Against the Wind || LingOrm [ Under Revision ]

CHAPTER 15

"Are you sure you're okay with that?" Orm asked, pointing at the low-gear View was eyeing. 

Lingling's heart ached a little, but she tried to hide it with a smile.  She was happy for View, but a tiny pang of jealousy shot through her.  She knew she shouldn't feel this way, but seeing View so happy and excited about getting Orm's help made her feel a little insecure.  It was like a tiny voice in her head whispered, "What if she takes your place?"

"Yes, thank you for helping me, Orm!" View fist-bumped Orm, and they both giggled.  Lingling watched from the sidelines, not wanting to third-wheel, so she decided to just wait outside on a bench.  But she couldn't help but roll her eyes in annoyance, seeing their interaction.  For some reason, she regretted not knowing what Orm's answer was.  Right now, she just wanted to put a big wall with her name on it in front of Orm.

"Do you want to have a coffee with us?" Orm asked.

"No, I'll have something to do at home," View replied, even though she didn't really have anything to do.  She just didn't want to be a third wheel.  She liked Orm, that was for sure, but she didn't want to hurt herself seeing her with someone else.

"Okay," Orm said, a little disappointed.

Orm waved at View as they separated. View also bid her goodbye to Lingling. Lingling somehow felt bad for being so bitchy towards View.  View was just like her, trying to get into Orm's good graces and catch her attention.  She realized how attractive Orm was, and she had a lot of competition.

"Tired?" Lingling asked, grabbing the handkerchief in her pocket and wiping the sweat on Orm's forehead.

"Not really, it's just really hot inside," Orm replied.  There was no air conditioning in the shop, just an average bike shop that sold high-quality products.  That's why Orm chose to buy here.

"Should we go to the Starbucks or you want to go elsewhere first?" Lingling intertwined their hands, smiling when Orm let her do it.  This was their usual thing, but now that she had confessed, it felt extra special for Lingling.  Orm's heart fluttered a little.  It was so easy to be close to Lingling, to let her touch her, to be comfortable with her.  But now, it felt different.  More intense.  More meaningful.

"Let's go straight to Starbucks, then we'll go to the clothing store," Orm replied.  When they arrived, Lingling was the one who ordered their coffee.  Orm watched her from her seat, still unable to believe it.  The fact that Lingling had confessed to her last night wasn't making it any better. It felt unreal and unbelievable.  She thought Lingling was straight and would never be "bent," but somehow, this had happened.

Orm didn't know whether to be happy or afraid because of it.  She was fine with them being best friends because they could be clingy or anything when it was just the two of them.  But now, she knew that something subtle had changed.  Maybe it was the way she was dwelling more into Lingling's actions.  It was the way her heart was reading so deeply into every one of Lingling's words.  It was the attachment that she knew she couldn't escape.  She was falling for Lingling, and it was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.

Lingling returned to their table holding two matcha cold coffees and two cupcakes.  She put down the tray and gave Orm her cupcake, their fingers subtly touching, causing them both to jump and look into each other's eyes.  Yes, they were holding hands earlier, but the electricity they felt when their fingers touched was different.

Lingling cleared her throat while Orm looked away, her face heating from embarrassment.  Lingling bit the inside of her cheek and unconsciously ate her cupcake in one bite, making Orm's eyes widen.

"No one's gonna steal your cupcake, P'Ling," Orm joked, sipping her coffee.

"I know, but someone's gonna steal you away from me," Lingling responded.