Hay Lin sparkles in a twinkling sequined jumpsuit—likely a design of her own creation, Irma muses. She sips champagne from a flute-shaped glass and giggles with art college alumni at the gallery opening who gape, astonished, at her work. Her smile is beaming. Dazzling.
When the gallery doors close, Irma takes refuge with her on the bench outside. Hay Lin scrawls hearts and stars and little alien heads all over her hands. She feels dizzy.
"Hay Lin…" Her mouth is dry as sandpaper. "I think I'm in love with you."
"I know," says Hay Lin, nonchalant.
"You know?!" Irma squeaks. She wrenches her illustrated hand away. "How?!"
"I dunno." She leans in conspiratorially, and Irma gulps, drowning in her dark brown eyes. "It's like I have a fifth sense."
In spite of herself, she laughs, but sobers quickly. "I…" Her eyes wander. "I don't want to lose you."
She is heartbreakingly pretty as she offers a smile. "You could never lose me," she assures her. Gentle as a breeze, she caresses Irma's cheek with the back of her hand. "I love you, too. Obviously."
Irma wants to say something, anything, but then Hay Lin is pressing her lips to hers. For the briefest of moments, she is everywhere. And then Irma is kissing her back. The bite of champagne is still sweet on her lips, sweet like joy, sweet as the laughter that escapes from her lungs as relief overcomes her. With her body pressed to hers, the thud of their heartbeats combine as they breathe each other in.
She breaks the kiss, finally, and feels Hay Lin's smile before she sees it. She squeezes Irma's hand and wipes away the tear that races down her cheek.
Her heart is soaring. There is so much, still, that she wants to say. For now she chuckles and says, "I can't believe we've both been gay for each other this whole time."
Hay Lin's face contorts in mock confusion. "You're gay?"
Irma dissolves into giggles. She kisses her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, her chin, her neck, her ears, the lids of her eyes, everywhere that her lips can reach as Hay Lin squeals with delight. Each kiss is punctuated with bright laughter.
Yes, she thinks. Hay Lin is really the smartest one of them all.
A/N: how could I not give these two a happy ending? they are soulmates, I love them, and I love you for reading this far! again, reviews are free, and thank you so much for giving this a read. I really hope you liked it!
Big love!
A
Xxxxxxx