Ling stood in front of the mirror in her room, the harsh fluorescent lights casting a pale glow across her reflection. She had hardly slept, tossing and turning, replaying the events of the previous night in her mind. The intoxicating memories of her encounter lingered, her body still aching in a way that felt both exhilarating and confusing. Was it a dream? The feeling of warmth and connection had been too real, but the fog of alcohol left her unsure.
She'd thought it had been Orm—the passionate kiss, the way their bodies had intertwined. Ling's heart raced at the thought, but guilt crept in as she recalled the truth. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away as she made her way to the gym for their training session.
As Ling entered the gym, she spotted Orm already there, her brow furrowed in concentration as she practiced her moves. Ling's heart leaped. The tension from the night before bubbled beneath her skin, a cocktail of excitement and apprehension. Orm looked up and caught her gaze, and for a brief moment, Ling felt an electric connection.
"Hey," Orm said, her voice a mixture of warmth and concern. "You okay? You seemed a bit... off last night."
Ling forced a smile, attempting to mask her turmoil. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a late night, you know?"
Orm narrowed her eyes, unconvinced but willing to let it slide for now. "Alright, let's get to it."
They began their training, the movements growing increasingly intense. Ling found herself lost in the rhythm of their sparring, but her mind kept drifting back to the night she shared with what she thought was Orm. The way their lips had moved together, the heat of their bodies—it had felt so right. She loved it. But now, guilt wrapped around her like a vice, suffocating and heavy.
"Focus, Ling!" Orm shouted, breaking through Ling's reverie as she landed a jab to Ling's side. The pain brought her back to reality, and she stumbled back, catching her breath.
"Sorry, I was just... thinking," Ling admitted, a tinge of frustration evident in her voice. She couldn't shake off the memories or the guilt that shadowed them.
As they resumed training, Mint swaggered into the gym, her presence instantly commanding attention. She flashed a confident grin, wearing tight workout gear that accentuated her athletic build. Ling felt her stomach twist—Mint's arrival brought a wave of unease. Mint had a reputation for stirring trouble, and Ling didn't need that right now.
"Look who it is," Mint teased, her eyes dancing between Ling and Orm. "Getting in some training? Or just a little sparring?"
Orm's jaw tightened as she crossed her arms, glaring at Mint. "What do you want, Mint?"
"Oh, just came to see how my favorite fighter was doing," Mint purred, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And to remind Ling of our little rendezvous."
Ling felt her heart drop. "What do you mean?"
Mint stepped closer, her voice low and mocking. "You know, that night we spent together? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did." She smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "It was pretty rough and steamy."
Orm's expression darkened, confusion and anger battling for dominance on her face. "You're lying," she shot back, her voice edged with disbelief.
"Oh really? If you don't believe me, pull Ling's pants down. I kissed that sweet mole on her left thigh," Mint taunted, enjoying the chaos she was stirring.
The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. Ling's eyes widened, and she felt her heart race—not from excitement, but from the shock of Mint's claim. Orm turned to Ling, her face a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Is that true?"
Ling opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was caught between anger and embarrassment. "Mint, shut up," she finally managed, her voice trembling with frustration.
Mint shrugged, clearly enjoying the turmoil she was causing. "What? Can't handle the truth? Orm, you might want to ask Ling about last night."
Ling felt her cheeks flush, the humiliation of the situation washing over her. She wanted to scream at Mint for her audacity, but Orm's hurt gaze pierced through her. Ling swallowed hard, knowing this wasn't just about Mint's words; it was about the truth of what had happened.
"Ling?" Orm's voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she took a step closer, searching Ling's eyes for answers.
Taking a deep breath, Ling finally found her voice. "It was a mistake," she blurted out, the weight of the truth hanging in the air. "I was drunk, and I thought it was you, Orm."
The revelation hit Orm like a punch to the gut, her expression faltering for just a moment. "You thought it was me?" she echoed, her voice strained. "So you...?"
"I didn't know it was Mint," Ling said quickly, her heart racing. "I swear, Orm, I thought I was with you. It felt so right."
Mint's laughter cut through the tension. "Oh, this is priceless! I didn't think you'd go for someone like her, Ling."
"Shut up, Mint!" Orm shouted, her frustration spilling over. "This isn't a game!"
Ling stepped between them, feeling a surge of protectiveness toward Orm. "It's not a game to me, either!" she snapped at Mint, her heart pounding in her chest.
Mint smirked, leaning back casually. "Relax, I'm just having fun. But I guess you're too busy playing house with Orm to appreciate a real challenge."
"Challenge?" Ling shot back, her voice rising. "You think this is some kind of competition?"
"Maybe it is," Mint replied, her grin unfaltering. "But you know what they say: Once you go Mint, you'll never go back."
"Please, you're full of it," Ling spat, her anger boiling over.
Orm watched the exchange, her heart aching as she took in the hostility between the two women. "Can we focus here?" she said finally, her voice firm. "We need to train."
But the tension in the room was palpable, and Ling knew they couldn't just push past the confrontation. She turned to Orm, her heart heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Orm. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Orm's expression softened, but a flicker of hurt still lingered in her eyes. "It's hard to trust when I hear something like that."
Ling stepped closer, her heart racing. "I promise you, my feelings for you are real. I thought it was you because I want it to be you."
Orm hesitated, the tension between them thickening. "Then show me," she whispered, vulnerability creeping into her tone.
Ling felt her heart flutter as she moved closer, the heat between them igniting again. "I will," she promised, determination swirling within her.
Mint watched, clearly annoyed at being pushed out of the spotlight. "If you two are done with your little love fest, can we get back to training?"
Orm's glare returned to Mint, fire in her eyes. "You need to leave."
Mint's smirk faded as she recognized the seriousness in Orm's voice. "Fine, but just know I'll always be here to remind you of what you could have," she retorted, strutting out of the gym with an air of defiance.
As the door swung shut behind Mint, the silence in the gym felt heavy. Ling turned back to Orm, anxiety gnawing at her insides. "I didn't mean for it to happen like this," she said softly.
Orm stepped closer, her expression softening. "I know. Just be honest with me, okay? I need to know where we stand."
Ling nodded, her heart racing as she searched Orm's gaze. "You're the one I want, Orm. Always."
With a fragile smile, Orm reached out, taking Ling's hand. "Then let's make it real."