~~Chiyeonn~~{Book 7}

Realizations

The golden light of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains of Ahyeon's room, casting a warm glow over her desk cluttered with books and papers. She sat cross-legged on her bed, lost in thought as she traced the spine of a novel. Yet her mind was far from the pages; it was consumed with Chiquita.

---

**Asa's Insight**

Asa had come over for a study session, but her attention was on Ahyeon, who seemed distracted. Asa took a deep breath, deciding it was time to address the elephant in the room.

"Hey, Ahyeon," she began softly, setting her book down. "You've been really worried about Chiquita, haven't you?"

Ahyeon glanced up, her brow furrowing. "I just... I can't shake the feeling that she's going through something really tough. I want to help her, but I don't know how."

Asa nodded, encouragingly. "Have you considered talking to her about what she's dealing with? You might be able to help her more than you realize."

"I want to, but I'm scared she'll push me away," Ahyeon confessed, her heart racing at the thought. "I've noticed she's been distant, especially when it comes to her feelings."

"Chiquita has a complicated past," Asa replied, her voice steady. "I think she's really struggling with her depression and her identity. She might feel embarrassed about the changes in her body and how they affect her."

Ahyeon felt a pang in her chest. "I can't imagine how hard that must be for her. I just want her to know that she's not alone. But how do I reach her?"

"Just be there for her," Asa advised. "Let her know you care. Sometimes, just being patient and listening can make all the difference."

---

**Chiquita's Internal Struggle**

Later that day, Chiquita sat in her dorm room, staring at herself in the mirror. She ran her fingers over her newly developed muscles, feeling a mix of pride and confusion. Her voice had deepened, and she could hardly recognize the reflection looking back at her.

"Why can't I just be normal?" she muttered under her breath, frustration bubbling inside her. Every change felt like a reminder of the battles she faced, and the thought of facing Ahyeon felt even more daunting.

Chiquita could feel the conflicting emotions raging within her. Part of her craved Ahyeon's support, yet another part wanted to push her away. What if Ahyeon saw her differently now? What if she didn't want to be close to someone so... different?

Just then, her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a message from Ahyeon: "Hey! Can we talk later? I really want to check in with you."

Chiquita stared at the screen, her heart racing. She wanted to respond, to tell Ahyeon everything, but the words felt stuck in her throat. Instead, she texted back, "I'm busy right now."

---

**Lisa's Small Step**

Meanwhile, Lisa was determined to mend her relationship with Chiquita. After Jennie's encouragement, she felt a sense of urgency to reconnect with her daughter. She found herself standing outside Chiquita's dorm, anxiety swirling in her stomach.

Taking a deep breath, Lisa knocked on the door, her heart pounding as she waited. After a moment, Chiquita opened it, her expression a mix of surprise and caution.

"Mom?" Chiquita's voice was hesitant. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you," Lisa said softly, stepping inside. "I know things have been rough between us, but I'm trying to make things right."

Chiquita crossed her arms defensively, her guard still up. "You think showing up will fix everything? You've been absent my whole life."

"I know, and I'm sorry," Lisa replied, her voice thick with emotion. "I've realized how much I've taken you for granted. I want to be here for you now, Chiquita. Please give me a chance."

Chiquita stared at her mother, a whirlwind of emotions churning inside her. "It's not that simple," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm not asking for it to be simple," Lisa responded, her gaze steady. "Just let me try. Can we start with just talking? No pressure."

Chiquita hesitated, feeling the warmth of her mother's sincerity but still fearful of getting hurt again. "Okay... but just a little," she agreed reluctantly.

---

**Ahyeon's Confession**

Later that evening, Ahyeon met Rami and Rora at their favorite coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. She settled into a cozy corner, her thoughts still swirling around Chiquita.

"Hey, Ahyeon," Rami greeted, noticing the troubled look on her face. "What's up? You seem a bit off today."

"I'm just... confused about Chiquita," Ahyeon admitted, glancing between her friends. "I care about her a lot, but I'm not sure how to help her. I've been feeling this intense connection, but I don't know if it's mutual."

Rora leaned in, a teasing smile on her lips. "Oh? Is our little Ahyeon developing a crush?"

"It's not just a crush!" Ahyeon exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "It's deeper than that. I really want to be there for her, but I'm scared I'll push her away."

"Have you considered telling her how you feel?" Rami suggested, his tone serious. "If you really care about her, she deserves to know."

"I don't know if I can," Ahyeon confessed, biting her lip. "What if she doesn't feel the same? What if I ruin everything?"

"Sometimes, you have to take the risk," Rora encouraged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's the worst that could happen? She might feel the same way and be waiting for you to say something."

"I guess," Ahyeon said slowly, contemplating the possibility. "But what if she's still dealing with her own issues? I don't want to add to her burdens."

"Then be her support," Rami urged. "Let her know you're there for her, no matter what. That's what she needs right now."

Ahyeon nodded, her heart racing with both fear and excitement. "You're right. I need to be honest with her."

---

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, Ahyeon felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. She realized that if she wanted to help Chiquita, she had to confront her own feelings head-on. It was time to be brave, to let Chiquita in, and to fight for the connection they both desperately needed.