"Send the code, he's waitin' there
The sticks and stones they throw froze mid-air
Everyone wants him, that was my crime
The wrong place at the right time
And I break down, then he's pullin' me in
In a world of boys, he's a gentleman…"
With a glass of rose in her hand, she gazes at him from a distance, a faint pang resonating in her chest. It appears as though he is engaging in flirtation, or so it seems.
Noticing her gaze fixed on his friend across the room, Finn approaches her with a compliment, not receiving any reaction from her. Adorned in cupid-themed attire, where the colors of red, pink, white, or black were mandatory, Rory's curled hair cascaded gracefully down her shoulders. Her dress, a stunning dark red, elegantly revealed her back with its intricate lace design. "You look fantastic," Finn remarks, appreciating her appearance. "I'm glad you decided to attend."
"I must admit, Finn, it's difficult for me to turn you down," she responds, aware of the lingering gazes from the other women in the party. The recent rumors swirling around her have only added to the tension. "By any chance, does he know that I'm here?
Finn tilts his head slightly, a curious expression crossing his face. "No, he doesn't," he answers honestly. "But I assure you, Reporter Girl, I'll let him know that you're here if that's what you want." Finn's words are calm and gentle, but there's a hint of concern in his voice. He cares for the woman, in a different way than his friend, but he cares.
Pausing for a moment, she carefully considers his offer. Instead of accepting, she decides to tackle the matter on her own. Taking a final sip from her glass, she then hands it over to Finn. "No, I appreciate the offer, Finn." she responds confidently.
Lost in her thoughts, she moves across the room, completely oblivious to the background music and the laughter of those around her. Despite her fleeting thoughts, she dismisses the regret of pregaming in her room. Nervousness engulfs her as she realizes that tonight is the night she has decided to reveal her true feelings to him, determined to get it over with.
"Ace," he greets with a warm smile, momentarily diverting his attention from the woman he had been engaged in conversation with. As their eyes meet, the distractions around them seem to fade away.
"Logan," she replies, her voice steady despite the nervous butterflies fluttering within. The weight of the impending conversation hangs in the air between them, both aware of the significance of this moment. "Hi."
As his eyes glance appreciatively at the elegant dress she is wearing, a faint blush rises to her cheeks. "You look fantastic." He tells her. She feels a surge of confidence at his compliment, even as her nerves continue to play their part.
"Thank you," she replies, her voice filled with gratitude. "Can I steal you for a moment? Outside." She saw the fear in his eyes for a moment, and she had to remind herself that this talk needed to happen today.
He nods, following her outside to Finn's balcony. "Are you alright?" Ace nods confirming that she was okay, the falling snowflakes creating a backdrop as they make their way to the balcony. Concern etches his features as he observes her, his coat gently draped over her shoulders.
Taking a deep breath, she musters the courage to share the thoughts she couldn't get out of her head. Her voice trembles slightly, revealing the weight of her emotions. "I can't do this anymore, Logan," she confesses, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resolution. "The whole casual dating thing. I don't like it, I thought I could do this, but I can't. I thought I could adapt, because I wanted you. But I can't."
"I thought everything was going smoothly, Rory," he expresses, a hint of disappointment coloring his voice. This is not how he saw his night going and he remembers the conversation from last week he had with Colin and Finn, his feelings, his feelings for Rory. "I don't understand."
Her voice quivers with a mix of frustration and vulnerability as she addresses her concerns. The strain in her words reflects the pain she feels, knowing that the relationship she desires might not be possible with Logan and she had to be okay with that. "I haven't seen you in a week, Logan!" she exclaims, her voice cracking slightly. "But you don't owe me an explanation. You're not my boyfriend. I just can't do this, be one of many girls you see. I can't handle it anymore." Her candid admission reveals the depth of her emotions and her longing for a more exclusive and committed relationship.
She didn't give Logan a chance to respond before interjecting, her voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "I thought I could be different, but I can't," she confesses, her words firm yet tinged with sadness. "And maybe, with some time, we can be friends again." She acknowledges the possibility that their relationship might not recover from this decision. "I'm a girlfriend, Logan," she continues, her voice steady and determined. "That's the kind of person I am. I want to give the person I'm with everything and not share them with anyone else. I want to be selfish." Her vulnerability shines through as she articulates her desire for exclusivity and the longing to be someone's number one priority.
A tense silence hangs in the air, the distant sounds of the party drifting in through the door. Neither of them have made a move, their gaze fixed on one another. Time seems to stand still as Logan contemplates the weight of her words. "Okay…" Logan says softly.
Rory's eyes well up with tears, the emotional weight of the situation becoming almost overwhelming. The sudden urge to escape from the intensity of the moment surges within her. She fights to hold back the tears, her heartache evident in the glistening in her eyes. "I should go," she murmurs, the words slipping from her mouth.
Logan's mind starts churning, whispering urgently, "Rory, stop! Halt, Rory, stop! I can do it, be your boyfriend."
Confusion flickers across Rory's face as she retorts, "You said when this first started that you couldn't be my boyfriend." Her words serve as a potent reminder of their conversation where their relationship transitioned into something more casual.
With a few words exchanged, Logan implies, "You're indicating that you're unhappy with the current state of our relationship, isn't that right?" Rory nods, affirming his understanding. "Yes, I have never done it before, but I can do it. I can be your boyfriend. Situation fixed, problem solved."
"Logan..." Rory whispers softly, lingering uncertainty in her voice.
"I assure you that I can, I truly believe I can make it work," he promises her earnestly. "You don't want to end things between us, do you? Because I don't want to lose you either." His arms envelop her, providing a comforting embrace. "Please consider what I'm saying. Being a boyfriend is new and different but I am confident that I can be the best boyfriend."
"Are you positive about this?" She questions.
"Absolutely," he promises, his voice filled with determination and conviction. He leans in, giving her a soft kiss.
As he leans in to kiss her, she reciprocates, their lips meeting in a tender moment of trust and hope. "I believe you," she murmurs softly, a small smile gracing her lips. It may not have been the expected outcome, but it held the promise of a fresh start for them both, something to be excited about. "Let's head back to the party," she suggests, her eyes sparkling with newfound enthusiasm. "I'll let you get me a drink. Cheers to our new beginning."
"Sounds like a plan, Ace."