Chapter Forty-eight

Everything is Not What It Seems

That afternoon, the warmness and freshness welcomed the people in Mapleton's local park. All were bonding with their families, beaus, and friends. They felt safe and free for there were no more killers. Kids were playing tag. Some of them were flying their kites. Couples were on the benches. And some were lying on the grass. Some pets, like dogs, were being trained by their owners. Some were playing with them.

RichardGrayson and BrittanySchoenfield sweetly held each other's hands and walked on the park. They stood up on a granite footbridge. Under that was a pond where goldfish swam around.

Brittany pointed at a different looking goldfish. She felt like a kid inside watching those fish on the pond.

Richard smiled while watching her. He seemed to be so in love with Brittany.

Then, she leaned back on a granite handrail and faced her boyfriend who was also facing her. "I appreciate this day. Really. Very romantic."

Richard leaned towards Brittany and softly pressed his lips on her lips. Their mouths perfectly fit each other. Brittany wrapped her hands around Richard's body and held on his silky yet messy hair. Then, they both let go.

"I'm so glad you're still here. You deserved to be where you are," Richard said. His voice was so husky which made him so sexy.

"I feel the same way too," Brittany smiled and pulled Richard's jacket towards her and hugged him.

Richard stood five feet and eleven inch tall that is why Brittany was under his chin when they were hugging. He could smell her hair – Palmolive shampoo. As he kissed her head, he wandered his eyes around. "I feel bad for my friends. Especially their girlfriends."

"Same here," Brittany breathed in. She could smell Richard's Hugo Boss perfume on his shirt. Brittany started swaying. Then, she realized something. "Wait. Travis has a girlfriend who got killed?"

Richard remembered that Brittany did not know about Travis' sexuality and relationship with their deceased English Teacher, Brent Jones. "Um no! It's just... I mean... Travis' relationship with his friends. You know like, Alejandro Musso. He's good friends with Alejandro."

Brittany gave Richard a suspicious yet sweet look.

"You know?" Richard said as he bit his lip. Don't let it slip! "Friendship! He's very friendly! Don't be judgmental."

"Okay, Rich." Brittany quizzically said. She leaned on the granite railings and wind started blowing. "And I'm not being judgmental. Thank you very much."

"Sorry," Richard hugged her tight. He could scent Brittany's Chanel perfume.

"No offense but I did think Travis was... gay," Brittany confessed.

Richard froze for a second. He did not know what to say. "You did?"

"Come on," Brittany said. "You're his friend. Didn't you ever wonder that he's gay or something?"

Richard was completely frozen. He needed to really cover his best friend. "We've been friends for, I guess, six years and you just met him for months, how come you could be so judgmental?"

"Well, there's a state of identity confusion. And he never had a girlfriend or kissed someone."

"A real man cannot be judge if he never had a girlfriend or kissed someone before."

Impressed, Brittany's eyes brightened. "Wow, babe. Since when did you become so... poetic?"

Richard grinned. "I mean, what will you get if he's a gay or not? You will not get rich or something?"

Brittany ran her fingers on Richard's left arm. "Oh come on, babe. Don't be mad. You're girlie was just wondering. There's nothing wrong with wondering, right?"

Richard sighed.

"He is kinda attractive, you know?"

Richard shot her a look. He contemplated if the thought of Brittany being attracted to Travis was a good thing or a bad thing.

"But I'm not attracted to him," she added.

He was really confused as of that moment. "How could find someone attractive if you are not attracted to them?"

"It's a different attraction," Brittany tried to explain. "A bit complicated, though."

"You're not crushing on my best friend, are you?" Richard handled it calmly and reasonably but there was still sternness in his face.

Brittany gave Richard a puppy-eye look along with a flirtatious stare. "Of course, not, Richie. You're the one that I love."

"I know," Richard blushed.

Both smiled with each other for a moment. They watched those kids trying to fly their kites. Some achieved it. Some were still trying. But evidently, they were enjoying it.

"You know," Brittany said, "Looking at you collectively, you are like a boy band."

"Yeah? Why is that?"

"I think you know the answer," Brittany replied.

"Tell me," he insisted.

Brittany turned back to the pond to see her reflection. "You all have the looks and the fashion sense. But it's not just about having handsome face."

"You know, we can all play the guitar?" he said.

Brittany smiled. "The bond that you have is really something special. You're more just a band. You're brothers."

"We are."

Brittany pursed her lips looking upset.

"What's the matter, babe?" Richard slowly brushed the long strand of her hair concealing her beautiful face.

"I'm a bit jealous, though," she confessed.

That caught Richard's attention. "What? Why? I'm sorry if I'm not giving you enough time, am I not?"

Brittany suddenly giggled. "It's not that, silly. I'm jealous of the bond that you have. I wish I have that kind of sisterhood."

"You have friends, right?" Richard started to worry.

"But not as strong as yours," Brittany said. Then she sighed and leaned on the granite handrails. She watched the clouds concealing the sun.

"There's always room for a girl in our band," he offered.

"No, thanks," Brittany smiled.

"Oh no, really," he persisted. "We're having a drink tonight celebrating the end of the mayhem that had happened. And some fun too. You should join us."

Brittany rested her right hand on Richard's chest. "That's you boy's night out."

"Brit, come on."

"Babe, I'm good," she insisted. "In fact, when was the last time you felt this happy when those killers were around? This is your night. I understand that. There could be other time where I could join you. But this night, it must just be the four of you. You really need it."

She was right. He hadn't felt the happiness with his friends while E was still around. He missed all the fun moments with his best friends. It was somehow a blessing in disguise that E made them tight and strong, but Richard wanted to go back in being an ordinary teenager who enjoys life with friends.

Then, he realized how understanding and polite his girlfriend was. That made him even more in love with her. "I love you, Brittany."

"I love you too!" Brittany responded.

Richard leaned close and kissed her again. Then, he pulled out something from his jean pocket. A golden bracelet. It shimmered from the afternoon light. It really looked expensive. "This is for you."

Brittany covered her mouth in disbelief. "Oh my, God. Rich. You shouldn't have."

"You mean the world to me," Richard gently took her right hand. Then, he clipped the bracelet. Once, it was done, he kissed her had. "Fits perfectly."

"It's so beautiful!" Brittany admired how it sparkled and glimmered with the sunlight. "Thank you, Richard."

Then, Brittany gave him another hug and kiss. After that, they restarted walking and enjoyed the rest of the day.