Short Stories-Lingorm

Weights and Wishes (2)

It had been six months since that first awkward session at the gym. Lingling had never imagined that someone like Orm—who once seemed so foreign, so far removed from her world of barbells and sweat—would become a part of her daily routine. Yet here she was, sitting across from her at a café, sipping an overpriced matcha latte, and looking unusually calm for a girl who used to be allergic to anything resembling hard work.

The transformation had been slow at first. Orm had continued to struggle, her balance off, her form clumsy. But Lingling hadn't given up on her. She'd coached her on proper nutrition, forced her to stop skipping leg days (a cardinal sin), and even convinced her to swap out the high-end athleisure for more functional gear. But it wasn't just about the gym anymore. Lingling found herself looking forward to their time together outside of it: the post-workout brunches, the late-night phone calls about everything from fashion to philosophy, the quiet moments when Orm would laugh at one of Lingling's rare jokes.

They had become... something. Something neither of them had expected.

Today, Orm had invited Lingling out for coffee, a rarity for the shopaholic who usually preferred to be the one in the spotlight. Lingling was used to seeing her decked out in designer clothes, flashing her usual confidence, but today Orm looked different. She wore minimal makeup, her hair in a messy ponytail, dressed in a simple oversized sweater and jeans. It was the first time Lingling had seen her like this, and there was something magnetic about it.

"So," Lingling started, poking at her oatmeal with a spoon, "you've been hitting the gym like a pro lately. I'm impressed."

Orm smiled, and Lingling could tell there was pride behind it. "Yeah, I've actually started to enjoy it. I mean, I never thought I'd be the kind of person who'd get addicted to squats, but... here we are."

Lingling laughed, shaking her head. "Who would've thought? And what about the shopping? Have you finally learned to leave your credit card at home?"

Orm raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her latte. "I didn't say that," she teased. "But... I've started to focus more on things that last. Things that make me feel good, not just look good. Like, working out. I never knew how empowering it was to earn something with my body instead of just buying it."

Lingling's heart skipped a beat. There was something different about the way Orm spoke now—like she had found her own strength in a way that went beyond appearances. Lingling had always valued her physical prowess, but Orm? Orm was discovering the power that came from within.

They both sat there, silently for a moment. Lingling found herself studying Orm, her once-perfect features now softened, more genuine. In the early days, Lingling had been annoyed by Orm's superficiality, but now... she couldn't deny the spark of admiration she felt for the girl who had challenged her beliefs about what mattered in life.

"I've been thinking," Orm broke the silence, and Lingling turned to meet her gaze. "About everything. About you and me, about the gym, about... how my life used to be. You know, I thought I had everything. The bags, the clothes, the status. But I felt like something was missing. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I guess now... it was this. What we have."

Lingling blinked, her pulse quickening. "What we have?" she repeated softly.

Orm's eyes softened as she reached across the table, brushing a stray hair from Lingling's face. The gesture was tender, and Lingling could feel her heart race. Orm's voice dropped to a whisper. "Yeah. You've changed me, Lingling. More than I ever expected. More than I thought I could be changed."

For a moment, Lingling could only stare. Was this real? Was Orm really saying what she thought she was saying?

Before she could speak, Orm continued. "When I'm with you, I feel... whole. I feel strong, like I'm not just the girl with the nice bags anymore. I'm someone who works for what she wants. Someone who's getting better, every day."

Lingling swallowed, her breath hitching in her throat. She'd never imagined this would happen. Not with Orm. But maybe that was the beauty of it—they had started from such different places, yet here they were, finding something deeper than either of them had thought possible.

Orm leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know this might be crazy... but, Lingling... I think I'm falling for you."

The words hung in the air like a confession, a delicate, beautiful truth that Orm seemed to have been holding back for weeks, maybe even months. Lingling's heart fluttered, her world suddenly tilting.

She didn't hesitate. "I think I'm falling for you too."

Orm's eyes widened, and then, with a smile that felt like the sunrise, Orm reached for her hand, threading their fingers together. "You are... amazing," she whispered.

Lingling squeezed her hand in return. "And you... you're not the spoiled girl I thought you were."

Orm laughed, a sound so genuine and warm it made Lingling's heart swell. "I guess you were right. You've turned me into a gym rat. Who knew I'd ever love deadlifts and squats as much as I love a good handbag?"

Lingling chuckled. "Maybe next time we hit the gym, you'll out-lift me."

"Not quite yet," Orm teased, "but I'll get there."

They sat in silence for a while, their hands still intertwined, the world outside the café moving in fast-forward while time seemed to stretch just for them. Lingling realized that this was no longer just about fitness, no longer about superficial transformations. This was about connection, about two people finding something real amidst the chaos of their lives.

And for the first time in a long while, Lingling allowed herself to imagine a future where weights and wishes weren't so different after all.