blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale

{61} entangled hearts, public eyes

Taylor's POV:

The microphone feels heavy in my hand, and the lights pouring down from the stage blur the sea of faces into a haze of silhouettes. My stomach churns as I clear my throat, clutching the edges of the speech I've rehearsed a hundred times.
"Good evening, everyone," I begin, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my chest. "I'm honored to be here tonight to support such an incredible cause. As someone who's always believed in the power of community, it means so much to—"

And then I see her. Of course she is here, following me like I shadow I can't seem to get rid off.

Near the center of the room, Aurora sits with her camera poised, the lens pointed right at me. The sight of her hits me like a thunderclap, stealing the breath from my lungs. My words falter, and for a heartbeat, I forget where I am.
Aurora looks stunning, just as always—sharp yet softened by the faintest vulnerability in her expression. Her outfit is perfection—every detail feels like it was made to match her unique energy. The cropped denim jacket, slightly worn and perfectly fitted, highlights her effortless style, with the frayed white hem underneath adding just the right amount of softness. The jeans, light-washed and relaxed, flow like they belong only to her, completing the double-denim look with an ease that no one else could pull off quite the same. It's simple, yet it feels like so much more—like every piece was chosen to quietly celebrate her.

But it isn't just her that catches my eye. It's the girl sitting beside her, leaning into her like she belongs there.
The girl's arm loops possessively through Aurora's, her head resting lightly against Aurora's shoulder as they exchange a quiet smile. The sight feels like a punch to the gut, a reminder of what's no longer mine.
I grip the edge of the podium, trying to force my focus back to the speech. "It means so much to—" I repeat, my voice cracking slightly, "—to be here tonight and... and share this moment with all of you."

The words feel hollow, mechanical, as I push through the rest of the speech. Every now and then, my gaze betrays me, flickering back to Aurora and her companion.
When I finally finish, the applause is polite but muted in my ears. My heart pounds as I step back, giving the faintest nod of gratitude before signaling the band.

The intro to "loml" begins, soft and haunting, a melody that carries every ounce of my aching heart.
I close my eyes for the first line, needing the barrier between me and the room. But as I sing, I can't stop my gaze from wandering back to her.

"You said I'm the love of your life" I sing, my voice trembling on the note. "About a million times..."

I pour every unspoken word into the lyrics, letting the music say the things I could never bring myself to say out loud. My voice carries higher, steadier now, as if the pain anchoring me has become a strength.
Aurora's camera lowers slowly, her hand frozen on the lens. Her companion looks up at her, whispering something, but Aurora doesn't respond.

"And I'll still see it until I die...you're the loss of my life..."
The song crescendos, and my chest tightens. By the time the final note fades, I feel stripped bare. Vulnerable.

The applause comes like a tidal wave, and I force a smile as I step off the stage. But my heart stays behind, tangled in the moment that just slipped through my fingers.

A few minutes later I make my way back to my seat, my heart still racing from the performance. The applause lingers in the air, but it feels distant, like I'm hearing it through water. I can barely focus on the flashes of congratulations thrown my way as I weave through the tables, plastering on a smile I don't feel.

"Mom, that was amazing!" Felicia's voice is full of excitement the moment I sit down. She practically bounces in her seat, her big blue eyes wide with admiration. "You sounded just like you do on the album—no, better!"