Tangled Strings

The school hallways were alive with the usual energy—students rushing to classes, loud chatter, and the occasional sound of lockers slamming shut. It was just another day at Hyewon Academy.

At least, it should have been.

Ahyeon told herself she didn’t care.

She told herself Chiquita could do whatever she wanted.

But the moment she stepped out of the student council office and heard the hushed whispers around her, she knew something was off.

"She’s at it again."

"Who is it this time?"

"Some senior from Class 3-A. Right by the lockers, in front of everyone."

"She really doesn’t care anymore, huh?"

Ahyeon’s fingers twitched at her sides.

She knew exactly who she was.

Her feet moved before she could stop them.

And then—she saw it.

Right there, in the middle of the hallway, with an audience watching in amusement or jealousy, stood Chiquita.

Her back was pressed against the cool metal lockers, one hand tangled in the collar of another girl’s uniform.

Her lips?

They were pressed against the girl's in a slow, deliberate kiss.

Ahyeon felt her stomach twist.

Her pulse spiked, heat rising in her chest.

She couldn’t look away.

The way Chiquita’s fingers ghosted over the girl’s cheek, the way she leaned in just enough to deepen the kiss before pulling back with that damn smirk—Ahyeon hated it.

The girl was practically melting under Chiquita’s touch, clinging to her as if she never wanted to let go.

And Chiquita?

She looked completely at ease, like she owned the moment.

Like it meant nothing.

Ahyeon clenched her jaw.

She had no right to be angry.

She had no reason to care.

But when the girl’s fingers slid up Chiquita’s arm, nails lightly dragging against her skin—

Something inside Ahyeon snapped.

Before she could think, before she could stop herself, she was moving.

The next thing she knew, her hand had wrapped around Chiquita’s wrist.

And then, she yanked.

Gasps erupted around them.

Chiquita barely had time to react before she was pulled away from the girl, stumbling slightly as Ahyeon’s grip tightened.

The hallway fell silent.

Every eye was on them.

Ahyeon barely noticed.

She only saw Chiquita.

The girl she had just been kissing called out, "Hey, what’s your problem?"

Ahyeon ignored her.

She didn’t care.

Chiquita, on the other hand, just chuckled.

Her gaze flicked down to where Ahyeon’s fingers wrapped around her wrist, then back up to her face.

Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Well, this is interesting," she mused. "Didn’t know the Vice President liked getting hands-on."

Ahyeon inhaled sharply.

"Come with me." Her voice was low, strained.

Chiquita arched a brow. "Oh? And if I say no?"

Ahyeon didn’t answer.

She just turned and pulled Chiquita with her.

And for some reason, Chiquita let her.

—

Ahyeon didn’t stop until they were in an empty classroom, far from prying eyes.

She let go of Chiquita’s wrist the moment the door slammed shut behind them.

Silence filled the room.

Chiquita tilted her head, rubbing the spot where Ahyeon had held her.

Then, she laughed.

"Wow," she said, amused. "Didn’t know you cared this much, Vice President."

Ahyeon’s fists clenched at her sides. "I don’t."

Chiquita tsked. "Then what is this?" She gestured between them. "Because from where I’m standing, it sure looks like jealousy."

Ahyeon stiffened. "You’re being reckless."

Chiquita raised a brow. "Oh? That’s your concern? Not the fact that I was kissing someone?"

Ahyeon’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Chiquita stepped closer.

Ahyeon didn’t move.

Chiquita’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"Come on, Ahyeon," she murmured. "Tell me the truth."

Ahyeon swallowed hard.

But she said nothing.

Chiquita smirked.

Then, she leaned in.

Her breath was warm against Ahyeon’s ear as she whispered—

"What? Jealous?"

Ahyeon snapped.

Before she could stop herself, her hand shot up—grabbing Chiquita’s chin, forcing her to look at her.

Their faces were too close.

Too much.

Too dangerous.

Chiquita’s breath hitched for just a second.

Ahyeon saw it.

Felt it.

But then—

That damn smirk returned.

"You are jealous," Chiquita teased, voice barely above a whisper.

Ahyeon exhaled sharply and let go, stepping back like she had been burned.

Her hands trembled.

Chiquita saw.

But she said nothing.

Instead, she smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

"See you around, Vice President."

And just like that—

She walked out.

Leaving Ahyeon standing in the empty room, her pulse racing, her thoughts spiraling.

And her heart pounding with something she refused to name.