Chapter 26 - Lines Crossed, Words Unspoken

Orm had hoped that once Ryu disappeared, all the tension would vanish with him. She even allowed herself to breathe a small sigh of relief, thinking Thank goodness, crisis averted. Unfortunately, she'd underestimated just how fired up Lingling could be—especially after watching Orm interact with her old "almost-fling."

It started when they walked back across campus toward the café. Lingling remained right by Orm's side, fingers laced with Orm's in a grip that felt a bit too firm. Orm tried to discreetly tug her hand free, but Lingling only tightened her hold.

"Uh, Lingling?" Orm ventured, glancing up at her. "You're... holding me really tight."

Lingling turned her head, wearing a calm smile that did nothing to hide the intensity in her eyes. "Am I?"

Orm felt a spike of unease. This wasn't Lingling's usual affectionate tone; it was smooth, almost dangerously so. "Y-yeah," Orm managed, her voice slightly cracking.

Lingling lifted their joined hands to her lips. She kissed the back of Orm's hand—soft, slow, and deliberately possessive. Orm's entire body went rigid, heat washing over her face. Becky and May, trailing a few steps behind, practically gasped out loud.

"She's not letting her go," Becky whispered, alarmed.

"Right here, in public," May added, eyes wide.

Orm tried to speak, but her words got stuck in her throat. "L-Ling?"

Lingling merely tilted her head, still wearing that eerily cool expression. "Something wrong, baby?"

That final word sent an extra shiver through Orm. It carried a note of sardonic emphasis, letting Orm know Lingling was absolutely aware she was overdoing it—and relishing Orm's discomfort. Orm swallowed hard, helpless as Lingling leaned in close, her lips almost brushing Orm's ear.

"Did he make you blush like this too?" Lingling whispered.

Orm's mind went blank. She stood there, face aflame. Lingling wasn't just borderline territorial now—she was referencing Ryu, twisting a verbal knife in Orm's side. Behind them, Becky let out a small scream of disbelief, and May dropped her drink in pure shock.

"That's Lingling Kwong for you," Becky mumbled, half in awe.

Orm could only manage a choked stammer: "I—you—I—" She couldn't even form a sentence. Lingling smirked, then calmly continued walking, still gripping Orm's hand as if nothing had happened.

At the café, any hope Orm had for a reprieve died the moment they picked a table. Rather than sitting across from Orm, as usual, Lingling slid onto the bench beside her. Close enough that their thighs touched. Close enough that Orm could feel the heat radiating off Lingling's body.

Becky and May settled down too, hardly containing their eagerness to watch the show. "Ling," Orm whispered, voice trembling with mortification, "what are you doing?"

Lingling casually stirred her coffee. "What do you mean?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Orm's eye twitched. "You're acting weird. All... clingy."

"Am I? Or am I just showing my girlfriend some affection?" Lingling replied, arching a brow in an almost defiant manner.

"Not like this," Orm hissed, painfully aware of the other café patrons who kept glancing over.

Lingling took a leisurely sip of her coffee, then set it down. Without warning, she leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Orm's cheek—slow, unnecessary, but undeniably intentional. Orm's brain threatened to short-circuit at the unexpected surge of warmth and attention.

Becky nearly jumped out of her seat. "What did you do to her, Orm?" she whispered in astonishment.

May, equally startled, whispered back, "This isn't normal. She's punishing you for Ryu, I swear."

Orm slumped in her chair, wanting to sink into the floor. She was losing—hard. And the worst part? She wasn't even sure she hated it. The swirl of embarrassment and secret thrill tangled inside her, making her cheeks burn hotter.

Lingling turned toward her, eyes gleaming. "You don't like it?" she asked in a low voice.

Orm swallowed, trying to come up with a response that didn't reveal how weak her knees felt. "I... that's not what I—"

But Lingling just let a faint smile curve her lips, clearly enjoying her upper hand.

Just then, an unsuspecting classmate approached the table. She gave Orm a polite smile, completely oblivious to the charged air. "Hey, Orm—"

She got no further. Lingling, in a deceptively casual move, shifted and rested her hand on Orm's thigh, a silent yet unmistakable statement. The classmate blinked, her smile faltering as she noticed the tense atmosphere.

Becky and May exchanged panicked glances, bracing for impact. They could practically feel the confrontation brewing.

"She's not," Lingling said quietly, her tone glacial. She fixed the newcomer with a look that spoke volumes—Orm isn't available, do you understand?

The girl frowned, confusion flitting across her face. "Huh? But I just wanted—"

"I don't think she needs anything from you," Lingling continued, voice soft yet laced with warning.

Orm's heart lurched in her chest. "Ling—" she tried to interject, but it was too late. The classmate recoiled, looking between Orm and Lingling, now painfully aware that she'd stumbled into an uncomfortable situation.

"I was just going to ask for notes," the girl explained hastily, cheeks flushing.

Becky smothered a laugh, clutching May's arm. May whispered, "She didn't even let her speak," while Becky nodded, eyes wide. "Full territorial mode," she mouthed.

Orm stared at Lingling in half-horror, half-disbelief. "Did you just chase someone away over notes?"

Lingling shrugged as if she found the question irrelevant. "They were unnecessary."

Becky let out a shriek of laughter. "Oh my GOD, Orm, your girlfriend is unhinged."

May, all but wheezing, muttered, "We should all strive for this level of confidence."

Orm wanted to protest, but the words died in her throat the instant Lingling tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Lingling leaned in close, close enough that Orm could see the faint frustration still simmering behind her otherwise neutral expression.

"Would you rather I let someone else have your attention?" Lingling asked softly.

That single question ripped Orm's breath away. She stammered, "I—you—"

Lingling smirked, then pressed a lingering kiss to Orm's temple. "That's what I thought," she said, her voice still laced with quiet claim.

Becky dropped her half-finished drink. May whispered a frantic little prayer. And Orm?

Orm knew for certain she was in very deep trouble. Because as intense—and mortifying—as Lingling's jealousy was, a small part of Orm's heart soared at the idea that Lingling cared this strongly.

Yet she also knew they weren't done. There'd be no easy resolution to the swirl of emotions Ryu's reappearance had stirred up. Lingling's not letting this go, Orm realized, feeling both terror and excitement in equal measure.

Orm was in no mood for drama. She'd already survived Lingling's overt possessiveness, dodged Becky and May's never-ending jokes, and spent the last hour convincing herself that Lingling's jealous streak wasn't that bad. If anything, she found it a bit... endearing. Occasionally.

Sighing, she stretched her arms overhead as she walked across campus. Finally, things felt normal again—or so she thought.

Then fate decided otherwise.

A voice called out: "Orm."

She halted mid-stride, her stomach twisting. Slowly, she turned to see Ryu standing just a few feet away, wearing that infuriatingly familiar grin. Tall, confident, and entirely too good-looking for Orm's liking—especially given their history.

"Ryu," Orm said, forcing a polite smile. "Hey... again."

He chuckled, eyes crinkling in amusement. "You sound thrilled to see me."

Orm tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. "Oh, I'm ecstatic."

She wasn't. Not even close.

That was when she felt it: a presence at her back, strong and unyielding. She didn't need to look—she already knew. Lingling was watching. And judging by the sudden tension in the air, she wasn't pleased to see Ryu again.

Lingling had held back until now. She'd let Ryu walk away once, biting her tongue through the uncomfortable exchange. But this was too much. He was back, smiling at Orm like they shared some unspoken connection. Lingling's composure cracked, allowing a spike of anger to surface.

She stormed forward, jaw set. Orm barely had time to register Lingling's movement before she felt her wrist seized and pulled behind Lingling in a clear protective stance.

"Why are you still here?" Lingling asked Ryu, her voice cold as ice.

Ryu raised a brow, refusing to be intimidated. "Wow. Protective much?"

Lingling's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Orm's heart jumped. She could practically feel the raw anger rolling off Lingling, and it unsettled her. Ling never gets this upset...

Ryu stayed cool, shrugging. "Relax. I just wanted to catch up with Orm."

Lingling didn't budge. "She doesn't have time."

Orm's mouth fell open. "Ling—" she started, but Lingling didn't look at her. All her focus was on Ryu, like a predator assessing a rival.

"You had your time with her," Lingling said, voice low and clipped. "It's over."

Ryu let out a humorless laugh. "You sure about that?"

Those words snapped the last thread of Lingling's patience. "You think you still have a chance?" she demanded, stepping forward.

"Who said I wanted one?" Ryu shot back, still smug.

Lingling wasn't listening anymore. Her anger swirled too fiercely, fueled by seeing Orm smile around Ryu. She'd spent the day watching Orm draw attention from all sides, enduring the nagging pang of jealousy. Now Ryu's cocky demeanor pushed her beyond her limit.

"You're just another man who thinks he owns her, aren't you?" Lingling accused, each word razor-sharp.

Ryu raised his hands in mock surrender. "I think you're overreacting."

The temperature seemed to drop. Orm saw the rage in Lingling's eyes, and it was terrifying.

Orm felt her heart hammering, fear mixing with frustration. She stepped between them, raising her arms. "Okay, that's ENOUGH," she said firmly.

Instantly, Lingling froze, turning to look at Orm. "Enough?"

Orm nodded, voice trembling. "Yes. This is ridiculous."

Lingling's brow furrowed. "I'm ridiculous?"

Orm grimaced, raking a hand through her hair. "You've been acting crazy, Ling."

At that, Ryu took a step back, muttering, "I feel like I shouldn't be here for this..."

"Then LEAVE," Orm snapped, her nerves at their breaking point. Ryu gave a short nod, shooting them both an unreadable look before striding off. But the damage was done.

Orm turned to find Lingling looking... wounded. Not just irritated, but wounded. The fierceness in her eyes dimmed into something that almost resembled betrayal.

Lingling crossed her arms, chin lifting. "So I'm crazy now?"

Orm sighed, trying to reel in her own temper. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" Lingling asked, voice flat and cold.

They stared at each other, the tension thick enough to slice. Orm's stomach churned. They'd never truly fought before—playful banter, yes, but not a real argument with anger at its core.

"I get that you're jealous—" Orm began, intending to soothe her.

Lingling let out a short, bitter laugh. "You think this is about jealousy?"

"IT IS," Orm shot back, frustration getting the better of her.

Lingling's eyes flashed, and suddenly Orm felt a chill. "Or maybe I'm just tired of watching you entertain everyone who flirts with you."

"Entertain?" Orm repeated, voice catching. "What?"

Lingling shook her head, words gaining a sharper edge. "You love the attention. Flirting with me, then smiling at anyone else who shows up. What are we even doing here?"

A heavy ache settled in Orm's chest. She hadn't expected Lingling to go this far—questioning them. It hurt more than she could've imagined.

"You think I don't take us seriously?" she asked softly, her anger morphing into hurt.

Lingling's face revealed nothing. "Do you?"

That single question felt like a slap. Orm's throat tightened, tears stinging at the corners of her eyes. "Wow," she whispered, voice shaking. "You really think that little of me?"

Lingling's lips parted, as though she wanted to take it back, but pride or anger held her silent.

Orm realized they were both hovering on the edge of something fragile and dangerous. She didn't want to stand here, fighting in public, risking saying things they'd regret. Clenching her jaw, she took a step back.

"You know what? Maybe we should talk later," she said, her tone final.

Lingling's eyes flickered with regret, but Orm was already turning away.

"Orm—" Lingling tried, but Orm shook her head, walking off quickly.

For the first time, neither followed the other. They let the gap widen between them, hearts aching with a confusion that no petty jealous remark could fix. And in that bleak moment, neither had any clue what would happen next.