My awakening felt like I was rising to the surface from the depths of a warm ocean. And when I open my eyes, I don't immediately remember where I am and what happened to me yesterday. I feel amazingly cheerful and full of strength.

I lay on my side, and my eyes sweep across the room. Logan's room. The memory begins to clear. I take a deep breath and realize that I'm lying back to back with someone. Well, it's not much of a mystery. Logan is sleeping on his side, facing the wall, but his back is pressed against mine. I hope shining didn't splice us together during the night...

I stir as if to check. And then I put my feet on the floor and sit up. I fell asleep in a t-shirt; Logan threw a blanket over me. He's sleeping in his clothes. His face is relaxed, he breathes evenly, and his shining pulsates in unison with mine. Calmly and confidently. As if everything is finally right for it. In all the right places.

I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. The house is quiet, Logan's father has not returned yet - I wonder where he works. It seems he's rarely at home.

Gathering my courage, I look in the mirror and note with surprise that the swelling has subsided a bit.

Maybe quality sleep helped me. But most likely shining played its part in it... The fact that I spent the night with Logan clearly had an effect. For a moment, I realize that I was reckless, just passed out on Logan's bed. He could do anything to me.

True, he can't hurt me. Because to hurt me means to hurt himself. And it would be called trust if it wasn't because of shining only.

I wash my face and rinse my mouth. I still look terrible, and I haven't thought of what to say to my mom.

Hell, can I just go back to sleep?

What time is it? Should I go to school or just go back home, sleep more, and wait 'till mom comes back, and shit hits the fan? And what about my phone? It might be in that alley, but the very thought of going back there inspires me with nothing but fear.

In the mirror, I notice that Logan is standing in the door frame.

"Woah!" I gasp, turning around. "That's a bit creepy. How long have you been there?"

"Just came."

I see he wants to say something else, but something stops him. It's like he doesn't know how to ask.

"I slept well. Sorry for taking the bed..." I say. "I was exhausted."

Logan nods.

"How do you feel?" I think it's only fair to ask. He has bruises on his face. "Does it hurt?"

He rubs his cheek and shakes his head.

We look at each other silently for a long moment. Long enough to start feeling awkward. I step out of the bathroom and come back to Logan's room, take my ruined jacket and my backpack.

"Where are you going?" asks Logan, looking at me.

"Home. My parents are at work, so I'll be ok 'till evening. And then..." I purse my lips. "And shouldn't you go to school?" I change the subject.

Logan shifts from foot to foot. Again I have a feeling that he wants to say something but can't. I wonder if I can read his mind because of shining.

"What about your phone?" He says finally, but I'm not sure that's what was on his mind.

"What about it? I lost it. I think between my face and lost phone, my face will attract more attention."

"What are you going to tell your parents?"

I shrug. "That I was attacked, robbed... that's all. It's not much of a lie." I'll just skip the reason why I wandered around.

"We can search for your phone," suggests Logan.

"Are you crazy? Do you really think going back there is a good idea?"

"I'm not saying you have to go back."

"You said 'we'. 'We can search for your phone'. And I can't think of any other place."

"Okay, so... it's the morning..."

"So? Is there a code for bullies not to beat people in the morning?" I portray thoughtfulness, rubbing my chin with my index finger and thumb. "Oh, wait... Right, there is no such code!"

I think Logan understood what I was implying. But to his credit, he held his composure and didn't snap back.
 
"I'm just saying, we could go and have a look, that's all. It's your phone after all," Logan says calmly, and I feel ashamed for my outburst earlier.

"Ok... maybe you're right..." I agree. I see a smile touches his lips and his eyes.

Logan comes to a wardrobe and pulls out a hoodie. He hands it to me. I look at my jacket and, without arguing, put the hoodie on. It's a little too big for me, but it's fine. It's warm, clean (relatively), and hides my shining (not very good though). I put my jacket in the backpack and throw it on my shoulder. The sleeves of Logan's hoodie cover my palm down to my fingers, and I wiggle them from time to time to get my palm out.

We leave the house and take the bus. This time Logan sits close. I'm looking out the window and trying to think, but I'm drawn into the vortex of feelings. As if shining pumping some kind of hormone through my body. And Logan's as well. I couldn't imagine we could be like this! But it's really addictive. It's so easy to get used to this lightness, incessant silent happiness. I have to constantly remind myself, that this is only because of shining!

And yes, falling in love is similar, I guess. But... but... It's not the same, okay? It's not the same!

We get out of the bus (though I wouldn't mind just traveling in circles on this bus route) and walk to the alley.

When we get there, chills run down between my shoulder blades, but the alley is empty. Nothing reminds of yesterday's events. This alley looks so battered and weary, I think it's seen worse...

We look around and start searching.

"Is this your pen?" asks Logan after a couple of minutes. I look at the pen in his hands.

"Maybe," I reply indifferently. He turns around and looks the place around again, rubbing his cheek.

"Ha, there it is!" He exclaims.

"Where?" I stand up and follow the direction of his extended hand. Something similar to my phone is laying on a brick ledge of the wall. I squint and get closer. "What the... how did it get there?"

Logan shrugs.

The ledge is high - about 8 feet. So even if Logan jumps, he will not get to it.

"We need to find a stick or something," I offer.

"I've got a better idea," objects Logan.

"What?"

He comes closer to the wall and leans back. Then he locks his fingers and makes a step from his palms.

"Come on, I'll give you a boost," he says looking at me. But I stare at Logan blankly. "I'll lift you," he explains. "You put your foot here and... You know, like cheerleaders?"

"Oh, sorry, I missed my practice!" I hiss. But Logan chuckles.

"You're quite funny," he says. I wanted to say something back but only flushed.

"Okay," I say instead and come to Logan, but not too close.

Strange... I feel a tingling in my chest and a pull, like from a magnet. Logan waits, looking me straight in the eyes, but I hold my position. Logan squats, I take a step forward and hesitantly place my foot on his palms. He straightens his legs, but I'm not steady.

"Wow! It's a bad idea! Bad!" I exclaim, staggering.

"Hold to the wall!" commands Logan.

I grast at the bricks to balance myself.

"Now grab the phone," says Logan firmly. I have to admit that his confidence is contagious, and I reach for the phone and take it.

"How do I come down?" I ask warily.

"Hold on to the wall, I'll squat and get you down."

"Okay."

Logan bends his knees, and I feel his efforts, his tension. It's nice to see that now he uses his strength to actually help me. Finally, my feet meet the ground... and I stand face to face with Logan... too close... And this pulling force is tangible. I want to press myself against Logan... I try to pull away, but my legs don't listen to me, they don't move. And I catch a glimpse of Logan's arm sliding behind my back as if he wants to hug me.

Part of me - the shining one, I guess - is happy and wants it. But the other - the rational one, the one that tries to think clearly, to see beyond shining, my true "before-shining" self, is scared. And its fear is still enough. I step aside. I take a deep breath and switch my attention to my phone. It's black and maybe isn't working anymore, but this distraction helps me to collect my thoughts.

And when I face Logan again, I can see a shadow of disappointment in his eyes. I smile and say, "Thanks. Your idea was actually great."