Lost Lagoon

Chapter 14: The Weight of Choices

The atmosphere on campus buzzed with excitement and relief as news of Ling and Orm's miraculous survival spread like wildfire. Students crowded the halls, their chatter filled with admiration and disbelief at the duo's adventure. Ling and Orm, once inseparable friends, now found themselves in the spotlight, but the joy of returning to their old lives felt overshadowed by the emotional turmoil swirling around them.

Walking through the crowded quad, Orm felt a mixture of gratitude and heartache. She forced a smile as her classmates approached, eager to hear their stories. "You both are legends!" a classmate exclaimed, pulling Orm into a hug. "We were so worried about you!"

"Yeah, you're like, the ultimate survivors!" another chimed in, laughter echoing in the air.

Ling stood beside Orm, her eyes reflecting a brightness that seemed almost forced. The moment should have felt triumphant, but Orm could see the glances Ling exchanged with Wachana, who hovered nearby. The way Wachana kept brushing her fingers against Ling's arm made Orm's stomach churn. It was a reminder of the bond they shared, a bond that Orm feared might overshadow what she and Ling had begun to build on the island.

As the crowd dispersed, Orm's heart sank when she caught Ling and Wachana laughing together. It was a sound that filled the air with a sweetness that now tasted bitter in Orm's mouth. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it clung to her like a shadow.

That evening, Orm joined her friends for a dinner celebrating their return, but the laughter felt hollow. She sat across from Prikhing, who noticed Orm's distant demeanor. "Hey, what's wrong? You should be celebrating!" Prikhing said, nudging Orm gently.

"I am... I just..." Orm hesitated, glancing toward Ling and Wachana at the other end of the table. Ling's laughter rang out again, and Orm's heart ached. "I thought things would feel different when we got back."

Prikhing followed Orm's gaze, her expression shifting to concern. "You still love her, don't you?"

Orm nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "But she's with Wachana now. I can't compete with that. It feels like I was just a passing moment in her life, and now she's back with her."

"Orm, you and Ling share something special. You can't let that slip away without fighting for it," Prikhing urged softly.

Orm forced a smile, but inside, she felt a crushing weight. "I don't know if I have the strength to fight. It's hard seeing her happy with someone else."

After dinner, Orm excused herself and walked outside, needing a moment to breathe. The campus was dimly lit, and the sounds of laughter faded behind her. She found a quiet bench and sat alone, letting the cool evening air wash over her. The stars twinkled overhead, but they felt distant, just like the love she longed for.

Moments later, Ling approached, her expression hesitant as she stepped into the soft glow of the porch light. "Orm?" she called softly.

Orm's heart raced, a mix of hope and dread surging through her. "Hey," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ling sat down beside her, the silence stretching between them. "I've been wanting to talk," she said, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"About what?" Orm asked, her heart pounding. She feared the answer but needed to know.

"About everything that happened... and about Wachana," Ling admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to hurt you, but I can't deny my feelings for her."

Orm felt a sharp pang in her chest, each word piercing her heart like a dagger. "So, you're choosing her?" The bitterness in her voice surprised even her, but she couldn't help it.

"No! It's not that simple," Ling rushed to explain. "I care about you, Orm. I do. But I can't just turn off my feelings for Wachana. She was my first love, my first ever official girlfriend, my first relationship with".

Orm swallowed hard, tears spilling down her cheeks. "And what about us? What we shared on the island? Did that mean nothing?"

"Of course it meant something!" Ling replied, her voice rising. "But I'm scared, Orm. Scared of hurting Wachana. Scared of hurting you. I don't want to make the wrong choice."

"But what about my feelings?" Orm choked out, the raw vulnerability spilling forth. "You promised to be honest with me. You promised you'd end things with her."

Ling reached for Orm's hand, but Orm recoiled, the touch igniting a turmoil of emotions. "I don't want your pity, Ling. I wanted you to choose me."

"I'm trying to figure it out," Ling said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I need time. Please, just give me that."

Orm shook her head, feeling the space between them widen, an invisible chasm that seemed impossible to bridge. "Time won't change the fact that you're still with her," she whispered, her heart shattering all over again.

Ling's expression faltered, and for a moment, Orm saw a flicker of regret in her eyes. But it was quickly replaced by uncertainty, and Orm felt her heart sink further.

"I have to go," Orm said, standing up abruptly, her emotions swirling like a storm. She turned away, not trusting herself to say anything more. The weight of Ling's indecision was unbearable, and she couldn't bear to witness Ling's struggle.

As Orm walked away, she felt Ling's gaze on her, a mixture of longing and confusion that twisted the knife deeper. She fought to hold back her tears, knowing that the road ahead would be paved with heartache and choices neither of them were ready to face.

Returning to her friends, Orm plastered on a smile, but inside, she felt fractured, a shadow of the person she once was. Ling's laughter echoed in the distance, but it was no longer a sound of joy—it was a reminder of everything she feared losing.

The campus might have welcomed them back, but Orm felt like she was wandering through a ghost town, haunted by memories of a love that felt forever out of reach.

—//—

Ps- Ling out here breaking her promise to Orm already yikes