The Search

Part 4

The group then heard a voice from the back. Who could it be?

“Where’s my welcoming committee?” the voice asked.

Lauren looks behind her and sees her friend, Gwendolyn Knight. A quirky blonde, who travels a lot and joins different organizations, she always takes part in social events. She is standing with her luggage beside her. Lauren immediately stands up and hugs Gwendolyn.

“Oh my god! Why didn’t anybody tell me she’s coming back tonight? I could’ve picked you up at the airport.” Lauren said.

“Gwen wanted to surprise you. I just went along with it.” Kim said.

Lauren hugs Gwendolyn again.

Bianca put out her cigarette. “Welcome back, Gwen.” She said.

“I missed you so much you little nugget! How was London?” Lauren asked.

“No word is good enough to describe it. I’ll take you with me next time. Then you can answer your question.” Gwen answered.

Logan is just sitting there, smiling. Ally notices that Logan is a bit out of place. “By the way, Gwen, this is Logan.” She said.

Logan stands up, shakes Gwendolyn’s hand, takes her luggage and put it near their table then he pulls up a chair next to Lauren’s seat for Gwendolyn.

“Thank you, Logan.” Gwen said.

“This is my surprise?” Lauren asked.

“Yeah. You like it?” Kim replied.

“Are you kidding? I love it! Thanks!” Lauren answered.

“Um, I’m gonna go get a drink at the bar. You girls want anything?” Logan asked.

The girls told Logan the drinks they wanted. Lauren and Ally wanted soda. Kim wanted water with no ice. Bianca wanted light beer. And Gwendolyn wanted coffee.

“What kind of coffee would you like? Espresso? Cappuccino? Americano?” Logan asked.

“Any coffee will do. Thanks.” Gwen replied.

“Okay. Got it! I’ll be right back.” Logan said.

Logan goes to the bar and got the drinks.

“Who is this Logan guy? Where’s your boyfriend? Have I been gone that long?” Gwendolyn asked.

“I broke up with him this morning. He cheated on me.” Lauren replied.

“And now you have a new guy? That’s not like you. What else have I missed?” Gwen said.

“He’s just a friend. Well, more of an acquaintance.” Lauren said.

“You were just talking about hi-” Ally started but Lauren covered her mouth.

“Okay. Fine! I admit. He’s everything I look for in a guy. But I don’t want to rush into things like I did before.” Lauren said.

“He seems like a nice guy. In a few weeks, I’ll cut my hair because he’s the perfect guy and you know it.” Kim said.

“But I really want Lauren to get rid of her glasses though.” Bianca said.

“Not gonna happen!” Lauren said then smirked.

~Awkward silence~

“Speaking of boys, how are you and Josh?” Lauren asked Gwen.

Before Gwendolyn could even answer Lauren’s question, Logan comes back with the drinks. Jude is at the bar, drinking beer and looking at the table where the girls are at. Jude is staring at Lauren.

“Here you go girls.” Logan said.

“Thanks, Logan.” The girls said.

Jude leaves his drink on the counter, stands up and approaches the table.

“Hey, Lauren.” Jude greeted.

“Hi?” Lauren said.

“I was wondering if you could help me with the thing.” Jude said.

“What thing? Do you mean the lab report?” Lauren asked.

“Yeah, that.” Jude replied.

“Kim can help you. Right, Kim?” Lauren said.

“I guess.” Kim said.

“But, I want, fine. Tomorrow, my dorm, I’ll text you the deets.” Jude said then walks away.

“Does he even have your number?” Bianca asked.

“Yeah. I text him all the time. It’s kinda creepy.” Kim replied.

“Kinda?” Ally asked.

“Okay! It’s a thousand percent creepy! Lo, thank you by the way.” Kim said.

“I know you like him. So, yeah.” Lauren said.

“You like Jude?” Logan asked.

“Don’t tell him that!” Kim ordered.

“I won’t.” Logan said. “It’s just that-” he started.

“What?” Kim eagerly asked.

Logan takes a deep breath and says, “He plays for the other team.”

“What?” Kim asked in shock.

“Wait! What? How do you know? Are you sure?” Lauren asked.

Logan shrugs. “I just do. He looks all macho and he dates a lot of girls but he’s in the closet. So be careful, okay?” he said.

(What is Jude’s real story? What is he up to? What is he planning? Can he be trusted? Learn more about him in Part 5.)