Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Five

The sunlight streamed through the windows of Amelia's apartment, casting a warm glow on the four friends sprawled across the mismatched furniture. The air buzzed with laughter and the sound of ice clinking against glasses as they gathered for their usual catch-up session.

"Seriously, Amelia," Madeline teased, flipping her hair dramatically. "When are you going to admit you're totally in love with Finn?"

Amelia rolled her eyes, a half-smile tugging at her lips. "I am not in love with Finn! I just appreciate his... aesthetic," she replied.

Louise snorted, leaning back in her seat. "Aesthetic? Is that what we're calling it now? We all know you swoon every time he walks by."

"Fine, maybe I think he's cute," Amelia conceded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "But that doesn't mean I'm obsessed."

Madeline leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Obsessed? Please, you practically fainted when he helped you carry those books last year."

"Okay, okay!" Amelia exclaimed, throwing her hands up in surrender. "But can we not make this about me? Let's talk about someone else's love life—like Alouette's."

Alouette perked up, a smirk forming on her lips. "My love life? What about it?"

"Oh, come on," Louise chimed in, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "What's the deal with you and Logan? I heard from Atlas you two were practically sparring partners at the dinner party."

Alouette scoffed, pretending to be oblivious. "That was just friendly banter, nothing more. I left all that behind at Choate."

Madeline and Louise exchanged glances, a knowing look passing between them. "Right," Madeline said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't act like we didn't see who dropped you off after the his family dinner."

"Yeah, it was almost a rom-com moment," Louise added, giggling. "You two were practically glowing."

Alouette felt a flush creep up her neck, rolling her eyes to hide her embarrassment. "Please, it was just a ride home. You're making it sound like I was swooning over him or something."

"Except you kind of were," Amelia teased, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "You're always so quick to deny it, but we all see how you light up around him. It's adorable."

Alouette crossed her arms, trying to keep a straight face, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her. "Whatever. I don't know what you're talking about. He's just... infuriating."

"Infuriatingly charming," Madeline added, earning an eye roll from Alouette.

Louise leaned forward, excitement dancing in her eyes. "You can't tell me you don't feel something when he walks into the room. It's like the air shifts."

"Fine, maybe there's some weird energy there," Alouette admitted, her voice light and teasing. "But that doesn't mean anything."

"Girl, you're in denial," Amelia chimed in, laughter bubbling in her throat. "You practically melt whenever he shows up. And don't even get me started on the way he looks at you."

Alouette sighed dramatically, throwing her head back. "Ugh, you're all the worst! I still can't figure out why I haven't kicked him to the curb yet."

"Because deep down, you secretly love the back-and-forth," Madeline replied, laughter spilling from her lips. "It's like your very own romantic comedy. Just add some popcorn and we're all set."

"Okay, okay, let's focus on your crushes instead," Alouette said, waving her hands in the air. "Tell me more about how you both are going to get Finn and whatever cute guy you have your eyes on this week."

"I mean, he's Australian! That accent is basically an automatic win." Louise said, nudging Amelia, who simply blushed in response.

As the conversation flowed back to Amelia and her crush on Finn, Alouette felt a lightness in her heart. It was comforting to be surrounded by her friends, teasing and laughing without a care in the world. But deep down, a part of her couldn't shake the flutter of nerves that came with thoughts of Logan.

The banter continued, each jab and tease filled with love. In the back of her mind, however, she couldn't help but wonder what Logan was doing at that moment, if he was still as charmingly infuriating as ever, or if perhaps there was something more lingering beneath the surface between them.