Lost Lagoon

Chapter 17: A Dance of Rivalry

As prom approached, the atmosphere at school buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Balloons and streamers filled the hallways, while laughter echoed through the classrooms. However, amidst the cheerful chaos, Ling's heart was heavy with unease. The upcoming dance was supposed to be a celebration, but for her, it felt like a battleground.

Ling couldn't shake the feeling of dread that consumed her. Orm had been laughing more with Pilot lately, their playful banter evident in every encounter. Pilot was bold and charming, effortlessly drawing Orm's attention. Ling watched from a distance as Pilot flirted with Orm, tossing her hair back and making her laugh in a way that made Ling's heart ache with jealousy.

Ling found herself in a silent competition with Pilot, her stomach twisting into knots whenever she saw them together. It was as if a storm brewed inside her, fueled by the thought that Pilot might ask Orm to prom. Every time Pilot brushed against Orm or shared a joke, Ling's resolve faltered. Deep down, she was terrified that Orm might choose Pilot over her.

It was a sunny afternoon when the inevitable happened. Ling was at her locker, trying to focus on her schoolwork, when she heard Pilot's voice, playful and light.

"Hey, Orm!" Pilot called, her voice cutting through the hallway buzz. Ling felt her heart skip a beat. "So, are you going to prom with me?"

Ling's heart dropped as she peeked around the corner, her eyes wide with disbelief. Orm turned, surprise flashing across her face before a grin spread. "Um... wow, really?"

"Yes! It'll be fun, and you know we'll make a great team on the dance floor," Pilot teased, nudging Orm playfully. Ling felt the world tilt beneath her feet.

"I... I'll think about it," Orm replied, her voice uncertain but tinged with excitement.

Ling's breath quickened as she watched the interaction unfold. Jealousy flared within her, hot and uncontrollable. How could Pilot just waltz in and ask Orm like that?

As the day went on, Ling's mind raced. She felt sick at the thought of Orm dancing with Pilot, sharing the night she had envisioned for herself with someone else. That evening, she made a decision—she wouldn't go to prom at all.

The next day, as Ling sat at lunch with her friends, she stared blankly at her food, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Wachana, who had been trying to get closer to her, noticed her distraction.

"Ling, are you okay?" Wachana asked, concern lining her features.

"I'm fine," Ling replied, forcing a smile. But the truth was, she wasn't fine at all. She had avoided telling Wachana about the growing distance between them, but now, that felt like an inevitability she couldn't ignore any longer.

"Are you excited about prom?" Wachana pressed, her enthusiasm obvious.

Ling shrugged, glancing over at Orm, who was chatting animatedly with Pilot at the next table. "Not really," she muttered, the jealousy bubbling back to the surface.

"Come on! It'll be fun. You should go!" Wachana encouraged, but Ling felt her resolve hardening.

"I just don't want to, okay?" Ling snapped, surprising herself with the edge in her voice.

The next few days passed in a blur of anticipation and dread. Ling saw Pilot and Orm together more often, and each moment pushed her further into despair. She needed to take control. After much internal debate, she finally decided to end things with Wachana, knowing it wasn't fair to keep stringing her along while her heart belonged to someone else.

That evening, Ling sat on her bed, staring at the prom invitation lying on her desk. She felt hollow, like she had lost something vital. Her mother knocked on the door, peeking in.