The Girl Who Stole My First Kiss

Chapter Four - Girlfriend

Orm

I was counting on Gap picking me up, so seeing Ling pull up on her fire-engine red Ducati Superleggera V4 was a total surprise. How she handled that beast of a machine still boggled my mind.

Ling's voice cut through my astonishment, laced with amusement. "What's the hold-up? We're running out if time. Get on."

I grumbled playfully, puffing out my cheeks before settling comfortably behind her. The first thing that struck me was the noticeable height difference - I towered over her even more now. Her signature perfume lingered inside the helmet she'd thoughtfully provided.

"Where's Gap?" I inquired through the intercom, a hint of curiosity peeking through.

Ling's response was a sly one. "Miss him already? Disappointed it's me?"

My annoyance flared. "Why are you answering with questions too?" I blurted out.

Suddenly, the Ducati lurched forward, picking up speed. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her waist instead of just resting a hand on her shoulder.

A melody drifted from her lips as she navigated the streets. I averted my gaze, taking in the passing scenery. The cool night air, the faint scent of her perfume, the way I was holding on to her - it all created a strange sense of peace. If only we didn't bicker constantly, maybe I'd finally blurt out how I really feel about her.

Gap's voice boomed, "Here come the lovebirds!" as we pulled up. I just rolled my eyes and walked straight over to Ying, wrapping her in a hug. She always made me feel safe, taking care of me whenever we were together. Just like now, she fussed over my hair before pinching my cheeks playfully. "So cute," she complimented, making me laugh.

Ling's voice cut through the air, cold and sharp. "Let's get started." Ying simply shrugged, and I followed them to our instruments. I took the keyboard, while Ling grabbed her guitar and mic, Gap on bass, and Ying behind the drums.

We jammed through at least five songs before taking a break. Lingling's voice, when she sang, was surprisingly soft and sweet, a stark contrast to her usual way of speaking to me.

"What are you staring at?" she snapped, her gaze icy. I couldn't help but wonder what I'd done to earn her perpetual hostility. It was like she loathed me yet somehow cared - confusing doesn't even begin to describe it.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. All three of them fell silent as a woman, easily in her sixties, approached us. She excused Lingling, giving me a startled look before leaving with her daughter.

"That's Lingling's mom," Ying said softly, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Today marks the second anniversary of her father's passing and the first of her girlfriend's." My jaw dropped. "She had a girlfriend?" I blurted. It wasn't something anyone ever talked about.

"Lingling doesn't want it mentioned anymore," Ying continued. "Your presence here, unintentionally, reopened a wound."

Her words left me utterly confused. Lingling never returned that night, and it's been three days since I've seen her. I tried asking my best friend about Lingling's girlfriend, but she claimed ignorance too. Ying and Gap always deflected the topic whenever I brought it up.

"Juneee!" I called out to her after our main class.

"Hey, Orm! You're campus-famous! I heard some girls calling you 'daddy,'" June teased. I cringed - I may act like a tomboy, but deep down I'm a girly girl. Ling's the one with the daddy vibes, haha!

"Question!" I blurted, changing the subject.

"Shoot."

"Do you know anything about Ling's late girlfriend?" I pressed, unleashing my puppy-dog eyes. She hesitated for a second before pulling me aside.