Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 8: Lingling on Stage

The rhythmic pulse of the campus music night vibrated through Orm's chest as she pushed her way into the packed auditorium. Her friends, View, Kwang, and Ying, waved her over, their expressions a mixture of excitement and impatience.

"You're late, Orm! The band's about to start," Kwang teased, shifting to make room for her.

"Blame my last-minute project revisions," Orm replied with a smirk, dropping into the chair beside him. Despite her lighthearted words, her heart was restless, partly from nerves over the upcoming presentation and partly from the thought of seeing Lingling perform tonight. The last week of working with Lingling had been an unexpected mix of tension, admiration, and moments of quiet understanding that kept replaying in Orm's mind.

The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the audience as the spotlight fixed on stage. Orm's pulse quickened when she spotted Lingling among the performers, guitar slung confidently across her body. Gone was the composed and meticulously guarded student leader; in her place stood someone transformed—daring, fierce, and unapologetically expressive.

The first chords rang out, cutting through the silence with a raw intensity. The rest of the band followed, filling the auditorium with sound that was equal parts rock and melodic intricacy. Orm sat up straighter, unable to tear her gaze away from Lingling, who commanded attention effortlessly, her fingers moving deftly across the strings.

"Didn't know Lingling could play like that, huh?" View's voice was barely a whisper, but Orm caught the note of awe.

Orm nodded mutely, transfixed. She'd seen hints of this side of Lingling in the quiet of the study room, where music softened her sharp edges, but this was different. Here, under the colored stage lights, Lingling's stoic mask fell away, revealing a version of herself that was electrifying and alive.

The song built to a crescendo, Lingling's guitar solo weaving seamlessly into the chorus, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. Orm's heart thudded in response, not just from the music but from the realization that admiration was no longer enough to describe what she felt. This woman, who could make Orm feel challenged and captivated all at once, was more than just a rival or project partner.

When the set ended, the lights brightened and the band bowed, Lingling's eyes scanned the crowd. For a fleeting moment, Orm was sure their gazes met. The noise around her seemed to dull as Lingling's expression shifted, a brief smile tugging at her lips before she turned away.

"Wow, I think the ice queen just smiled at you, Orm!" Kwang exclaimed, elbowing her playfully. Ying and View exchanged knowing glances, adding to the teasing.

"Yeah, right," Orm muttered, the heat rising in her cheeks. She forced a laugh, but inside, the idea that Lingling had acknowledged her in such a way made her feel seen in a way she hadn't expected.

After the show, the auditorium buzzed with post-performance chatter. Orm's friends were making plans to grab late-night snacks, but her mind was elsewhere. Excusing herself under the guise of needing fresh air, she weaved through the crowd, her steps carrying her instinctively toward the side entrance where the band had exited.

The hallway was quieter, the muffled echoes of the performance still lingering. Orm spotted Lingling, standing by a storage room door, talking with Milk and Kapook, two of her bandmates. They were laughing, their expressions lighter than Orm was used to seeing. It felt like stepping into a different world, one where Lingling wasn't bound by her usual restraint.

"Taking a detour from the celebration?" Lingling's voice broke through Orm's thoughts, sharp and teasing but not unkind. The bandmates had already moved past Orm, leaving her standing a few paces from Lingling.

"I, um, wanted to say good job," Orm said, her voice steadier than she expected. "You were amazing out there."

Lingling tilted her head, a hint of curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Thanks. I didn't know you'd be here."

"View convinced me," Orm said, managing a smile. "But I'm glad I came. I didn't realize how talented you were. It's different from... the study room."

The corner of Lingling's mouth twitched up. "The study room is reserved for work. This," she gestured back to the stage with her hand, "is where I can let go. Everyone needs an escape."

Orm's gaze softened. "You're right. It's just... nice to see you not so serious for once."

Lingling's eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was no guarded expression, no need for pretense. "Maybe you're not the only one who knows how to surprise people, Kornnaphat."

Orm laughed, the tension easing. "Touché. But seriously, I'm glad we're doing this project together. Even if you do push me to the brink with your perfectionism."

Lingling's smile lingered as she crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "You're not so bad yourself. I wasn't sure what to expect when Professor Achara paired us, but your ideas have been... inspiring."

"Is that a compliment?" Orm teased, feeling the warmth spread across her chest.

"Don't let it go to your head," Lingling replied, though her tone was softened by the amusement in her eyes.

They stood in silence for a moment, the echo of applause and distant chatter drifting through the hall. Orm felt a pull in the quiet, an unspoken understanding that was taking root between them, deeper than rivalry and beyond the bounds of mere collaboration.

Before she could speak, Lingling pushed away from the wall, the guardedness returning but not as stark. "Goodnight, Orm. Rest up. We have a presentation to ace."

"Goodnight, Lingling," Orm whispered as she watched her walk away, the electric hum of the evening still thrumming beneath her skin.

Back in her dorm, Orm lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the night replaying in flashes—the raw energy of Lingling's performance, the genuine smile exchanged in the quiet hallway, the undercurrent of something more she could no longer ignore.

"Get a grip, Orm," she murmured to herself, but the grin she wore said otherwise.