By the lake ((Richard))

[jess4ever]

Rachel sat down next to the lake, panting slightly from her run. Leaning over the side, she grabbed a cupful of water and splashed it over her hot face. Sighing in contentment at the lake's shimmering in the afternoon sun, she lay back, letting the sunlight bask over her. Suddenly a shadow fell over her eyes. Opening her eye a slit, she looked up to see what had blocked her view. It was a tall boy. Scowling slightly, she sat up.
"Excuse me, I was just...oh!" She said, suddenly recognising who it was.

[ksmilesallroundk]

"Hey Rachel," Richard said shyly as he smiled wryly. It seemed he always ran into her when she was doing something.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, I just saw you and thought I'd come over," he said. It was strange, he didn't feel at all self-concious around Rachel or Patricia. They were so friendly, and Rachel was really nice to him. He knew somehow that Rachel wouldn't be mad at him for interrupting her. Of course, he would leave her alone if she wanted, but he knew she wouldn't send him away.
"So what are you doing on this beautiful day?" He asked grinning. It was a gorgeous day, with the sun almost dancing across the lake. Richard sprawled out across the grass and laughed.
"Other than sitting next to the lake and talking to me," he said.

[jess4ever]

Rachel regained her composure, and smiled at Richard. Watching him now, she realised her feelings for him had passed. He was becoming a good friend, and she hoped they would get to know each other much better. She flopped back on the grass next to him.
"Ahh, nothing much. Just jogging around. If I didn't, I'd never keep fit at this school," she said lazily. It was comfortable now. He had started to overcome his shyness, and she was over her feelings for him, and they could just enjoy each other's company. She laughed at his joke, and rolled over to her side.
"Other than that, not much. What about you, Richard? Have you seen Patrica today? What are you guys planning?" She asked, smiling.

[ksmilesallroundk]

"I was just walking around and thinking of ideas for my next poem or story. This place is so inspiring. I just love this lake, it's so beautiful. It looks like glass now," he said, admiring the smooth water. Turning back to Rachel, he grinned.
"I haven't seen Patricia yet, and I have no idea what's going to happen. Maybe we could have lunch or something. Do you want to join us? It would be fun. We could all hang out," he suggested, putting a hand over his eye to keep out the glare of the sun.
"Do you want to?" He really hoped Rachel would come. He loved spending time with her.

[jess4ever]

"You have to show me the poem when you're done," Rachel said, smiling. Richard was very self-conscious about his writing, and had only showed her one before. And from that one, she could tell he was a very talented writer. She pushed a strand of dark hair out of her eyes and re-tied her ponytail. The sun was glaring down on them, and she loved the feeling of it. It felt like life. Snapping back into reality, she looked at Richard.
"I wouldn't want to impose though. You two should have some time alone. I mean, you are dating, aren't you?" She asked. Rachel wanted to go, but not at the expense of Richard's and Patrica's relationship. That wasn't fair. Then, thinking of a solution, she grinned.
"But if you and Patrica wanted to hang out today, we could have dinner if you want. And Patrica too, if she wants. Then I wouldn't be crashing your date, and we could still do some stuff. This school can get quite boring sometimes," she said laughing. Rachel liked that idea, and hoped Richard would agree. She really didn't want to ruin their date, if that's what they were calling it, although she knew that was what it really was, but she wanted to be with Richard as well. Thinking, she bit her lip.

"If you want, I can meet you at the Great Hall tonight. You can tell Patrica about it when you do whatever it is you're doing today. And if she wants to come, great. If she doesn't, that's good too then I can have you all to myself," she said laughing, "and you can bring your finished poem. I really want to read it," she finished. Rachel looked over at Richard and smiled. She hoped he wasn't doing anything that night.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard stretched on the grass and listened intently to Rachel. He nodded occassionally, and smiled at her.
"That sounds really good. Although, if Patricia and I are doing something today, why not just the two of us meet for dinner? That would be fun. And then Patricia doesn't have to spend the whole day with me, and I can hang out with you as well," he said grinning. He liked this solution. Sitting up, he took off his shoes and let his feet dangle in the lake. The water was warm and clear and so inviting, and he turned to look at Rachel.
"Hey, Rach, do you want to go swimming?" He asked cheekily.

[jess4ever]

Rachel stood up and walked backwards, laughing.
"No, I don't!" She giggled, trying to stop him from attempting to throw her in.
"If you push me in, I'll never forgive you!" She cried in mock anger, trying to glare. She laughed again before walking back to him.
"I know you wouldn't push me in," Rachel said as she sat down on the grass. She looked up at him, and smiled.
"But you don't know whether I will," she whispered before throwing all her weight against his back and watching him as he fell into the water. She laughed at the sight of Richard in the lake, soaking wet and stood up. Then, deciding she had nothing to lose, she jumped in as well.

The water was warm and Rachel loved the feeling of it against her skin. Untying her hair and letting it out, she grinned.
"Well, this is fun," she said grinning.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard was about to jump up and throw Rachel into the lake, when Rachel sat next to him, and quite slyly shoved him into it. He fell awkwardly into the warm water and then rose, shaking the water out of his hair. He laughed out loud when Rachel herself jumped in, and he pretended to glare at her.
"No, it's not fun. Now I'm all wet," he tried to whine, but ended up bursting into laughter. Wading over to her, he splashed her and then tried to swim away before slowing down and just relaxing in the water. As he floated along he felt content.

"Isn't this perfect?" Richard said as he floated on his back towards Rachel.
"I wish we could do this everyday," he said, closing his eyes. Then he flipped over suddenly and splashed Rachel again.
"That's for pushing me into the lake," he said, raising an eyebrow and grinning.

[jess4ever]

Rachel murmured in agreement as she and Richard lay floating on the lake. It was a perfect day, and she was having a great time. Then, Richard suddenly splashed her. She recoiled and gasped.
"How dare you!" She cried grinning. She waded forward toward him and pushed him under the water.
"Ha! Rachel one, Richard zero," she said triumphantly, raising her nose and then collapsing into laughter. The bottom of the lake felt good under her feet, and the warm water was so soothing against her skin.
"Truce!" She announced before wading over to Richard and smiling wickedly.
"So, now that we're swimming in the lake, and completely saturated, what do you suppose we do now?" She asked. Then Rachel suddenly realised something.
"Oh. Sorry. I suppose you have to go find Patrica now," she said sadly. As much as she wanted them to be happy together, she was having so much fun. But that was just her being selfish, she thought. Ugh, being good is such hard work, she thought wryly. But it was all worth it. Since she had turned over a new leaf she had made some great friends, especially Richard. And Rayne. That was such a pleasant surprise. Looking down at the water, Rachel tried to hide her disappointment at Richard's inevitable departure.
"I think I'll stay here," she said, trying to be cheerful.
"It's so beautiful, and I don't think I'm ready to leave yet," she said, forcing a grin.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard wondered for a moment. He didn't really want to leave now, he was having a great time. Of course he wanted to see Patricia, but later.
"Nah, I'll stay here. You're kind of fun," he teased. Richard waded over to her and gave her a little splash.
"It is nice here. I can't get over how beautiful it is," he murmured, staring into the clear blue sky.
"Hey, Rach, tell me more about yourself. I only know a little bit about your background and family, where you know pretty much all about me," he said smiling. Richard was really interested, Rachel was his best friend at Hogwarts. What was Patricia, he wondered. Was she his girlfriend? He smiled at the thought. He really liked Patricia, but he wasn't sure if that was what she wanted. They hadn't talked about it or anything. He had to remind himself to talk about it with her.

[jess4ever]

"Kind of fun?" Rachel cried in mock indignation. She then thought at his question. What was there to know about her?
"Well, my Mother's a socialite, and my Father's a trace royal, which means he's loaded," she began, rolling her eyes. She was once really concerned about that, when she had been at her lowest emotionally and felt betrayed by all around her. Deciding it was time to be honest, she leant forward.
"And I had a rough time for a few years, which I've sort of only come to grips with. I reacted badly to something, and I made some enemies. But that's all in the past, and I'm trying to start my life over again. I don't have a good relationship with my parents at all, for various reasons, but maybe one day that'll change. I don't have any siblings, which is why I envy you and your sisters relationship," she said smiling. Then she made a face.
"Not very interesting, I know," she said laughing. Then she sighed.
"So, are you and Patrica actually going out? Are you a couple?" She asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively and laughing.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard pondered the question as he swam around casually.
"I don't know. I haven't asked her, and she hasn't asked me. But I do like her. I don't know if she likes me or not," he said softly. Then his eyes lit up.
"Do you reckon you could ask her? You guys are really good friends. Or maybe you already know. Can you tell me? I just want to know," he said, smiling faintly. Richard didn't really want to know if Patricia didn't like him, but he had to know. Especially if he was going to do something as drastic as asking her out. He'd never done that before, and the mere thought made him almost choke. He went bright red.

[jess4ever]

Rachel floated around in the water, listening as Richard talked. Of course Patrica liked him, and Rachel would tell him, especially since he was such a good friend, but it wasn't really her place.
"Um...I don't really think I should be the one who tells you that," she said, stalling for time. Rachel wasn't sure what Patrica would think if she blurted out the secret, and she didn't really want to find out.
"Why don't you just ask her out?" Rachel suggested finally, after running her fingers over a rock on the side of the lake.
"If she says yes, then great. If she says no, then yeah, it'll be a little awkward, but it's not like she would insult you or make you feel stupid. We'd all just be friends. No big deal. In fact, she'd probably take it as a compliment," Rachel said, smiling at Richard. He was so cute; she knew he'd never had a girlfriend before, but he was acting like he'd never liked a girl before. Maybe he hasn't, Rachel thought. Deciding it wasn't really relevant, she laughed.
"Go on, you have to do it," Rachel said, giving him a little splash.
"Be a man!" She declared, before diving under the water.

[ksmilesallroundk]

"Be a man?" Richard laughed, splashing Rachel back when she resurfaced.
"I don't know, Rach. I don't think she does. And even if she did, I couldn't ask her. She doesn't want me," he mumbled, looking down at the water. It was funny how easily he confided in Rachel. Especially since only a few weeks ago he didn't have anyone he could really talk to, and didn't have a real friend.
"What do you think I should do, Rach?" He asked as he wrinkled his nose.
"And if you say, 'be a man!' I will splash you again," he said, grinning.

[jess4ever]

Rachel wiped some water out of her eyes and looked at Richard. Tracing her fingers along the water, she sighed.
"At the risk of sounding like a matchmaker, why don't you just ask her out? But if you do that, make sure you really, really like her first. Don't ask her out if you don't want a girlfriend, Richard. Not that I think you would, I'm just a bit protective of her. That's me," she said, grinning sadly. She waded over to him and gave him a hug.
"Don't be worried about whether she says yes or no, just do it. Just know that I think you guys would be good together, and you are going to make a great boyfriend," Rachel said, giving him an encouraging smile. Then she pushed him underwater playfully.
"Now, that's for not being a man!" She squealed, diving underwater herself. When she resurfaced, she squeezed the excess water out of her hair and laughed.
"Do you want to go for a walk or something? I'm going all shrivelly," Rachel asked as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard accepted Rachel's push with good grace, until he resurfaced and decided it was war.
"You're going to get it, Mason!" He cried, grinning. Pushing her underwater, he waded back a few metres and watched her as she came to the surface.
"Truce?" He called out playfully.
"Since you seem to be accepting defeat, I thought I'd make it a bit easier for you. We can just truce now, and go for a walk," Richard said, baiting her. Richard couldn't believe the time he was having.
"But if you're really ready to get out, then maybe I could possibly think of joining you," he laughed.

[jess4ever]

Rachel waited patiently, unaware of Richard's plan until she was underwater. Surprised, she took in a huge breath and rose from the water, coughing and laughing. Even she couldn't deny the humour in the situation. Gasping for air and still laughing at the same time, she ended up gurgling, which only made her laugh harder. It had been a while since she had laughed this hard. She couldn't believe she could laugh this hard. All of her problems seemed to disappear, and Rachel just let herself enjoy Richard's company.

Raising an eyebrow, Rachel smirked.
"Truce isn't in my vocabulary!" She called, before dunking him underwater. There was no way that Rachel was going to let Richard win, it wasn't in Rachel's nature. Then she laughed.
"Come on Dermont, try and beat me," she taunted playfully. This was fun, she could be relaxed. Finally she could let herself be free.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard tried to duck from Rachel, but she was too quick, and before he knew it, he was suffering the same fate as he had inflicted upon her. He rose spluttering, but in good spirits. This was the best day of his entire life, and a water fight was just the icing on the cake.

"Mason, you have nothing on me!" He cried, rushing towards her to dunk her again. As he approached, he changed tactics and enveloped her in a giant hug that brought them both crashing underneath the water. Richard released her as soon as they both went under and paddled to the surface of the water. He shook the water out of his hair and looked up at Rachel, grinning.
"That's for thinking you could beat me, Mason," he began, smirking, "and also for the funnest swim I've ever had," he laughed. Giving her a playful splash, he dipped his head under water again. The water was so warm, and he loved rising from it to see the sun above him. He watched the sky in satisfaction and contentment. Turning to Rachel, he gave her a lopsided smile.
"OK, I surrender. If I must," he said, laughing.

[jess4ever]

Rachel pretended to glare at Richard.
"Nobody dunks me. And I mean nobody," she tried to growl, but then dissolved into laughter. She gasped for breath, but couldn't stop. Finally she managed to regain her composure and smiled.
"But if you really think that you have to surrender now, I accept," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I suppose the Dermont's aren't made out of the same stuff as the Mason's," she said cockily, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder and smiling broadly, "but don't worry, I'll educate you," she continued, enjoying herself.

Pulling herself out of the water onto the bank, Rachel tried to wring the excess water out of her clothes.
"You realise I'll never be dry now," Rachel tried to complain, but as she looked at Richard, she ended up just laughing again.
"It's a serious problem! I can't go anywhere looking like this! I mean, maybe you could..." she began cheekily. Flopping down onto the grass, she closed both her eyes.
"Well, since I'm too lazy to dry myself, I'm going to just wait here until the sun does it for me," she said, content.
"You can join me if you want," Rachel continued. She really hoped Richard would stay, it had turned into such a wonderful afternoon.

[ksmilesallroundk]

Richard flopped down onto the grass next to Rachel, enjoying the feel of the sun on his face.
"And you'd better be careful, us Dermont's are quite mean when we want to be...ah, who am I kidding," he said, laughing. Nobody in the Dermont family was even the slightest bit mean.
"OK, you win," he said, grinning. They were both silent as they enjoyed the scenery. As he closed his eyes, Richard relaxed. It was such a great day, he head almost forgotten...his eyes snapped open. He jumped to his feet in one movement and gaped at Rachel.
"Uh, Rach, I hate to run, but I didn't realise how late it's gotten," he said in alarm. Richard had a lot of homework he had to attempt before tonight's dinner with Rach.
"I''ll see you tonight, OK?" Richard gave her a warm hug, that ended making them both more wet, and laughed.
"See ya," he called as he began to walk away, smiling at how fantastic the day had been.