blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale

{26} all throughout the great war

Taylor's POV:

"Maya?" My voice is bewildered, almost a whisper. "What...what are you doing here?"

Maya's face twists into a smirk that I've never seen before. "Surprised?" she sneers, crossing her arms and glaring at me with an intensity that's nothing like the cheerful girl I've come to know in English class. "You really think I didn't know what's been going on?"

I feel my stomach drop, suddenly, painfully aware that we're alone, in an empty house, away from anyone who might help.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm, though my pulse is racing.

"Oh, don't play innocent." Maya's eyes flash with a mixture of anger and something darker—betrayal. "You think you could just...do this? Manipulate her, mess up her life, get close to her? You're disgusting, Taylor. You're going to ruin her."

I  feel the weight of every secret we've kept, every hidden moment. "I'm not ruining anything. I care about Aurora—"

"Stop!" Maya shouts, cutting me off. Her voice is venomous, loaded with something almost frightening. "I've watched her change, watched her lie to me, avoid me—because of you. You've poisoned her mind, made her think you're something...something real." She scoffs, almost pityingly. "But that's over. You're going to end this."

I take a step back, realizing the danger in Maya's tone. "Maya...you don't understand."

But Maya's face contorts, mocking, her eyes filled with a strange satisfaction as she steps closer, almost towering over me. "You're sick. And I'm not letting you keep her in this twisted fantasy any longer."

Her hands push me backward, and I stumble, my back hitting the wall hard. Before I know it, I'm on the floor, dazed and scrambling to get up. But she's faster, grabbing my wrists and pinning me down, a frightening strength in her grip. Panic rises in my chest, and I struggle, trying to twist free, but she's relentless, holding me down with surprising force.

"Maya—what are you doing?!" I manage to choke out, heart hammering.

"I'm making sure you stay right here," she replies, her voice steady, almost calm. She pulls out a length of rope, quickly binding my wrists together before I can even comprehend what's happening. My mind is racing, heart pounding, but no amount of struggling seems to make a difference.

In seconds, she has me tied to a cold, metal chair in the center of the room. I tug at the ropes around my wrists, my skin already raw from the rough fibers digging in. I look up at her, breathless, heart racing with fear.

"Maya, why...?"

She steps back, crossing her arms, looking down at me with a chillingly composed expression. "I'm done watching you take Aurora away from me," she says slowly. "This is ending right now."

A wave of nausea rolls through me as I realize the truth. The notes, the threats—they were all her.

Her lips curl into a twisted smile, one that feels wrong, almost predatory. "You think I'd just let you continue? She's my best friend, and you think you can play her like some kind of game? I won't let you hurt her again."

"I'm not trying to hurt her!" I plead, desperation clawing at my throat. "You don't understand. I genuinely care about her! I think...I think I love her!"

"Love?" She scoffs, stepping closer, her eyes narrowing. "What do you know about love, Taylor? You're just a distraction. You're nothing but a phase for her. I've seen how you are, how you control her. You think you can manipulate her because of your position? Just because you're her teacher doesn't mean you can take advantage of her!"