Smile

Chapter 5: Hospital

I got to lunch the next day to notice Logan's absence. Only Gabe and Tony, two of Logan's best friends, were sitting at their table, which meant Will was also absent. I thought of previous night and remembered Logan's state; his pale skin, the bags under his eyes... What if something had happened? I got up from my table, much to my friends' confusion, but I didn't take the time to answer any of their questions. I marched up to Logan's table and stood infront of Gabe and Tony. I knew the two from observing Logan, but also because both of them were on the basketball team with Thomas and Noah. Gabe (short for Gabriel) was a tall guy with short brown hair and brown eyes. Tony (short for Anthony) was also tall, but he was blond and had green eyes. Both were on their phone, looking slightly worried.

"Why are you two alone? Where are Logan and Will? Did something happen to Logan? He didn't look well yesterday." The words kept flowing from my mouth and I hoped someone would eventually speak up to stop me.

"Yesterday?" Gabe inquired. "Since when do you talk to - How do you even know Logan?

"We're... friends. Sort of." I waved him off. "Just tell me what's wrong with him."

"He's at the hospital," Tony spoke up. "Will's with him. They were walking to school this morning and Logan just... collapsed."

My eyes widened. No wonder he'd looked so ill yesterday!

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" I asked frantically.

Gabe shrugged. "Last time we spoke, Will hadn't received much news. We can give you his number, though. He'll be able to keep you updated himself."

I accepted and Gabe gave me Will's phone number. I thanked him and Tony, then walked back to my table, phone in hand.

"What was that about? When did you start talking to Gabe Anderson and Tony Taylor?" Thomas asked, but I barely registered his words as I typed a message to Logan's best friend.

Hi, Will, it's Chloe Mallark. I just talked to Gabe and Tony and they told me you were at the hospital with Logan (in case you're as surprised as your friends, yes, Logan and I are friends). I was just wondering if you could keep me updated on Logan's state and tell me if Logan's allowed any visitors today.

My phone buzzed about a minute later.

Hey, Chloe. Yeah, Logan told me about you. I just received news, actually. Logan collapsed from anorexia. Or not eating. Whatever. Anyway, he hasn't been eating for the past month except for lunch which Gabe, Tony and I were forcing him to eat, so his body eventually shut down. He's not allowed visitors at the moment, but he should be by the time school ends, so feel free to swing by.

I sent Will another text to thank him before setting it down on the table. I looked up to see all of my friends staring at me. "What?" I asked, confused.

"What was that all about?" Amanda spoke up.

"Yeah, this week has been downright confusing for me," Thomas admitted. "First McCloud, then Anderson and Taylor... and who were you texting?"

"Will Cook," I answered.

"There," Thomas said as if I'd just proven his point. "The whole crew. What's up with that? You'd never even spoken to them three days ago."

I waited, but no one argued with Thomas. They all just stared at me, waiting for an explanation I didn't have.

"I don't know what you guys want me to say," I settled on honesty. "My friendship with Logan pretty much popped out of nowhere, but now he's at the hospital. I was worried, so Gabe and Tony gave me Will's number because he's at the hospital with Logan, putting him in a better position to inform me on Logan's condition. That's all."