Love on Strings

CONVERSTATION

Sunny's heart pounded in her chest as she sat down next to Bella. The room felt warmer, and not because of the sunlight streaming through the windows. Bella leaned in, her lips curling into a teasing smile, her eyes never leaving Sunny's face.

"Oh? You're bringing up yesterday?" Bella purred, her voice smooth as silk. She tilted her head slightly, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. "Why, Sunny... did you enjoy it?"

Sunny's eyes widened, her face flushing as she tried to keep her cool. "I-I just... I mean, it was... different." She stammered, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, feeling the weight of Bella's gaze like a tangible thing.

Bella chuckled softly, clearly enjoying this. She leaned even closer, close enough that Sunny could feel the warmth radiating off of her. "You seemed so flustered yesterday... your cheeks were so pink. It was cute, really." Her voice was low, almost like she was whispering a secret. "I wonder... was it because of me?"

Sunny felt her face getting hotter. Her mind raced for something to say, but nothing coherent came out. Bella's energy was always intense, but this—this—felt different, charged, like Bella was pushing her into a corner she didn't know how to escape from.

"I—no, I mean, it wasn't like that..." Sunny began, but Bella reached out, gently placing a hand over Sunny's, her touch soft but deliberate.

"Are you sure, Sunny? You seemed to like having me so close," Bella said, her voice a sultry, teasing lilt that sent shivers down Sunny's spine. Her grip tightened just slightly, enough for Sunny to notice. "And I like being close to you... You know I just want what's best for you, right?"

Sunny swallowed hard, pulling her hand away, but not fast enough for it to seem natural. Bella's smile didn't waver; in fact, it seemed to grow, like she was savoring Sunny's unease.

"You've always been so sweet, so kind," Bella continued, her eyes gleaming. "But sometimes I wonder... do you ever think about how much I care about you? How much I want to protect you?"

Sunny's heart skipped a beat. This was too much, too fast. "Bella, I—"

Before she could finish, Bella leaned in even closer, her lips dangerously close to Sunny's ear now. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I see the way others look at you, Sunny. How they think they can have a piece of you... but they don't know you like I do. They don't understand how special you are." Bella's hand brushed lightly against Sunny's arm, sending another jolt through her.

"That's why I have to make sure you're safe," Bella murmured, her tone soft but laced with something darker, something possessive. "Because no one else deserves you, Sunny. No one else knows you like I do."

Sunny's breath hitched. She could feel the tension rising in the room, thick and suffocating. The normally vibrant art space felt strangely claustrophobic now, like it was closing in around her.

"Bella..." Sunny finally managed, her voice shaky. "You're my friend, and I appreciate you, but... this is a bit much. I think you're misunderstanding something."

Bella pulled back just enough to look Sunny in the eyes, her smile faltering for the briefest moment. But then, just as quickly, it was back—this time softer, more playful, but no less intense.

"Oh, Sunny..." Bella said, her voice smooth again, "Don't you get it? I just want to be close to you. And if anyone tries to get between us..." Her eyes darkened, the playful gleam turning into something sharper, more dangerous. "I'll make sure they regret it."

The room seemed to still, Bella's words hanging heavy in the air.

Sunny blinked, her mind racing. Bella had always been a bit overprotective, but this was a side of her she had never seen before. She needed to defuse this, and fast.

"Let's not talk like that, okay?" Sunny said, forcing a nervous smile. "We're friends, Bella. I just... I want things to stay normal between us."

Bella's smile softened again, but this time it felt more genuine, as if she'd heard what Sunny said, but didn't quite believe her. "Of course, Sunny. We're friends... for now."

That last part lingered in the air, almost too quietly spoken for Sunny to catch. Bella pulled back completely, her demeanor shifting back to something more casual, more like the Bella Sunny knew from before.

"Anyway," Bella said, her voice suddenly light again, as if the intense moment had never happened. "We should get back to our project, right? You've got such a creative mind—I just love working with you."

Sunny blinked, still trying to process everything, but nodded slowly. "Yeah... let's finish the project." But deep down, Sunny knew that whatever had just happened between them had changed things.