Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Fourteen

The first week back at Yale after Thanksgiving break was always a whirlwind of activity. Alouette navigated the crowded campus, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming finals and the lingering questions from her conversation with Logan.

She headed toward the coffee cart, her usual stop for a caffeine boost before her early classes. The crisp winter air nipped at her cheeks, but she welcomed the chill—it kept her alert and focused. As she approached the cart, she spotted Logan leaning casually against the counter, a coffee cup in hand. 

Alouette's heart quickened, a mix of excitement and apprehension flooding her senses. It had been a two weeks since Logan's drunken phone call, and she had hoped for a follow-up, some indication that they were on the path to understanding each other better. But he hadn't called, and as she drew closer, she couldn't shake the feeling that the gap between them was wider than ever.

"Back to the grind?" Logan asked, his voice light, but she could hear the subtle weight beneath his words. "How was your break?"

"Busy, like always," she replied, trying to keep the conversation casual. "How was yours? Did you eat your weight in turkey?"

He chuckled, the sound warm but lacking the depth they once shared. "You know it. The Huntzbergers love their Thanksgiving spreads." His smile faded a bit as he continued, "We missed you at dinner. It was... well, you know how it is."

"Yeah, I can imagine. Izzy wanted us back the San Fransisco house," she replied, her heart sinking a little. The warmth of their previous connection felt overshadowed by the awkwardness of their current exchange. "I'm glad you had a good time though."

"So, uh, how's school treating you?" he asked, taking a sip from his coffee, avoiding eye contact. 

"Stressful," she admitted, feeling the weight of her upcoming finals. "I have a ton of reading to catch up on. And Alex is waiting for me."

Logan's brow furrowed at the mention of Alex, and she noted the flash of something—jealousy?—that crossed his features. "Right, Alex," he said, his tone slightly more clipped. "You two are still... 'together', then?"

Alouette nodded, trying to ignore the sting of his quotation marks. "Yeah, we are. He's been supportive with school and everything."

Logan didn't respond immediately, his eyes drifting past her as if he were searching for something. "That's good," he finally said, though the way he said it felt more like an obligation than a genuine sentiment.

A brief silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Alouette shifted on her feet, glancing at her watch. She could feel the urgency of Alex's impending arrival weighing on her. "I really should go.," she said, forcing a lightness into her voice that felt somewhat hollow.

"Of course," Logan replied quickly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "You should get going. I don't want to keep you from your... plans."

"Right," she said, trying to sound cheerful but feeling anything but. "It was nice to see you, Logan."

"Yeah, you too," he said, a hint of disappointment lacing his words.

As she turned to leave, Alouette glanced back at him, catching his gaze once more. In that fleeting moment, she could almost sense the weight of everything unsaid lingering in the air between them—a delicate balance of friendship and something deeper, now fragile and uncertain.

"Call me sometime," he said suddenly, breaking the silence as she stepped away. "You know, to talk or whatever."

Alouette nodded, but she could feel the wall between them hardening again. "I will," she promised, even as doubt crept into her mind.With one last smile, she walked away, the echoes of their interaction following her like a shadow. The coffee cart faded into the background as she focused on Alex, the familiar rhythm of their relationship pulsing at the forefront of her thoughts.