Connection

'Tyler walked into school with Taylor beside him, his backpack slung over his shoulders.

The hallway buzzed with energy, but Tyler's focus was on one thing—finding Logan. As they approached the group by the lockers, he quickly noticed something was off. Everyone was there—except Logan.

"Where's Logan?" Tyler asked, his voice betraying a little more urgency than he'd intended.

The group exchanged sly looks, chuckling to themselves. Even Ashlyn, usually the more composed one, let out a small laugh but quickly shook her head.

"He told us to tell you something," Ashlyn said, trying not to smile.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what?"

"To meet him by the stairs," Aiden added, barely holding back his laughter.

Tyler felt heat rush to his face, but he brushed it off, trying to play it cool. "Right, Whatever." he mumbled, already walking away.

He made his way toward the stairs that led to the second floor. The air was quiet, except for the faint hum of students chatting in the distance. Then he saw him—Logan, standing by the window, bathed in the soft morning sunlight.

Logan turned when he heard Tyler's footsteps. His smile was small but warm, his eyes sparkling. "Tyler, you're here," he said softly.

"Uh, yeah," Tyler said, feeling his pulse quicken as he stepped closer. "The group said you needed to tell me something? What's up?"

Logan took a deep breath, his cheeks slightly pink. "I do, I've been meaning to tell you something for a while now."

Tyler blinked, his heart thudding loudly in his chest. "okay .. "

Logan hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Tyler, I—" He swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "I like you. More than just .. as a friend. You're always there for me, protecting me, making me laugh when I need it the most. You make me feel safe, Tyler, and I've never felt like this about anyone before."

Tyler's jaw dropped. Was this really happening? Was this real life?

He stared down at Logan, his taller frame making the moment even more intimate. Slowly, Tyler leaned closer, his own feelings bubbling to the surface.

"Logan, I-I feel the same way," Tyler admitted, his voice soft but certain. "I think I've felt this way for a while now, but I was too scared to say it. You mean so much to me—"

"Tyler, Tyler? TYLER."

The sudden shouting jolted him, and the world around him shattered like glass.

Tyler's eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring at the ceiling of his bedroom. He groaned loudly, realizing it was all a dream.

"TYLER!" his sister Taylor yelled again, barging into his room with her arms crossed.

Tyler shot her a tired glare, his voice groggy. "What the hell, Taylor?"

"I was calling you for five minutes," she said, smirking.

"I'm suspended, remember?" He sarcastically mumbled, "did you forget already?"

"I know that, dumbass." Taylor scoffed, "I passed by your room and heard you mumbling in your sleep."

Tyler's face went pale. "What?"

"Oh, yeah. And guess what? You were mumbling Logan's name." she said with a smug grin.

Tyler sat up, his face turning beet red. "Absolutely not. That's gay!"

Taylor burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You are gay, dumbass! It's not a secret."