It was the perfect meeting place. Despite planning the location on a whim, Barbara was pleased to find the classroom corridor to be empty. She leaned against a wall as she gazed at a pink bookmark with a primrose pattern and sighed anxiously. I'm sure she'll love it, she thought, as she admired her own handiwork. It was a last minute effort that took several tries and a good portion of the night. She did her best, regardless.
"Hi, Barbara!" Lotte waved on the other side of the corridor.
Her voice prompted Barbara to stand up straight and hide the bookmark behind her.
"Lotte!" Barbara exclaimed as they quickly walked towards each other.
"Diana said you wanted to see me?" The shorter witch moved her shoulders from side to side as she looked eagerly at the other.
Barbara was taken aback by her adorable little dance but managed to compose herself as she showed Lotte her present.
"Happy birthday, Lotte!"
Lotte's eyes widened, as if to fill in the frames of her large, round glasses. She took the bookmark and gave it a long look, noticing all the details like how Barbara used fine silk for the flower's petals, or how she used a simple freshness charm to keep the leaves from wilting, or the cute ribbon on top that glittered, even in the shade. She moved her gaze up to Barbara with a wide smile. "Thank you, Barbara! I love it!"
Barbara's shoulder relaxed as she sighed in relief. "I'm glad you like it. Diana and Hannah kinda helped me with ideas because I couldn't really decide what to do. I just wish I could have done something more."
"No, no, it's very lovely!" Lotte reassured her.
Barbara felt a warm sensation well up from her chest. That bashful witch looked away in an attempt to hide her blush. She held her arm and fidgeted a little bit. Lotte was making her incredibly flustered, even though they were the only two present in the corridor. It wasn't such a terrible feeling though. In fact, Barbara couldn't help smiling at the fact that Lotte was pleased with her present.
"I guess we can go back to-"
Before Barbara could finish the sentence, she felt Lotte's lips pressed on her cheek. She didn't expect it, or maybe it was because the shorter witch was just really quick, but Lotte moved in close, stood on her toes and gave Barbara a quick kiss.
"Hehe, you were wide open for that one!" Lotte teased the now beet red Barbara, although Lotte herself was also blushing vividly.
"G-geez! Don't do that all of a sudden!" Barbara pouted as she touched her cheek. It incredibly hot from Lotte's surprise attack.
Lotte simply smiled back at her and added, "I love you!"
Barbara never thought her face could go any redder.