Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 22: Orm Steps Back

The moment in the library replayed in Orm's mind over and over. Lingling's words had felt like sunlight breaking through a stormy sky, a glimmer of hope she hadn't dared to expect. Yet, as the days passed, Orm couldn't shake the feeling that Lingling was still holding something back.

Lingling had said she cared for Orm, but she hadn't explicitly said she felt the same way. Orm didn't need grand declarations, but the uncertainty left her questioning her next move. Was Lingling still figuring things out, or was she only letting Orm in halfway?

Meanwhile, Lingling wrestled with her own feelings. Opening up to Orm had been harder than she had expected, but it had also been a relief. For the first time, she allowed herself to admit how much Orm meant to her. But that vulnerability came with fear.

Her life had always been about control—maintaining her image, excelling in her academics, and pushing herself to meet expectations. Orm, with her easy charm and open-hearted warmth, was the complete opposite of everything Lingling had built her world around.

Still, Lingling couldn't deny how much brighter her days felt when Orm was near. She wanted more moments with her but wasn't sure how to ask for them without losing her footing.

Orm decided to step back. She needed to protect her own heart, even if it meant giving Lingling the space to figure out what she truly wanted. She buried herself in her studies, pouring her energy into assignments and spending more time with her friends.

Kwang noticed the change almost immediately.

"What's up with you and Lingling?" he asked one afternoon as they grabbed lunch in the cafeteria.

Orm poked at her food, sighing. "Nothing's wrong... I just think she needs space."

Kwang gave her a skeptical look. "You've been pining over her for months, and now that she's finally warming up to you, you're backing off?"

"I'm not backing off," Orm argued. "I'm just... I don't want to push her. If she really feels the same way, she'll let me know when she's ready."

Kwang leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Orm, not everyone's as open about their feelings as you are. Some people need a little nudge."

Orm shook her head. "She's not just 'some people.' She's Lingling. I can't nudge her into something she's not ready for."

Kwang sighed but didn't press further.

Lingling, on the other hand, started noticing the change in Orm's behavior almost immediately. Their usual text messages became sporadic, their once-frequent run-ins around campus seemed less deliberate, and Orm's warm smiles felt slightly distant.

At first, Lingling told herself it was for the best. Orm had given her space, and that was what she needed, right? But as the days turned into weeks, she couldn't ignore the hollow feeling growing inside her.

One evening, while scrolling aimlessly through her phone, Lingling came across a picture of her and Orm from one of their project meetings. Orm's face was lit up with laughter, and Lingling's lips were curled in a rare, genuine smile.

She set the phone down and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Was she pushing Orm away?

Milk and Faye noticed Lingling's mood almost immediately during their band practice the following day.

"Ling, you've been off all week," Milk said as they packed up their equipment. "What's going on?"

Lingling hesitated, then sighed. "It's Orm."

Faye exchanged a look with Milk before sitting down beside Lingling. "What about her?"

"She's been distant," Lingling admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "And I think it's because of me."

Milk raised an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," Lingling said quickly. "I just... I don't know how to handle this. She told me how she felt, and I thought I was ready to let her in, but now..."

Faye placed a hand on Lingling's shoulder. "Ling, you're allowed to be scared. But pushing her away isn't going to make it easier."

Milk nodded in agreement. "You've got to figure out what you want. If you care about her as much as we think you do, don't let her slip away."

Lingling frowned, their words hitting closer to home than she wanted to admit.

Orm, meanwhile, tried to focus on her classes, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Lingling. One evening, as she sat in her dorm room, she found herself absentmindedly scrolling through her photos. She stopped on one of Lingling from their last study session, her profile illuminated by the soft glow of the desk lamp.

"I'm not giving up on you," Orm murmured to herself. "But I can't keep chasing you, either."

View, who had been quietly playing a video game on the other side of the room, spoke up. "Still thinking about her?"

Orm glanced at her. "Is it that obvious?"

View smirked. "A little. Look, I get it. She's amazing, but don't lose yourself waiting for her to figure things out."

"I'm not waiting," Orm said defensively. "I'm just... giving her time."

"Time is fine," View said. "But don't forget to live your life in the meantime."

Lingling couldn't take it anymore. Seeing Orm around campus but feeling the growing distance between them was too much to bear. She found herself wandering the halls one evening, her mind racing with thoughts of what to say.

Eventually, she found herself standing outside Orm's dorm room. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the door. Before she could knock, the door opened, and Orm stood there, surprised to see her.

"Lingling?" Orm said, stepping aside to let her in.

Lingling entered, her heart pounding. "I need to talk to you."

Orm closed the door, her expression cautious. "What's on your mind?"

Lingling took a deep breath, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "I've noticed you've been... distant lately. Did I do something wrong?"

Orm's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wrong? No, Ling. I just thought you needed space. I didn't want to overwhelm you."

Lingling stared at her, the weight of Orm's words settling over her. "I don't want you to pull away," she admitted quietly. "I know I haven't made this easy for you, but I don't want to lose what we have."

Orm softened, her usual playful demeanor giving way to something more serious. "Ling, I'm not pulling away because I don't care. I just didn't want to push you into something you're not ready for."

Lingling met her gaze, her heart hammering in her chest. "I might not have all the answers, but I know I don't want you to leave."

Orm took a step closer, her voice gentle. "Then let me be here for you, Ling. Let's figure this out together."

Lingling nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. For the first time, she felt a sense of clarity she hadn't had before.

Orm reached out, taking Lingling's hand in hers. "I'm not going anywhere, Ling. But I need you to meet me halfway."

"I will," Lingling said softly, her voice filled with determination. "I promise."

A/N: PATIENCE EVERYONEEEE THE END IS NEAR