Dream Catchers

Rumors

I woke up to the little boys fighting over who gets what shirt. I was hesitant to get up but I knew I had to. I got ready as usual and put on a pink skirt with a matching cream colored top that had a snug fit.

After I brushed my hair and finished my make up I headed down stairs. Maggie had on a pair of like green capris and a bright yellow top all tied together with her pink shoes and matching hair bow. I sat down at the table and pour myself a bowl of frosted flakes.

It was weird hearing the noise in the morning. Usually my mom was asleep or out of the house and since I was an only child I woke up, got ready and drove myself. Before I could drive I walked.

"Okay let's go, don't wanna be late." Caroline said rushing the kid out the door. "You ready?" She asked me. "Yup" I nodded. Rudy and Barrett sat in the back by either window while Maggie sat in a booster seat in the middle.

We pulled up to the school and after I was in the building I could see people giving me funny looks and pointing. I pushed it to the side. "Hey, have you heard what people are saying." She asked me. "I try not to." I responded not caring. "Did your mom really get arrested last night?" She asked.

I was puzzled how did everyone know. It was just last night. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because nothing really stays a secret in Westpoint. "Uh yeah." I said as we walked to first period. "We'll people are saying she slept with the officer so she wouldn't get a year in jail." She murmured.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." I told Molly. I continued to hear people whisper about me and my mother through out the day. Some were saying she had beaten me, others had the story straight about drunk driving and speeding tickets. Some people even called me a slut because they think my mom slept with the officer.

I tired to ignore most of the comments but some hurt. I wasn't a slut of an alcoholic like my mom. We were complete opposites. It sucks being compared to her, mine as well compare me to dirt.

Lunch was silent and it wasn't until then that I remembered Logan. He looked about 16 or 17 so he should be at school but he wasn't. He was healthy and happy yesterday too so he couldn't be sick. There was something wrong with that boy and I intended to find out.

*~*

"Can you drop me off at my house?" I asked Caroline when she picked me up. "I can drive home." "I guess but is there something I ca-"she started but I stopped her already knowing where this was going. "No it's just everyday after school I would go to the woods and I want to today." I explained.

"Plus my dad is coming home today so I could be there when he arrives." I added trying to sweeten the deal. "Okay, fine. But please check in with me, your father may not be home till much later." She said. "Okay. I will." I told as we pulled onto my street.

I waved as she pulled out. I ran inside using the pair key into the flower pot next to the door. I went in changed clothes and headed down.

The sun was warm today and I could feel it radiating onto my skin. I loved the warm fall weather. I didn't rush today I felt as I'd I had all the time in the world to go down hang out and come back.

After about 5 almost 10 minutes I arrived at the tree house and saw Logan on the tire swing again. "Hey." He said without even turning around. How did he know I was coming? I wondered. "Hey." I replied. "Ya know it would be nice to ask if you could make this meeting at my tree house a routinely thing." I teased.

"I guess." He shrugged. He had dark circles under his eyes and it was visible he hadn't slept in days. "Are you okay?" I asked, his skin looked even whiter than usual. Immediately after I asked him that there was a change in his appearance his skin looked normal and the bags under his eyes started to fade. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He said.

"Just wondering. So why weren't you at school?" I asked. "Oh yeah, I dropped out last year." He told me. "Why?" I mumbled. "I don't know what about you, miss twenty-questions, why are you here?" He turned the tables. "We'll I happen to be here because I have been for a couple years now." I answered. "Wanna swing?" He asked standing up. "No I'm-" he cut me off. "Come on, I'll push you."

I climbed onto the old tire and listened to the wind in my ears as Logan's strong hands pushed the swing. I was feeling free and at ease and I could tell Logan knew that because he didn't try to start up some pointless conversation he just let me swing.

I thought about my dad and how he would act. I thought about the rumors that the whole town would eventually hear or makeup. My head was full of thought until Logan spoke. "You think and daydream a lot don't you?" He asked continuing to push me. "Uh, yeah I guess so." I stuttered.

"You are just very quiet and the kind of girl that keeps to herself." He commented. "Oh." I didn't know what to say. "It's not a bad thing, I kinda like it." I could feel my cheeks get pink. I felt raindrops on my bare legs and my arms. Oh no. It slowly got harder. "Follow me!" I said jumping up and running toward the hill to my house.