The school hallways were loud and crowded. Students were getting their books out of their lockers. Lurking in the halls. Hiding under the stairwell making out and getting god knows how far in hopes of not being caught. You can tell the differences between the grades.
The freshmen were in a constant rush and state of worry, even as the end of the year was coming dwindling to an end. The sophomores a little more sure of themselves, a little more calm. Then there were the seniors; taking their time and going through the usual motions. Some were eager to start their lives out of high school and others were gripping onto the last few moments that they had left.
Louise was one of the ones who couldn't wait to start her life out of high school. But unlike Gene and Tina, she didn't have any concrete plans of what she wanted to do next. She wasn't like Tina. Tina knew what she wanted to do as she entered high school. She worked hard and earned a scholarship and is going to college majoring in Communications. What she had to say was always more interesting on paper.
Gene, on the other hand knew that he was going to barely pass high school, the only thing keeping him from dropping out was their mother saying that she wanted to see all of her babies walk down that aisle and get their diploma. But Gene just always knew he was going to end up back at the restaurant.
Louise, however had not a clue what she wanted to do. Her life was coming at her full force but the only thing she was concerned over was getting away from Huxley High School and the people in it. Sure she had friends, a few, well they were associates at least...not really, okay they were people she talked to. She sighed walking down the hall, backpack hanging over one of her shoulders—the bunny ears from it hitting her on the neck each time she took a step. She was heading towards her last class of the day, which was a study period. As she was rounding the turn when Regular Sized Rudy met up with her.
"H-hey. Louise." he breathed and Louise smiled softly at him. Rudy was the only one who remained her "friend" throughout the school year.
The twins moving left her completely alone if it weren't for Rudy.
"Hey, Rudy." she replied and he joined her as she walked by him. "What's up?"
"Oh-nothing." Rudy fidgeted by Louise's side and she sighed.
"I know it's not nothing, just spit it out." she glanced to the side at her friend and Rudy met her eyes.
"I-well." they entered the class and took their usual seats in the back of the room. "T-the prom is coming-up-and-I-was-wondering-if-you-would-like-to-go-with-me." he rushed all in one breath and looked away from Louise as he took a puff from his inhaler.
After a moment of her not answering Rudy glanced back at Louise and her face was scrunched up in distaste. Rudy's face fell and Louise laughed awkwardly.
"Look, Rudy. It's just not me. Everyone getting worked up about ugly puffy dresses, makeup, shoes, and who's going with who...all just for what? One night? Thanks but no thanks." an unfamiliar feeling of guilt washed over her as Rudy nodded and stared at the top of the desk.
She wasn't lying, not exactly. The idea of prom really did repulse her but she also knew that he parents really couldn't afford it. Business has been better but prom isn't exactly something that her parents really figured in their budget—mostly because of her strong unwillingness to go.
"I really am sorry." Louise found herself saying and actually meaning it, which Rudy ended up just nodding in acknowledgment. He opened one of his notebooks and started absently drawing. He felt that the tip of his ears were pink but he ignored it, just like Louise ignored all of the advances he made on her for the past eight years. Advances the Louise really did not know Rudy was making. Not in the slightest.
He tried not to let the disappointment gnaw at him. The remainder of the study period however was spent in awkward silence. Louise glanced over every so often but Rudy did not meet her gaze and Louise couldn't help but to roll her eyes.
She didn't want to go to prom, so what? She couldn't understand what the problem actually was.
Once the bell rang Louise was the first one to swipe up her backpack from the floor and make her way out of the classroom, shoulders bumping into someone who was trying to get out of their seat, but she didn't look back or apologize because she didn't care.
Not even bothering to stop at her locker she made a beeline towards the school exit and hurried down the steps just wanting to get home. She wondered if her mom would allow her to bag the little bit of time that she had left. It's not like they are really learning anything new and there was nothing here for her anymore since Rudy pretty much wrote her off. Why does she care anyway? She shook her head and her stomach dropped at the sight before her. Logan, parked at the corner, at her school.
"Why are you even here!" her fingers bunched into fists inside the pocket of her hoodie. The day seriously could get worst after she thought that it couldn't. She walked on and the car started following her.
"Your dad asked me if I could pick you up." Logan spoke from the open window .
"No way." Louise spat.
"Louise come on, just get in the car."
"And be seen with you?" she quirked an eyebrow and put her hand on her hip. Logan's eyes followed and he averted his eyes quickly.
She could hear Logan sigh.
"Please."
Just as she was getting ready to spit out another response she seen Rudy heading down the steps and their eyes met before Rudy glanced at the ground.
"Fine." she said through grit teeth, her jaw clenching tighter when Logan reached over to open the passenger door.
Louise plopped into the seat and slammed the door, once again earning Rudy's attention. His eyes shifted between the both and his face curled up in pain.
"I could get the door my damn self."
"Boy, what's got your rabbit ears in a twist."
Louise rolled her eyes and pulled her backpack against her stomach as she glared out the window at nothing.
One of the bunny ears rubbing against Logan's arm and he snorted.
"Really, Louise?"
"Shut up." she grumbled; knowing exactly where he was getting at and though she couldn't see it Logan smiled, warm and soft.
For some reason he found it rather...cute.
Which was never a word he thought he'd describe something dealing with Louise Belcher.
Logan started the car and soon they were pulling away from the school and Louise began to relax a little.
"I see your panties are out of a twist, compared to yesterday at least." she stated, glancing over at Logan.
"Yeah well...I wasn't ready to start thinking about the reasons why I had to move in with you and your family." Louise figured as much and she was still dead set on figuring out what those reasons are.
"You're making it sound weird." she scrunched up her face and Logan looked over at that exact moment.
"Well that's exactly what it is. I am living with you." he shrugged and turned onto their street.
"Don't remind me." she stated swaying forward a bit as Logan hit the breaks a little too hard when he found a parking spot. Louise knows that he did it on purpose.
He backed into the parking spot and cut the engine off.
"And we are home."
"Ugh. Please don't say that." she felt like the words were going to make her sick.
Logan grinned.
"But we are home, Louise." he bumped his shoulder with hers as they walked toward the restaurant. The two bickered back and forth as they walked in.
"Oh look Bobby, Louise is home, and Logan too!"
"Just like everyday at this time." Louise said bored, completely ignoring the part about Logan; placing her backpack behind counter and grabbing for her apron. She grabbed the available one next to hers and flung it at Logan.
"Awwwwe. Louise you're so nice."
She groaned internally.
"Just get to work." she ordered and pushed past him to settle herself in front of the register, as a customer came up to place her order.
Logan came out, with a broom in hand.
"I believe you are not my boss."
"Just fucking do it." Louise snapped, making the customer jump.
"Language." Linda warned; bumping Louise out of the way. "Go bus tables."
Logan snickered.
"Now there is the Louise I know." he laughed and the two worked the front of the restaurant their bickering continuing between rushes. Linda kept an eye on them both while she took customers orders and rang them out on the register; taking note that their childish banter is much different than what it was years ago.
The dinner rush came and went and Linda and Bob excused themselves to go and make their own dinner for the night; leaving closing the restaurant to the kids. Which really meant Louise and Logan considering that Gene was in the bathroom working on a "project" that could knock at an entire army fleet.
There was comfortable silence at the moment. Logan was re-stocking the freezer and Louise was wiping down the counters and tables for the last time for that night. It was peaceful. Cars drove past on the street and people passed by on the sidewalks. A normal spring night in their town. Louise watched the people for a few moments as they went about their lives and Logan came out from the freezer and went to go leave the kitchen. Instead he leaned against the doorway; holding the door open so it wouldn't swing back on him and watched Louise.
"Aren't you supposed to be cleaning!"
Louise jumped and shot Logan daggers just as the bell on the door panged.
"We are clo—"
"Logan Berry Bush!" an unfamiliar voice shrieked, at that Louise whipped around to look who the hell barged into her restaurant, after hours none the less. Who the hell do they think they are?
She eyed the woman who was a little older than herself with long red curly hair.
"Lexi?" Logan went pale and his stomach dropped.
"Did you really think that your parents wouldn't tell me where you were!" this Lexi was outraged and Louise glanced between the two a knot forming in her stomach because this is what she wanted. She wanted to know why Logan was here, but for some odd reason it felt wrong for her to learn about it like this and since when did she worry about what was wrong and what was right?
"We were supposed to be married!" the woman cried and it was like a bomb. The earth felt like it shook between Louise's feet.
"It's what we wanted, remember?" and at that Logan went off.
"No, it's what my parents and you want. I told you this time and time again!"
Louise felt strange standing there listening to them argue.
"I'm just going to—" she started and Lexi shot eyes at her.
"So this is what you left me for, huh!" she gestured towards Louise.
Louise stood there flabbergasted. She was just getting ready to leave and just...WHAT!?
"I didn't leave you for anyone! I just don't love you." Logan stated. He wasn't shouting anymore. He was serious. He didn't love her.
"It's been all about what my parents wanted for my whole life, Lex. I can't do it anymore. Please just go."
Lexi was getting ready to open her mouth again but Louise stepped in, stepping in front of Logan.
"I believe he told you to go. Get the hell out of my restaurant." the shorter girl snapped and Lexi just huffed.
"This isn't going to be the last you see of me, Logan." she threatened and turned to leave, the door slamming closed behind her.
Louise locked the door and turned back around to see Logan standing right where he was, eyes to the ground.
"I-I-get it." she hesitated.
"Why you came here. What you are doing."
Logan looked up and met her eyes.
"It's very brave."
