The crowd went hysterical, and Logan took a final look at the boy, mumbling something before turning away and coming over toward me.
I was put down, and I ran to Logan.
He opened his arms and hugged me tightly as I began to cry.
"Brother!" I wailed in Logan's arms and didn't care about anything else around me.
My brother was gone, and I would always have to live with the regret of knowing I didn’t save him.
SWEET LOGAN
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER . . .
"MOM, I NEED TO GET READY,"I announced while finishing the last of the dishes and placing them on the drying rack.
I grabbed the pink towel to dry my hands and turned to face my mom who was reading the latest spell book at the table.
"Already? Are you going to see that friend of yours?"
She looked up to stare at me with her gold eyes, and I gave her a small smile.
"Logan, Mom. My childhood friend," I stressed, hoping she remembered Logan Cross.
He'd been my friend my whole life and was dear to my heart.
"It's hard to remember all your friends, Gabriel. You're popular at school," she dismissed, returning her eyes to her book.
I sighed, and my smile turned to a frown.
"Mom," I spoke more sternly. She looked up at me, looking confused as to why I appeared upset.
"Huh? Why do you look so sad all of a sudden, Jewel?"
"You mistook me for Gabriel . . . again," I whispered.
"Did I? You must have been hearing things. Don't you have to meet your friend Logan now? Go get ready." She brushed off the slip up and I shook my head, walking over to her. I gave her a kiss on the cheek then went to the fridge to get her a bottle of water for her medication.
"Make sure you take your meds at nine o'clock before you sleep, Mother. I'll be home really late. Logan may come back with me, or I'll stay at his place. Okay?" I explained, walking back to the kitchen table to set her bottle of water down before reaching out for her medication organizer.
"I remember, Gabriel. You don't have to remind me every day. Also, why would you have a sleepover with Logan? Are you gay, sweetheart?" she questioned, lifting her head to stare at me questioningly.
"Mom. I'm not . . . Actually, never mind. I'm gonna be late." There was no point in arguing with her right now. Once her meds kicked in, hopefully they would help her distinguish what was reality again.
I was ready to leave the kitchen when Mother stopped me, grabbing hold of my wrist.
"Sweetheart, wait a moment," she requested, and I turned to give her a small smile.
"Yes, Mother?"
"If you do like this Logan boy, you can always tell me. I'll still love you no matter what," she reassured me, and I had to smile at her relaxed expression.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll keep that in mind. I'm going to get ready. I'll make sure to let you know when I'm about to head out, okay?"
"Alright. I love you." She gave me a wide smile.
"I love you too, Mom." I gave her another kiss on the cheek before I turned and headed upstairs to my room.
When I reached the top step, I sighed.