Emma’s POV
That night, I sat in my room, replaying the events of the day in my mind. The tension between Logan and Caleb had been there for weeks, and Vanessa was feeding off it like a parasite. She thrived in chaos, and she was making sure we all stayed tangled in her web. What scared me most was how easily it was working.
***
I found Caleb in the parking lot after school the next day. He was leaning against his car. I marched up to him, my fists clenched.
“Vanessa’s still bragging about how she can control you. Are you going to tell me that’s not true?”
“She’s lying, Emma. That’s what she does!”
“Then why does it always look like she’s winning?” I demanded.
“Because she knows it gets to you. She’s trying to mess with your head. That’s all this is.”
I crossed my arms, staring at him. “You’ve let her get too close before, Caleb. How do I know you’re not lying to me right now?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Emma, listen to me. I don’t care about Vanessa. I never have. She’s... well, you’ve seen her. She’s just desperate for attention.”
I hesitated, still unsure. “And you don’t feel anything for her? At all?”
“Nothing. She’s a joke, Emma. I would never date someone like her. You’re the one I care about.”
His words made my anger waver, but I couldn’t ignore the knot of doubt in my stomach. “She’s not going to stop,” I said quietly. “She’s going to keep trying to ruin us.”
Caleb reached for my hand, his grip warm and steady. “Then let her try. She still won’t win. Never.”
***
Later that day, Logan cornered me near the library. I didn’t want to talk to him, but he blocked my path, his expression serious.
“Vanessa isn’t done,” he said bluntly. “You know that, right?”
“I don’t need your warnings,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended. “I can handle Vanessa.”
“Emma, I’m not saying this to hurt you. I just... I don’t want you to get blindsided again.”
I stared at him, the old wounds between us still raw. “I don’t need your help, Logan.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but I walked away before he could.