There were many things Logan wished he could explain in his life, but the one that puzzled him the most was how he felt about his best friend. The ever optimistic junior had been in his life for as long as his mind allowed him to remember, but with every year, they grew older together and he was beginning to feel things he'd never experienced before.

To provide examples, whenever Patton smiled he felt an indescribable warm spread through his chest. It was as if he'd just drank from a mug of fresh hot chocolate after being out in the snow; this was the best analogy he could come up with for it.

When he gave him a complement, he felt a swell of pride accompanied by a pink tint emerging on his cheeks. It often included a little feeling of dizziness, so he blamed it on a cold of some kind when he knew deep down he was perfectly healthy.

While Logan certainly wanted his best friend to be happy, the feeling of wanting to please him was different. He wanted to be the one that made him the happiest despite so many things in life making Patton smile every day. He wanted to be that one thing that made him smile the most.

He'd tried writing his feelings and thoughts down, creating a journal that most would call a diary. It wasn't exactly like a typical diary though, containing sentences and descriptions that sounded like they belonged inside a scientist's investigation notes. Logan wanted to be as detailed about his experiences with these feelings as he could, wanting to place his feelings as accurately as possible.

Logan sighed as he checked the time on his watch, awaiting the arrival of Patton at his house that afternoon. He was unpleasantly surprised to find that his watch's battery had died, and he, not having any watch batteries on hand, had to purchase a new one. Looking up at the time on the clock on his wall, he pursed his lips and straightened his glasses.

I suppose I have time to go out to buy a new battery for my watch, he thought as he stood and grabbed his car keys from their labeled key holder by the door. Patton shouldn't be arriving for another half an hour, and it should only take me ten minutes to stop by the watch and jewelry store in the plaza down the road from here. I'll be back with time to spare, and even if he should arrive at my house early, I can text him to let him know where I've gone and he can use his spare key to wait for me inside.

The intellectual young man nodded to himself as he turned on his car and pulled out of the driveway. Having parents that were famed scientists made his life have many perks such as his own place and his own means of transportation. Some might call it spoiling, but Logan worked incredibly hard as a scholar, and it was no secret he'd be valedictorian next year if he kept it up. There was not a doubt in anyone's mind that he was going places.

That thought suddenly frightened him as he sat at a red light, Logan's eyes widening slightly as his mind started figuratively running with it.

To what places was he going? What was it he wanted to do with his existence? He was a man of academics and knowledge, he knew this for certain, but what path was he to follow with his abilities. He could undoubtedly land a position in any scientific or mathematical field he wished, so perhaps a scientist like his parents? With his skills and intellect, perhaps he could help find cures for the world's most intimidating diseases or new antibiotics to combat 'super germs' that were becoming immune to the medicine that was previously used to kill them. A biochemical engineer helping to find new ways to preserve the environment? An astronomer discovering new galaxies and stars to chart and track?

What would his career choice mean for his social life, albeit the little one he had? What would it do to his relationship with Patton should he go off to some prestigious college and leave behind his more... human friend? The kids at school had taken to calling him a robot in comparison to his best friend's cheery behavior, which hadn't really bothered him until now. It was starting to hit him how different they were. What if at the end of next year they would be saying goodbye to each other?

Logan's head started to pound as he desperately tried to shake away the unpleasant thoughts and worries of the future. He turned into the small shopping plaza, taking a deep breath as he parked.

There's no point in working yourself up over something you won't have to figure out for another two years, he pointed out in his mind as he calmed down. You won't have to discuss this with Patton until the end of senior year, and even then, there's no possible way for you to know exactly what's going to happen.

Nodding to himself, the intellectual young man exited his car and headed inside the watch and jewelry store. The shop clerk was busy with a couple of other customers when he opened the door, so he browsed the contents of the store while he waited to be helped.

Logan's eyes wandered around the sparkling necklaces and bracelets, finding himself gravitating toward the watches. The watches in this sort of store were obviously far out of his price range, not to mention he only needed a new battery. There was nothing wrong with the watch he owned.

However something caught his attention in his peripheral vision; it was a pocket watch. He'd always loved pocket watches for their historical and elegant designs, but this one looked different than any other he'd ever seen. Unable to look away, he moved closer to inspect it through the glass case. It was gold, but the front was glass, revealing the deep blue on the inside. It was patterned to look like a night sky, a sliver engraving of the moon surrounded by shimmering crystals scattered to represent the stars. The sparkling glitter made it look as though the sky was alive and moving. Logan had never seen a watch more gorgeous.

"Afternoon young man, I apologize for the delay," a voice said next to him. He looked up from the watch to see the shop clerk smiling warmly at him. He was an elderly man with a silver hair and twinkling eyes surrounded by wrinkles that clearly showed his age. The other customers had already left, leaving the two of them alone in the store. His eyes landed on the watch in the case. "Ah, you like that one huh?"

He was slightly startled by his sudden appearance by his side, so it took him a moment to answer. "I- uh- Yes," Logan stammered at first, clearing his throat as he composed himself and snapped out of his daze. "It very beautiful, and it's clear even from here that the craftsmanship is undoubtedly flawless. I, however, am here to replace my watch's battery-"

"Well, if you love it that much, you should take it," the old man interrupted. The high school junior looked confused as he moved and unlocked the case. He picked up the watch with gentle hands and moved to the check out counter, putting into a bag and handing it to Logan with a smile. "Think of it as free with purchase."

"But I haven't purchased anything?" he said, puzzled as he looked from the bag to the old man's eyes. "I apologize sir, but I'm confused-"

As he spoke, a grandfather clock inside the store rang to signal five PM. "Oh well, would you look at the time!" the shop clerk gasped. He moved around the counter, pushing the bag into Logan's hands and then guiding him toward the door hastily. "Well, I'm afraid it's closing time! You'll have to excuse me, I need to pack up the store. I hope you enjoy your watch, and have a lovely day! Thank you for shopping here!"

Just like that, Logan was standing outside the now closed watch and jewelry shop confused beyond belief. He was holding a watch that costed who knew how much that had been shoved into his hands. The old man had basically ignored everything he'd said. He didn't get a replacement battery for his watch, and he didn't even buy the pocket watch he now evidently owned. "That was... very peculiar..." he muttered to himself as he reentered his car and placed the bag in the passenger seat beside him. "Very peculiar indeed..."