Her Light - His Darkness

Chapter 6

I rush into the small nail studio, running my fingers through my now damp hair. "Mich, I'm so sorry I'm late."

Michelle owns a small nail studio, the outside is painted a neon green, it catches the eye of anyone walking by, the inside is black and silver, five silver tables, evenly spaced, line the wall on the left with black chairs on either side, against the right wall is two, comfortable chairs placed a little off the ground for pedicures.

Pictures of different nail designs are scattered all around the small shop, green potted plants litter the gaps, making the store look homey, in the center of the place is a cashier desk.

"This is the third time this week, Logan." Michelle, my boss, my teacher and Bradley's wife says sternly to me. Her hair is halfway down her back, black as the night, her eyes are a light blue, she has high cheekbones and thin lips.

"I know, I know, it won't happen again." I raise my hands up in a surrender motion.

"Bradley told me you were at that place again." I see the worry in her eyes as her eyebrows furrow slightly. "Yeah." The bell above the door rings, two young girls walk in, laughing and giggling at what the other had said. I remember when Kristy and I used to be like that.

*** Six years ago, ***

"OMG! Did you see how he checked you out?" Kris chirps excitedly as she hooks her arm through mine.

"He was so not checking me out!" I feel the heat rushing up my neck, traveling to my face, making it home for a few minutes, a giddy feeling causing a giggle to erupt.

"You are blushing! Oh. My. God! You totally have a crush on him, don't you? Admit it, Lo! The excited smile lighting up her entire face.

"Fine!" I grumble, "I have a huge crush on him, those eyes!" I sigh dreamily. Kristy stops dead, pulling me to a halt, she stares open-mouthed at me, brown eyes sparkling, she begins to squeal. "You have to tell him!"

"Shush, keep your voice down Kris, Landon's over there." I whisper-yell pointing to the parking lot at the school. We begin giggling when Landon looks over at us, she pushes me forward slightly, unhooking her arm from mine. "Totally checked you out." I look at her seriously for a moment, she attempts to wiggle her eyebrows, causing us both to burst out laughing.

We walk over to where he's standing against his car, arms folded casually against his chest.

"Hey." Hey? Seriously Logan? I feel the familiar heat rushing to my cheeks. "Hey, Logan." He smiles sweetly at me as he runs a hand through his hair. "Would you like to go out with me?" He pauses for a moment, "Tonight at six?"

*** Present ***

Bright red, almond shaped nails click in front of my eyes, pulling me out of my thoughts, I blink a few times until Michelle's features come into focus. God, I can't remember the last time, I laughed.

"You okay to work, girl?"

"Yeah, I'm... I'm okay." Michelle offered me a job when I was desperate, offered to teach me how to do manicures, pedicures, and facials when requested, The money my parents left us, is more than enough for tuition for Gabby and me, but what about the things she wants?

"Bernie, Tammy and Terry aren't here yet, we'll need to get started on these young women, their mom will be here soon for her nails as well." Michelle smiles at them and directs them to their seats.

Bernice, Tammy and Teresa work with us, they have been here from the start, also, Michelle and Bernice are sisters, they share a very close bond it's beautiful really.

"Hi, my name is Logan, what are we doing for you today?" I try my best to smile at the young girl, no older than sixteen, opposite me, but it doesn't reach my eyes, the smiles never do... anymore.

***

After leaving work, I walk slowly down the road to Mario's, Gabby simply loves the pizza there, I hate how we left things yesterday that's all my fault though, I should be there for her more. I phoned ahead of time and ordered her favorite, Hawaiian pizza, it won't make up for it, but it will put a smile on her face, that's good enough for me.

***

"Thank you so much for allowing her to have a sleepover last night, Mrs. Francis." Navasha Francis has been a Godsend, She is about "5'8, slightly taller than me, she has a slender build and the kindest honey brown eyes.

"You are welcome, dear." Gabby comes walking around the corner, laughing at something Marley said, her hazel eyes land on me, she stops laughing, her mouth stretches into a toothy grin.

"Thank you for everything Mrs. Francis, bye Marley, see you at school." Gabby waves goodbye.

Gabby takes my hand as we slowly begin our walk home, "How was the sleepover, Gabs?"

"It was so fun! We made s 'mores in the fireplace, had homemade pizza, they even let us help roll the dough and sprinkle the flour around." By the time she's done, she's practically bouncing with excitement.

Gabby continues telling me about her night, why couldn't I do those things with her, I should really put more effort into taking care of her instead of dropping her off at the Francis household to be taken care of.

As we come around the corner, I notice a black jeep parked outside our house, nobody knows where we live except certain people and none of them drive a black jeep, oh God, could this be the person that's been sending those letters? No, no, no, I'm being ridiculous right now! Snap out of it!

I internally freak out; I grab a hold of Gabby's hand a little tighter than usual and smile a small smile down at her.

"Who's that, Lo?" She points at the man sitting on our steps with light brown hair, I recognize him, my release on her hand loosens ever so slightly.

We begin walking up our little pathway to the door and his head snaps up, a radiant smile takes over his features, he slowly stands up, and looks at Gabby, his smile falters slightly.

"Hi, Logan, and who might you be?" He smiles sweetly at Gabby and I squeeze her hand a little tighter again.

"I'm Gabby, Gabs for short. Whoa, Lo, look at his eyes!" She stares open-mouthed at him, eyes slightly wide.

"Why don't you go wash up and pick a movie?" She looks up at me, nods her head and smiles shyly at Christian. I unlock the door for her, handing her the pizza, once she's inside, I turn my attention on him.

"You! What the f**k are you doing here?" My voice raising slightly, the smile disappears off his face.

He lifts his hand, holding a familiar blue phone between his thumb and index finger, moving it from side to side.

"You forgot this, I thought I'd be a good citizen and bring the thing back to you." The smile returning to his face.

"Thank you?" It sounded more like a question, honestly, I thought I lost it, and I seriously didn't care, I take the phone and slide it in my pocket.

"How do you know where I live?" Suspicion making itself known, "Are... are you the one sending me those letters?" I take a small step back. He holds up his hands in surrender.

"I drove past here a couple of times already; I've seen you here before." He smiles reassuringly at me, until confusion begins twisting his features, I must admit he looks adorable, his eyebrows slightly furrowed causing a small crease on his forehead, his lips parted slightly as his tongue sticks out ever so slightly in the corner of his lips. "What letters?" He finally, looks up at me.

"It doesn't matter, thank you for bringing my phone I guess." I turn to go inside.

"Is that your daughter?" I stop mid-step and slowly turn around, a scowl on my face as I make eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry for, you know, asking."

There's something about him, I don't know what it is that simply annoys the s**t out of me, is it his optimism, his constant smiling, I can't put my f*****g finger on it!

"Look, thanks for whatever last night and bringing my phone back, I don't know you and frankly, I don't want to know you, so please just," a piercing scream coming from inside the house fills my ears, I freeze on the spot, the blood running through my veins feels like it instantly turned to solid ice. At that moment everything feels like it's moving in slow motion or simply not moving at all.

"LOGAN!" Gabby yells my name; my heart is beating rapidly in my chest.

Fight?

Or,

Flight?