The next day was Saturday, and Layra was fixing up Logan’s home as best she could, finding an old bed outside on the curb, and she and Logan brought it home. Logan insisted that she use it, since it was a soft and comfortable bed, and she relented, after a few minutes of silent arguing. She then asked Logan about food, and he said he had some money, and offered to take her shopping. She agreed, and they went out. Layra wore her school uniform, as that, and the dress she arrived in, were the only clothes she had. They got to the store, and Layra carefully selected inexpensive and good quality food, enough for meals for the both of them to last at least a month. After they paid for the food, they walked out, Logan carrying the bags. They were walking home and passed a clothing store. Logan stopped and turned around.
“Hey, Layra. Come here for a sec.”
Layra turned, puzzled. She looked up at him questioningly, and he nodded to the store.
“Let’s go in there and get you some clothes. All you have is your uniform and that fancy dress I found you in.”
Layra smiled and shook her head, but Logan insisted, and they walked inside.
“Pick out what you want. I’ll buy you four outfits. Go on. I’ll wait here for you.”
He sat on a bench at the edge of the women’s section and she smiled and walked off. She came back with what she had chosen and he walked up to the front with her, purchasing all of it. They walked out of the store, Logan holding the groceries and Layra holding her new clothes. As they walked down the street back toward Logan’s house, Layra stopped and beckoned him over. He turned to her to see what she wanted, and she stood up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you for his kindness. Logan was startled for a moment, then turned away, his face growing red.
“Um… uh, you’re, uh, welcome,” he said, gulping nervously. Layra gave a silent giggle and they continued on in silence.
All night, Layra sat by the window, looking up at the stars. They weren’t all stars, though. The science books all say that stars are balls of gas and flame, like our sun, burning far, far away in the empty void of space, and some are, but not all. High above the earth is another world, one ruled by the Great Council. Balancers control human circumstance. Observers watch the humans, reporting all the the Great Council. The portals through which Observers view humans appear in the night sky as stars. Shooting stars are the Time Keepers, who fly about to keep the day and night running as they should. All is connected, and Layra knew this. How, then, was she transported to this world, and able to still use her powers? She waved her hand before her, conjuring a screen, and saw Logan sleeping in the spare room downstairs. He made a whimpering sound like a dog, turning over and continuing to sleep soundly. She had become a rebel and a traitor to the Council. She was no longer an Observer. She was now a human, and she must live like one. She dismissed the screen and walked over to the bed. Firstly, humans slept, and so Layra got into the bed, and fell asleep.
Back in school on Monday, Layra and Logan headed for their new class, the sign language class. Oddly enough, Trent had offered to come also to keep them company, and to help Logan with translating for Layra. Logan appreciated this, since he didn’t think he would be very good at sign language. Both Trent and Layra made spectacular progress in the class, learning many signs and how to use them. Logan, to his surprise, also learned well. Layra and Trent talked almost non-stop as they left the class, Layra excited to finally be able to speak, at least a little, although to anyone else, the pair would have sounded daft, Layra moving her hands wildly, and Trent laughing and talking as though to no one. Logan walked beside them, only spouting the occasional
“Whoa, slow down, I can’t understand you!”
As of then, Trent became Layra’s translator, and Logan would be if Trent wasn’t available, meaning in classes where Trent was not, and at home, and places besides school. Logan was starting with soccer today, so Layra followed him down to the field where the team was practicing. She sat in the bleachers again and clapped when Logan scored. She looked around and saw that Blake, who was team captain, was missing. She thought this odd, since the team captain was the one who should be there most of all. She stood and walked behind the bleachers, summoning a screen and searching the school for Blake. Perhaps he was off with Chandler, since they were best friends, but then she located him. He was out behind the main building with Julian, and they were surrounded by older boys with sticks and rocks, ready to close in on them. Blake was standing forward a bit, ready for a fight, but Julian pressed his back against the wall, searching for an escape route. Layra dropped her screen in a panic and ran out from behind the bleachers. She grabbed Logan from the field and signed wildly to him. Logan pushed her hand down.
“Whoa, whoa, slow down! I can’t understand you when you sign like that!”
Layra shook her head impatiently and dragged him off the field. She found Trent on their way to Blake and Julian, and she swiftly explained the situation to him.
“Blake and Julian are in trouble behind the school. I know where, and we have to save them!”
“Blake and Julian? Let’s hurry then!”
“What’d she say?”
“She said Julian and Blake need our help, and fast!”
They ran off to the back of the school, Layra leading the way, and found Blake and Julian fighting for their lives in the middle of a group of older guys. Trent dove in and dealt out several punches, and Logan was about to join in, but Layra grabbed his arm and gave him a swift look, willing him to keep a hold on himself. He turned and waded into the fray, punching here, kicking there, and between the two of them they cleaned up the mess and sent the other guys packing. Layra ran in and helped Blake up, while Trent and Logan pulled Julian up between them. He had gotten the worst of it in the fight, and was looking a bit dizzy. Logan and Trent steadied him, and Blake stood up straight, Layra brushing dirt off his shirt, and shook Logan’s hand, then Trent’s.
“Thanks for saving us. We couldn’t have lasted much longer against those guys.”
Logan motioned at Layra.
“Thank her. She brought us both here. We wouldn’t have even known otherwise.”
Blake turned to her in surprise.
“I don’t know how you found us here, but I thank you just the same. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
He took her hand and kissed it, bowing a bit as he did so. Layra blushed, motioning him to stand up. She then made a few signs at Trent, who translated.
“She wants to know who those guys were, and why they attacked you.”
Julian interjected here, leaning heavily against Logan.
“They were from a rival school’s soccer team. They came here for Blake, and I just happened to be here with him. My bad luck.”
Layra looked concerned and signed with her hands. Logan translated this time.
“Layra wants to know if you’re okay, Julian.”
Julian nodded and smiled crookedly.
“I’m fine. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be back on my own feet, no problem.”
Layra breathed a sigh and they all started walking back together.
Anna was walking to the soccer field, going to see Kyle practicing, and saw the five of them walking back. She ran over to say hi, and saw Blake’s and Julian’s bruises.
“What happened?” she asked concernedly. Julian grinned at her lopsidedly.
“We sort of got into a fight.”
“Not with each other?”
Blake shook his head vigorously.
“Oh, no, nothing like that. We were simply defending our school’s honor. And losing. But Layra, Trent, and Logan saved us. But Logan and I have to get back to practice now. I assume that’s where you were headed?”
“Yes. I’ll walk with you. Are you alright, though?”
“Well enough to play soccer.”
Layra signed to Trent, and he wrapped Julian’s arm around his shoulder and relieved Logan of his weight.
“What are you doing?” Logan asked. Julian nodded.
“Yeah, what he said.”
Trent nodded back at Layra.
“She told me to take you to the nurse’s office.”
“But I’m fine!”
“Just in case. We’ll probably see Laurie, too. Think about that, instead.”
“Fine, whatever,” Julian grumbled, letting himself be dragged away by the young martial artist. Layra laughed silently, and The foursome continued down the hallway to the field. Layra and Anna sat in the bleachers and cheered for Logan and Kyle, and also Blake, who grinned and waved up at Layra. Anna nudged Layra with a playful grin on her face.
“I think Blake might like you, Layra. Look at that cheesy grin.”
Layra smiled and shook her head.
“Really? He’s pretty popular. It’d be a big thing for him to like you. Come on, you don’t think he’s even a little cute? You can tell me, I won’t blab.”
Layra shrugged and shook her head. Anna looked impressed.
“Well, then who? Who do you think is cute? Who do you like?”
Layra shrugged.
“There must be someone. Who is it?”
Layra thought about it some. Then she smiled, pointing down at Logan.
“But, he’s your cousin. I meant besides family.”
Layra looked a bit puzzled, then her eyes widened a bit, and she grinned mischievously. She picked up a stick and wrote in the dirt at their feet, S-E-T-H. Anna looked at it and giggled.
“Really? He’s a bookworm. Why do you think he’s cute?”
Layra began to sign with her hands, and Anna read the signs easily.
“He’s really shy and nervous sometimes, and besides, he’s sweet. I think he’s kind of cute.”
Anna giggled.
“I guess he is sort of cute, in a little kid way. He’s sort of like a Maknae, isn’t he?”
Layra giggled silently and nodded. Anna smiled.
“But Kyle’s the one for me. He’s really sweet, too.”
Layra glanced out at Logan and clapped as he scored. This sort of emotion that she saw in Anna’s face when she spoke of Kyle, and when she spent time with him, it was unlike when she spoke of anyone else. It reflected what she felt when she looked at Logan. Was it possible? Could it be true? Was she really in love with Logan? Observers were supposed to be without emotion, but somehow, she was different from the others, born with emotion, and a conscience. She looked down at her hands, then out at Logan. She was human now, living as a human among humans, and humans fell in love, so why was it so hard for her to believe that she had?”
Anna cheered next to her as Kyle scored a goal, and he looked up at her and smiled. Layra felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched this interaction. Why didn’t Logan ever look at her like that? Did he like her? Or was he just putting up with her? She glanced at Anna and back at the field, resigned to her own thoughts.
On the Wednesday of that week, Logan woke in the downstairs room and sat up in bed. Since Layra had arrived, he had stopped glancing over at the bed next to him, and had been getting up later. Only a little later, but he had found that Layra was always up first, and always had breakfast ready. He enjoyed watching her make their lunches, and found himself watching her a lot more than he would have watched anyone else, girl or boy. He always forced himself to look away when he found himself staring, wondering what was wrong with himself. But deep down he knew exactly what was wrong. He and Layra walked to school in silence, Logan glancing over at Layra as she looked about at the trees and houses. She stopped once to point out a lonely flower growing out of a crack in the road, and he smiled at her childlike innocence. He again forced himself to look away from her, warmth flushing his face. They reached the school to find the gang waiting for them. Anna was with them, her arm through Kyle’s, and a smile on her face. Layra felt the familiar twinge of jealousy, brushing it aside almost carelessly, knowing she shouldn’t be jealous of Anna’s happiness. She smiled back at Anna and clutched her books a bit tighter. But the day held many surprises for her. Blake stepped forward as she walked through the gate and offered to carry her bag and books for her. She looked slightly confused, then smiled generously and nodded her acceptance. When they reached the classroom, Seth pulled her chair out for her, and she endowed him with her sweet smile, not understanding the attention. Trent followed her throughout the day as her translator, though he needn’t have, since Logan had become very good at reading her signs, and she was around him constantly, anyway. Finally, she had her moment of girl time with Anna as they sat in the bleachers at soccer practice. Anna nudged Layra’s arm and giggled.
“So, which one is it?” she asked furtively. Layra looked bemused, giving Anna a questioning look. Anna looked amazed.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. No way!”
Layra shook her head in confusion.
“Blake, Trent and Seth. Haven’t you noticed? They all like you!”
Layra’s mouth fell open in shock. Anna laughed.
“Wow! You couldn’t tell? With all the attention they’ve been giving you, I thought for sure you would have noticed. I’m a bit jealous, to tell you the truth.”
Layra’s eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed down at Kyle, and then looked back at Anna.
“Yes, I do have Kyle, but he’s the first guy to give me a second look. You, though. You could have pretty much any guy at the school if you wanted. So who do you like best? Is it Seth? You said you thought he was cute.”
Layra shook her head, signing briefly.
“Really? None of them?”
Layra shrugged dismissively. Anna looked impressed.
“You know, that’ll only make them want you more. But I don’t know how to get rid of them, either. I’m sure you’ll figure something out, though.”
Layra grinned a bit, glancing down at the field. All she really wanted was for Logan to smile at her, but if he was happy where he was, she wouldn’t push it.
Julian was waiting for Logan when they came back from practice. Pulling him aside, he spoke quietly.
“Hold up a minute. I should warn you, those guys from the other school know you’re on our soccer team, and I almost ran into them again today.”
“Whaddaya mean?”
Julian took a breath and continued.
“I was on my way to school and saw them on the sidewalk ahead. They were headed toward me, so I hid in some bushes. Cheap, I know. Anyway, I heard them say that they were coming here today to get back at you for beating them yesterday. They plan to ambush you after lunch when you’re alone.”
Logan thumped Julian’s shoulder gratefully.
“Thanks bro. Good to know ahead of time.”
“I’ll come back you up,” Julian said, swallowing nervously. Logan grinned and shook his head.
“No need for that. I’ll have Trent, Blake, Kyle and Chandler with me. I think we can handle it.”
Julian relaxed and grinned.
“Great idea. I gotta head off now. See ya later!”
He trotted off cheerfully, and Logan walked quickly to catch up with the rest. Layra had hung back and fell in step beside him, signing a question to him.
“What was that about? What did he want?”
“He was warning me about an ambush. Those guys from before want to pick a fight with me. Joke’s on them, I’ll have backup.”
“I’m coming, too.”
“No way. I’m not having you in harm’s way. You’ll stay with Anna inside.”
“I’m coming. Don’t try to stop me. I’ll stay out of your way, don’t worry.”
Logan sighed at her persistence.
“Fine, but once the fighting starts, you’d better stay far back.”
Layra nodded and smiled gently at him, slipping her hand into his. Logan glanced down at her, surprised, but didn’t pull away. In class, the word was spread around, and the five boys, with Layra, set out together to lay the trap. After lunch, Layra and Logan walked towards class together, seemingly alone. Suddenly, several boys jumped out of the bushes and surrounded them, ready to exchange blows. Logan grinned humorlessly at them and whistled sharply. Blake, Trent, Kyle and Chandler stepped out from their hiding places, and Logan escorted Layra to the outside of the fight, then plunged back in, fists whirling. Layra watched the fight unfold, both sides holding their own, but Logan’s side was slowly winning out. Then Layra saw Logan seem to grow taller, and caught a glimpse of his eyes. They had turned red. He flung one boy down and punched another. He swung back for another blow, but Layra dashed forward, throwing herself in front of the rival teen. Logan pulled his fist back instantly, barely avoiding hitting her. His eyes melted back to black, and he stopped stock still. The others had fought off the remaining boys, and Logan stood staring at Layra. She looked at him in concern, then reached out her hand and took his. He pulled it away and turned his back on her, walking inside silently. Layra stared after him, sad and hurt. Trent came up to her and asked if she was okay. She nodded slowly, but was otherwise despondent. Trent, worried about her, took her hand and led her inside. She followed without resistance, almost as though in a trance. Through the rest of the day, she remained thus. On the walk home, she stared at the ground as she followed Logan, who was still not talking to her. They got inside the house and there was an awkward silence, then Logan spun around and yelled at her,
“Why the heck did you do that? Why would you get in the way?”
Layra was taken aback, completely shocked by this new side of Logan.
“I could have hurt you! You could have been hurt, and it would have been my fault! Don’t EVER do that again! You got it?”
Layra stood silent for a few seconds, then burst into tears. It was Logan’s turn to be shocked as he watched her standing there, silently sobbing, with tears running down her cheeks.
“No… Layra… I’m sorry… Don’t cry, please.”
He stood awkwardly, then slowly stepped forward. He put his arms around her awkwardly, then hugged her. She sank into his embrace willingly, and for a few moment they stood such, until Layra’s tears finally slowed. Logan began to speak again.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just… I don’t know what I’d do if you ever got hurt. It’d kill me if I ever did anything to hurt you. I don’t want you to ever get hurt.”
Layra turned her face up to his and smiled through her tears. She hugged him once more, and they separated, Layra signing to him.
“I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. I promise I’ll never do anything like that again.”
All was well again, and the next day, they walked to school with smiles passing between them as though nothing had happened.
They walked up to the classroom together, but then Logan remembered he had left a school book at the soccer field the day before, and excused himself to go get it. Layra offered to go with him, but he gently refused.
“I won’t be long. Just wait for me in the classroom.”
Layra nodded and walked inside. It was early, so the room was nearly empty, except for Seth, who was sitting at his desk, staring off into space. He saw Layra and stood up immediately, holding her chair out for her. She smiled at him and sat down, but felt uncomfortable without Logan around. Seth looked around for a moment.
“Where’s Logan?” he asked curiously. Layra motioned that he had gone to get something, and Seth nodded. There was another uncomfortable silence, then Seth took a deep breath. Layra felt even more awkward, and then Seth turned to her.
“Layra, I have to tell you something.”
Layra turned in surprise. Seth was looking directly into her eyes, and she found that she couldn’t look away.
“I really like you a lot. I know it’s sudden, but please, tell me if you feel the same.”
Layra sat in stunned silence for a few seconds before she stood from her seat and stepped back, shaking her head vigorously. Seth looked a bit stunned and unhappy at her reaction and at that moment, Logan walked in. Seth looked quickly down at his book, and Layra picked up a pencil that she had knocked off of her desk when she stood up, both acting as though nothing had happened. For a microsecond, Logan stood in the doorway, before walking in and sitting down, pretending he hadn’t seen anything. Class continued without incident, as did the rest of the day, until lunchtime. Layra had finished her lunch, and Logan was off talking to Julian at the edge of the cafeteria. Layra picked up her dishes and was clearing them away, when Trent walked up and offered to carry them for her. She gratefully accepted, and he helped her clear them away, as soon as that was done, he turned to her. She was about to walk away, but he stopped her.
“Hold on a sec, Layra. I have something I want to tell you.”
Layra turned back to him, slightly wary. He took a deep breath, and she swallowed anxiously.
“I’ve come to like you a lot, and I wanted to ask you if you were willing to… go out with me sometime.”
Layra’s eyes widened, even though she had known what was coming. She shook her head sadly, signing to him as she took a step back.
“I’m sorry. I don’t feel the same. Please excuse me.”
She turned and hurried off across the cafeteria. Logan had seen the whole thing from the corner of his eye, but continued his conversation with Julian, seemingly unaffected. Later, after soccer practice, the other guys were heading to the locker room, and Anna was off to wait for Kyle on the other side, but Blake hung back, walking over to Layra as the rest disappeared into the building.
“Hey Layra. You doing okay?”
Layra smiled appreciatively and nodded. Blake glanced sideways for the briefest of seconds, then looked back at Layra.
“So, I was wondering if you were doing anything, say, this Saturday. If you’d like, we go catch a movie or something…”
Layra, taken completely by surprise, took a step back, tripping over the bleachers and nearly falling over backwards. Blake caught her wrist and pulled her back up, but she pulled away and shook her head furiously at him, turning and running away around the side of the building. Blake was stunned for a moment, but slowly pulled himself together and walked into the locker room. Logan had truly been inside the school and hadn’t seen any of this, but couldn’t find Layra when he came out of the locker room, and was concerned that maybe something had happened to her. Anna suddenly came around the corner and nearly ran into him. They both stopped, Logan quickly apologizing, but Anna cut him off.
“I’m fine. That’s not important right now. It’s about Layra.”
“Layra? Do you know where she is? I can’t find her.”
“She’s behind the gym at the stone bench.”
“Great, I’ll go get her.”
Logan started off, but Anna caught his arm and stopped him.
“Hold on a second. You should know before you charge out there. She’s crying. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, she wouldn’t sign to me, but she seems really upset. Be careful, okay?”
Logan nodded.
“Yeah. Thanks Anna. I really appreciate it.”
Anna nodded after him as he ran off down the hall. He emerged from the gym and approached the corner, hearing the small, muted sounds of Layra’s sobs. He took a deep breath and rounded the corner. She was kneeling in the grass, her arms flung out over the stone bench, and her head resting on her arms. Logan sighed deeply and strode over to her. He sank down to his knees next to her and laid a hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
Layra made no move, her tears continuing unabated. Logan stroked her hair gently and continued to speak softly to her.
“If something’s wrong, you can tell me. I’m here, okay?”
Layra slowly lifted her head and looked at him.
“Do you want to talk?” he asked cautiously. Layra burst out anew, burying her head in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and quietly hushed her. When she had composed herself a bit, she began to sign words to him.”
“I broke three hearts today,” she signed tearfully. Logan looked confused.
“What do you mean?” he asked in puzzlement. Layra sighed sorrowfully.
“Seth, Trent and Blake told me today that they liked me. And I turned them all down.”
At first, Logan was surprised, almost shocked, then felt a wave of relief pass over him. He brushed tears off her cheeks and smiled at her.
“Are you going to be okay?” He asked gently. Layra smiled back, nodding with a sort of resignation. Logan stood up, pulling her up with him, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Come on,” he said, “We should get to class.”
She smiled up at him, and they walked back inside contentedly.
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