Echoes of a Heartbeat [LingOrm]

Was it a kiss?

I was at the gym bleachers, waiting for my sweet little baby. She was at practice, having missed a week—perhaps because someone let her down, maybe even me. During this practice, I discovered she was the team captain, which wasn't surprising given how much heart she put into the game. Her teammate View was always near her, which stirred a pang of jealousy in my heart.

My thoughts were interrupted as Faye sat down beside me.

"Hey loser! Watching your girlfriend?" she teased.

"Obviously. So, where's your wife?" I asked, noticing her blush deepening.

"Wife? You mean Yoko?" Faye replied, pretending to be indifferent.

"Uh-huh. Have you talked to her yet?" I glanced between Faye and Yoko, who was on the court against Orm.

"Not yet. I came to watch her and talk to her. Oh, look who's coming," Faye said, nodding toward Orm, who approached us with a bright smile. I had to admit she looked stunning—beautiful, even hot. But I was pulled from my thoughts by Faye's voice.

"If you keep eyeing her like that, she might notice," Faye whispered in my ear.

"Hey, baby!" Orm greeted, stopping in front of me. "Thanks for coming to watch my practice."

"No problem. You're like a professional," I replied, feeling Faye's intense gaze from the side.

Before we could continue, Ying arrived and placed her hand on Orm's waist. 'What am I to you? Leave my girl alone,' I thought, feeling a surge of irritation.

"Orm, let's head back to the court," View said with a smile. I wanted to punch that smile off her face, but I decided on a different approach.

I stood up, wrapped my arms around Orm's waist, and pulled her close. Her face flushed red, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah, babe, it's probably better if you get back to practice," I said, ending with a quick peck on her lips.

View's expression shifted noticeably. "Alright, come on, Orm," she said, pulling Orm back to the court.

"Jealous?" Faye asked with a smirk.

"I kissed her? Or was that just in my head?" I wondered aloud.

"Nah, it wasn't even really a kiss. But it seems like that girl isn't a fan of yours," Faye said, referring to View.

I sat back down next to Faye, my mind still buzzing from the 'kiss' and the recent events. Even though I was the one who kissed her, I felt shy and uneasy. The situation was still burning in my mind.

....

I stayed seated, trying to focus on Orm's practice but finding it hard to concentrate. My thoughts kept drifting back to the quick kiss and View's reaction. Faye's presence beside me was comforting, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

"So, how's your day going?" Faye asked, breaking the silence.

"Busy," I replied absently, eyes still on the court. "But I'm glad I came to watch."

Faye noticed my distraction and nudged me with her elbow. "You're not exactly subtle with the way you're staring at her. If you're feeling this tense, maybe you should talk to her about it."

"Maybe," I said, my voice trailing off. "I'm just not sure how to bring it up."

"Communication is key, you know," Faye said wisely. "If you're feeling jealous or unsure, it's better to talk it out. Orm might not even realize what's bothering you."

"Yeah, you're right," I admitted, nodding. "I'll figure it out."

Just then, Orm glanced in our direction and gave me a warm smile that made my heart flutter. I waved back, trying to convey reassurance. Her smile widened, and she looked more focused than ever, clearly motivated by my presence.

As the practice continued, Faye and I chatted about mundane things, trying to keep the conversation light. I could see the tension easing between us, and I was grateful for her support. Eventually, the practice wrapped up, and Orm, sweaty but happy, made her way back to us.

"Hey, how did I do?" Orm asked, clearly eager for my opinion.

"You were amazing," I said sincerely. "You really showed everyone why you're the captain."

"Thanks," she said, beaming. She glanced at Faye. "And thank you for coming too, Faye."

"Of course," Faye replied, giving a small wave. "It was fun watching you play."

Orm seemed to relax, her tension easing as she looked back at me. "So, what's next for us?" she asked, her gaze filled with warmth.

"I was thinking maybe we could grab a bite to eat," I suggested, hoping to lighten the mood.

"That sounds perfect," Orm said, grabbing my hand. "Let's go."

As we left the gym, I noticed Faye heading towards Yoko, who was now standing near the exit. I hoped Faye would find the courage to speak with her and clear the air.

"Are you alright?" Orm asked, squeezing my hand gently.

"Yeah, I'm good," I said, smiling at her. "Just needed some time to sort things out."

"Well, I'm here if you need to talk," she said, her eyes full of understanding. "Let's enjoy the evening together."

We headed to a nearby café, where we enjoyed a relaxing meal. The conversation flowed easily, and the earlier tension seemed to melt away. For now, things felt right, and I was grateful for Orm's presence and the chance to be close to her.

As we walked back home, I felt a sense of relief and hope. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we could face them together. And hopefully, Faye would find her own path to happiness soon.