Hyacinth wasn't expecting to see Lana again so soon. Her mind kept drifting back to that morning encounter, replaying the way Lana had stood in her doorway, rain-soaked and teasing, with that faint glint in her eyes that seemed to know far more than she could admit.
The next day, she was busy tidying up around her home when the doorbell rang. Her stomach dropped when she peeped outside and saw Lana. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorknob before finally opening it.
"Hi"
"Hyacinth," came her voice, smooth and warm. Just hearing it sent a shiver down her spine. "There's this house party tonight. Nothing too crazy, just a small gathering. I thought maybe you'd like to come along?"
She blinked in surprise. The thought of stepping into Lana's world, her circle, made her heart beat fast. Her immediate instinct was to say no. Getting involved could make things complicated. But she didn't want to turn her down, either.
"Sure," she replied, fighting to keep her tone balanced. "Sounds… fun."
"Great! Pick you up at seven?" Her voice held a note of excitement, and before she could fully process what she'd agreed to, Lana exited the room.
***
As the evening drew closer, Hyacinth found herself pacing her small bedroom, trying on various outfits and discarding each one. Her nerves were frayed, tension twisting in her stomach as she wondered what kind of night lay ahead. Finally, she settled on a fitted black dress that felt just daring enough. She took a breath, ironed out her dress, and went to wait by the window.
When seven rolled around, Lana pulled up in a sleek black car. Her heart skipped a beat when she stepped out, looking effortlessly beautiful in a dark red dress that accentuated her figure. There was something captivating, even dangerous, about her tonight, and Hyacinth felt the pull stronger than ever.
"You look stunning," Lana murmured, her gaze sweeping over her with an intensity that left her breathless.
"So do you," she replied, managing a small smile as she slipped into the passenger seat, inhaling her perfume—subtle, warm, intoxicating.
The drive to the party was short, but the silence between them was charged with attraction & unsaid motives. When they arrived, Lana led her inside a large house filled with music, laughter, and a haze of neon lights. The place was packed, and just as Lana's hand brushed against Hyacinth's qas they navigated through the crowd, she felt jolts of warmth flowing through her.
"Make yourself at home," she said, flashing her a smile that was a touch too easy, as if nothing unusual was between them. "I'll grab us some drinks."
She nodded, watching as Lana disappeared into the throng of people. She found herself a quiet corner, trying to settle the wild beating of her heart, but her eyes followed Lana. She watched the way she laughed, the way people gravitated toward her, her easy charm and confidence.
But then, her gaze caught something unsettling— a tall, dark-haired man moved toward Lana with his arm draping casually over her shoulder. Lana greeted him with a warm smile, one that held far more familiarity than Hyacinth would have liked. They shared a laugh, and she felt the world tilt just slightly as she realized the man's hand lingered a little too long, his touch too possessive. She tried to control her breath, telling herself she had no right to be affected, yet the burning in her chest said otherwise.
Lana returned a moment later, two drinks in hand, smiling as if nothing were amiss.
"Here you go," she said, handing Hyacinth a glass, with her face bearing a picture of innocence.
"Thanks," Hyacinth managed, gripping the drink as if it were an anchor.
They stood together, sipping their drinks in silence as the music played around them. But her gaze kept drifting back to the man, who was watching Lana from across the room with an expression that was unmistakable.
"Who's he?" The question slipped out before she could stop it, her voice was hardly audible over the music.
Lana shifted her gaze to the man, then back to Hyacinth, her smile unfaltering.
"Oh, that's Andrew. He's, um… a friend."
Hyacinth's heart sank at the hesitation in her voice.
A friend? Andrew's gaze didn't look friendly.
Lana continued sipping her drink, seemingly unfazed, but Hyacinth caught the faintest shift in her expression, a trace of something hidden.
"Just a friend?" She asked, her voice tinged with the jealousy she had hoped to keep buried. She tried to sound casual, but the words came out clipped.
Lana chuckled, glancing down at her drink.
"Why? Jealous?"
The question hit like a spark in a room full of gas, and she felt her cheeks grow warm. She opened her mouth to protest, but Lana's teasing gaze held her in place. For a moment, everything else faded— the music, the crowd, even Andrew's watchful eyes.
"What if I am?" She finally replied, surprising even herself with the honesty of it.
Lana's eyes widened, but only for a split second before that playful smile returned. She took a step closer, the electrifying tension between them tightened like a rope pulled taut.
"Then maybe you'll have to do something about it."
Lana's words seemed to ripple through her, sparking a thousand thoughts she couldn't hold onto. But before she could respond, Andrew appeared beside them, his hand settling possessively on Lana's waist. Hyacinth felt the spell break, the heat between them dissipating as she turned her gaze away.
"Lana," he said, "I was wondering where you disappeared to."
"I was just chatting with Hyacinth," Lana replied, her posture stiffening slightly under his touch.
She forced a polite smile, feeling every nerve in her body scream with frustration. She wanted to grab Lana's hand, pull her away from him, but the rational part of her knew she couldn't.
"Nice to meet you, Hyacinth," he said, extending a hand. She took it reluctantly, feeling the slight pressure in his grip, the silent assertion of dominance. His eyes studied her, dark and probing, and she resisted the urge to pull her hand away too quickly.
"You too," she replied coolly, trying to maintain her composure.
His attention shifted back to Lana, and she watched as he whispered something in her ear, something that made Lana laugh softly. The sight felt like a twist of a knife in her chest. She took a long sip of her drink, hoping it would dull the frustration.
Lana's gaze flicked to her, catching her expression, and for a moment, there was a hint of apology in her eyes— a silent acknowledgment of the tension between them. It was small, fleeting, but she held onto it, a lifeline in the crowded room.
An hour passed in strained silence, the three of them locked in an awkward dance of glances, forced smiles, and words unspoken. Finally, Andrew stepped away to speak with a group of friends, leaving both of them alone again.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend," she murmured, trying to keep her tone neutral, but the bitterness seeped through.
"Didn't think it mattered," Lana replied, her eyes holding a challenge. "It's… complicated."
"Complicated?".
Lana shrugged, her gaze shifting toward the dance floor, where Andrew was mingling.
"We've been on and off for a while. It's not serious."
"Could've fooled me," Hyacinth muttered, not loud enough for Lana to hear.
Lana's eyes snapped back to hers, sharp and intense.
"Why do you care, anyway?"
The question felt intense, and Hyacinth's breath hitched. She didn't know how to respond, not without revealing the tangled mess of feelings that had been building inside her. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet Lana's gaze head-on.
"I don't," she said, but her voice betrayed her with a slight tremble.
Lana's expression softened, and she took a step closer, closing the distance between them. Her hand brushed Hyacinth's arm, lingering just long enough to make her pulse race.
"Liar."
The word wasn't said loudly, but it held a force that struck her harder than she had expected. Lana's gaze didn't waver, her eyes held a silent invitation… a challenge, daring her to break down the wall between them.
Hyacinth's resolve crumbled. She felt herself leaning in, her thoughts scattering as she got closer to Lana. The world around them faded, her mind drowning in the warmth of her presence, the pull she had tried so hard to resist.
But before she could close the gap, Andrew returned, his hand once again finding Lana's waist, pulling her back into his orbit.