Behind the Script

Chapter 8: Practice

Orm broke away after a few minutes, exasperated. "Okay, this isn't working." She laughed, covering her face. "We look like we're at a middle school dance, leaving enough space for a ghost between us."

Ling Ling stifled a chuckle. "Hey, ghosts need love, too."

Orm burst out laughing. "True, but not the vibe we're going for, P'Ling."

Ling Ling sighed. "I just don't want to make you uncomfortable..."

Orm stepped closer, her face softening. "P'Ling, trust me, I'm okay. But I think we're too in our heads about it." She paused, and then, as if deciding on the spot, she added, "How about this: don't think about it. Don't hold back. Just pretend you're Fahlada, and that you want to—" she smirked mischievously—"*devour* Earn."

Ling Ling rolled her eyes, but she knew Orm was right. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment, imagining herself as Fahlada, letting the character's emotions wash over her. When she opened her eyes, she was ready.

Orm gave her a small, encouraging nod. "Ready when you are, Dr. Fahlada."

Ling Ling moved closer, reaching up to rest her hands on Orm's shoulders. She let herself get lost in the role, her fingers tracing along Orm's collarbone as she leaned in, brushing her lips against Orm's—just a whisper of a kiss, but enough to make them both pause, feeling the intensity shift.

Orm barely whispered, "Not bad... anything else Dr. Fahlada wants to prescribe?"

Ling Ling laughed softly, pulling back just a little. "Would you like a diagnosis with that, Ms. Earn?"

Orm grinned, leaning in. "Only if it comes with more... intensive treatment." Her eyes sparkled with that familiar, mischievous glint. "Okay let's try again. Let's push it further?"

Ling Ling took a slow, steadying breath, trying to stay in character as Fahlada. Her hands gently traced Orm's collarbone, feeling her own heartbeat accelerate as she leaned in. She pressed her lips softly against Orm's, lingering just a moment longer this time. In a moment of instinct—or maybe it was something Fahlada would do, she told herself—she let her tongue graze against Orm's lower lip, light as a feather.

The touch seemed to send a spark through both of them. Orm's breath hitched, her body suddenly tensing, and before Ling Ling could react, Orm pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around her waist and deepening the kiss, their lips meeting in a way that was more intense, more real than either had planned. The kiss was no longer just practice; it was layered with something electric and unspoken.

Ling Ling felt her stomach flutter, warmth spreading through her body, the intensity of Orm's touch catching her completely off guard. Her hands found their way to Orm's shoulders, clinging to her as she let herself fall into the kiss, her mind dizzy with a mix of nerves and excitement. Her senses seemed to blur, every other thought melting away, leaving only the warmth between them.
She felt Orm's hand under her shirt. Her mind went crazy with Orm's touch.

After a few seconds, Orm slowly pulled back, her eyes searching Ling Ling's as if to make sense of the moment. Both breathing heavily, the silence thick between them.

Orm gave a small, nervous laugh, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Well... that felt... different."

Ling Ling swallowed, trying to find her voice. "Yeah... I think we... got it right?"

Orm chuckled, her gaze warm but a little shy. "More than right, P'Ling. If we keep practicing like this, we're gonna end up with a PhD in 'natural chemistry.'"

Ling Ling laughed, the tension easing, though she could still feel her heart racing. "Maybe we should save that level of 'chemistry' for the real scenes?"

Orm nodded, her smile softening. "Good idea. But... just so you know, you're a pretty amazing scene partner."

Ling Ling felt herself blush, smiling. "You're not too bad yourself."

With a shared, lingering glance, they settled back into the easy banter that felt as natural as their practice. But the air between them had changed, the line between script and reality blurred just enough to make Ling Ling wonder how much of what she felt was Fahlada... and how much was just her.

After their practice, they lingered in the quiet of Ling Ling's living room, the charged silence between them feeling softer now, comfortable. Ling Ling found herself glancing at the clock, feeling reluctant to let Orm go just yet.

"Hey," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice softer than usual. "Would you, um, like to stay for dinner?"

Orm's eyes lit up with that familiar, playful sparkle. "Dinner with my favorite doctor? How could I say no?"

Ling Ling chuckled, relieved. "Well, then it's settled. I could order us something, or—if you're up for it—I could cook."

Orm's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, wait. You can cook, too? Is there anything you *can't* do, P'Ling?"

Ling Ling laughed, playfully nudging her. "I promise I'm not as impressive as you think. I have a few recipes up my sleeve, though." She paused, hesitant but hopeful. "And maybe... we could watch a show after dinner? You know, just hang out. We could even, um... continue practicing, but—nothing intense. Just, like... cuddling and hugging. Like what Fahlada and Earn would do, you know?"

Orm's gaze softened, a small smile playing on her lips as she nodded. "I'd love that. Honestly, I think it would help us feel more comfortable with each other on screen."

Ling Ling felt a flutter in her chest as they settled into the kitchen, where she prepared a simple dinner while Orm leaned on the counter, chatting and making Ling Ling laugh. It felt surreal—like they'd slipped into some quiet, private world where they weren't just co-stars but two people genuinely getting to know each other.

After dinner, they moved to the couch, turning on a show neither of them was really watching. Instead, they eased into the scene, letting their arms tangle naturally, Orm's head eventually resting on Ling Ling's shoulder. They stayed like that, wrapped up in a gentle embrace, Ling Ling's fingers tracing circles on Orm's back.

"This isn't so bad, huh?" Orm murmured, her eyes half-closed, her voice softened by sleepiness.

Ling Ling smiled, resting her cheek against Orm's hair. "No... not bad at all."

They stayed there, in comfortable silence, both of them holding onto the closeness of the moment—feeling like Fahlada and Earn, yes, but also like something more, something Ling Ling was still trying to understand.