Have You Ever Listened To The Rain At Night?

Chapter 12

The clock on the wall said there were eight minutes left before school was out for the week. Jo let her eyes wander to the window, looked at the empty schoolyard, except for one person pacing around, pondered about her weekend plans . . . wait. Her gaze went back to the person on the yard. It wasn't unusual to see people standing around outside. Mostly teenagers who went to other schools and came to pick up their friends, partners or siblings. But because the teachers at Jo's school didn't like it when strangers roamed the schoolyard, these people were asked to wait in the adjacent school parking lot. Maybe that was the reason why Jo took a closer look at the person outside. She felt like she knew this person. But she couldn't connect the person outside with anyone close to her who would pick her up from school. She was about to turn back to the class when the realization hit her like a lightning strike. Her eyes widened in disbelief. 'Oh no . . .' She turned to Camille, who was staring at her textbook, lost in thought. Jo quickly glanced over at the teacher, but he was just sitting at his desk, reading a book, waiting like everyone else for the weekend to start. Jo took her pen and hastily wrote something on one page of her pad. Then she touched Camille's arm and pushed the pad over to her. Camille looked at her in surprise, then tilted her head to read Jo's note:

Did Logan tell you that he's planning to pick you up from school today?

Camille gave Jo an odd look, then wrote something on the pad herself.

Great joke, Jo. You know he can't do that.

Jo quickly scribbled an answer.

But he is here.

Camille rolled her eyes.

It's not funny anymore, Jo. What's wrong with you?

Jo shook her head, writing quickly.

No joke! HE IS HERE! ON THE SCHOOLYARD! Look out the window!

Camille looked at Jo doubtfully as if she were concerned about her sanity, but then glanced over at the teacher and got up, went to the window, looked out.

"Do you see him?" Jo whispered next to her. Camille frowned. "How do you know that's actually Log-?" She broke off as she watched the person outside remove the hood of the dark blue hoodie and run his right hand restlessly down the back of his neck and then through his hair. Camille knew that gesture. "What is he doing here?"

"So you didn't know about it?"

"No, of course not."

Fortunately, the bell rang at this very moment, and everyone jumped up, rushing out of the classroom. Jo pulled Camille's arm. "Come on."

They packed up their things and stormed out, meeting James in the hallway, who gave them a puzzled look. "Hey, what's up?"

"An emergency," Jo explained tersely, hurrying on with Camille, followed by James.

Camille grabbed his arm. "Logan . . ."

He grinned at her. "Surprise."

Camille shook her head. "What are you doing here?"

Logan started to answer but was distracted by Jo tugging on Camille's arm. "Cami," she murmured softly. "People are staring at us."

Camille looked around, rolled her eyes, grabbed Logan and pulled him with her until they found a quiet corner, Jo and James followed them.

"So, what are you doing here?" Camille repeated her question. Logan shrugged. "Picking you up from school. That's what boyfriends do, right?"

"Do your parents know you're here?"

"Well, they . . ."

Camille's cell phone started ringing and when she stared at the display and recognized the number, she already suspected the worst. She took a few steps away before accepting the call. "Hello, Dr. Mitchell, how can I help you?"