Chapter 4: The Cafeteria

The next morning I woke to an empty house all to my self. Laura had left me a note mentioning something about a morning meeting. Somehow, I had a feeling today was going to be just as strange as the last few days. Not to mention I'd be facing Logan again. Was he going to act like nothing happened yesterday? Technically nothing did, but still, would he continue to treat me like the plague.

My eyes began to roam the packed cafeteria until they landed on those same empty green eyes. They stared back at me. I broke my gaze and noticed Makayla next to Blackstone. She darted her eyes at me. I looked away as fast as I could but her stares sent me shivers before I could dodge them.

I got up to go to the bathroom and Rebecca decided to tag along. I followed her as she led the way, my skin began to crawl as I stared into the angry eyes of Makayla. Her eyes growled in hate. I tried to look away but I had no choice since she was in the way. We were right beside Makayla's table, and of course, I didn't notice her feet until...

I fell.

My face flushed blood red. Makayla erupted into laughter while everyone joined her, everyone except Gabe, Rebecca, and surprisingly Logan. As Rebecca helped me up I watched Makayla shoot me a wink, but then my eyes landed on Logan's hateful glared. His expression hinted that this was my fault. How the fuck was this my fault?

I ran out of the laughing cafeteria, my tears streaming down my heated cheeks. I heard footsteps chasing behind me. I didn't stop running until I bumped into something. The figure was hard to make out since the hallway was dark, the lights must've fused.

"Are you okay?" He muttered softly into my ears. I hadn't realized how close we were until I felt his lips tease my ear.

"Oh, I'm sorry your highness." I retorted. All my anger began to boil inside me.

"And what the hell does that even mean─ he folded his arms ─ you bumped into me not the other way around. You're the one who made a fool of yourself, I had nothing to do with it."

"Trust me I would rather hit a wall..." I began to trail off. We were both quiet for a while. And my mind began to wonder. Why didn't I die with her?

"I'm sorry I didn't mean that it's been a rough day." He looked at me with sympathy. I hadn't realized I had said those words out loud until Logan brought my chin up making our eyes meet.

"Don't you dare, ever say that. You deserve better."

"I..." We both turned around and saw Gabe, Liam, and Rebecca standing there. Gabe looked like he was ready to kill. The fury in his eyes was murderous.

"Get away from her." Gabe snarled.

"Or what? Besides, you can't tell me what to do. I'm not part of your shit. So cut the crap " Logan looked at intensely and then slowly walked away, leaving Gabe boiling with ire and defeat. Gabe's breathing began to rapidly speed up.

"You were never good enough, useless mutt." Liam yelled at Logan who was already gone.

"Mia lets go Gabe needs time to relax. Gabe ─she turned to face him now ─ you should head home." Gabe rushed past us at lightning speed, Liam followed him never leaving his side. Rebecca rushed me to our next class before I could ask her any questions.

Surprisingly every class I had after lunch is the same class for both Rebecca and Logan. Neither of us made eye contact with Logan, he didn't turn around not even to glance. He was surrounded by girls, but he seemed to be somewhere else.

After last period Rebecca and I walked to the parking lot, she dropped me off at my motorcycle and left. I traced my fingers on the flaming roses. The memories of my mother made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I missed her. Especially now, if she was here she would tell me everything would get better even though it wouldn't. Just her saying it kind of made it perfect.

She gave me a hug. "By the way, I'm sorry about lunch."

"Hey, it's not your fault I tripped. You should know by now I'm pretty clumsy." I laughed.

"I was talking about what happened after...with Gabe. Besides Makayla is just another mean bitch, who sees you as competition. See you tomorrow." She left before I could ask her what she meant.

"When the time comes all will be revealed. Forgive him, will you?"─ I began to spin around looking for the person behind the voice─ "Be patient my dear. And for heaven's sake stop grieving, I haven't left you! I will never leave you."

"Mom?"

" We will meet soon when the time is right."

"Mom... mom wait? What do you mean?" I shouted in an empty lot. I saw a car drive heading in my direction. It stopped; I heard the engine turn off and the passenger door swung open. Logan got out and walked towards me. He studied me for a minute before saying anything. Time had stopped, once our eyes connected. Before I could make sense of the situation, he looked away, I was disappointed but I don't know why.

He finally spoke without meeting my eyes. "Are you okay?"

I wanted to say no, I thought I was losing my mind. I just heard a voice and I think it was my mother. That's insane because my mother died. If I tell you all this then you'll think I'm insane, which I'm not.

I think.

"Oh yeah why do you ask?"

"Well, first of all, you're in the school parking lot in the rain while it's empty. And second, you're shouting like a crazy person when there is nobody here."

"First of all I'm not crazy, second why are you even here." I retorted.

"Hoping you'd be here." I laughed when truthfully his words made me nervous. My body started to shiver while I struggle to hold my composure. When did it even start raining?

"Did I say something funny?"

"No, just your face." He scowled.

"Why do you even care? You hate me... remember?" He didn't answer, so I walked towards my motorcycle. But my luck seemed to just get better because it wouldn't start. I tried to close the stand and throttle the fuel line, but my footing slipped. Before I could fall I felt arms wrap around me, heat ran through my body making me shiver more. I shook Logan's arms off, remembering everything that's happened today.

"I don't need your help."

"Yeah right, if I didn't catch you, you would've fallen and hurt yourself." He ruffled through his wet hair. I couldn't help but wonder how exquisite he looked and be arrogant at the same time.

"Why is it that I'm the one to catch you before every fall?"

"And why do you give a damn?"

"Well, I haven't actually figured out the damn part." He flashed a cute grin in my direction

"Don't call me that my name is Mia." He began to climb back into his car. I watched him, start the engine, put his seatbelt on, and then he just sat there waiting.

"How long does it take you to sit in a car?"

"I don't know? How long does it take you to say the word please?"

"Seriously?" He searched for my face finding no trace of humor. I was tired of taking shit from everyone, that wasn't me. Mother didn't raise a doormat. I folded my arms standing still, trying to hide the fact I was freezing. My lips began to feel numb, as my fingers had lost any sense of touch.

"Shit, fine... please Mia get in the car, your lips are purple." I smiled in victory, even though I couldn't feel my lips moving.

Had I really been out that long?

It was a quiet ride home. I couldn't stop sneezing though.

"Damn it, did you catch a cold?" Logan aggressively asked. I didn't know whether to be annoyed with his tone or glad that he realized I was still in the car.

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