Damn, I didn't take you for a football enthusiast. I can't believe you bought front row tickets."

"Well, I didn't actually buy them. Wes gave them to me."

"Did he ask you out or something?"

"Sort of?"

"How is that a question?"

"Well, he asked me to dinner, but I'm not sure if that counts."

"Your dating life is far too unfortunate. Yes, that is a date." He paused for a moment, as if recalling something. "But Wes, really? I could've sworn I'd gone through this before. He's a tool."

"He's nice," I responded defensively.

"Don't the good girls like bad boys?"

"Are any of the boys at Pemberton bad? You all are the epitome of good. Never before have I seen such perfect uniform and grades."

"Don't forget the looks," Logan winked.

"Whatever. So you'll watch the game with me right?"

"Yep. But if I have to watch stupid Wes make a move on you, I'm going to puke in my mouth. That guy's about as subtle as a rhino."

--

I'd gone home to change since the game didn't start until five. It was an unusually early game though. I ended up choosing a pair of black skinny jeans, a plain white t-shirt and a cream coloured cardigan just in case it got cold.

By the time I arrived, Logan was already waiting by the gate. It was a home game, so all spectators got to go through screening and ticketing before they got to reach the huge Pemberton stadium.

It was actually bustling with people rushing back and forth. People from all around the area came to attend, if only to see the stadium. I couldn't quite remember who we were playing, but Pemberton were the reigning champions. All Pemberton games were well known for having lots of important scouts.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, realising I was about five minutes late.

"Are you serious? It's five minutes. That's not late," he grinned.

"I mean, you had to wait," I shrugged.

"Come on. Let's just go," he said. I looked around to see if I could spot Wes anywhere. "If you're looking for your boy, since he's on the team, they'll be in the locker rooms and won't come out until the game starts."

"Right," I replied. "Also, he's not 'my boy'."

"You're right. He wishes he was," Logan laughed. By the time we cleared the checks, the seats were already mostly full. We had to weave and dodge to get to our seats without injuring anyone.

"The game starts in fifteen. I'm gonna go grab some snacks."

I sat there, feeling a slight chill creeping up on my skin. I pulled the cardigan over my shoulders. Down below, I could see the cheer squad warming up. Clarissa looked up, straight at me. I looked away and instantly regretted it. Why was I looking away? I could stand up to her.

There were two premium rooms that overlooked the game. If I wasn't going completely blind, I could swear I saw the Lennoxes and Vermonts inside.

Logan made it back, and I could hear him excusing himself the whole way to his seat. He handed me a little tray which had a hotdog in it. "Didn't have any hands to get you a drink as well, but you can have mine if you want," he said.

"Thanks, but I'm good. Let me pay you back by the way," I said.

"Nah, that's so inconvenient." He bit into his hotdog and leaned back against his seat.

The game was about to begin and I watched the players from our team run out. Wes wore a number 7 jersey and led the jog out onto the field. He looked up into the stand, right at me, but before I had a chance to wave, he looked away again.

"Hm. He probably wasn't expecting you to bring a guy with you to the game," Logan commented.

"Well I wasn't about to waste a perfectly good ticket," I said. "Besides, he's been acting weird."

"Hmm..." Logan pondered.

The team were warming up, tossing the ball around to each other. I could see him occasionally glance up at me, but he didn't seem to return my smiles. How was dinner going to go if he was acting like that?

The whistle blew. I didn't know much about football, but that was definitely the start of the game.

I was surprised to find that Logan was exactly as dispassionate about football as he'd made it seem earlier. When Pemberton scored a goal, everyone in the bleachers went wild, standing up and cheering. Even I'd begun to lift my bottom, feeling obligated to follow suit. Logan stayed stock still, continuing to sip from his cup.

"Not a football fan?"

"Not really. I played for years, but it wasn't my thing."

"So...you play basketball now, right?"

"Probably only until the end of this season."

From what I knew, Logan was one of the best players on the team. "Is it because of Holden?" I'd heard along the grapevine that Logan was captain until Holden decided to join the team.

Logan scoffed. "Everyone knows the captain positions are rarely from merit. Our coach thought it might be cost effective for his next holiday if he let a Vermont be captain of the team." That's right. The Vermonts owned a tonne of hotel chains and resorts. But surely, it was just a high school basketball team. It wasn't that serious. Although, the Greens were also people of influence. "That would be hypocritical. After all, I'm a Green," he rolled his eyes. "I know people have let me off because of my last name."

Another roar came up from the crowd and Logan turned back to watch the game.

Pemberton had won. At the end of the game, the team was only briefly on the field, celebrating with the cheerleaders before they disappeared.

"Need a lift to the diner?" Logan asked as we followed the crowd out of the stadium.

"Nah. The bus is coming in a few minutes."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

--

The door jingled as I entered and I chose a table for two near the window. It was unexpectedly quiet for a Friday night. The waitress gave me two menus before heading back into the kitchen. I was fifteen minutes early, and even after going through the entire menu, I had little doubt that I was going to order anything other than what I normally had: the classic beef burger.

It was seven thirty and the waitress had already come by twice to see if I was ready to order. Each time I shook my head apologetically and smiled. I looked out the windows at every passing headlight and person, just in case any of them were Wes.

At one point, I thought a random guy was Wes and smiled, only then having to quickly look away in case he thought I was being a creep. I fiddled with my phone while the few patrons in the diner continued chatting away, the clinking of forks and knives against plates in the background.

The door jingled again and I quickly looked up, still hopeful that Wes was going to turn up, frantic and breathless about being late. My breath hitched in my throat when I realised yet again that it wasn't Wes, but a calm feeling flooded my veins.

"I was just walking by and I saw a familiar figure inside. What are the odds," Logan said, sitting down opposite me. I knew damn well he lived nowhere near the diner and that what he was saying was a blatant lie.

He looked around and rapped his fingers against the table for a few moments. "So where's your date?" Logan asked. I felt a prickling in the back of my eyes and swallowed down hard to stop the pain building up in my throat. I thought I'd be okay that Wes stood me up. "Fucking tool."

"It's fine," I said, my voice almost breaking. I quickly looked away when I felt another prickle come from my eyes.

"Are you ready to order?" The waitress smiled.

"Can I please get a large chocolate milkshake and fries to share?" Logan ordered. She scribbled it down. "Are you getting anything?" He asked me.

"Nah," I replied, shutting the menu I'd been staring at for close to an hour. 

"I'll also get a double chocolate banana split," he added.

"You have a huge appetite," I commented.

"The banana split's for you, he grinned. "Is that not what you girls do when you're upset?"

In that moment, no matter what else Logan might have been, I was thankful he was there.

"Are you going to the party tonight?" he asked a little later while we were stuffing our faces with food.

"Yes," I replied confidently, surer than ever. It was surprising what an impact the ice cream had.

"Do you need a chaperone?"

"No, I'm going to be fine," I smiled, finally believing what I was saying.

It was almost time for Elaine to pick me up. I fished out my wallet but Logan stopped me. "My treat," he said. He pulled out his card to pay for it. Of course it was a platinum card. We wandered out to the front of the diner. My bus was arriving in the next few minutes.

"I'll drop you back at yours," he said.

"You sure?" I replied, sticking my hands into my pockets.

"Too easy." He led me into the carpark, past several rows of cars to the motorcycle bays. He picked up a helmet from the handlebar of one of the motorbikes and handed it to me.

"You're kidding," I grinned.

He picked up the other helmet and pulled it over his head. "Nope. Now come on, I'll take you home."

I put the helmet on, hopped on behind him and clung on for dear life.

--

sorry for the delay everyone!

this chapter wasn't the most exciting, but Logan <3 <3 <3 amirite?

I'm not too sure where I'm planning on taking this but we shall see in the next few chapters :~)

As always, thank you for reading and pls vote if you enjoyed!!

I welcome any predictions/opinions/feelings; I love reading all your comments!