Logan's POV

I walk through the halls, my head low.

Just get through the day and then I'll be free to visit....To fulfill my tradition today....That'll make it all worth it.

"Hey Logan!"A voice cheers

A hand grabs my guitar.

"Why do you carry this dumb thing around you all the time?"Another asks

I glance over to see two of my classmates stopping me. I frown, pulling myself away from them.

"It's my guitar. Leave me alone."I say

I wasn't in the mood to be bothered by anyone.

"Are you ready for the Freshman Festival?"One asks

"What?"I ask

"It's going to be from 3:15-10PM! Celebrating the huge new class of freshman and to have some fun meeting new friends!"One cheers

I shrug it off, heading to my gym class.

The buses stop at 11 and it closes at 10....So even if I get there when the party ends, I won't be able to fulfill my tradition...But if I don't go to this party it will raise concern for my father and he'll ask questions...Nobody wants to talk about it today at home or this week for that matter so just staying home would be worse....Ugh, that means I have to stay around people longer....Oh well, don't have many other options.

Soon I was surrounded by the faces of my classmates and music was blasting. I frown, trying to push through the crowd. I just wanted some space but my classmates seemed more focused on kissing or getting lovey dovey than to let me by. Then I hear a certain song start playing and frown, pushing myself away from the crowd. I lean against a tree and bow my head.

Why? Why did it have to be today? Why does the world have to be so cruel to make things turn out like this? How could people get all cheerful without a care TODAY? How does the world move on without a single mention of her? Even playing that song...I can't stay here...I'm going to go nuts.

"Hey Logan!"A familiar voice shouts

I glance over, seeing Flora skipping across the field. It was an outdoor party on the football field within the school gates. I smile a bit, glad that I have someone familiar here.

"Hey, Flora."I say, clutching my guitar tightly

She frowns when she gets beside me. It's as if she knew something was wrong. She probably did, we share a lot of classes and I've learned how observant she can be.

"What's wrong?"She asks

"It's just been a tough day...Trying to get away from the music."I sigh

"Do you not like that song?"She asks

I shake my head.

"Just...Not today..."I say

She glances at my guitar.

"To love and to protect, huh?"She asks, gently tracing her finger along an engraving on the side

My guitar was decorated with affectionate messages or details like patterns or hearts engraved into it carefully, which just made me love it more. And that's on top of the fact that it's made by my mother...I frown at the thought of her.

"Yeah...Part of the design."I say

"I like it. And if you don't want that song to be heard, maybe play your own."She says

I nod, starting to strum my guitar. A tune starts to form and the land around us seems to glow brighter in response. My guitar seems to twinkle with a warmth I haven't seen or felt before. It was comforting...

"I'm so tired of love songs, tired of love songs..Tired of love songs, tired of love..Just wanna go home, wanna go home! Wanna go home, whoa!"I sing, strumming quickly

She sits beside me with a grin, listening.

"So tired of love songs, tired of love songs..Tired of love songs, tired of love!
Just wanna go home, wanna go home..Wanna go home, whoa! Party..Trying my best to meet somebody...But everybody around me's fallin' in love to our song!"I continue

She pauses, noticing my emphasis on the last few words.

"I, I, oh I, yeah..Hate it..Taking the shot 'cause I can't take it! But I don't think they make anything that strong! So I hold on...I, I, oh I, yeah...I'm so tired of love songs, tired of love songs. Tired of love songs, tired of love! Just wanna go home, wanna go home! Wanna go home, whoa!"I continue, strumming away

She frowns, looking at me with a hint of concern.

"So tired of love songs, tired of love songs..Tired of love songs, tired of love! Just wanna go home, wanna go home! Wanna go home, whoa! Strangers..Killing my lonely nights with strangers. And when they leave, I go back to our song, I hold on...I, I, oh I...."I continue, then pause.

She had put her hand on mine, stopping me from playing.

"Logan, are you getting over an ex? Is that why you don't like the song? It's understandable but I know it can be hard..."She says softly

I look at her, then shake my head.

"It's my mother's favorite song. She's....Not spoken about this week, that's why I came here and not home.  Her birthday is near...It's too tense there ever since she...passed.."I sigh

"Oh..."She says

"So, I assume you're the source of the lovely music?"A voice says

I turn to see a handsome hispanic-looking boy that was shorter than me but using the branches he sat on to gain some height. He was super short, like half my height, yet had this confidence about him. He had dark, hazel brown eyes that sizzled with a passionate fire burning behind them. He dyed his hair a bright green and all his clothes were shades of green, as well as this heavy black jacket and fingerless gloves.

I feel my face burn at the flirty tone. I look away.

"You're such a good guitarist. Where'd you learn that talent?"He asks

"I...Taught myself..."I say, not really looking to talk

"Wow, you're really something special huh? That's a real talent."He says

Flora frowns, looking away and taking her phone out.

"And who might you be?"I ask

"Diego."He says

"Logan...Nice to meet you."I say

"Ya know what? I was planning on ditching this party. Do you wanna leave together? We could take a bus."He says

I pause, thinking.

If it's not too late...I could still visit her...

"Sure, let's go. I'll see you around, Flora. Say hi to your sis for me."I say

Diego takes my hand with a big smile, walking me off of the school campus. We walk to the bus station together and sit down, waiting for the bus.

"You really have a talent, Logan. Your music was beautiful. You should really share it. I'm sure the world would love it and you could make a pretty penny off of it."He says

"It's my passionate hobby, I'm not looking for money or attention. I just like playing the guitar."I say

"Yes but I can tell that you and that guitar are special. It's like that guitar was made for you."He says

"Well, it was...My mother made it for me."I say

The bus rolls in, opening the doors and letting us on. We both paid for the fare. I sat down in a seat and he sat beside me. I check the time. 9:15PM. It will take an hour to get to the cemetery and at least another half hour to walk to her spot...I won't make it.

Then my phone dies.

"Crap.."I mutter

"What's wrong?"He asks

"Not only is the place I was thinking on going closed by the time the bus reaches there, but my phone died. My father is going to kill me if my sister doesn't first."I say, shaking my head

"You could crash at my place. I don't mind."He says

I glance at him.

"Seriously? We only just met."I say

"And you already intrigued me. Plus it'd be nice to have someone around, especially if we're in school together for the next few years."He says with a smirk

"Oh...Thanks, Diego."I say

After a little while we reach his stop and I get off with him. It was empty...But it didn't really faze me. I'm used to returning to an empty house with my father always working and my sister having work or friends to see.

"My parents are on business trips again.."He says casually, seeming used to it as well

I nod, understanding a bit more why he was so open to having me crash here. He wanted some company. I set my guitar down, taking my shoes and jacket off and setting them out of the way as a common courtesy that my father taught me when visiting others. I wanted to be as polite as possible.

"So...I'll crash on the couch I guess? I don't want to be a problem."I say

"No no! My brother moved out to college or some apartment! You can stay in his room! It's been untouched in a few years, you'll be much comfier there!"He insists

"O-Oh, I-"I begin

"I insist!"He says, already pushing me up the stairs

"I...O-Okay. Thank you, Diego."I say

He smiles and shuts the door. I lay carefully on the bed and the light goes out. I doze off, promising myself that I'll charge my phone and message my family in the morning.

Meanwhile...

"Dad, wake up! Logan hasn't come home!"Marilyn shouts, seeing the clock say 11 by now.

"What?!"Her father exclaims

"He won't pick up his phone either!"She says

"Shit!"He says

"I'll start calling my friends!"She says

"I'll call the school and start driving around!"He says

They start scrambling to get their things together. Ghosts appear in front of Marilyn. They took shape of grandparents and aunts or ancestors that only she could see.

"What is wrong?"They ask her

"Logan is missing..."She says, raising her phone as she calls her friends

"Alright troops, scatter and search! Divide and conquer to get him!"The ancestors say

There is a loud cheer that the necklace allowed her to hear, the ghosts splitting up to search.

"Wait, where's my daughter?"She hears her grandmother say

"We'll find her too..."Some say

Marilyn shakes her head, just hoping her brother is okay.

Little did they know that there's more to him and his connection to the guitar than they know. And it's ready to show itself.

TBC