Neighbors | Maichard

XXII. - Scoreboards and Daddies -

Song for this chapter:

1. Perfect - Ed Sheeran

-

After eating their dinner, Maine and Richard stood up and walked towards the edge of lookout point. Maine's eyes widened after seeing the majestic city lights shining like the stars above them, she turned her view towards Richard and saw him smiling sweetly at the entire town.

"This town's beautiful." She whispered.

"Yes, it is." He replied before looking at her. Maine smiled and he did the same. Suddenly, a familiar song started playing in their background. She turned around and saw the park ranger holding a vintage boom box in his hands.

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love ...

"Seriously? Perfect ni Ed Sheeran?" she asked Richard.

"Yes, why not? To be honest, hindi ko alam kung paano niya nailipat sa cassette yun pero I'm glad he did." Richard answered and smiled at her. He then extended his hand towards Maine. She took a deep breath and held it. Richard pulled her closer to him and they started slow dancing under the endless sea of twinkling stars that occupied the night sky.

Dancing in the dark, with you between my arms ...

She rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed smoothly in the dimly lit lookout point. She felt calm and at ease with him. His pleasant warmth flowed right through her, removing her worries and anxiety. For the first time since the night of the attempted robbery, she felt it again. Richard's warmth blanket covered her, making her feel protected and safe from the rest of the world. After getting lost in her thoughts, Maine pulled away and looked up at him.

"Richard?"

"What?"

"Thank you for tonight, I had fun."

"Tonight's perfect. I had fun too." He replied and gave her a lopsided grin.

Maine smiled and looked at the town behind them. She closed her eyes and knew just how much things would change for her in the future.

--

It was almost midnight when Richard and Maine got home. He helped her get out of the car and walked her towards the doorstep.

"So ... this is me ... goodnight." She said.

"Have sweet dreams." He uttered and then kissed her cheeks.

"Uh ..."

"Tsaka na yung sa lips. Papasabikin muna kita."

"Baliw ka. Para naman di mo pa ako hinalikan dati no?" she asked and he laughed a bit, recounting that one time their lips accidentally met each other.

"I want the next one to be special. And gagawin ko lang yun kapag tayo na."

"Sus, corny mo." Maine commented and he laughed. A few minutes later, they parted ways. Richard returned to his room with a huge smile on his face. He sat on the side of his bed and looked up at the ceiling before thanking God for the wonderful evening.

Richard heard knocks on his door. He stood up and opened it, only to see his Mom on the other side. She gave him and so he did the same. Mrs. Faulkerson came in and sat on his bed.

"Bakit gising pa po kayo?" he asked.

"I was waiting for you. Kumusta date niyo?" she asked and he smiled wider.