Megan Duke's Blog, page 6

Why you gotta be so mean? (#10InfiniteWeeks)

I didn't plan to make Carter Walbridge an important character in my books. Originally, I'd only mentioned that Jade had a younger brother - not in much detail. But when I started drafting for Three Sixty, I knew I couldn't pass up using him. He was the perfect younger sibling contrast to Audrina. Also, hooking them up was more or less a guilty pleasure for me. It was too juicy for me to resist. Because of this, once I decided to use Carter in a big way, I knew I needed to come up with a bigger back story. I needed to know more about him. So, I started brainstorming.

I already discussed Carter's school background. He attends public school in Boston and is one year behind Jade. I imagined Jade's freshman year acting like a snowball. It grew throughout the year, building on the rumors due to her pictures being sent around the school. By the time she decided to leave, and it was time for Carter to start his freshman year, the drama that surrounded Jade had grown so much that it trickled down to Carter. Everyone knew who he was - Walbridge is a name that no one is ignorant to - so it was likely that most kids would either make fun of him for being connected to her, or they would worship him and try to get close through proxy. It turned out to be a little of both. Carter decided to squash the nonsense right away. From the get-go, he made it clear that being connected to Jade did not give others free passes into her pants. His friends had to learn this, and eventually accepted it. In a way, he was actually protecting Jade. As the reader will find out in Infinite Limits, Carter's capability to show compassion is a constant surprise. Even to Jade.

We already know that Carter eventually becomes king of the school. He rules his high school kingdom, getting the girls and the grades he doesn't deserve. We also know about his decision to escape to Tennessee and his lapse in judgement with Audrina Ashby. So, what is it that we don't know?

In Three Sixty, I acknowledge that Carter does have friends. His best friend is Thomas, and just like Carter, he is a dick. There is a specific point at which this occurs, and it's partially Thomas' fault. When Carter was younger, he had another friend that he spent all of this time with. They got along great and shared lots in common. Except for money. When Thomas comes along and introduces himself, he's very certain to note this to Carter. He explains that his money is the same as Carter's money. Basically, their families are on the same level. Carter's other friend is not on this level. Somehow, even at such a young age, the boys are able to separate themselves based on wealth and social status. Thomas has the bigger TV. He has all the newest video games and signed sports memorabilia. This is apparently worth a friendship to Carter, so it takes Thomas up on his extended hand. Over the years, they actually do become close. And I can confidently say that you will meet Thomas in Infinite Limits...

Alright. So other than the douche-baggy friends and the technical jealousy of Jade, Carter really doesn't have an excuse to act the way he does. Maybe he's just mean for the sake of being mean.

No. I wholeheartedly disagree.
Carter is an asshole. But it's not because he's mean. It's because he's HONEST.

I was so relieved to have a character speak their mind at the drop of a hat. Larson was definitely not shy about his opinions, but he still had a conscious. Carter does not. He doesn't care if he hurts someone's feelings. All he can comprehend is that he's stating a fact. He's pointing out the ugly truth for what it is. That's why I was actually entertained by his comments at the end of Three Sixty. When he calls out Audrina and her friends, saying they're like an after school special, I actually laughed out loud. Because it's true. These people have more drama in their lives than an episode of Gossip Girl. And even though it's tough stuff - even though these things really do happen - at some point we have to be able to step back and be amused. We all have to acknowledge the ridiculous sometimes, and that's what Carter Walbridge is there for.


Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post some songs and random facts for you all! Thanks again!
Remember: it's ok to be happy!

-Megan.

Cardrina? (#10InfiniteWeeks)

** SPOILER ALERT FOR THREE SIXTY**

Today, I am here to discuss the property which is "Cardrina". At least, that's what I've decided to call them. I honestly don't think these two characters have a ship name, because unless you are a masochist, I don't think anyone ships Carter with any human being... yeah.

So, the reason I chose to allow this insane relationship to occur is simple. At the time, Audrina felt that her only weapon to wield was jealousy. Carter, at the time, was the only boy within reach. He didn't seem like someone who would mind being used, so she allowed the inevitable to occur. They flirted - audaciously in front of Paxton - messed around, and eventually hooked up. It doesn't take long for Paxton to catch on to the game Audrina is playing. He approaches her, specifically noting that if she's trying to get his attention, it's working. But not in the way she wants. It's making him angry more than jealous. Paxton, despite his conflict of interest, still sees Audi as being a friend above anything else. First and foremost, he will protect her from anything and anyone that might be of harm. Paxton recognizes Carter's bad boy nature and warns Audrina to stop what she's doing.
"Don't fuck with him just because you can."

Meanwhile, it seems that Carter is fully aware of his being a pawn. He seems perfectly okay with being the tool that makes Paxton miserable. As I was writing, part of me considered that Carter never liked Paxton from the beginning. It sounds terrible, but he hated seeing his sister so happy. Jade's ability to move away from home and start over with her life while still managing to find love makes Carter spiteful. This is how the reader finds out what Carter's real motive is by leaving Boston to stay with Jade over the summer.

At this point, the reader is like, "They don't get along, so why is Carter willing to stay three months with her and attend the same college?"

I get it. It does sound odd. But what Carter really wants is to do the exact same thing Jade did. She had a life she didn't necessarily want for herself. So, she stepped away. She moved to a different state, attended a new school, made new friends, and fell in love. As content as Carter seems with his popularity and his social status, by now he's starting to realize that he may be stuck with it forever. How cliché right? The popular boy doesn't want to be popular anymore. But it's true. If he stays in Boston, the meaningless life of parties and sex and wasting time will all be permanent. He may never actually make something of himself. He may never grow up and find real happiness. By staying with Jade over the summer, Carter is trying to copy her. He's trying to start fresh. But Audrina manages to screw with that plan.

When Carter is first introduced to Audrina, there is a natural instinct inside of him that wants to try and catch her. He wants to see how easy it would be to make her want him. Little does he know, Audrina is already trying to do the same to him. So, why would they not be perfect together? They are both using each other for the complete wrong reasons. Both of them are trying to gain something for themselves. Carter is avenging is pride while Audrina is toying with Paxton's heart. For just a split second, the reader might consider the two to be a perfect match. If, at this point, you didn't like Audrina, you probably thought this. But here's the thing: she actually steps away to be the bigger person in the end. Carter doesn't. After diving so deep in between the complication of Paxton and Audrina's relationship, Carter realizes he wants out. But he doesn't do it nicely. He becomes fed up with all of the drama surrounding him and finally sees that what he became a part of was exactly what he'd wanted to leave behind back home.

If you've read Three Sixty, you know how this ends.
Paxton and Carter's brawl was one of my favorite scenes to write. This was my way of beating the shit out of someone that deserves it - in a literary sense, of course. While it was fun for both me and the reader, the action brought about a very consequential reaction. Paxton's choice to defend Audrina brings about a new worry in Jade - one that was already starting to bloom. By the end of the book, the reader isn't quite sure where the story is going to go, but I can promise that we'll be picking up right where we left off. We don't find out the rest of Carter's fate until the very end, but Infinite Limits is sure to answer a lot of questions.

Thanks again for being so patient with me, guys!
I've had a very busy week, so it's been hard to keep up with posting every day.
I've made sure to make it up to you though by sharing part 2 of the TMI Tag video! Here it is!






-Megan.

Carter Walbridge (#10InfiniteWeeks)

I can't believe it's already week 3 of this blog tour! This will be the last week I host on my own blog, so next week I'll be handing the torch over to Lauren from The Bookworm Corner!  She'll be sharing everything about Charleigh McAfee from Ninety Degrees! I'll still be sharing a few special things on my social media accounts, so don't forget about me completely!

As for this week, we're talking about Carter. Yes, the younger brother of Jade Walbridge that we all love to hate. There had to be at least one character in the Small Circles books to raise negative emotions, right? Carter isn't necessarily the antagonist of the story, but he's most certainly annoying as hell. There are plenty of reasons why Carter sucks, and I'll have an entire week to dive into them, but for now let's start with who this Walbridge is...

When I created Carter, he was merely mentioned in Small Circles. It is narratively noted that Jade's brother is a typical teenage boy that loves video games and arguing with his sister. I also explained why they attend different schools. Both Jade and Carter were given the option to attend boarding school starting in ninth grade, and they both said no. Incidentally, Jade's decision changes a year later. This is after private pictures of Jade are leaked around their high school, creating an uncomfortable environment for her and Carter. She chooses to take the opportunity her parents gave her and leaves for Chattanooga to start her sophomore year at Foster and Allan Academy.

Carter does not want to go to boarding school. I explain in Three Sixty that he doesn't want to abandon the kingdom he's built for himself. By his senior year, Carter and his best friend have risen all the way to the top of the food chain. Teachers adore them. Students worship them. There's a bit more than popularity to it, but more of that is explained in the books.

The biggest part of Carter that I wanted to touch on today is his relationship with Jade. Unlike the Ashbys, Jade and Carter Walbridge do not have a storybook connection. They don't get along at all, and sibling rivalry is not only to blame. In Infinite Limits, the reader will find out how Jade's mishap her freshman year affected Carter. The rumors about her did more than just damage Jade's self-esteem. Carter's image was also tattered, as well as one of Jade's closest friends at the time. We'll meet her in the final book.

Back to the Ashbys.
I portrayed Larson and Audrina as being more like best friends than siblings. They share everything with one another. They confide in each other on their struggles and their fears. They know all the details about each other's love and hate. It's a closeness that Jade and Carter do not share. I really enjoyed writing those two contrasting relationships. It was enlightening to see two families that are very similar in many ways still be so incredibly different. Money is still a major factor when defining who these people are and what they can accomplish in the world, but what's interesting is seeing how it rounds them in different ways. Both the Ashbys and the Walbridges have good and bad qualities, and this makes for the perfect compare/contrast situation.

**SPOILER ALERT FOR THREE SIXTY**

When Carter and Audrina have their run-in in Three Sixty, it's almost as if these two worlds collide. Carter's life back home - one we find out he actually wants to escape from - is suddenly right in front of him. Audrina reminds Carter of exactly the thing he's trying to rid himself of. What is that exactly? I'll share more in tomorrow's post!

I won't be online until tomorrow evening, so don't be alarmed if the post doesn't show up until then. Throughout this week, I'll share everything I know about Carter and Audrina, Carter's toxic personality, and what the future holds for him.

Thanks for reading!

-Megan.

Sports, Pets, & Pop Culture (#10InfiniteWeeks)

I've had more than one person ask for random facts about the characters I'm posting about. So, today I'm going to take that notion and spin it into something a little different. Each book has a copious amount of real world references, whether it's about movies or television, video games or sports. Some time before, I told you all that these books take place in real time. If you bought them and read each book as it was released, you were reading them in the current year that things take place. Tossing in references to pop culture here and there helped remind the reader of this, but I'll remind you of some today.

I mentioned once or twice in Ninety Degrees that the gang used to spend a lot of their time at the skate park when they were younger. Mostly, it was Charleigh and Logan taking part - Logan on the board and Charleigh on the blades. Silas also hung out there, but a lot of his time was taken up by sports. Tucker, Silas, and Dakota all play baseball in the novel. Baseball is one of my favorite sports to watch, so I knew I wanted to use it for some of my characters eventually. Ninety Degrees was the perfect opportunity. In Small Circles, I didn't want to tie the characters down to extracurriculars. It took away from everything else that was going on. I threw in some sports here and there, having both Larson and Paxton be part of the dive team at one point or another. And Owen's role in playing lacrosse was obviously a big part of the storyline. But there are plenty of teenage boys whose world revolves around sports, so I knew I needed to tack that onto someone's character. I was able to do that in Ninety Degrees.

Other than sports, there are several sources of entertainment for all of the characters in the books. The boys from Small Circles spend most of their time playing video games and watching movies. Foster and Allan is a boarding school, so once curfew strikes, the students are stuck in their dorm building until morning. I managed to throw in several references to some of my favorite movies and series throughout all the books. This was important to me because I am a massive fan of film and television.
A well-noted reference that most people tend to remember is the film  Rubber . Yes, this is a real movie featuring a tire named Robert that goes on a killing spree, slaughtering everyone that crosses him with his psychic powers. My friends and I came across this gem while skimming through Netflix one night. We had no clue what it was, but we had to at least try it. I imagined my characters doing the same. When you're bored, Netflix is a great go-to.

Another one of my favorites references is a quote that Larson mentions from the cult classic Airplane: "I take [my coffee] black, like my men."
There are a few other lines from movies dropped in Three Sixty, Ninety Degrees, and Infinite Limits. See if you can catch them!

Really, there's only one other thing I wanted to touch on. Once, I had a friend ask me why I never mentioned any pets in Small Circles. At first, I was like, CRAP! But then I realized I had subconsciously left them out on purpose. For most of the book, the characters are at boarding school. Then, they're at college. Their home life isn't a big part of the story until the other books, so it made sense that pets wouldn't be part of it. I also, for some reason, didn't picture them with any pets. In Three Sixty, however, Silas having a dog named Molly made perfect sense. So, if anyone was wondering why there's only one dog mentioned in all of the books... that's why.

I won't be able to post anything tomorrow, but hopefully you learned enough about Logan to sustain! Until next week! Sunday I'll be posting about Carter Walbridge: the boy we all love to hate!



-Megan.

Logan's Fear of Change (#10InfiniteWeeks)

The journey to developing Logan's character started with a little bit of inspiration from someone very close to me. There's this boy, and his parents don't have the best relationship. They don't want to get divorced, but they don't get along at all. Really, they've stayed together for the sake of the children, but in my eyes, I don't see that as being very beneficial to the children at all.

I took this and applied it to Logan Brown. My idea was that Logan was surrounded by people choosing to settle into their lives. They take whatever is handed to them and deal with it. His parents, for example: they refuse to separate and make themselves happy. They feel as if they are stuck, and their excuse is to allow Logan to have two parents in his life, making things are normal as possible. But would it not be better to have two happy parents apart than two miserable parents together? This is something that has always bothered me, seeing it for myself in the lives of people I know. I wanted to reflect that into my book somehow, so that's why I chose to apply it to Logan's life.

When Logan is first introduced in Ninety Degrees, he gives off the same vibe as Paxton from Small Circles. I wanted the reader to see those similarities but also eventually come to realize that he's much different. Death has followed Paxton his entire life. First with his father, then his grandmother, and eventually with Owen. Paxton feels as these events are completely out of his control. They are, of course, because life happens. But what Paxton doesn't understand is that he can take the initiative to make his own life worth while. Live it to the fullest, instead of sinking into a hole of depression. Logan Brown has this same issue. He feels as if the life he was born into was out of his control, and instead of making the best of it, he settles just like his parents. He settles into something that he thinks will never change, and eventually grows accustomed to that. This is what makes him different: he depends on that normalcy so much that eventually he develops a fear that it will change.

Logan settles for not doing well in school, because so far putting in that extra effort hasn't gotten him anywhere. He settles for working as a drug mule, because it's easy and it's there. He settles for not fighting for the girl he loves, because he'd rather have her in his life as a friend than to lose her completely. The biggest change we see in Logan is his ability to let Charleigh in. Yes, he was scared to dive into something so serious. Yes, he'd never looked at her that way before, so it was difficult. But what it really comes down to is this: Logan has a fear of change.

I imagined Logan's parents having those same fears. That's why they choose to stay together and be miserable versus seeking something different. They've settled because they don't know anything else. For Logan, all he's known are his two best friends. Charleigh and Silas have always been just that. Friends. Not only has Logan never been in a serious relationship before, but he's never considered Charleigh to be a candidate for such. Jealousy is what it takes for him to see the light. Opening his heart and falling for someone is the hardest thing Logan will ever do. In order to be with her, he has to accept the idea that things might not work out. He has to acknowledge that taking a leap is more worthwhile than standing still. This is what I love most about Logan's character growth. He takes the ultimate leap, doing something he would have never done for anyone else. He becomes that person, a "boyfriend" for Charleigh, complete with flowers and candles. She's the only girl that could have ever made him do something so unnatural to his typical behavior, and that's why they are a perfect match.


-Megan.

Small Circles Book Teaser

If you haven't had a chance to read Small Circles, I suggest you grab it before the release of Infinite Limits on December 16th! Hopefully, if you haven't read it, this is the first post you've seen on my blog, and you haven't been too terribly spoiled. Nonetheless, enjoy this little book teaser that might spark your interest!

"Owen's Message"

TMI Tag (#10InfiniteWeeks)

Today's post is another video featuring Lauren Lyle! This is part 1 of 2 where we answer random questions about ourselves that you may or may not want to know. Enjoy!

-Megan.

Logan's iPod (#10InfiniteWeeks)

The following are a few songs that specially stand out as relating to Logan....

"Keep Me High" by Adaline .
In my mind, I heard this song playing in the background
the first time Logan and Charleigh sleep together.

Oh my love
See my blood red for you
A dried sponge
Suddenly wet from you

My red lips
Shy and ready for you
My pale skin
You want my pale skin, love

Can you keep me high, high love
Can you keep me high, high love
Can you keep me high, high love

You’re as fine
As a Polynesian smile
We’ve been asleep
Asleep for far too long

Come here close
Almost enough to touch
In and out
You keep my in and out

Love

Can you keep me high, high love
Can you keep me high, high love
Can you keep me high, high love

You break me
The pull is stronger than the push
You break me
The pull is stronger than the push
You break me
The pull is stronger than the push
You break me
Your pull is stronger than you push




"Culture Vulture" by Morning Parade 
is a song I fit into Logan's personality. It's like his anthem. 
The lyrics are spot on and the pulse of it really moves his stride. 

Numbers turn to money
Ain't it funny how we're built
To spend the whole of our lives running
Number crunching on assumption
There's reason in repeating rhymes
And throwing keys and swapping wives
As long as it's within the privacy
Of our own private lives

Stuck with no direction
Seeking everyone's attention
Out for his or hers affection
For I've got the recollection
No Viagra, no erection
No insurance, no protection
And no cure and no prevention
Did you ever think to mention

A smaller house, a smaller town
where plain old gossip does the rounds
Giant fish in tiny ponds
Where nothing's really going on
And everyone knows everyone
And everybody's goings-on
And everyone wants everyone
To try to fuck to get along

AMX at ETY

The booze will cut you loose
If even for a day or two or three
Or four or five or six or ten
You'll never be the same again
And people won't remember you
Your children and your children's too
We alone can contemplate
And dig the hole for their remains

AMX at ETY
Do I have you so innate
And so uptight, yeah
AMX at ETY
Do I have you so innate
And so uptight

I hope I sleep tonight
I hope I sleep tonight
I hope I sleep tonight
I hope I sleep tonight

So then you change the channel
Turn your cheek and look the other way
Your life now on hiatus
Checks the status of your friend's new says
Tell them all about those bags
Tell them all, but do be frank
Tell them all those people died
Let's see what's on the other side

And no one cares 'cause no one minds
'Cause everybody's filled their time
With everything that's going on
And on and on and on and on
And on until the end of time
No way to know about what's right
Growing up and getting older
Just another culture vulture


"Cardiac Arrest" by Bad Suns
This is a song that really sums up Logan's feelings towards Charleigh. 
He's not sure how much of himself to invest in the relationship.
But he's caught up in her, and loses himself every time.

I’ve been tryin’ to keep my grip, yeah I think I’m over this
I can hear it now, oh no, oh no-o
Yeah my tongue will let it slip, why’d I do those things I did
I can taste it now, oh no, oh no-o

I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage in her lips
I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage when we kiss.

My innards turn, your eyes, they roll. I’ll be there to take the fall
I can feel it now, oh no, oh no-o
Same old story since day one, but I’ve got no place to run
I can see it now, oh no, oh no-o

I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage in her lips
I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage when we kiss

(Oh, woah)
High voltage in her lips, they catch me when I slip
(Oh, woah)
High voltage in her lips, they catch me when I slip

I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage in her lips
I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage when we kiss

(Oh, woah)
(Like cardiac arrest, high voltage in her lips) (Oh, woah)
(Like cardiac arrest, high voltage when we kiss)
I’ll try my best, how much do I invest?
Like cardiac arrest, high voltage in her lips, I’ll try my best…


For more songs from the Ninety Degrees playlist, visit my soundcloud!
Tomorrow's post will be another video featuring Lauren Lyle! 

Maybe It Just Happened (#10InfiniteWeeks)

"If you wanted candles and romantic music, then you wouldn't have chosen me."
"Maybe I didn't choose," she dared. "Maybe it just happened."

- Logan & Charleigh, Ninety Degrees.


**SPOILERS FOR NINETY DEGREES**

The relationship between Charleigh and Logan is one that took me on a journey. It wasn't like anything I'd ever written before, so it was definitely an experience.

I love Logan's character for two reasons: he's not afraid to actually act on what he's thinking, yet at the same time, he's very vulnerable. Logan has a fear of being tied to another person. The only relationship he's ever been able to compare himself to is the one his parents share, and they aren't the best examples. In his eyes, companionship is not permanent. So, when things begin to progress between Logan and Charleigh, he isn't exactly thrilled.

For a long time, they only hook up randomly. It's more of a friends-with-benefits situation and Logan is perfectly okay with that. There's no commitment when it comes to simple pleasure. But then it happens. One night after a party, the two are drunk and overcome by lust. They take things further than they ever have before, and Charleigh loses her virginity. Charleigh in under the impression that Logan has no clue. She thinks he didn't know it was her first time - that's the only explanation for why he's acting like it's no big deal. But then she finds out he knew all along.

In Logan's defense, he assumed that Charleigh wanted to get it over with. He assumed she didn't consider it important, and honestly, she didn't. Not until Logan. Saving herself for marriage, or for someone special, was never a requirement. This changes after she realizes her feelings for Logan and understands that it's more than just a friendship.

Logan can't handle this. At first, he distances himself and pulls away from her completely. He senses that she's looking for something more, and he throws himself into drug deals to keep him busy. But then he realizes he misses her. Especially after seeing her with Tucker. The jealousy that sparks after finding out Tucker and Charleigh have been close causes a huge rift between the friends. Even Silas feels the aftershock. Logan succumbs to the desire to be near her and ends up giving the wrong impression. Charleigh thinks he's finally ready to be with her for real, but he's not. He doesn't want to be with her, but he doesn't want anyone else to have her. She feels hurt and flees into Tucker's arms, leaving Logan more alone than ever.

Over time, we learn that Tucker is aware of the blossoming relationship between Logan and Charleigh the entire time. He sees how much that need each other and chooses to step away. Logan takes advantage of this and finally steps up. He fills Charleigh's room with flowers and candles, contradicting his denial of romance in the absolute best way.

One of my favorite scenes between the two is when Charleigh is drunk after the graduation party. Logan is sitting next to her at the bar and Charleigh mistakes him for Silas. She opens up about how she feels, and Logan responds, pretending he's not himself.

“Why doesn’t Logan want to be with me?” she asked, unaware of who she was talking to. “What?” Logan asked, continuing to caress her back.“Come on, Silas. You can be honest with me.”Logan faltered slightly, unsure of how to answer. “He wants to be with you,” he said. “He’s just scared.”Charleigh lifted her head. She kept her eyes closed – the flashing lights weren’t helping her dizziness – and slumped her cheek against the side of her fist. “I’m scared, too. I’m not used to needing someone like that.”“You don’t need him,” Logan said, going along with her banter. “You’re a strong person.”“I know that,” she insisted. The weight of her head fell back onto her arms. Logan had to lean in to hear what she was saying. “I thought I could prove that being with him was no different than being with Tucker,” she said. “But I was wrong. Tucker’s just an angle. Logan’s the entire fucking circle.”Logan pulled away. Charleigh opened her eyes and took in who was sitting next to her. She felt a sudden jolt of electricity jump start her heart, and in that moment, she was completely sober. Logan placed his hand on the side of her face softly. His thumb brushed her cheek.
He spoke in the best tranquil tone he could manage so that she could still hear him over the limitless distractions around them. “He’ll come around, Charleigh,” he said, referring to himself. “I promise.”

Thanks again for everyone that has followed along so far on the blog tour! Unfortunately, I don't have the cosplay photos I was hoping for, because the person I wanted to use as Logan wasn't available. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of edits, though! And I'll have lots more to discuss here on my blog! Leave comments if there's anything specific you want to know!
-Megan.

Logan Brown (#10InfiniteWeeks)

What can I say about Logan Brown?
First of all, if you haven't read Ninety Degrees, you probably have no clue who Logan Brown is. Am I right? Well, Logan is Silas McFuller's male best friend - the female counterpart being Charleigh McAfee. If you've read Three Sixty, then you know that Silas is very important, but you might not understand that much about Logan's purpose. For me, Logan was the center point of Silas' decision to come out. If he had his best friend's approval, that would clear the way for the rest of the world to know.

The story behind Ninety Degrees revolves around Silas' senior year in high school. He attends Chattanooga Preparatory School, along with Logan and Charleigh. At this time, the characters we know from Small Circles are in their sophomore year at Foster & Allan. As the reader, you know that CPA and FAA are rival schools. They cross paths when it comes to sports, but despite only being a few miles apart, the two schools don't correlate that often. The students are really the ones that connect the dots, thus creating a bigger story world than what I had originally planned for in Small Circles.

When I got the idea to write Ninety Degrees, I knew that Silas' coming out story was going to be much different than Larson's. Unlike Larson, Silas has yet to confide in his family and friends about his sexuality. Logan, specifically, has no clue that his best friend is gay. It's a fear of Silas' that Logan will take the news the wrong way. He might look at Silas differently or feel he has to act a certain way because of his sexual preference. Neither or these things are true, but in the beginning the reader isn't quite sure.

The bottom line is this: Logan is "guy".
To him, wearing pink means you're a pussy, and you only have balls if you spit and fuck girls. The latter stereotype is something else we aren't sure about Logan. Everyone around him seems to think he's a player because of his tendency to hook up with various amounts of girls in a short period of time. What they don't know is that he's never taken it further than second base. At least, not with more than two girls. The first was a random decision, and didn't mean anything. But the second... that one meant slightly more.

What the reader definitely can understand about Logan is that he's afraid of commitment. Attachment scares him because he doesn't consider anything in his life to be permanent. His parents argue 70% of the time they're together, and when alcohol is brought into the mix it's basically World War III. Like another character we are familiar with from Small Circles (Paxton), Logan chooses to spend most of his time with his friends. They are his family for all intents and purposes, and that's served him just fine. Other than being a middle-man for drug deals between the two schools, Logan doesn't have that much in his life that he can't handle. We find out that the same person Paxton bought his pills from (Josh) is working with a guy named Dakota. The two are sort of the heads in each school, and Logan is the one responsible for transporting the product. Everything is under control. He gets offers to run bigger deals, but when some pain killers go missing, everyone starts pointing their finger at the new kid. Tucker is on Logan's radar because of his relationship with Charleigh. This is where things gets complicated.

We know at the beginning of the story that Logan and Charleigh have been hooking up for a while. They mess around whenever they feel like it, but it's never progressed to anything serious. One night at a party, Charleigh is too drunk to drive home, so Logan takes her. They end up having sex in her bedroom and Logan is unaware that this is Charleigh's first time. This creates something between the two that can't be clearly defined. Their relationships becomes more than just "friends with benefits". In the end, the two have to decide whether or not being together is worth it.

Can they go back to being just friends?
Will Logan be able to take on the boyfriend role?
Or will they never be the same?

We don't really get to see inside Logan's head in Ninety Degrees, because the story alternates between Silas and Charleigh. I'm really happy to dedicate a week Logan! This way I can really explore what he was dealing with, and hopefully share his side of things for you all to understand!

I'll be back tomorrow with a full history and a play-by-play of Logan's timeline in the book!

-Megan.