Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Twenty Three

As the weeks rolled by, Alouette found herself settling back into the routine of classes at Yale. The crisp winter air turned into the fresh, invigorating scent of early spring, with cherry blossoms beginning to bloom on campus. The bustle of students returning from winter break filled the hallways, laughter echoing off the ivy-covered walls. Alouette felt a sense of renewal, a shift in her perspective that made the return to school a bit brighter.

In the aftermath of her conversation with Alex, they had both decided to give each other some space. The decision hadn't come with much fanfare or drama; instead, it was a mutual understanding that left Alouette feeling surprisingly light. She had never been that invested in him, and their fleeting moments together felt more like an experiment than a relationship. The brief pangs of disappointment that came with the decision were overshadowed by the realization that she was ready to focus on herself.

Rumors were buzzing around campus about Logan's upcoming birthday bash, and the excitement was palpable. He was turning twenty, and the theme was supposedly Roaring Twenties—a classic, yet undeniably cliché. Alouette rolled her eyes at the thought of it. Typical Logan, always wanting to throw a party that would overshadow everyone else's celebrations.

As she strolled through the crowded hallways, she spotted Logan leaning against a wall. He beckoned her over, and she felt a mix of curiosity and annoyance as she approached. "Hey, Lou," he greeted, his voice low and teasing. "I wanted to personally invite you to my party this weekend. I hope it's as good as the last time we went to a birthday party together," he winked

Alouette raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile. "Oh please, as if I would ever let that happen again. Don't flatter yourself too much."

"Just keeping my hopes up," he grinned, and with that, he sauntered off, leaving her shaking her head in disbelief at his audacity.

When the night of the party finally arrived, Alouette and her friends went all out with their flapper attire—beaded dresses, feathered headbands, and bold red lipstick. The atmosphere at Logan's apartment was electric, filled with the sounds of jazz and laughter, as students danced and mingled, dressed to the nines.

She spotted Atlas, Colin, and Finn in a corner, waving her over. The trio looked equally dapper in their vintage attire, and Alouette felt a rush of excitement as she joined them.

"Look at you, Letty," Finn said with a grin, leaning in to inspect her outfit. "You fit right in with the rest of us party people."

Atlas chimed in, "Yeah, you've always been the classiest one among us."

Alouette laughed, enjoying the attention as she settled in beside them. The room was buzzing with energy, and it felt great to be in such good company.

As the night went on, Alouette noticed Logan making his rounds, a drink in hand and laughter spilling from his lips. He was charming everyone, and it was hard not to admire his charisma, even if it annoyed her.

Finn leaned closer to Alouette, mischief dancing in his eyes. "You know, there's been some talk around campus about you and Logins," he teased, nudging her playfully.

"Yeah, I heard some whispers too," Amelia added, joining the banter with a knowing grin. "Don't act like we didn't see you and Logan leaving the same room at your party last October. You were all messy-haired and red-cheeked."

Alouette felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but she couldn't help but laugh. There was no point in denying it. The teasing was too playful to take seriously.

Just then, Madeline, oblivious to the teasing, strolled over with a puzzled look. "What's going on? Why are you all looking at Alouette like that?"

"Just sharing some inside gossip," Finn said innocently, a twinkle in his eye.