023 | cienna know's best

Cienna Bernal didn't need to knock. Living next door to Gianna had given her the unspoken privilege of letting herself in whenever she wanted. So, as always, she waltzed through the door with a bag of pastries in one hand and her phone in the other.

"Morning, sunshine!" she called out, kicking the door shut with her foot. She dropped the pastries on the counter and started rummaging through Gianna's kitchen for mugs. "I brought croissants and coffee. If that doesn't get you out of bed, nothing will."

Gianna emerged from her room moments later, still in her oversized sweatshirt and shorts, her hair in a messy bun. Her eyes looked tired, dark circles faintly visible beneath them, and her lips were pressed into a tight line. She walked to the couch, plopped down, and buried her face in her hands with a groan.

Cienna paused mid-reach for the sugar jar, her brows furrowing. "Okay, what's up with you?" She set the mugs down and leaned on the counter, studying her best friend. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

Gianna peeked at her through her fingers but didn't say anything. She let out another groan and flopped back against the couch cushions, staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers she couldn't find.

Cienna grabbed the coffees and the pastries, walked over, and sat beside her. "Alright, spill. What's going on? Did someone say something? Is rehab not going well? Is Lucia being a pain again? Because I swear I'll-"

"It's not rehab, or Lucia," Gianna interrupted, her voice muffled as she threw a pillow over her face. "It's... it's something else."

Cienna frowned, pulling the pillow off Gianna's face. "What 'something else'? You're being dramatic. Just tell me."

Gianna hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her sweatshirt. Her lips trembled as she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Finally, she blurted out, "I like him."

Cienna blinked. "What?"

"I like him!" Gianna repeated, louder this time, sitting up and throwing her arms in the air. "I can't like him, Cienna! I've known him my whole life!"

Cienna's eyes widened in realization, and then a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. "Oh. Oh. You mean Hector."

Gianna groaned, burying her face in her hands again. "Yes, Hector. Who else would I be talking about?"

Cienna sat back, clearly enjoying this revelation far too much. "I mean, it's about time, don't you think? You guys are basically attached at the hip. I've been waiting for this moment."

Gianna shot her a glare from behind her hands. "This isn't funny. I'm freaking out."

"Okay, okay," Cienna said, holding up her hands in surrender, though the smile never left her face. "Why are you freaking out? It's Hector. You trust him more than anyone. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal," Gianna said, her voice rising, "is that he's my best friend. What if I tell him and it ruins everything? What if he doesn't feel the same way? What if things get awkward and we can't go back to the way we were?"

Cienna tilted her head, her expression softening. "Gigi, you know Hector. He's not just going to walk away because of something like this. He's stuck by you through everything. If anyone can handle this, it's him."

Gianna shook her head, her fingers gripping the pillow in her lap. "You don't get it, Cienna. I've spent my whole life with him. He's been there for every moment-good, bad, everything in between. If this goes wrong, I'll lose him, and I can't lose him. I can't."

Cienna sighed, reaching out to place a hand on Gianna's shoulder. "Look, I get it. It's scary. But you can't keep bottling this up. It's only going to eat away at you until you explode. Trust me, I've been there."

Gianna frowned, her hands still fidgeting. "But what if it's not worth the risk?"

"And what if it is?" Cienna countered. "What if he feels the same way and you're both just too stubborn to admit it? You'll never know unless you try."

Gianna groaned again, leaning her head back against the couch. "Why does this have to be so complicated?"

"Because feelings are messy and annoying, but they're also worth it," Cienna said with a shrug. "And for what it's worth, I think you two are perfect for each other. Everyone sees it. You're just too close to notice."

Gianna let out a shaky breath, her chest tightening as she considered Cienna's words. Could she really tell Hector how she felt? Could she take that risk, knowing it might change everything?

"I'm scared, Cienna," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared of losing him."

Cienna wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a side hug. "I know you are. But sometimes, the best things in life come from taking a leap of faith. And no matter what happens, I'm here for you. Always."

Gianna nodded, her heart still heavy with uncertainty but a small spark of hope flickering in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out. Maybe Hector felt the same way. And maybe, it was time to find out.