Ink & Intentions (Lingorm)

14. First Kiss

After the movie, Ying and Orm found themselves lingering outside the theater, watching Ling and Wisanu as they walked off together. Orm watched Ling's retreating figure, feeling a knot in her chest she couldn't quite untangle. She thought she'd be fine with the idea of Ling dating someone else—but here she was, practically vibrating with jealousy.

Ying must have noticed the look on her face because she nudged her gently. "Come on," she said with a grin. "We're getting drinks. You look like you need a few."

They headed to a cozy bar nearby, and Ying didn't hold back when she ordered a round. They sat down, clinking glasses, and Orm took a deep sip, letting the drink's warmth drown out her anxious thoughts.

"Ying," Orm said, breaking the silence between them, "thanks for doing this. You know, pretending to... date me and all that."

Ying smiled, rolling her eyes. "Well, you owe me big for this. This is probably the weirdest fake relationship I've ever been in."

They both laughed, and Orm felt some of the tension dissolve. It was true—they weren't really dating. Ying had simply agreed to help Orm figure out if Ling had feelings for her by playing the "date" role, hoping Ling might feel a spark of jealousy. But things were messier than Orm had expected. Seeing Ling with Wisanu tonight had thrown her completely off balance.

"I really don't know what I'm doing," Orm admitted, a bit embarrassed.

"Hey, don't overthink it," Ying replied, patting her shoulder. "We're just gathering information. And, by the way, if I was going to date anyone for real, I'd want a girl who'd actually look at me, instead of across the room, like some lovesick puppy."

"Hey!" Orm tried to sound offended but burst into giggles, feeling her cheeks grow warm.

"Let's just drink, alright? Relax a bit," Ying said, pouring them another round. And as the drinks kept coming, Orm did exactly that. By the time they left, she was light-headed, happy, and maybe a little too loose with her words.

They arrived at Orm's building, and Ying kept her steady as they stumbled up the steps. Orm let out a soft hiccup, laughing as she clung to Ying's arm for support.

"Oh, Ying, you're the best," she said, leaning her head against Ying's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah," Ying laughed, trying not to trip on Orm's feet. "Let's get you inside before you pass out."

The soft chime of the doorbell broke the late-night stillness, and Ling, already curled up in her bed, frowned as she stood and padded to the door. She opened it to find Ying, who was supporting an unsteady Orm, one arm wrapped around her shoulders as she swayed lightly, her eyes wide and glassy.

"Oh, good," Ying said, her voice bright with a mix of relief and humor. "I think I've had enough of being Orm's babysitter for tonight." She handed Orm over to Ling with a mischievous smile. "She's all yours."

Ling gently took Orm's arm, ignoring the heat that flared in her chest. She could feel Orm's warmth, her face flushed and slightly dazed, gazing up at her with that soft, wide-eyed look. Ling raised an eyebrow at Ying, trying to keep her tone even. "What did you do to her?"

"Who, me?" Ying grinned, holding up her hands in mock innocence. "I just gave her a few drinks and listened to her very, very dramatic life story." She winked and patted Orm on the head before stepping back. "Good luck with her, Ling. She's a handful tonight."

With a small laugh, Ying turned and walked back into the night, leaving Ling and a wobbly Orm in the doorway. Ling turned her attention back to Orm, who was now squinting at her as though trying to focus.