Paradise

Chapter 7 - Runaway

Hey guys! Again, I hope you enjoy this chapter and as usual, I'm excited for what I have in store for you guys!! I've been working extra hard on this project everyday. Thanks again and enjoy! :)

"So, why is a gorgeous girl like yourself doing out here in the dark crying?" He said with concern taking over his once gleaming eyes.

I was debating with myself whether or not to tell this stranger what was wrong with me when it was difficult to even tell my best of friends. For all I knew he probably didn't even care but why was he still here then when he easily could have walked away with no strings attached? Something about him told me that he truly wanted to help out.

"It's a really long, stupid story. I don't think you want to hear it."

He looked disappointed, "I just want to make you feel better and possibly help out..." Sorrow began to gloom over his face.

From the blank look on his face, I could tell he also has some demons. We all go through something; there are just others who are better at hiding it.

"What's wrong?" I asked returning the favor.

"Answer me one thing," his voice trailed, "what's your first impression of my family based on what you see?"

His sudden question caught me by surprise, before responding I carefully chose my words so they would favor what he wanted to hear, "Uh, well you guys look like a close, loving family... I mean from what I can see, that is..."

The darkness which surrounded us found a way to capture his eyes; something was going on behind his walls too.

~ ~ ~ ~

"Sometimes I wish I was an orphan just for the possibility that I could be given other parents that actually care about me." He finished his story, the story that caused tears to fill his eyes like mine. His eyes raged with tears from the start of his story all the way to the end, I even found me crying, sympathizing for him.

It turns out that Logan's parents are never at home and they are often gone for weeks at a time never notifying him of their departure. When he was about five or so he began to wish for a new set of parents every chance he got. The only real family he has ever had was his nanny, or his "#1 mom" as he called her, for she was always there helping him, taking the place of both his mom and dad. He would often find himself feeling alone even in a large crowd of people because of his parents constantly abandoning him. All through his basketball career, his parents have never attended a single game. Not even his only friend in the household could make it since his parents always had her running errands on purpose just so she wouldn't be able to make it. And now since he is old enough to take care of himself his parents fired his only family member so now he is completely alone. Logan says he has never heard his parents mutter an "I love you" or even a "good job" to him in his whole life. He does everything he can to please them yet they never give him an ounce of attention.

"They don't care about me. I could get shot right in front of their faces and they would still be glued to their phones," he let out a whimper, "how come they don't love me? No kid is supposed to feel that, especially not by their parents. What kind of selfish, irresponsible parents would allow their kid to go through pain without doing a damn thing to try and make things better?"

"Mine." I said.

~ ~ ~ ~

Once I was done telling him my story, I had noticed that he shed a few tears on my behalf.

Before I had a chance to compose myself, Logan's arms flung around me as he pulled me into a tight embrace. Even though I felt safe in his presence, I still shed tears but this time of happiness because for once, someone actually cared.