Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Two

The campus was buzzing with life as students flooded back for the fall semester at Yale. Sunlight danced on the quad, and the scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the unmistakable energy of a new year. Alouette Davenport adjusted her oversized sunglasses, surveying the scene from her spot on the steps of the library. Beside her, Madeline and Louise chattered animatedly about their summer escapades, their carefree attitudes perfectly embodying their unshakeable belief that classes were more of a suggestion than a requirement.

Alouette spotted a group of familiar faces across the quad, and her heart sank slightly at the sight of Logan Huntzberger leaning casually against a tree, his trademark smirk in place. He was surrounded by a few of his friends, and she could already sense the teasing that was bound to come her way.

"Letty, are you even listening?" Louise waved a hand in front of her face. "We need a game plan for this semester!"

"Yeah, yeah," Alouette muttered, her eyes still glued to Logan. "I'm listening."

"Oh, look who it is! The walking disaster himself!" Madeline exclaimed, breaking Alouette's focus. "What's he doing here?"

"Probably plotting my demise," Alouette replied dryly, rolling her eyes. "Or trying to annoy me to death. Same difference."

Just then, her older brother sauntered over, his expression a mix of amusement and mock annoyance. "What are you staring at, Letty? You look like you're about to declare your undying love."

She shot him a glare. "Thanks for the support, Atlas. And for the record, I'm not in love with anyone. Especially not him." She gestured vaguely in Logan's direction.

"Of course not," Mateo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You just loathe him passionately."

Alouette scoffed, shaking her head. "It's more like a survival instinct."

"Right, survival. You should see how he's looking at you; it's practically a death stare," Atlas teased, nudging her shoulder.

"Just keep your mouth shut, alright?" she said, her annoyance barely masking the flutter in her stomach as she caught Logan's gaze. He was walking toward her now, and she prepared herself for the inevitable barrage of playful insults.

"Look who it is! My favorite adversary," Logan said, flashing that infuriating grin as he approached. "I was hoping I'd run into you before classes started."

"Please, you just want to gloat about your summer fling," she shot back, trying to keep her expression neutral despite the butterflies.

"Actually, I was wondering how your new boyfriend is doing. What's his name again? Alex?" Logan leaned closer, his voice teasing. "Still trying to fill the void I left behind?"

Alouette felt her cheeks heat slightly. "You mean the void left by your laziness and lack of commitment? Alex is doing just fine, thank you very much," she said, forcing a smile. "And he's not my boyfriend. We're just... hanging out ."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Very progressive of you," he teased

"Shut up, Huntzberger. It's called being open-minded," she shot back, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "Besides, I don't need your unsolicited advice on relationships."

Logan chuckled, crossing his arms. "I can see right through that. If you're not careful, you might just make me jealous."

"Jealous? Of what, exactly? A guy who actually shows up to class?" Alouette shot back, her confidence returning as she played along with his teasing. "I can't believe you would stoop that low, Huntzberger."

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I was actually just wishing you were in a bikini again like last week. Can't get that image out of my mind."