I sat at my piano, looking through the rain stained window watching my best friend drive into my families driveway. His black BMW came to a slow halt, then I saw him reach into the backseat for something I couldn’t make out. As he got out of the car with his brown Carhartt jacket, and his usual ripped up jeans, my heart fluttered around in my chest and little butterflies began to fly around in my stomach. I love the feelings of love.
He carefully avoided the puddle pooling at the base of the stairs leading to our porch, then rang the doorbell. That finally snapped me out of my daze. I walked over to the door, feeling self-conscious in my pj’s and slippers.
When our eyes met, I wanted fall into his arms and stay like that forever. I cringed when the thought of my dull, hazel eyes against his ocean, blue ones. How did I get so lucky to find him?
“Hello, Emma.” He said, as he leaned in to give me a quick peck on the cheek. Did he feel the fire that ignited as soon as our skin touched?
“Hey, Logan!” I tried to keep my voice calm, but it never worked. Logan gave a soft chuckle that ran through my ears like church bells. “Come in, you're getting soaked.”
“I’m not sugar, I won’t melt.” He joked, grinning over at me as he wiped his feet on the mat.
“I don’t want to take any chances.”
“What’s life without taking any risks?”
I stayed silent. He was always pushing the limits a little too far according to me. I noticed his book bag swung over his shoulder.
“Oh, right,” I began. I had completely forgotten that we were suppose to be studying tonight. “We're studying tonight.”
“Mr. Garner gave us loads of chemistry this week.” He and I walked into the living room where my Dad sat reading the newspaper.
“Hello, kids.” Dad said. He folded up his newspaper and walked over to Logan. They shook hands, and I remembered mine and Logan’s conversation from last night. He had said that he always makes sure to give a ‘good and strong man shake’ to my father. My lips pulled up into a soft smile.
“How are you doing, Mr. Miller?” Logan asked, always being exceedingly polite to my parents.
“Just fine. You?”
“Living life to the fullest.”
“Well, I’ll let you get to your studying. I'm going to the store to grab some things for supper since Mom's out of town. You two be good.” At that, Dad left the room.
Logan and I stayed silent for a few moments as we got out our books. Surely we’re not really studying? Our definition of studying, was having conversations using stick people, and sneaking a kiss when my parents weren‘t looking.
“Shall we?” He asked, as he held up his chemistry book like he was advertising for a Coke commercial.
“If I must.” I said, then nudged his shoulder. I can’t study with him! I can barely keep my mind in check for civilized conversations with him around!
“You must. Now, what’s Dalton’s atomic theory?” He asked, changing his voice to sound like our chemistry teacher.
“Logan, you must be kidding me. I can‘t concentrate with you like that.” I knew he could tell what I was going to say before I said it, because he had begun to laugh as soon as I turned to face him.
“Until your Dad leaves, little lady,” he whispered. “Now, what’s Dalton’s atomic the-” The back door shut and Logan and I sat motionless waiting for the garage door to shut. As soon as we were sure he was gone, Logan wrapped his arms around me tightly, pulling me down onto the couch like he was going to literally bite my head off. Our lips weren’t touching, to my dismay, because Logan was just being Logan. Playing around.
“Let go, Logan!” I laughed. In this moment, with Logan playfully ‘wrestling’ and spreading his happiness like a contagious virus, I knew my life couldn’t get any better.
“Okay, okay.” He said, then bounced up off the couch. “Go get dressed.”
“Why?” I immediately felt ashamed for not staying in my school uniform. “I didn’t think you would mind. . .”
“Oh, Emma! I meant, get dressed because we are going to town.” He laughed, then picked up my pencil. He drew a little stick figure wearing pj’s with another stick figure beside the other one with hearts all around his face.
“Is that suppose to mean that you love my pj’s?”
“It’s means I love you no matter what your wearing. If you want to go to town in your pj’s, that is perfectly fine with me.” Suddenly, he slid his arms around me, picking me up.
“Put me down!” I wish I could be as lighthearted as him. He put me back down on the couch.
“Let’s go.” He started walking for the door.
“We are not going anywhere.” I wrapped my arms around my legs. I am staying put.
“Come on, Emma. Live a little.”
“I don’t want to get caught. Because you know what would happen then? I wouldn’t get to see you.”
“You won’t get caught.” He grabbed my arms, strong enough to unwrap me, but gently enough not to hurt me. He placed his hands on either side of my face. “Please, for me?”
I rested my head between his neck and shoulder, closing my eyes. I listened to the steady beat of his heart, took in the soothing smell of his clothes, and felt his warm breath trickle down my neck.
“No, Logan.”
A deep groan escaped from his throat.
“You knew I was going to say that.”
“No, I didn’t. I thought I was going to be able to woo you.” He turned so he could look into my eyes. “I would really like to kiss you right now.” He whispered. I smiled, eager to invite his soft lips to mine.
*****
I sat on my old, cloth couch, tears streaming down my face. How could you have let this happen, Emma? What were you thinking?
“I am very disappointed in you. I can’t believe you would go against my orders! I trusted you, now you have proved to me that you don’t deserve that responsibility.” Dad said, his voice monotone. Him being disappointed is worse than having him mad. Why did you listen to Logan?
“You must have consequences. Sneaking out is not permitted in this house, young lady, and you know it.” He paced the living room, tapping his chin with his index finger deep in thought.
“You can only see Logan on Friday afternoons from now on. Three to five.”
“What? Dad, no way! You can’t do that! Please, at least three times a week?” Not seeing Logan everyday made my heart feel like it was being torn out of my chest little by little.
“No compromising. You made a foolish decision, now you have to pay for it.”
Suddenly, I jolted up in my bed, sweating. It was just a dream. I steadied my breath, then layed back down. Tap. Tap. Tap. Someone was throwing pebbles at my widow. How classic, Logan. I struggled to open my rusty window, but once I did, I wasn’t disappointed to find out that it was Logan.
“Hey beautiful!” He shouted, holding up a single red rose. My heart once again fluttered around in my chest, and I suddenly had more energy than I usually do when I first wake up.
“Logan! It's beautiful! Thank you.”
“Your welcome. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He dropped his arm, and let the rose hang upside down behind him.
“I never stop thinking about you either. But enough being melodramatic. What is it?”
“I thought maybe you had changed your mind and would like to come with me now.”
“No, Logan.” I am not getting into trouble because of you. It’s for our own good.
“Emma, please! Live-”
“Do not say, ‘Live a little.’” I began to shut the window, even though I hopelessly longed to run out the front door, hop into his car, and drive away. But that’s what-"
“People in love do these kind of things, Emma.”
I stood there, with the window half shut, debating what to do. I shut the window and rushed around my room for some decent clothes. I ran a brush through my golden, blonde hair, then quietly snuck downstairs. As I turned around from shutting the door, I walked right into Logan.
“How did you know I was coming?” I asked, letting him take my hand as we walked to his car.
“I guess I'm as good at wooing as I thought I was.” He squeezed my hand, and when he saw the expression on my face, he burst out into his contagious laugh.
“So, where are we going?” I asked, as he started the car.
“Have you been practicing piano?” I grimaced. I hate it when he answers questions with questions.
“Of course, That’s what keeps me busy when your gone.” I answered truthfully.
“Good.”
We drove in silence for a few moments. I knew he wasn’t going to tell me where we were going, so I decided to figure it out myself. I live in this town too, you know. As happy as I am to be going somewhere with Logan, I am as equally scared of being caught. Please don’t let Dad wake up. Please don’t let Dad wake up. I looked at Logan every few minutes, but he was happily humming his favorite Muse song, completely oblivious to my terror of being caught.
“Here we are!” Logan announced, pulling the keys out of the ignition, then running around the front of the car to open my door.
“What is this place?” I asked. Squinting in the dark, it seemed to be an old café.
“My parents just bought it. We're opening an Italian restaurant,” he said matter-of-fact.
“Wonderful, Logan!”
“This isn’t what I wanted to show you. There’s something inside,” he said, leaving me hanging on every word he said. I held his hand tightly as he lead his way through the completely dark café. When he turned on the lights, being caught would be worth it.
