The next day at school felt like walking into a minefield. Every hallway seemed to buzz with whispers, heads turning as I passed. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the kiss at the party or just my own paranoia. Yesterday, I slipped away from the party before I could even talk to Logan. I know I can’t keep running from him forever. But right now, all I want is to try..
I spotted him leaning against the lockers, that effortless bad-boy charm radiating off him like a second skin. His dark hair was tousled, and his grin was just sharp enough to make me wary.
“Hey, Em,” he called out as I approached, his voice warm and teasing.
“Hey,” I muttered, trying to walk past him, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“Whoa, whoa, what’s the rush?”
“I have class.”
Logan snorted. “You’ve never cared about being on time before.”
My gaze flicked to his, and that was my first mistake. His eyes were on me, full of mischief and something deeper, something that made my pulse stutter.
“What’s going on with you?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, stepping around him.
He didn’t follow, but I could feel his eyes on my back as I hurried down the hall.
***
By lunchtime, I was a mess. I had spent the entire morning replaying the kiss in my head, trying to analyze every detail, every flicker of emotion I’d seen in Logan’s eyes. But no amount of overthinking could prepare me for how he acted.
Logan wasn’t giving me space—far from it. He sat next to me in the cafeteria, his shoulder brushing mine, his leg casually pressed against mine under the table. Every accidental touch sent little jolts of electricity through my skin, and I hated how easily he got under my defenses.
“You’re quiet today,” he said, leaning close so his voice was just for me.
“I’m always quiet,” I muttered, focusing on my tray.
“Not with me.”
My throat tightened.
Suddenly Vanessa slid into the seat across from us.
“There you are,” she said to Logan. “I’ve been looking for you all morning.”
He didn’t even glance at her. “I’ve been here.”
Vanessa’s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing as they landed on me. “You’re awfully cozy, Emma.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Logan beat me to it. “Relax, Vanessa. We’re just friends.”
Friends. The word hit me harder than I expected, even though I knew it was true.
***
By the end of the day, I’d managed to avoid Logan entirely. Or at least, I thought I had.
I was pulling books from my locker when I felt him behind me. His presence was unmistakable, all warmth and intensity that made my pulse race.
“Logan, what—”
I turned, and suddenly he was right there, his hands braced against the locker on either side of me, caging me in.
“Why are you avoiding me?”.