This is the last time I fall in love

All I ever know is this is the last time you'll see me fall in love

Lingling was in love once, and the truth was, she still was. No, scratch that, she definitely still is. And that realization was a constant source of frustration. You see, her and Orm were in love once, really, really in love once. Their love story was one of passion and promise, a romance that had left Lingling breathless. She had invested everything in their relationship, convinced that their bond would overcome any obstacle. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

And Lingling knows her current situation was her own doing, but that didn't make it hurt any less. She was stuck in this limbo, her heart suspended between the past and the present, forever holding onto the love that once was, and still is...

In a city bustling with endless possibilities, Lingling and Orm meet by chance at a coffee shop near campus. Lingling frequenting the coffee shop for several months now while Orm had just walked in for the first time during a campus tour.

Lingling sat at her usual spot in the corner of the coffee shop, her fingers wrapped around a warm mug of chamomile tea. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint notes of cinnamon from the pastries behind the counter. She appreciated this little sanctuary, where the world felt like a gentle hum rather than an overwhelming roar.

As she glanced up from her book, she noticed a whirlwind of energy bursting through the door—an exuberant girl with dark brown hair and a wide smile. Orm. The moment their eyes met, Lingling felt a jolt, like the first spark of electricity before a storm.

"Hey! Is this seat taken?" Orm plopped down before Lingling could respond.

"Um, no," she said, her cheeks warming.

"I'm Orm! What are you studying?" Her enthusiasm was palpable.

"Just literature," Lingling murmured, feeling shy.

"Nice! Stories are the best adventures, right?" Orm grinned, leaning in. "What's your favorite?"

Lingling hesitated, then said, "Pride and Prejudice."

"Classic! Darcy is such a dreamboat! I'm more into fantasy, though. Dragons, quests—sign me up!"

Lingling chuckled, feeling an unexpected connection. As they talked, laughter and shared dreams filled the air, dissolving Lingling's usual reticence. She felt a warmth spreading in her chest, something she hadn't expected. As she began to share her interests, she noticed Orm hanging on every word, genuinely interested.

As Orm's laughter filled the air around them, Lingling felt the walls she'd built around herself begin to crumble. A burst of light in her quiet world.

As the weeks turned into months, their friendship blossomed. They started meeting regularly, each visit an exploration of new topics and hidden gems in the city. There were also quiet moments, like the afternoon they sat side by side in the park, sharing a single sandwich and watching the world go by. Orm leaned her head on Lingling's shoulder, the intimacy of the gesture sending shivers down Lingling's spine.

As they continued to navigate their friendship, Lingling cherished every laugh, every shared dream, and every moment that brought them closer. Deep down, she hoped that one day soon, they would take that leap together, transforming their beautiful friendship into something even more extraordinary.

The push Lingling needed came when she saw Orm laughing with a friend, their arms casually entwined. A stab of jealousy pierced Lingling's heart. In that moment, she realized she couldn't bear the thought of anyone else being close to Orm. She wanted Orm, without the ambiguity that had been lingering between them.

No more questioning, no more doubts. Lingling knew what she wanted, and she was ready to take the leap. The vision of Orm's bright smile, now tainted with the prospect of belonging to someone else, had awakened Lingling's courage. She knew exactly what she had to do next.