That day, I arrived at school earlier than usual, so I found myself sitting in the classroom waiting for everyone else. Eve had texted me, saying she would be on time because she couldn't afford to be late. Still, I worried she might not make it—after all, she'd have to jump over the fence, and in a skirt, that was no easy feat.
I sat on the bench, texting Felix to make sure he was okay. He started lessons later than I did, so I wouldn't see him until lunch break.
Then I looked up and saw Sebastian entering the room. He muttered a half-hearted "hello" in my direction before settling on his bench. My anger flared instantly because of what he'd said about my friend. I understood Eve wasn't perfect—sometimes she went too far—but confessing he'd been with her just to boost his popularity? That was like rubbing salt in an open wound.
"Are you proud of yourself?" I asked, unable to keep my frustration inside, even though I knew I probably shouldn't interfere.
He turned toward me with a confused look. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb, Sebastian. I know Eve isn't a saint—she's got her quirks—but dating her just because it made you more visible? Are you really proud of that?"
He furrowed his brows, struggling to find words.
"I said yes out of anger," he admitted. "She's been acting crazy lately, so I had to get away somehow."
"Don't you think it'd be better to talk to her honestly about what's bothering you instead of just cutting her loose like that?" I pressed, suddenly feeling like a relationship counselor. "You hurt her. Your words hurt her deeply."
Sebastian bit his lip and lowered his head.
"And what was I supposed to say?" he snapped quietly. "I couldn't even hang out with my friends because she was always jumping at them, getting jealous. Is that normal? I don't want to drag this out if it's just going to be like this. It's not a healthy relationship."
"Give her a chance. Talk to her honestly. Tell her what you don't like," I urged gently.
He hesitated. "I don't know. I'll think about it. I have no idea if she can even have a normal conversation. She's exhausting. I don't know how you put up with her so much."
I smiled softly. Sebastian was right—Eve was wild by nature.
Soon the rest of the students started filing in, and finally, there was Eve. She ignored Sebastian completely and dropped down beside me.
"Smile," I said, nudging her gently. "You look too serious."
"I don't feel like pretending everything's fine," she said, folding her arms tightly. "It's been a while, and I'm still heartbroken."
"She'll talk to you eventually. You'll explain things to each other. You'll see," I said, stroking her shoulder. "He didn't mean what he said."
"Don't defend him, Selena. To me, he's a finished scumbag."
I pulled my hand away and sighed. I guessed reconciliation wouldn't come easily. I wasn't a huge fan of Sebastian myself, and honestly, I thought someone else would be better for Eve. But in the end, it was her heart and her choice who she wanted to be with. I could advise her, but I had no right to decide for her.
This was her life.
*
Walking down the corridor, I had grown used to the stupid, insolent comments from people who spat venom at Felix—and, by extension, at me.
"It's amazing you still haven't died at the hands of your psycho boyfriend," one of the students, who was in Felix's year, always sneered whenever I walked past him. "The day will come when he gets something into his head and kills you through his imaginations."
I rolled my eyes and replied with a bored voice, "It's been days, and you're still stuck on the same line? If it kills, it kills. Hardly a big deal."
I guessed he wasn't ready for that answer, because he fell silent and said nothing more.
"Boy, get on with your life," Eve said suddenly, her tone sharp but controlled. "Making others miserable is so last century. You're stuck in the dinosaur age. Only brainless amoebas do that out of boredom—because their lives are utterly empty. You must be boring in bed too. Nightmare."
I smiled under my breath as I walked away with Eve, linking my arm through hers.
"You know I love you very much, don't you?" I whispered, leaning close to her.
She smirked, lifting the corners of her mouth. "I know. If you didn't love me, you wouldn't be so persistent."
"Remember, I will never leave you."
"Keep talking like that and you might just become my wife."
I saw the weight in her eyes lift, the stupidity that had been sticking in her mind start to fade.
"Who knows… life can surprise."
We wrapped our arms around each other's shoulders and walked down the corridor, laughing like maniacs, especially since Eve kept talking nonsense.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my jacket pocket. I pulled it out to see an unknown number flashing on the screen, but still answered.
"Hello?"
"Selena Wasley?" came a female voice, calm and measured.
"Yes. Who's this?"
"I'm Felix's mother."
The smile on my face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold horror. Eve noticed immediately.
"Why are you calling me?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I need to talk to you—in private. As soon as possible."
My blood ran cold. A bad feeling settled deep in my stomach.
"Well, I finish classes at 3 p.m. today. Felix can't find out about this."
"That's for the best," she said, her tone icy. "I'll be waiting for you at the coffee shop near your school—Vanilla Coffee."
"Alright," I replied, swallowing hard.
She hung up, and I turned to Eve with wide, frightened eyes.
"What's going on?"
"Felix's mother wants to talk to me after school. He can't know. Don't mention this to Mike."
"Okay… but why does she want to talk to you?"
"I don't know. I'll tell you everything after the meeting."
*
My heart pounded fiercely as I stepped into the quiet café. There, at a small table, sat a woman calmly sipping coffee. I approached her and gave a slight bow in greeting.
"Good morning," I said quietly.
She gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit down. I've already ordered you tea," she said, her tone firm and commanding.
I obeyed without hesitation, my hands trembling slightly. Just looking at her sent a shiver down my spine.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.
"You have to part ways with my son," she said bluntly. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "And this isn't just my opinion. It's for the best—so that you and Felix can stay safe."
I blinked, confused and alarmed. "Safe? What do you mean?"
"Felix is a danger—to you, and to himself," she said, taking another measured sip of her coffee. "It's not that I dislike you because you made him fall in love. But you two should never have met."
I stayed silent, waiting for her to explain.
"Did Felix blame me? Did he tell you you should never meet me or his father? That I'm a witch, and that we have bad intentions?"
Her words made my skin crawl. She was hitting the nail on the head.
"Yes," I whispered, voice brittle.
"Your presence has triggered his illness. Felix has a personality disorder. He's been under psychiatric care for years."
"I know. He's been diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder," I said.
"That's right," she nodded slowly. "And with that illness, he sees problems in everyone but himself. I wanted to warn you—to end this before it becomes a tragedy."
Her face lost its harshness, replaced by a deep sadness.
"This is my fault—mine and his father's. We thought he was stable enough to work outside the city, to live with less supervision. I was at peace when Felix focused on basketball, his studies, and friends. I was relieved when he brought Mike home—he seemed normal then. I didn't want a repeat of what happened in middle school."
"Felix told me that's when his problems began," I murmured.
"Did he confess it was because of a girl very much like you?" Her voice dropped. "He wanted her because she resembled you, but she rejected him, and that set off his aggression."
She pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed deeply.
"I found all the pictures he secretly took of you in elementary school—hiding in cupboards. I'm terrified of what might happen now that he has a real target—someone he loves. You're a ticking time bomb for him. He's been obsessed with you for years, and now you're both in danger."
Her words slammed into me. I couldn't stop the memories flooding back—especially the trip argument when Felix said, If I can't have you, no one will.
"What am I supposed to do? I love him so much," I whispered.
She closed her eyes briefly, then reached across the table to gently grasp my hand.
"I understand how you feel. But for your own safety, you have to end this relationship. Your connection is hurting you both. It's painful, but you must break up with him—and not face-to-face. Over the phone. He can't see you. I don't want to imagine what might happen if he does."
Her grip tightened softly.
"I will handle everything else with his father."
I withdrew my hand, shaking my head. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I love him too much. And he won't just let me go."
She studied me carefully. "Think carefully, Selena. This won't be roses and sunshine forever. Felix's father and I plan to move away with him soon. He turns nineteen in a few days, but because of his illness, we still have full custody. This is the only way."
Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision.
I was trapped.