accidents happen

Proud of Me

"The leaves, they fall,
the people change
The only thing that stays
the same, is I miss it"
-Proud of Me
Alexander Stewart

"So?" Logan and I took a break from school and had lunch at a local sandwich shop. "So what?" He was really excited about showing me this shop. He wanted to show me more, but we only got permission for an hour-long break.

"How's the sandwich? It's the best, right? I come here on very special occasions to make sure it doesn't lose its spark." I'm smiling at him, his dumb obsession with this sandwich. "It's good, I've had better." His face drops.

"You've had better? Where?" I finish my sandwich and close the box, "I don't know. I feel like I've made better." I grab his box and start putting both of them in the bag, but he stops me from throwing them.

"We're not leaving until you eat the best sandwich you've ever eaten," he glares down at me. I can't help but laugh. "Be real. We have half an hour to return to campus, and I'm not trying every sandwich here." His expression doesn't move.

~~

True to his word, we stayed for another hour. I tried pretending that I loved different sandwiches, but he didn't buy it. "See, was that so hard?" I'm so full. I've never eaten this much, ever.

"If I see another sandwich, ever. I'm gonna find off the nearest cliff," he interrupts me, "suicide jokes are so overdone." I raised my hand and continued, "and push you over the ledge."

"Okay then, I think it's time we get to campus." he still has a bright smile on his face, "So, that cheesy chicken sandwich, eh?" he throws me a wink.

I pick up his leftovers and throw them out the window.

He shuts up the rest of the drive.

~~

Once we're back on campus, Logan and I have to sign papers agreeing to detention today and after school on Thursday. All because we weren't back in an hour. Thanks, Logan.

So, here I am, in detention, which, surprise, is in algebra class, grading assignments. Logan seems to be doing fine with his pile, mostly because he put his pile on top of mine and took a nap.

There are three other people in this class: a girl sitting in the back on her phone and a couple making out against the back wall.

I finally finish grading every piece of paper and can relax when I hear someone behind me. "Pst, pst." I turn towards the noises, scared that they're from the couple I'm too afraid to look at.

Luckily, it's the girl who's been on her phone. I wave her way, and she calls me towards her. "What's your name?" "Jordan? What's yours?" I'm so excited; maybe I'll make a friend before my first class. "Well, Jordie. Can I call you Jordie? Would you mind doing me a huge favor and grading my papers?"

I don't even know what to say. Apparently, I don't have to say anything because Logan grabs my chair and turns it around. "No, she's not doing your work for you. We finished, and we can leave."

Maybe he's doing me a favor, and I should leave with him. "She can make her own choices, Bennett." She glares at him. "Fine, Jordan. Do you want to stay with me? or go with Amira?" He says her name as if it physically pains him.

Choosing Logan isn't hard for me, but I think I might've lost my first chance at a friend. "What's so bad about her?" I ask as he closes the door behind me. "Do you remember earlier? When I told you there was only one girl I could picture myself with? She was her best friend."

"Oh, sorry." I don't really know how to respond. I've had crushes. I know they can hurt. "It's fine. Amira always hated me, though. I'm not so sure why, but I sort of resented her for it too."

"Well, we're finally out of detention. Let's go visit the electives." He's trying to change the topic; I don't push him. Okay, where to first?"

~~

We decided to start with art, which is not my finest subject. "Is that supposed to be a horse?" You'd think he's being sarcastic, but it's genuine curiosity. "Logan, it's a self-portrait. " He just took the paintbrush out of my hand. "Let's try athletics."

At the gym, I tried my hand at different sports. Unsurprisingly, I was terrible. I tore the tennis racket, couldn't dribble the basketball, and completely fell on my butt, kicking the soccer ball.

I was good at volleyball. I've always been. Dean and I would spend Saturdays with Dad playing volleyball at the beach. It's also why I'm good at swimming, not competitively, just generally.

"You're not terrible at that, you know?" I turn towards Logan. "Maybe, but I'm not good either." He laughs. "Okay, then, not volleyball. Should we move on to theater?" "I'm not sure if I'd be great at acting; it's been a while, but we can try."

"So what did you mean by it's been a while?" we're going downstairs towards the theater studio, "When I was younger, my dad would enter me into local musicals. We only did it a couple times, but I got lead twice." I smile, remembering my dad.

When I look back at Logan, he's looking at me and smiling, "So you can sing?" his grin grows wider. "Technically, but it's been years since I've sung anything."

"You can sing. Can you play any instruments?" he's smiling so hard, I dont think this'll turn out good. "Just the piano, and some basic chords on the guitar, nothing too serious, you?"

"I can play the guitar, and I can somewhat play the drums." We're right in front of the theater room, and he turns, "If you're scared, don't be. I'm a theater geek, after all." Our hands brush, and I pull my hand away. "I thought you said you were in baseball?"

He stares down where our hands were. " Uhm, yeah, I figured hitting a ball is a safer bet than singing for college anyway." His eyes trail up to mine. "Are you ready?" I nod, and we head in.

~~

It's a massive theater with warm lights lining the walls. There is a lot of seating, and the stage is large and high up. We walk through the back room door, passing a small group of people.

"Hey Logan!" a small blonde girl runs up and hugs him. He smiles, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Elaine, how's it been?" She separates herself from him. "Good, it seems like you're doing better," she looks at me with a sly grin. " A girlfriend? She's pretty."

I'm slightly offended that she spoke like I wasn't here, but before I can even thank her, she says, "Why are you getting jealous now, Lanie? " She rubs her hand up and down his arm. "No one can do it like me, Logan. You know that." She winks at him.

"Don't worry; I'm not interested." I laugh lightly, pretending I'm not bothered. "Oh, honey, everybody's interested in Logan. Ask around." Her tone is fake, saying that with a hint of pity in her voice.

"No, seriously, I'm just got out of a very serious relationship. I'm not doing that again." I laugh and look up at Logan, who's avoiding eye contact with me. Elaine looks me up and down; she smiles before walking back to her group.

Logan looks back at me with a soft smile, "You wanna show me your singing skills now, Blue?" his voice flirtatious. I match his tone, "If you insist, Noah," I wink, continuing, "but don't go falling in love with me and my mesmerizing voice."

He mumbles something under his voice, his eyes wide and his smile soft.
~~

AN: AHHH I've actually decided writing is hard and idk if I'm finishing this but it's fun too try🤗

WC: 1318

should the chapters be longer? they seem pretty long but i always have to cut out like half of them.