Chapter 13: A Thin Line Between Love & Hate

Pin's heart raced as she looked into Arin's eyes. There was a softness there, a kind of desperation she hadn't seen before. But she wasn't ready to give in—not yet.

She pulled her hand away and stepped back. "Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "You can try to prove yourself. But don't expect me to make it easy."

Arin smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

Pin rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," Arin shot back. "But I like that about you."

Pin sighed, ignoring the way her heart fluttered at those words. "Go take a shower. You stink of desperation."

Arin chuckled. "Not the worst thing you've said to me." She walked toward the bathroom but stopped at the doorway. "By the way, thanks for letting me stay. Even if it took a lot of convincing."

Pin didn't respond. She just turned away and busied herself in the kitchen, pretending she wasn't affected by Arin's presence.

Later that night, Pin sat on the couch, flipping through channels mindlessly. Arin walked out of the shower, wearing the nightwear that Pin had lent her. Seeing her dressed in Pin's clothes made something stir inside her—an unsettling mix of nostalgia and longing.

Arin stretched and plopped down beside her. "What are we watching?"

Pin scoffed. "I'm not watching anything. Just flipping through."

Arin leaned in closer. "Or are you avoiding looking at me?"

Pin snapped her head toward her, ready to retort, but froze when she realized just how close Arin was. Their faces were inches apart. She could smell the faint scent of Arin's shampoo—too familiar, too intoxicating.

Arin smirked. "Something wrong?"

Pin clenched her jaw and turned back to the screen. "You're annoying."

Arin chuckled. "I know."

The tension was thick. The air between them was heavy with unspoken emotions, but neither dared to make the next move.

That was until Arin, feeling bold, leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Pin from behind.

Pin stiffened. "Arin—"

"I miss this," Arin murmured, resting her chin on Pin's shoulder. "I miss us."

Pin's breath hitched. For a moment, she allowed herself to feel the warmth, the comfort of Arin's embrace. But then reality crashed down on her.

She pushed Arin off, harder than she intended. Arin stumbled, losing her balance and falling back onto the floor with a dull thud.

"Ow," Arin winced, rubbing the back of her head. "That hurt."

Pin turned to her in alarm. "Serves you right," she muttered, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

Arin pouted. "You're really mean to me, you know that?"

Pin sighed and knelt beside her. "Let me see."

Arin sat up, tilting her head slightly so Pin could check. The moment Pin's fingers brushed against her scalp, Arin shivered.

Pin clicked her tongue. "You'll be fine. Stop being dramatic."

Arin smirked. "You're touching me. That means you care."

Pin huffed. "I'd do this for anyone who got hurt because of me."

"Liar," Arin teased.

Pin ignored her, grabbed the first-aid kit, and applied some medicine. But before she could pull away, Arin moved quickly—grabbing Pin's wrist and pulling her into a kiss.

It was sudden. Soft. But full of restrained emotions.

Pin's mind went blank for a second. She didn't push Arin away immediately. Her body betrayed her, melting into the kiss for just a moment.

But then she snapped out of it.

She yanked herself back, breathing heavily. "What the hell, Arin?"

Arin licked her lips, eyes locked onto Pin's. "Tell me you didn't want that."

Pin's heart pounded. She hated that Arin still had this effect on her. "I told you not to expect things to be easy."

Arin smiled. "I like a challenge."

Pin scoffed and stood up. "Go to sleep, Arin."

She turned and walked to her room, slamming the door behind her.

Arin lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling with a satisfied smirk.

She knew she still had a long way to go, but she also knew one thing for sure—Pin wasn't indifferent to her.

And that was enough to keep her fighting.