I Hate The Rain

Ling let out a contented sigh, letting the night’s quiet embrace settle over them one last time. But as the stars deepened in the sky, the coolness in the air began to creep in, seeping into their shared silence. A faint shiver ran through Orm, barely noticeable but enough to break Ling’s gaze from the rippling creek.

“It’s getting late,” Ling said softly, her breath visible in the chill. “We should head back before it gets colder.”

Orm hesitated, her amber eyes flitting to the sky as if reluctant to leave. The fireflies still danced lazily above the creek, and the quiet of the night was comforting in a way that made the thought of returning to the noise of the world feel almost too soon.

“I guess you’re right,” Orm murmured, her voice low and wistful.

Ling stood first, brushing off her hands and stretching slightly before glancing down at Orm, who was still sitting on the cool, weathered rock. But as Orm shifted to stand, Ling paused, her gaze lingering.

The soft glow of the fireflies framed Orm like scattered stars, their light catching in her amber eyes and casting a faint golden hue over her skin. The moonlight filtered through the trees, painting silver highlights in her light-colored hair, which tumbled loosely over her shoulders like strands of spun moonlight. At that moment, under the magical light of the fireflies and moon, Orm seemed almost otherworldly—like she belonged to this place in a way no one else ever could.

Ling swallowed, her words catching in her throat before finally slipping out. “You look… different.”

Orm turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Ling’s with a curious tilt of her brow. “Different?” she asked her tone light but tinged with curiosity.

Ling hesitated, glancing briefly at the ground before looking back at her. “I mean... it’s just the light, I guess,” she said, her voice quieter now. “The fireflies, the moon—it makes you look... I don’t know. Like you belong here.”

Orm blinked, her lips curving into a small smile. “You’re imagining things,” she said, though her cheeks held a faint pink hue that even the moonlight couldn’t hide.

Ling shrugged, her smile soft but genuine. “Maybe,” she admitted, a touch of warmth in her tone. “But I think the fireflies agree with me.”

Orm let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she stood, but as she did, another shiver ran through her, more pronounced this time. Ling frowned slightly, her brow knitting in concern.

Without a word, Ling reached for the zipper of her hoodie and tugged it down. The soft sound broke through the night’s hush as she slipped it off and draped it over Orm’s shoulders in one smooth motion. Orm blinked, her eyes widening as the sudden warmth surrounded her.

“Here,” Ling said simply, her voice quiet but firm. “You’ll freeze before we even get halfway back.”

Orm rolled her eyes, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “I’m not going to turn into an ice block, Ling,” she said with mock exasperation. “It doesn’t even snow here, remember? It’s just cold because the sun barely had time to come out after the rain today.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Okay, fine, no ice block. But you were shivering.”

Orm shrugged, pulling the hoodie tighter around herself as a subtle flush colored her cheeks. “Doesn’t mean I’m freezing to death,” she replied, her tone teasing. “But… thanks. This helps.”

Ling’s expression softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Just making sure you’re comfortable,” she said, her voice quieter now.

The hoodie was still warm from Ling’s body heat, and Orm couldn’t help but notice the faint scent that clung to it. It was clean and comforting, with soft hints of vanilla and a subtle trace of pine—like a breeze that had passed through a forest clearing after rain. She tugged it tighter, grateful for both the warmth and Ling’s quiet care.

“Let’s go,” Orm said, her smirk softening into something gentler. “Before you start worrying I’ll melt next.”

Ling chuckled, shaking her head as she turned toward the path. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They picked their way carefully along the narrow trail that led home, the creek’s murmurs fading behind them as the fireflies continued their silent dance above the water. The night pressed in, colder and darker, but Orm barely noticed.

Ling’s words echoed faintly in her mind, and the lingering warmth of her hoodie wrapped around her like a quiet comfort. Despite the chill surrounding them, Orm felt a bloom of warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the fabric. The memory of the moment—moonlight and fireflies framing her like a halo, Ling’s dark eyes soft with unspoken admiration, and the gentle scent of vanilla and pine clinging to the hoodie—stayed with her, a quiet, enduring warmth neither of them would soon forget.

As they left the quiet intimacy of the woods and stepped onto the paved path leading into town, the night took on a different texture. The orange glow of the streetlights cast long, wavering shadows on the ground, breaking the spell of the moonlit creek but replacing it with its kind of warmth. The air still held the faint dampness of earlier rain, and their footsteps echoed softly against the empty streets.

Orm adjusted Ling’s hoodie around her shoulders, her fingers brushing the sleeves as if trying to hold onto the lingering warmth. Beside her, Ling walked with an easy stride, her hands stuffed casually into her pockets, her gaze occasionally drifting up to the hazy, start-lit sky.

The silence between them now felt uncharacteristic, especially after how the past few hours had unfolded. When they’d first crossed paths earlier that day, there had been moments of quiet—a tentative, almost shy rhythm to their conversation. But after they left the café, that hesitance melted away, and their words became a continuous thread, weaving from one topic to the next without pause.

They’d talked about everything—dreams, pet peeves, favorite foods, and random memories—until the sun dipped low and the fireflies began to glow. Yet, as Orm glanced at Ling now, walking beside her under the orange glow of the streetlights, she realized there were still some things they hadn’t touched on.

Breaking the quiet, Orm let out a small chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Ling asked, glancing over at her with a curious smile.

Orm shrugged, her smirk playful. “It’s just... we’ve been talking for hours, and I still don’t even know your full name.”

Ling blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Wait, seriously? I never told you?”

Orm shook her head, looking a little surprised herself. “Nope. And you don’t know mine either, do you?”

“Well,” Ling began with a playful grin, “I do know you don’t like tomatoes or cucumbers, you love taking naps, and you play video games—which, by the way, I still don’t understand the appeal of. And let’s see… you have a few pets: a Pomeranian named Uni, a turtle, a goldfish, and a bird.”

Orm blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Wow. Okay, I’m officially impressed. How did we talk about all of that in just a few hours?”

Ling shrugged, her dark eyes glinting with amusement under the streetlights. “You talk a lot. I’m just good at listening.”

Orm laughed, her amber eyes gleaming under the streetlights. “Those are important facts, sure, but, weirdly, we skipped the basics. Like names, birthdays, ages...”

Ling gave her a teasing smile. “Fine. Let’s fix that right now. Full disclosure?”

Orm grinned, holding out her hand dramatically. “Full disclosure.”

Orm took Ling’s hand, shaking it with exaggerated formality. “Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong. May twenty-seventh.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. “LingLing Sirilak Kwong. May eleventh,” she said, shaking Orm’s hand back.

Orm blinked, a surprised laugh escaping her. “Wait—you’re a May baby too? And here I thought we’d run out of things to bond over.”

Ling chuckled, slipping her hand into her pocket. “Guess that makes me the stubborn Taurus, and you… what, a Gemini?”

“Yep,” Orm smirked. “The talkative, scatterbrained Gemini. Fits, doesn’t it?”

Ling laughed, her dark eyes glinting under the streetlights. “You said it, not me.”

“Oh, come on,” Orm said, nudging her lightly. “But wait, how old are you? Because you don’t look that much older.”

“Seventeen,” Ling said, her tone casual. “I’m a senior. What about you? Sixteen?”

Orm groaned, rolling her eyes. “Yes, sixteen, junior. But seriously, it’s just one year. That doesn’t even count as an age gap.”

Ling grinned, tilting her head slightly upward toward Orm. “It does when I’m the one lending you my hoodie so you don’t freeze.”

Orm blinked, noticing the small but undeniable difference in their heights. She straightened her posture slightly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “Oh? So you’re saying I’m the tall, helpless one now?”

Ling’s grin didn’t waver as she took a deliberate step forward. “Helpless? Absolutely. Tall? Sure, if that makes you feel better.”

Orm laughed, pulling the hoodie tighter around herself as she followed Ling, her tone light and teasing. “Well, it’s nice to officially meet you, LingLing Sirilak Kwong.”

“Likewise, Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong,” Ling replied with a teasing smile. “Now, next time we meet, you’re buying the snacks.”

“Deal,” Orm said, her voice warm as they continued their walk under the orange glow of the streetlights.
As they continued down the quiet, orange-lit street, their conversation flowed effortlessly from one random topic to the next. Orm found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, her voice occasionally breaking the soft hum of the night.

“You really don’t get video games?” Orm asked, incredulous, as she hugged Ling’s hoodie tighter around herself.

Ling shook her head with a small laugh. “Not really. I mean, my friends tried to get me into them once. We had a whole gaming night, but I spent most of the time walking into walls or accidentally falling off cliffs.”

Orm snorted. “Okay, that’s your fault. Nobody’s that bad. What were you even playing?”

Ling shrugged, a sheepish grin on her face. “Something with swords. I don’t remember. I was too busy being terrible.”

“Let me guess,” Orm teased. “You were that one player everyone has to save constantly?”

“Yup,” Ling said proudly. “And I don’t regret it. I just ate snacks while they carried me through the whole thing.”

Orm laughed, shaking her head. “Okay, maybe you’re hopeless, but I’m still going to teach you someday. You’d probably like gaming if you gave it a real shot.”

Ling raised an eyebrow. “Hey, I like arcades. Those count as games, don’t they? I’m pretty good at claw machines and racing games. Just… don’t hand me a controller.”

“Wait,” Orm said, pointing at her dramatically. “So you’re good at stealing stuffed animals from a metal claw but can’t figure out how to move a character on a screen?”

“Exactly,” Ling replied with a grin. “Priorities.”

Orm rolled her eyes, laughing. “Hopeless. But I’m still teaching you. Even if you rage quit.”

“We’ll see,” Ling teased, her dark eyes glinting under the streetlights.

They turned onto their street, the warm glow of porch lights guiding their way. Their homes sat side by side, the faint hum of life inside each house blending into the night’s stillness.

As they approached their respective front doors, the conversation slowed, but the air between them stayed light and warm.

Orm stopped just before her steps reached the front porch, glancing over at Ling. Her amber eyes softened, and she shifted Ling’s hoodie snugly around her shoulders.

“Hey,” Orm said, her tone quieter now. “I just wanted to say… thank you. I mean, we just met, and you were kind enough to spend your whole afternoon showing me around. You didn’t have to, but you did anyway.”

Ling tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s no big deal. You asked, I said yes. Besides, you’re not bad company.”

“No, seriously,” Orm insisted, her voice sincere. “I didn’t expect anyone to be this nice. Moving to a new place is scary, but… today felt less scary because of you.”

Ling blinked, the soft streetlight catching in her dark eyes. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words, but then her smile widened. “Well, now you’re making me feel like a hero or something.”

Orm chuckled, shaking her head. “Not a hero. Just… good company. The best company.”

Ling’s smirk returned as she leaned casually against the fence between their houses. “Careful, Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong. Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Oh, shut up, LingLing Sirilak Kwong,” Orm replied, laughing as she stepped up to her porch.

Ling pushed off the fence and tilted her head toward her own house. “Alright, then. Goodnight, Orm. And welcome to the neighborhood.”

Orm paused, glancing over her shoulder, her smile warm. “Goodnight, Ling. And… thanks again. I mean it.”

With a small wave, Ling turned toward her door, her hand on the handle. But before stepping inside, she paused, her expression shifting slightly as if she’d remembered something. Without another word, she jogged back toward Orm, who had just started to head for her own porch.

“Wait,” Ling called, her voice cutting softly through the quiet street.

Orm turned back, a little startled. “What? Did I forget something?”

Ling stopped a few steps away, holding out her phone, her expression unreadable. “Your number. Put it in.”

Orm blinked, her amber eyes widening for a moment before a grin spread across her face. “Wow. You really know how to ask a girl for her number, huh?”

Ling rolled her eyes, but there was the faintest hint of color on her cheeks. “Just do it, Kornnaphat.”

Orm chuckled, taking the phone and typing in her number with a flourish. After pressing save, she smirked up at Ling. “Hang on a second.” She hit the call button and held up her own phone as it vibrated in her pocket.

Ling raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

Orm grinned as she pulled out her phone, her screen lighting up with Ling’s name and number. “Making it fair. Now I have yours, too.”

Ling’s lips twitched into a small smirk. “Efficient.”

Orm laughed, handing Ling’s phone back. “You know, LingLing Kwong, this is how rom-coms start. The girl next door asks for her number under the glow of the streetlights…”

Ling took the phone, her tone dry but amused. “Good thing this isn’t one of those, then.”

“Sure, sure,” Orm teased, clasping her hands behind her back as she tilted her head. “Anything else you want to say, or should I prepare to be serenaded from across the street tomorrow?”

Ling sighed, pocketing her phone. “Goodnight, Orm.”

Orm laughed softly. “Goodnight, Ling. And welcome to my contacts list.”

Ling smirked faintly, turning back toward her house. The soft click of her door echoed faintly in the quiet street. Orm lingered for a moment longer, her smile lingering as she shook her head before stepping inside her own home.

Even as the night settled into stillness, Orm couldn’t shake the warmth Ling had brought to her first day here. Wrapped in Ling’s hoodie, her mind buzzed with the promise of a friendship that felt as natural as if it had been years in the making.

Orm stepped into the house, the warm, familiar scent of home-cooked food wrapping around her like a blanket. She shrugged her bag off her shoulder and adjusted Ling’s hoodie, its cozy fabric still clinging to her as she made her way toward the kitchen.

The sound of pots clinking and the faint hum of a tune greeted her as she stepped into the cozy kitchen. Her mother, Mama Koy, stood at the counter finishing up the final touches on dinner, her back turned to Orm.

“Ah, look who’s finally home!” Mama Koy said without turning, her voice carrying a teasing lilt. She glanced over her shoulder, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. Her gaze lingered for a second longer than usual. “Hmm… new hoodie?”

Orm hesitated, her cheeks warming as she tugged at the sleeves instinctively. “It’s not mine,” she said quickly. “Ling lent it to me because it got cold.”

Mama Koy’s brows lifted, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Ling… the neighbor girl? And she lent you her hoodie? How sweet of her.”

“Mama,” Orm groaned, slumping into a chair at the table. “Don’t start. She was just being nice.”

Mama Koy turned fully, hands on her hips as she surveyed her daughter with a look of pure amusement. “Nice enough to give you her hoodie. Sounds like someone made quite the impression.”

Orm buried her face in her hands. “Mamaaa. It’s not like that. She was just showing me around.”

“Oh, showing you around and keeping you warm,” Mama Koy teased, her laughter light. “She sounds wonderful. You should invite her over for dinner sometime.”

Orm peeked between her fingers, her face still flushed. “Maybe. Can we drop this now?”

Mama Koy grinned but relented, turning back to the stove to set the last pot of food on the table. “Fine, I’ll behave. For now. But since you’re here, call your Papa Oct and Att down. Dinner’s ready.”

“On it,” Orm said, grateful for the excuse to escape the conversation. She headed to the stairs, her voice carrying through the house.

“Papa! Att! Dinner’s ready, come on!”

Her younger brother, Att, poked his head out of his room, his hair sticking in every direction. “Already? I was in the middle of a game!”

“Pause it,” Orm said, smirking. “Mama said if you’re late, you’ll get Papa’s leftovers.”

Att’s eyes widened, and he disappeared back into his room with a loud, “Coming!”

From the end of the hall, their father’s voice echoed back cheerfully. “I heard that! And I’m not sharing my curry!”

Orm shook her head, laughing as she walked back to the kitchen. As the table filled with food and her family’s chatter, she tugged the hoodie a little closer around her. It still smelled faintly of vanilla and pine, and Orm couldn’t help but smile softly.

Today might have been her first day in a new neighborhood, but Ling’s kindness had already made it feel like home.

.............................................

The morning sun cast a soft, golden glow over the school campus as Ling stepped through the main gates, her bag slung casually over one shoulder. Students milled around in small groups, the usual hum of chatter and laughter filling the air. Ling weaved through the crowd with an easy stride, her dark eyes scanning the familiar faces.

As a senior, she knew almost everyone, at least by sight. But today, her thoughts weren’t on her classmates or the endless list of responsibilities that came with her final year. Instead, her mind lingered on the girl next door—the one who had spent yesterday wandering the neighborhood with her.

Ling smirked to herself. Orm had been… different. Energetic and talkative in a way that could have been overwhelming, but somehow wasn’t. She thought about Orm’s wide amber eyes lighting up as they’d talked, the way she’d adjusted the hem of her dress when she got shy, and how she’d looked almost lost in Ling’s hoodie.

“Earth to Ling.”

The voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Fluke leaning against the bike rack, a teasing grin plastered across his face. His basketball rested under one arm, spinning slightly as he shifted his weight.

“What’s got you zoning out this early? Don’t tell me you actually studied for today’s math quiz,” he said.

Ling rolled her eyes, her smirk widening. “Nope. Still planning to wing it.”

Fluke laughed, tossing the basketball lightly into the air and catching it. “Classic. So, what’s up? You seem distracted.”

“Nothing,” Ling said quickly, though she couldn’t help the slight twitch of her lips.

“Uh-huh,” Fluke said, raising an eyebrow. “Must be something. Come on, spill.”

Ling opened her mouth to brush it off but was interrupted by the sound of the school bell ringing across the campus.

“Saved by the bell,” Ling quipped, already walking toward the main building.

“Hey!” Fluke called after her. “This isn’t over, Kwong!”

Ling waved him off with a laugh, her steps quickening as she made her way through the bustling hallways. She didn’t know why she was suddenly so eager to get to her homeroom. Maybe it was just curiosity—or the tiniest sliver of hope.

As Ling slid into her usual seat near the window, her thoughts drifted back to Orm. Ling had expected the day they’d met to be like any other—another walk home, another uneventful evening. Instead, it had felt like a spark in an otherwise predictable routine.

There was something about Orm’s energy—bright, unfiltered, and unapologetically genuine—that lingered in Ling’s mind. Her playful teasing, the way she seemed to fill the space with her presence without trying, and that easy laugh that Ling didn’t realize she liked hearing until she was already smiling along with it.

Ling leaned her elbow against the desk, resting her chin on her hand as she stared out the window. The usual sounds of students shuffling into the classroom and chatting before the bell felt distant, muted. Orm had a way of doing that, she realized—pulling her attention away from everything else without even trying.

The faint squeak of a chair pulled Ling out of her reverie.

“Good morning, people!” Junji’s voice cut through the low hum of conversation as she entered the classroom. Her sharp gaze quickly found Ling and Fluke near the window, and with a grin, she headed straight for them.

“Hey, Kwong! Hey, Fluke!” Junji greeted, dropping her bag onto the desk next to Ling’s and plopping herself into the chair. “What’s up?”

Ling didn’t even look up from her notebook, her pen scratching deliberately across the page. She acted as though Junji hadn’t said a word.

Fluke sighed, running a hand through his hair as he set his basketball on the floor beside his desk. “Morning, Junji,” he said, his tone carrying a mix of exasperation and resignation.

Junji raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to Ling. “Oh, come on, Ling. Are you seriously still mad about yesterday?”

Ling’s pen paused mid-word, but she didn’t respond.

Junji huffed, crossing her arms and slumping dramatically in her chair. “I said I was sorry! What do you want me to do? Bake you cookies or something?”

Fluke snorted, leaning back in his seat. “Might not be a bad idea. She’s still a little ticked.”

Junji groaned, throwing her hands up. “Okay, fine! You win. LingLing Sirilak Kwong has the coldest heart in the world. How could I ever hope to thaw it?”

Ling’s pen snapped shut with an audible click. She leaned back in her chair and leveled Junji with a sharp look, her dark eyes narrowing.

“Seriously?” Ling said, her voice calm but edged with irritation. “You think I’m mad because you said I have a cold heart?”

Junji blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I mean… kind of?”

Fluke grimaced, muttering, “Junji, stop talking.”

Ling ignored him, exhaling sharply as she turned back to her notebook. “I’m not mad because of whatever nonsense you’ve decided to dream up. I just don’t feel like rehashing yesterday, okay?”

Junji sat up straighter, guilt flashing across her face. “Oh. I didn’t mean—”

“Save it,” Ling cut in, her tone softer now but firm. “It’s done. Let it go.”

Fluke sighed, giving Junji a pointed look. “And this is why you think before you speak.”

Junji sank into her chair, scratching the back of her head sheepishly. “Okay, fine. My bad. Again.”

Ling didn’t respond, her focus back on her notebook. But Fluke caught the slight tension in her shoulders easing, and the faintest twitch at the corner of her lips.

Junji noticed it too, a sly grin creeping back onto her face. “You’re lucky I don’t scare easy, Kwong. Silent treatment or not, I’ll win you over by lunch.”

Fluke groaned, slumping in his seat. “Here we go again.”

The classroom buzzed with its usual morning energy, but at their corner, the quiet push and pull of their friendship played out in subtle glances and pointed silences.

Ling turned her gaze back to the window, her thoughts inevitably drifting back to Orm. The faint memory of Orm grinning as she called Ling’s phone to save her number resurfaced, and despite herself, Ling’s lips twitched into the smallest of smirks.

Junji, ever perceptive, leaned forward with a sly grin. “Oh, what’s this? Kwong’s thinking about something—or someone—interesting.”

“Junji,” Ling said flatly, not looking away from the window.

Fluke chuckled under his breath. “Just let her be, Junji. You’re going to get another pen snapped at you.”

Junji huffed but leaned back in her chair, her grin unfaltering. “Fine. For now.”

By the time lunch rolled around, Ling was more than ready for a break. She grabbed her tray and followed Fluke and Junji to their usual spot at one of the outdoor tables beneath a sprawling tree. The shade offered a welcome relief from the midday sun, and the trio settled into their seats with the ease of routine.

Ling was halfway through a bite of her sandwich when Prigkhing appeared, weaving through the crowd with her usual exuberance.

“Ling!”

Ling groaned softly as Prigkhing plopped down beside her, her tray clattering onto the table.

“Hey,” Prigkhing said with a bright grin. “I was hoping I’d find you here!”

Junji raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, while Fluke let out a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly as he took a bite of his food.

“What do you want, Prigkhing?” Ling asked flatly, focusing on her tray.

“Just thought I’d have lunch with you today,” Prigkhing said cheerfully. “We should hang out more! Like, there’s this café downtown—super cute, you’d love it. Let’s go this weekend!”

Ling set her sandwich down, exhaling sharply. “Prigkhing, I’m not going to a café with you.”

“Why not?” Prigkhing asked, tilting her head. “You’re not busy, are you?”

Ling rubbed her temples, her patience thinning. “It’s not about being busy. I just… don’t want to.”

Junji snorted, her grin wide. “Classic Ling. Cold as ever.”

Ling shot Junji a glare but didn’t bother to respond.

Before Prigkhing could press further, Ling’s attention was caught by a figure moving hesitantly across the cafeteria lawn. It was Orm. She looked around uncertainly, clutching her lunch tray as she scanned the area, clearly looking for a place to sit.

Something in Ling shifted. Without thinking, she stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the ground.

“Orm!” she called, her voice cutting through the noise.

The entire table froze. Fluke and Junji stared at Ling in open shock, their expressions mirrored by several nearby students. Ling, the quiet one, the one who rarely raised her voice, had just yelled.

Orm’s head snapped up, her amber eyes widening in surprise. When she spotted Ling waving her over, a smile of relief spread across her face, and she began making her way toward her.

Prigkhing’s frown deepened as she followed Ling’s line of sight. “Wait… Orm Kornnaphat?”

“You know her?” Junji asked, raising an eyebrow.

Prigkhing nodded, crossing her arms. “Yeah, we’re in the same grade. We have a few classes together.” Her tone was less enthusiastic than before.

By the time Prigkhing finished speaking, Ling was already halfway to Orm, her lunch forgotten.

“Hey,” Ling said, her voice softening as she approached Orm. “Looking for a seat?”

Orm smiled, brushing a strand of light hair behind her ear. “Yeah. I didn’t know where to go. It’s kind of overwhelming.”

Ling nodded, gesturing back toward her table. “Come sit with us.”

Orm hesitated, glancing toward the table where Prigkhing was sitting. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any problems.”

“You won’t,” Ling said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Orm nodded, her smile widening as she followed Ling back to the table.

When they reached the group, Ling gestured toward Orm. “This is Orm. She just moved here.”

“We know,” Prigkhing said, her tone overly sweet. “Orm and I are in a few classes together. Welcome, I guess.”

“Thanks, Prigkhing,” Orm said politely, though the tension was palpable.

Fluke cleared his throat, offering Orm a small smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Fluke.”

Junji leaned forward, flashing Orm a grin. “And I’m Junji. Don’t let this lot scare you—we’re mostly harmless.”

Orm chuckled softly, her shoulders relaxing a little. “Thanks. Nice to meet you both.”

Junji smirked, leaning back in her chair. “So, Orm, what did you do to catch Ling’s attention? She never yells for anyone.”

Ling shot Junji a glare, but Orm only smiled, her amber eyes bright with curiosity. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just lucky?”

“Lucky’s one word for it,” Junji teased, earning another pointed look from Ling.

As the group returned to their meal, Junji and Fluke worked to keep the conversation light, while Prigkhing stayed unusually quiet, poking at her food. Ling, meanwhile, felt a rare sense of ease, knowing Orm was at her table.

As the group continued chatting, Ling leaned slightly toward Orm, her voice lowering just enough to make the question feel more personal.

“So,” Ling began, her tone casual but curious, “are you planning to stay here? At this school, I mean.”

Orm paused mid-bite, glancing up at Ling with a small, thoughtful smile. “Yeah, I think so. Mama wanted me to check it out for a week before making it official, but honestly, it feels nice so far. A little bit big, though.”

“It’s not too bad once you get used to it,” Ling said. “It’s just the first day that’s chaotic.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself,” Orm said with a light laugh. “But I got so turned around earlier. If you hadn’t called me over, I’d probably still be wandering around trying to figure out where to sit.”

Ling shrugged, the corners of her lips twitching into a faint smile. “You looked like you needed a rescue.”

“Guess I did,” Orm admitted, her voice softening. “Thanks for that.”

Junji, ever perceptive, leaned her chin on her hand and smirked. “Wow, Kwong. Are you turning into the school’s official welcome committee now? That’s new.”

“Don’t start,” Ling muttered, narrowing her eyes at Junji, though the slight pink tint in her cheeks didn’t go unnoticed.

Fluke cleared his throat, jumping in to diffuse the tension. “Well, Orm, if you’re sticking around, you’ve already met the best and worst this school has to offer.”

“Speak for yourself,” Junji said, pointing a fry at him.

“Yeah, you’re the worst,” Fluke shot back with a grin, dodging the fry Junji half-heartedly tossed his way.

Orm laughed, her shoulders finally relaxing as the playful banter swirled around her. “You guys seem close.”

“Too close,” Ling muttered, earning a laugh from Junji and a playful shrug from Fluke.

Prigkhing, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly chimed in. “If you’re in the junior classes, you should already know me,” she said, her smile tight. “We’ve got a few classes together.”

Orm nodded politely. “Yeah, I thought you looked familiar.”

“You should sit with me next time,” Prigkhing said, her tone overly sweet. “I can introduce you to the rest of the juniors.”

Orm glanced at Ling as if gauging her reaction. Ling didn’t look up from her food but her expression tightened slightly.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Orm said politely, though there was an edge of awkwardness in her voice.

Junji snorted quietly, clearly enjoying the subtle tension. Fluke shot her a warning look but said nothing.

Ling finally broke the silence, her tone even but decisive. “If you need help getting used to the place, just ask. I can show you around after school.”

Orm’s face lit up, her smile bright and genuine. “That’d be great. Thanks, Ling.”

Prigkhing’s expression faltered briefly before she quickly masked it with another tight smile.

Junji grinned, clearly enjoying the unfolding dynamic. “Looks like you’re in good hands, Orm.”

Orm laughed softly, feeling more at ease. “Yeah, I think so.”

Ling leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze fixed on Orm. “So, what do you think so far? About the school, I mean.”

Orm smiled, resting her elbows lightly on the table. “It’s nice. Bigger than my last school, though. And a lot louder.”

“It’s not always this loud,” Ling said, her voice softening. “You get used to it after a while.”

Orm tilted her head, her light hair catching the sunlight. “How long did it take you?”

Ling shrugged, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Not sure. I’ve been here forever. But if it gets too much, there are quieter spots. I can show you sometime.”

“I’d like that,” Orm said, her smile brightening.

Junji raised an eyebrow at Fluke, nudging him subtly as the two watched the exchange. “Are we still here, or…?”

Fluke chuckled under his breath. “Pretty sure we’ve been forgotten. Let them have their moment.”

Junji smirked, leaning back in her chair as she bit into another fry. “Fine by me. This is entertaining.”

Meanwhile, Prigkhing sat stiffly on the other side of the table, her tray untouched. Her smile was strained as her gaze flicked between Ling and Orm, the easy flow of their conversation making her fingers tighten around her fork.

“So,” Orm said, her tone lighter now, “what do you usually do during lunch? Other than rescuing clueless new students like me?”

Ling laughed softly, the sound low and unguarded. “Usually, I just sit here. Eat. Let Junji and Fluke argue over nothing.”

Orm glanced toward Junji and Fluke, who were now mock-fighting over a stray fry. She laughed. “That seems about right.”

Ling’s eyes lingered on Orm for a moment before she said, “It’s not usually this interesting, though.”

Orm blinked, caught off guard by the comment before a soft blush spread across her cheeks. “Well, I’m glad I could make things more exciting.”

“You have,” Ling said simply, her voice steady but sincere.

The world around them seemed to fade as they exchanged smiles, their quiet conversation pulling them into their own little bubble. Ling found herself watching Orm more closely than she meant to, her gaze lingering on the way the sunlight caught the soft strands of Orm’s light-colored hair, giving it an almost golden glow.

Orm’s amber eyes sparkled with warmth and curiosity, the kind that made her seem entirely present as if she was genuinely interested in everything Ling said. Her smile was small but radiant like it was meant only for Ling in that moment, and it sent an unexpected flutter through Ling’s chest.

Ling rarely got caught off guard, but something about Orm made her feel unmoored—like she was stepping into a story she didn’t quite know how to navigate. Orm’s laugh was light and easy, and it broke through the usual monotony Ling had grown used to.

For a brief second, Ling forgot where they were. The buzz of the cafeteria lawn faded into white noise, the voices of her friends and the chaos of students around them barely registering. It was just Orm, glowing in the sunlight, her smile softening as their eyes met.

Prigkhing’s fork clattered onto her tray, making Junji glance over. “You good?” Junji asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.

“Fine,” Prigkhing said tightly, forcing a smile. “Just fine.”

Junji raised an eyebrow but said nothing, returning her attention to Fluke, who gave her a knowing look.

The bell finally rang, breaking the moment between Ling and Orm. Ling blinked, as if pulled out of a dream, and stood up, grabbing her tray.

“Come on,” she said, her voice softer now. “Let’s get to class.”

"Okay," Orm replied as she followed her lead, Ling paused and glanced back. “Where’s your next class?” she asked, her tone casual but curious.

Orm rummaged through her bag, pulling out a folded schedule. “Um, let’s see… Room 204. Literature, I think.”

Ling’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “That’s right next to my class.”

“Really?” Orm asked, her amber eyes lighting up.

Ling nodded. “Yeah. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Orm smiled, tucking the schedule back into her bag. “Thanks. I probably would’ve gotten lost again.”

As the two of them started walking, Junji and Fluke exchanged knowing glances.

“Guess they’re a package deal now,” Junji said, smirking as she stood and grabbed her tray.

Fluke chuckled. “You love to see it.”

Meanwhile, Prigkhing stayed seated for a moment, watching Ling and Orm leave together. Her jaw tightened slightly, but she quickly composed herself, grabbing her tray and following the others.

Ling and Orm walked side by side through the bustling hallways, the noise and chaos of students fading into the background as they talked.

“So, Literature,” Ling said as they walked side by side. “Do you like it?”

Orm shrugged, offering a small smile. “It’s… okay, I guess. I’m more into math and stuff. Numbers make more sense to me than stories.”

Ling glanced at her, a hint of amusement in her dark eyes. “Fair enough. I love it, though. Literature, I mean. It’s like stepping into another world. And I love picking up new languages too. It’s fascinating how differently people think and express themselves.”

Orm tilted her head, genuinely curious. “New languages? How many do you know?”

Ling thought for a moment before answering. “Five, sort of. Thai, obviously. English. Cantonese and Mandarin—I grew up with those since I’m half Chinese. And I’m working on Japanese and Korean. Still a long way to go, though.”

Orm blinked, clearly impressed. “Wow. That’s… a lot.”

Ling shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I like the challenge. It’s messy but in a good way. Like solving puzzles that don’t always have one right answer.”

“I don’t think my brain could handle that,” Orm admitted with a laugh. “Math and science have rules. I like knowing there’s a clear path to the answer.”

Ling glanced at her with a dry smirk. “Well, lucky you. I’m terrible at math. I’ve probably traumatized my teachers at this point. You might have to tutor me if we ever get stuck in the same class.”

Orm laughed, clearly enjoying Ling’s humor. “If you don’t scare me off first, sure. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—I can be a tough teacher.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening slightly. “I’ll take my chances. Just don’t expect me to pass a test without crying first.”

They both laughed, the sound easy and unguarded.

As they approached Room 204, Ling stopped and gestured toward the door. “Here you go. Literature’s all yours.”

Orm glanced between the door and Ling’s classroom nearby. “Thanks. And… for walking with me.”

Ling nodded, her smile subtle but warm. “Anytime. But remember—you owe me math lessons now.”

Orm grinned. “Deal.”

She stepped into her classroom, giving Ling one last wave before disappearing inside. Ling lingered for a moment, watching the door before heading to her class.

As she slid into her seat, her mind replayed their conversation. Despite their differences, something about talking to Orm felt easy—natural, even. For the first time in weeks, school didn’t feel so monotonous anymore.

Ling slid into her seat, setting her bag on the floor as the classroom buzzed with students settling in. She barely had time to gather her thoughts before Junji plopped down on the desk next to her with a knowing grin.

“So…” Junji began, dragging the word out.

Ling didn’t even look up. “No.”

Junji smirked, leaning her chin on her hand. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“I know exactly what you’re going to say,” Ling muttered, flipping open her notebook.

“Do you?” Junji teased, her voice lilting with mock innocence. “Because I was totally not going to ask about Orm.”

Ling shot her a flat look. “Sure you weren’t.”

Junji leaned closer, her grin widening. “But since you brought it up… what’s the deal with her? She’s new, she’s cute, and you went full knight-in-shining-armor mode at lunch. That’s not like you.”

Ling rolled her eyes, but her ears turned faintly red. “I didn’t go ‘knight-in-shining-armor.’ She looked lost. I helped. End of story.”

“Lost, huh?” Junji tapped her fingers on the desk. “Looked more like you were lost. In her eyes, maybe?”

“Junji,” Ling said in a low, warning tone, her glare sharp enough to make most people back off.

But Junji wasn’t most people. She only laughed, undeterred. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. But seriously, you seemed… different with her. Like, you don’t just yell for people across the cafeteria. That’s not your thing.”

Ling sighed, leaning back in her chair. “She’s new. She doesn’t know anyone yet, and this place can be overwhelming. I figured it’d be easier for her if she had someone to talk to.”

Junji raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical but amused. “And that someone just happened to be you? Interesting.”

“Let it go, Junji,” Ling said firmly, turning her attention to her notebook.

Junji leaned back, still smirking. “Fine, fine. I’ll drop it—for now. But just so you know, Fluke and I are definitely talking about this after class.”

Ling groaned under her breath, muttering, “I don’t know why I’m friends with you two.”

“Because we’re amazing,” Junji quipped with a wink.

The teacher entered the room, cutting off any further conversation as the students quieted down. Ling sighed in relief, grateful for the distraction, though she couldn’t stop her thoughts from drifting back to Orm.

Even with Junji’s teasing fresh in her mind, Ling found herself smiling faintly. Maybe Junji wasn’t entirely wrong.

The teacher’s voice carried through the classroom, discussing themes and motifs in a story they were analyzing, but Ling wasn’t hearing any of it. Her pen hovered uselessly over her notebook as her thoughts spun in circles. She tried to focus on the lesson, on the lines of text being dissected on the board, but her mind kept drifting back to Orm.

Why had she gone out of her way like that? Ling wasn’t the kind of person who shouted across crowded spaces or left her friends mid-lunch to help someone else. She prided herself on being calm, composed, and unobtrusive. But something about Orm had pulled her in before she even had a chance to think it through.

Her grip on the pen tightened as she frowned at her blank notebook page. It wasn’t just that Orm was new—she could justify helping a lost student, sure. But the way Orm smiled, the way her amber eyes lit up when they talked, had stuck in Ling’s mind like a melody she couldn’t shake.

This is ridiculous, she thought, tapping her pen against the desk in frustration. She barely knows you. You barely know her.

“Kwong.”

Ling blinked, glancing up sharply. The teacher’s stern gaze was fixed on her, and she realized the entire class was watching her in silence.

“What’s the significance of the line we just discussed?” the teacher asked, clearly unimpressed.

Ling’s mind blanked entirely. “Uh…”

A quiet snicker rose from Junji beside her. Ling resisted the urge to glare, instead offering the teacher a polite, “Sorry, I missed that.”

The teacher sighed, shaking their head before calling on another student. Ling sank lower in her seat, heat rising to her cheeks.

“You okay over there?” Junji whispered, barely hiding her grin.

“Fine,” Ling muttered, flipping her notebook to a fresh page.

Junji smirked. “Didn’t look like it. Daydreaming about someone, maybe?”

Ling shot her a sharp glare, but it lacked its usual bite. Junji wasn’t wrong—Ling had been completely lost in her thoughts. But she wasn’t about to admit that, especially not to Junji.

She forced herself to scribble notes, but the words on the page blurred together as her thoughts drifted again. Orm’s laugh. The way she said Ling’s name was like it was something familiar and safe.

Get a grip, Ling, she scolded herself. You’re acting like a character in one of your books.

Junji nudged her under the desk with her foot. “Seriously, what’s going on with you?”

“Nothing,” Ling hissed, her tone sharper than she intended.

Junji leaned back, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. But this isn’t over.”

Ling exhaled slowly, her gaze returning to the board, where the teacher was now discussing literary devices. She didn’t hear a word of it, her mind still tangled in thoughts of Orm.

................................

Orm stepped into the literature classroom, clutching her notebook and schedule tightly. She scanned the rows of desks, her amber eyes darting around as she looked for an empty seat. The room buzzed with quiet chatter as students settled in, but Orm felt a wave of nerves tighten her chest.

“Orm!”

She turned toward the sound of her name and saw Prigkhing waving enthusiastically from a seat near the middle. Her smile was wide, but there was something overly sweet about it that made Orm hesitate for just a moment.

Orm smiled politely and made her way toward the empty seat beside Prigkhing. “Hey,” she said as she slid into the chair, setting her bag down.

“I didn’t know you were in this class!” Prigkhing said, her tone bright and cheerful. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, huh?”

Orm chuckled awkwardly, glancing at the textbook on her desk. “Yeah, I guess so. Literature’s… not really my thing, though.”

Prigkhing gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. “Not your thing? But it’s such a fun subject! Stories, symbolism, emotions—it’s so much better than boring math.”

Orm shrugged with a small smile. “I like math, actually. It makes sense to me.”

Prigkhing laughed, though it sounded forced. “Well, I guess we’re opposites, then.”

Before Orm could respond, the teacher entered the room, silencing the chatter with a sharp tap on the desk. “Settle down, everyone,” they said, pulling up a passage from the assigned reading on the board.

As the lesson began, Orm tried to focus, jotting down notes as the teacher spoke about themes and literary devices. But her attention kept wavering, partly because of how unfamiliar everything felt, and partly because of the way Prigkhing kept sneaking glances at her.

“Need any help?” Prigkhing whispered, leaning slightly closer.

Orm shook her head, offering a quick, polite smile. “I’m good, thanks.”

Prigkhing leaned back, her voice casual but probing. “So, how are you liking it here so far? New school, new faces. Kind of a lot, right?”

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” Orm admitted quietly, glancing at the teacher to make sure they weren’t paying attention. “But people have been nice so far. Ling especially.”

Prigkhing’s smile faltered briefly before returning, tighter this time. “Oh, Ling? She’s… interesting, isn’t she?”

Orm tilted her head slightly. “What do you mean?”

Prigkhing shrugged, twirling her pen between her fingers. “She’s just… quiet. Keeps to herself most of the time. I didn’t think she’d bother with a new student.”

Orm frowned slightly at the odd tone but kept her reply neutral. “She’s been really nice to me. I think she just doesn’t talk to people she doesn’t like.”

Prigkhing’s laugh was light but edged with something sharper. “Well, I guess you’re one of the lucky ones, then.”

Orm shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her mind replaying the interaction. Was Prigkhing jealous? Or just trying to be friendly in her own awkward way? She couldn’t quite tell.

As the teacher continued the lesson, Orm forced herself to focus on the board. But the back-and-forth with Prigkhing lingered in her thoughts, casting a faint shadow over her otherwise positive impression of her first day.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the literature class. The students began filing out, their chatter filling the hallway as they headed to their next classes. Orm lingered at her desk, gathering her things slowly as the teacher glanced her way.

“Miss Sethratanapong, was it?” the teacher asked kindly.

“Yes,” Orm said, stepping closer to the desk.

“How’s your first day going so far?” the teacher asked, their tone warm and patient.

“It’s been good, thank you,” Orm replied politely. “I just… wanted to ask about the syllabus. I think I might have missed a few things.”

The teacher nodded, taking out a copy of the syllabus and reviewing it with her. Orm listened attentively, grateful for the extra guidance, but she didn’t realize how much time had passed.

Meanwhile, just outside the classroom, Ling stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed as she waited. Junji was beside her, leaning casually against the lockers, her eyes flicking between Ling and Prigkhing, who stood a few feet away with her usual overly sweet smile.

“Ling,” Prigkhing began, her voice dripping with forced cheerfulness, “fancy seeing you here. Waiting for someone?”

Ling didn’t even glance at her. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Prigkhing laughed lightly, ignoring the pointed remark. “Not for a few minutes. You know, we haven’t really talked much lately. You’re always so… busy.”

Junji raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the interaction. “Yeah, Kwong’s been real tied up lately. Wonder why.”

Ling shot Junji a glare, her voice clipped. “Don’t start.”

Prigkhing smirked, stepping a little closer. “What’s wrong, Ling? You’re always so cold. Maybe if you opened up a little, people wouldn’t think you’re so—”

“Stop,” Ling interrupted, her tone sharp as she turned her head to face Prigkhing directly for the first time. “Whatever it is you’re trying to do, don’t.”

Prigkhing’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “I’m just being friendly.”

“Try it with someone else,” Ling said flatly, her gaze flicking back to the classroom door.

Junji stifled a laugh, her grin widening as she nudged Ling. “You’ve got the patience of a saint. I’d have told her off ages ago.”

Prigkhing opened her mouth to retort, but the door to the classroom finally swung open, and Orm stepped out, her bag slung over one shoulder and a slightly flustered look on her face.

Ling’s entire demeanor shifted. Without hesitation, she pushed off the wall and started walking toward Orm, leaving Prigkhing mid-sentence.

“Orm,” Ling said, her tone soft but steady as she approached.

Orm blinked in surprise, her amber eyes lighting up when she saw Ling. “Oh, hey! Were you waiting for me?”

Ling nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Figured you might need someone to show you to your next class.”

Orm’s smile widened. “Thanks. I think it’s somewhere near the science wing.”

“I’ll take you,” Ling said, gesturing for her to follow.

As they walked away together, Orm chatting about her meeting with the teacher, Prigkhing stood frozen in place, her forced smile finally dropping.

Junji, watching the scene unfold, leaned against the lockers with a satisfied grin. “Man, Prigkhing. That’s gotta sting.”

Prigkhing shot Junji a glare before spinning on her heel and stalking off toward her own class.

Junji chuckled to herself as she pushed off the lockers, shaking her head. “Well, I’d say that was worth sticking around for.”

As Ling and Orm walked down the hallway, the noise of the bustling students around them faded into the background. Orm glanced at the signs above the classroom doors, clutching the strap of her bag.

“So,” Orm began, glancing at Ling, “is your next class near the science wing too?”

Ling shook her head, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “No. Mine’s on the other side of the campus.”

Orm stopped mid-step, her amber eyes widening in surprise. “Wait, so you came all the way here just to walk me to class?”

Ling shrugged, her tone casual. “Seemed like you might need it.”

A small smile tugged at Orm’s lips, her gaze softening. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure I could’ve figured it out eventually.”

“Probably,” Ling said dryly, a teasing glint in her eyes. “But you were already late getting out of your last class. Figured I’d save you from wandering around for half the period.”

Orm laughed, her shoulders relaxing. “Guess I should say thanks, then.”

Ling gave a small nod, her smirk softening into something gentler. “Don’t mention it.”

They continued walking in companionable silence for a few moments before Orm spoke again, her tone curious. “Do you always go out of your way to help people like this?”

Ling’s smirk returned, but she didn’t answer right away. Instead, she glanced sideways at Orm. “Not really. You’re just lucky, I guess.”

Orm chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, I’ll take it.”

When they finally reached Orm’s classroom, Ling stopped just outside the door.

“Here you go,” Ling said, gesturing toward the door. “Science wing, Room 312. You’re officially not lost anymore.”

Orm grinned, stepping closer to the door. “Thanks again, Ling. I’ll see you after class?”

Ling nodded, her voice steady. “Yeah. I’ll wait for you.”

As Orm stepped inside, Ling lingered in the hallway for a moment, her mind replaying their conversation. For reasons she couldn’t quite pin down, guiding Orm felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Then it hit her—her next class was on the other side of campus.

“Crap,” she muttered under her breath, glancing at her watch. Without a second thought, she took off, sprinting down the hallway and weaving through clusters of students.

Ling wasn’t a stranger to running; as someone who played soccer, she was used to moving fast and weaving through tight spaces. But sprinting through crowded hallways with her bag slung over one shoulder wasn’t exactly the kind of training she was used to.

She reached the classroom just as the bell rang, skidding to a halt in the doorway. Her chest rose and fell with each heavy breath as she quickly smoothed down her hair and stepped inside.

The room went silent. Every eye turned to her, a mixture of surprise and confusion on their faces. LingLing Sirilak Kwong was never late. She was always one of the first students to arrive, her calm, composed demeanor a constant. But today, she’d barely made it.

Fluke, already seated near the back, raised an eyebrow as Ling hurried to her usual seat by the window.

“You okay?” he asked under his breath, leaning slightly toward her. “You’re never late.”

Ling ignored the murmurs from her classmates as she dropped into her seat and pulled out her notebook, still catching her breath. “I’m fine,” she muttered, her tone sharp but quiet.

Fluke smirked. “Didn’t think soccer practice moved to the hallways. What’s the rush, Kwong?”

Ling rolled her eyes, her voice dry. “Just thought I’d spice things up. Can’t have everyone thinking I’m predictable.”

Fluke chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Right. Sure. That’s what it was.”

“Drop it,” Ling said, narrowing her eyes at him, though her faintly pink cheeks betrayed her frustration.

Fluke studied her for a moment before his grin widened. “You were helping someone, weren’t you?”

Ling froze briefly before giving him a sidelong glance. “Mind your own business, Fluke.”

“That’s a yes,” he said, his tone triumphant. “Who was it? Oh wait—don’t tell me. The new girl.”

Ling sighed heavily, her focus snapping to the board as the teacher began the lesson. “If you keep talking, I’ll tell Junji you’re failing history.”

Fluke raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling softly. “Alright, alright. But you know she’s gonna find out anyway.”

Ling didn’t dignify that with a response, instead fixing her gaze firmly on the front of the room. But as the lesson droned on, her thoughts drifted briefly back to Orm. Even with the chaos she’d caused by nearly being late, she couldn’t quite bring herself to regret it.

.......................................................................

Orm stepped into her physics classroom, feeling a little more at ease after navigating the school with Ling’s help. She scanned the room, noticing that most students had already settled into groups or pairs. The faint hum of chatter filled the air as she moved toward an empty desk near the middle of the room.

As she set her bag down and pulled out her notebook, a cheerful voice broke through her thoughts.

“Hi! You’re new, right?”

Orm looked up to see a girl standing beside her desk, her short black hair tucked neatly behind her ears and her smile wide and welcoming.

“Uh, yeah,” Orm replied with a small smile. “I’m Orm. Just started today.”

“Thought so!” the girl said, sliding into the seat beside her. “I’m Ying. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Orm said, feeling a bit more relaxed by Ying’s friendly energy.

“Physics, huh? You into science and math?” Ying asked, her tone light.

Orm nodded. “Yeah, I like math a lot. Numbers just… make sense to me, you know?”

Ying grinned. “I get that. I’m more of a bio person, though. Physics can be fun, but only when it doesn’t involve too much math.”

Orm chuckled softly. “Fair enough.”

The teacher entered the room, drawing the students’ attention as they began writing equations on the board. Ying leaned closer to Orm, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“So, how’s your first day going? Surviving the chaos?”

Orm shrugged, her lips curving into a small smile. “It’s not too bad. A little overwhelming, but everyone’s been nice so far.”

“That’s good,” Ying said, nodding. “If you need help with anything—classes, teachers, finding your way—let me know. I know this place can feel like a maze.”

“Thanks,” Orm said genuinely. “I appreciate it.”

As the lesson progressed, Ying kept making small comments to Orm about the teacher’s quirks and the other students in the class. Orm found herself smiling more, the tension of being new gradually easing as Ying’s friendly demeanor made her feel included.

By the end of the class, Orm had managed to keep up with the lesson and had even exchanged numbers with Ying, who promised to show her the best spots to hang out during breaks.

As Orm packed her bag, Ying grinned at her. “Looks like you’re settling in pretty well.”

“Thanks to people like you,” Orm replied, her smile warm.

“Hey, what can I say? I’ve got a knack for making new friends,” Ying said with a wink.

Orm laughed softly, following Ying out of the classroom as they headed toward the bustling hallway.

..........................

The school day had ended, and the hallways were bustling with students heading home or to after-school activities. Orm walked alongside Ying, chatting happily as they strolled toward the main doors.

“And then the whole thing just toppled over,” Ying said with a laugh, making Orm chuckle as they navigated the crowded hallway.

“That sounds like a disaster,” Orm replied, her amber eyes sparkling with amusement.

“It was,” Ying said, grinning. “But, you know, sometimes physics experiments don’t go as planned. It just makes it more fun!”

Orm laughed again, feeling her nerves from earlier in the day ease as their conversation flowed naturally.

A short distance away, Ling leaned casually against the wall, her soccer bag slung over one shoulder. She wasn’t just lingering out of boredom—she was waiting for Orm. She’d told herself it was just to make sure Orm wasn’t lost again, but the way her gaze instinctively sought out Orm’s light-colored hair and easy smile hinted at something else entirely.

Her posture stiffened slightly as her dark eyes landed on Orm walking with another girl she didn’t recognize. Orm was laughing, her smile brighter and more relaxed than Ling had seen before. Ling’s chest tightened in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

Junji, standing beside Ling with Fluke, immediately noticed her shift in demeanor. “Uh-oh,” she muttered, following Ling’s line of sight.

“What?” Fluke asked, looking between them.

“Kwong’s got that look,” Junji said with a teasing grin. “The one where she’s pretending she’s not bothered, but she’s totally bothered.”

“I’m not,” Ling said flatly, her tone sharper than she intended.

“Right,” Junji drawled, smirking. “So, you’re just frowning at the air now?”

Fluke raised an eyebrow, glancing down the hall and spotting Orm with the unfamiliar girl. He grinned knowingly. “Ah, I see. New girl’s making friends. That’s a good thing, right?”

Ling shrugged, her voice curt. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Before Junji could add another comment, Prigkhing appeared at Ling’s side, her tone overly sweet. “Ling! There you are. I was hoping we could walk out together, maybe talk for a bit?”

Ling sighed audibly, turning her head slightly to face Prigkhing. “No.”

Prigkhing blinked, her smile faltering briefly before she recovered. “Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. We’re both busy people—this is the perfect chance to chat.”

“We’re not chatting,” Ling replied evenly, her gaze flicking back toward Orm and the unfamiliar girl.

Junji leaned closer to Fluke, whispering loud enough for Ling to hear, “It’s like watching a soap opera, but the lead actress is too stubborn to admit she’s jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” Ling said, her voice low but firm.

“Never said you were,” Junji said, her smirk widening.

Prigkhing frowned slightly, unwilling to back down. “You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you—”

Ling cut her off, her tone sharp. “I wasn’t waiting for you.”

Prigkhing blinked, surprised, but Ling didn’t give her a chance to respond. She adjusted the strap of her soccer bag and strode away, heading directly toward Orm.

Orm glanced up mid-conversation and noticed Ling approaching. Her face lit up with a smile, and she called out in a playful, almost sing-song tone, “Hey, LingLing Kwong! You came!”

Ling blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the way Orm said her name. It wasn’t mocking—it was warm, almost endearing like Orm had found joy in simply saying it.

“Of course I did,” Ling replied, her tone calm but softer than usual. “I said I’d wait.”

Ying, standing beside Orm, raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “You two know each other?”

“Yeah,” Orm said with a bright smile, glancing at Ying. “Ling helped me earlier today. She’s been showing me around.”

Ying grinned. “Ah, so you’ve got a guide. Lucky you.”

Ling’s gaze flicked to Ying briefly before returning to Orm. “You ready to go?”

Orm nodded, slinging her bag higher on her shoulder. “Yep. Thanks for chatting, Ying. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, definitely,” Ying said, her smile widening as she gave Ling a small wave. “Bye, LingLing Kwong.”

Ling’s eyes narrowed slightly, though there was no real heat in her expression. Before she could say anything, Orm gasped dramatically, turning to Ying with a mock pout. “Hey! Only I’m allowed to call her LingLing Kwong!”

Ying blinked, startled for a second, before laughing. “Oh, I didn’t know it was exclusive. My bad!”

Orm crossed her arms with an exaggerated huff, looking at Ling. “Tell her!”

Ling sighed, her tone as dry as ever. “I didn’t know you had the right to that name.”

Orm spun toward her, the mock pout morphing into a smug grin. “I do. I own the copyrights. It’s my thing.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, copyrights. Impressive. Got the paperwork to prove it?”

Orm tilted her head dramatically, her tone turning bratty. “I don’t need paperwork. It’s common knowledge.”

“Right,” Ling said, her lips twitching in a faint smirk. “Well, Your Highness of Copyrights, can we go now?”

Orm grinned triumphantly, her earlier faux indignation fading. “Fine. Let’s go.”

As they walked out, Orm glanced at Ling with a teasing smile. “But you’re admitting it’s mine, right? The nickname?”

Ling rolled her eyes, her voice as flat as ever. “If it gets you moving, sure.”

Orm laughed, clearly pleased with herself as she fell into step beside Ling, their playful banter leaving Ying chuckling as she watched them walk away.

As Ling and Orm walked down the hallway, the buzz of after-school activity surrounded them. Students lingered in small groups, while others filtered toward the exits or their respective clubs and sports practices.

“Wait,” Orm said suddenly, stopping in her tracks. “I need to go to the office.”

Ling paused, turning to her. “Why?”

Orm adjusted the books she was carrying, balancing them awkwardly against her chest. “I forgot. I have to turn in this paperwork so I can get assigned a locker.”

Ling raised an eyebrow. “You carried all that around without a locker? No wonder you look like you’re about to collapse.”

Orm huffed, her pout returning. “I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”

“Sure,” Ling replied dryly, watching as Orm struggled to free the folded paper tucked under her books.

Orm shifted her grip again, the stack of books wobbling precariously. “Just… give me a second…”

Without a word, Ling stepped forward and grabbed the stack of books from Orm’s arms.

“Hey!” Orm protested, looking up at Ling, wide-eyed. “I can handle it.”

“You couldn’t even grab a piece of paper without risking a catastrophe,” Ling said evenly, tucking the books under one arm as if they weighed nothing. “Where’s the paper?”

Orm stared for a moment before recovering with a sheepish grin. “Uh, here.” She pulled the folded form out from the middle of the now-lightened stack she was holding.

“Great,” Ling said, already turning toward the office. “Let’s go.”

Orm followed quickly, falling into step beside her.

As they walked, Ling glanced at her sideways, her tone casual but teasing. “So, I’m guessing you’re not the sports type?”

Orm frowned slightly. “What makes you say that?”

Ling smirked. “The way you were wrestling with those books like they were trying to escape. It doesn’t scream ‘athlete.’”

Orm gasped, feigning offense. “Excuse me! I’ll have you know I used to be great at badminton.”

“‘Used to be’?” Ling echoed, raising an eyebrow. “What happened? Did the racket get too heavy?”

Orm pouted, her cheeks flushing faintly. “No! I just… got busy with other things. Like studying. And… other stuff.”

“Uh-huh,” Ling said, her smirk widening. “Sounds like you retired early.”

Orm huffed, though a small laugh escaped her. “You’re so mean.”

“I’m just observant,” Ling replied smoothly, shifting the books slightly under her arm. “But if you ever want to pick it up again, I could give you some tips on staying in shape.”

Orm narrowed her eyes at her, her tone mock-bratty. “Oh, because you’re such an expert?”

“Soccer,” Ling said simply, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. “It’s kind of my thing.”

Orm blinked, her expression turning curious. “You play soccer?”

“Yeah,” Ling replied, her tone calm but proud. “Been on the team for a while.”

“That’s actually really cool,” Orm said, her pout replaced by an impressed smile.

Ling shrugged, glancing ahead as they approached the office. “It’s fun. But we’re not here to talk about me. Go turn in your paperwork before you start hoarding books again.”

Orm laughed, shaking her head as she stepped into the office. “Fine, but this conversation isn’t over.”

As they reached the office, Orm pushed the door open with her free hand, glancing back at Ling. “You don’t have to come in, you know.”

Ling shrugged, stepping in behind her, still carrying the books. “I’m already here. Might as well.”

The office was quiet, the faint hum of a copier in the background. At the front desk stood a neatly dressed woman with kind but sharp eyes—Principal Dew. She looked up as they entered, a warm smile spreading across her face.

“Ah, Miss Sethratanapong,” Principal Dew greeted, her tone friendly but professional. “How’s your first day going?”

Orm straightened a little, offering a polite smile. “It’s going well, thank you. I just came to turn in the paperwork for my locker.”

Principal Dew nodded. “Of course. Let me take a look.”

Orm fumbled slightly with the paper in her hands before managing to hand it over. Ling, standing a step behind her, held the stack of books with casual ease, watching silently as Orm shifted nervously.

Principal Dew glanced at the books Ling was holding and raised an eyebrow, her smile turning amused. “Carrying some extra credit, are we?”

Orm flushed faintly. “Oh, no, those are mine. Ling was just helping…” She glanced back at Ling, who gave her a faint smirk.

“I noticed she was about to drop everything,” Ling said dryly. “Thought I’d save the paperwork from disaster.”

Principal Dew tilted her head slightly, her gaze lingering on Ling with a flicker of surprise. “That’s very considerate of you, Miss Kwong. I don’t think I’ve seen you go out of your way to help a new student before.”

Orm blinked, glancing between Ling and the principal, curiosity lighting up her amber eyes.

Ling shrugged lightly, her tone calm but dismissive. “Seemed like the right thing to do.”

Principal Dew’s smile widened, though her curiosity remained evident. “Well, it’s good to see you stepping outside your usual quiet demeanor. Most students know you as the soccer star who keeps to herself—this is a pleasant surprise.”

Ling raised an eyebrow but didn’t reply, her expression neutral as she adjusted the books under her arm.

Principal Dew turned her attention back to Orm. “Let’s get you a locker now so you don’t have to lug those books around anymore. Follow me.”

Orm’s face lit up. “Really? Thank you so much!”

Principal Dew led them to the front desk, where she quickly retrieved a key from the locker assignments log. Handing it to Orm, she said warmly, “Here’s your locker key, Miss Sethratanapong. It’s all set.”

“Thank you so much, Principal Dew,” Orm said, bowing slightly as she accepted the key.

Ling nodded slightly, her tone polite but calm. “Thanks for your time, Principal Dew.”

Principal Dew smiled, her gaze lingering on Ling for a moment. “It’s good to see you being so helpful, Miss Kwong. It’s a nice surprise. Keep it up.”

Ling didn’t respond to the comment directly, instead gesturing toward the hallway. “Come on. Let’s see where it is.”

Orm followed Ling out of the office, her new key in hand, as they walked to the rows of lockers near the main corridor. As they approached, Ling slowed her pace, her dark eyes narrowing slightly.

“Huh,” Ling said, stopping in front of a locker.

Orm tilted her head, glancing between the locker and Ling. “What?”

Ling smirked faintly, tapping the locker next to her own. “Looks like you’re my neighbor.”

Orm blinked, then laughed softly. “Wait—seriously? This one’s mine?” She double-checked the number on the key and the locker, grinning. “That’s actually kind of funny.”

Ling raised an eyebrow. “What’s funny?”

Orm gestured between their lockers, her tone playful. “We’re locker neighbors now too? First at home, now here. Are we just destined to be neighbors everywhere?”

Ling smirked, leaning against her locker. “Looks like it. Try not to be a noisy one this time.”

Orm gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Excuse me! I’m an excellent neighbor, thank you very much.”

Ling’s smirk widened. “We’ll see.”

Orm chuckled as she unlocked her new locker and began carefully stacking her books inside.

“There,” Orm said with a triumphant grin as she shut the door with a satisfying click. “No more disasters.”

“Barely,” Ling replied, her tone flat but teasing.

Orm crossed her arms, giving her a mock pout. “You’re not going to keep teasing me about it, are you?”

Ling shrugged, her smirk widening slightly. “I might. Neighborly obligation.”

Orm rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her. “Thanks for helping today. And for carrying all my stuff.”

Ling adjusted the strap of her soccer bag. “Anytime. Just don’t make me regret it.”

As they walked away from the lockers, Orm nudged Ling’s arm playfully. “So… do I have to worry about you judging my locker organization every day now?”

Ling smirked. “Depends. How messy are you planning to be?”

Orm laughed as they fell into step together, the playful banter carrying them through the hallway.

As they left the lockers earlier in the day, Ling glanced at Orm, who was still fiddling with the key she had tucked into her pocket.

“Do you even know where all your classes are tomorrow?” Ling asked, her tone calm but with a hint of teasing.

Orm pulled out her schedule with a small sheepish grin. “Kind of. Here, take a look,” she said, handing it over.

Ling unfolded the paper, her dark eyes scanning the list of classes. “Huh,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly. “Most of your classes are pretty close to mine.”

“Really?” Orm asked, leaning closer.

“Yeah,” Ling said, pointing to the first few periods. “Your homeroom is just down the hall from mine. Your math class is one floor up, but it’s still near my English class. And—” she tapped the page, “—this one is literally right next to my history class.”

Orm chuckled softly, glancing at Ling. “That’s pretty funny. Think we’ll be seeing each other a lot?”

“Probably,” Ling replied simply. She glanced further down the schedule. “Your literature class is next to mine, too.”

Orm grinned knowingly. “Yeah, I remember. You walked me there after lunch, remember?”

Ling nodded, her smirk softening slightly. “Right. Lucky for you, I don’t get lost easily.”

Orm laughed. “Guess I’ll always know who to wave at between classes.”

“Or bug,” Ling replied dryly, though her lips twitched into a faint smirk.

Orm nudged her lightly. “You know you secretly enjoy it.”

Ling shrugged, folding the paper and handing it back. “Don’t push your luck.”

Orm laughed as she tucked the schedule back into her bag.

As they walked through the quieting hallways, the late afternoon sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow over the tiled floors. Ling carried her soccer bag casually over one shoulder, her stride steady as Orm walked beside her.

“You didn’t have to walk me all the way to the gates,” Orm said, glancing at Ling with a small smile. “You’ve got practice, right?”

“It’s on the way,” Ling replied simply.

Orm raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. “Oh, so this is just pure coincidence, huh?”

Ling glanced at her sidelong, the corner of her lips twitching into a smirk. “Don’t overthink it.”

Orm chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Well, thanks anyway. First days aren’t as scary when you’ve got someone to show you around.”

They reached the gates of the school, where a few students were milling about, chatting or heading off to their after-school plans. Ling paused, glancing toward the sports field in the distance.

“I should go,” she said, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Coach hates it when I’m late.”

Orm looked toward the field, her amber eyes sparkling with mischief. “Soccer practice, huh? Maybe I’ll stay and watch.”

Ling blinked, her expression unreadable for a moment. “Why?”

Orm grinned. “Why not? It’d be fun to see you running around and yelling at a ball.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. “You think that’s entertaining?”

“Totally,” Orm said, her grin widening, but then she shook her head, laughing softly. “I’m kidding. I still have unpacking to do. I can’t spend all my time following you around.”

Ling smirked faintly. “Good. I don’t need an audience.”

“Not yet, anyway,” Orm teased, clasping her hands behind her back. “Maybe next time.”

Ling’s smirk softened slightly. “Sure. See you tomorrow.”

“See you,” Orm said with a wave, stepping out through the gates and heading home.

Ling lingered for a moment, watching Orm’s retreating figure before turning toward the field. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips as she adjusted her bag and jogged off to join her team.

Ling jogged onto the soccer field, adjusting the strap of her bag as she approached the rest of the team. The faint smell of fresh-cut grass filled the air, mingling with the sounds of shuffling cleats and muted laughter.

As she dropped her bag near the sidelines, a familiar voice called out.

“Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence!”

Ling rolled her eyes, turning to see Junji, already in her practice gear, smirking as she leaned against the goalpost.

“I’m on time,” Ling replied flatly, tugging off her sweatshirt and pulling her jersey over her head.

“Barely,” Junji teased, pushing off the post and strolling over. “You’re usually here ten minutes early, glaring at anyone who doesn’t take warm-ups seriously. What’s the hold-up today?”

Ling shot her a look, her tone dry. “Maybe I just felt like showing up like a normal person for once.”

Junji crossed her arms, her grin widening. “Uh-huh. Or maybe it has something to do with the new girl you’ve been walking around all day.”

Ling didn’t respond immediately, crouching to tie her cleats. “Don’t start,” she muttered.

“Who, me?” Junji asked innocently, though the glint in her eyes said otherwise. “I’m just saying, it’s nice to see you being social for a change. Helping a junior? That’s very un-Kwong of you.”

Ling straightened, her expression neutral. “She needed help. That’s it.”

“Right,” Junji said with a knowing nod. “And you’re just naturally the helpful type now?”

Ling sighed, brushing past her toward the center of the field where the rest of the team was gathering. “Drop it, Junji.”

“Fine, fine,” Junji said, falling into step beside her. “But, you know, if she ever wants to come watch practice, you should totally invite her. Bet the team would love that.”

Ling’s jaw tightened slightly. “She has better things to do.”

“Does she, though?” Junji asked, grinning as she nudged Ling’s arm.

Before Ling could respond, the coach blew the whistle, cutting through the banter. “Alright, everyone! Warm-up laps, let’s go!”

Ling jogged forward without another word, her focus snapping back to the field. She fell into the familiar rhythm of practice, her movements quick and precise as she led the pack during the laps. Junji followed close behind, still smirking to herself but keeping quiet for the moment.

As the drills began, the banter faded, replaced by shouts of encouragement and the thud of the ball against cleats. Ling thrived in this environment—fast-paced, demanding, and unrelenting. It was where her mind cleared, where everything else fell away.

Still, for reasons she couldn’t quite pin down, the memory of Orm’s playful grin lingered at the back of her mind.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon as soccer practice wound down, the team dispersing toward the locker rooms. Ling wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she walked toward the sidelines.

Junji trailed behind, her usual smirk firmly in place. “Good practice, huh? I mean, except for when you almost kicked the ball into the coach.”

Ling gave her a dry look. “It went over his head. Barely.”

“Sure,” Junji replied, laughing as she matched Ling’s stride.

As they approached the gym doors, Fluke emerged, still wearing his basketball jersey and dribbling a ball idly. He spotted them and jogged over.

“There you two are,” he said, grinning. “Good timing. Just finished my practice.”

Junji crossed her arms, her smirk growing. “Great. Now we can interrogate her together.”

Fluke tilted his head, curious. “What are we interrogating her about?”

Junji gestured toward Ling. “The girl from lunch. You know, the one she’s been glued to all day.”

Ling sighed, adjusting the strap of her bag. “What about her?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Junji said, feigning innocence. “Maybe the fact that you’ve been acting like her personal tour guide? Walking her to class, sitting with her at lunch—what’s up with that?”

“She’s new,” Ling replied flatly. “It’s not a big deal.”

Fluke grinned. “Since when do you go out of your way for new students, though? You usually let them figure it out themselves.”

Junji nodded, her smirk widening. “Exactly. This feels very un-Kwong of you. Are you secretly nice now?”

Ling shot Junji a glare. “She’s new and needed help. That’s it.”

“Sure,” Junji said, her voice dripping with mock sincerity. “So, when exactly did you become her unofficial guide to the school?”

Ling hesitated for a split second before replying, “I met her yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Fluke raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

Ling shrugged, her tone even. “At home.”

“At home?” Junji repeated, narrowing her eyes. “Wait, she lives near you?”

Ling sighed, clearly reluctant. “Next door.”

Junji’s eyes widened, and she clutched her chest dramatically. “She’s your neighbor? Oh, this is gold.”

Fluke laughed, spinning his basketball. “Man, what are the chances? You didn’t think to mention this before?”

“I didn’t think it mattered,” Ling said flatly.

Junji grinned mischievously. “So, let me get this straight: not only do you walk her around school, but you also see her at home? This is adorable.”

“Junji,” Ling warned, her tone sharp.

“What? It’s a cute setup,” Junji teased, elbowing Fluke. “New neighbor. New school buddy. This is like something out of a cheesy rom-com.”

“Drop it,” Ling said, walking ahead of them.

Fluke chuckled, throwing an arm around Junji’s shoulders as they followed Ling. “Don’t worry, Ling. We’ll keep the teasing to a minimum. For now.”

Junji smirked. “No promises.”

Ling sighed, but the faintest smile tugged at her lips as she kept walking, their banter fading into the background. Despite everything, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about Orm’s playful grin as she waved goodbye earlier.