Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 10: Softening Edges

Lingling had barely let the words of Orm's playful challenge sink in when she found herself rethinking every moment they had spent together since their accidental first encounter. The bet, though light-hearted, had an undertone that unsettled her; it suggested vulnerability, a willingness to be exposed in ways she had long kept hidden. Lingling wasn't used to letting people past her walls, and yet here was Orm, casually suggesting a test of boundaries as if it were as easy as breathing.

The next morning, the campus buzzed with its usual weekday fervor. Lingling, impeccably dressed in a sleek white blouse and tailored pants, made her way to the library. She had a list of books to gather for their joint project. Her mind, however, kept drifting back to Orm's carefree grin and the way she had declared the bet with such confidence. The sharp clack of her heels on the polished floor brought her back to the present.

"Lingling!"

She paused, recognizing Orm's voice before she even turned around. Orm's bright energy filled the space as she approached, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Dressed in a relaxed T-shirt and jeans, she was a stark contrast to Lingling's composed appearance.

"Good morning," Orm greeted with a smile. The air between them crackled with an unspoken challenge, and Lingling met her gaze steadily.

"Good morning," Lingling replied, her tone measured but carrying a hint of warmth.

"Ready for our project meeting?" Orm asked, shifting her weight in that easygoing way she had, hands in her pockets.

Lingling nodded. "I have some resources lined up for us to review."

Orm's eyebrows rose. "Efficient as always. Lead the way."

They found a secluded corner in the library where natural light streamed through the tall windows, casting soft shadows over the long mahogany table. Lingling laid out the books and materials, meticulously organizing them by topic. Orm watched her with an amused smile, tapping her pen rhythmically.

"You're something else, you know that?" Orm said, breaking the silence.

Lingling paused, glancing up at her. "What do you mean?"

"The way you operate. It's like you're always three steps ahead. I admire it, even if it makes me feel like a tornado next to you."

Lingling's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "I suppose I've always valued structure."

"I know," Orm said, leaning back in her chair. "But maybe you should let go, even just a little."

The air between them shifted, a momentary pause where Orm's words hung, almost daring Lingling to respond. The reserved student felt the urge to push back, to assert her usual composure, but Orm's gaze was soft, not challenging, and it made Lingling's heart twist with something unfamiliar.

"Maybe," Lingling said, surprising herself with the honesty in her voice.

They spent the next hour combing through research, the gentle rustle of pages and quiet notes filling the space. Orm's lively presence beside her seemed to make even the most mundane tasks feel lighter. Every so often, Lingling would catch Orm stealing glances at her, a hint of a smile always tugging at the corner of her lips. It was disarming.

The spell of the afternoon was broken when Orm leaned over, closer than necessary, to read a passage in Lingling's notebook. Their shoulders brushed, and Lingling's breath caught. The touch was so brief, but it sent an electric current through her that she struggled to ignore.

"Sorry," Orm said, though she didn't pull away immediately. Her eyes met Lingling's, and for a moment, there was nothing but the unspoken.

"It's fine," Lingling whispered, barely audible.

Orm's gaze searched hers, playful confidence giving way to something deeper. But before the moment could stretch any further, Lingling cleared her throat and shifted back, breaking the connection.

"Let's focus," she said, returning to her notes, though the air felt charged, and her pulse refused to settle.

---

The project meeting ended, but neither of them left the library immediately. Orm glanced at the books scattered across the table, then back at Lingling.

"Hey, since you're all about structure, how about we take a break tomorrow after classes? You know, balance the scales a bit."

Lingling's eyebrow arched. "A break?"

"Yeah. There's a coffee shop I love that has live music in the evenings. I figured it might be... educational for both of us."

Lingling's first instinct was to refuse, to find an excuse about workload or responsibilities. But she saw the way Orm's eyes sparkled with expectation, and a small part of her—the part that played guitar alone when no one was watching—wanted to say yes.

"Alright," Lingling agreed. The word tasted foreign yet thrilling on her tongue.

Orm's face lit up. "Great. You won't regret it."

---

The next evening, Lingling stood outside the cozy café Orm had mentioned, her heart beating a little faster than usual. The warm glow of fairy lights strung around the entrance and the sound of acoustic music filtering through the open doors created an ambiance she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Orm appeared beside her, eyes wide with excitement. "I knew you'd look perfect in this light," she said, a grin spreading across her face.

Lingling felt her cheeks flush but maintained her composure. "Let's go inside."

They found a spot near the stage, the room buzzing with the soft hum of conversation and the strumming of a guitar from the performer. Orm ordered drinks for them, chatting animatedly as she handed Lingling her cup. The warmth of Orm's presence made the unfamiliar setting feel unexpectedly comfortable.

Halfway through the night, Orm leaned in. "This is what I meant by loosening up," she said, her voice low and gentle. "Not everything has to be perfectly planned."

Lingling looked at Orm, really looked at her—the light in her eyes, the easiness of her smile. It was contagious, this warmth, this sense of freedom.

"I see that now," Lingling said, her voice soft but sincere.

For the rest of the evening, they sat side by side, sharing quiet moments between sips of coffee and laughter that came easier than Lingling expected. When the final song played, a slow, melodic piece, Orm turned to her, eyes full of mischief and something more tender.

"Dance with me," Orm said.

Lingling's eyes widened. "Here?"

Orm stood and held out her hand. "Here."

Hesitation warred with the rapid beat of Lingling's heart. But as she looked at Orm's outstretched hand, open and waiting, she made a choice. Slowly, she placed her hand in Orm's, letting herself be pulled to her feet.

They swayed together, barely moving, the world around them fading into the background. Lingling felt the rhythm seep into her, letting go of the rigid control she always held so tightly. Orm's arm around her waist was steady, reassuring.

"See?" Orm whispered, leaning close. "Not so bad, right?"

Lingling's lips curved into a small smile. "Not bad at all."

In that moment, surrounded by music and warmth, Lingling allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let someone in.