My Princess - LINGORM

26

The evening air was cool as I made my way to Ling's house, my heart racing with anticipation. Tonight was our scheduled tutoring session, and despite the hour, I felt a sense of excitement wash over me. It was already past nine, and I wondered if Ling would be her usual self—or if I might catch a glimpse of the more playful side I had come to enjoy.

As I approached her front door, I knocked lightly, my mind racing with thoughts of economics. I was eager to prove that my recent A+ wasn't just a fluke. Ling had been instrumental in my success, but tonight, I wanted to show her just how much I had learned.

The door opened almost immediately, and there stood Ling, looking as composed as ever. However, I noticed something was different. There was no trace of the ethereal glow that usually accompanied her late-night persona. "Hey, you're late," she remarked, arching an eyebrow.

"Uh, I'm actually right on time," I replied, stepping inside. The familiar scent of her place wrapped around me—books, a hint of something floral, and, oddly enough, something metallic.

Ling closed the door behind me and crossed her arms, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "You shouldn't be out this late. What if something happens?"

I frowned. "I can handle myself, you know. Besides, I'm curious."

"Right," she said, brushing off my concern. "What do you need?"

I took a seat at the kitchen table, trying to focus on the materials in front of me. "So, I was wondering why you look... so normal tonight. I thought vampires were supposed to be more vampire at night?"

Ling smirked, leaning against the counter. "I am vampire,so I'm always a vampire"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Very funny. But seriously, what's with the change?"

She sighed, her posture shifting as if she was weighing her words carefully. "I had to get some human blood for a meeting with your mother," she said casually, as if discussing the weather.

"Wait, what?" I exclaimed, taken aback. "You mean you actually go out and—"

"Doubt my methods, not my results," she interrupted, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes.

I couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. "So, where exactly did you get this blood? Did you, like, order it online or something?"

Ling rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by my questions. "Let's just say it's acquired through the right channels. You don't need to worry about it. I've got this under control."

I studied her, trying to gauge her expression. "What kind of meeting you could have with my mother?"

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a serious look. "She wants me to stop tutoring you. You've already got the study methods down, and it's time for you to take the next step on your own."

The news hit me like a ton of bricks. "What? Why? I still need help!"

"Orm," she replied, her tone firm yet gentle, "you've proven you can handle this. It's time for you to trust yourself."

"But I want to keep working with you," I insisted, feeling a wave of panic rise within me. "You've helped me so much!"

Ling stepped closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "You don't need me anymore. You're ready to fly on your own."

I hated the idea of losing our sessions, our time together. Ling had become more than just a tutor; she was my confidante, my friend. "What if I still have questions?" I pressed, my heart racing.

"You'll find the answers," she assured me, crossing her arms again as if to create a barrier between us. "You're smart, Orm. You just have to believe that."

I took a deep breath, trying to absorb her words. "And what if I don't?"

Ling paused, her expression softening just a bit. "Then you call me. I'll always be here for you, even if it's not in this capacity."

There was something comforting in her reassurance, but it still left a void in my chest. "So, what does that mean for us? I mean, you and me?"

Ling's gaze flickered, and for a moment, I thought I saw a hint of vulnerability. "It means you're growing up. It means I have to let go. And it means we'll still be friends, right?"

I nodded slowly, but inside, I felt a mix of disappointment and confusion. "I guess... but it doesn't feel right."

"Change can be uncomfortable," she replied, stepping back to create space between us again. "But it's necessary. You'll see."

I swallowed hard, still grappling with the news. "So, no more late-night study sessions?"

Ling shook her head. "Not unless you need me to help you with something specific. Just trust your instincts, Orm."

As the words hung in the air, I felt a knot form in my stomach. "I just... I don't want to lose what we have."

Ling's expression softened slightly, and she stepped closer again, the barrier between us seeming to fade. "You won't. We'll just have a different kind of relationship now."

"Can we still hang out?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," she replied, her tone warm. "But you need to let me know if you have questions or concerns. Don't hesitate."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. "Alright. I guess I can try."

Ling smiled, and for a brief moment, everything felt right again.

"Now, let's focus on some economics," she said, breaking the tension. "You still need to ace that next test."

"Yeah," I replied, trying to shake off the heaviness of the earlier conversation. "Let's do it."

As we dove back into our study materials, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were shifting between us. Ling had been my guide, my support, and now she was stepping back. But I couldn't ignore the way my heart raced every time she smiled or the way my thoughts lingered on her when she wasn't around.

Maybe this was just the beginning of a new chapter.

And as I looked up to catch her gaze, I couldn't help but hope that somehow, we would navigate this change together.