blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale

{28} it's nice to have a friend

Aurora's POV:

I hold my breath as Blake's gaze pins me to the spot, her eyes a mix of confusion and suspicion. She crosses her arms, waiting, and I know I have only seconds to explain myself—or to lie. But my mind is blank, too flooded with worry about Taylor to piece together a convincing story.

Then, as if sensing the tension even in her sleep, Taylor stirs. I feel a rush of relief, my eyes immediately shifting to her, watching her face for any sign of pain or fear as she slowly blinks her eyes open.

"Taylor," I whisper, leaning in, the room around us fading for a moment as she focuses on me. Her expression, dazed and still clouded with sleep, shifts to recognition.

"Aurora?" she murmurs, her voice barely audible but enough to shatter the silence. Her hand moves weakly, and I reach for it, squeezing gently, trying to offer whatever comfort I can.

"I'm here," I say, barely able to keep my voice steady, a tear slipping down my cheek.

She looks at me, then shifts her gaze slowly, blinking as she catches sight of Blake standing across from us. Blake's expression softens, the tension melting as her hands drop to her sides, her anger forgotten. For just a moment, we're united in relief, a silent agreement to put aside the questions and mistrust, to let it all fade away in the face of Taylor's quiet, fragile voice.

"Blake..." Taylor breathes out, her voice a little stronger now. "You...came."

Blake's face softens further as she leans in. "Of course I did, Tay." She glances over at me, just briefly, and I can feel something shift—an understanding, maybe, or a truce. Her shoulders relax, her posture less guarded, the flicker of a smile playing on her lips.

"How... how do you feel?" I ask, my voice coming out small and breathless.

Taylor takes a shaky breath and swallows, wincing a little. "Like I got hit by a truck," she mutters with a weak smile, and I can't help but laugh, though the sound is choked with emotion.

"Yeah, you definitely look it," I say, managing a small smile of my own. "But seriously, are you... okay?"

She squeezes my hand, her thumb tracing gentle circles over my knuckles. "I will be," she replies, her gaze holding mine.

Taylor's eyes flicker, a shadow passing over her face, as if she's searching for something lost in the depths of her memory. She squeezes my hand again, brows knitting together, and I can feel her pulse under my fingertips, a faint and fragile rhythm.

I lean in, my voice soft, barely above a whisper. "Tay, do you remember... what happened?" I try to keep my tone steady, but the words tremble as they leave my lips.

She closes her eyes, breathing deeply, and then slowly opens them, meeting my gaze. "I... I remember going to that place," she says, her voice barely audible, her words halting. "I thought... I thought you'd left the note, that you wanted to meet..." She trails off, her face tightening as she recalls the events. "But... but then..." Her voice breaks, and I see the fear flash across her face as she pieces it together, her breathing quickening.

I run my thumb over her hand, trying to ground her, whispering softly, "It's okay. You're safe now."

Taylor's gaze drops, and for a moment, she just stares at the bed sheets, lost in thought, her body tense, as if bracing for a wave of pain. "Maya..." she finally whispers, the name hanging heavy in the air. "She... she was the one behind all of it, wasn't she?"

Blake's gaze snaps to me, her face tight with shock and confusion. Taylor's words hit me like a physical blow, the enormity of what she went through settling over me all over again.