The Girl Who Stole My First Kiss

Chapter Eleven - Vacation

The gentle sway of the car mirrored the easy rhythm of the ride. Lingling gazed out the window, a hint of playful defiance lingering in the curve of her lips. Despite the breathtaking scenery, a touch of disappointment clouded her otherwise radiant mood. Orm, perceptive as ever, caught the shift in her girlfriend's energy.

The presence of their friends - Milk, Love, View, and June - was a source of amusement for Orm, evident in the way she tried to stifle a laugh. Yoko's absence, however, was a silent point of contention. Lingling knew, and Orm suspected, that their art teacher, Ms. Faye, was the real reason behind Yoko's supposed studies.

"Smile, Lingling!" Orm nudged her playfully. The hour-long journey stretched before them, and most of their companions had drifted off to sleep. Yet, Lingling remained wide awake, a silent storm brewing behind her beautiful eyes.

"Come on, love," Orm pressed gently, her voice laced with concern. "Talk to me."

Lingling met Orm's gaze, a ghost of a smile flickering across her face before she looked away. The sight was enough to disarm Orm's growing worry. There was no malice in Lingling's silence, merely a playful tease that Orm, with her infectious cheer, couldn't resist.

Suddenly, a light touch on her fingers sent a jolt through Orm. Lingling's playful swipe was like a mischievous kitten batting for attention. Orm's pout deepened, her eyes welling up in mock hurt.

"Hey, hey," Lingling chuckled, wiping away the nonexistent tears. "I was just teasing. I'm sorry"

A satisfied smirk played on Lingling's lips. Teasing Orm was a favorite pastime, and the sight of her girlfriend's flustered expression brought a surge of amusement.

"That's mean," Orm mumbled, nuzzling her head against Lingling's shoulder. The silent plea for a truce was clear. Lingling wrapped a comforting arm around Orm, a silent promise to tone down the teasing.

Sunlight dripped through the bus windows, painting soft stripes across Orm's sleeping face. Lingling watched her with a tenderness that only she could evoke. While a part of her reveled in the sight, another knew it was time to rouse their little caravan.

"Orm, my love, wakie wakie~ " Lingling whispered, her voice a gentle caress. She brushed a stray tendril of hair from Orm's cheek, her touch light as a feather.

As if stirred by a dream, Orm's eyes fluttered open. The world swam into focus, and there, gazing down at her with a love that took her breath away, was Lingling. In that moment, the rhythm of the bus, the hum of the engine, all faded into the background. It was just them, their connection as warm and bright as the morning sun.

Orm reached out, her fingers tracing the soft curve of Lingling's cheek. A tender smile played on her lips before she leaned in, stealing a kiss as sweet and innocent as a promise. Lingling, caught off guard for a delightful moment, responded with a fervor that mirrored Orm's affection.

The idyllic scene was abruptly shattered by a yell from outside. "That's enough!" June exclaimed, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Stop the lovey-dovey! We're all starving!" Their fellow friends, it seemed, were less than impressed by the display of affection.

As Ling and Orm walked hand-in-hand at the front of the group, their playful banter drew amused comments from their friends.

"They've been like this ever since they started dating," Milk observed, a smile tugging at her lips. "It's adorable."

June nodded in agreement. "This Ling is so much brighter. It's amazing what love can do, even after everything she's been through."

A shadow of sadness flickered across their faces. The absence of Ying and Gap was a noticeable void. Ying had declined the invitation, while Gap was preoccupied with winning his girlfriend back.