Rich Girls Don't Date King Thrushbeard: Finale
Tyler and Larisa go on a real first date.
Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight
It was good to sit in the shade and just enjoy watching the day. Children scampered everywhere, laughing playfully or eating cakes and treats. A young man tried his luck at the coconut shy; when he managed to knock one off the post on his third and final try, he walked off with a stuffed toy cat and a pleased smile on his face.
“Hey.”
I smiled as Tyler sat beside me, two glasses of dark pink liquid in his hand. “Hey.”
He handed me a glass. “Got to admit, this isn’t how I pictured our first date turning out.”
“Really? The weather’s perfect, this is a beautiful place, we’re with each other…under the circumstances, I can’t picture it going any better.”
I sipped at the drink. “This is delicious, too.”
“It’s pink lady punch. Cranberry juice, pineapple juice and ginger beer. There are two other things in it too, but I can’t remember what they are. Oh, Mum says the care package is still yours.”
I winced. “How mad are your parents?”
“They were a bit mad at first, but after I explained things a couple of times, that changed. They’d like to get to know you as Larisa, not Brynn. In fact, they’d like to invite your family to dinner at some point.”
Tears threatened to appear for the third time that day. “Your parents are amazing.” If more people were like them, what kind of world would we be living in?
I silently promised to become that kind of person. It would take time, patience and a lot of growth, but I could do it.
Tyler laughed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Trust me, I know how awesome they are. And if Kurt gives you any trouble, ignore him.”
“I wonder what kind of girl he’ll end up dating.”
“Hopefully someone who won’t take what he dishes out.”
“Yeah, we all need that sometimes.” Tyler gulped down some of his punch.
I’d explained the situation with Tyler to my parents, and they promised to give him a proper chance if we started a relationship. They didn’t even gloat about their matchmaking scheme paying off.
We would fix things.
“Hey, um…how do you feel about long-distance relationships?”
I thought carefully about my answer. “Well, I’ve heard they need a lot of open communication. It’s important to make time for each other – and you need a lot of trust and commitment. But they can also be wonderful.”
“That’s what I’ve heard too.”
A flurry of red and brown caught my attention. A robin perched in a nearby bush, his bright eyes watching us inquisitively. He ruffled his wings once, twice then flew away with a loud, cheerful song.
Tyler stood up and held out an arm, the elbow slightly crooked. “Shall we?”
I got up to link my arm with his. “Let’s enjoy the fair.”
The End. Thank you for reading!
See you in the autumn for…
