Chapter 6: The First Conversation

As I sat in the quiet corner of the library, my eyes closed to protect them from the harsh fluorescent lights, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. My mind was still reeling from the unexpected encounter with Hange, and I was eager to see him again. When he arrived, he smiled and sat down beside me, his presence calm and soothing. "Hey, how are you today?" he asked, his voice gentle and soft. I opened my eyes slightly, feeling the warmth of his gaze on me. I reached for my communication device, a tablet with a specialized app that helped me express myself. Hange had learned to use it, and it had become our primary means of communication. "I'm good," I typed, my fingers moving slowly over the screen. "Thanks for asking." Hange nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm glad to hear that. I was thinking, maybe we could talk more about our interests? I want to get to know you better." I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. No one had ever taken the time to learn about me, to understand my passions and interests. Hange's genuine interest in getting to know me was refreshing. "I like writing," I typed, my fingers moving quickly over the screen. "I like to imagine worlds and characters." Hange's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing," he said. "I've always been fascinated by creative writing. Maybe you can show me some of your work sometime?" I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of sharing my writing with Hange. It was a vulnerable thing to do, but I felt like I could trust him. As we continued to talk, I realized that Hange was easy to talk to. He listened intently, asking questions and making thoughtful comments. I found myself opening up to him, sharing my thoughts and feelings in a way that I never had with anyone before. As our conversation came to a close, Hange smiled at me. "I'm really glad we talked," he said. "I feel like I'm getting to know you better." I smiled back, feeling a sense of connection that I couldn't ignore. "I'm glad we talked too," I typed. Hange nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of seeing him again. As he left, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Hange. He was kind and understanding, patient and gentle. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I had found someone who truly saw me. As I sat there, my eyes closed, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, I had found someone who could help me navigate this chaotic world. And maybe, just maybe, I had found someone who could love me for who I was, sensory sensitivities and all. The next day, Hange came to visit me again. We talked more about our interests, and he shared some of his own passions with me. I was fascinated by his love of sports, and he was impressed by my creativity. As we talked, I realized that we had a lot in common. We both loved learning, and we both valued kindness and compassion. And as we sat there, I felt a sense of connection that I couldn't ignore. "I'm really glad we're friends," Hange said, smiling at me. I smiled back, feeling a sense of happiness. "Me too," I typed. And as we parted ways, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Hange. He was a kind and understanding person, and I felt lucky to have him in my life. As I lay in bed that night, my eyes closed, I couldn't help but think about Hange. I wondered what the future held for us, and I couldn't wait to find out. I felt my heart beating fast as I thought about the possibility of a relationship with Hange. I had never been in a relationship before, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But with Hange, I felt a sense of trust and comfort that I had never felt before. And as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe, just maybe, I had found someone who could love me for who I was.