Protecting the Mason Boys

Chapter 7

Logan's POV

Talking with Laura made me sad. It happens all the time, and i wished I could help more, but right now, I would focus on helping her. And of course, Derek and Ethan, I mean, that was my job.

I walked out back to lunch and people stopped me and asked me things about if I could yell at so and so, their enemy, and stuff like that. They thought I was so cool, but I didn't want them to think that, so I got back to the table, and stayed standing. Derek grinned when he saw me, and then his grin slowly faded, not knowing what I was doing. I cleared my throat to make an announcement. "Hey, everyone. Can y'all listen for a sec? I need to say something." I paused for a second, scared out of my mind. "Um, so basically I just want to say sorry to you guys. I shouldn't have done that to Laura and treating someone rudely, no matter how they're acting to you, is not the answer. People like Laura usually just need some friends, someone that can actually toughen up and be nice. I know that might be hard for some of you," everyone laughed and I smiled, "but it's good for ya, trust me. That's all." I walked away to my locker and heard people whispering, probably about me. I got my bag and looked at my schedule to figure out my next class. I shoved it back into my pocket and looked at my pictures I had hung up in my locker. I grabbed the one of my parents and James and I. I was about 5, and we had been living in Washington state for a while for Mom and dads mission, so we were at the beach, having fun. Someone offered to take our picture, so we let them and got some goofy reminders of each other. I jumped and about dropped the picture as I heard someone talk from right behind me. "That your family?" It was Derek.

I let out a breath of relief, "Derek, you scared me half to death!" He smiled innocently and I grinned at him. "And yeah. It's my parents and James. A vacation to the beach in Washington."

He nodded, seeming interested. "Cool, so how'd it go?"

I shrugged, "We had fun. Wet swimming-" I was cut off by him laughing. "What?"

He stopped laughing, but replaced it with a grin. "I was meaning the talk with Laura."

I explained to him what happened and he seemed happy with the outcome. We talked until the bell rang and we went to class. I liked talking to Derek, and was excited to become friends with him. But nothing more, it would get too complicated. I was sure about it.

Derek's POV

Logan kept surprising me. I had never been more impressed with a girl, she was honest and genuine, and I was totally crushing on her, despite me rejecting the thought earlier when talking to the boys.

The rest of the day flew by without many more big surprises. I went to practice and then the soup kitchen. I served the meal, the spaghetti, and then walked around to talk to people. I sat with me of my closest friends. Hi name was Clarke, and used to be a pastor. The church burned down and hi house with it. He ha just given almost all his Money to an orphanage, and so he was homeless. No one was able to take care of him, and he believed with all his heart that God had a plan for it all. He was able to kind of start a ministry with the other homeless people and did Bible studies. He was a really cool guy and I talked to him often, especially for advice.

"Derek! How's my favorite grandson?" I laughed and he did too. He had never been married, and had never had any kids, let alone grandkids, I was the closest thing he had, he said.

I sat down with him, "I'm doing pretty good. I've got to tell you about my day! But first, how are you?"

He gave me his kind smile, "Same as always. Content with trusting God." I grinned at his faithfulness to God. "So what happened today that you're so excited about?"

I shrugged, "Well, it's a long story...." I started.

He waved his hand, "Hey, I've got plenty of time."

I told him everything. Without realizing it, I had told him almost everything that I knew about Logan and evidently he noticed.

"So what you're saying is that you like this girl and need o know what to do." He asked me with a grin.

I widened my eyes, not realizing what I was saying. "Yeah, I guess I am. Wow. I actually like someone! What do I do?" I frantically asked and he chuckled at me.

"Oh, Derek. Here's what I want you to do." I leaned forward attentively. "You need to talk to your dad. He knows what to do, and this would be a good time for you to talk to your mom too. Find out a woman's perspective on it. It wouldn't hurt for you to know her better though, I mean you just met her today!" I nodded and made a plan to do everything he had told me. I was serious about this but I had to take it slow. I did just meet her.

I went home and talked to my dad after helping clean up at the kitchen. He gave me some advice, mostly having to do with patience and starting with a solid friendship first. I went to my room after talking to Dad and worked on my homework. I came downstairs to find Ethan talking to Dad about something. Dad saw me and gave a smirk. "Well looks like your older brother is having the same problems Derek. You want to join the conversation?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow and I grinned sheepishly. I looked at Ethan, "Is it ok if I join?"

He shrugged, "Why not?"

We talked for over an hour. Ethan had become friends with this family friend of ours over a long time and they talked about dating today. I hadn't seen it coming, but evidently Mom and Dad both had, I was clueless on things like this.

Dad and Ethan both told me that I should just wait, and just build a friendship for now, because I had plenty of time and didn't need to rush things. I agreed and eventually went to bed, leaving Dad and Ethan to continue talking.