The first day of senior year should have felt like the beginning of the end, the last stretch before college and the start of something new. For everyone else, it probably did. The hallways buzzed with excitement—students chatting about applications, scholarships, and dream schools.
For me, it felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff.
Everyone was planning their futures while I was drowning in my present. My stomach churned as I walked through the crowded halls, clutching my books to my chest. Caleb’s words from last night lingered in my mind, his hand on my belly, his promise to be there for me. And Logan... well, Logan wasn’t far from my thoughts either.
I glanced down the hallway, and there he was—Logan, leaning against a row of lockers, his arms crossed. His blue eyes found me instantly, narrowing slightly as he caught sight of Caleb walking a few steps behind me.
The tension between the three of us was impossible to ignore. It had been there since the fight—since the night Caleb and Logan found out I’d slept with both of them.
They’d nearly torn each other apart, and even now, the air between them was heavy with unspoken resentment.
“Emma,” Logan called, his voice steady but clipped.
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Caleb stopped behind me, his expression unreadable, though I could feel the heat of his glare aimed squarely at Logan.
“We need to talk,” Logan said, taking a step closer.
“Not now,” I said quickly, my voice sharp.
Logan frowned, his jaw tightening. “You’ve been avoiding me for weeks. Just—”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I cut him off, my throat tightening. “I have to get to class.”
“Emma—”
I didn’t give him a chance to finish. Adjusting the strap of my bag, I turned on my heel and walked away, my head down and my heart racing.
The tension lingered all day, following me from class to class like a shadow. The weight of Logan’s gaze, the quiet way Caleb hovered nearby—it was suffocating.
Senior year was supposed to be about deciding our futures, about looking ahead. But I couldn’t see past the mess I’d created.
“Emma!”
I turned to see Alyssa jogging toward me during lunch, her blonde ponytail swaying as she weaved through the crowd.
“Hey,” she said, dropping into the seat beside me at the far corner of the cafeteria. She glanced briefly at Caleb, who had taken the spot across from me, before turning her full attention to me. “You okay? You look... stressed.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile.
Alyssa raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. “At least Vanessa isn’t here,” she muttered, her tone dark.
I nodded, my stomach twisting at the mention of her name. “Yeah. Thank God.”
Alyssa sighed, propping her chin on her hand. “So, have you decided where you’re applying yet?”
The question caught me off guard. “What?”
“For college,” she clarified. “It’s senior year, Emma. You’ve got to start thinking about this stuff.”
“Right,” I said, my voice hollow.
“What about you, Caleb?” Alyssa asked, turning to him.
He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Haven’t decided yet. Might just stay local.”
“Figures,” Alyssa said with a smirk before turning her attention back to me. “Anyway, let me know if you want to talk about applications or anything. I’m trying to stay ahead of the game.”
“Thanks,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I meant it.
By the time the final bell rang, I was ready to disappear. But as I stepped into the parking lot, I spotted Logan leaning against his car, his arms crossed as he watched Caleb walk toward mine.
The tension between them was palpable, even from a distance. Logan’s jaw tightened, and Caleb didn’t so much as glance in his direction.
“Emma!” Logan called as I reached my car.
I didn’t answer. Caleb opened the passenger door for me, and I slid in without a word.
Logan took a step closer, his voice sharper now. “Please, Emma, why the hell you can’t give me a moment?.”
I turned to Caleb. “Can we go?”
Without a word, Caleb slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As we pulled out of the lot, I glanced in the side mirror and saw Logan standing there, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
The silence in the car was heavy. Caleb didn’t say anything until we were halfway to his house.
“He’s still hung up on you,” he said finally, his voice low.
I didn’t answer.
“You know that, right?” he pressed.
“Can we not do this right now?” I muttered, staring out the window.
Caleb let out a quiet sigh, but he didn’t push further.
“I will be at the hospital, tomorrow 8 AM.”