Tawny was sitting in class during first period. It hadn't been five minutes since the start of class when the intercom sounded. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!" An unmistakably familiar voice announced. "As many of you hopefully already know, today is the lovely Tawny Dean's birthday. Please remember to wish her the very best if you happen to see her and let her know how much we appreciate that she came to this earth to be with us. And now, please join me in singing, 'Happy birthday to you…'"
Gradually, the entire class joined in. Tawny could feel her face burning. But it wasn't a feeling of embarrassment, far from it. It was the feeling of Louis's undiluted love reaching her through the airwaves and into the classroom. And it was the feeling of knowing that Louis felt no shame for it, felt no shame for how much he loved her. It was the feeling of Louis's love making her love him even more than she thought she could.
Tawny walked to her locker after class. She was greeted by one birthday greeting after another in the hallway. She gratefully acknowledged each one of them, knowing that they came because of Louis. They were Louis's gift to her, a gift that would keep on giving all day.
Louis hesitantly approached Tawny at her locker. For the first time that day, he could feel a sense of embarrassment. It was embarrassment not about what he had done, but about the prospect that what he had done had been an embarrassment to her. "Happy birthday, Tawny," he said somewhat shyly, as his eyes met hers.
Tawny said nothing. She could still feel traces of the burning sensation, and seeing Louis standing there rekindled it. Without warning, she pulled him into a kiss and embraced him tightly. She held him in the kiss for longer than usual, long enough that they could hear the catcalls in the background.
Louis could feel his face burning. But it wasn't a feeling of embarrassment, far from it. It was the feeling of Tawny's undiluted love reaching her through her lips, right there in the middle of the hallway. And it was the feeling of knowing that Tawny felt no shame for it, felt no shame for how much she loved him. It was the feeling of Tawny's love making him love her even more than he thought he could.
Tawny finally drew back. She stared fondly at Louis as he breathed heavily, reeling from the power of what he had just felt. "Thank you, Louis," she said with a smile. "Thank you for being you."