A Spark in the Darkness || lingorm ff

A Day of Laughter & Tears

As the final class of the day wrapped up, Orm turned to Lingling, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hey, how about we grab some ice cream? I could really go for something sweet after all those lectures!"

Lingling's heart lifted at the suggestion. "That sounds amazing!" she replied, trying to shake off the lingering sadness from earlier.

The two friends made their way to a nearby ice cream parlor, where the air was filled with the sweet scent of waffle cones and the cheerful chatter of other customers. Orm's energy was contagious as she scanned the colorful menu.

"Okay, I dare you to try the 'Rainbow Explosion'!" Orm declared, pointing to a brightly colored concoction topped with candy and whipped cream. "It's practically a party in a cup!"

Lingling laughed, feeling a sense of camaraderie as they both ordered their treats. As they sat outside, enjoying their ice cream under the warm sun, Orm shared funny stories about her day, making Lingling forget her worries, even if just for a little while.

"Did you see Professor Lee's face when I accidentally called him 'Mom' instead of 'Professor'?" Orm burst out laughing, her eyes wide with amusement. "I thought he was going to faint!"

Lingling chuckled, picturing the scene. "That's hilarious! I can't believe you did that!"

With their ice cream melting faster than they could eat, they started to get competitive, trying to see who could create the silliest ice cream mustache. Their laughter filled the air, and for a moment, Lingling felt a warmth that was all too rare in her life.

But as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Lingling couldn't shake the heaviness creeping back into her heart. They walked home together, and the weight of her thoughts began to loom again.

When she finally stepped through the front door, the warmth of the day faded, replaced by an all-too-familiar chill. Instead of the comforting sounds of family, Lingling was met with raised voices echoing through the hall.

"-I can't do this anymore! We need to face it; we're not happy!" her mother's voice rang out, sharp and piercing.

"Maybe if you cared about anything other than work, we wouldn't be in this position!" her father shot back, frustration dripping from every word.

Lingling felt her heart drop, the familiar ache of loneliness rushing back. She stood frozen, listening to the arguments that had become all too familiar. The world she had stepped into at college felt like a fantasy compared to the harsh reality of her home life.

Suddenly, memories flooded her mind-childhood days spent trying to impress her parents, studying late into the night for grades that would make them smile. She remembered how every good score was met with praise, how those fleeting moments of attention felt like gold. But they were never enough to fill the void left by their absence.

As the shouting continued, Lingling's chest tightened, tears welling up in her eyes. She could almost hear her younger self whispering, If I just get better grades, they'll love me more. They'll talk to me like they used to.

But now, it seemed her efforts were all for nothing. The only conversations her parents had were laced with anger and blame. Lingling felt the tears spill over, each drop a reminder of the loneliness that had seeped into her heart, amplifying the isolation she felt at college.

Hugging her backpack tightly, she made her way to her room, desperate to escape the chaos. Once inside, she collapsed onto her bed, the weight of her sadness crashing down on her like a tidal wave.

Lingling curled up, allowing herself to cry for the little girl who just wanted her parents to notice her, to care about her beyond their business endeavors. The laughter and joy she had experienced with Orm felt like a distant memory now, overshadowed by the reality of her home life.

Why can't they see me? she thought, her heart aching. Why can't they just be happy?

Lingling lay in the darkness, feeling the echoes of her parents' argument seep through the walls. As the tears fell, she realized that no matter how much she wanted to escape, she couldn't run from the truth. She was still that little girl seeking validation, still searching for love in the cracks of a broken home.

And for the first time, she wondered if things would ever change.

_to be continued _