Love on Strings

Splattered Twist

Not all twists may be positive...

Chapter Seven: Twists of Emotion
The week following the collaborative art session felt like walking through a minefield. While the art they created together was a testament to their skills, the undercurrents of competition and burgeoning feelings among the group were impossible to ignore. Sunny found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions—frustration, jealousy, and a flicker of something deeper toward both Jed and Hajuna.

One afternoon, Sunny was sketching in her notebook at the park, trying to channel her feelings into art. The sunlight streamed through the trees, casting a warm glow on the page. Just as she began to lose herself in her drawing, she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, mind if I join you?"

It was Jed, his smile bright against the backdrop of nature. Sunny felt her heart race, a mix of excitement and anxiety flooding her. "Sure! I was just sketching some ideas."

Jed settled down beside her, glancing at her drawings. "You have such a talent for capturing emotion. It's really inspiring."

"Thanks! I've been trying to focus on how art reflects our experiences," Sunny replied, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Speaking of experiences, I've been thinking a lot about our group project," Jed said, shifting slightly closer. "I really enjoyed working with everyone, especially you."

Sunny's heart skipped a beat. "Really? I felt like there was so much tension, especially with Bella and Hajuna."

Jed nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, it can be tough to balance friendship and competition. But I think we can work through it."

As they talked, Sunny felt the air around them crackle with an unspoken connection. She could see the warmth in Jed's eyes, and for a moment, everything else faded away. "I really appreciate you saying that. It means a lot to me."

"Of course," he replied, his voice softening. "I want us to create together and support each other."

Just then, Hajuna appeared, a sketchbook tucked under her arm. "Hey, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said, her voice light but her eyes curious.

"Not at all! We were just talking about our project," Sunny said, trying to keep her tone friendly.

Hajuna smiled, but there was a hint of tension in the air. "I'd love to join in. I've been thinking about how we can take our collaboration further."

As the three of them brainstormed ideas, Sunny felt the weight of competition creeping back. Hajuna's natural charisma seemed to draw Jed's attention, and Sunny couldn't help but feel overshadowed. She forced herself to contribute, but every shared glance and laugh between them tugged at her heart.

Later that week, the school organized a "Creativity Fair," inviting students to showcase their work and collaborate on projects. Sunny felt a mix of excitement and dread; it was another opportunity for everyone to shine—and for feelings to bubble to the surface.

When the day arrived, Sunny, Bella, Mica, TinTin, Hajuna, and Jed set up their space, turning it into a vibrant gallery of their art. As they prepared, Bella's possessive energy was palpable.

"Remember, Sunny, you're the star here," Bella said, her tone fierce but protective. "Don't let Hajuna outshine you."

"I'm not worried about that," Sunny replied, her voice steady. "I just want to share what we created together."

As the fair opened, students flooded the area, admiring the art and mingling. Sunny felt a surge of pride as she showcased her work alongside her friends, but she was hyper-aware of Hajuna and Jed, who seemed to attract attention effortlessly.