Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing well ^^ I just wanted to take the time to really thank all the individuals leaving reviews and/or PM's- every message motivates me to write faster. Each reader means a great deal to me, and all of your feedback is inspiring. It makes the writing process a thousand times better just knowing how enthusiastic you all are to find out what happens next. Now, onto the shout-outs!
InkyWonk: Thank you so much! You have no idea how much I enjoyed reading your review, lol. I'm glad to hear you find them in touch with their character. It's important to me that I'm not just writing random, unfocused nonsense. Anyways, I hope you stick with this story to its end! Enjoy!
Gabby: Awh, why thank you! Have fun reading this chapter!
Smiling-out-of-fear: Thank you! One of the reasons behind the lengthy updates is because I proofread my own work. I really do take pride in my writing style, and the fact that that shows means a lot. I also really appreciate your feedback on the characters. I'm beyond ecstatic knowing that my readers are taking something away from this story, and it's good to know you find it applicable in other cases. Thank you for all your feedback and enjoy the latest installment
CoolCat199: Lol, thank you for the compliment- hope you like this chapter!
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GuiltyPleasure3: xD Your review was probably the most fun to read, so thank you for that! This chapter includes more of Logan's perspective, so I hope you like it. Thank you for all your wonderful feedback regarding how I write! I'm glad you're enjoying it so much and I look forward to hearing more from you!
Guests: Thank you all for your support! As for the one guest who intends to join this site- I'm happy to hear it! Regarding Logan's jealous side- I hope what I've included within this chapter is sufficient for the time being Happy reading!
*Special Note: New and original character in this chapter everyone! Look forward to it
XxKimi-Kill-HeartxX
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Bob's Burgers series nor any of the other pop culture referenced.
"T, all I'm saying is you could do a lot better than Jimmy Jr. Like a lot- and that's saying something."
Tina let out a mix between a sigh and grunt. "His speech impediment has been gone for ages now. He's basically perfect."
"He still slow dances alone. How is that the equivalent of perfection?"
"I think it's enrapturing."
Louise looked at her sister horrified. "We…are not related."
"Yeah, okay." She stated with a hint of finality. "Hey, I've been saving up for this dress," Tina said, pointing to some designer dress in a magazine, "Come with me to buy it."
Louise groaned, glaring at her sister. "T, we still have to go to the dumb dry cleaner's to pick up our stupid dresses. You're really pushing it."
"Please?" She extended hopefully.
"Ugh, fine- but only because you're buying us lunch afterwards."
Tina grabbed her little sister's arm and dragged her into the nearest retail store. Louise sat herself on a comfortable looking sofa by the dressing rooms and waited impatiently for Tina to find the dress.
"Louise? Fancy meeting you here!" Ava exclaimed in her natural sing-song voice.
Louise cringed. "There's no escape, is there?" She muttered to herself as Ava made her way over to where Louise sat.
"Are you picking out your dress for the New Year's bash?"
Louise stared at her blankly. "Um…no. My sister's looking for a dress she's been saving up for. We won't be long, though- we have to pick up some dresses at the dry cleaner's." Louise said, hoping that was enough of a hint for Ava to get lost.
It was Ava's turn to look at her in utter confusion when she mentioned 'saving up' until realization donned on her face. "Oh, right. Isn't it because your family doesn't make much?"
Louise turned rigid with rage, but kept her voice leveled. "We do alright."
"So what dress are you wearing to the bash?"
"Most likely the one I wore to the Christmas party. It's kind of why I dropped it off at the dry cleaner's." Louise replied sarcastically.
"You're going to wear the same dress?" She repeated in disgust.
"It's the only one I own." Louise said, trying to keep herself grounded.
"Oh, you poor thing. If that's the case, maybe you should just stay home. I'd be so embarrassed if I had to show up in the same gown."
Louise was livid, but at the back of her mind she felt a twinge of self-consciousness.
"Ava, for the love of humanity, please stop talking and step away from me. Your presence is destroying my brain cells."
Ava didn't budge, though. From lack of comprehension or secret hatred, Louise didn't know- nor did she care enough to find out.
"I was actually talking to Logan the other day, and we're going to the New Year's bash together."
Louise shot upright at the mentioning of Logan's name.
He's taking her again? Louise thought, an upset feeling stirring inside her.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Ava glared at her through heavily-lined, green eyes, her curly blonde hair a sharp contrast. "How about I just cut to the chase, huh?"
Louise stared up at her, taken aback at her sudden hostility.
Looks like someone isn't as blissfully ignorant as she makes herself out to be…
Louise crossed her arms. "Oh, please do. The sooner this ridiculous conversation ends, the better."
"I don't want to see your face at the bash or anywhere near Logan ever again."
Louise gave her a wide-eyed expression, letting her thoughts escape her mouth. "What the hell? Where is this all coming from?"
Ava rolled her eyes, mimicking Louise by crossing her arms as well. "I'm not dumb, Louise."
"Oh, I beg to differ." Louise scoffed.
Ava only narrowed her eyes further. "I know you like him, and he only hangs around you because you're such a pitiful, lonely child. So do me a favor and go find someone else who'll give you the attention you're so obviously looking for."
Louise grit her teeth, rising to her feet. "I'd watch your tone with me, skank. I don't take insults lightly."
Ava smirked at her. "I bet you don't. Look, I didn't want to have to play this card, but if you test me, I'll tell my father about your relationship with him- adding a few details myself- and have you expelled." She sneered. "Not to mention, Logan will lose his job over you."
Louise was speechless. Was this brat really threatening her, Louise Belcher, with false accusations?
Oh, she seriously messed with the wrong girl.
"So, what you're saying is, you're going to go tattle like some petulant child if you can't win a guy over who, by the way, is probably the easiest person to sway on earth?" Louise burst out laughing. "I mean, are you really threatened by one of his students? Get over yourself! The world doesn't revolve around you and I certainly don't take orders from anyone- especially the likes of you." Louise pushed past a now dumbfounded Ava, content with her choice of words.
"Tina! There you are, let's get out of here." Louise trailed, her mood soured from her most recent conversation.
"Oh- okay. Yeah, let me just pay for this and we can go." Tina replied simply.
After paying for Tina's dress, they made their way over to the dry cleaner's. The employee requested their names and subsequently handed over their gowns.
"What the hell is this?!" Louise exclaimed, staring at the giant tear in her dress.
"Pardon?" The employee questioned.
"What did you guys do to my dress?!"
"…cleaned it?"
"You ripped it, you nincompoop!"
The employee sunk back behind the counter. "Miss, we're not responsible for any damage to your dress. None of our equipment is capable of creating a tear like that."
Louise was ready to call him out on that when something donned on her.
'We won't be long, though- we have to pick up some dresses at the dry cleaner's.'
"That little…" Louise trailed menacingly.
"I'm sorry, Miss?"
"Never mind! You're lucky I know who did this or this damage would be coming out of your salary." Louise stormed out of the cleaner's without another word.
"I'm sorry about my sister. She's just like that." Tina trailed after paying the employee and scuffled off after her sister.
"Louise, why don't you just wear one of mine? I mean, my dress came out of the cleaner's fine, so if you want-"
Louise groaned heavily. "T, you know I'm way too small to fit into any of your clothes." She stopped walking. "Look, Mom probably spent a lot of her money to buy this for me, so do me a favor and don't say anything."
"But-"
"Not a word. I'll just tell her I don't feel like going to the party."
"But what about the dress?"
"I'll save up and buy another one so it doesn't kill her." Louise sighed.
Tina looked at her cautiously. "You seem to be handling this pretty well. I thought you'd be burning buildings by this point.
For some odd reason, Louise laughed. "Oh, T, don't your worry your pretty little head. I intend on getting revenge, but on my own terms. Got that?"
Tina let out an uneven groan. "Okay…"
xXx
"Louise, there you are! Where on earth were you? This family was just about to head out to Fischoeder's party!" Louise looked up at her mother's disgruntled face, casually shrugging some snow off her jacket.
"Outside. I just finished burying Andy and Ollie under a crap ton of snow by the pier."
Bob pushed past Linda concerned. "Wait, Louise, did you just leave them there?" He questioned as his voice steadily rose.
"Yeah, why?"
"My question is why it doesn't bother you that your own daughter buries her peers in her pastime." Gene said rather monotonously.
"That's not the point!" Bob exclaimed, hyperventilated. "Come on, everyone in the van, now."
"Louise isn't dressed, though!" Linda exclaimed.
"It's cool. I'm not really up for another party so soon. You guys have fun, I'm gonna spend the countdown with some TV and snacks."
"I'm not leaving my baby alone on New Year's Eve!" Linda exclaimed. "Maybe we should all stay home…"
Louise rolled her eyes. "Mom, relax, I wanna spend my New Year's like this. Just me. Okay?"
Linda stared down her daughter for a long while before hesitatingly nodding. Louise supposed her mother was searching for something in her face that would betray her own words. "Okay, if that's what you want. But if you get lonely, you call us right away!" She said, pulling her daughter in for a tight hug. "You sure you'll be fine?" She asked in a last-ditch effort.
"God, Mom, yes. I'm not nine anymore."
Linda smiled. "No, I guess not. Happy New Year's, baby."
"You guys come on! We have to stop by the pier!" Bob yelled from the car.
"Yeah, those two are not exactly the brightest…" Louise murmured.
With that, the family exited the house, leaving Louise to count down to the New Year alone.
The next few hours went by uneventfully as she made herself comfortable. After flipping through several channels, however, Louise decided to call her time on the couch. She quickly grabbed her coat and made her way to the pier, stuffing her hands into her pockets for some form of warmth. Louise scanned the area and decided to head over to the cove. Sitting on a pile of rocks, Louise began chucking some nearby pebbles into the ocean, her mood slowly waning.
She sighed. "What the hell am I doing?"
"Yeah, what are you doing?"
Louise jumped, turning around to find Logan standing outside his car.
"Logan? What-?"
"I saw your family there, but not you. When I asked your sister about you, she told me you weren't going to be at the party so I bailed." He said, climbing down the rocks to sit down next to her.
"How'd you know I was here though?"
"I didn't, I was on my way over to your place but saw your ears. You know, those things are literally the equivalent of headlights." He smiled.
Louise let out a small laugh, but quickly suppressed it. "Wait, what about your parents? Aren't they going to be pissed?"
"Yeah, but I'm a grown man- I think I can live without their approval- not like I had much of it to start with."
Louise frowned. "Well, screw them."
Logan whipped his gaze to meet hers, baffled. "Pardon?"
She shrugged at him. "Logan, you're an intelligent and successful man- if your parents can't see that then it's their loss." Louise pushed her bangs behind an ear, staring off at the sea. "I don't think you should care what such narrow-minded people think of you."
Logan's eyes softened, and for the longest time, he couldn't seem to look away from her.
"Hey, Louise?"
"Hm?" She turned her gaze back to him.
He looked at her carefully. "…nothing."
She rose a calculating brow. "You can't just say it's nothing- there's obviously something you wanna say."
Logan hastily reneged from his previous statement. "It's just- do you wanna get outta here? We could head over to the wharf."
Louise looked up at him, suddenly feeling a twinge of jealousy. "What about your date?"
He gave her a completely oblivious expression. "Date?"
"Ava told me you asked her to Fischoeder's New Year's Bash." She couldn't help but mention.
Logan rose a confused brow. "…I don't know why she told you that, but I never asked her. In fact, I don't think I've talked to her since the Christmas Eve Ball."
Louise stared at him wide-eyed, suddenly feeling incredibly foolish. "Oh…um, well okay- let's just go to the Wharf."
Logan grinned at her, choosing not to dwell any further on Ava and simply focus on the night ahead of them. "Sure thing."
He grabbed her hand and led her to his car. They spent the next hour on various rides before stopping at the Ferris wheel.
"Ha! I'm queen of the world!" Louise screamed, throwing her arms into the air.
Logan burst out laughing. "Are you always this hyped on the Ferris wheel?"
"Are you kidding? You should see me on the roller coaster!"
Shortly after, they were let off the ride. "You know, you look really out of place with that tux." Louise smirked.
"Thanks, Four Ears. You really know how to say all the right things." He said sarcastically.
"Anytime, Barry." She pulled out her phone. "Woah, only two minutes until the New Year."
"Let's head over to the edge of the boardwalk."
They situated themselves by the boardwalk and began their countdown.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One." They said in unison, gazing at the bursting fireworks above their figures.
Logan was the first to look away, settling his eyes on Louise.
He smiled at her glimmering eyes.
"Happy New Year's, Louise."
She looked up at him. "Happy New Year's."
xXx
"Louise, what the hell?! You can't just go around making your own rules about my assignments!"
"What?! A partner would only slow me down!"
"You're getting a partner, understood?" Logan glared at her. "How could you possibly think I would let this slide? Wait, never mind- I don't even want to know. You're pairing up with someone for your capstone project and that's final."
Louise's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me? I'm already so far ahead!"
Logan simply crossed his arms. "Well, I guess your partner has a lot of work to do to catch up, then."
Louise withheld a storm of rage.
Alright, whatever. It's like you said before- you can make this work, Louise. Just think, you have a mindless drone to do all the manual labor- yeah, this can definitely work…
Louise sighed. "Who's my partner?"
Logan crossed his arms, content. "Well, pick a name out of the hat and find out."
"This is all so juvenile and you know it." Louise muttered, fishing for a name in the top hat.
Logan only smirked. "Yeah, well I'm not the one who's required to do it, so I find it quite humorous."
Louise deepened her glare, finally picking out a name. "…Declan Hall?"
A tall, lean man with chocolate brown hair and pale skin rose from the back, casually walking down the stairs toward Louise. Once he reached her, Louise immediately noticed he was almost as tall as Logan.
"Declan." He introduced himself, holding out a kind hand.
Louise scoffed. "Yeah, I think we established that."
"Louise, be nice." Logan warned. "Declan, Louise. Louise, Declan. Now that we're all friends, get started- and Louise, you are to be on-"
"Yeah, yeah I got it Barry." Louise shooed off his warnings.
"Ugh, just go sit down by your partner." Logan pinched the bridge of his nose, pointing to the back.
Louise crossed her arms, upset that on one end she was sitting next to a stranger and on the other end was big-mouthed Harley.
Harley nudged her giddily. "Louise, you're so lucky, I'm like so jealous! Declan is, like, one of the hottest guys on campus!" She squeal-whispered.
"Harley, I'll kill you. I will literally kill you."
"Okay class, tomorrow we're going around campus and choosing areas to set up shop."
"What?!" Louise shrieked, rising from her seat in the back and slamming her hands on the desk. "Tomorrow's a Saturday! It's bad enough that I need to see you today!"
"Louise for the love of god sit your ass down!" Logan screamed back up at her, slamming his hands on top of his desk as well.
Logan rubbed his temples. "Anyways, I want everyone here bright and early tomorrow morning. Everything you guys need to know is on the handout. Have a great day."
xXx
"Okay, Declan, let's get some ground rules down. I'm the head honcho around here. Me. Got that?" Louise said, putting her hands on her hips.
Declan only chuckled, much to Louise's confusion. "Sure, Louise. You're the boss." He agreed, moving past her and to the hills by the beach. "Now where's this perfect spot you were talking about?"
Louise eyed him skeptically before nodding toward the area she showed Rudy. Maybe this partner thing wasn't going to be so bad after all. "It's past that hill." She said, her excitement starting to swell as they moved towards the destination.
Declan turned his gaze back to Logan. "Oh, wait, we should probably tell Professor B if we're going that far."
Louise rolled her eyes. "Psh, why bother? Come on, let's go." She said, tugging at his arm, subsequently leading to Declan's fairly rapid submission.
"Oh, aren't they just so cute together?" Harley clasped her hands together, a distance from Louise and Declan but only inches from Logan.
Abbey looked over at the couple. "Huh, now that I look at it, they would make a really cute couple. Louise may act all tough and mean, but I get this feeling she's probably this sweet, little softy in reality. Plus, she's one of the prettiest girls in our class- they're literally look so perfect for each other." She giggled.
Logan rose an eyebrow at the girls' banter, inadvertently scoffing when his eyes locked onto the couple currently being discussed. Without thinking, he made his way over to the two and stopped Louise by the head.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Logan questioned.
Louise slapped Logan's hand away, turning around and releasing her grip on Declan. "Uh, to the most perfect setting for your stupid capstone project."
Logan glared at her in response.
Declan chose that moment to cut in. "Uh, Sorry Professor B. Is it cool if we just check out what Louise has in mind?"
Logan crossed his arms, unconsciously glaring at Declan. "Be back here in twenty minutes. That should be more than enough time." He muttered, walking off.
Declan furrowed his brows. "Did he seem a little…exasperated?"
She fanned his concerns off, though she did notice Logan glaring at Declan without any real cause.
Without lingering on the matter any further, however, Louise showed Declan her space for their project in a relatively short amount of time and began to head back.
"So…how did you find this place anyways?" Declan asked, giving Louise a hand down the steep hill.
Louise accepted it without thinking much of the gesture. "It wasn't that difficult. I just thought of one of the busiest areas on campus and went looking for it. People always assume it has to be by some big, hot-shot area, but that's not always the case. The area I've chosen has a consistent influx of people throughout the entirety of the day." Louise hopped off a rock. "Trust me, we've got this in the bag."
Declan nodded. "Well regardless, that area isn't a place one would naturally think to set up shop at. It was really intuitive on your part."
Louise unintentionally blushed. She really wasn't used to such…genuine compliments.
Declan only chuckled. "You know, you're really pretty when you blush." He couldn't help himself from voicing.
Louise turned scarlet at that comment. "Uh, I don't- I mean, it's not- AH!" Louise shrieked as she tripped over a rock, now falling down the sharp, unforgiving hill.
Logan immediately turned around at the sound of Louise's scream, but was caught off guard when Declan caught Louise mid-fall, sending both of them tumbling down the hill.
Declan adjusted his weight so that, upon impact, Louise fell atop his frame, leaving no apparent bruising on her. He quickly propped himself up on his forearms and rubbed his head, causing Louise to sit up on his legs, disoriented.
"…Are you alright?" Declan asked Louise.
She groaned an 'okay' but quickly focused her attention on his condition. "Wait, seriously? You just took a dive for my sake and you're asking me if I'm alright?"
Declan burst out laughing. "Fair point." He looked around them and cleared his throat. "Um, Louise, I think it'd be a good idea if you got off me…people are staring…"
Louise's eyes automatically darted to her surroundings, eventually locking eyes with a very displeased Logan. She could instantly feel her red cheeks burning brighter. When she looked him in the eyes, she couldn't tell if he was furious or worried or relieved or maybe just everything put together. The longer she stared at him, however, the more she could see an undistinguishable emotion lurking behind those steely, blue eyes. She quickly rose to her feet and offered Declan a hand.
Harley immediately let out an ecstatic squeal. "Oh my god, Abbey, I told you they're meant to be! Just look at Louise blushing!"
Abbey looked at the two with excitement. "Totally agree- we have to get them together!"
Logan suppressed the feral urge to wring Declan's neck at this point, and stormed over to the two.
"What the hell were you two doing?! Do either of you understand how dangerous that just was?!" Logan scolded forcefully.
Declan opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Louise.
"It wasn't on purpose- and besides, neither of us got hurt." Louise stated.
Declan tried to intercept as a mediator. This was seriously getting out of hand- and fast- as if something else was at play. "It really was an accident- Louise tripped and I tried reaching out for her."
"And that explains how you clumsily fell over along with her?" Logan spat.
Declan clamped his mouth shut, completely dumbfounded.
"What the hell, Logan? You're making this a bigger deal than it really is!" Louise shot back.
Everyone was quiet until Logan spoke in the most serious, not-to-be-trifled-with tone.
"Class dismissed. I want everyone gone except Miss Belcher here."
After a series of mutters and side glances, the class quickly evacuated the premises. Declan, however, stayed long enough to direct an apologetic glance at Louise- one that Logan happened to catch as well.
"Mr. Hall, did I not make myself clear?" He seethed, which ultimately prompted Declan to take his leave.
Once out of earshot, Logan lowered his voice scathingly. "Are you an idiot? It's one thing to behave like petulant child when it's just us, but it's another when you flagrantly disrespect me in front of my class!"
"So what if I did? It's never seemed to bother you before!"
Logan let out a furious groan. "Why are you so friggin' difficult?!"
"Me?! You're the one that's been acting like an ass today!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about, Barry. So how about for once in your life, say what you're actually thinking!" Louise threw her fists to her sides and stomped her foot.
Logan fumed. "I don't know, Louise, can you actually say what you're thinking?" He didn't relent even as Louise lost her stance. "Yeah, next time, try not to push some hypocritical crap that you yourself can't seem to uphold- it's friggin' annoying and useless."
Louise's eyes shifted from wide to narrow in a second. "You know what? I'm done. All we ever do is fight and I'm sick of it." Louise pushed past Logan.
Logan grabbed Louise by the shoulder and pushed her back up against an adjacent tree, blocking her exit with either of his arms. Louise stared at him baffled.
"So now what? Are you gonna yell at me some more for some hidden reason you won't even tell me about?" Louise asked sarcastically.
Logan looked at her through narrowed eyes, but immediately softened his features when he saw that he was frightening her, and that made him hate himself beyond belief. Finally, he settled on resting his hands on her shoulders and his forehead against hers. Louise felt the warmth of his breath against her skin.
Carefully, Louise looked up at him and let out a frustrated sigh. "…I…I'm sorry for embarrassing you in front of your class, okay? It was uncalled for."
"No, I should be able to handle my own class." Logan exhaled. "I shouldn't have snapped at you the way I did and I'm sorry."
Louise gave him a suspicious look. Something is still bothering him…this all seems so forced.
She thought that would be the end of the conversation, but was surprised when Logan spoke up again.
"Louise, I-"
She eyed him with open anticipation now, attempting to encourage his words after a few more moments went by.
"You…?"
He pushed away from her, running his hand through his blonde locks. "Nothing."
Louise crossed her arms in slight irritation.
That's the second time he's done that…what isn't he telling me?
"Let's just get back." Logan stated with a hint of finality.
Louise couldn't help but furrow her brows at Logan's behavior. How many times were they going to go back and forth like this until they actually got somewhere? And even worse, why did Louise feel the need to stay with someone she always ended up arguing with? It made no sense, but it scared Louise just thinking about never seeing him again.
"Logan, why can't you just tell me what's bothering you? You still look as mad as ever."
"Louise, drop it."
"Or what? You'll blow up at me again?" Louise held her ground. "News flash: you've already done that before- it's not gonna get to me a second time."
Logan turned around and moved in close to Louise, as if testing his boundaries. Then, gently, he pushed a couple of Louise's bangs to the side and looked her straight in the eyes. Why did it irritate him so much when he saw her laughing with another man? What did it matter to him anyways?
Just then, he felt something twist and threaten to burst out of him.
Oh god, do I…do I like Louise Belcher? …No, that's impossible…right…?
But everything made sense with that answer. It explained why he found every little thing she did adorable, or how he always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the room, or simply the need to be the only man who could make her blush with his compliments.
"Logan, please. I'm tired of going around in these chaotic circles."
Looking at her then and there, he realized he wanted nothing more than to be with her. He supposed that's why it pained him even more when he knew that even their present relationship could get them into serious trouble. It didn't matter what he wanted- not when there was so much to lose on both their ends.
But what if it was worth it?
Logan sighed and gave Louise one last smile before pulling away.
He supposed he would never know.
xXx
"Dude, you're literally smitten over a four-eared brat." Scotty, a longtime friend of Logan's, burst out laughing.
Logan narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is so funny about all this?" He scowled.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, but what did you expect me to say?"
Logan shrugged pathetically. "That it was all in my head and nothing was really there…"
Scotty rose a brow. "You're an idiot then."
Logan slumped his head against the bar table and groaned. "Well, what else am I supposed to do? She's my student!" Logan ran a hand through his hair. "Of all people…"
Scotty took another swig of his beer. "You're telling me. Is she even capable of feeling? 'Cuz last time I checked, she threatened to cut off your ears."
"Nine years ago." Logan defended.
"Yeah, and that makes it any more acceptable."
Logan rolled his eyes. "I think that's beside the point."
"Whatever. You're entitled to love whoever you want, even if it's-"
"I do not love her." Logan shot back.
"Love who?"
They both turned around and Logan suppressed the urge to grumble.
There, in all her annoying glory, stood Ava. Her eyes were wide with false innocence, and her outfit was nothing short of regular clubbing attire.
What on earth is she doing here? I swear she's lurking at every corner… Logan slouched in his seat, complete frustration lining his features.
And she was. When he first met Ava, his only thought was to help her and be done with it. He supposed it was his fault for using her like his parents wanted. He never should have taken her to that ball.
Hell, if I knew Louise would've showed up in something like that, I wouldn't have even asked Ava in the first place… He trailed, amused.
"No one, Ava."
She batted her eyelashes at him several times. "Oh, well, can I buy you a drink? My dad owns this bar- you know, among other things."
He gave her a haphazard grin. "Uh, no thanks, I'm good."
She looked at him, dumfounded. "Well, care to dance?" She persisted.
He contained yet another urge to grumble when he found there was no such thing as 'no' in her book.
Suddenly, though, he sat up as an idea quickly sprouted in his mind. "Hey, have you met my friend Scotty over here?"
"Wait- what?" Scotty muttered between gulps of beer.
"Trust me," He got up and offered his seat to Ava, leaving no room for her to protest. "You two would get along great."
Then, without another word, he paid his tab and left the two.
With any luck that'll be enough of a hint for her…I just hope she doesn't drive Scotty insane. He pondered, feeling slightly guilty. God, I owe him one…
Logan exited the bar and, after realizing Scotty drove them here, called a cab. It was for the better anyhow- he wasn't exactly sober enough to drive himself home.
He gave the driver his address and stared out the window, wondering why nothing seemed to satisfy him. It was honestly as if something was missing.
Or someone…
Once home, he kicked off his shoes and dumped his wallet and phone on a nearby table, slumping over to his bedroom. He didn't even bothering to turn on any of the lights as he pulled off his disheveled dress shirt. Bare-chested, Logan collapsed onto his bed and looked around the empty room.
He had all the friends and money that he needed and a successful career to boot…so what was his problem?
His mind drifted back to Louise and how she always seemed to be around smiling faces. How was that possible, he wondered? Did she just possess that special quality, or was it because she was surrounded by loved ones? He thought about her family, and then his own, desolate one. The more he dwelled on it, the emptier he felt.
Indeed, even with all the luxury he could desire, Logan Barry Bush was as miserable and lonely as ever.
And suddenly, he wished he could give everything up if it meant a certain four-eared girl were here, sleeping beside him.
xXx
"Oh my god…" Tina held her hands over her mouth as the girls' dorm stared on at the lounge's television.
The news reporter went on. "While the police have no leads, they suspect the guilty party either works at or attends SU. As of this morning, three victims have been discovered around campus. All were young women attending SU, so it is imperative that female individuals be on their guard. Rumors of new rules being installed have also…"
"They already found three bodies on campus?!" Jocelyn exclaimed in a frenzy.
"Well no duh! Didn't you hear the news lady?" Tammy spat venomously.
"Okay, Tammy, how about you not act like yourself for once in your life?" Tina insisted.
"Everybody, shut up!" Louise warned, turning up the volume to the TV.
"…new curfew has been set as well as a new rule in which every person on campus is to be travelling with at least one other party."
The dorm let out a collective groan.
"You guys, it's for our own good," Tina tried to reason.
Tammy heaved an annoyed breath. "Are you kidding? Rules just make people wanna break them."
"I don't think that really applies here." Jessica crossed her arms. "We've got a psychopath in our midst- no one is going to risk her life over some trying rules."
"You guys, I'm seriously scared. How come we're just finding out about this?" Abbey untied her braid, only to start redoing it.
"They obviously thought they could handle everything before then," Louise began, "And look where that got 'em."
Louise got up from her position on the couch and looked out the glass panels. "Alright, you guys, if we all lose it then this guy wins. As much as I hate being a law-abiding citizen, let's just listen to the rules they have out and hope for the best." She turned toward her sister. "C'mon, T. I'm hungry- let's get something to eat."
Tina followed her sister outside the building, with Tammy and Jocelyn in tow.
"Ugh, what do you guys want?"
"Louise, we're not stupid- well, I'm not stupid." Tammy crossed her arms indignantly.
"Oh…" Jocelyn sighed.
"Point being," Tammy continued, "I know you have something up your sleeve, and if it means this guy's gonna get caught sooner, then I want in."
Louise narrowed her eyes. "I don't have anything in mind, Tammy. Now if you'll leave me and my sister alone…"
"Louise, anyone who knows you knows that you don't just sit down and listen to others! What are you planning?"
"Tammy, get lost or I'll put balding cream in your conditioner."
Tammy looked at her awestruck, immediately bolting back into the dorm with Jocelyn.
Tina fidgeted her fingers. "…She's not entirely wrong, though…is she?" She paused, taking Louise's silence as confirmation. "You do have something planned. Louise, this isn't-"
"-a joke. I realize that. But there's something that's been eating at me, T, and I think I found an explanation to it…"
"What are you talking about?"
Louise shook her head and, for the first time in what seemed like ages, Tina saw real fear in her little sister's eyes.
"Louise-"
"You know what- forget it. There's something I gotta do. Go back into the dorms and please, don't leave without anyone else."
"You expect me to just let you wander off alone?! What kind of sister do you take me for?!"
"T, I'm asking you to trust me on this one. I need you to cover for me while I'm gone, okay?"
"You're not even going to tell me where you're going?!"
"Tina, you're the only person in that building that I know for a fact won't go ratting me out. The thing is, you're a terrible liar, so the less you know, the better."
Tina gave her sister a paranoid stare. "Louise, please just come back inside…"
Louise gave her sister a tight squeeze. "Relax, it's still pretty bright outside. I'll be back in a sprint, okay?"
Without waiting for her sister to agree, she ran off to the bus stop.
Thank goodness she remembered the way to Logan's.
xXx
"Logan? Logan!"
Louise snapped her fingers in front of Logan's blank expression.
He blinked. "What, what is it?" He replied sluggishly.
She rose a brow at him. "What's wrong with you today? I mean, more so than usual."
He rolled his eyes at her choice of words. "Nothing- let's get back to your capstone questions."
Louise paused. "You seem angry."
"Do I?" Logan flipped through the papers Louise had handed him earlier, "Well, maybe it's because I'm exhausted and you literally came all the way to my house so I could take a look at these numbers." He stated with open sarcasm as he walked back to his room, throwing the papers on his desk.
Louise scuffled back toward him to make her case but hesitated when she realized she had just followed him into his bedroom. He turned around to find Louise standing awkwardly by the door, his arms crossed and his brows raised at her expectantly.
"Is there anything else you need?" He questioned snidely.
Louise turned pink and glared at him. "No, of course not."
Logan simply smirked at her. "And that explains what you're doing in my bedroom?"
She burned bright red. "It wasn't on purpose you pervert! Ugh, I'm leaving."
"So soon?" Logan pouted.
Louise rolled her eyes and, on a whim, turned around and stomped over to Logan until they were literally a breath apart.
"You know what, I actually came here to check up on your stupid, sorry ass. You've been really angry and upset since that instance with Declan. So I thought, hey, what the hell- let's check up on a friend. I figured you were just frustrated with my carelessness, but this is just ridiculous. You're a jerk, Logan, and I don't know why I keep trying with you."
Logan stared at Louise through a foggy haze and, without warning, grabbed her by the arm and slammed her up against the wall.
Louise looked up at him with terrified eyes. "Logan-"
"Are you seriously that dense?"
She blinked at him, confused. "What?"
He glared at her and moved until there was no space between them. "It pisses me off when you're anywhere near another man. Do you even understand how angry I was seeing you blush because of someone else?"
"I-" Louise tried.
"You wanted to know what was up with me? Fine. I'm jealous and frustrated and beyond crazy about you. Does that sum it up for you? Or would you like me to reiterate?"
"Logan, you're drunk, and you need to get off me." Louise started gently, moving past him and towards the door. "Here, I'll even get you some water and you can just sleep this off-"
Before she had the opportunity to go anywhere, however, Logan twirled her around and pressed his lips against hers fiercely.
A whirlwind of emotions were running through Logan's mind and it was getting harder and harder to keep them at bay. He slipped an arm around Louise's tiny waist and cupped her face in his other hand, parting her lips with his tongue. She tried to push away from him in between breathes but, after a while, he was actually shocked to find that Louise was welcoming his touch. Hell, she was even starting to respond to him.
He slowly slipped off her ears and pulled away from her, taking in every inch of her.
"You're beautiful." He breathed.
Louise looked up at him through half-lidded eyes. "Logan I-"
KNOCK.
"Gah!" Logan cried, sitting up in his bed in alarm.
He took a few moments to level his heart rate before even allowing himself to rehash his dream.
Did I just-? And with Louise-? He shook his head clear of any further cogitation. On second thought, I'll just come back to this some other time... He detracted, dazedly moving to his front door.
"Who the hell is even-?"
He instantly clamped his mouth shut when he saw Louise.
Great. Just the woman I needed to see... He trailed, far past flustered. I can't talk to her now!
Louise moved to speak, but found she couldn't pull her eyes away from his bare, ripped chest, so remained speechless with her mouth ajar. His disheveled hair was also, as much as she hated to admit it, pretty damn sexy…
Quickly, however, Louise cleared her throat and pulled herself together, pushing past him in an attempt to maintain some dignity. She sat herself on his couch, grabbing the remote off the table in front of her and turning on the TV. "Have you seen the news?"
Logan rubbed a tired eye. "No, why?" He questioned, internally groaning at her getting comfortable. The last thing he needed was for this to turn out to be an hour-long stay.
Of all times for her to show up… He couldn't help but dwell on internally.
Louise quickly flipped to Channel 6 News and, after viewing the headline, Logan's eyes widened in realization. His mind instantly focused on what Louise was showing him at that very moment and nothing else.
"You don't think…?"
"…That we really weren't alone Halloween night? I do, and that's why I came here."
"Louise we should be telling the police about this." He said, reaching for his phone.
Louise grabbed his hand mid-way. "Wait. How often do you think someone goes down there?"
"I don't know." Logan rolled his eyes. "Most likely never."
"Exactly. We were probably the first people down there in years. Did you stop and think that if we did tell the cops about his hideaway, he'd know exactly who to blame?"
"Louise, he'd be behind bars."
"If he's gotten away with murdering three innocent people, I doubt he has the sense to stay in a place that's been compromised by us. I mean, what if he's planning some sort of revenge right now?"
Logan let out a breath and squeezed Louise's hand in his, rubbing his thumb soothingly against the back of her hand. "Louise, no one is going to hurt you, alright? I promise."
Louise suppressed a shiver and tried to unknit her furrowed brows.
"Trust me, let's just call the police and everything will be back to normal."
She gave him her best-ditched effort at a smile and nodded.
"Yeah…okay. Let's do it." She paused. "…But we're going to have to explain what we were doing down there that night."
He rose an eyebrow. "Well, the way I see it, we were victims of a dumb prank. No one's going to question that."
Louise scoffed. "No one's going to draw their own conclusions about a teacher and his student down in a boiler room during a college party?" She remarked cynically. "I don't know what kind of picture you paint of society, but it's most definitely not the one I see."
He groaned. "That isn't our number one concern right now, Louise. We're just going to have to take this one problem at a time and hope for the best."
Louise held her head in her hands. "This is a nightmare…"
Logan crouched forward until he was just inches from her face and pulled aside one of her hands. "Come on. I'm going to go get dressed, and we can go down to the station together. Sound good?"
Louise looked up at him and wordlessly agreed. He got up from where he was sitting and right before he left for his bedroom, Louise stopped him.
"Yeah?"
She stared at the floor. "I- uh- sorry about waking you up." She fumbled, rubbing the side of her arm awkwardly.
He looked at her wide-eyed before unconsciously feeling himself flush. Thank god her eyes were still downcast.
He turned around and began moving again. "It's whatever."
Logan hastily got dressed and walked out his room to find Louise tapping away on her phone, her knees pressed up against her chest.
"Ready?"
She gave him an apathetic huff.
"As I'll ever be…" She said, getting up and pocketing her phone.
Hopefully Tina would get her text and find that she was alright. The last thing Louise needed was her sister worrying more than she needed.
xXx
"I think I may have an idea…" Bosco muttered as he ran a hand over his receding hairline.
Louise crossed her arms and sneered at the man. She couldn't help it. Here, in this very situation, she was forced to rely on the help of a man who never really did her family any favors in the first place.
"Do tell," She drawled sardonically.
"I need you to work as my bait."
"You need her to what?" Logan looked between the two, indignant.
Bosco sighed. "The victims all resemble this kid's physical appearance: short stature, petite frame, dark hair, tan skin, and they're all students."
"Get one of your trained officers to go undercover then!"
"Don't you think I've already considered that?! Look, the media is just catching wind of this case, but we've been stuck on it for a month now. Two key details we managed to figure out are that this guy either attends or works at SU, and that he knows we've been onto him longer than the media suspects. If this guy suddenly hears about a 'foreign exchange student', he's gonna know something is up. We need a student already attending, so this works out perfectly since you guys are already involved."
"'You guys'?" Louise reiterated.
"He targets students romantically involved with, um…" He trailed, "How should I put it…? …People who aren't good for them?" Bosco tried.
"I'm not in a relationship with anyone, you moron." Louise mouthed off matter-of-factly.
"Oh my god, Louise, please…" Logan attempted to draw some respect from her whilst pinching the bridge of his nose. It was a futile effort anyhow, Louise wasn't exactly fantastic with figures of authority.
"Yeah, but with what you've described to me, I seriously doubt he thinks otherwise."
Louise's eye twitched in horror as she realized what Bosco was really getting at. "Are you seriously implying…?"
"I call it the way I see it, kid, and right now, that's exactly how it looks like."
"Okay, we're getting off topic here," He intervened, "You can't put Louise in that kind of harm! There are hundreds of possible students attending SU- pick one of them!"
Bosco huffed a stressed groan. "Okay, you tell me if this sounds reasonable: I'll just go door-to-door of every student that looks like her and expect they're in some toxic relationship, ask if they want to pose as bait, and hope that they accept."
"Sounds great- you should really get started on that." Logan spat scathingly.
"Alright, you know what? I'll humor you." Bosco glowered. "Say I did do all of that. Do you even realize the repercussions that would result because of those actions? The odds of getting the first girl we ask to accept are next to none. Meaning, when and even if we get someone to agree, there are still all of these other women who are in the know, and I promise you, at least one of them is bound to blab- intentional or not. And just like that, our whole operation is blown."
"Can't you just make do without going undercover?" Logan tried.
Bosco sat down in his seat and hung his head. "No. We need to catch this guy as soon as possible, but we've practically exhausted all of our ideas in this last month. You have to understand that this guy sees us coming a mile away. We need to catch him off guard, and this is the way to do it. He would never suspect that the police force would involve an innocent student."
"If he knows the police's movements so well," Louise began, "how do you know he isn't watching us right now?"
"Because it isn't worth it to him. Our security's really tight, and he really has no reason to come here since he believes he has us right where he wants us. Besides, hiding in the shadows has been his thing. So as far as he's concerned, he doesn't even know you guys are here."
Louise frowned, feeling the need to voice her concerns from when she was conversing with Logan at his place. "But if he's as intelligent as you say he is, wouldn't he try to come after us for finding his hideout?"
Bosco scratched the back of his head. "The way I see it, if he wanted to, he would've done so ages ago- not now. Most likely, he was waiting to see if you two would report the situation, but since you saw nothing of it at the time, he probably decided you guys weren't a threat."
Bosco waited for either of them to say something, anything that meant they'd assist him, but when they didn't he went on.
"Look, we need to catch this guy before the school year is up. Once summer starts, he'll be long gone, and the trail will go cold in the span of three months."
"How do you know he won't…hunt…during the summer?" Logan questioned.
"That's the thing- he very well might. But that won't matter since we won't know where he goes for the summer. He's smart enough to know not to dump the bodies near his work site, so he could just leave them at random places that have no connection. If this isn't solved by summer, the body count could reach horrifying levels…"
Louise was silent. Did she really have the option to say no? What would that say about her character? She was many things, sure, but she certainly didn't see herself as a coward…
Louise made her mind up.
She wouldn't run away from this. "I'll do it."
"What?" Logan breathed.
She turned to face him. "I'm doing it. I'm going to help them."
Logan grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the side.
"Louise, do you have any idea what you're agreeing to here?" He yelled in a whisper.
Louise only narrowed her eyes. "As a matter of fact, yes I do. Logan, I'm not going to run away from this. If I do, I'm going to have to deal with the 'what-if's' of this entire situation. I want to be responsible for saving someone's life- not for taking it."
"You're not the one out there that's killing them."
"But I certainly wouldn't be doing anything about it."
Logan groaned, infuriated. "Louise, please, think this through." He pleaded, seeing no way to stop her from her inevitable choice. As much as it killed him, it was her choice, not his.
Louise looked at him sympathetically, but resisted the urge to comfort him. She had priorities to maintain.
Turning around, Louise walked over to Bosco, who now stood behind his desk.
"Everything settled?"
Louise nodded, but rose a curious brow when he looked at Logan for an okay.
"How about you? You alright with this?"
Logan rolled his eyes. "Well, it's not like I have a say in the matter."
Bosco looked between the two of them confused, soon realizing they seemed to be forgetting something.
"You do, though."
"Excuse me?" Logan turned to face Bosco.
"You're just as important in this case. He only targets women with compromising relationships, and yours with this kid isn't exactly…'normal'."
"I refuse."
Louise stared at him wide-eyed. "Logan-"
"Louise, I said no. Now come on, we're leaving."
Louise ran after Logan and stopped him just outside the building.
"Logan, please think about what you're turning your back on."
Louise moved to face him, and he looked at her with open exasperation. "I have: it's the possibility of getting us both killed."
"And the possibility of saving several other lives." Louise retorted.
Both of them were quiet.
"…Louise, there are so many things at risk here. You could get expelled or end up dead. How can you still run head-first into this so resolved?"
Louise blinked up at him, and spoke as if the answer were obvious.
"Well, you'll be there."
Logan looked down at her wide-eyed, and, unwillingly, flushed at her statement.
Louise, in turn, gave him a questionable stare before bursting into a fit of laughter.
Logan groaned and covered his face with his hand as Louise controlled her amusement.
"The tables have seriously turned, haven't they Barry?" Louise said as she crossed her arms and leaned in closer to him.
"Shut up Four Ears." He retaliated lamely.
Louise let out one more giggle before composing herself. There was still a significant choice to be made.
"Logan, in all seriousness, I think we should do this. You've heard my reasoning, so I'm asking you to do this. I'm asking you to trust me like I trust you."
Logan stared down Louise's determined gaze with his own before letting out a defeated sigh.
There was no winning with her.
And besides, he didn't trust anyone as much as he trusted her.
After a few more moments of silence, Logan finally answered. "Fine."
Just like that, Louise's eyes sparkled with triumph.
"Alright, Barry's on board!" Louise fist-pumped the air.
Logan lowered her hand. "Please stop. You're drawing attention to us."
Louise pouted at him and re-crossed her arms, letting out a huff in irritation. "Fine. Let's just go tell Bosco and go get some ice cream later."
"I'm not buying you ice cream." Logan stated as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Either that or I'm screaming you're kidnapping me."
Logan grit his teeth in aggravation. "What upsets me most is that I know you'd do it too." He said as the duo walked back into Bosco's office and confirmed their decision.
"In that case, we have some legal technicalities to work out before we can start anything."
Louise scoffed. "Since when were you one to follow protocol?"
Bosco glared down at her. "Listen little lady…" He warned.
Logan cleared his throat, grabbing both the papers and Louise's hand. "We're just going to sign-off on these…"
Bosco begrudgingly nodded, leading them to the police department's conference room. Louise had to admit, it had an accommodating sense about it. There was also a coffee machine in the back corner, and she seriously could have used a mug or two.
They spent the next few hours going through documents and information regarding the case.
"…and that about covers it." Bosco sighed wearily.
Louise forced her head off the table and blinked a few times. "Finally…"
Logan put aside the remaining documents and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"So…now what?"
Bosco cleared his throat. "Now, we start making a solid outline that involves you two drawing out the killer."
"Any ideas so far?" Louise questioned.
Bosco nodded. "This man kills at significant events: the Halloween party, Fischoeder's Christmas Eve Ball, and the New Year's Eve Party. We talked to the victims' family and friends, but all we can get is that they all either lied about their relationships or kept them a secret. This is where you two come in. You will have to spend every possible social event together so we don't miss a crucial opportunity to draw his attention."
"What?!" Louise screeched.
Bosco cringed and narrowed his eyes at Louise. "You're the one who agreed to this."
Louise bit her tongue. In an aspect, he was right, but it's not like she was anticipating spending all of her free time at various social occurrences. If she was really honest with herself, Louise wasn't the type to go out and party…and with Logan for that matter.
Bosco took Louise's silence as his cue to continue. "Now, both of you will receive information via mail every week- most likely on Sunday's. Never try to call us unless you're in danger. If you have questions, you two are going to have to drive down here since he won't follow you here. I also want you guys back here every Friday with a full report. For the time being, start looking into events both of you can publically attend without drawing too much attention- much like the Halloween party."
"Without drawing too much attention?" Logan repeated, "Then how is he-"
"He'll find you. He's scum, but he's intelligent."
Logan ran a tense hand through his hair. "Whatever you say," He voiced.
He couldn't help but think of how surreal their whole situation was.
And to think earlier that night he was dreaming about…
He shook his head. It was ridiculously late, and they really needed to start heading back.
Louise nodded to the door and they left shortly after, entering Logan's car and sitting there with jumbles of words racing through their minds.
"Still want ice cream?" Logan joked in an attempt to brighten the mood.
Louise simply hung her head, her ears flopping forward as a result. "…no, I think I just want to go to bed." She replied, twiddling her fingers.
Logan sighed. "Louise, I thought you were confident about all this."
She shot her gaze up to his. "I am, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to be-" She cut herself short.
"Scared?" Logan stated knowingly.
Louise glowered. "I'm not afraid- let's just go."
"Louise-"
"Logan, I'm not having this conversation no matter how many times you try to make it happen. I'm not afraid of some freak who hides in the shadows. If anything, he should be afraid."
Logan pressed his lips into a firm, thin line, attempting to contain his aggravation.
"Look, if you don't want to have this conversation, fine, but you need to understand something: we're going to be working as a team from here on out, and if you're going to lie to me about anything, it will come back to haunt us."
Louise tried to keep her glare plastered across her face, but it was proving difficult. When Logan put it like that, she felt like every future decision she made would affect Logan as well. What would happen if she screwed up somewhere down the line? What if Logan got hurt because of her?
The very thought of it all made Louise's stomach do somersaults, so she did the only thing she was really good at in situations like these.
Louise pushed it all down and pretended none of her qualms even existed in the first place, because why should she bother worrying if it didn't solve anything?
When Logan saw Louise's unresponsive state, he sighed, knowing full well there wasn't much else he could do at this point. He started the car without another word and drove back to the SU dormitories.
Yet again, he was at a loss with this girl.
A lot of things going on in this chapter! Leave a review and tell me what you think about these new developments. I always love hearing what you guys have to say and I'm always looking forward to it. Until next time!