Sewing 101: candle, heat, orange
Back to School: colored pencils
Amber's Attic: "I swear when our lips touch, I can taste the next sixty years."- Rudy Francisco
Lyric Alley: I did not deserve
Word Count: 408
"You did this for me?" Cho asks, watching her girlfriend light the candles on the cake.
"It's really not a big deal," Marietta mumbles.
But it really is. After a while, birthdays just become regular days. She can't remember the last time she's actually been excited to turn older until now.
The cake is small, and the edges are lopsided, but it's decorated in sunset orange frosting that makes Cho so happy. It's easy to tell that Marietta has put a lot of work into making sure Cho feels special today. She doesn't think she deserves it, but she would never tell Marietta that.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you." And as Marietta sings, her voice off-key and shrill but still so beautiful, Cho wonders how it's possible that she's falling even more in love.
"Make a wish."
How can Cho wish for anything when Marietta is already everything she needs? She tries to think of anything she might want in life, but all she can think about is her girlfriend. She leans in, and she can feel the gentle heat from the candles' flames as she purses her lips and blows them out. I wish for forever with Marietta.
"What did you wish for?" Marietta asks, already cutting a slice of the most mouthwatering cake Cho has ever seen.
"You can't tell your wish," Cho says, accepting a piece of cake. "If you do, it won't come true, and I'm not taking that chance."
"Fair enough," Marietta says with a smile, turning away from the cake.
"Aren't you getting a piece?" Cho asks, finally taking a bite and enjoying the moist, chocolatey goodness in her mouth.
"First things first," Marietta says. "I have to give you your present."
Cho can't even remember the last time anyone has given her a birthday present. She can't help but smile as Marietta retrieves a pack of nice colored pencils. They aren't wrapped, but they're topped with a metallic blue bow.
"I didn't know what else to get you," Marietta murmurs. "I know you've started drawing again, so…"
Cho sets her cake aside and wraps her arms around Marietta, holding her close. She doesn't know how she's so lucky, how she could have such a wonderful girlfriend who genuinely cares about her. Unable to resist the smile that tugs at her lips, Cho kisses her, and she can't help but feel like her wish is going to come true.
