In Plumfeld, Britton was destined to be married to Branson Plumfeld, and she was set to become the next First Lady of Plumfeld. She was practically a Princess, and people treated her like royalty. Well, people outside her home. At home, she was just Britton, and she was expected to keep up with daily chores and activities. As the oldest girl, she was to help her mother in child rearing. She was finally coming into her own when Bunny was born, and she and the tiny baby that was born in the home were instantly bonded. Gossipers said that Evie was Brittonâs âbastard childâ and was being raised as her sister, but Brittonâs public appearances never stopped and she remained thin. Though, jealous gossips were always going to have something to say.Â
Despite being set to marry Branson, they werenât to show any sort of public affection in town-wide events. They could walk together, hold hands, but they werenât to hug or to kiss. Britton had rules about what she was and was not allowed to wear, say, eat, or do. She and Branson could go on dates, kiss, hug, hold hands, but they werenât to go any further. Britton was to remain a virgin until her wedding night, and while she was never assaulted by Pastor Plumfeld, she did have monthly checks of her hymen to make sure she was still a virgin. The purity culture in Plumfeld was hard to process and overcome once she got to Brooksville, and it wasnât until Branson officially called off the engagement until she realized she didnât have to do any of the things or abide by any of the rules they had in place at home.Â
Holding Caidenâs hand on the beach was liberating, and knowing she could kiss him at any moment was freeing. With Koby, things were easy and juvenile, almost. He made their first time so special, and while Britton did deal with guilt and shame afterward, she could rest easy knowing it was both of their first times. Britton was still relatively inexperienced. Koby died shortly after their relationship began, and she was absolutely torn. Caiden was the first boy she allowed herself to get close to afterward. She knew Caiden was more experienced. He had other girlfriendsâBryce, about four years back, and maybe even Colbie, but she hadnât asked about that in a while. She had no reason to believe they were still seeing each other, but she did know things were complicated with them.Â
âNo,â Britton shook her head. âI mean, Iâve heard of them. Iâve seen the poster for Jaws, and I know Nora has Lilo and Stitch on DVD in the movie room, but Iâve not watched them. We only sometimes watched movies in Plumfeld, and most of the time, they were old, black-and-white films. But I have seen the Sound of Music. It was my favorite. All of us girls liked how Maria made clothing out of the curtains.â
âAll of us girls liked how Maria made clothing out of the curtains.âÂ
âOut of curtains?â Caiden asked, turning his head towards Britton, âThatâs kinda cool.â
He oftentimes forgot just how different his life had been from hers. Hell, from the entire Sheppard family. The pain and trauma that had been inflicted on Britton and her siblings was enough to make a grown man cry. Whereas Caiden got excited about big, blockbuster movies about killer sharks, Britton and her family reveled in a woman making clothing out of curtains. They were simple, it seemed, simple yet so, so complex all at once. Caiden couldnât wrap his mind around cults. Heâd like to tell himself that he wouldnât be that impressionable to get pulled into one in the first place, but the truth was - he probably would. Well, he probably wouldâve back a few years ago. A few years ago when he felt less loved by the family and more of an outcast. If a nice man promised him love and support in the woods - he wouldâve up and left Brooksville in a heartbeat. And he supposed once you got in far enough - it would be too hard to leave and your own personal scale of what was right and what was not would probably be altered as well. He understood Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard even though heâd never met or knew them, and he admired their fearlessness. He knew by loving Britton and by watching out for her and her siblings, their deaths would never be in vain. It was the same reason he lived life for both he and his mother. He knew sheâd be head over heels with Britton too, and she wouldnât have any idea on how Caiden coupled up with a girl so beautiful.Â
âHey, wâve got the biggest TV out of the entire house in our bedroom, did you realize that? Itâs even bigger than Eliâs and he tried not to throw a hissy fit about it earlier, but he still kind of did,â Caiden said, helping Britton walk across some wobbly rocks as they transitioned from the beach to a denser tree area, âSo, weâll have to watch Lilo and Stitch tonight. Youâll love it. Maybe your siblings can watch it with us too. I think our beds big enough. And then Jaws another night. Zodiâll like that one. And then maybe Iâll surrender and we can watch the Sound of Music. You know, for being a music guy, I never liked broadway stuff.âÂ
They trekked just a little while longer, exchanging playful conversation and hand squeezes here and there before finally reaching the waterfall. It wasnât as large as the ones Bryce and Ryder promised to take them to see later on in the week, but it was still wonderful. It was secluded, and the only sounds Caiden could really hear was the rushing water and a few birds chirping up in the trees above them. It was all so green and fresh and Caiden felt like he was in The Jungle Book. Heâd never seen that much beautiful greenery. Sure, Washington had forrest galore, but Hawaii was different. It was tropical and serene and enchanting. It felt like heâd stepped into an acrylic painting and he was speechless. âWow...â He couldnât help the smile on his face as he turned to Britton and wrapped an arm around her, planting a daring kiss on her temple, âItâs almost as gorgeous as you.âÂ
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