Echoes of a Heartbeat [LingOrm]

Friends

Orm' s pov

Today, Yoko and I were busy with the exam in the morning. I also discovered that Ling is in a different course, so she fortunately didn't have the exam.

"Urgh, why are these exams so tiring? For now, I just want to sleep," I said as Yoko and I left the classroom 

"You always want to sleep," she said, chuckling.

"That's because I'm always tired," I replied simply, leaning my head on her shoulder as we walked.

"Such a drama queen," she said, patting my head.

"Yoko," we heard Ling's voice. The seriousness in her tone made Yoko and me separate and turn to face her, both stunned—Yoko by the serious tone and me by Ling's beauty.

"H-Hey Ling, what's up? You look kind of serious today," Yoko asked. Before Ling could answer, Yoko leaned in and whispered, "Orm, I think you're drooling."

"So funny, Yoko," I said, rolling my eyes

"Sorry, I just suddenly got a headache. Here, your charger," Ling said, extending her hand with the charger.

"Thank you, Ling," Yoko replied. I wasn't thrilled about the situation between them, and Yoko noticed, so she said between fake coughs, "Stop being jealous of what isn't yours."

Playing along, I said between fake coughs, "So, can I talk to Faye?"

My mood lightened when I saw Ling's smile. Beautiful.

"Anyway, sorry for my friend, Ling," Yoko said, trying to change the subject.

"No need to apologize. She's funny and cute," Ling said, making me almost faint. Then she pinched my cheek, and I felt like I was going to faint, like Miss Rabbit in the story.

But if she's flirting with me, I should reciprocate. Right?

"Yeah, I'm funny and cute, and you are ho—" My flirt was interrupted by Yoko's hand and her side-eye.

"Ling, I'm really sorry, but we have to go back to class," Yoko said, practically dragging me away.

...................

As the classes went on, I was distracted by the girl I think I'm starting to like—as a friend, of course. I went to the bathroom to take a break, and when I left the toilet area to wash my hands, someone entered the bathroom. At first, I ignored it, but then I saw that she was leaning against the wall and staring at me. I turned to see Ling. With just the two of us in the bathroom, I couldn't help but take in her presence. She looked the same as before, but now I could see her properly.

"Want to finish that phrase of yours now, or after you're done checking me out?" she said, pulling me out of my thoughts with a smirk forming on her lips. I think I was staring too much at her lips.

"What phrase?" I asked, confused. But as soon as I spoke, she started approaching me—though not too close; she wasn't crazy, right? She just wanted to be my friend.

"Let me refresh your memory. You said you're funny and cute, and I am?" she asked, her perfect lips curving into that infuriatingly attractive smirk.

"LingLing, I think it's better not to know," I joked, trying my best to avoid the topic.

"Tell me, please. I want to know," she said, using a sweet voice that almost made me faint—not from what she said, but from how she said it. 

"I-I was just going to say you are h-hot," I stammered, trembling. I was so relieved the sink was behind me; otherwise, I might have fallen. After saying it, I couldn't even look at her, so I focused on the wall beside us. "Jeez, such a sweet talker," I mumbled.

"Yeah, babe, you're also hot as hell, but you know, right now, you don't look that hot," she said. I felt my face burning, but I suddenly held my breath when she grabbed my chin, making me look at her. "Okay, let me tell you something. Don't ever look away while I'm talking to you." I was practically passing out, and I think she noticed because she wrapped her beautiful arms around my waist. "Ugh, I hate this, you know? I don't know what you do to me. One moment I'm okay, but when I see you with someone else, I feel so... angry?"

Wait what? Is she jealous of me? Is she flirting with me? Is she just being friendly?

"Hmmm, already jealous? Don't worry, Yoko and I are just friends. It's normal to feel possessive about new friends, but I'm okay," I said. Suddenly, she looked... sad? "You know, baby, I have to get back to class, so your arms have to come off." She removed her arms, and I headed back to my class.