the night of june 2nd // sanders sides ✔

12 : last day of school

The kids had noticed their science teacher's change in behavior, and Logan knew that they knew something was up.

He heard their whispers of, "Mr. Decker is a lot nicer now that it's the end of the year."

"But the eighth graders and high schoolers say Mr. Decker never gets nicer, even at the end of the year."

"Who cares? It's amazing!"

"It just feels like something is wrong."

The last two blocks would be replaced with outdoor time for the students, and since Logan taught seventh grade science, he would help supervise the seventh graders in the field.

But he couldn't focus. Every two seconds, his mind would go back to Roman. He was even wearing the gold bracelet Roman gave him. And Logan never wore jewelry.

"The kids have been talking about you," Ms. Torres-Rosario told him. "It's great that you're making them happy while you're going through this."

Logan nodded. Letting Roman leave without him rethinking his behavior was the reason he was walking alone that night, and the reason he was vulnerable, and the reason he was shot.

Suddenly he got a call. Every call was important now.

"Hello?"

"This is Detective Declan Seymour. After searching Roman's house, we found something we think belongs to you. If you can, please come and pick it up as soon as possible."

"Oh. Alright then. Thank you." He hung up.

What?

Roman had a few of Logan's books, shirts, and a crew neck sweater, but there wasn't much else of importance.

The last thing he expected it to be was an engagement ring.

But there it was, sitting in the red velvet box with Logan's name in gold imprinted on the side and "Roman & Logan" imprinted on the band of the ring. The center stone was a simple diamond and the rose gold prong was shaped like a crown. The accent stones brought it all together.

"No," Logan whispered, eyes flooding with tears. "He... He was..."

"It's true," Thomas said softly. He put a hand on Logan's shoulder. "He was also in a group chat with Virgil and Patton that was dedicated to making a plan to propose. The planning didn't get very far. The chat went silent during May, but I think he was still hoping."

Logan's breath hitched. "May was when our fights started getting worse," he murmured. "Thank you for... giving me this. I should get going now."

"Of course. We're so sorry."

The teacher nodded with acknowledgment before beginning to walk out with his hands shoved into his pockets, one hand feeling the ring box he didn't get to open while the man he loved was alive.

"Wait."

It was Remy.

He turned around. "What?"

He put his sunglasses on his head. "There's something we need to clear up. Roman broke up with you, correct?"

Logan froze and even more of the color drained from his face. "Yes."

"Or did you break up with him? What exactly happened that night? We need to know as much as possible."

"I... I brought up the idea of breaking up and I threatened to do it, but officially, he broke up with me." His voice was weakened to barely over a whisper. "We broke up with each other, I guess. But he made it real. I was going to take it back, but I knew he wouldn't."