Behind the Script

Chapter 24: Orm's Crush

Orm still remembered the first time she met Ling Ling Kwong. It was during a Channel 3 workshop, and her life hadn't been the same since. Orm had always been extroverted and full of energy, but the moment Ling Ling walked into the room, Orm froze. 

Ling Ling, dressed in workout clothes that hugged her frame in all the right ways, was effortlessly radiant. Her half-Hong Kong, half-Thai beauty was striking, and the way she carried herself with calm elegance made everyone in the room seem dull in comparison. 

"Who is she?" Orm whispered to Gina, who was munching on a snack beside her. 

"Oh, her? That's Ling Ling Kwong," Gina replied, barely looking up. "She's, like a beauty queen and won some pageant last year." 

Orm stared, slack-jawed. "Suay mak..." she muttered under her breath. 

Gina finally glanced at Orm and burst into laughter. "Oh my God, you're crushing on her, aren't you? Look at you! Heart eyes and everything!" 

"I am *not*," Orm said, though the warmth in her cheeks said otherwise. But who could blame her? Ling Ling was stunning. 

Gathering her courage, Orm decided to introduce herself. Walking up to Ling Ling, she plastered on her most confident smile. 

"Hi, I'm Orm," she said. 

Ling Ling turned, her expression polite but curious. "Hi." 

Orm glanced at her outfit, panicked, and blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "You like to exercise?" 

The second the words left her mouth, Orm wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. *What kind of question was that?* 

"No, not really," Ling Ling said with a small smile. 

And just like that, Orm was hooked. That smile could light up the darkest of days, and Orm knew she was in trouble. 

---

Years later, the crush had evolved into a quiet admiration. Orm followed Ling Ling's career closely, cheering her on from the sidelines like a devoted fan. They became casual acquaintances on Instagram, exchanging occasional likes and polite comments. But Orm never dared to take it further, convincing herself that her feelings were long gone. 

Until one phone call changed everything. 

"Orm!" Gina's excited voice rang through the receiver. 

"What?" Orm replied, flipping through her notebook in her school's study hall. 

"Channel 3 is doing a sapphic series!" 

Orm paused, intrigued. "Oh, nice. About time they did one. What's it about?" 

"That's not the exciting part! They're casting Ling Ling Kwong as the lead." 

Orm froze, her pen slipping from her fingers. "What?" 

"You heard me. Ling Ling. Your Ling Ling." 

"Oh my God!" Orm shouted, causing several heads in the study hall to turn her way. She gave them a sheepish grin and bolted outside. "Tell me everything!" 

"They're still looking for someone to play the love interest," Gina said. "The role of Earn." 

Orm's heart raced. "You mean I can audition?" 

"Yeah, if you're brave enough to try. You cheeky little pervert, you just want an excuse to kiss your girl crush!" 

Orm jumped up and down, practically squealing. "I'm auditioning! I'm doing it!" 

---

When Orm got home, she burst through the door like a whirlwind. 

"Mae! Mae! Where are you?" 

Her mother, a seasoned actress herself, sat in the living room with a script in her hands. She looked up, mildly irritated. "Why are you yelling? I'm right here." 

"Mae, did you know Channel 3 is doing a sapphic series?" 

"Yes," Mae said, her tone casual. 

"What do you think about me auditioning?" Orm asked, flopping dramatically onto the couch beside her. "I could totally do it, right?" 

Mae smirked, setting her script down. "You? In a sapphic series?" 

"Mae! I can do it!" 

With an amused smile, Mae handed Orm a folder. "Here. The script for the audition." 

Orm's eyes widened. "Wait... what? You already got the script?" 

Mae chuckled. "One of the casting directors asked about you. They think you'd be a good fit for the role. Plus, your favorite actress is already playing Fahlada." 

Orm gasped. "You *knew*?" 

Mae rolled her eyes. "Please. I'm your mother. I've seen the way you look at her pictures and squeal over her shows. It's hard to miss." 

Orm grinned, hugging her mother tightly. "Mae, you're the best!" 

Mae pulled away, giving her a serious look. "This could be a big opportunity for you, Orm. Sapphic series are on the rise, and if you do well, it could open a lot of doors for your career." 

"I won't let you down," Orm said, already buzzing with excitement. 

"And no," Mae added, smacking Orm lightly with the script. "You're not kissing Ling Ling at the chemistry test!" 

Orm pouted dramatically but laughed as she skipped to her room. With the script in hand and her heart set on the role, she was ready to dive in headfirst. 

Her crush on Ling Ling had always been a distant dream, but now? Now it felt like destiny.