Vanessa’s Schemes
Vanessa wasn’t just furious—she was livid.
Logan Reyes, the guy who used to hang on her every word, was spending all his time with me. Worse, people were starting to notice me in a way they never had before.
“Emma actually looks kind of cute without her glasses,” someone said in the hallway, and I could practically feel Vanessa’s glare burning a hole in the back of my head.
Rumors weren’t enough for her anymore. She needed something bigger. Something I couldn’t come back from.
The opportunity came during a pep rally. I didn’t even notice my backpack was missing until I saw Vanessa and Alyssa giggling near the janitor’s closet. Suspicious, I went to check—and the moment I opened the door, a bucket of soapy water tipped over, drenching me from head to toe.
The gym went silent for half a second before erupting in laughter. I stood there, frozen, water dripping down my face as my classmates pointed and whispered. My heart pounded in my chest, and all I wanted to do was disappear.
Then, through the crowd, I saw Logan. He was already moving toward me, his jaw tight and his eyes burning with something I couldn’t quite name. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, his touch steady and reassuring.
“Come on,” he said quietly, guiding me out of the gym. “Let’s get you out of here.”
By the time I got home, the prank was all over social media. The video had gone viral, and the comments were brutal. People debated whether Logan’s actions made him a “green flag” or a “walking red flag,” while others mocked me for being the “pathetic girl” he’d felt sorry for.
Vanessa played innocent, of course, feigning shock when people asked if she’d set it up. “I can’t believe someone would do that to Emma,” she said, her fake concern only making things worse. “But I guess Logan’s got a thing for rescuing damsels in distress.”
I stayed in my room that night, staring at the ceiling and wondering how much worse things could get. But the worst part wasn’t the prank, or the video, or even the comments.
It was the way Logan had looked at me when he put his jacket around my shoulders. Like I was someone worth saving. And I hated that a small part of me believed him.
***
I don’t know why I agreed to meet Logan in his room again. Maybe it was because he texted me with just enough of that teasing charm to wear down my defenses. Or maybe it was because deep down, I wanted to see where this was going—whatever this was.
“We’ll get more done without distractions,” Logan said when I walked in. He was leaning against his desk, smirking like he already knew I wouldn’t buy it.
I crossed my arms, giving him a pointed look. “You’re the distraction, Logan.”
His grin widened as he nodded toward the bed. “Come on, Em. Let’s be serious for once.”
I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling out my notes. Logan joined me, sitting close enough that our thighs brushed. I ignored the warmth spreading through me and focused on my notes, or at least pretended to.
But Logan, of course, had other plans.
“You’ve been holding back,” he said suddenly, his voice softer than usual.
I glanced at him, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
“This,” he said, gesturing between us. “You’re acting like nothing’s changed, like there’s nothing here. But there is, Em. And you know it.”
I felt my cheeks flush. “Logan, what are you doing? What is this?”
For the first time, he looked unsure. His jaw tightened, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know I can’t stop.”
The vulnerability in his voice caught me off guard, but I didn’t let it show. “I’m not holding back,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, you are.” His eyes darkened, and before I could respond, he leaned forward, pressing me back against the headboard. His arms caged me in, his breath warm on my face.
“Stop running, Em,” he said, his voice rough and raw. “I know you feel this.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words died when his lips crashed into mine. The kiss was desperate, demanding, and it left me breathless.
This time, I didn’t stop him. I couldn’t. I let myself get lost in the moment, in the way his hands explored me with a mix of confidence and tenderness. When his hand dipped lower, I gasped, breaking the kiss as panic and desire warred inside me.
“Logan, wait,” I said, my voice trembling.
He froze instantly, his hands retreating as he looked at me with something close to regret. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “It seems I just can’t keep away.”
