The Girl and the Fire Lord

6 The Date - Hana's POV

It was nearly 2:45 and I wasn't quite done freshening up. Taiyo would be waiting at the lounge at 3:00, and a chill of nerves ran up my spine. The clock in Hiromi's and my room ticked away as I swept a black line of makeup on my eye. He seemed to like me a lot - and he saw my bare face and sleepy eyes at breakfast each morning - but I wanted to look nice for him. I left the room at precisely 2:57 and fast-walked down the hallway. I'd probably get there right around on time. Hopefully he wouldn't get too used to that!

When I walked into the lounge my nerves almost melted away. The pretty gold-colored couches, the glass tea tables, the hustle and bustle of the other staff members, and the brilliant grand piano in the corner of the huge room plastered a smile on my face. I looked around for my cute date and found him standing by one of the dark wooden bookshelves fixing his straight, black hair. When he looked up and made eye contact with me, he smiled hugely and waved. As I made my way over to him I noticed him holding a bouquet of the garden's flowers in his hand.

"You look so beautiful!" He said, extending the flowers and a big smile. His eyes traced down and back up my body, sending the nerves right back up my spine. He made me nervous - in a good way.

"Thank you - I've never seen a guy with such nice eyes before! You also have really cute hair. Oh, and I like your jawline." I rambled away. I could have continued, but I decided to stop myself. For now! He politely offered his arm to me and I took it. He wasn't as strong as the guards, but he felt comfortable and kind. 

"I've heard from some of the staff that you play the piano excellently, could I hear a song?" He asked. My heart thumped quickly in my chest.

"Of course! I love piano so so much and I would love to play for you!" I wondered who told him about my music and thanked them internally. When I sat down, he sat down right beside me. My fingers trembled just a bit as I reached up to the keys. He moved in closer until the side of his thigh was touching mine. When I began to play, the world dissolved until all I could hear was the tune of my favorite song and the beat of his heart. He looked at me, then back at my fingers, and then back to me, seeming to be utterly enchanted by the song. Thank goodness! When I finished, his mouth fell open a bit.

"I've never heard anything like that in my life." He said, taking my hand in his. "I'd like to hear another song..." he started, leaning in closer. My eyes locked with his and my lips naturally parted just a bit. Everything in me pulled me closer to him, and I wanted him to reach around and pull me all the way in. "...but first - may I kiss you?" he asked. I smiled and leaned up to reach his mouth, letting his hands pull me the rest of the way. He let his fingers trail down my spine, this time sending electricity instead of nerves. The nerves had completely melted away. When he started to pull away, I relaxed into his arms, letting my head sink down onto his shoulder. 

"You're a beautiful person" He said. "Beautiful on the outside, of course, but you have a beautiful spirit as well. You're talented and kind and energetic - I want to know more."

I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy the moment. "I'd love to show you."