- Kady -

"Logan." Even after saying his name out loud, my brain still can't register the person standing in front of me.

Is my mind playing tricks on me?

That can be very possible. At first, when I saw him in the hospital, I thought I had mistaken someone else for him. What could Logan Barnes be doing in Denver? I've been thinking about him continuously since then. So much so that at this point, I'm not sure if the person standing in front of me is my hallucination or it really is Logan.

"Hi, Kady," Logan says.

I open my mouth to respond, but all that leaves it is a whisper: "Hi."

I clear my throat to speak again, more loudly and clearly this time. "Hi, Logan. Long time no see."

"Hi, Kady. How...how are you?"

"I thought you were...I didn't know you were in Denver."

Please tell me you're real and I'm not talking to a figment of my imagination right now. People will think I'm crazy, seeing me talking to no one in particular.

"It's been so long, right?" I ask.

"Yeah. It's been so long, I think it'll be great if we catch up. We could go get some coffee or something if you'd like?"

Nope, he must be very real if he just said that.

"Sure! Of course, I'd love to. But I can't right now," I say, pointing my scissors to the woman I was giving a haircut to.

"When will you be free?" he asks.

"I'll be free in fifteen minutes."

"Alright. I'll be waiting outside." He smiles at me and leaves.

Well, that was quick and short.

I get back to work.

After finishing up and telling Skylar that I won't need a ride back home, I find Logan leaning against the wall beside the door of the salon with his hands casually in his pockets. He straightens when he sees me come out the door.

"There's a nice cafe around the corner," I say. "We can go there. It's within walking distance."

"Okay," Logan says and we start walking towards the cafe.

"So, why are you here? I mean, in Denver?" I ask as we start walking.

"Shooting," he replies, shrugging.

"Of course. And what were you doing in the hospital today?"

"I just had a migraine."

I expect him to ask me why I was in the hospital too, but he doesn't. We don't talk anymore for the rest of the walk. I take my chance to really look at him after six years. He's changed so much. He's no longer that lanky, nerdy boy who was once my best friend. He has lost all the traces of his boyhood.

His oval face and molten brown eyes held a pleasant countenance and spoke of a gentle soul. His curly dark brown hair has a rippling quality. I take in his muscles, the clean-shaven jaw, and the tailored shirt that fit his body perfectly.

He must go to the gym a lot.

Of course, he's an actor now. He must have to keep in shape.

Just then he turns his head to look at me and gives me his smile.

He still has the dimple on his right cheek!

I give him a small smile in return and turn away.

We reach the cafe and take our seats. I order a coffee while Logan didn't want anything.

"How's everything going? How are you?" he asks.

"It's all good. I mean, it's going great. I'm settled now and I have my own home and life."

"That's great, Kady. But tell me one thing." He leans forwards and raises his eyebrows, "A salon?"

I laugh. "I know it's surreal-"

"Very surreal," Logan interrupts, laughing.

"Yeah, I never imagined myself that I'd be in this situation two years ago, but this is what I want now," I say, shrugging.

"And what about your dream about swimming across the Atlantic Ocean?" he asks.

"We were kids back then!"

We both laugh.

"How's everyone else?" Logan continues, leaning back on his chair.

"They're all good too. Liam's an advocate now."

"Nice. Your brother got what he wanted," Then he raises his eyebrows. "What about your sister and mom? How are they?"

"They're good too. Hailey's in high school now and mom is... well, she's still Mom." I shrug. "What about you? I mean, I already know most of the things about you. You're quite famous," I continue grinning at him.

He smiles. "I couldn't have done it without you."

I shake my head. "It was all you Logan. We weren't even in contact for six years."

"Trust me. You are the reason why I'm here right now. But what about you?" He rests his arms on the table and leans forward. "Are you really happy? This is what you want?"

I give him a small smile. "I'm as happy as I can get. I'm finally living a solitary and peaceful life. This is what I need right now."

"Wait a minute. Alone?" he asks.

"Yes, alone."

"Alone?" he asks again.

"Yes," I assure him again.

"You are not married?"

I stare at him. "Where did you even get that idea from?"

He starts laughing.

"Logan, are you okay?"

He keeps on laughing.

What is so funny?

"Umm, Logan?" I ask as he continues laughing.

"Jace was right. I'm so stupid," he says when he sobers up.

"What happened?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing."

"I want to know. Tell me what happened," I demand.

"First tell me, what were you doing in the hospital today?"

"I was just there with my cousin, Mia. She is pregnant."

"Who was that kid who puked on my shoes?"

"That was Mia's kid. Now, will you tell me why you were laughing?"

He shakes his head, "It's nothing."

"Here is your order." The waiter puts down my coffee on the table and leaves.

I look down into the cup of my coffee. All these years, I was so desperate to talk to him. I have had all these questions building up inside me since the moment he left. Why did he leave without a word? We were best friends. We always, always confided in each other. We were always there for each other. He knew I would support him with anything, would always be there by his side no matter what. Then, why? Why did he leave?

So I look up and finally ask him, "Why did you leave all those years back, Logan? Why didn't you tell me?"

He looks away.

"Tell me why you left Logan. We were best friends. Hell, you were like a brother to me."

He flinches.

Did I sound too hostile? I lower my voice to sound a bit less rude, but I can't stop now. I have to know.

"My mom treated you like her own son," I continue. "My brother treated you like his own brother. You were our family, Logan. Do you have any idea how worried we were? And why did you decide to talk to me after all these years? Wait. How did you even know where I work?"

He finally looks at me and says, "Mason told me."

"Mason? And how did you get in contact with him?"

"I... I was still in contact with him for a few years after I left," he says sheepishly.

I stare at him. He was still in contact with Mason but he didn't even feel the need to tell me that he's leaving? Even after he had left, he could've contacted us at least once so that we could've known that he was safe and alright.

"Why didn't Mason tell us anything?" I ask.

"I told him not to."

He told Mason not to tell us anything? What is his problem? Why did he do that? What was it that he couldn't tell me, but could tell Mason?

I thought that I'd finally get my answers after talking to him. But the number of questions just increased more now. I want to ask him so many things. I am so confused. However, I have a feeling that he isn't going to give me all the answers. I've already been through so much shit; I know if something else happens, I'll break. And this time I won't be able to pick up the pieces. I was scared. So I decide to do what I think is best to prevent myself from breaking again.

I stand up and say, "I need to go, Logan. I have an appointment. It was nice to see you again."

"Kady?" He stands up and says, "I'll be in Denver for another week. Let's meet up aga-"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Logan," I interrupt him.

"Why?" He is frowning now.

"You'll be gone again after a week and...It's just not a good idea." I reply shaking my head.

"Anyways, it was nice meeting you, Logan Barnes." I smile and hold out my hand to shake his hand.

He stares at my hand for a moment. Then, he raises his own and shakes my hand.

"Likewise, Kadence." I flinch and pull my hand back when he calls me by my full name. He never called me that. I was just Kady to him.

Without any other word, he brushes past me and leaves.

I don't move from my spot. I stand there wondering whether this really is the last time I'll be meeting Logan Barnes.

Oh, how wrong that thought turned out to be.

***

A/N:

Oh no. That didn't turn out too well, did it? What do you think is going to happen next? Will Kady meet Logan again? Don't be a silent reader and tell me what you think is going to happen!

Don't forget to vote (: