Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 12: A Different Kind of Study Session

Lingling had spent the morning meticulously organizing her thoughts, checking every detail of the tourism project they had been working on, and rearranging her notes for the third time. Nothing was going to derail the productivity of today's study session. She had already mapped out every page of the textbook they needed, divided their time into sections, and ensured that their session would end precisely at 6:00 PM. But, as she stood outside the university library, ready to meet Orm for their study session, Lingling couldn't ignore the nervous flutter in her chest. It wasn't the usual nerves before a presentation or a seminar; this felt different, and she couldn't quite place why.

Orm had texted her earlier that morning, proposing the idea of a study session. Lingling had initially been reluctant. She had never studied with anyone other than herself—her usual method of learning was to be solitary, to absorb the information and process it in isolation. But something about the way Orm had insisted caught her attention, pulling her out of her comfort zone. Orm had never been one to shy away from spontaneity, while Lingling had always held herself to a standard of perfection, where everything had a place and purpose. And perhaps that contrast was what made this study session so tempting, even if Lingling wasn't quite ready to admit it.

Lingling glanced down at her phone, checking the time once more—3:02 PM. Orm was running late, as usual. Lingling couldn't help the slight edge of irritation that crept in at the thought, but she quickly forced it down. She wasn't about to let one small thing disturb her day. It was only a study session, after all.

Just then, the sound of someone calling her name snapped her from her thoughts.

"Lingling! Hey!"

Lingling turned to see Orm bounding toward her, her ever-present energy practically crackling in the air. As always, Orm was a whirlwind of motion. Her wide, playful grin lit up the afternoon as she jogged to a stop in front of Lingling.

"Sorry I'm late!" Orm said with an exaggerated wince. "I got caught up in something. You know how it is."

Lingling raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, but tried to keep her expression neutral. "What else is new, Orm?" she said, but her voice carried a slight smile. Orm's lateness had become such a part of their routine that Lingling didn't even need to give her the usual lecture anymore.

Orm threw her hands up in mock surrender. "I'll do better next time, promise."

Lingling didn't respond but led Orm into the library, where their study space awaited them. It wasn't the quietest corner of the room, but it was secluded enough to provide some space for the two of them to work without being disturbed. Lingling had secured a large table by the windows, where the soft light from the afternoon sun filtered in. Her notes were already neatly arranged, textbooks laid out, and her laptop was ready to go.

Orm dropped her bag onto the table with a dramatic flair, startling a few students nearby. She pulled out a bag of chips, a bottle of soda, and several other snacks. Lingling didn't say anything about it—she had learned by now that no amount of protests would stop Orm from bringing her "snack stash."

"Hope you're ready to work, because I'm all set with the snacks," Orm said, flashing her a playful grin. "Gotta keep the brain energized, right?"

Lingling resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm here to study, not eat," she replied, but it was clear she was only half-serious. Orm's energy, while distracting at times, had an odd charm that made it hard to stay irritated for long.

Orm, unfazed by Lingling's lack of enthusiasm, opened a bag of chips and began munching loudly. "You know, I'm kind of amazed at how organized you are," she commented between bites. "Like, it's almost... intimidating."