Love on Strings

Back home

Sunny stared at the ceiling of her bedroom, her thoughts racing. Her sketchbook lay open on her lap, filled with doodles of abstract shapes and half-finished faces. But no matter how much she tried to focus on her art, her mind kept drifting back to Bella—specifically, Bella being way too close during their art session earlier that day.

The touch of Bella's fingers brushing against hers as they painted the mural together, the way Bella's laughter had echoed softly in the empty room—it was all making Sunny feel... confused. Normally, Bella's intensity was something she could laugh off, but today, something about it felt different.

Sunny sighed, rolling over and burying her face in her pillow. Why was this bothering her so much? Sure, Bella could be a little possessive, but it was usually in a funny, over-the-top way. She was used to it. But today felt more... intentional, more real.

Her phone buzzed on her nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Mica:

Mica: Yo! You busy tmrw? We gotta finish our group project!
Sunny: Yeah, totally free. Also, I need to talk to you...
Mica: Omg spill tea. Is it about Bella? 👀
Sunny: How did you know???
Mica: Girl, it was written all over your face after class lol. See you tmrw! We'll talk then. 😏

Sunny groaned, knowing Mica was going to make a big deal out of this. But honestly, she needed the advice. Bella was her friend, but lately, things had been feeling... strange between them. And then there was Jed, of course, always there to stir up her competitive spirit. And Ibri—charming and sweet, but unknowingly tangled in all the chaos.

Her brain was swirling with too many thoughts, and she needed to vent. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

The next day, the school halls were as lively as ever. The murals on the walls seemed even more vibrant under the bright morning sunlight, and students milled about, chatting and laughing.

Sunny walked toward the art department, her mind already wandering back to the events of the previous day. She hadn't even made it halfway when Mica and Melo appeared, practically ambushing her by the lockers.

"Sunnyyyy," Mica sang, linking arms with her. "So, what happened? Tell us everything."

Melo, ever the more observant one, raised an eyebrow, clearly catching on to the tension in Sunny's expression. "Is this about Bella?"

Sunny sighed, stopping in her tracks and facing them both. "Yeah, it's about Bella... She was just... different yesterday. Like, really touchy, and it kind of freaked me out. I mean, she's always been intense, but this was weird."

Mica grinned mischievously. "Weird how? Like, ooooh, Bella likes you weird? Or she's gonna kill everyone you date weird?"

Sunny shot her a glare. "You're not helping, Mica."

Melo patted Sunny on the shoulder, offering her usual calming presence. "Okay, but seriously, do you think Bella's feelings might be... more than just friendly?"

"I don't know! Maybe? She's never said anything, but yesterday she was all over me, and I just... I don't know what to think."

Mica chuckled, giving Sunny a playful nudge. "Welcome to your very own high school soap opera, starring Princess Sunny and her love-struck followers."

Sunny groaned again, covering her face. "Please don't say that. This is already complicated enough."

Before Mica could launch into more teasing, a familiar voice called out from behind them.

"Sunny! Hey!" It was Jed, walking briskly toward them, his usual confident stride making the girls step aside slightly. His academic rival slash occasional frenemy slash something more was always so direct, so intense. It drove Sunny nuts—in more ways than one.

"Jed," Sunny greeted, trying to sound casual, but knowing she was failing. Being around him was never easy.

"We still on for the project meeting after school?" he asked, his gaze flickering briefly to Mica and Melo, but landing back on Sunny.

"Yeah, of course," Sunny replied. Then, realizing her friends were watching with far too much interest, she added, "I, uh, gotta run though. See you then."

Jed gave a short nod, his competitive smirk playing at his lips before he turned and headed off to class.

The second he was out of earshot, Mica burst out laughing. "Ohhh my god, your life is a mess right now."

Melo, slightly more diplomatic, gave a sympathetic smile. "It's a lot, huh? Bella's acting weird, Jed's always around, and then there's Ibri..."

Sunny sighed deeply. "Don't even get me started on Ibri. I mean, he's so easy to talk to, but Bella basically loses it every time he's even near me."

Mica patted her on the back. "Well, you've got a whole cast of characters in love with you, Princess. Maybe it's time to figure out who you really like."

Sunny's eyes widened, the thought making her stomach flip. "I... I don't even know! I mean, I like all of them—well, not like like... Ugh. It's so confusing!"

Melo nodded understandingly. "Hey, take it one step at a time. Maybe talking to Bella would help, you know? Clear the air before things get even weirder."

Sunny groaned. "Yeah, but what if she does like me? What am I supposed to say?"

Mica shrugged, a wicked grin on her face. "Maybe ask her to paint your future together."

Sunny rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile creeping up. "You're the worst."

"Yeah, but you love me and melo," Mica joked back.

Later that afternoon, Sunny stood outside the art room, feeling a nervous flutter in her chest. She had to talk to Bella—get to the bottom of all this tension. But as she walked in, she saw Hajuna quietly working on a canvas in the corner, lost in her dreamy world. Bella, on the other hand, was sitting at their shared project space, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Sunny.

"Sunny!" Bella's voice was sweet, but there was an unmistakable intensity beneath it. "I saved you a spot."

As Sunny sat down, she could feel Bella's gaze lingering on her, just like yesterday. She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

"So, Bella... about yesterday..."