Chapter 14: The Search for Logan

I always dreamed that, when my prince charming comes, he’d come up with something totally romantic to prove he’s worthy of my love, but the situation called for drastic measures. I ignored my prince charming when he came along, so I had to be the one to prove myself.

As I sat there in the crowded movie theater, alongside the boy I thought I was in love with, scenes between famous lovers from the books I had read, and the movies I had seen flashed through my head, some happy and some sad.

Like Romeo and Juliet, who were destined to die from the very beginning. I was Juliet, and the Romeo—surprisingly wasn’t Adam Brody, as I had so often imagined—was Logan. Like Cher and Josh from Clueless who were so perfect for each other, despite being complete opposites. They never even saw it coming. Or like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice who hated each other at first.

I knew what I had to do. No more denial. No more trying to love someone I simply didn’t. No more lying to myself. I had set up Ben and Val. Now, it was my turn to make my own fairy tale come to life.

I turned to Bryan and blurted out, “Bryan, I’m sorry. I’m in love with someone else. I never should’ve gone on this date with you in the first place.”

Bryan just stared at me, all throughout my pathetic speech, one big question on his face: What the hell are you talking about?

“I don’t really know how to explain this, but I’ll try anyway,” I said, after one big gulp. “You see, you made an impression on me when I first saw you. I thought you were the perfect guy for me, since you’re not a jock and you seemed cool, but I was wrong… And there’s this guy who I thought was a total moron, until I got to know him, and I made one huge mistake—“

“You’re talking about Logan, aren’t you?” Bryan said, his eyes looking at me but they seemed somewhere far off.

“Sort of,” I said, wondering how he figured it out.

“You’re an amazing girl, Gwen,” Bryan said with a sigh. “Logan’s a lucky guy. I just wish I asked you out earlier.”

“Thanks a lot,” I said, giving him a hug.

I stood up, and stumbled to the center aisle. Ben and Val actually stopped making out to see what I was doing. I looked around in the darkness, but I couldn’t find Logan anywhere, so I decided to sacrifice my dignity. I shouted, to the dismay of the other moviegoers, “Logan, where are you!” No one answered.

“Sit down!” someone from the audience yelled.

“Hey, we’re trying to watch a movie here!” someone else seconded.

But I persevered anyway. I yelled again, “This is serious, Logan! Where are you?”

“He left, Gwen,” someone in the third row said. I walked over to the owner of the familiar voice, and saw that it was Candace.

“Where’d he go?” I said, my heart pummeling in my chest.

“I don’t know,” Candace said, motioning for the exit, “but he seemed upset.”

“Thanks, Candace,” I said, as I rushed for the door marked exit in bright red.

I stopped outside the movie theater, panting breathlessly. I didn’t know what to do next. Where did Logan go? Why was he upset? One thought that made my knees go weak occurred to me. Was it possible that he was upset because I was on a date with Bryan? Was that it? I hoped with every single bone in my body that it was.

The sun had just set, and all sorts of people walked past me. There was one lady with her baby in a stroller. There was a couple that was holding hands. There was a bunch of rowdy elementary school boys. Sadly, none of them could help me.

I decided that maybe Logan went home. Uncle Freddie liked me, so he’d probably let me in. I ran all the way to Logan’s house, despite the fact that my heels were killing me. By the time I got there, my feet were throbbing so bad, I was sure I was going to limp for a couple of days. I knocked on the door, hoping that Logan was answering it. My hopes were useless.

“Long time no see, Gwen,” Uncle Freddie said, when saw me standing in front of the door. Before he could say anything else, he hollered, “Luigi, come see who’s here!”

“Who?” Luigi said, looking annoyed, but he brightened up when he saw me. “You wanna come in and play monopoly with me, Gwen?”

“I’d love to but I can’t,” I said, “I promise we’ll do it next time.” I looked up at Uncle Freddie. “Is Logan here? I really need to talk to him.”

“What’d that boy do this time?” Uncle Freddie said in his Santa Claus-like voice. He rubbed his stomach, and looked at me. “He left this morning, and he hasn’t come home since. But he’ll surely come home when gets hungry.“

“Thanks anyway,” I said, my shoulders slumping. I felt like all my energy had been drained out of me, hopelessness replaced everything.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna come in?” Uncle Freddie said, holding the door wide open. “You could wait for Logan inside.”

“No, I’ll just look for him,” I said, turning back to the driveway. I heard the door close, and I felt like it had barred my optimism too.

I walked to the park, thinking he might be there. I was wrong again. Empty swings, childless slides, and unused seesaws greeted me. There was no one there. I was so pathetic for thinking he’d be there. Why would he go there anyway? It’s not like he had a special attachment to the place just because of one afternoon we spent in it.

Walking from my useless journey to the park, I passed by Bachman Books, my favorite place in the whole town. I stared at the sign BACHMAN BOOKS on the front of the store, feeling like I was about to collapse from exhaustion and despair. I entered the store. Maybe it’ll cheer me up a little. I could get myself a new book, a Jane Austen novel if one was available, or maybe even Wuthering Heights. I’d been dying to read that one for so long.

“Why, Gwen, it’s so nice to see you,” Mrs. Henshaw said, looking up at me when I stepped through the door. I noticed she had been arranging books in a shelf.

“It’s nice to see you too, Mrs. Henshaw,” I said, trying to smile even if my heart wasn’t really in it. I looked at the stacks of books she was arranging. “Do you have Wuthering Heights?”

“Just check in the shelves,” Mrs. Henshaw said, caressing her back. “I think I put it in somewhere with the Dickensian novels.”

“I’ll just go see,” I said, as I proceeded to the shelves.

I looked into the shelves, my finger passing by every title. Almost all of Charles Dickens’s novels were there, all in different editions. I looked around until I saw the solitary copy of Wuthering Heights. I took it out and flipped through the pages. It was an old edition, with a black fabric cover and yellowed pages. It was dusty too.

Reading the first few passages, I didn’t fail to see the stupidity of the whole afternoon’s progression. I had started out on a date, expecting that specific date to ask me out again. Now, I didn’t want to, but I never expected to find myself in a bookstore.

I had read the summary of Wuthering Heights from the Internet. I was so intrigued that I decided not to borrow from the library, but to buy my own copy. It was a tale of broken promises and vengeance. I guess, it just stated what could happen if you try to convince yourself you really love someone else. Like what I did.

“I knew you’d be in the Victorian novels section,” a voice behind me said. I almost dropped the book I was holding. I knew to whom that voice belonged to, but I didn’t turn around. I didn’t know what I’d see if I did.

“Are you going to insult Jane Austen again?” I said, clutching the book to my chest. My throat felt dry, and a thousand thoughts raced to my head in union with the beat of my heart.

“I’m not up for another literary debate,” he said, quoting Mr. Clarence.

I finally decided to turn around and look at him. It was like déjà vu, only Luigi and Chelsea weren’t standing beside me and I wasn’t denying my feelings anymore. Standing in front of Logan in a dusty bookstore, I became convinced.

There was no need for fireworks, champagne, or elegant proclamations. He was the one for me. No fortune cookie or not even Nostradamus could’ve foretold it. I never even saw it coming.

“Did I grow another head or what?” Logan said, waving his hand in my face. He became serious. “Are you feeling okay, Gwen? Do you want me to walk you—“

“No, I’m fine,” I cut him off. I sat down on the floor, hugging my knees. Logan sat down beside me. I didn’t feel so tired anymore, having him so close. Why d’you leave the theater? I wanted to ask, but I forced it back. “Why were you at the at the film festival? I thought that wasn’t your thing.”

“My movie was shown there,” Logan said, and I almost choked.

“What movie?” I said, knowing full well what his answer would be.

“A Brighter Shade,” Logan said, looking proud of himself. “Technically, it’s not my movie. I was just a part of the crew. I wrote the songs they featured.”

“You wrote the songs?” I said, barely able to get the words out. I remembered something I told him before. If he shares his poem with you just after he has written it, it’s a special moment that no one else can replace. He didn’t answer, so I decided to ask the question that had been bothering me the whole time. “Why’d you leave the theater?”

“Why’d you leave the theater?” Logan said, bouncing the question back. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t hear the words I wanted to. He sighed out of frustration and looked at me. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a long time.”

“Then, why didn’t you?” I said, asking myself if I would’ve said yes if he did. If he asked me out now, I’d immediately say yes, but what if he asked a couple of months ago? What would I have answered? I would’ve looked at him like he was demented, and rejected him in the loudest voice I could muster.

“I’m not stupid, Gwen,” Logan said with a sad smile on his face. “You would’ve thought I was crazy.” He shrugged. “Besides, why would I ask a girl out if I know she likes someone else?”

“How can you be so sure I like someone else?” I said, sure that it would trigger something.

Logan looked at me for a while, like he was trying to figure something out. I guess I rendered him incapable of speech by what I said. He looked down. “I saw you with him in the theater. You talked. You laughed. You looked like you were having a good time.” He looked into my eyes. “Don’t mess around with me, Gwen.”

I had to tell him. No more lies. No more denial. It was honesty time. “Logan, what I’m saying is I fooled myself into thinking that Bryan’s the perfect guy for me,” I blabbered on, “but I was wrong, okay? He was nice and all, and I liked the idea of being in love with someone like him. I tried to make myself like him.” I paused. “But I couldn’t, because I kept thinking about you. You’re the—“

I didn’t get to finish my sentence, since he kissed me. Right there in the dusty bookstore. I remembered the first time we kissed. It was just for a movie scene now. Now, it was the real thing.

“Gwen,” Logan breathed out, when we drew away from each other, “I knew you had a thing for me when you made me eat those stupid worms.”

“Not exactly humble, are you?” I said, laughing.

Logan just grinned at me. He raised his right hand, like he was taking an oath. “Gwen, I swear when we have disagreements I’ll be the first to shut my mouth.”

“Like you did in the gym?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Sort of,” Logan said, still raising his hand. “I’ll change. Promise.”

I took his hand in mine and smiled at him. “I don’t want you to change, Logan. Not at all. I like you just the way you are, despite the fact that you cut class, despite your—“

I couldn’t say another word. He kissed me again, and I know we were both smiling.

It’s been a couple of months since that incident at Bachman Books. My fairy tale didn’t end the way I always imagined it, but who knew a bookstore could ever be romantic? Or a park, or a creek, or a library for that matter. I also ended up with the most unexpected guy, but I’m happy with the choice I made.

Celine and R.J. have broken up and made up so many times that I’ve lost count. Celine’s still making movies, but I’ll never agree to be an extra again. My film career is, sadly, dead.

Ben and Val are still a couple, and he’s planning to go to the same university as her. Val won’t allow me to make fun or slap him playfully anymore, so things have definitely changed.

Cass is still single, but she’s having fun. She’s dating a lot of guys, no commitments and she feels liberated with her freedom. She even scoffs at me sometimes for having a boyfriend.

Candace and Bryan are now dating. They hooked up after I left the theater, since he asked her where I was going and they started talking. I guess that they’re the ones who’re meant to be together.

Logan and I are still together, and I hope we stay that way. I’ve managed to convince him to read other Jane Austen novels, under one condition though. I have to read a James Bond novel by Ian Fleming, which is utter torture since I think the books are sexist and stereotypical. But a deal’s a deal.

He still writes songs, and some of them are about me. I’m always the first to read them. If you remember, I wanted a poet from the start, and a poet is kind of the same thing as a songwriter, so I’m contented.

Even if he’s flawed and imperfect, I firmly believe—no matter how much he protests—that Logan’s the prince charming I’ve been searching for.

The End

Author’s Note:

It’s over! I don’t know how to describe the feeling. After months of working on The Prince Charming Search, I finally have to say goodbye. I’m definitely gonna miss Logan and Gwen. Thanks to all those who reviewed and supported my story!

MidnyghtVampyrezz: I don’t want it to end either. Out of all the male leads I’ve created, Logan’s definitely my favorite. Thanks for your support. 

dreea04: I’ll definitely think about your suggestions while writing my new story. I hope you’ll read it since its set in our home country.

Karlo: Awesome suggestion! I’ll definitely include some tagalog in my new story. Thanks!

Abyssgirl: Don’t worry. I won’t change the setting, since everything has been fleshed out. Changing it now would be a disaster.

julieell093: Yup, the Philippines are a catholic nation so we definitely have catholic schools here.