Chapter 7: The Unseen Side
1851 Words
Alex had always known about Cody.
It wasn’t some big secret. Emma had mentioned him early on, back when they were still in that phase of friendship where everything felt light and easy. She’d dropped his name and their relationship like it was just another fact about her life, no more significant than her favorite coffee order or the way she actually liked pineapple on pizza. At the time, Alex hadn’t thought much of it other than he recognized how hard he had just been friend zoned. But being friend zoned will have to be enough. Because then, at least she was in his life. Cody was just another piece of Emma’s story.
Or so he thought.
Over time, though, things started to change. As Alex spent more time with Emma, as their conversations grew deeper and their connection stronger, he began to notice things. Little things. Like the way her shoulders tensed when Cody’s name came up, or how her laughter always seemed to dim after a call with him. It was subtle, but it was there. And Alex—always the observer—couldn’t help but see it.
The first time he really understood the weight of Cody’s presence was during one of their regular walks to the café. Emma had been radiant that day, wearing a pair of dark jeans and a blue blouse that brought out the warmth in her eyes. Her hair was loose, catching the sunlight with every step she took. Alex had been struck, not for the first time, by how effortlessly beautiful she was.
But then, as they’d settled into their usual corner of the café, Emma’s phone buzzed. She’d glanced at the screen, and Alex saw it: that flicker of tension, so quick it might’ve been missed by anyone else. She’d hesitated before answering, her voice quieter than usual.
“Hey, Cody,” she’d said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I’m just out with Alex. What’s up?”
Alex couldn’t hear what Cody said, but he didn’t need to. The way Emma’s posture shifted, her shoulders hunching ever so slightly, told him everything he needed to know. By the time she hung up, the light in her eyes had dimmed. She’d stared at her coffee for a moment, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup.
“Everything okay?” Alex had asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
Emma had looked up, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah. He’s just… you know. Cody.”
Alex didn’t know, not really. But he wanted to. And the more he saw, the more frustrated he became.
…
Cody wasn’t a bad guy—at least, not in the obvious ways. He wasn’t cruel or overtly controlling. But there was something about the way he treated Emma that didn’t sit right with Alex. It wasn’t the big things; it was the accumulation of small, cutting remarks, the kind that chipped away at someone’s confidence over time.
Like the day Emma had shown up for practice in a pair of leggings and a fitted hoodie. She’d looked strong and confident, her hair pulled back in a braid. But then Cody had made some offhand comment about how she was “showing off too much.” All based on the photo that he "requested" daily. Emma had laughed it off at the time, but later, Alex caught her tugging at the hem of her hoodie, her expression uncertain.
It was infuriating. Alex didn’t understand how someone could look at Emma and not see how incredible she was. She deserved to feel confident, to feel celebrated for who she was. Instead, Cody’s words seemed to linger in her mind, casting shadows where there should’ve been light.
…
One afternoon, Alex and Emma were sitting in the Mezz, going over notes for an upcoming exam. She’d been distracted, her phone lighting up every few minutes with messages from Cody. Alex had tried to ignore it, but when Emma’s expression shifted—that familiar flicker of tension—he couldn’t stay silent.
“You okay?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
Emma hesitated, her fingers hovering over her phone. “Yeah. It’s just… Cody thinks I should change what I’m wearing for the study group later. He said it’s too… distracting.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. “What’s distracting about jeans and a sweater?”
She shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “I don’t know. He just… worries about what people think.”
“What about what you think?” Alex countered, his voice firmer than he’d intended. “You should wear what makes you feel good, Em. Not what makes someone else comfortable.”
Emma looked up, her eyes searching his. For a moment, Alex thought she might argue, but then she just sighed, a small, tired sound. “It’s not that simple.”
Alex wanted to tell her it was that simple. Cody isn't here. He is a 4 hour flight away, but he held back. Instead, he leaned forward, his tone softening. “You deserve to feel like you’re enough, exactly as you are. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
Her expression softened, and for a brief moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something else—something like gratitude. But then she looked away, and the moment passed.
…
The breaking point came an after her most recent game. Alex had been beside himself waiting for Emma to come out of the locker room after her injury. He grabbed her bag from her when he realized their walk back to the dorms was going to be much harder on Emma with her crutches and boot. But Emma's determination that left Alex in awe. But as they’d began the walk back to the dorm building, her phone buzzed. and Buzzed again.
She’d answered, her voice tentative. “Hey, Cody. What’s up?”
Alex hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to when her side of the conversation was so one-sided.
“Yeah, I’m with Alex. No, it’s just… He's helping me. I got hurt... Well, I didn’t think it was a big deal… Okay, I’ll call you later.”
When she hung up, Alex couldn’t hold back any longer. “Does he always do that?”
Emma frowned. “Do what?”
“Make you feel like you have to explain yourself every time you hang out with someone or someone is helping you,” Alex said, his tone sharper than he’d intended.
She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “He’s just… protective.”
Alex stopped walking, turning to face her. “There’s a difference between being protective and being controlling, Em.”
Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked like she might argue. But then she just shook her head. “It’s not like that. You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand,” Alex said, his voice softening. “Because all I see is someone who’s trying to dim your light. And you deserve so much more than that. I'm trying to help you walk across campus while injured. If he was protective, he would be thanking me for helping you while he can't.” More malice came out with every word. He was struggling to hold back.
Emma didn’t respond right away. She just stood there, her arms draped over her crutches, her gaze fixed on the ground. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
“It’s not that simple,” she said again.
Alex wanted to argue, to tell her that it was that simple, that she deserved to be with someone who saw her for the amazing person she was. But he knew this wasn’t his battle to fight. All he could do was be there for her, to remind her of her worth in every way he could.
“You’re right,” he said finally. “It’s not simple. But you’re not alone, okay? You’ve got me. Always.”
Emma looked up then, her eyes shining with tears. She didn’t say anything, but the small, shaky smile she gave him was enough. They continued their long walk across campus in silence.
…
That night, Alex lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling as the conversation replayed in his mind. He hated seeing Emma stuck in a relationship that seemed to drain her instead of lifting her up. But he knew she had to come to her own conclusions.
As if she could sense his thoughts were tangled up in her, his phone buzzed.
Emma: You up?
Alex: yep. can’t sleep.
Emma: Everything okay?
Alex: still wired from your game today. you?
Emma: Cody and I just argued. Well, more like he talked at me, and I sent polite “uh-huh” texts.
Alex: what now? didn’t he already say enough when we walked across campus?
Emma: ugh, you’re telling me. hang on, I’ll send you a screenshot.
A moment later, his phone buzzed again.
Emma: Image attached.
Alex tapped on the image and scanned the exchange, his jaw tightening with every line.
Emma: Made it back to my room. sorry it took me so long. It’s harder with crutches, and the elevators are out...
Cody: yea. about that.
Emma: ?? I’m being nothing but truthful with you.
Cody: I just think this is a sign. A sign that God doesn’t have this as part of your plan. He’s trying to get you to SEE REASON and come home to me. Your worth to God is as a dutiful wife and mother. Don’t you want to be everything He wants for you?
Emma: Cody. I’m injured, not crippled.
Cody: and it’s a good thing too. because if you were, your worth would be lowered in the eyes of the Lord and me. my family and our church agree—you need to come home and focus on your next role. WIFE.
Emma: I hear you, Cody. We’ll talk about it when I’m home for break.
Alex stared at the text for a long moment, the urge to throw his phone across the room warring with his better judgment.
Alex: i don’t even know where to start with that guy. are you okay?
Emma: idk. kinda numb.
Alex: you deserve better than this.
Emma: I know. but knowing and doing are two different things, Alex.
Alex: yeah, but I’m here when you’re ready.
Emma: I know you are. thanks, Alex.
Alex: anytime, Em. always.
He set the phone down, staring into the dark. She deserved to see herself the way he did. Strong. Beautiful. Enough.
And someday, he hoped she’d see him the way he saw her.
Feeling bold. He decided to send one last text
Alex: I just….
Alex: you should know…
Alex: I worship you now with your clothes on and I’d worship you more with them off.
And with that. He turned off his phone and went to bed.
- Writer
