Update from last chapter:

Rory was having a blast. She had never been to a party like this one. And she never thought that she would enjoy it this much. She didn't even see Logan…

"May I have this dance?" So much for that last thought…

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Chapter 10: Confessions and Bloody Knees

Silence. That's what the first minute of dancing with Logan was like. And it was a slow song too. Five more seconds of this and Rory would have to shoot herself.

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two…

"You look stunning today, Rory." That was it. That was the thing that broke the silence. But it also broke her.

"Thanks. I, um, I love your suit…" very smooth, Rory. All those private tutors dad hired for you sure did their jobs.

"Ok, this is awkward. Why are you ignoring me? Rory?"

"Wow, you really don't beat around the bush, do you?"

"Rory, listen to me. I've never seen a girl more beautiful, or even as beautiful as you are. You are perfect. You have what it takes to make a guy fall, and want to fall, too. I haven't even thought about any other girl since I've met you. Don't torture me like this. Tell me what I did!"

God, hearing him say all of these things had to be bad for her health. It had to be, because her heart was beating a hundred times per second, she felt hot all over, and she had shivers down her spine where his hands rested. And what was with that army of butterflies (more like bats) deep down in her stomach?

Rory Hayden's first crush, and she couldn't even utter a word.

"I'm sorry, Logan. I can't… I can't let myself fall for you. I'm not allowed to." When she said that last sentence, the tears she had been holding back all throughout the dance rushed out. Pushing out of Logan's embrace, Rory ran towards the exit, not seeing the actual word "exit", but only seeing a blurry red light. Tears were running down her face like a waterfall. Reaching the door, Rory pushed it and ran outside, not feeling the rain that was falling. Running down the stairs, Rory tripped and fell on her knees. There she gave up her flight, with all her energy absorbed into the sobs that were escaping her. There she lay, in the middle of the large staircase leading to the street, without a single dry spot on her, with a bloody knee, and with her makeup running. And this was how Logan found her when he ran out of the same door only seconds behind her.

"Rory?" he whispered, kneeling down next to her and brushing her hair from her face. As soon as his hand touched her, Rory felt her body give and she fell into Logan. There the two sat, their hands around each other, Rory sobbing uncontrollably and Logan stroking her hair.

Just as Logan was about to open his mouth to calm Rory down, she spoke:

"I like you Logan. I like you a lot, but I can't be with you."

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Logan said, worried.

"No. Not really at least. But… Logan why… I'm engaged."

"What?"

"I'm engaged, Logan. It's arranged. I am getting married the weekend after my eighteenth birthday to a guy I hate and am scared of." There it was. It came out. Why did she tell him?

To say Logan was speechless would be an understatement. He couldn't even close his mouth. Arranged marriage? Those things still happened?

Rory, aware that she had told Logan too much, turned around and ran as fast as she could. Even on heels, Rory was a pretty fast runner.

Running down the road in heels, tears streaking down her face, Rory thought back to all that has happened in the past couple of weeks. "I should have just stayed home. I should have just given up and lived in the inevitable misery that is my life. I would still have had to marry Dean, and I would still have no friends, but at least… at least I wouldn't have fallen for Logan…"
And that's when it happened. There was suddenly a bright light. The light lasted a few seconds before complete darkness surrounded her. Before the darkness filled every part of her, she heard a faint scream. Logan's voice was the last thing she heard before she lost all consciousness.