2. It's the Little Things

Logan

Okay, I will admit, the kid looked intimidating.

Looking at his muscular body, one would think he is on the wrestling or football team. He isn't, yet somehow, he looks bigger than all the athletes in our school.

I always found it ridiculous that people avoided Daniel like the plague. So what if he is kind of scary looking with his deep scar running down the side of his face, and he has tattoos like an ex-convict? He barely ever talks to people, so rumors about him spread all over the school like wildfire. And yet, he never once defended himself.

It is as if he enjoys being feared.

"Hi Danny!" I chirp and wave at him.

Danny looks at me wide eyed and grunts. "Don't call me, Danny."

Thomas gives me a warning glance as if to tell me I shouldn't talk to Danny.

What do they think will happen if I talk to him? Is he going to murder me?

"That's your name, isn't it?" I wink.

"The name is Daniel. And don't fucking talk to me."

"And now I can't talk to you? Jeez, Danny. We've been going to the same schools since we were kids. Don't you think..." I stop abruptly as I feel someone's hand on my shoulder.

I look at Thomas questiningly. "What?"

"Dude, what are you doing? Stop bothering Daniel," Thomas tells me in a hoarse whisper.

"When is saying hi to someone is bothering them? You guys all need to quit acting like Danny is a serial killer or something. He is just a kid, like you and me. And..."

My speech gets caught in my throat as I feel someone grabbing my shirt.

Danny. He is staring at me with fire in his eyes.

I yelp as he drags me by my collar, nearly lifting me off the ground. His eyes are glowing with anger, his facial expression contorted. What is he getting all riled up for?

He pushes me against the locker, then glares at me. "I said, don't talk to me, do not call me Danny, and do not fucking tell me I'm anything like you!" Daniel roared. "I am nothing like you, you skinny little shithead!"

Jeez...anger issues much?

"Alright, calm down. My bad, okay? Whatever I did wrong, I didn't mean it," I quickly said. The last thing I want is to get beat up by a six-foot gorilla.

Danny is staring into my eyes, nostrils flaring. I anticipate him punching me on the nose for no reason as guys like him tend to do to guys like me, but the punch never comes. Instead, Danny's breathing turns back to normal and he slowly let go of my shirt. He grumbles something to himself, then walks out of the locker room.

"You really have a death wish, don't you?" Thomas says to me, shaking his head.

"Thanks for the help, guys," I say bitterly.

"Shit, what did you expect us to do?" another football player whose name I cannot remember chuckles.

"I don't know! Aren't the football players supposed to be big and strong? You could've put those biceps in good use and save the damsel in distress!" I wince.

Thomas shakes his head. "Fuck that. I ain't messing with Daniel fucking Ortega."

"You guys are useless. All of you."

"Listen, Smith. If you want to survive this year, I will stay far away from Daniel. Didn't you hear the rumors? I heard he is in a gang!"

Ah great, did I really mess with a gang member? Maybe I should listen to Thomas.

Well...at least I made it out of here alive. You know....despite pissing off the big, scary Danny. That guy belongs in the looney bin.

After school, I headed to the senior center.

I decided to do some volunteer work after school, so it would look good in my college application. Its always been a dream of mine to graduate from Yale, so I wanted to do everything I can to get in.

The senior center is far from the town I live in, so it took me a while to get there. And this time, I did end up using our family car.

"Thank you for dropping me off, Barry," I thank our chauffeur. Barry has been in our family for a while now and very loyal to my father.

"My pleasure, master Smith," he said.

"Please don't call master, Barry. It sounds strange. Just call me, Logan. You know my parents don't mind if you do."

Barry's lips curls into a small smile. "I know. But the master has a nice ring to it, eh? It makes you feel important, doesn't it?"

I roll my eyes and then walk to the front door.

I sign in at the desk, then let the desk clerk escort me inside. I'm supposed to be assigned to an old lady and keep her company for a few hours at least three times a week. Easy enough.

"Mrs. Ortega is in room 324. Her grandson is with her now, but he'll be off in a minute.

Ortega?

The name is a little too familiar to me, and I have a bad feeling about it.

She isn't related to Daniel, is she?

"Thanks...um..." I look at her name tag. "Mindy. I can take it from here."

"Great. You seem like a nice young man. I'm sure Mrs. Ortega will appreciate you spending time with her." Mindy smiled at me and then went back to her desk.

It doesn't take me long to find the room, but I don't go in right away.

I stand in front of the door and take a deep breath. This was my first volunteer work, so I prayed I didn't screw it up.

I raise my hand to knock.

"Danny, sweetheart. I told you. You are supposed to count the stitches or the pattern won't look right. Solo escúchame!"

Danny!

So my suspicion was right after all.

I slowly turn the doorknob. Thankfully, it was unlocked. I gently open the door and peer inside.

I nearly gasp in shock as I see the scariest guy in our school sitting in front an old woman with two knitting needles in his hands.

"And I told you it's fine, abuela. I think it looks great," Danny replies and shows off his new creation to his grandma.

Is Danny Ortega knitting a fucking sweater?

This is it...this is the greatest thing I've ever seen. There is something comical about a huge, muscular guy knitting a sweater, and it makes me feel giddy inside. I need to capture this moment, and I need to do it now.

I take out my phone and start filming.