The incident would forever leave a mark on both of Logan’s and Alex’ minds. This had been the closest they have been with each other physically and Alex prayed that Logan didn’t notice anything—despite her desires to have good body proportions.
A purr broke the silence as the cat licked its paws.
Logan got up quickly, shielding his face. The sudden movement made the cat look over at this. It crossed its front legs and silently stared at the two. Logan had a pink tint in his ears while Alex lifted herself up with the use of her elbows. She brushed off any dust on her clothes, anything to avoid looking at Logan. She debated whether to scold Logan or to forget about it. She would really rather not think about it or she’d go insane.
If he wasn’t going to say anything, neither was she.
Another close call at her secret! Another one in two days! What did the world want from her?
Alex focused on the cat which still had it round unblinking eyes on them. Somehow Alex could see a satisfied smirk on the cats lips as it wagged its tail in the air.
“I guess she followed me home” she finally spoke to Logan, clearing her throat.
On the other hand, Logan had a hard time calming his heart. That was so close! He yelled in his head. He was unsure but that accident left him distorted. Alex was…
Alex was…
…
…
…
… so skinny.
For a moment there, he forgot it had been Alex under him. When he realized it, things became more awkward. He wanted to be this person’s best friend and almost mistaking him as a girl was not a cool thing to do.
Almost mistaking him as a girl a second time was just plain rude.
Logan wanted to clear his thoughts. If Alex wouldn’t say anything about it, he wouldn’t say anything either.
“Are you gonna keep it?” He asked, his voice scratchy but steady.
Alex bit the corner of her lip, “I’m not sure. I’d need to ask my aunt.”
“Ask me what?”
Logan and Alex set their sights on the doorway. Over there stood Aunt Lilly with an armful of groceries, kicking the door behind her. The two teenagers immediately jogged over to lend a hand, each taking a bag.
Alex headed to the kitchen to put them away.
Aunt Lilly gazed at Logan after he took the bag. Her eyes stayed on him for a while that Logan couldn’t move. He felt a drop of sweat drip down the back of his neck.
Why do I feel like I’m under a lie detector? He thought.
Aunt Lilly tilted her head, still staring at him. Logan gulped.
“I don’t think I’ve met you before.” Aunt Lilly said, “What’s your name?”
“Oh… uh, I’m Logan. I’m Alex’ partner for the English project.”
Lilly blinked in surprise. Alex hadn’t mentioned anything about a collaborative project. If a schoolmate would be coming over, she knew Alex would have told her. Ever since she started in Woodlands, Alex never had anyone casually visit her unannounced. Even for her previous group projects, she’d choose to do them at her group mates’ place…
… so why was Logan here?
Lilly assessed the young man in front of her. His arm muscles were toned and he had a good height. She deduced that he might be an athlete. One of his notable facial features was his startling green eyes with golden specks which complimented his medium skin tone. The other one was his lips. They were plump which made her envious.
“Can I ask you something?” She leaned in, acting as if someone could overhear them.
Logan cleared his throat, “Of course.”
“How’s Alex in school?”
Alex’ aunt had eyes full of worry. Logan wasn’t sure how to answer her. Nothing really bad had ever happened to Alex—except for that skin disease rumor which was squashed long ago. Other than that time, no one really had said one bad thing about him. Others were about his quiet and unapproachable demeanor but they were easily overlooked because he was polite and patient whenever they did talk to him.
With me as the exception, Logan recalled.
But with the baseball lesson today, things might have changed for Alex. Logan just didn’t know how much impact it had.
Aunt Lilly still waited for an answer so Logan gave her the safest one he could think of.
He smiled, showing his dimples, and chuckled, “He’s the smartest guy in it.”
“I know that. I meant other than that” Lilly frowned, “Does he… have friends?”
An explosion erupted inside Logan’s mind. His brain cells ran in panic. They threw papers and records all over the place. He had been given a trick question. He couldn’t possibly say Alex and him were friends or Alex would have his head for telling ‘lies.’
“Oh, uh…” He began to say, “I’d say yes but he seem to not want me as a friend.”
There. An honest reply. That wasn’t so bad. Alex couldn’t possibly choke him for telling the truth, right?
Lilly’s brows shot up, “Alex is your friend?”
“Yes, he is.” Logan nodded with confidence.
A blinding smile appeared before him, “That’s wonderful! Alright. Okay. I’ll have to trouble you then to look after our Alex. Don’t let his cold demeanor get to you.”
“It will be my pleasure.”
See? His aunt agreed to it. Logan felt smug to get one approval in Alex’ family. This was how the conversation with Xandra should have gone, he remarked. The twins were just being too difficult. He was a nice guy. Who wouldn’t want him as a friend?
“I’m Lilly, by the way. Just call me, Aunt Lilly. I’m Alex’s father’s twin sister.”
Logan’s brows shot up, “Twin?”
“Yes!” Lilly laughed, “Never met a twin before?”
“Quite the opposite exactly” Logan explained, “I’m also a twin but this is the second time I met another one. It must run in your family.”
