Ling and Orm woke up tangled together, their legs intertwined and Orm's head resting lightly on Ling's shoulder. The soft rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on their peaceful expressions. Ling opened her eyes first, smiling to herself as she looked down at Orm's sleeping face.But her peace was short-lived.Bang, bang, bang!The sound of someone knocking at the door startled them both awake. Ling quickly untangled herself from Orm and rushed to the door, adjusting her shirt as she opened it to find Sia standing there, looking curious."Why is the door locked? You never lock the door," Sia said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "What were you two doing in there?""Nothing!" Ling replied a little too quickly, her cheeks flushing."Sure," Sia said, smirking. "Anyway, give me your body lotion. Mine's gone, and I'm late."Ling grabbed her lotion from the dresser and handed it to Sia, who gave her a knowing look before leaving. Ling closed the door, exhaling in relief before turning back to Orm, who was sitting up with her hair sticking out in all directions."That was close," Ling muttered, walking over to sit beside her."Too close," Orm agreed, running a hand through her messy hair.At college, Ling and Orm were inseparable. They walked side by side, laughing and teasing each other. Ling even let Orm carry her bag, which Orm did without complaint, much to everyone's shock.Phon, who had been watching them from afar, clenched his fists. He couldn't take it anymore. He needed to confess to Orm before it was too late. And this time, he decided to seek Ling's help, believing that Ling was nothing more than Orm's "best friend."He approached Ling during a break, pulling her aside. "Ling, can I talk to you for a second?"Ling raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Phon?"Phon hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've been in love with Orm since middle school. We've always been close—so close that people thought we were a couple. But I never told her how I feel. Now… I want to confess. Can you help me?"Ling's heart sank. A wave of jealousy bubbled up inside her, but she masked it with a neutral expression. "You want me to help you confess to Orm?""Yes," Phon said earnestly. "You're her best friend now. She'll listen to you."Ling forced a smile. "I'll… think about it. I'm busy with the student council elections right now." She turned on her heel, leaving Phon behind as she pretended to be preoccupied with her professor's work.Meanwhile, Orm was busy convincing students to vote for Ling, though her methods were far from conventional."Vote for Ling," Orm told one group of students. "She's the best candidate. Super smart, super organized, and annoyingly perfect. You'll probably regret it, but hey, it's your choice."The students exchanged amused looks before agreeing to vote for Ling.Orm's sarcasm continued throughout the day, and by lunchtime, half the campus was laughing at her unique campaign strategies.Toward the end of the day, Phon finally gathered the courage to approach Orm. He pulled her aside, his expression serious."Orm," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I… I've been meaning to tell you something."Orm tilted her head, confused. "What is it?"Phon took a deep breath. "I like you. I've liked you for years. Will you go out with me?"There was a long pause before Orm burst out laughing."Wait, you're serious?" she asked, still laughing.Phon nodded, his face falling."Oh, Phon," Orm said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "You're a great friend, but… no. I don't feel that way about you."Phon's expression turned devastated. "But why? We've been so close for so long.""I don't know," Orm said with a shrug. "I just don't see you that way. Sorry."Phon didn't give up. "Then at least let me take you home."Orm shook her head. "I'm staying for Ling. We're leaving together."Phon's jaw tightened, but he said nothing as Orm walked away.Later, as Ling finished her work, she found Orm waiting for her in the corridor with her bag in hand. Ling smiled, her heart warming at the sight.When she was sure no one was around, Ling leaned in and gave Orm a quick kiss on the cheek. Orm's eyes widened in surprise, her face turning bright red."Ling! What are you doing?" Orm whispered, glancing around nervously.Ling smirked. "No one's watching. Don't be so shy."But someone was watching. Phon, hidden around the corner, saw everything. His hands clenched into fists, and his face twisted into a furious scowl.The next day, as Ling and Orm arrived at college, they noticed people staring at them. Ling held her head high, walking confidently like the boss lady she was, but the whispers and murmurs didn't escape her notice.When they reached class, Ling left for a committee meeting, leaving Orm behind. That's when one of Orm's friends leaned over and whispered, "Orm, you shouldn't sit with Ling anymore.""What? Why not?" Orm asked, frowning.The friend hesitated before saying, "Don't you know? Everyone's saying Ling is… gay."Orm's world tilted. She felt like the ground beneath her feet had vanished. "What? Who's saying that?""It's all over campus," another friend said. "People are talking about how she's always with you, how close you two are. You should distance yourself before people start saying the same about you."Orm felt tears welling up in her eyes. How could this happen? And right before the election…Meanwhile, at the committee meeting, Ling was facing her own storm."Ling," one of the members said coldly, "you should drop out of the election."Ling's eyes narrowed. "Why would I do that?""Because your… preferences are making people uncomfortable," another member said. "The rumors about you —""There's nothing wrong with me ," Ling interrupted, her voice steady but sharp. "And even if there was, it's none of your business.""We're just saying that this could hurt your chances," the first member said.Ling clenched her fists under the table, struggling to keep her composure. "I'm not dropping out. If you have a problem with me, that's on you."After class, Phon grabbed Orm's arm and dragged her to a quiet valley outside the college."Phon, what are you doing?" Orm demanded, trying to pull away."Orm," Phon said, his voice cold, "did you see how people are treating Ling? I know you're not like her. It must be her dragging you into this mess."Orm's eyes filled with tears as she grabbed Phon's collar. "Did you do this? Did you start these rumors?"Phon didn't flinch. "Yes, I did. I wanted to protect you from her. She's ruining your reputation."Orm slapped him hard across the face."Why did you slap me?!" Phon shouted, his anger boiling over. "Because of that witch?""Who are you calling a witch?!" Orm yelled. "You're the psycho here!""You're choosing her over me?" Phon asked, grabbing Orm's jaw tightly."I love her, not you!" Orm shouted, struggling against his grip.Phon's face twisted into a cruel smile. "You'll regret choosing her over me."Orm's voice trembled as she stared at Phon, her hands weakly pushing against his chest to break free from his grip."Which regret are you talking about?" she said, her voice hoarse. "I never thought of you that way. I only love her. I will never love you."Her words hit Phon like a dagger. His jaw tightened, and his hands shook with barely contained rage."Love her?!" Phon spat. "That witch? After everything I've done for you, Orm?""Put me down!" Orm shouted, her voice breaking.Phon didn't listen. His breathing was heavy, his face twisted in fury. Without warning, his hand lashed out, striking Orm hard across the face.The force of the slap was brutal, her head snapping to the side. She gasped as a sharp pain exploded in her cheek, and she felt the warm trickle of blood running down from her nose.She blinked, disoriented, her vision swimming as tears of pain and shock blurred her sight. Her hand instinctively went to her face, and when she pulled it back, her fingers were stained red."Phon... stop," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.But he wasn't done. His grip on her loosened slightly, giving her the chance to stumble back a step, but she was still trapped."You're choosing her over me?" Phon growled, his voice low and venomous. His hand shot out again, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at him.Orm winced, her jaw aching as his fingers dug into her skin. "You'll regret this, Orm," Phon said, his eyes blazing with anger. "You'll regret choosing her over me. I've loved you for years. YEARS! And you throw me aside for her?"Orm's voice was shaky, but she found the strength to speak. "You don't love me, Phon," she said, tears streaming down her face. "This... this isn't love. It's control. And I'll never choose you. NEVER!"Her words only seemed to fuel his rage, but as he stepped closer, she saw a moment of hesitation. Seizing her chance, she pushed against him with all the strength she had left."You'll regret this, Orm," he repeated, his voice dripping with malice as she stumbled back.Her heart pounded as she finally broke free, trying to run away.