We need to talk ((Richard))

[jess4ever]

Rachel paced around the lake impatiently, biting her lip in an effort to get her thoughts in order. Last night in the courtyard had been horrific, and she winced as she rubbed the bruise from Patrica's painful kick. But worst of all was the fact that Trish had blurted out Rachel's little secret. In front of Richard and that Blake guy. She scowled and sat down next to the lake, hoping Richard would turn up soon. Rachel had asked if he could come for a little chat, and hadn't heard a reply, so she assumed he was coming. Unless he doesn't want to speak to you right now, she thought miserably. Plucking a long piece of grass from the ground next to her, she fell onto her back, ignoring the pain from landing on her bruise.
"If only I had a daisy..." she murmured, smiling sadly.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard walked slowly towards the lake, lost in thought. He couldn't believe what had happened the night before. He had really lost Patricia. She had chosen Blake over him. Perhaps it hadn't been exactly like that; she may not have chosen Blake over him, but she did choose to leave.

The second strange thing that had happened was Patricia blurting out Rachel's feelings for him. Richard couldn't believe they were true, yet RB hadn't tried to deny them. Maybe she thought that the idea was so ridiculous it wasn't worthy of defense, Richard thought absentmindedly. That was understandable. He had no fantasies that she actually liked him. They were simply best friends. However, since Patricia had made the statement, he couldn't get the thought of his head. Rachel liked him. And even though he didn't believe that was true, the more he thought about it, the more he realised something else was. He liked her. Richard probably wouldn't even have realised if he was still with Patricia. He frowned. Even if he did, Rachel didn't like him. It was absurd. Patricia was simply lashing out because she felt guilty. Richard was not embarrassed to say that his ex-girlfriend had really, really hurt him. He had liked her so much, and it made him feel incredibly guilty that he couldn't stop thinking about Rachel now that their relationship was over. It doesn't matter, he thought grimly, what Patricia said isn't even true.

As he continued to walk, he spotted a lone figure in front of him, and the sight of Rachel immediately made him smile. Despite what had happened, he cared about her a lot. He took a deep breath to calm himself and walked slowly up to her.
"Rach?" He asked nervously.

[jess4ever]

Rachel jerked around, and found herself staring up at Richard. Blushing, she awkwardly stood up, brushing the dirt off her robes. I'm not ready to do this, she thought in panic, her eyes darting from Richard's face to the lake beside them.
"Hi Richard," she said slowly, coughing slightly to get rid of the lump in her throat. As she looked up at him, she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Was he here for the sole purpose of telling Rachel what he thought of her? Rachel winced. She knew that she was partly to blame for his break-up with Patrica, and was more than happy to accept that. If she hadn't told Patrica what she didn't need to know, than they would all be happy. Well, perhaps Rachel herself wouldn't be, but the two most important people in her life would, and that was all that mattered.

Rachel traced her foot in the dirt, wondering what to say. The silence was excrutiating. The only sound she could hear was her own heartbeat; it was as if the even birds had paused to hear what Richard was about to say to her.
"I'm really glad you came, Richard," Rachel said softly. Her face fell when the thought arose that she couldn't ever call him CP again. Straightening her back, she didn't let herself dwell on the fact. Their bond was so strong, surely he wouldn't give it up because she made one stupid mistake. Then again, Patrica had meant everything to him. If only she hadn't told anyone, and kept it to herself, Rachel thought bitterly. Then nobody would be in this mess.

Realising that she couldn't procrastinate the inevitable, Rachel looked Richard in the eye, refusing to look away.
"I know what you're going to say to me, so I'm going to save you the trouble. If you don't want to associate yourself with me again, then that's fine. I'm sorry for what I did, you have to believe that. And I'm sorry that you don't want to be friends anymore, because you are everything to me Richard. Just like Patrica was everything to you. I know that what I did was appalling, but I'm here to apologise and seek your forgiveness, and just know where we stand. I can't just not know anymore. Please, just tell me now," Rachel said firmly, proud that she was showing no emotion.

She continued to look Richard in the eye, almost in an effort to dissuade him. If she lost him as well as Patrica, she didn't know what she would do. She would survive, and move on, Rachel knew that for a fact, but her life would certainly never be the same. At least she could count on Harmony. However, even the younger student might decide to distance herself from Rachel. She was Patrica's friend too, after all. Just because they had promised to be dance partners did not mean that Harmony's loyalties lied with Rachel.
"Please, just tell me, Richard," she said, more softly.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard stared in horror at Rachel as she continued to talk, unable to move or comprehend what she was saying. Break off our friendship? He thought, wondering if he had misheard. Rachel can't be serious, she was the one who had made him who he was. Because of her he was more outgoing, was able to communicate better. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have ever asked Patricia out. And even if the relationship had ended badly, he would never regret what he and Patricia had. Feeling guilty at the thought of Patricia, he shook his head, as if physically shaking away the thought.
"Rach, I don't want you to go. You're all I have. And even if you weren't, you're more important to me than anyone else. You're up there with my sisters," he said, grinning.

The smile slowly faded though, as he thought about what would happen next. Would he be able to just continue their friendship knowing that he felt something for her that she might feel back? Should he even risk it?
"Rach, before you say anything, I just have to know. Was Patricia telling the truth?" He asked blushing. There. The question was out. At least now he'd know without actually having to put himself out there and admit anything himself.

[jess4ever]

Rachel took a step backwards, ready to run. Why would Richard ask her that? She thought they were both in agreement never to mention it and just move on. Obviously not.
"Um...well...it's not like...it's not like she made it sound!" She finally said, covering her face with her hands.
"Yes. I do. But I never, ever meant for any of this to happen. You should still be with Patricia," Rachel said from behind her hands, not wanting to even look at Richard at this point.
"I'm sorry, Richard," she said, before turning on her heel and beginning to run.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard couldn't move. At least, not until after he realised Rachel was running. He broke into a sprint, and chased her until he was finally able to reach her hand.
"Rach, please, listen to me," he gasped, stopping as he tried to get some air.
"Please, Rach. There is no need to apologise, you did nothing wrong. I..I feel the same," he mumbled. After a moment he looked her in the eye and then quickly kissed her.

For a moment neither spoke, and those few seconds felt like an eternity to Richard.
"I'm sorry Rach. I probably shouldn't have done that. It was inappropriate," he said finally, looking down at the ground. The truth was, when she had said those words, all he felt was happiness and excitement. However, now he could see that he had overstepped the boundary.
"Say something Rach," he said softly.

[jess4ever]

Rachel stared up at Richard in surprise, not knowing what she meant to say. Was she meant to tell him she didn't want him to apologise? That all she wanted was to be with him? It seemed strange that once all she had to do was flutter her eyelashes at a boy and they were together, yet now she had to fight for the boy she wanted to be with.

"What about Patricia?" She asked flatly, trying not to convey any emotion. Rachel didn't want to feel any hope until she was assured she wouldn't fall face flat on the ground again. Richard was the sweetest, kindest person, let alone boy, that she had ever met, and she wanted them to be together so badly. Yet she knew it was almost impossible. He was Patricia's ex-boyfriend, and even though the girls weren't talking, and Richard and Patricia certainly weren't, Rachel didn't want to distance herself from her friend any further.

"I don't want to hurt her, CP. I really don't. But I don't want to lose you either...maybe we just shouldn't. It would be so much easier, I suppose. Then Patricia wouldn't get hurt, and we wouldn't have to worry about our friendship if we were to break up," she said, hoping Richard wouldn't realise how much it hurt her to say that.
"Maybe it's for the best, Richard," she finished, looking him the eye.

[ksmilesallroundk]

"No, it's not Rach. Patricia made her decision; we shouldn't have to suffer the consequences of it. I like you. I really do. And I don't want you to leave. I'm not saying this because Patricia's left and you're some sort of consolation prize, or some rebound girl, I really like and respect you. Of course, I understand if you can't. But maybe sometime you will be able to, and I'll be waiting for you, Rach. Just say the word," Richard said, smiling sadly. He didn't want Rachel to leave, he wanted them to be together. He wanted his best friend to also be his girlfriend, but he would completely understand if Rachel couldn't.
"Well, just think about it, OK? I'm always here if you want to talk. Unless of course it's to reject me. Then, I'll probably just be hiding somewhere," he said, grinning.

[jess4ever]

Rachel looked up at Richard, and shook her head.
"You know Patricia will hate us, don't you?" She asked, lifting her gaze so it fell on Richard. Then she smiled. With one swift movement she was back in Richard's arms, and couldn't believe how she could feel so good when she was hurting one of her friends. Like Richard said, she didn't have to do what she did, Rachel reminded herself. She still felt guilty, but decided she'd have to worry about that later.

Pulling back, she grinned at Richard.
"Are you asking me out, Master Dermont?" She joked, before squeezing his hand.
"Because if you are, the answer's a resounding yes," she finished, smiling up at him again.
"And I had better not be some sort of consolation prize!" She joked.
With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, knowing that Patricia would hate her now, but not caring. Patricia had chosen Blake, Rachel had chosen Richard. And the surprising thing was, Richard had chosen her too.