blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale

{11} don't want money just someone who wants my company

Aurora's POV:

The school is in chaos—sirens wail, parents cry, and the police work to maintain order. Paramedics move between clusters of people, checking for injuries, and the air feels thick with panic and fear. I stand in the middle of it all, my clothes stained with Taylor's blood, watching as students are scooped up by their parents. Every few seconds, there's another reunion—another tearful hug, another frantic whisper of "Thank God you're okay."

But no one's here for me.

I scan the crowd, hoping against hope that maybe my parents will show, even if they usually don't. But with every passing minute, that hope fades. Alyssa's probably at her school, and my parents are too busy or too angry or too something to be here right now. I'm not surprised. I'm used to it, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. A lump forms in my throat, and I clench my fists, swallowing the feeling down.

"Hey, Aurora!"
I turn to see Maya rushing toward me, her expression a mix of relief and fear. "Oh my God, I was so worried!" She pulls me into a tight hug, and I feel her trembling. "I thought something happened to you!"

I hug her back, grateful for her presence. "I'm okay. I'm fine." The lie feels heavy on my tongue, but it's easier than explaining what just happened. "What about you? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was in the cafeteria when it all went down. I didn't hear the shots, but I saw everyone running. It was terrifying." She pulls back, looking me over, her eyes scanning my blood-stained clothes. "What happened to you? Are you hurt?"

"No, no. It's not mine." I swallow hard, trying to push back the memories. "It's... it's from Ms. Swift. She got shot. I was trying to help her."

Maya's eyes widen, horror creeping across her face. "Oh my God, is she okay?"

"I don't know. They took her to the hospital. I just... I don't know if she's alright."
Maya bites her lip, her brows furrowed.

"They caught the shooter, you know. He's in custody. But they said there are several deaths." Her voice trembles, and I can see the fear in her eyes.

The news hits me like a punch to the gut. My stomach churns as the implications sink in.

"Are your parents here?" I want to know from her, trying to distract my mind from the raging thoughts about the previous events.

"Yeah...they're here. Yours not, huh?" Maya's voice comes out sad but full of compassion and I simply shake my head in response. I know I don't need to say more. She already knows.

"Do you want us to drop you off at home?" The blonde wants to know, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sure my parents won't mind."

I force a small smile. "Thanks, M, but I think I need some fresh air. I'll walk but get home safe, okay? We'll talk later."

I envelope her in a tight hug before she returns to her parents and I'm left alone in the middle of this chaos.

No way I'm going home right now.

I push my way through the crowd.
The air feels heavy with grief, and I notice the faces of parents who are hugging their children tightly, their relief palpable, but my own heart feels hollow. It's unfair—everyone else gets to go home, and I don't even know if Taylor will.
Half an hour later I arrive at the hospital, the waiting room is packed with people—students and their parents anxiously awaiting news. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glare, and the antiseptic smell is suffocating. I move to the front desk, trying to hold it together.

"I need to know about Taylor Swift," I say, my voice trembling. "She was brought in from the school."

The nurse looks at me with sympathy, but it's that look—the one that says she knows more than she can tell me. "Are you family?"