Logan and I were returning back from the ocean during our lunch break. It was another hot afternoon summer with sand sticking to our toes and we wriggled our feet occasionally. I glanced at Logan who was definitely feeling the heat as sweat appeared on his forehead. He was wearing a black-brown and white thin striped shirt with full sleeves. He unbuttoned the first and second buttons for more air."Thanks for keeping me company, Logan," I said with a small smile and he averted his eyes from the road to me. "Are you feeling thirsty? We can grab a drink.""Uh-yeah," he replied and I sighed in relief. Honestly, I was parched and needed something cold to drink other than water. Water was too plain.I didn't take him to Pat's because Jamal worked there and I didn't want Logan to meet him after what all happened. I didn't even take him to my favourite café by the coast because it was a tad expensive [cafés with an ocean view were never cheap] Instead, I took him to the dairy close to our fl
For the next two days, I was curled in a ball on my bed and staring at the bleak wall. Eliza wasn't supposed to die. She was supposed to live a long life, open her own makeup line, participate in local beauty pageants, get married to a businessman and raise one celebrity kid. These were her plans for the future and now she wasn't here to fulfil them.She had hidden the statistics of her operation, only four out of ten walked out of the doors alive and she wasn't one of them. She fucking wasn't.I vaguely remembered that the last time I felt this much agony was during the first year of my battle with cancer. The chemotherapy used to burn my body and I was beyond tired. In the beginning, it was scary. The fear made my affliction feel ten times worse, but at least then, I didn't lose anyone. I came to learn that the pain of losing someone close was the worst.The tears rolling down my cheeks aimlessly had dried and I knew that I had to pull myself together. A part of me was blaming mysel
"H-How did y-you . . . " I stuttered like a fool with wide eyes."I always knew that you had taken this from my apartment. I saw it peeking through your pocket and now on this desk. But I didn't know that you would start pitying me because of this," he rasped, his nostrils flaring and dimples faintly appearing.I couldn't take him seriously with those innocent dimples, but I suppressed my smile."I'm not pitying you--- " My words died down when he was about to storm away. I quickly grabbed his arm and yanked him back. "No, I'm not letting you walk away like that. After this much progress, I don't want to go back to square one. I won't let you push me away.""What do you want?" He seethed in anger and I craned my neck to match his height."You're going to ask me that?" I demanded and scoffed. "I want you to stop pushing me away. I want you to let me in. I want to help you get better. I want you to listen to me and accept my care. I want you to be happy."He stared at me, his sea-colour
It was another balmy summer morning with the gauzy sun peeking over the few clouds which were floating aimlessly in the clear sky. Gemma and I were quietly finishing our breakfast which consisted of classic pancakes with honey and glazed peaches. Mum was stuffing a buttered toast in her mouth while simultaneously cooking for lunch. Dad took the last sip of his coffee, placed the daily newspaper down on the table and glanced at his watch. Just as he got up to place a feather-like a kiss on my mum's forehead lovingly, Shaun emerged out in his pyjamas."Here's your coffee Shaun." Mum thrust the cup filled with bitter coffee in his hands and he lazily walked towards us. He ruffled Gemma's hair who offered a small smile and then tried to ruffle my short hair while I ducked my head, dodging his hand."Bug off, how many times am I supposed to tell you that I hate your greasy hands touching my hair." Although I whined, he didn't miss my playful smile. He reached out to grab a piece of fruit f
"Erm, so what was that about?" I asked awkwardly, trying my best to not blush and look sincere."I don't know what I'm going to do. My life's done, it's over. Everything till now was pointless," he started mumbling in a shaky voice and tugged at his sleeves uncomfortably. His voice raised tremulously, "I don't know what I'm going to do! I don't know what I'm going to fucking do! It's fucking over!""Hey, hey, hey," I intervened the battle of words and more that he was fighting with himself and grabbed his arm gently. "I'm here for you, you can tell me. I'm here for you, Logan and I'll be listening. You're not alone, tell me, I'll help you."His eyes had turned glassy like he could break any second."Come on Logan, take your time and try to tell me what's the deal. I can help you," I promised earnestly and he shook his head."No, you can't," he contradicted through gritted teeth and gave me an incredulous look. "That man-that man who was here earlier, he's no customer. He's my fucking
As we stumbled outside the flower shop, we bumped into my grandpa who took hold of both Logan and my arm and dragged us inside. "Where do you think you two are going leaving the shop like that?""Er-I called Shaun, he said that he'll come and look after for a while," I said in a small voice and grandpa narrowed his eyes, raising his white bushy eyebrows simultaneously which made him look funny instead of threatening. "Is that why you're getting paid, eh?" His mocking question was directed towards Logan who's lips pursed into a thin line. "Answer me, kid, before I fire your ass right away.""Sorry sir," Logan mumbled almost grudgingly, his Adam's apple bobbling. "Grandpa, we need to really go," I pleaded with my wide eyes feigning innocence as grandpa avoided my gaze, afraid that he would succumb to his dear granddaughter's begging. "Please grandpa, let us go. We have to hurry.""Where is it you both want to go?" he grumbled and I suppressed my triumphant smile because at least he wa
The rest of the day moved slowly. Logan stupidly insisted to work in the shop because he wanted to get paid, so grandpa let him for a while before finally kicking him out. Apparently, Logan had two jobs- one was working here in the flower shop and the other had to do something with the advertisement in the night. He wouldn't get paid for eleven days [even though if I would convince my grandpa to pay him-he would, but Logan refused this charity staunchly]."I'll have to use some money from my savings to pay the bills," he said almost ruefully and my heart went out for him. He had so many responsibilities at such a young age. "Anyway, I do have good savings from my earlier jobs and I need that only for a two-year community college before I turn twenty-one and transfer to the university.""Oh, that's great! I'm so happy you got real plans. Will you get some sort of funds when you turn twenty-one?" I asked and he stretched himself on my bean bag. I watched the tension in his long legs eas
The morning rays of the sun didn't quite reach me as I woke up spontaneously when Logan shook me. The curtains were still drawn and my room was dark. Logan's face was barely illuminated by the few streaks of sunlight that had managed to escape the barrier provided by the curtains. The sunlight spilled over his sea-coloured eyes and made it appear distinct.I was still simmering with resentment for he had killed my poor Fred. "What do you want? Go away." I sat up slowly on my bed and rubbed my eyes."Joy, I'm sorry, but we have to go," he whispered apologetically, his figure towering over me and his hands awkwardly clutching my blanket. The blanket was covering my pyjama-clad body."What time is it?" I asked groggily and suppressed a yawn."Five thirty, I can go alone if you want. You don't need to come--- ""No," I intervened quickly. "I'll come, but just out of concern. Don't think that I'm not mad about the demise of Fred anymore because I am. It was so wrong of you to kill him and