I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship

I’ve always been “the quiet, nerdy girl”. The girl with her nose buried in a book, the girl people barely notice. But my world is a lot more complicated than it seems. You see, I’m absolutely, hopelessly in love with my best friend, Logan Reyes. And he has no idea.

Logan and I have been friends forever. To him, I’m just Emma, the girl he’ll talk to about everything—except his new flings, like Vanessa, the school's reigning queen bee. She’s got her sights on him and everyone knows it. Meanwhile, Logan and I share this strange, unspoken chemistry that I can’t ignore, even if we act like it’s no big deal.

But everything changes the night I get roped into a game of spin the bottle at Vanessa’s party. And the bottle lands on Logan.

***

Warning: Prolonged exposure to Logan may result in a one-night stand and a series of bad decisions. But let’s be honest, even if he came with that warning, girls would still throw themselves at him like he was some kind of cosmic reward for good behavior. And those girls? Yeah, they’d rather set me on fire than see me breathe the same air as him.

“Em, you seriously need to get out more,” Logan said.

“And what? Join your cult of admirers?” I clutched my soda like it was a shield. “No, thanks. I’m not cut out for worshiping at the altar of Logan Reyes.”

His grin widened. “It’s an exclusive fan club. I might be able to get you in, though.”

“Oh, how generous. What’s the membership fee? My dignity?”

Logan laughed, the kind of laugh that made everyone else sound like they were trying too hard.

He leaned back, hands behind his head. “You know, if you were a little nicer and open, you might actually make some friends.”

“Friends like you?” I scoffed, tossing a balled-up napkin at his head. He caught it midair, of course, because apparently, being good at everything was just part of his DNA.

“Exactly. I’m a great friend.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re fun to mess with.” He leaned closer. His face was suddenly way too close, his stupidly perfect jawline practically mocking me. “Admit it—you’d be bored without me.”

I’d be lost without you, my traitorous thoughts whispered, uninvited.

My gaze lingered on his lips for a little too long, and I wouldn’t have found the strength to pull away if Logan hadn’t broken the unintentional spell. Hopefully, he didn’t notice.

“See you later, Em,” he said standing up to leave. His grin should have been illegal. My brain short-circuited as I tried to act like I haven’t just melted in front of him like a piece of chocolate left out in the sun.

“Yeah,” I managed, my voice way too shaky for my liking.

***

At home, I buried my face in a pillow, trying to drown out the memory of his smile, eyes and lips. It didn’t help that when I reached for my book, the hero’s smirk practically screamed Logan. Of course, the fictional bad boy also had a habit of driving the heroine insane.

My phone buzzed, yanking me back to reality.

Logan: “You’re coming to the party, right? Don’t make me drag you there.”

I stared at the message, my stomach doing somersaults. Logan dragging me anywhere was a dangerous thought—and the worst part? I wasn’t sure I’d mind.

I found myself standing awkwardly in the middle of a stranger’s house, clutching a plastic cup of something vaguely sweet and trying not to draw attention to myself.

“Emma!” I turned to see Logan, his grin wide and easy. His leather jacket slung over one shoulder and his dark hair messily perfect. “Told you I’d drag you here if I had to.”.

“You didn’t drag me,” I shouted back over the music. “I came willingly. Sort of.”

That was a lie. I already regretted coming. The place was packed—kids from school crammed into every corner, music pounding so loud it made the floor vibrate. The air was thick with sweat and cheap cologne.

My pulse went haywire as Logan leaned in closer, his scent—something warm and woodsy—wrapping around me.

“Relax, Em,” he said, his lips brushing my ear. “Have some fun.”

I tried to reply, but my voice got caught in my throat when Vanessa appeared, her heels clicking against the floor.

“I was wondering where you were, cutie pie.” Her voice was syrupy sweet.

Vanessa looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine, her perfect waves cascading over her shoulders as she batted her lashes at Logan. Her gaze flicked to me, her smile tightening.

“Emma! Didn’t know you came to parties.”

“Yeah, well,” I muttered.

“Em’s here with me,” Logan said casually, and my heart did a little flip.

Vanessa’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but then she looped her arm through Logan’s, pulling him away. “Come on, babe. You have to see this.”

I watched them disappear into the crowd. My stomach twisting from seeing Logan with someone like Vanessa.

I retreated to the kitchen, trying to avoid the pointed stares and whispers from the other girls. My phone was a lifeline, something to focus on while the party buzzed around me. But then, across the room, I felt it—his gaze.

Logan was watching me, his eyes locked on mine from where he stood with Vanessa. For a moment, everything else faded—the music, the crowd, even my own nervous thoughts.

The intensity in his expression made my knees go weak, and I gripped the edge of the counter for support.

“Everyone!” Vanessa’s voice rang out, cutting through the haze. “We’re playing spin the bottle. No exceptions!”

My stomach dropped as her gaze landed on me, her smirk sharp. “Including you, Emma.”