The first time Chiquita kissed someone after that night, she barely felt anything.
She had been at another party—one of those loud, crowded gatherings where bodies pressed together, laughter spilled like alcohol, and the music throbbed loud enough to drown out her thoughts.
She liked parties now.
Not because she enjoyed them.
But because they were a good distraction.
She let herself sink into the noise, let the bass shake through her bones. And when a girl—a pretty, soft-spoken junior from the theater club—leaned in with shy, hopeful eyes, Chiquita didn’t hesitate.
She kissed her.
And then another girl.
And another.
It was easy.
Too easy.
The warmth of their lips, the way their hands clung to her like she was something desirable—it gave her an illusion of control.
An illusion of forgetting.
But the moment their lips left hers, the moment she was alone again, the cold emptiness returned.
She hated it.
So she kept going.
---
At school, the whispers started.
"Did you hear? Chiquita kissed someone at the party again."
"She’s really getting around these days."
"Must be nice being that popular."
She heard it all.
And she didn’t care.
At least, that’s what she told herself.
She leaned against her locker one afternoon, scrolling through her phone, pretending not to notice the glances thrown her way.
She could feel Ahyeon watching.
She always knew when Ahyeon was looking.
And she was looking now.
Chiquita smirked, flicking her gaze toward the student council office just as Ahyeon turned away.
Coward.
A shadow fell over her.
"Seriously?" Ruka crossed her arms, staring her down.
Chiquita raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You know what."
Chiquita only shrugged, pocketing her phone. "Relax. I’m just having fun."
Ruka scoffed. "This isn’t fun. This is you spiraling."
"Spiraling?" Chiquita let out a short laugh. "You make it sound like I’m dying."
Ruka’s eyes softened—just a little. "Aren’t you?"
Chiquita flinched before she could stop herself.
Ruka saw it.
But, mercifully, she didn’t say anything.
Instead, she sighed and placed a hand on Chiquita’s shoulder. "Look, do whatever you want. Just don’t pretend this isn’t about her."
The mention of Ahyeon made something bitter crawl up Chiquita’s throat.
She forced another smirk. "Ahyeon? Please. I don’t care about her anymore."
Ruka didn’t believe her.
Hell, even Chiquita didn’t believe herself.
But if she kept saying it, maybe one day it would be true.
Maybe one day, she’d kiss someone and not taste Ahyeon’s lips on hers.
---
The next party was even louder, even messier.
Chiquita showed up with a drink already in hand, her leather jacket slung over her shoulders like armor.
She scanned the room, letting the atmosphere swallow her whole.
Then, she saw her.
A girl with long, dark hair and sharp eyes—just like Ahyeon.
Perfect.
Chiquita smirked and sauntered over, slipping into the girl’s space with practiced ease.
"Hey," she purred.
The girl turned, eyes widening slightly before recognition lit them up. "Chiquita?"
"In the flesh," Chiquita said smoothly, taking a slow sip from her drink.
The girl tilted her head. "I didn’t think you’d talk to me."
Chiquita pretended to think. "Then let’s fix that."
The girl smiled.
And Chiquita kissed her.
She kissed her like she needed to.
Like if she kissed hard enough, she could erase the memory of someone else.
The girl responded eagerly, fingers threading through Chiquita’s hair, nails scratching lightly against her scalp.
Chiquita deepened it, tasting alcohol and something sweet on her tongue.
It was good.
It should have been enough.
But when she pulled back, panting, her chest felt hollow.
She looked past the girl’s shoulder.
And froze.
Ahyeon was there.
Standing at the doorway.
Staring.
Her expression was unreadable, but her grip on her blazer was tight—so tight her knuckles had turned white.
For a second, Chiquita thought she saw something flicker in Ahyeon’s eyes.
Something ugly.
Something jealous.
Her heart pounded.
And then—just as fast as she had come—Ahyeon turned on her heel and disappeared.
Chiquita clenched her fists.
She felt a hand on her arm.
"You okay?" the girl she had kissed asked.
Chiquita forced a grin, pretending the lump in her throat wasn’t there.
"Of course," she lied.
And then she kissed her again.
YOU ARE READING
Tangled Strings
FanfictionChiquita is Baemon's shining star, loved by many-but the only one she wants doesn't care for her. Her obsession with Ahyeon only deepens, despite repeated rejections.
