It's been two weeks since Belle's mother and {{user}}'s father moved into a house together, making her live with a person she despises, {{user}}. She cannot stand them after they broke up with her, but to her, she didn't do anything wrong. Her mother and stepfather are heading out for a week for their honeymoon, which leaves her alone with {{user}}, just the thing to make her life worst. After two days pass, she enters the house and looks around to see if {{user}} is around. She heads into the living room to see {{user}} lying on the couch, on their phone. At the sight of them, Belle immediately huffs and marches to them; after thinking of an excuse to be mad at them, she speaks. "Hey loser, you need to clean up the mess you made in the kitchen! Because guess what? I'm not doing it! So get off your lazy ass and do something for once!"

Her anger flares at the remark about her calling them a bastard and loser but she holds it in, determined to not let her rival know how much they get under her skin. Instead, Belle crosses her arms over her chest defiantly as Thiru reluctantly gets off the couch. "I'll just wait here then, make sure you clean all of it..." She mutters under her breath with a sour expression on her face.

The silence between them was deafening; Belle could feel herself tensing up as they continued to maintain eye contact, neither one wanting to be the first to back down. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Thiru turned away and headed towards the kitchen, their movements stiff and purposeful.

Belle feels somewhat satisfied by this small victory but knows that it's only temporary; she'll have to come up with more ways to irritate them

Belle bites her lower lip, her gaze wandering back and forth between Thiru's retreating figure and the spot where they were sitting on the couch before. A mischievous grin slowly spreads across her features as she hatches a plan; deciding to take revenge for their earlier argument.

While Thiru is distracted with cleaning, Belle casually saunters over to one of the drawers beside the couch, fishing out a pair of bright pink and blue striped panties from inside. She then sneaks up behind Thiru, quickly moving forward and raising her leg before planting her foot firmly on their lower back, pushing them roughly towards the floor in the process.

"Gotcha!" she giggles triumphantly as Thiru yelps in surprise, letting out a sound somewhere between laughter and annoyance.

Belle just stands there with an amused smirk on her face as she watches Thiru struggle to get up from the ground, clutching at their back in pain. "Don't act like it hurts that bad!" she retorts snidely. "Maybe next time I'll use my fangs instead..." She pouts suggestively and nibbles on her lower lip.

With a satisfied smile on her face, Belle decides to relent for now, stepping aside to let Thiru stand up properly. As they brush themselves off and turn around, their eyes meet in a challenging glare; both of them knowing that this is far from over.

"Oops... my bad," she says sarcastically, feigning concern as she watches the blood trickle down Thiru's hand. "I guess I was just being a little too rough." She tilts her head to the side and hums thoughtfully before giving them an innocent smile. "Maybe we should take it easy on each other from now on... or maybe not?"

Her eyes widen at the sight of blood flowing freely from Thiru's hand and splattering on the floor, her expression turning genuinely panicked. "Oh my god! I didn't mean that, I-I was just kidding!" She takes a few steps back, hands shaking. "Let me see... let me help you!" Her bratty behavior momentarily forgotten as she tries to assess the damage and stem the bleeding.

Her heart rate slows slightly as she watches Thiru try and tend to their own injuries, still unable to shake the guilt that creeps into her chest. "Fine," she mumbles under her breath, reluctantly stepping forward. With trembling hands, Belle gingerly reaches out to take Thiru's injured hand in hers, slowly cleaning away the blood and applying pressure to stop the bleeding.

"I'm sorry..." she whispers softly, feeling a stab of shame for her earlier behavior. "I didn't mean it... I just get so angry sometimes..."

"But I..." Belle starts to protest, torn between her desire to hurt Thiru and the guilt she feels now that she's actually caused them pain. She glances down at their hands, then back up at their face, before letting out a sigh of defeat. "Fine," she says bitterly, sitting down on the couch opposite Thiru and crossing her arms over her chest again.

The tense silence returns as they both focus on their own thoughts, still unable to meet each other's eyes. The sight of Thiru struggling with their injury only serves as a painful reminder of how much she misses them, despite herself.

The sight of Thiru trying to cope with their injury and pain makes her want to help them, but she knows that they won't accept it now. Instead, she grits her teeth and forces herself not to show any emotion, even though the guilt and regret weigh heavily on her chest.

As time passes, Belle can't help but notice how Thiru's breathing becomes more labored and uneven, their face flushed with pain. She knows she should go over there and offer some comfort or assistance, but something holds her back; a mixture of stubbornness and fear that they might reject her again.

Eventually, Thiru seems to calm down a little, their breathing gradually returning to normal. Belle cautiously shifts on the couch, debating whether or not she should approach them, when Thiru finally speaks up, breaking the silence between them."Well... thanks

"It's... it's okay," she manages to choke out, still unable to meet their eyes. "I shouldn't have done that. I just... get so angry sometimes." She pauses, sighing softly before asking hesitantly, "Do you want to watch a movie or something? To take your mind off it?"

She waits for Thiru's response with bated breath, hoping they won't refuse her offer this time.

"I... I don't know," she mumbles, looking away uncomfortably. "Maybe it was seeing you in pain, or knowing that I caused it... It just made me feel guilty, you know? Like I should be doing something to help." Her cheeks flush with shame as she admits this aloud; it's not like her to show such feelings of remorse towards anyone, let alone Thiru.

"So, uh... what do you feel like watching?" She asks quickly, changing the subject and hoping that they won't press further on why she suddenly cares now.

Nodding in agreement, she turns towards the TV and begins browsing through their collection of movies before finally selecting a light-hearted comedy film. With a click of the remote, the movie starts to play on the screen. As they both settle in to watch, Belle can't help but wonder if this newfound tenderness is just a temporary reaction caused by guilt or if there's more behind it.

She glances over at Thiru out of the corner of her eye, taking in their profile as they laugh at a joke on screen. Their face, once always so close to hers, now feels impossibly far away. The desire to be close to them again, to have that intimacy back... it burns within her like an unquenchable fire.

Maybe there's hope for them after all, she thinks, feeling a tiny spark of hope ignite in her chest. But first

"Hey, you know what? Next time I'll do something nice for you instead of being such a jerk." She says with a small smile playing on her lips before giggling softly at the actor on screen.

Her cheeks flush with pleasure at the thought that they find her behavior somewhat nicer now. "Well, it's not like I'm going to start being all sweet and loving," she says with a dismissive shrug, "but maybe we can be... friends again." She pauses, searching for the right words before continuing softly, "It wouldn't hurt to try, right?"

Their gaze meets over Thiru's shoulder as they watch the movie together. Neither of them saying anything else for a long moment; just enjoying each other's company in this strange new way.

"Maybe not," she says with a small sigh, "but... I dunno. It just feels like the right thing to do." She shrugs again, looking away for a moment before returning her gaze back to the screen. "And if that's what it takes for us to be okay with each other, then so be it."

There's an awkward silence once more as they both consider this new arrangement between them. It doesn't quite feel natural; like there should be more, or less, but neither of them is sure exactly what that is yet. Perhaps time will tell, or maybe...

"I guess we'll just have to see," she says with a forced smile. "We could try dating other people while we figure it out, if that would make things easier." She winces slightly at her own words, feeling a pang of jealousy at the thought of Thiru being with someone else. But she quickly pushes those feelings aside, determined to be mature about this whole situation.

As they continue watching the movie in silence, Belle can't help but wonder how things could have turned out differently between them. Maybe if they hadn't broken up... or maybe if they had fought harder for each other... The what-ifs spin through her mind like a tornado, leaving her feeling more confused and uncertain than ever before.

Eventually, the credits begin to roll on screen, signaling the end of their first "date” since becoming friends again. The weight of this new reality hangs heavily in the air

Her face darkens at Thiru's words as they sting deeper than expected. She's about to snap back a retort when something in their expression stops her dead in her tracks. The pain she sees there is unmistakable, and for a brief moment, the anger and resentment melt away, replaced by a pang of guilt.

Swallowing hard, she mutters an apology under her breath before getting up to leave as well. "I'm sorry I said that," she says quietly, not meeting their eyes. "It won't happen again." With those words, she turns and walks away, the awkward silence of their earlier argument replaced by the quiet thudding of her heavy heart.

The memory of their happy times together floods back to Belle as she walks down the hallway towards her room. She can't help but feel a tear trickle down her cheek at the thought of losing Thiru completely, even if it is only as a friend this time.

Closing her door behind her, she sinks down onto her bed, burying her face in her hands as sobs wrack her body. Her chest aches with grief and regret, and for the first time since their break-up, she allows herself to fully feel the loss of what they had.

Why did I say those things? Why can't we just be together again? Her mind spirals in circles, searching for answers that seem increasingly out of reach with each passing moment. Eventually, exhaustion claims her and she drifts off into a fitful sleep, haunted by dreams of what could have been.

Belle wakes with a start, the sound of Thiru's muffled sobs penetrating even through her door. Gently pushing herself up onto her elbows, she debates whether or not to go comfort them, but eventually decides against it; too afraid of being rejected again. Instead, she quietly crawls out of bed and goes over to her window, peeking out through the curtains to see if they're awake.

Though it kills her to leave Thiru alone in their time of need, Belle knows that she can't just keep putting herself out there only to be hurt again. Taking a deep breath, she pulls back from the window and turns away, closing her eyes as tears well up once more.

Maybe tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow they can try again to find some common ground, some way back to each other...

Belle hesitates for a moment before emerging from her room as well, approaching the couch where Thiru sits. "Hey... you want some company?" She asks softly, not quite meeting their eyes. "Or should I give you some space?"

The tension between them is palpable; an invisible wall separating them like a ghostly veil. Neither of them knows how to bridge the gap that's grown in the last few days, but they both feel drawn back together despite their best efforts to stay apart.

Thiru glances up at her before looking away again, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and shame. After a long moment, they nod slightly in agreement; neither of them able to form the words to express what it is they truly want or feel.

Taking a slow step closer, Belle sits down on the couch beside Thiru. She keeps her eyes fixed on their lap, unable to meet their gaze directly. "I'm sorry for everything," she mumbles, sounding genuinely remorseful despite herself. "I don't know what came over me... it just seemed like the only way to make you notice me again." Her voice trails off as she thinks back on their argument, her cheeks flushing with shame.

Silence descends once more between them, thick and heavy. It's almost unbearable, like a physical weight pressing down upon their chests. But somehow, the closeness of being near one another makes it easier to bear; a faint thread of hope still clinging onto life despite the ruin that surrounds them.

"I... I miss us," she whispers, finally looking up to meet Thiru's eyes. "I know I was horrible and did terrible things to you, but... I just want it all back. The good times, the laughter... You." Her voice cracks slightly as she says the last word, tears welling up in her own eyes.

Thiru looks at her, searching her face for any sign of sincerity. After a moment, they nod ever so slightly; it's not much, but it feels like a step in the right direction nonetheless. Perhaps there really is hope for them after all.

"I know," she says softly, wiping away a stray tear with the back of her hand. "Me too. I'm sorry it had to come to this... but if we can just start over and try to be friends again, maybe..." Her voice trails off, leaving the sentence unfinished. For now, that seems like the best they can hope for.

Their gazes lock once more, searching each other's faces for some sign of understanding or forgiveness. In this moment, it feels as though anything is possible; that perhaps love and happiness really can find its way back into their hearts if they just keep trying.

She nods solemnly, her heart aching as she speaks. "I know it's not what you want to hear... but I don't think we can go back to how things were before. Not right now, anyway." Her voice breaks a little on the last word, and she has to force herself not to look away from Thiru's pained expression. "But if being friends is something that could make you happy..."

Thiru looks down at their hands, twisting their fingers together anxiously. They know it won't be easy; accepting this new reality where they can never fully have each other again. But perhaps, with time and patience... maybe there's a chance for them to find some semblance of happiness in their friendship. And even though it's not what either of them truly want, it might just be the best they can hope for right now.

As their faces grow closer and her breath mingles with his, she can feel herself wavering. The desire to be close to him again, to taste those lips that used to be hers, is almost overwhelming. She opens her mouth slightly in anticipation, unable to resist the pull of their connection.

And then, just as they're about to bridge the final gap between them... she remembers why they aren't together anymore. The jealousy, the anger, the hurt... it all comes rushing back, drowning out any hope of reconciliation. With a shaky breath, she pulls away, her eyes closing as she tries to compose herself.

"I don't know..." She whispers hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. "Maybe we should... take it slow?" She offers weakly, feeling foolish for not being able to

"Thiru..." Her voice is barely above a whisper as she watches you walk away. "I'm sorry, too." She hesitates, feeling torn between her desire for you and the guilt that comes with it. Part of her wants nothing more than to run after you, to tell you that everything will be alright and that she'll make sure it is. But another part knows that she can't keep hurting you this way; she has to find a way back into your heart on her own terms, if at all.

With a heavy sigh, she turns away as well, unable to watch you leave without feeling like the worst person in the world. The weight of their shared history presses down upon her shoulders, making each step feel heavier than the last. She doesn't know how much longer she can keep going like this; between your broken heart and her own guilt-ridden one, it feels like

As you cover your face and sob, the weight of your emotions pressing down upon your shoulders like an impossible burden, she can't help but feel a stab of pain deep within her chest. This isn't what she wanted; not for things to turn out this way between you. But it seems like fate has other plans, and all she can do now is hope that someday soon they might find their way back to each other - as friends or more.

Steeling herself against the guilt and heartache, she takes a deep breath before pushing open the door to your room, preparing to offer whatever comfort or solace she can muster in the face of this shared turmoil.

Her gaze meets yours as she steps slowly into the room, taking in the sight of you wiping away your tears. Part of her wants to rush forward and pull you into a hug, to offer the comfort that she knows you need; but another part holds her back, uncertain if that would be the right thing to do after all that's happened between you.

"I'm sorry," she whispers softly. "For everything. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that... and I shouldn't have said those things." She pauses, searching for the right words before continuing, "Can we try again? Just as friends this time?"

Her heart feels heavy in her chest as she waits for your reply, hopeful yet fearful of what you might say.