The days following their first in-person meeting were a blur for Gianna. She couldn't stop thinking about Hana. The sound of her laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when she was passionate about something, how she seemed to make everything feel a little more exciting, a little more possible. It wasn't just the drawing that had captivated Gianna—it was Hana herself.
As the week passed, Gianna found herself replaying moments from their day together. The way Hana had gently helped her with each drawing, offering words of encouragement with a calm assurance that made her feel safe. But it was more than that—there had been moments where their eyes had met, moments where the world seemed to quiet down around them. Gianna couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more between them, something unspoken, yet palpable.
On Friday evening, Gianna was sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone when a text from Hana appeared.
"Hey, would you be interested in doing something this weekend? I was thinking of going to a restaurant and then maybe take you to my place to watch a few movies after? Totally chill if you're busy, just wanted to hang out again."
Gianna's fingers hesitated over her phone for a moment. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach as her eyes traced over the message. It wasn't just an invitation; it felt like an opportunity to take their connection to the next level. It felt natural, but it also felt like something that could turn into something more.
She quickly typed back, her fingers moving almost too fast.
"I'd love to. I'm free all weekend. That sounds perfect."
Hana's reply came within seconds.
"Awesome! Can't wait to see you again. Make sure to dress nice."
Gianna smiled to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. This was exactly what she had wanted—time to spend with Hana, to talk more, to be around her without the barrier of a screen.
Saturday afternoon came quickly, and Gianna found herself standing in front of her mirror, trying to decide what to wear. She wanted to look nice for Hana. She chose a black fitted dress, and her favorite heels. After a quick check to make sure she looked okay, she grabbed her bag and headed out.
When Gianna arrived at the restaurant, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Hana sitting at a table near the window, scrolling through her phone. Hana's hair was loose today, falling in messy waves around her face, and she wore a black sweatshirt and baggy pants that made her look effortlessly gorgeous.
As soon as Gianna walked in, Hana looked up, her face lighting up with that easy, confident smile that Gianna had come to adore.
"Gianna, you look so good." Hana exclaimed, standing up to greet her.
"Hey! Thank you." Gianna smiled, her heart pounding in her chest as she walked over to the table. "It's good to see you again."
"You too," Hana said, her voice low but warm. She gestured to the chair across from hers. "Sit, sit. I ordered us some drinks. Hope that's okay."
Gianna sat down, her nervousness slowly melting away in the warmth of Hana's presence. She was just as stunning in person, if not more so. The way she carried herself was magnetic, drawing Gianna in with every word, every smile.
They spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing. They shared their favorite books and movies, laughed at silly stories from their childhoods, and found common ground in things they both loved. Hana told Gianna about her time in college, how she'd come out to her friends and family, and how that had shaped her into the person she was today. Gianna shared some of her own experiences, how her bisexuality had sometimes made her feel like she didn't quite fit into one box, but how she had learned to embrace it over time.
There was something so effortless about their conversation. Even the pauses felt comfortable, like there was no pressure to fill the silence. And yet, every time their eyes met, Gianna couldn't help but feel a little spark between them. It was subtle, but undeniable.
As they finished their drinks, Hana leaned back in her chair and looked at Gianna with a soft smile. "So, what do you think? Want to go to mine and watch those movies?"
Gianna's heart fluttered at the idea of spending more time with her, of having the chance to be with Hana outside of the restaurant. "Yeah, I'd love to."
Gianna followed Hana to her house, the autumn air hitting her face as she rolls down the window. The sun has already set and the moon was out. They pull into the driveway and she gets out, meeting Hana again. Gianna noticed how the moonlight made Hana's features even more striking, the way she looked mysterious as the moonlight slightly shined on her.
They walked into her house surrounded by a comfortable silence, the kind of silence that felt easy rather than awkward. Gianna couldn't help but sneak glances at Hana, her stomach doing flips every time their hands brushed by accident.
Hana closes the door behind her and smiles."Do you need some more... comfy clothes? I'm sure your feet are hurting like hell." Gianna's heart skipped a beat. She nods and Hana goes to her room, grabbing some clothes. She soon comes back with a white shirt and sweatpants.
Gianna sits down and leans down to undo her heels, but Hana swats her hand away. "Let me take care of this princess." Gianna's heart skips a beat once more. Hana sets her shoes aside and helps her up. Gianna goes the bathroom and changes before coming back and sitting next to Hana on the couch.
"You know, I like spending time with you." Hana says, her voice quiet but genuine. Gianna felt her cheeks heat up as she met Hana's gaze. "I like spending time with you too. I didn't expect this to be... like this."
"Like what?" Hana asked, her lips curling into a teasing smirk.
Gianna hesitated, then decided to speak her truth. "Like... I didn't expect to feel such a connection with you. It feels like it's more than just friendship, you know?"
Hana's smile faltered for just a second, and Gianna's heart lurched. Had she said something wrong?
But then, Hana's expression softened, and she scooted a bit closer, closing the distance between them. "I know exactly what you mean," she said quietly. "I've been feeling the same way."
Gianna's breath caught in her throat as Hana reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind Gianna's ear. The touch was light, tender, and Gianna could feel her pulse racing in response.
Hana's voice dropped even lower as she leaned in, just a breath away from Gianna's lips. "I don't want to rush anything, but... I'm really glad we met."
Gianna's heart was pounding in her chest, her whole body acutely aware of the space between them. She could feel the heat radiating from Hana, and for the first time, she wasn't sure who leaned in first, but their lips met in a kiss that was soft, tentative, but full of the unspoken emotions they had both been harboring.
The world seemed to fade away as they kissed, the movie, the background noise, even the distant hum of traffic all of it disappeared. All that mattered in that moment was the warmth of Hana's lips against hers, the way their connection felt so undeniable.
When they finally pulled apart, they stayed close, breathing in each other's air, the moment stretching between them like a promise.
"I think we should do this again," Gianna whispered, her voice barely audible.
Hana smiled, her eyes glinting with something playful. "I think that's a great idea."
And in that moment, Gianna knew that something had shifted between them—a spark that was no longer just an idea, but something real, something worth exploring.
YOU ARE READING
Love in the Spotlight
AcakLove in the Spotlight is a heartwarming romance that follows the journey of Gianna, a creative and confident young woman, and Hana, a masculine lesbian with a passion for art and self-expression. Their story begins unexpectedly through a comment on...