4
Become
Road bit SVR storle
Back at the dorm, I made a cup of instant noodles and sat down
I played until my eyes stung, finally shutting down the computer.
at
my setup to train.
11:10 AM
<
That’s when my phone buzzed with a notification.
Griffin had posted on Facebook:
“You’re amazing. Making me hangover soup after I had too much to drink.”
The attached photo showed Vanessa in the kitchen, wearing an apron and illuminated by warm lighting. It was a cozy, intimate scene.
So, Vanessa was capable of cooking for someone. Just not for me.
I laughed bitterly and commented: “Your girlfriend is so thoughtful. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.”
Then I blocked both Griffin and Vanessa.
Minutes later, an unknown number called.
Vanessa’s voice came through the line. “Logan, what was that comment supposed to mean?
“Do you have to make everyone miserable to feel satisfied? Apologize to Griffin right now, or don’t bother trying to see me this week!”
I chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. I won’t be bothering you again.”
I hung up and didn’t answer when she called back.
The days that followed were quiet. I immersed myself in training and started getting used to life without her.
That was, until the team meeting.
Vanessa appeared at the doorway, dressed in a white dress that contrasted sharply with her long black hair.
She looked stunning, just like the first time we met–though even then, she’d come to the base looking for Griffin.
I let out a low laugh and walked past her into the meeting room without a word.
She hesitated, then followed me inside.
“Logan, how long do you plan to keep this up?” she asked, irritation creeping into her voice. “You’ve been avoiding me for days, and you blocked me. What do you want?”
Griffin and the other teammates glanced over, clearly intrigued.
I met their stares briefly before answering, “Vanessa, we’ve broken up.”
She stared at me in disbelief. “You’re serious? Just because fans are shipping me and Griffin?”
Her tone carried a note of blame. “When did you become so unreasonable, Logan?”
“You know that’s just a joke. Griffin and I are just friends. Can you stop misinterpreting things?”
Griffin’s expression shifted into something more complicated, tinged with jealousy.
But I didn’t care anymore.
I smiled faintly. “You’ll never understand the real problem.”
“Then tell me! What’s the issue? Are you really going to let your pettiness ruin this?” Vanessa demanded, staring me down.
I didn’t reply. As the team leader and others entered, I took a seat and waited for the meeting to begin.
seat asing
Vanessa looked like she wanted to argue further but held back, choosing to wait until after the meeting.
11:10 AM
<
In the conference room, the manager was full of praise for Griffin Ashby, commending him and Vanessa Larkson for their couple–themed promo videos that had gone viral online and significantly boosted the studio’s revenue.
Then, his tone shifted abruptly.
Meeting his meaningful gaze and catching Griffin’s condescending smirk, a wave of unease washed over me.
Sure enough, the manager turned to me and said, “Logan Hartman, you’ve worked so hard over the past two years, so…”
“To give you some well–deserved rest, we’ve decided to remove you from the active roster temporarily.”
“Griffin will be taking over the jungler position and leading the team as captain in future matches.”
“Don’t worry–your contributions won’t be forgotten. During this time, you can assist with tasks in the support department.”
Benching a jungler who just led the team to a championship? This was nothing short of betrayal.
I let out a bitter laugh. “Thank you for the generous offer, but I joined this team to compete. If I can’t play, I’d rather leave.”
Ignoring the awkward silence and the manager’s discomfort, I stood and left the room.
Vanessa was waiting just outside the door, her face frozen in shock.
Before she could say anything, Griffin caught up and spoke first.
“Logan, why don’t you beg me? Maybe I can convince the manager to let you stay,” he sneered.
He casually filled Vanessa in on what had happened in the meeting.
Vanessa frowned and said, “Logan, don’t be impulsive. If you leave, where will you even go?”
“Just apologize to Griffin. Isn’t it good to be off the roster for a while? Now you’ll have more time to spend with me!”
I let out a cold laugh. “Keep dreaming.”
I said nothing more and continued toward the base’s exit.
Vanessa and Griffin followed, with Vanessa still trying to convince me to apologize.
Before she could finish, a car sped out of nowhere, veering directly toward me.
Without thinking, Vanessa shoved Griffin out of harm’s way.
“Griffin, look out!”
I wasn’t fast enough to react. The car struck me, throwing me several feet across the pavement.
Pain coursed through me, making it impossible to move as my vision blurred.
“Logan!” Vanessa screamed, her face pale as she ran toward me.
But I couldn’t muster the strength to respond. Slowly, my eyes closed, and everything went dark.
When I regained consciousness, I was lying in a hospital bed.
Vanessa was sitting at my bedside. Hearing me stir, she turned, her face a mixture of relief and guilt.
“You’re awake? You scared me to death!”
“You’ve been unconscious for six whole days!”
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11:10 AM
