Chapter 1: Worlds Apart

Lingling Kwong stared out the car window as her parents chatted animatedly in the front seats. The scenery blurred by, but her mind was elsewhere—lost in the familiar ache of loneliness. She had never wanted to attend this family function, a lavish party thrown by one of her father's Business friend to celebrate their recent business collaboration. But when had her opinions ever mattered to her parents?

"Come on, Ling, it’ll be good for you to socialize a little," her mother had insisted, flashing that insincere smile that seemed to be glued on whenever business dealings were involved. "You never know who you might meet."

Lingling huffed quietly to herself, adjusting her glasses as she reluctantly acknowledged the truth. Socializing wasn’t her forte. Her parents were so engrossed in their work that they often forgot she existed, and it showed in their lack of warmth. They barely spent time with her, and their constant absences had created a rift that felt insurmountable.

As they pulled into the venue, a grand hall decorated with shimmering lights and extravagant floral arrangements, Lingling felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. She didn’t belong here, not among the laughter and chatter of families who seemed so connected. Her own family felt more like a business partnership than a home.

Across town, Orm was buzzing with excitement. She had always loved parties—the energy, the noise, the chance to meet new people. Her parents, loving and supportive, had raised her in an environment that cherished togetherness. They valued family and made it a point to include each other in every aspect of their lives.

"Are you ready, sweetie?" Orm's mother asked as they got out of the car, smoothing Orm’s dress with a smile. "This is a great opportunity for you to make new friends."

Orm beamed, her carefree spirit radiating confidence. "Of course! I can’t wait to see everyone!"

As they entered the hall, the atmosphere was already lively. Orm’s father greeted guests, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Orm spotted her little brother running off to join a group of other kids, and she chuckled, knowing he would have no trouble making friends.

Meanwhile, Lingling reluctantly followed her parents into the hall, her heart sinking at the sight of the crowd. She knew her parents would drift away as soon as they spotted business associates. True to form, her father immediately disappeared into a conversation with another businessman, leaving Lingling standing awkwardly at the edge of the room.

“Lingling! There you are!” her mother called, her voice filled with excitement. Lingling turned to see her parents approaching a well-dressed couple—Orm’s parents.

“Ah, the Kwongs! It’s so good to see you,” Orm’s father said, extending a hand to Lingling’s father. They exchanged hearty greetings, their smiles wide as they patted each other on the back.

“Likewise! It’s been a pleasure working together,” Lingling’s father replied, his voice booming with false cheer. “This party is impressive!”

As the two families chatted, Orm’s mother turned to Lingling, her eyes sparkling. “And this must be Lingling! I’ve heard so much about you! You’re the smart one in the family, aren’t you?”

Lingling felt her cheeks flush, uncomfortable under the sudden spotlight. “Uh, thank you,” she mumbled, trying to smile.

“Orm just joined the university this semester, and she’s been loving it!” Orm’s mother continued, glancing at her daughter with pride. “She’s so excited to meet new friends. What university are you at, Lingling?”

Lingling swallowed hard, her heart racing. “I’m at the same one. I started last semester.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Orm’s father said. “What a coincidence! Maybe you two can become friends!”

Lingling felt a knot form in her stomach. Friends? The thought made her anxious, but Orm’s friendly demeanor was disarming.

“Lingling, dear, why don’t you help Orm out?” her mother suggested, a hint of desperation in her voice. “You know how overwhelming it can be for newcomers.”

Lingling glanced at her mother, sensing the underlying motivation. It wasn’t just about friendship; it was about furthering their business ties. “Can you look after Orm, honey? You know, make her feel welcome,” her mother added, a subtle nudge for Lingling to play her part.

Orm’s parents exchanged knowing glances, their smiles widening. “That would be fantastic! We’d love for you to help Orm settle in,” Orm’s mother encouraged.

Lingling’s heart sank. The pressure was mounting. She could already feel the weight of expectations pressing down on her, the realization that she would have to navigate this extroverted environment, something she was decidedly unprepared for.

“Sure, I can… try,” Lingling replied hesitantly, feeling like she was being pushed into a role she didn’t want.

Orm’s face brightened at the response. “Awesome! I could definitely use a buddy around campus,” she said, her excitement palpable.

Lingling managed a faint smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. As her parents resumed their conversation with Orm's parents, Lingling felt the walls close in on her. She could hear snippets of business talk—numbers, projections, strategies—all the things that reminded her of her parents’ priorities.

“Have you considered expanding your business to the international market?” Orm’s father asked Lingling’s father, leaning in as if sharing a secret.

“Yes, we’ve been looking into it. But you know how it is, juggling priorities,” her father replied, his tone casual, but the seriousness of the conversation was evident.

Lingling felt her stomach twist as she glanced back at Orm, who was genuinely trying to engage her. Despite Orm’s cheerful demeanor, the environment felt stifling. The laughter and chatter around her seemed to drown her out, amplifying her feelings of isolation.

“Are you excited about your new semester ?” Orm asked, tilting her head, her eagerness shining through.

Lingling shrugged, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her parents’ expectations and her own discomfort. “I guess,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Orm’s expression softened, sensing Lingling's unease. “It can be tough at first, but i’ll find my groove!”

Lingling couldn’t shake the feeling that, despite Orm’s enthusiasm, she was trapped in a world that didn’t understand her. The suffocating pressure of her parents’ expectations hung over her like a dark cloud, and she wondered if she could ever truly belong anywhere.

As the evening wore on, Lingling felt the distance between them—two girls from vastly different backgrounds, thrust together by their parents’ ambitions. Perhaps this was just another night where she would feel more alone than ever, lost in the crowd.

_to be continued _