My Princess - LINGORM

17

The café buzzed with activity, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. I settled into a cozy corner booth with Ying, her animated chatter a pleasant distraction from my studies. She was a good friend—someone who always managed to make me laugh, even on days when I felt weighed down by the pressures of school and family expectations.

"So, tell me about your latest drama," Ying said, leaning forward with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Is it still that economics tutor? You know, the one you keep grumbling about?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to maintain my composure. "Ling isn't a drama," I replied, though a part of me felt the need to defend her. "She's just... difficult."

"Difficult, huh?" Ying laughed. "Sounds like you're not as immune to her charms as you think."

"Not charming. Just stubborn," I retorted, sipping my iced latte. "I just want to get through these classes and improve my grades, that's all."

"Right. Just studying and nothing more," she teased, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "Sure, Orm. Whatever you say."

As we bantered, I noticed the door swing open, and my gaze flickered toward the entrance. That's when I saw her—Ling, stepping into the café, her presence instantly commanding attention. My heart did a strange little flip, but I quickly masked it with annoyance.

Ling scanned the room, and our eyes met for a brief moment. A flash of something crossed her face—something angry, maybe even possessive—as she took in the sight of me and Ying together. It was the most intense expression I had ever seen on her, a storm brewing behind her eyes that was both unsettling and oddly fascinating.

"Is she always like this?" Ying's voice broke through my thoughts, and I realized she had noticed the shift in Ling's demeanor as well.

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play it cool, even though a knot formed in my stomach.

"Look at her," Ying pointed discreetly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "She's practically glaring at us."

I turned my attention back to Ling, who had moved further into the café, her posture rigid and her jaw set. It was like someone had flipped a switch, transforming her from the composed tutor I usually dealt with into a fierce, wild creature. I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Do you think she's mad about something?" Ying continued, her voice low as if we were conspiring. "Or is she just the type to throw shade?"

I shrugged, but the knot in my stomach tightened. "I have no idea. We've had our differences, but this seems... intense."

Ling took a few more steps inside, and her gaze bore into me like a laser. I could feel the weight of her eyes, scrutinizing and assessing. For a moment, the bustling café faded into the background, leaving just the two of us locked in an unspoken confrontation.

"Is she... jealous?" Ying mused, her eyebrows raised playfully. "You know, she could have feelings for you, Orm. Wouldn't that be scandalous?"

I nearly choked on my drink at the thought, and I shot Ying a glare. "Don't be ridiculous. Ling isn't the type to get jealous, and I'm not even interested in her like that. She's just my tutor."

But even as I said it, I felt a flicker of uncertainty. Could it be possible? Did Ling actually care about me in some way? The idea sent a shiver down my spine, both thrilling and terrifying.

Ling's expression darkened further as she approached the counter, her eyes still flicking back toward me and Ying. I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was unfolding right before my eyes. It was as if she were struggling with something internal, and I was the unwitting catalyst.

"I should probably go talk to her," I said, rising from my seat before I could second-guess myself. My heart raced as I made my way across the café, pushing past tables filled with oblivious patrons.

"Good luck!" Ying called after me, her voice laced with amusement and encouragement.

As I approached Ling, she turned slightly away from the counter, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of me. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone colder than I had ever heard it.

"I—uh, just wanted to say hi," I stammered, suddenly acutely aware of how our dynamic had shifted. I was no longer just a student in her eyes; I was a potential rival for her attention, and the realization made my heart race in a way I wasn't quite ready to face.

"Right. So you're just here... enjoying your little outing?" she shot back, crossing her arms as if to shield herself from me.

I felt a flicker of irritation at her tone. "Ying is my friend. We were just talking," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "It's not like I'm doing anything wrong."

Ling's eyes darkened, and I caught a glimpse of vulnerability beneath her tough exterior. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, Orm," she said, her voice clipped. "I just didn't think you'd be out here with someone else."

The way she said it stung, and I found myself stepping closer. "Are you seriously angry about this? You're my tutor, not my keeper."

"I never claimed to be," she shot back, but I could see the flash of emotion behind her eyes—something that looked an awful lot like jealousy.

"I don't get you, Ling," I said, exasperated. "One minute you're acting like I'm a nuisance, and the next, you're angry at me for spending time with my friends. Make up your mind!"

For a moment, we stood there, tension crackling between us like static electricity. I could sense the café around us fading into the background, the laughter and chatter silenced by the weight of our unspoken words.

Ling finally turned away, looking out the window as if searching for an escape from the moment we had just shared. "It's not about that, Orm," she murmured, her voice softening just a fraction. "It's just... never mind."

"Ling..." I began, but she cut me off.

"Forget it," she said, her expression returning to its icy veneer. "Just focus on your studies. That's what matters, right?"

I felt my heart sink at her dismissal. "Yeah, whatever," I replied, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "You know, you could try being a little more supportive."

With that, I turned on my heel and strode back to Ying, feeling an odd mix of disappointment and confusion swirling within me. As I sat back down, Ying raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"So? What happened?" she asked, leaning closer, clearly eager for the details.

"Nothing," I muttered, taking a sip of my drink to hide my irritation. "Just... forget it."

But as I glanced back toward Ling, who was now standing by the counter, her expression a mask of frustration and something else I couldn't quite decipher, I knew that this was far from over. Whatever was brewing between us had just begun to bubble to the surface, and I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.