Logan: I’m sorry. Can we talk?
Logan: Please, Em. I screwed up, I know that. Just give me a chance.
Logan: I hate how things are right now. Say something. Anything.
Ignoring Logan wasn’t easy, but it felt necessary. Each time I saw his name pop up on my phone,the pain hit fresh and raw all over again. And when I felt his eyes on me in class, that same pain twisted in my chest, sharp and relentless. I didn’t want his apologies or his explanations—not after what had happened.
I couldn’t bring myself to block him, but I didn’t reply to his single message.
In class, I made it a point to sit as far from him as possible. I didn’t have to look to know he was staring—his presence felt like a shadow, heavy and unshakable. The tension between us was palpable, so thick it seemed to fill the air in the classroom. Even our teacher seemed to notice when she paired us up for yet another assignment.
“Is everything okay, you two?” she asked, her sharp eyes flicking between us..
“Fine,” I said, as I kept my gaze glued to my desk.
“Yeah,” Logan muttered.
Working together felt like walking through a minefield.
“Emma,” he said at one point, his voice almost pleading. “Can we just talk? Like, really talk?”
I ignored him, scribbling notes furiously, even as my hand trembled slightly.
“You can’t just ignore me forever.”
“Watch me,” I replied, burning him with my gaze. His shoulders sagged slightly, and for a moment, I almost felt a twinge of guilt. Almost.
Sarah, as always, was quick to notice. She cornered me after class. Blocking my path with a stubborn resolve that reminded me why we were friends, she crossed her arms and stared me down.
“Okay, this has to stop. You’re both miserable, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“I’m not miserable.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because you look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re impossible. Logan’s trying, Emma. He’s trying to fix things.”
“Well, maybe he should’ve thought about that before he let Vanessa ruin my life.” I snapped before I could stop myself. “I trusted him, Sarah. And he didn’t do anything.”
Sarah sighed, her expression softened. “I get it. I do. But shutting him out completely isn’t going to make you feel better. It’s just going to make both of you hurt.”
“I’m not ready to forgive him.”
“Okay. But just... don’t let the anger consume you, Em. I don’t think that’s who you are.”
Her words lingered in the air, heavy with truth I wasn’t ready to acknowledge. I crossed my arms and looked away. As much as I hated to admit it, part of me still cared. Part of me still wanted to believe Logan deserved another chance. But my walls were up, high and unyielding, and I wasn’t ready to let anyone knock them down—not yet.
***
During lunch one day, Alyssa, Vanessa’s friend, did something that left me stunned. She approached me. Her steps were hesitant, her eyes darting nervously toward Vanessa’s table as she made her way across the cafeteria.
“Can I talk to you?” she said.
I blinked, caught off guard. “Why?”
She glanced over her shoulder, as if afraid someone might overhear.
“Not everyone agrees with what Vanessa did. Some of us think she went too far.”