Maya didn't speak for a long moment.
Her eyes moved between Ethan and me like she was trying to read something impossible.
"Are you serious?" she finally whispered, her voice trembling.
I opened my mouth.
And then closed it.
Because what could I say?
"It's not what it looks like," I tried.
Ethan stepped slightly forward.
"Lara's right," he said calmly. "It doesn't look the way you think."
Maya shook her head slowly, taking a step back.
"I don't even know what to think anymore," she said. "You two" She gestured sharply at both of us. "have been acting weird for days. And now I know why."
I swallowed hard.
"Trust me, Maya," I said softly. "We didn't mean for this to happen."
"Didn't mean for what to happen?" she asked, her voice rising slightly. "Don't lie to me, Lara."
My chest tightened.
"I"
I couldn't finish.
Ethan stepped closer to me, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder—not possessive, but protective.
"Lara and I…" he began, but stopped, realizing he had no simple words for this.
Maya's eyes narrowed. "Don't. Just don't. I trusted you."
"Listen," I whispered, "I never wanted to hurt you"
"You already did," she said, cutting me off. "You lied to me! You acted normal like nothing was happening while all along"
Her voice cracked.
My stomach twisted.
"I swear it wasn't supposed to happen like this," I said softly. "I didn't plan to"
"You didn't plan?" she repeated incredulously. "You think this makes it okay? You're dating my brother behind my back!"
I froze.
Ethan's eyes softened.
"No," he said quietly. "It's not like that. We're not hiding… we were trying to protect you. From what could happen if we didn't—if feelings got out of control too early."
Maya stared at him, disbelief etched across her face.
"Protect me?" she echoed. "By lying to me for days? By acting like friends are irrelevant?"
I stepped forward. "Maya, please understand. We didn't mean to hurt you. We just… couldn't risk losing you, too."
Her arms crossed, her expression hardening. "I can't believe this. I trusted you, Lara. I trusted you!"
I felt a lump in my throat.
"I know," I whispered. "I know I made a mistake. But Ethan, he—" I stopped, emotions choking me. "We care about you too. And I would never—ever—want to hurt you."
Ethan took a step closer. "Maya, I've liked Lara for a long time. I've tried to ignore it. And I didn't want to mess up what you two have. But I can't deny it anymore. And I won't lie to you."
Her eyes softened slightly but the hurt remained.
"I just… I don't even know how to deal with this," she murmured.
I stepped closer, cautiously. "You'll deal with it, eventually. We'll figure it out together. I promise."
She looked at both of us conflicted, hurt, and still a little angry but there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
"You'd better not ruin our friendship," she said quietly. "Either of you."
"I won't," Ethan promised. "I swear. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure things are okay."
I exhaled, relief mixing with guilt.
Because things weren't okay yet but at least now, the truth was out.
And as I glanced at Ethan, I felt something else.
The tension between us hadn't disappeared.
It had only grown stronger.
And somehow, against all logic…
I wanted it to.