Lost Lagoon

Chapter 16: Torn Between Two Hearts

The days following the party felt like a heavy fog had settled over Orm's life. Each morning, she awoke with a tightness in her chest, haunted by the echo of Ling's words. The promise to be patient seemed impossible as the reality of their situation weighed heavily on her. Ling was with Wachana, and every time she caught sight of them together on campus, it felt like a knife twisting deeper into her heart.

Orm tried to keep herself busy, burying her head in her studies and leaning on her friends for support. Prikhing, Yeena, and Mint rallied around her, throwing themselves into late-night study sessions, but no distraction could quell the ache inside her.

One afternoon, as Orm walked across campus, she spotted Ling and Wachana laughing together by the fountain. The sight struck her like a physical blow. They were so absorbed in each other, their chemistry evident in the way they leaned into one another. Orm felt her heart sink, a painful reminder of what she had lost. She quickly turned away, not wanting to see the image burned into her memory.

"Hey, are you okay?" Prikhing's voice broke through her thoughts, and Orm turned to see her friend approaching.

"Yeah, just... tired," Orm replied, forcing a smile. But Prikhing wasn't convinced.

"You've been off since the party. Want to talk about it?" Prikhing offered, concern etched across her features.

Orm hesitated, weighing her options. She knew she should confide in her friend, but the turmoil inside her felt too raw. "It's just... Ling and Wachana," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Prikhing frowned, nodding in understanding. "It's hard to watch someone you care about be with someone else. But you need to remember that you deserve to be happy too."

"Yeah, but how can I be happy when it feels like I'm losing her?" Orm replied, frustration spilling over. "I thought we had something real, and now it's like I'm invisible to her."

Prikhing placed a reassuring hand on Orm's shoulder. "You're not invisible. Ling cares about you. She just needs time to figure out her feelings. But you have to take care of yourself too."

"Easier said than done," Orm muttered, staring off into the distance. The thought of Ling's laughter with Wachana sent a fresh wave of pain through her.

Later that week, Orm received an unexpected message from Ling. They hadn't spoken since the party, and a part of her had wondered if Ling would reach out at all. With shaking hands, she opened the message.

Ling: Hey, can we talk? I miss you.

Orm stared at the screen, her heart racing. Part of her wanted to run to Ling, to hold her and tell her how much she missed her too. But another part was afraid—afraid of getting hurt again. After a few moments of indecision, she replied.

Orm: Yeah, I'd like that.

They arranged to meet at their favorite café, a cozy spot that had once been filled with laughter and late-night confessions. As Orm walked through the door, her heart pounded in her chest. Ling was already seated at a corner table, her expression a mix of hope and apprehension.

"Hey," Ling greeted, a tentative smile on her lips.

"Hi," Orm replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach.

Ling's gaze flickered down to the table, and for a moment, the silence stretched between them. "I've missed this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Me too," Orm admitted, feeling the weight of their shared history.

"I've been thinking a lot since the party," Ling began, her eyes finally meeting Orm's. "About us, about everything."