Cupiditas (part two)

Chapter 16 - Birthday

Mya's POV:

Today is my 19th birthday and also Bonfire Night. Although Bonfire Night is a British thing I liked the idea of everybody celebrating with fireworks on the day I was born and every year since. Only a few of my friends knew it was birthday, I wasn't even sure if Larissa knew. I hadn't made any particular plans other than video calling my parents and my sister in Canada.

As I was getting changed in the morning there was a knock at my door. When I opened it there stood Wednesday, Enid, Divina, Yoko, Bianca, Ajax, Xavier and Kent singing 'happy birthday' to me. Enid was holding a rainbow cake and the others each had a gift.
"Happy birthday Mya!" Enid squealed excitedly, "do you like the cake? I made it in rainbow colours just for you!"
"I love it! Thank you guys!"
I invited them in and we sat around eating the cake while I opened my presents. My favourite was Wednesday's gift, a first edition of 'Jane Eyre'.
We attended our usual classes and it was a pretty normal day, which I was fine with. After everything that had happened lately I just wanted to relax. My parents had sent me new headphones so my plan was to fall asleep listening to a playlist.
But when I got back to my room I found another note on my pillow.

Come to my office at 6pm. I have a surprise for you. L xx

*

Larissa was back from her trip but had been hiding away in her office for most of the day, busy with something or other, so I hadn't seen her yet.
"Hello my love" she said when she opened the door, her shoulders dropped and her body relaxed as soon as she saw me.
"Hey you" I said as I stepped in.
She closed and locked the door then from behind she put her hands over my eyes.
"This way" she whispered and walked me in the direction of her quarters. My hands instinctively reached out for obstacles even though I knew the way by now.

"Surprise!"
She lifted her hands away and my heart melted at what I saw. A candle-lit dinner in front of the fireplace in her living room. She had pushed the couches to the wall to make way for a round table dressed in a white cloth with two chairs either side. A singular red rose sat in a slim vase in the centre with a candle in a candlestick either side.
"Happy birthday my love" Larissa gushed and kissed my temple.
"Aww Larissa this is so lovely! How did you know?"
"School records silly".
I laughed at my own stupidity, "of course you dumbass".
Still behind me she wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her chin on my shoulder, "I'm sorry I wasn't around for you today. I'll make it up to you".
"You already have".
She kissed my cheek, leaving another lipstick mark on my left side.
"I cooked your favourite meal you know" she said, pleased with herself.
"Lasagne?"
"Yes, from scratch too!"
"Ooo! So you're talented in the bedroom and the kitchen? Good to know".
"Just you wait for dessert darling. It will blow your mind".

The meal was delicious, probably the best lasagne I'd ever tasted! I even had seconds!
"Wow Larissa that was delicious! You're an amazing cook!" I said, rubbing my full belly.
"Thank you dear. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much".
I offered to help her clean up but she refused, saying "the birthday girl isn't allowed to lift a finger" so I happily watched her potter about the kitchen area in her cute floral apron.

"Now before we have dessert I want to give you your gift" she said when she rejoined me at the table. She reached up to the mantelpiece and took a rectangular box from it, it was wrapped in red paper with an intricate gold bow on the top.
"Aww babe you didn't have to" I said, touched by her gesture.
"Don't be silly! What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't treat the one I love on her birthday?" she said, presenting the gift to me. The words "girlfriend" and "the one I love" made me feel all giddy inside!
"Thank you" I accepted it and untied the bow. I ripped open the paper to see a dark box, inside was a black suede choker necklace with a patterned silver heart pendant dangling from it.
"Oh Larissa! This is gorgeous!" I couldn't take my eyes off the pendant shining in the light.
"Turn it over" she said softly.
Engraved on the back of the heart in tiny letters was 'Cupiditas' and an 'x' underneath.
I gasped and my hand instinctively went over my mouth, I felt like I was going to cry!
"Do you like it?" Larissa asked, slightly worried by my reaction.
"I absolutely love it...and I love you" I got up from my chair and ran over to kiss her with every ounce of gratitude.
"Mmm I'll shower you with gifts everyday if this is the thanks I get" she joked, "would you like me to help you put it on?"
"Yes please" she stood up and I moved my hair aside, she carefully placed the choker around my neck and fastened the clasp. I turned around and her ocean blue eyes went straight to it.
"It looks so lovely on you" she said, playing with the pendant.
"You know what else looks good on me?" I flirted, "you".
She laughed, "that's terrible".
"I know but it was worth a shot" and I grabbed her waist to yank her in closer. Our lips were centimetres away from each other when I was startled by a loud bang outside and yellow sparks falling from the sky.
"What the hell was that?!" I cried, now clinging to Larissa.
She laughed again and stroked my head, "it's OK Mya".
Another loud bang then green sparks descending. Another then blue sparks. Another then pink sparks.
"Do you know you share your birthday with a British celebration called Bonfire Night?" Larissa said and things started to fall into place.
"Yes I know of it" I answered, still hanging onto her.
"Well it's also known as Fireworks Night, so I arranged a fireworks display...especially for you".
I was so touched, I looked up at her with heart eyes. This angel just continued to amaze me everyday.
"Oh my god that is so sweet! Is this why you've been so busy today?"
She nodded bashfully.
We started to hear a commotion out in the courtyard, students and teachers were gathering to watch the display too.
"Come on, let's go and enjoy it together" she said and walked me onto her balcony.

We looked up watching the fireworks burst in the sky in a multitude of patterns and colours. We heard excited chatter from the crowd below, I took a peek over the edge to see everyone wrapped up in coats and scarves gazing up at the display in pure wonderment. I looked over at Larissa and she was transfixed, each burst of colour reflecting on her skin in the most beautiful way. I intertwined my fingers with hers in a discreet display of affection but she pulled me in close to her, firmly holding my body against hers.
"It's OK no one can see us up here" she whispered and kissed me, "happy birthday my love".

Hi reader! Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hadn't intended on doing a second part to Cupiditas but lots of you asked for it so I hope you enjoyed it! It's also on AO3 if you'd like to support it there too ❤️