Tangled Strings

Chapter 4: The First Harsh Blow

Baemon had just wrapped up another practice session, the energy in the room still electric from the intensity of their jam. Chiquita wiped the sweat from her brow, laughing as Asa playfully tossed a drumstick at her.

"You were off during the second verse," Asa teased, stretching her arms over her head.

"Was not," Chiquita shot back, spinning her guitar pick between her fingers. "I was just adding style."

"Sure," Ruka deadpanned, packing up her bass. "If by style, you mean completely missing your cue."

Chiquita grinned, unfazed. "Hey, my charm makes up for it."

Rora chuckled but didn't comment. She had been eyeing Chiquita all practice, noticing the way her usual spark seemed a little dimmer today.

Chiquita, of course, pretended everything was fine. She always did.

After saying their goodbyes, she slung her guitar bag over her shoulder and made her way out of the music room. But instead of heading home, her feet instinctively carried her toward the student council office.

Ahyeon.

She didn't know what it was that always pulled her back to her. Maybe it was the challenge, maybe it was the way Ahyeon had built a wall so high that Chiquita wanted nothing more than to climb it-just to see what was on the other side.

Or maybe, deep down, she just wanted to be seen by her.

When she arrived, the door was slightly open. Inside, Ahyeon sat at her desk, flipping through some documents while Rami and Pharita chatted nearby.

Chiquita leaned against the doorframe, knocking lightly. "Busy, Vice President?"

Ahyeon looked up, her expression immediately hardening. "What do you want?"

"Wow." Chiquita clutched her chest in mock offense. "Not even a 'hi'? You wound me, really."

Ahyeon sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't have time for your games."

Rami smirked, clearly amused, while Pharita covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Chiquita, as always, played it cool. She sauntered into the room, hands in her pockets, and leaned against Ahyeon's desk. "You never have time for me. Starting to think you don't like me, Ahyeon."

"Starting?" Ahyeon scoffed. "I don't like you."

The words were sharper than usual.

Chiquita blinked, caught off guard for a split second before quickly masking it with a smirk. "Ouch. And here I thought we were building something special."

"We're not." Ahyeon's tone was ice-cold. She didn't look at her, just kept flipping through papers like Chiquita wasn't even there. "You're exhausting, Chiquita. Following me around like some lovesick fool. It's pathetic."

The word sliced through her.

Pathetic.

Rami and Pharita both froze, their eyes darting between the two girls. Even they knew Ahyeon had crossed a line.

For a moment, Chiquita didn't know how to respond.

She had been brushed off before-ignored, dismissed, teased. But this? This was different.

Ahyeon wasn't just rejecting her.

She was crushing her.

Still, Chiquita forced a chuckle, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Damn, Vice President. If you wanted to break my heart, at least buy me dinner first."

Ahyeon didn't react.

Didn't apologize.

Didn't even look up.

Just went back to her work, as if Chiquita was nothing more than an inconvenience.

That stung more than anything.

Rami finally broke the silence, clearing her throat. "Ahyeon, that was a little-"

But Chiquita cut her off with a grin.

A fake grin, but convincing enough.

"No worries, President," she said smoothly. "The Vice President's just being her usual charming self."

Rora's words from earlier echoed in her mind.

What happens when that challenge just leaves you burned?

Maybe she was starting to find out.

She turned on her heel, stuffing her hands into her pockets as she strolled out of the room.

But the moment she stepped into the empty hallway, her smile faltered.

And for the first time in a long time, she wondered if maybe-just maybe-she was chasing something she would never catch.