Possessive crush

Today I'm at school faster than usual, so I'm sitting in class waiting for the rest of the people. Eve texted me that she will be on time because she can't make it. However, I hope she won't be late, because she will have to jump over the fence, and in a skirt this is quite a challenge.

Sitting in the bench, I text with Felix, making sure he's okay. He's starting lessons later today, so I won't see him until the lunch break.

I lift my gaze and spot Sebastian, who enters the classroom. He mutters a "hello" in my direction, then sits down on his bench. I'm mad as hell at him because of what he said to my friend. I understand that Eve didn't act like a model girl and sometimes exaggerated, but confessing that he was with her because it made him more popular is really like sprinkling salt on the wounds.

- Are you satisfied with yourself? - I begin, although I know I shouldn't interfere. Still, I can't swallow how he treated my friend.

He turns to face me and looks at me uncomprehendingly.

- What are you talking about?

- Don't pretend, Sebastian. I know my friend is not a saint and has her deviations from the norm, but being in a relationship with her just because you started to become visible to others? Are you proud of yourself?

The boy crinkles his eyebrows.

- I said yes in anger. She had been acting crazy lately, so I had to get away from her somehow.

- And don't you think it's better to talk to her honestly about her behavior rather than getting rid of her that way? - At this point, I feel like a relationship therapist. - You have hurt her. Your words hurt her a lot.

Sebastian bites his lip, then lowers his head.

- And what should I say? I couldn't even talk to my friends because she was jumping at them with her hands. Is she normal? I would rather not drag this on any longer if it's going to look like this. This is not a healthy relationship.

- Give her a chance. Talk to her honestly. Tell her what you don't like about her behavior.

- I don't know. I will think it over. I have no idea if it's possible to have a normal conversation with her. She is exhausting, I don't know how you put up with her so much...

I smile at these words. Sebastian is right. Eve is shot, that's her nature.

People begin to descend into the classroom. There is also finally my friend, who ignores Sebastian and sits down next to me.

- Smile. It doesn't suit you to look so cloudy," I turn to her while she continues to be puffed up.

- I don't feel like pretending that everything is fine. It's been a while, and I'm still heartbroken.

- She will eventually talk to you. You will explain it to each other, you will see," I say, stroking her shoulder. - He did not say this from the bottom of his heart.

- Don't defend him, Selena. For me, he is a finished scumbag.

I take my hand from her shoulder and sigh. I guess that it won't be easy for them to reconcile. I'm not a big fan of Sebastian and I think there is someone else who is a better fit for my friend, but eventually, it's her heart and her business who she wants to be in a relationship with. I can advise her, but I have no right to decide for her.

This is her life.

*

Walking down the corridor, I've grown accustomed to stupid, insolent comments from people who spit venom at Felix and, incidentally, at me.

- It's wonderful that you still haven't died at the hands of your psycho boyfriend. The day will come when he gets something into his head and kills you through his imaginations. - One of the students, who is in Felix's yearbook, speaks up every time I walk past him.

- It's been so many days, and you are not yet bored with the same talk? If it kills, it kills, it's hard," I say in a bored voice.

I guess this time he wasn't ready for such an answer, because he plugs it and says nothing more.

- Boy, get on with your life, because making others miserable has gone unfashionable. You are far behind the dinosaurs. Only brainless amoebas do it out of boredom, because their lives bring nothing new. - Eve has been verbally attacking people recently. She is controlling her aggression. - You must be boring in bed, too. Nightmare.

I smile under my breath as I walk away with her, holding her under my arm.

- You know that I love you very much, don't you? - I say, cozying up to her.

- I know, if you didn't love me, you wouldn't be so sticklers for me," she replies, lifting the corners of her mouth.

- Remember that I will never leave you.

- Keep talking like that and you will become my wife.

I can see that my friend is already recovering from the stupidity sticking in her head.

- Who knows... life can surprise.

Putting an arm around each other's shoulders, we walk down the corridor, laughing like possessed, especially since Eve is talking silly all the time.

I pull the vibrating phone out of my jacket pocket when I feel someone calling me. The screen shows an unknown number, yet I answer.

- Pardon?

- Selena Wasley? - I hear a female voice.

- Yes. Who am I talking to?

- I am Felix's mother.

The smile automatically descends from my face and is replaced by horror. My friend sees that something is wrong.

- Why are you calling me?

- I need to talk to you in private. And as soon as possible.

The blood drains from my face. I blanch, having a bad feeling.

- Well. Today I finish my classes at 3p.m o'clock. I understand that Felix can't find out about this.

- It's for the best," she replies in a cool tone. - I will be waiting for you at a coffee shop located near your school. At "Vanilla Coffee."

- Right.

The woman hangs up, and I look with frightened eyes at Eve.

- What's going on?

- Felix's mother wants to talk to me after school. He can't know about anything, so don't mention it to Mike.

- OK, but why does she want to talk to you?

- I don't know. I'll tell you everything after the meeting.

*

My heart is beating hard with fear when I enter the agreed café and notice a woman sitting at one of the tables. She is sipping coffee from a cup, so I walk up to her and bow in greeting.

- Good morning.

- Sit down, I've already ordered you tea," she says in a commanding tone, indicating with her hand the seat opposite her.

I humbly follow her command. I make no secret of the fact that I'm scared as hell of her. Just looking at her makes me shiver.

- What did you want to talk to me about?

- You have to part with my son," she announces straightforwardly, and I am stumped. - And this is not my vision, but it's for the best, so that you and Felix remain safe.

- What do you mean safe? - I mouthed, not understanding what she meant.

- Felix is a danger to you as well as to himself," she says, then takes a sip of coffee. - It's not that I don't like you because you made my son fall in love with you. It's just that you two should never have met. - I remain silent, waiting for her to tell me more on the subject. - Did Felix put all the blame on me? Did he warn you that you should never meet me and his father, that I am a witch, and we have bad intentions towards you?

Her words make me start to be more and more terrified. She hits the nail on the head.

- Yes," I reply in a brittle voice.

- Your appearance in his life has activated his disease. Felix has a personality disorder. He was treated by a psychiatrist for several years.

- I know he has a paranoid personality.

- That's exactly right, and with this disease, he sees the problem in all people but himself. I wanted to meet with you and tell you to end this before tragedy strikes. - This time the woman's face is not as fearful as before. I perceive sadness in it. - This is my fault. Mine and his father's, because we thought he was healthy enough by now that we could work outside the city and not watch him twenty-four hours a day. I was at peace when Felix was fully focused on basketball, studying, and had many friends. I was happy when he brought Mike home, because he was able to be normal in his company. I didn't want a repeat of the tragedy from middle school.

- Felix mentioned to me that this is when he started having health issues.

- And he confessed to you that the reason was a girl incredibly similar to you? - Chills paralyze my body. With wide-open eyes, I look at the woman, unable to say anything. - He wanted her because she resembled you. However, the girl stubbornly rejected him, and this unleashed aggression in him. - The woman puts her hand to her forehead and sighs loudly. - I found in the cupboard all the pictures he took of you from hiding in elementary school. I am afraid of what will happen. I'm terrified at the thought of what might happen to him now that he has the right target at his side — you. You are like a ticking bomb to him. He has been obsessed with you for many years, so you are both in danger. We need to do something in advance before tragedy strikes. This time it could be worse than in the past. That's why I was so terrified of you when I saw you for the first time. I knew that nothing good would come of it.

The woman's words make me feel like I'm in some kind of cupid. I immediately start to recall all the situations, especially the one during the argument on the trip, when Felix pointed out that if he can't have me, no one will.

- What can I do in this situation? I really love him very much," I say in a whisper.

The woman closes her eyelids.

- I realize how you feel, but think about your safety. Your relationship at this point is a danger to both you and him. - I am surprised when Felix's mother embraces my hand, which I hold on the table-top. - I want the best for Felix, and with you, his condition is getting worse. I know it's painful, but you have to part with him, Selena. And not face to face, but over the phone. He can't see you because I don't want to think about the consequences. I will take care of everything else with his father.

- I'm sorry, but I can't do it. I love him too much," I announce, taking my hand from her grasp. - And he won't just let me go.

- Think it over, Selena. In time, your life with him will no longer be strewn with roses," she says, all the while watching me. - Felix's father and I are going to move from here and take him with us to another city. He turns nineteen in a few days. Even though he is already of age, because of his mental illness, we still have full right to take care of him. This is the only solution. You must end this relationship with him.

Tears are gathering in my eyes. It all hits me too hard. I'm trapped.