My Secret Letter

Chapter 9: The Fallout

The following days dragged on like an eternity, each moment stretching Ling's anguish to its breaking point. The kiss with Jennie had been impulsive, an act fueled by hurt and jealousy, but as the thrill faded, so did Ling's satisfaction. Guilt gnawed at her, a constant reminder of the pain she had inflicted on Orm.

At school, Ling found herself navigating a minefield of whispers and sideways glances. Her relationship with Jennie became the subject of gossip, with students speculating about the sudden rekindling of their romance. But all Ling could think about was Orm—how she had torn their bond apart and how, despite everything, she still wanted her back.

Yet, in the quiet moments, doubt crept in. Why did I fall so deep for Orm? It was just supposed to be fake dating, she thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The very idea that she had allowed herself to feel something real scared her, and she struggled to reconcile it with her cold, detached persona.

Despite her internal conflict, Ling was determined to reclaim her sense of control. As she moved through the halls, she decided it was time to make a statement. If Orm could move on so easily, then so could she. Ling started flirting more openly with Jennie, laughing a little too loudly at her jokes and leaning a little too close when they talked.

At the cafeteria, she noticed Orm sitting with Popor, their heads bent close together as they whispered and giggled. A pang of jealousy shot through Ling, but she forced a smile, letting her laughter fill the air as she teased Jennie.

"Did you hear about the party this weekend? You should totally come with me," Ling said, her voice dripping with playful flirtation.

"Really? You want to take me?" Jennie replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Why not? We'd be the hottest couple there," Ling responded, allowing a teasing smirk to dance across her lips.

As she exchanged flirtatious banter with Jennie, Ling couldn't help but glance at Orm, whose expression had shifted from amusement to something darker. Ling felt a surge of satisfaction as she noticed the way Orm clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Ling and Jennie together.

But deep down, a sense of regret loomed over Ling. This isn't what I want, she thought, fighting against the tightness in her chest. She didn't want to hurt Orm, but she felt like she had no choice. She had to make Orm feel something—anything—if she was going to get her back.

Days turned into weeks, and the distance only grew. Ling continued to taunt Orm with her flirty interactions with Jennie, all the while grappling with the truth: no matter how much she tried to convince herself that her feelings were fake, the reality was that they were anything but.

Ling would see Orm in the halls, looking lost and dejected, and she would feel a pang of remorse. But then she would remind herself of their argument, of the hurtful things Orm had said in the heat of anger, and her resolve hardened again.

It was during one of those painful days that Ling made a decision. She would not give up on Orm; instead, she would force her to confront her feelings. Ling's heart raced as she plotted her next move, vowing to make Orm jealous enough to realize what she had lost.

But as Ling navigated the tangled web of feelings and regrets, she couldn't shake the feeling that the road ahead would be anything but easy. She felt herself caught between her desire for revenge and her love for Orm, unsure of how long she could keep up this façade.