The Board

The drive to Jericho went by slowly, yet too fast. Slowly because you couldn't wait to see Larissa, but fast because you didn't know what to say when you got there. 'Hi, I know you weren't expecting me so soon, but I couldn't stay away from you any longer?' No. "Hi, I bought a house and I'm moving here?' No. 'Hi, I like you a lot, I can't stop thinking about you, Larissa?' No! God, why did you feel the need to plan every single thing. Why couldn't you just go with the flow. On the drive to Nevermore, you thought back to the times you've hung out with Larissa. That one time at the Weathervane, that night at trivia, the dance, the night you stayed over, the times you lied for her, the time she stole your cigarette, the time you did archery together, the time she caught you smoking in the flowers. Oh yes, when she caught you smoking in the flowers. A glorious introduction, a fitting one. You've gotten to know Larissa over the days that you've spent together, even though it seems like you didn't deliberately ask anything about her. Did she know you as much as you knew her? Did she feel as close to you as you felt to her? Well, it's better late than never. You turned on Arctic Monkeys '505' as you drove down the winding roads to Jericho. Yes, you would go back to Larissa, if it was a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive. You would absolutely adore her with her hands around your neck…you got caught up in the song. Alas, it's true. You'd go to her however far away she was, no matter how hard it would be to get there, and you'd push anyone who dare get in your way out of it, you'd push them into the fiery depths of hell if you had to.

Pulling up though the gates of Nevermore, you hoped Larissa would let you stay there until you could move into your new house. You parked your car and stepped out, breathing in the fresh air. This was your new start. You were happy with your new start. You left your bags in the car, your first mission was to find Larissa. As you made your way slowly to her office, you took in your surroundings. Nevermore felt different when you weren't here on business. It felt calmer, more beautiful, perhaps you were just happier. You stood in front of her office doors and stared at yourself in the gold plaque that read "Principal Weems". You felt relieved, confident even. You brought your hand up to knock on the door. You still didn’t know what you wanted to say to her. Maybe you would pretend that this wasn't a big deal. Maybe you'd pretend you were here for another visit, and at the right time, you'd tell her everything. Yet, you were met with silence. You knocked again and waited. Silence. You didn’t know where to find her, she could be anywhere at 4pm on a school day. You made your way to your temporary quarters, perhaps they would be unlocked.

Walking up to the quarters you stayed in when you visited Nevermore, you stopped when you saw the door was already open. Was someone else staying here? You reluctantly walked up to the open door and you were met with someone inside. They were standing in the living area, facing the window to the balcony. You looked around, nobody else seemed to be in here, no luggage, no presence, except hers. Larissa Weems, your Larissa Weems was standing in your temporary quarters. Why? You didn’t know, but honestly it didn’t matter. A huge grin appeared on your face when you took her in from behind. The knee length grey dress with a short matching coat that showed off her ass. Her hair done up elegantly, curled and held up with pins. Her kitten heels, which you thought were absolutely adorable, despite her already being taller than everyone. The jewellery on her arms that hung beside her, her gold watch and bracelet with eyes on it, watching you watch her from behind. You couldn't stand there any longer, you missed this woman so much. You ran up behind her and wrapped your arms around her waist, placing your head in the crook of her neck. She gasped as she turned on her heels, somehow breaking out of your embrace. When you looked up at her and she realized who it was, she wrapped her long arms around you and tightened her grip so hard you couldn't breathe right. Still, you smiled and reached up to kiss her cheek, not once, not twice, but three times. "Anura Ricci, what are you doing here?" she chirped, disbelief sounding in her voice. "Larissa Weems, I fucking missed you" you mumbled into her neck, tears wanting to spill in your eyes. You smartened up though, you wouldn't be crying right now. She backed away to get a good look at you, and a gentle smile graced her face. "Why are you here already? I thought you were going to visit me, but not for another month." You looked lovingly into her eyes, you didn’t want to stay away from her for that much longer, you couldn't. "Larissa, I was worried about you. I know you let on like you're alright but, I needed to make sure that was true." Larissa pouted as she looked at you, sincerity written on her face. "I-I'm so sorry Anura, for what happened last time we were together. I'm so grateful that you came back to me." You embraced her again, nuzzling your face into her hair. "I couldn't stay away from you, Riss" you mumbled. You were being more truthful with her than you wanted to, but you couldn't hold back, you didn't want to any longer. Feeling vulnerable just like you, Larissa whispered into your hair. "I wish you would stay here Anura. I know you live in New York and I know you have a husband, but I wish you could stay here, with me." You smiled, knowing that you would be staying and knowing that you wanted the same. You thought having a proper conversation with her would be best, you wanted to make it special. Hopeful she would say yes, you cupped her cheek and smiled your biggest smile at her. "Larissa, can I make you dinner tonight? Will you come back later for dinner and wine?" She smiled back at you with her teeth and nodded her head, grabbing your face and giving a kiss to your forehead.

A few hours later, you were cooking up fettuccine carbonara and opening a bottle of Nebbiolo red wine. You dressed in your nicest black dress pants and your new emerald and black brocade corset, one Larissa has never seen before. You pushed the boxes containing your things into a corner, you'd unpack them tomorrow. Just as the pasta was finished, a knock came at your door. You opened it with a smile to see Larissa smiling back. She was wearing a tight fitting red dress, low cut, something you've never seen her wear before. Your eyes trailed up and down her body, and you stuttered out a weak hi. She chuckled at you as you moved aside to let her in. "These are for you" she giggled, holding white roses out to you. Taking them, you held them in your hands and admired them. White roses, did she already know? "New beginnings" you mumbled. You looked up at her, "Thank you so much Riss." Gesturing for her to sit at the table, you grabbed the wine and poured two glasses, handing her one. "I made one of my favourite pastas, I hope you like it" you smiled. "I'm sure it's amazing, darling" she said, taking a sip of her wine. You realized then that you never asked her about her diet or what she liked, besides chocolate. You really didn't know too much about this woman. "I just realized I didn't ask what you could eat. Do you have any food aversions?" you asked nervously. "Oh no, no, I'll eat anything" she laughed.

As she dug in to the pasta, she let out pleasant hums. You turned your head to the side as you laughed at her vocalness, she was too cute. "So I take it you like it?" you asked sarcastically. She looked over to you with pasta in her mouth and nodded her head fast. "It's really good Anura, is it your own recipe?" "Yes, I used to make it with my mother" you smiled. "What kind of wine is this? It's delicious" she chirped. "It's Nebbiolo, goes great with pasta. Straight from Italy" you winked. "Just like you" she hummed. You laughed out loud and twirled your glass in your hand, "Yes, just like me." Larissa seemed to know a few things about you, but you wanted to know more about her. When you first met, you guessed some things about her that turned out to be true, and you instantly felt a connection. In reality, you didn't know how much she knew about you, or if she felt the same connection that you did. "So Larissa, I really don’t know much about you, care to enlighten me?" She looked at you hesitantly and licked her lips before she looked down at the table. "There's not much to me, honestly" she said as she let out a low chuckle. Your brows furrowed, of course there were things to her, about her, but maybe she didn't want to tell. "Oh, I'm sure there is much to you. Interesting or not, I'd be happy to get to know you better." She sighed and gave you a small smile, "Okay." She told you about her path to becoming the headmistress of Nevermore, and about her time as a student. She likes reading about the Victorian era and the history of outcasts of all abilities. She likes historical fashion (obviously, you thought) and she loves seafood, you noted that for later. In her younger days she loved to dance, but she quit because her instructor as well as peers told her that she was too tall. "Love you're not too tall to dance, you're elegant and graceful, I think you'd dance beautifully" you chirped. She grinned as a blush formed on her cheeks, and she looked away from you. "I don't know" she giggled. You reached your hand out take hers, "I know, I know you would." You watched as her eyes averted to your boxes in the corner, and she blinked in confusion. "Anura, why do you have so much luggage?" You didn't know weather to smile or frown. You were excited to tell her that you were staying, but at the same time you didn't know what she would think. "Um, do you want to move to the couch?" She nodded her head.

Filling your glasses of wine, you settled down on the couch next to her. She looked at you intently, waiting for you to talk. Your face lit up as you looked at her, her beauty glowing in what rays of the sun were left as it set. "Larissa, I have to tell you something, well a few things, actually." She tilted her head in question as you watched her smile fall to a frown. "It's nothing bad" you giggled. "I'm moving to Jericho. I bought a house, and I move in a month." You watched as she tried to wrap her brain around her words, were you serious? It took a few seconds, but her face lit up as she looked at you excitedly. "What! Anura, really?" she smiled, grabbing your hand. "Yes, really" you giggled. Her face dropped again, "Wait, what about your job? Will you not work for the board anymore? What will I do without you?" she breathed. You held in a laugh, you were glad that she felt comfortable with you, that's what made this next thing the best. "Well, I can still work for the board since I move around so much, but they agreed to keep me on and just let me cover Nevermore. I think I want to open my own place and tutor, and teach language studies" you excitedly chirped. She pursed her lips and she looked at you with adoration, "Oh Anura, I'm so happy for you." "Thank you" you giggled. She brought her hand up to squeeze at your arm as she looked down at you. "What about your husband, is he moving here too?" the older woman questioned. You noticed her smile faltered when she asked this. Perhaps she just didn't like him, for good reason of course. You looked at the floor, "No, uh- him and I aren't together anymore" you trailed off. The way you admitted this made Larissa think that you were sad about it, but in reality, you just didn't know how to tell her because you didn't know what she would think. "Oh Anura, I'm so sorry" she mumbled, quickly pulling you into a hug. As you rested your head on her shoulder, you smiled. "It's alright Larissa, I ended things with him. It was the right thing to do." Larissa pulled away gazing into your eyes, expecting to see you sad, but all she found was happiness. Her worry faded and she smiled, letting out a content sigh. "I'm happy for you, darling" she breathed. There was silence for a minute as you two stared at each other, soaking up the moment you had together right now. "Can I ask you something?" the older woman almost whispered. "Of course" you smiled. "Why do you want to move here, and why did you leave your husband?" Why did you do all of this? That was a good question, one you had an answer for. Did you want to tell her the truth though? She already knew most of it. You looked away again. "I just wanted a new start. I wasn't happy anymore, where I was, literally and figuratively" you chuckled. You looked back up at her, "Can I tell you something?" She nodded her head and reached for your hand again, you gladly took it. "I moved here knowing that I like the atmosphere, knowing that I could find a job here, knowing that I could get away from things that follow me here. But, I moved here knowing that you are here, and I don't know if you want to be friends, or acquaintances, or- or more, hell, I don't even know if you like women" you shook you head and chuckled, "but it really doesn't matter to me Riss. I'm just so happy that I got to see you again, and we can see each other in anyway you'd like. I'm alright with whichever you choose." The woman blinked at you with wide eyes as her mouth fell open, she looked like she couldn't believe what you just admitted. She looked down at your interlocked hands and pursed her lips, then she reached for you and pulled you to lie on top of her. "Oh shit" you giggled, realizing that you were now gazing down at her, your face so close to hers. She smiled and cupped your cheeks, "Kiss me, Anura" she whispered. You paused for a second, you've wanted to kiss her for so long, but now it felt scary. You looked at her lips as you slowly brought yours to hers, kissing her gently and savoring the taste of her. She kissed you back with passion, the same that you felt for her. You tangled your fingers in her hair, and feeling her softness and her tenderness against you made you whimper into her mouth. You kissed for what felt like forever, but still not long enough. She parted from you to catch her breath, letting out a giggle. You kissed her cheek and placed your head into the crook of her neck. "I adore you, Larissa Weems." "And I, you, Anura Ricci."