𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍'
𝟐𝟎. 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲

The crisp winter air nipped at Gianna's cheeks as she stepped out of the car, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. Lando was already ahead of her, pushing a cart through the slushy parking lot toward the grocery store entrance.

"You act like we're feeding an army," she teased, catching up to him.

"Have you seen the group we're hosting tonight?" Lando shot back with a grin. "Max alone eats like three people. Better safe than sorry."

Gianna rolled her eyes but smiled, nudging his shoulder as they walked inside. The store was bustling, filled with people scrambling for last-minute supplies, the hum of conversations and clinking carts creating a kind of chaotic rhythm.

"So, what's left on the list?" she asked as they navigated through the produce section.

Lando pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket pocket and unfolded it dramatically. "Snacks, champagne, some fresh bread, and..." He squinted at his own handwriting. "Is that... candles? Who wrote candles?"

Gianna raised her hand with a sheepish smile. "That was me. Thought it might add a little vibe to the table tonight."

"Candles," Lando repeated with mock seriousness. "Very classy, darling. Next thing you know, you'll be asking for fancy napkins."

"Don't tempt me," she shot back, grabbing a bundle of fresh herbs from a nearby stand.

They worked their way through the aisles, Lando tossing random items into the cart when he thought she wasn't looking. Gianna caught him slipping in a pack of chocolate cookies and raised an eyebrow.

"Do we really need those?" she asked, though there was no real disapproval in her tone.

"It's for the group," he said innocently, then grinned. "Alright, it's for me. But if anyone asks, it's for the group."

Gianna laughed, shaking her head. "Fine. But only because I might steal one later."

As they moved through the store, they fell into an easy rhythm, chatting about the plans for the night and their favorite New Year's traditions. When they reached the champagne section, Lando grabbed a bottle, holding it up for her approval.

"Good enough?" he asked.

Gianna examined the label, tilting her head. "You really think I'd say no to champagne?"

He smirked. "Fair point."

They checked off the last few items on the list, Gianna picking out some festive napkins despite Lando's earlier teasing, and headed to the checkout.

On the way back to the car, Gianna wrapped her arms around herself, the cold biting a little harder now that the sun was dipping lower. Lando noticed and handed her the bag he was carrying, freeing up his arm to drape it over her shoulders.

"You're freezing," he said, his voice warm against the chill in the air.

"I'm fine," she replied, though she leaned into his side just a little.

"Sure you are," he teased, but he didn't move his arm, and she didn't pull away.

By the time they loaded the car and headed back to the house, the warmth inside was a welcome relief. As they unpacked the groceries, Lando held up the candles she'd insisted on buying.

"So, do I light these before or after Max makes his inevitable speech tonight?"

Gianna laughed, tossing a tea towel at him. "Before. Definitely before."

The playful moment hung in the air as they finished preparing, the anticipation for the evening building as the last day of the year unfolded around them.

       The soft hum of music drifted through the house as Gianna stood in front of the mirror, slipping on a pair of delicate earrings. Her black dress hugged her figure perfectly, the long hem flowing just enough to feel both elegant and comfortable. She adjusted a strand of her curled hair, which she'd styled half-up, the loose waves framing her face.

She stepped back, smoothing out the fabric of her dress, her heels clicking faintly against the floor as she turned to grab a final touch: a simple silver bracelet that glinted in the soft light of the room.

Behind her, the door creaked open.

Lando leaned against the frame, his tie slightly undone as he adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket. His hair was freshly styled, though there was still a touch of its usual tousled charm. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just stood there, his gaze soft as he took her in.

Gianna turned, catching him watching her, and her cheeks warmed under his stare. "What?" she asked with a small, shy smile, brushing her hair back.

"You look..." Lando paused, his voice quiet but sincere. "Beautiful."

Her smile grew, and she stepped toward him, tilting her head. "Not too bad yourself, Norris. Though you might want to fix your tie before Max gets on your case about it."

He glanced down at the loose knot and smirked. "Maybe I was hoping you'd do it for me."

Gianna rolled her eyes playfully but stepped closer, her hands brushing against his chest as she reached for the tie. "Alright, hold still."

As she adjusted the tie, Lando's eyes didn't leave her face. The way her lashes cast soft shadows against her cheeks, the slight curve of her lips as she concentrated—it was all so effortless.

"There," she said, stepping back and admiring her work. "Now you're party-ready."

Lando glanced in the mirror briefly before turning his attention back to her. "Think I'll be able to keep up with you tonight?"

Gianna laughed softly, picking up her clutch from the dresser. "Not a chance."

He grinned, offering her his arm. "I'll take my chances anyway."

She slipped her arm through his, and they made their way downstairs, the low hum of chatter from the rest of the group already beginning to fill the house as the New Year's festivities drew closer.

The house was buzzing with energy now, more people arriving as the evening unfolded. The familiar group of Max, Pietra, Oliver, Tom, Edward, and Martin was joined by a mix of new faces—friends of friends who'd been invited to the New Year's celebration. The once-cozy living room had transformed into a lively party space, the soft glow of string lights and candles illuminating the room while Martin manned the DJ booth he'd set up in the corner.

The drinks were flowing, champagne glasses clinking as laughter and conversation filled the air. Gianna had already lost count of how many people she'd been introduced to, but she didn't mind. There was something electric about the atmosphere, a kind of shared anticipation for the countdown to midnight.

Lando stood by her side for most of the night, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they moved through the crowd. She could feel his gaze on her every now and then, a quiet kind of attention that made her stomach flutter.

"Come on, Gi!" Pietra called from the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the room, where Max was already swaying exaggeratedly to the beat, clearly a few drinks in. "We need you out here!"

Gianna laughed, setting her drink down on a nearby table. "Guess I'm being summoned," she said to Lando, tilting her head toward the dance floor.

"I'm not letting you go alone," he replied, his lips quirking into a grin as he followed her.

They joined the group, the music pounding as Martin switched seamlessly between tracks, keeping the energy high. Gianna found herself dancing without a care, her dress swaying with her movements as she let the rhythm take over. Lando wasn't far behind, his usual awkwardness on the dance floor melting away as he moved with her, their laughter mingling with the music.

At one point, Max spun Pietra dramatically, nearly colliding with Tom, who was attempting his own questionable dance moves. Gianna couldn't stop laughing, her hand finding Lando's arm as she doubled over at Max's antics.

"Careful, Norris," she teased, catching her breath. "You might actually be having fun."

"I'll blame you for that," he shot back, his hand brushing hers briefly before he stepped closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "You make it hard not to."

Her heart skipped a beat at the softness in his tone, but before she could respond, Martin's voice boomed from the DJ booth.

"Alright, alright! Let's keep it moving!" he shouted, a new beat dropping as the crowd cheered.

Lando grabbed Gianna's hand, spinning her playfully before pulling her back toward him, their movements easy and light. The room blurred around them as they danced, the music pulsing in their veins and the world narrowing to just the two of them for a moment.

When the song shifted to something slower, the crowd thinned slightly, some heading to refill their drinks or take a breather. Gianna found herself standing closer to Lando than before, her breath still a little unsteady from the dancing.

"You're good at this," he said, his voice teasing but warm.

"Good at what?"

"Making everything else disappear."

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away, the noise of the party fading into the background as they stood there, the music still playing softly around them.

"Gi, Lando!" Oliver's voice cut through the moment, waving at them from the bar area. "You need another drink?"

Gianna laughed, breaking the spell. "We're good for now!" she called back before turning to Lando, her eyes glinting. "Or are you?"

"Depends," he said, his tone light again. "Am I keeping up?"

"You're doing alright, Norris," she replied, the corners of her mouth lifting as the party continued to swirl around them.

The night pulsed on, the music carrying Gianna and Lando back onto the dance floor. The room was alive with energy, laughter ringing out over the deep bass of Martin's expertly crafted playlist. Gianna swayed effortlessly to the beat, her hair bouncing with each step as Lando moved beside her, his usual reserved nature fading under the party's influence.

Max appeared out of nowhere with a mischievous grin, carrying a tray of shots. "Alright, everyone, group shots! No exceptions!"

Pietra groaned but grabbed one anyway, dragging Oliver and Tom over to join. Martin briefly abandoned the DJ booth, holding a glass in one hand and raising it high. "This better not kill my vibe, Max!"

Gianna laughed as she grabbed a shot glass, the liquid inside shimmering under the house lights. Lando stood next to her, raising his glass to meet hers with a grin.

"To... not falling on the slopes again?" he teased.

"To surviving Max's shenanigans," she shot back with a playful smirk.

They clinked glasses, the sound crisp against the lively background noise. In one smooth motion, the group threw back the shots, the burn quickly replaced by laughter as Max dramatically pretended to choke.

"Lightweight," Gianna teased him, shaking her head.

"I'm fine," Max said, coughing slightly. "But if you think you're getting out of a second round later, you're wrong."

Gianna rolled her eyes but smiled, her attention drifting back to Lando as they rejoined the dance floor. The two of them danced together again, their movements in sync, his hands hovering at her waist as the music pulsed.

But then the beat shifted, and Gianna paused, her head tilting as she recognized the opening chords of a song. Her song.

"Wait..." she murmured, glancing at Martin, who stood grinning behind the DJ booth. "Is this—?"

Lando leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear as he said, "It's you."

Gianna froze for a second, her cheeks flushing as her voice poured out through the speakers. The room didn't seem to notice the shift, the crowd still dancing and drinking, but for her, time seemed to slow.

"I didn't—" she started, glancing at Lando, who was already watching her with a soft smile.

"You didn't know?" he asked.

She shook her head, her voice quiet. "No. I don't usually play my own stuff in public."

Her song, "Make You Mine," was flowing through the speakers, and as the lyrics filled the room, they felt heavier, more real. She smiled at him, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her.

The familiar verse built toward the chorus, her voice echoing words she'd once written alone but now felt too perfect for this moment.

Lando tilted his head slightly, studying her. "This one feels personal."

She laughed softly, feeling her cheeks heat up. "It is."

As the chorus swelled, Gianna took a step closer to him, her movements slowing as the lyrics poured out. Without thinking, she began to sing along, her voice soft but sure as her eyes locked with his:

"I wanna lay you down , I wanna string you out, I wanna make you mine..."

Her hand brushed his, and Lando froze for a second before his lips curved into a small, almost disbelieving smile. The rest of the room seemed to fade as she leaned in, her voice quieter now, but still singing directly to him.

"I wanna feel the rush..."

The words hung between them as Gianna's hand moved up to rest lightly against his chest. The crowd around them danced and laughed, but she couldn't hear anything beyond her voice and the way his gaze softened.

"You know," he said after a moment, his tone teasing but warm, "you can't just sing something like that and expect me to stay cool."

She smirked, her confidence growing as she swayed with him. "Maybe I don't want you to stay cool."

Lando's eyes flickered with something unreadable for a moment before his hand moved gently to her waist, pulling her slightly closer. "If you're trying to tell me something, Gianna, I think I get the message loud and clear."

The song dipped into its bridge, and for a beat, neither of them moved. Gianna's pulse raced as her voice from the speakers sang the words she had once only dreamed of saying to him.

Then, as the music swelled again, Lando leaned in, his hand brushing against her cheek before his lips found hers in a kiss that was warm, steady, and unhurried. It was as though the rest of the room fell away, leaving just the two of them in the moment.

When they broke apart, Gianna's cheeks were flushed, and Lando grinned down at her. "That was one hell of a way to make your point."

She laughed, her hand still on his chest. "Sometimes words aren't enough."

Lando's smile softened, his voice low as he said, "I think your song might just be my new favorite."

The music shifted to a new track, and the spell of the moment turned lighter as Gianna pulled him back into the sway of the crowd. But her heart raced in her chest, knowing the night had just changed everything.

As the clock approached midnight, the music softened slightly, and the energy in the room grew electric. Everyone gathered around, glasses in hand, voices shouting over one another as the countdown began.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Gianna stood beside Lando, her cheeks flushed from the champagne and the hours of dancing. She glanced at him, catching the faint smile on his lips as he watched the group around them.

"Seven! Six! Five!"

The others were clinking glasses and yelling louder now, Max and Pietra swaying unsteadily as they tried to keep up with the numbers. Martin was still behind the DJ booth, his hand raised with his drink.

"Four! Three!"

Gianna felt Lando's arm brush against hers, and she looked up at him just as he turned toward her. His gaze was soft, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes that made her stomach flip.

"Two! One! Happy New Year!"

The room erupted with cheers and laughter, glasses clinking loudly as everyone yelled out their good wishes. Gianna barely heard it. Lando leaned in, his hand gently finding hers. She didn't hesitate, closing the space between them as their lips met in a kiss that was warm and lingering, cutting through the noise around them.

The fireworks outside boomed suddenly, lighting up the sky in vibrant colors that spilled through the windows. When they finally pulled back, the world seemed to tilt for just a moment. Gianna smiled, her breath hitching as Lando grinned down at her.

"Happy New Year," he murmured, his voice low but filled with something that made her heart race.

"Happy New Year," she whispered back, her fingers still curled loosely around his.

The rest of the group stumbled outside to watch the fireworks, their laughter echoing through the crisp night air. Gianna and Lando followed, his hand resting lightly on her back as they stepped out into the cold.

The sky exploded in bursts of red, gold, and blue, painting the snow-covered landscape in a kaleidoscope of colors. Max, clearly drunk, yelled something incoherent about the size of the fireworks, making Pietra laugh so hard she nearly spilled her drink. Martin and Tom were leaning against each other, pointing up at the sky like kids.

Gianna stood close to Lando, shivering slightly as the chill bit at her skin. He noticed and slipped an arm around her, pulling her against him. She tilted her head to look at him, and even in the glow of the fireworks, his smile was unmistakable.

"You think this year will be good to us?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible over the noise.

Lando's eyes didn't leave hers as he answered. "I think it already is."

The fireworks continued to light up the sky, but for Gianna, the real warmth came from the quiet promise in Lando's gaze, one that didn't need words to be understood.

The house was still, a stark contrast to the chaos and laughter from just hours earlier. Empty glasses and confetti were scattered across the floor, remnants of the night's celebrations, but Gianna barely noticed as she walked quietly to her room.

In the bathroom, she tied her hair back and began wiping away her makeup, the cool cleanser refreshing against her tired skin. The glow of the fireworks earlier still lingered in her mind, the moment she and Lando shared replaying like a favorite melody.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, her cheeks slightly flushed from the night, and smiled faintly.

Back in her room, she changed into a pair of soft cotton pajamas, the oversized shirt brushing just above her knees. The house was so quiet now that she could hear the faint creaks of the wooden floors and the occasional muffled sound of someone moving around.

Just as she was about to climb into bed, there was a light knock at her door. She looked up, her heart skipping a beat.

"Yeah?" she called softly.

The door opened slightly, and Lando's head peeked through, his messy curls falling over his forehead. He was dressed in a plain T-shirt and pajama bottoms, his usual confident demeanor replaced with something softer.

"Hey," he said, his voice low, almost shy. "Just wanted to see if you were good... after tonight."

Gianna smiled, leaning against the edge of the bed. "I'm good. Tired, but... yeah, it was a good night."

He stepped into the room, his bare feet padding softly against the floor. "It was," he agreed, his hands sliding into his pockets. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, taking in the relaxed way she leaned back, her hair still slightly undone.

There was a beat of silence between them before she tilted her head. "What about you? You okay?"

Lando nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah. Just... getting ready for bed."

Gianna gestured toward the bed with a smirk. "Too much champagne?" She noticed his tired and drunken eyes.

"Maybe," he teased lightly, but there was a warmth in his voice that made her heart flutter.

She shifted slightly, pulling back the covers on her side of the bed as if to wordlessly invite him to bed. Lando didn't hesitate before walking over, slipping under the blanket beside her, they slept together the whole trip together.

They lay there in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window, the quiet hum of the house surrounding them. Gianna turned her head to look at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is nice."

Lando turned his head to meet her gaze, his expression gentle. "Yeah. It is."

Neither of them spoke again as they settled in, the warmth of the moment wrapping around them like the blanket they shared. Gianna felt her eyes grow heavy, her body relaxing as the events of the night caught up with her.

Before she drifted off, she felt Lando's hand lightly brush against hers under the blanket, his fingers lacing with hers in a simple but deliberate gesture. She smiled to herself, her heart full as sleep finally claimed her.

#AUTHORSNOTE

As an early Christmas present, here is the next chapter. Tomorrow is gonna be a social media chapter, haven't added that in a long time.

Happy Holidays to those who celebrate!

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts.

J