The tension between Logan and me was unbearable, a constant shadow that followed us wherever we went. Every time I saw him, I felt the invisible wall growing thicker, taller, harder to break through. And Vanessa—Vanessa—was always there, her presence like salt on a wound I was trying desperately to heal.
It wasn’t just the sight of her that hurt, though that was bad enough. It was her belly, growing with each passing week. She didn’t try to hide it; she flaunted it, as though it was a trophy of her triumph over me.
Logan wasn’t hers, not really. I knew that, and maybe Vanessa did too, but she wasn’t above using the baby to manipulate him.
It happened during lunch one day. I was sitting with Alyssa, trying to pretend that my salad was more interesting than the knot twisting in my stomach. Across the cafeteria, I could see Vanessa and Logan sitting together. He wasn’t smiling—he never smiled anymore—but he leaned toward her, listening as she talked.
I tried to look away, but I couldn’t.
And then it happened. Vanessa suddenly gasped, clutching her stomach. Logan immediately straightened, concern etched into his face. She leaned toward him, her face pale, and whispered something I couldn’t hear.
He reacted instantly, standing and putting a steadying hand on her arm. She swayed dramatically, falling into him as if her legs couldn’t support her.
Right there, in front of the entire cafeteria. And right in front of me.
I gripped my fork tightly, my appetite completely gone. Alyssa followed my gaze, her lips curling in disgust.
“She’s so fake,” Alyssa muttered.
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. My chest felt tight, and my throat burned with the effort of holding back tears.
Logan helped Vanessa to her feet, keeping an arm around her as he guided her out of the cafeteria. She leaned into him like she was incapable of walking without his support, casting one quick, triumphant glance in my direction.
It was enough to shatter the fragile calm I’d been holding onto.
***
Alyssa caught up with me later that day, her voice low as she tried to comfort me. “She’s just doing it to get to you, you know. She loves the attention. Logan doesn’t even look happy around her.”
“I know,” I said quietly. But knowing didn’t make it hurt any less.
“She’s pathetic,” Alyssa continued, her voice growing sharper. “If she really thought Logan cared about her, she wouldn’t have to pull stunts like that. Everyone can see it, Emma.”
“Maybe,” I said, forcing a weak smile.
But the truth was, Vanessa didn’t need Logan to love her. She just needed him to be there, to care enough to stay by her side. And she had that. She had him.
The next day at school, I walked past Vanessa in the hallway. She was laughing loudly, her voice echoing off the walls as she stood with her usual group of friends. Logan wasn’t with her this time, but that didn’t matter. She was glowing, basking in the attention.
I tried to walk past without looking at her, but her voice cut through the noise.
“Emma!” she called, her tone sickly sweet.
I stopped, turning to face her.
Her smile was wide and calculated, her hand resting casually on her stomach. “Oh, I didn’t see you there. How’s it going?”
“Fine,” I said flatly.
She tilted her head, feigning concern. “You look a little tired. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I repeated, my voice sharper this time.
Vanessa’s smile widened. “Good. You know, I’ve been thinking—maybe you should come to the baby shower. It might be nice for everyone to see how... supportive you are of Logan’s new role.”
My stomach twisted, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak.
“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, my voice hollow.
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Oh, Emma. You’re always so polite. It’s almost cute.”
I turned and walked away before I said something I’d regret.
***
When I got home that night, the day replayed in my mind–every glance, every word, every feeling of inadequacy that Vanessa had stirred up in me.
Logan loved me. I knew that. But it wasn’t enough. Not when Vanessa was always there, reminding him—and me—that his future was tied to hers now.
Vanessa was happy in her way. She didn’t need love from Logan; having him physically present was enough for her.
Logan was miserable, torn between his responsibilities to Vanessa and his feelings for me.
And me? I was left with my broken dreams and the realization that no one was going to get what they wanted.
None of us were happy. None of us would ever have the full, happy future we’d once imagined.
We were all stuck in this endless cycle of pain, and I didn’t know how to break free. I almost forgot about the most important part - The Note.