Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 13: The Double Dare

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the large, arched windows of the campus gym. Lingling had just finished her Pilates class, her body humming with the familiar sensation of effort and precision. She toweled the light sheen of sweat off her brow, her mind drifting to the unexpected challenge she had accepted from Orm: a dare exchange.

Lingling had been wary of the idea, but Orm had pitched it with her usual infectious enthusiasm. It had started as a casual conversation over their cross-disciplinary project meeting, which had somehow veered into a spirited debate about stepping out of their comfort zones. Orm, with her characteristic impish grin, had teased Lingling about her rigid routines and polished demeanor. Lingling, in turn, had challenged Orm on her tendency to avoid anything remotely structured or disciplined.

"I dare you to try something new for once," Orm had said, her eyes alight with mischief. "Do something fun, spontaneous, messy."

Lingling had raised a perfectly arched brow. "And in return, I presume I'm supposed to come up with a challenge for you?"

"Exactly!" Orm had replied, practically bouncing in her seat. "It's only fair. You drag me into one of your boring routines, and I drag you into something exciting. Deal?"

Lingling had hesitated but eventually nodded, her competitive streak getting the better of her. "Deal."

That was how Lingling now found herself standing outside the campus arcade, a location she had previously dismissed as noisy and juvenile. Orm was already waiting for her, practically vibrating with excitement. She wore a bright, oversized hoodie with a cartoon character on it, her hands shoved casually into the pockets of her ripped jeans.

"You're actually here!" Orm exclaimed as Lingling approached. "I was half-expecting you to cancel and come up with some excuse about being too busy or something."

Lingling rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. "I keep my promises, Orm. Besides, I'm curious to see what you consider 'fun.'"

Orm grinned. "Oh, you're in for a treat. Come on!"

She grabbed Lingling's wrist and practically dragged her inside. The arcade was a sensory overload of flashing lights, blaring sound effects, and the hum of conversation punctuated by excited shouts and laughter. Lingling's first instinct was to turn around and walk back out, but Orm's grip on her wrist was firm, grounding her.

"Relax," Orm said, as if reading Lingling's mind. "You'll get used to it. Here, let's start with something simple."

They stopped in front of a claw machine filled with plush toys. Orm inserted a coin and grabbed the joystick, her face scrunched up in concentration as she maneuvered the claw over a brightly colored stuffed animal.

"This," Orm declared, "is a true test of skill and patience. Watch and learn."

The claw descended, grasped the toy, and immediately dropped it as it rose again.

Orm groaned dramatically. "Okay, maybe it's rigged. Your turn."

Lingling crossed her arms. "This is hardly what I'd call a challenge."

Orm smirked. "Oh, it gets better. But you've got to start somewhere. Come on, humor me."

With a sigh, Lingling stepped up to the machine. She studied it for a moment before deftly maneuvering the claw, her movements precise and calculated. The claw descended, grabbed a small plush cat, and deposited it neatly into the prize chute.

Orm's jaw dropped. "No way! Beginner's luck!"

Lingling smirked, holding up the prize. "Maybe you're just bad at it."