Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Twenty Two

The next morning, Alouette awoke with a heavy heart, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind like an unwelcome film reel. She rolled over in bed, glancing at her phone to see if Alex had texted. Nothing. A part of her was relieved; the last thing she wanted to deal with was another confrontation. But another part of her felt a nagging disappointment that was hard to shake off.

Pushing herself up, she glanced around her messy room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, remnants of her winter break celebrations still hanging in the air. She threw on a hoodie and some sweats before heading to the kitchen, hoping coffee would help ease her mind. Madeline and Louise were already at the table, animatedly discussing a party they'd heard about for that weekend.

"Letty! Join us!" Madeline chirped, waving her over.

"Yeah, what do you think? Should we go?" Louise added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Maybe," Alouette replied noncommittally, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "I'm not really in the mood for a party right now."

Madeline raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Oh, come on! You can't stay in your room forever, sulking over Alex."

"It's not just about him," Alouette said. "I don't want to be around a bunch of drunk people right now. I just want to chill."

Louise leaned in, her expression turning serious. "Are you sure it's just that? I mean, last night was... a lot."

Alouette sighed, feeling the weight of her friends' gazes on her. "Yeah, it was. I just thought it would be nice to spend some time together before classes start again. But it ended up being a disaster."

Madeline frowned. "Do you want to talk about it? Because we can totally kick him to the curb if he's making you feel this way."

Alouette appreciated their concern but shook her head. "No, it's not that simple. I just... I don't know. I guess I'm just tired of trying to fit him into my life when it feels like he doesn't even want to be here."

Louise reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Alouette's arm. "It's okay to be frustrated. Just make sure you're prioritizing yourself. You deserve better than someone who doesn't appreciate you."

Alouette nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, guys. I just need some time to figure things out."

As they continued to chat about their plans for the upcoming semester, Alouette's phone buzzed on the table. She glanced down, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Alex's name. Taking a breath, she picked it up and opened the message.

Alex: Hey, can we talk?

"What's he saying?" Madeline asked, peering over her shoulder.

"Just asking if we can talk," Alouette replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might make it all too real.

"Are you going to?" Louise asked, her tone cautious, sensing Alouette's inner turmoil.

"I... I don't know," Alouette admitted, biting her lip as she stared at the screen. Memories of their arguments, mixed with the good times, flashed through her mind like a montage. It felt unfair that her emotions were so tangled up in someone who seemed so indifferent about her feelings.

"Let me see," Madeline said, extending her hand. Alouette hesitated but then handed over her phone, watching as Madeline read the message.

"Okay, this isn't a bad sign," Madeline said, her brow furrowing in thought. "But you need to decide what you want. You deserve clarity, Letty."

"I know, I know." Alouette felt the pressure mounting, a blend of anxiety and longing. She glanced out the window, watching the snow fall gently outside. The world felt so serene, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside her.

"Take a moment to think about it," Louise suggested. "You can reply later."

After a few minutes of silence, Alouette shook her head. "I don't want to leave him hanging, but I also don't want to rush into anything." She took a deep breath and put her phone down. "I think I need some space from him, to really figure out how I feel without all the noise."

"Exactly," Madeline said, a smile creeping back onto her face. "Let him stew for a bit. He'll realize what he's missing."

Just as Alouette began to feel a bit lighter, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a follow-up message from Alex.

Alex: Please. I really want to talk. I'm sorry about last night.

Alouette's heart sank again. She wanted to feel angry, to tell him off, but the sincerity in his words tugged at her heartstrings.

"Letty, what did he say?" Madeline pressed, clearly eager for details.

"He says he's sorry about last night and that he really wants to talk," Alouette replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you believe him?" Louise asked.

"I don't know," Alouette confessed, rubbing her temples as she felt a headache forming. "Part of me wants to give him a chance, but part of me knows he just wants to get some."

"Just remember, you're in control here," Madeline reminded her gently. "You can take your time to respond. There's no rush."

As Alouette sat back, her friends chatting animatedly about their plans for the upcoming semester, she felt a familiar tension knotting in her chest. Maybe it was time to assert herself, to not let Alex have all the power in this situation.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and began typing, her fingers hovering over the screen as she considered her response.

Alouette: Let's talk.

She hit send, a small sense of relief washing over her. It was a step, one that felt both daunting and liberating.

"Alright, Letty!" Madeline cheered, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "That's the spirit! You're ready to tackle whatever comes next."

"Yeah," Alouette replied, a faint smile breaking through her uncertainty. "I guess I am."

As they continued their morning, Alouette felt a newfound sense of determination bubbling up within her. The road ahead might be messy, but at least she was taking control of her journey. And no matter what happened with Alex, she had her friends by her side, ready to face whatever came next.