Tangled Strings

Chapter 30: No-Strings-Attached

Chiquita knew she was playing a dangerous game.

And yet, when she found herself in a dimly lit music room after hours, Ahyeon standing inches away, her breath unsteady-she didn't care.

Because this wasn't love.

It wasn't forgiveness.

It was desperation.

Ahyeon's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her jaw clenched as she glared at Chiquita. "You think this is funny, don't you?"

Chiquita just smirked, leaning against the wall. "What? Seeing you struggle? It's kind of entertaining."

Ahyeon took a step closer. "I told you-I meant it."

Chiquita scoffed. "You meant it? You spent months acting like I didn't exist. You humiliated me, pushed me away. And now that I don't want you anymore, suddenly, you mean it?"

Ahyeon flinched, but she didn't back down. "I-"

"Save it." Chiquita cut her off, shaking her head. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to love me now."

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

And then-

Ahyeon moved.

Grabbing Chiquita by the wrist, pulling her close.

Their breaths mingled, their heartbeats racing.

Chiquita could see it now-the raw desperation in Ahyeon's eyes, the guilt, the longing.

It would be so easy to push her away.

So easy to laugh in her face and walk out of this room, leaving Ahyeon with nothing but regret.

But instead-

Chiquita let her.

Let Ahyeon crash her lips against hers, let her fingers tangle in her hair, let herself drown in the warmth she had once craved so desperately.

She knew it was a mistake.

Knew this wouldn't change anything.

But for now, just for this moment-

She let herself pretend.

Let Ahyeon pretend.

Let both of them pretend that they hadn't already destroyed whatever this once was.

The moment their lips met, everything else blurred into insignificance.

Ahyeon's fingers dug into Chiquita's waist, pulling her closer as if afraid she'd slip away again. Chiquita let her, let Ahyeon take even though she had nothing left to give.

The kiss was rough, desperate-nothing soft or tender about it. It was all frustration, regret, and everything left unsaid.

Chiquita could feel the tension in Ahyeon's body, the way her hands trembled despite the tight grip she had on her. She's scared, Chiquita realized. Scared to lose me.

A bitter laugh almost escaped her lips. Too late.

But instead of pushing her away, Chiquita deepened the kiss, letting Ahyeon think, for just this moment, that she still had a chance.

Her back hit the piano, the cold wood pressing against her spine as Ahyeon's hands roamed over her, hesitant yet needy. Chiquita knew this wasn't love-not even close. It was desperation. A last attempt at holding onto something already broken.