The Search

Part 3

As Lauren steps out her dorm, she bumps into some guy. It was the guy from her class.

“Hey!” he said while pointing at Lauren. “You’re the girl in my Economics class. The girl who was gonna pee herself, right?” he added.

“What a great first impression, huh?” she said.

“Wanna start over?” he asked.

“That’d be perfect.” she replied.

“I’m Logan.” He said. “And you are?” he asked.

“Lauren.” She responded.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lauren.” He said with a smile.

Logan Scott is his name. He is a 22 year old Texas boy. He always wears a blazer, collared shirts, and skinny jeans.

Logan and Lauren shake hands. Lauren did not let go of Logan’s hand for some time.

“Likewise” she said.

Lauren smiles, then Logan lets go of Lauren’s hand. Lauren hides her face a little bit, so that Logan would not notice her blush. Lauren’s phone rings.

“Hello?” she answered her phone.

“Where are you?” Kim asked.

“I’m on my way.” Lauren replied. She hung up her phone.

“You look like you’re in a hurry. I’m not gonna keep you from your, uh, thing.” Logan said.

Lauren hesitates before opening her mouth again. She looks around and can’t look at Logan’s eyes directly. She feels very anxious.

“Well, um, I’m just gonna meet up with some friends. You can come, you know if you want.” Lauren said.

“Oh, I don’t want to iintrude.” Logan said.

“Come on. We’re the friendliest idiots you’ll ever meet!” Lauren insisted.

“Okay.” he said.

Lauren and Logan head to Retro Bistro, the most popular restaurant on campus. Logan opens the door for Lauren. Lauren is a bit shocked and confused.

“Ladies first” Logan stated.

“Uh, thank you.” Lauren said.

Lauren enters the bistro. Logan follows. Lauren searches the place to see where her friends are. Kim raises her hand to get Lauren’s attention.

“Lauren! Over here!” Kim called.

Lauren and Logan approach the group.

“Hey guys! This is Logan. He’s in my Economics class.” Lauren said.

Logan waves his hand and smiles.

“Annyeong! I’m Kim.”

Kim reaches for a hand shake but Logan bows to Kim instead. “Annyeong-haseyo!” he greeted.

Lauren looks at Logan in a weird way. “Uh, and that’s Bianca.” She said.

“Whaddup holmes?” Bianca said. She gives Logan a high five.

“And over there is Ally, my roommate.” Lauren said.

Ally and Logan shake hands. “Nice to meet you, Logan!” Ally said.

“Yeah, you too!” he replied.

Logan pulls up a chair for Lauren. Lauren looks confused.

“What are you doing?” Lauren asked.

“Pulling a chair for you to sit on?” Logan replied.

“Oh, thanks?” Lauren said.

Logan smiled. Lauren and Logan sit down. Kim pulls Lauren’s arm. “Lauren, side bar please.” She said. Lauren and Kim stand up and step to the side. Logan stands up too.

“Going somewhere, Logan?” Lauren asked.

“No. It’s just, you know, my dad always told me that when a girl leaves the table, I should stand.” Logan responded.

“Why?” Lauren asked.

“I don’t know for sure. I never really questioned my dad and his “gentleman 101”.” Logan answered.

“Gentleman 101, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Lauren whispered.

“Pardon?” Logan said.

Lauren shakes her head and said, “Nothing”

Lauren gestures to Logan to sit. So Logan sits back down.

“I guess I have to cut my hair now.” Kim whispered to Lauren.

“Not just yet. Let’s give it a couple of weeks or months to know for sure that he is indeed a gentleman. For all we know it could be an act. And maybe he’s not the guy I’m, I mean, we’re looking for. Maybe he’s not the one.” Lauren said.

Lauren and Kim look back at their table. Bianca pulls out a cigarette.

“This is a non-smoking area, B.” Ally uttered.

“I’m tight with the manager here. It’s all good.” Bianca said.

Bianca tries to find her lighter in her bag. Logan gets his lighter from his front pocket. “Normally, I don’t encourage smoking but here, let me light that for you.” he said. Logan lights Bianca’s cigarette.

“He has a lighter. It means he’s a smoker. Major turn off!” Lauren whispered to Kim.

“Sshh! You don’t know that for sure.” Kim said.

Kim and Lauren go back to their seats.

“So what were you guys talking about?” Kim asked.

“Well, I was just telling Bianca and Ally, that I am against smoking.” Logan answered.

Ally looked puzzled. “Then why do you have a lighter with you?” she asked Logan.

“Oh this? I don’t use this for smoking. I have scented candles in my room and I light them up when I want to relax, with the consent of my roommate, of course.” Logan explained.

“He’s not a smoker. Lauren!” Kim stated.

Lauren rolls her eyes.

“So why you hating on smoking?” Bianca asked.

“My dad got diagnosed with lung cancer. And he didn’t even smoke. Fortunately, he survived and he’s still alive.” Logan replied.

Lauren puts her arm around Logan. “Your dad’s a fighter.” She said.

“Yeah. He’s my hero.” He said.

“So wait. What’s my surprise?” Lauren asked.

The group then heard a voice from the back.

(What is Lauren’s surprise? The better question is WHO is Lauren’s surprise? Meet this new character in Part 4.)