Love on Strings

Rivalrys !?

The days following the showcase were filled with excitement, but an undercurrent of tension simmered beneath the surface. Sunny reveled in the success of the event, but the dynamics among her friends began to shift, particularly around Hajuna.

At lunch one day, Sunny found herself sitting at their usual table, Mica and TinTin chatting animatedly about their next projects. Bella, however, was unusually quiet, her gaze fixed on Hajuna, who was sitting a few tables away with Jed. They were laughing and sharing ideas about their art, and Sunny couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

"Bella, you okay?" Mica asked, nudging her friend. "You seem... distracted."

"Yeah, just—" Bella huffed, glancing over at Hajuna. "I don't like how close they're getting. It feels like she's trying to take over."

"Come on, Hajuna's not like that," Sunny replied, trying to keep the peace. "She's just passionate about her art."

"Passionate? More like a predator," Bella snapped, surprising Sunny. "You don't see it? She's charming everyone, and I'm not going to let her charm you away."

Sunny sighed, feeling the weight of Bella's protectiveness but also sensing the rising tension. "Bella, we all need to support each other. Besides, it's just art!"

"Just art?" Bella echoed incredulously. "You've seen how she looks at you! It's like she's trying to be the star of the show, and I won't let that happen."

Before Sunny could respond, TinTin interjected, arms crossed and a frown on her face. "You're being a bit dramatic, don't you think? Hajuna is just friendly. You need to chill."

Bella narrowed her eyes at TinTin. "And what about you? You seem to enjoy her company too. It's like we're all forgetting who the real star is here!"

Sunny felt her stomach twist. The competitive spirit among her friends was escalating, and she didn't want to be the cause of any friction. "Let's just focus on our own projects, okay? We can't let our feelings about each other get in the way of our art."

Mica nodded in agreement, but Bella's expression hardened. "We'll see how this plays out. I'm not going to let Hajuna turn this into a competition for your attention."

As the week progressed, the atmosphere became more charged. Sunny noticed that Hajuna and Jed seemed to be spending more time together, often collaborating on art projects. Their laughter echoed in the halls, and Sunny couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider looking in.

One afternoon, while working on her new painting, Sunny heard a knock on the art room door. It was Hajuna, her expression a mix of determination and vulnerability.

"Hey, Sunny," she said softly, stepping inside. "Can we talk?"

Sunny nodded, curiosity piqued. "Of course! What's on your mind?"

Hajuna hesitated, her eyes searching for the right words. "I've noticed some tension between you and your friends, especially Bella. I don't want to come between anyone."

Sunny felt a rush of empathy. "You're not doing anything wrong, Hajuna. Bella can be a bit... intense sometimes. But I appreciate your concern."

Hajuna sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I just want to focus on my art. I really admire your work, Sunny. It's inspiring."

Sunny's heart warmed at the compliment, but she also felt the weight of competition rising. "Thank you. Your work is beautiful too. I just think we all need to support each other, regardless of who gets more attention."

"I agree," Hajuna replied, her gaze steady. "But I can't help but feel like I'm stepping on toes here. It's hard to navigate friendships in an environment that thrives on competition."