Thanks for reading, everyone! It's a work in progress, but I hope you'll give it a chance and bare with me! Thanks. Don't forget to read my other book: Falling For Him! Hopefully I will ge another chapter up soon! 

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At the end of the day, I walk down the sidewalk towards home. When I'm a block from my house, I turn the corner, heading to the park. The swing set is empty, so head over there to read the note Logan stuffed in front of me.

I open Logan's envelope. I stare at it before I start to read.

Natalie:

Look, I have only known you for a very brief moment, and in that moment, you pushed me away. I saw that you were upset, and all I wanted to do was help out and make sure you were OK. After you asked me if Falene sent me there to torture you, I felt hurt. Honestly, in my opinion she's full of herself. Anyway, I just want to make sure you're OK. I'm sorry if I offended you, I should've been more careful. If you ever want to talk, even though we don't really know each other, please do. My locker is just on the other side of the hallway corner, #215.

My cell number is (513)-323-9032

Truly,

Logan Hilks

After I read the note, I fold it back up and stuff it in my pocket. The whole walk home, I think about Logan, replaying each time I've come in contact with him. 

I think of his smile. His deep, intense eyes. His muscular body. His act of kindness, coming to ask if I was okay.

When I get home, I notice Neal is on the couch, texting on his phone. He gives me a quick glance. I can tell that he has noticed my sorrow; probably because my eyes are red and puffy, and that my make up sits under my eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Neal asks, walking over to me. I let out a big sigh, wondering if I should tell him what's going on at school. I decide I should.

"No. You know Falene?"

He nods.

"Well, she's bullied me since fifth grade, you already knew that though. What you didn't know, was that in the past couple weeks, maybe months, she's embarrassed me and made fun of me in front of everyone!"

I take a deep breath before I continue.

"Today, I was walking to my locker and she was standing there, supposedly waiting for me. Guess who else was there? Sasha! It's like, how could she do this to me? She was my best friend. Then, Falene and Sasha started throwing these really hurtful comments. Neal, I can't take this anymore!"

Neal scoots closer to me and sets his hand on my back, rubbing it. He pulls me into him, my head resting on his shoulder.

He whispers into my ear. "It's going to be okay. You know why?"

I shake my head.

"Because I'm here, and so is Mom and Dad." His whispers send a warm feeling through my body, a feeling of comfort and security. I take his hand and squeeze it.

I get up and walk into the kitchen and drop my bag to the floor. I head over to the fridge. I open it and grab a Diet Coke, then I head over to the pantry and snag the box of Oreos. 

"Neal, there's frozen pizza in the freezer, Mom says to eat that for dinner. She also said to get you're homework done."

I listen for Neal's response, but all I hear a grunt. Not sure the grunt was a response, I head up stairs, snacks in hand and backpack over my shoulder.

I put my things to the floor and place my snacks on my desk after I enter my room. I take a deep breath, then grabbing a piece of lined paper and a pen and start to write in cursive; every once and while eating an Oreo or drinking my Diet Coke.

Logan,

Before you think anything, I just wanted to thank you. You're probably thinking, "Why is she thanking me?". I'm thanking you because you were trying to be there when I needed it. I also wanted to say I was sorry because when you tried to help me, I was mad you and I am so, so sorry, Logan. You're, in my terms, popular. Why would you want to hang out with a gut like me? But,I shouldn't have ignored you when you tried to help me; it's just that I've been bullied for so long. Not to mention, that my best friend, Sasha, ditched me to be in Falene's group of friends. Anyway, that shouldn't be an excuse.

Sincerely,

Natalie Reyes

I put my pen down and reread my note to Logan. I smile to myself and neatly fold the note. I search through my envelope box. When I find the perfect envelope, I seal the letter and write Logan's name on the front, this time in neater handwriting than my letter: Logan Hilks.

***

Great. Another day at school ... Thursday. Just like every other day, at 6:30, I wake up, get dressed, brush my teeth, comb my hair, eat breakfast, and drive to school. After I get ready, I look at my clock. In bold red numbers 6:45 A.M. flashes across the screen. 

I head downstairs for breakfast. As I descend down the stairs, I can hear mom's voice boom from the kitchen. I enter the room and see Mom lecturing Neal.

"... Neal, you're responsible for this!" Mom comments. Neal rolls his eyes, which then dart to mine.

"This isn't what I expected to wake up to. What's going on?" I ask.

"You're brother didn't finish his two-paged report," Mom huffs.

"I told you already, I did my report!" Neal claims. I roll my eyes and leave them to their discussion.

I grab my car keys and shut the door. The sun is just rising and lights the sky in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. I admire the sunrise an get in my car. Pulling into the school parking lot, students do the same and scramble for a parking spot. 

Luckily, I find one.

Gathering my things: backpack, lunch, and textbooks, I head in through the big double doors. Students swarm the halls, pushing and shoving to get to class. 

I walk to my locker and find no one there. Thank goodness, I think, I don't need anymore drama. Once the halls are mostly cleared, I quickly move around the corner to find Logan's locker.

All right, which one of you lockers is Logan's? I think. Once I find locker number 215, I pull out my note I wrote and slip it through the crack of his locker door. 

When I hear the paper hit the bottom of his locker, I dart back around the corner.