𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲 [ 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗮𝘂 ]

gas stations .40

nini looked up from the floor to see ricky pulling in. the girl was nervous. she hasn't seen ricky for a week but it's already felt like forever. besides, what was she gonna say? ricky was the last one to see her and she just... left him. the girl stayed put. she was leaning against the wall of some random gas station.

ricky felt his heart stop once he finally saw his girl. she looked the same, yet different at the same time. he couldn't put his finger on it, but something felt different. maybe it was her or maybe it was him. he couldn't tell. ricky parked his car next to a random gas station pump. he got out of his car and straightened out his clothes before nini saw his full appearance.

when he finally turned around, the two of them locked eyes. nini leaned her body off the wall and felt herself freeze. before they knew it, they both broke out into a smile and ran into each other's arms. ricky engulfed nini into a hug, warming her cold body up in seconds. the girl's body was less tense as she felt ricky hold onto her. she didn't realize how much she missed his touch. the boy relaxed, it felt amazing to finally have her back safely in his arms.

they finally let go of each other. ricky cupped nini's face with his hands and looked her into the eyes, "god, nini! you okay? you're not hurt? no broken or bruised thingys??" ricky frantically asked as he checked nini's body for any signs of injuries.

the girl let out a chuckle and shook her head. she saw how scared ricky was. he was afraid something happened to her while she ran away and that maybe she was hiding it, but in all honesty she was fine, "ricky, i promise you i'm fine."

"you promise?" ricky asked again. nini sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"i promise," she reassured him. ricky let out a gigantic smile and pulled nini into a hug again.

"i'm so glad you're okay, neens. i've been worried sick about you," ricky whispered as he held onto her tighter, "it hasn't been the same in new york ever since you left. i missed you so much, we all did."

nini got silent. her grip around ricky loosened up and she pulled away from the boy. ricky looked at nini with concern as she stared into an abyss, thinking. "you okay?" ricky asked the girl. she shrugged her shoulders and looked to the floor.

"i'm just scared ... to go back again."

"... our plan though. you don't have to worry about anyone finding you or bothering you. neens, you can stay with me as long as you want," ricky reassured her. the girl nodded her head but was still feeling uneasy. ricky noticed and wrapped his arm around her as he led her to the car, "come on, let's go get some food or something."

she only nodded her head and joined him in the car. ricky locked his car doors and glanced at nini again. she was far from reality right now. he grabbed her hand and started to rub his thumb up and down her hand, "talk to me, neens."

she was silent for a few seconds, trying to find the right words to tell ricky about her recent news. all of a sudden she turned to the boy and spoke, "i was trying to find my dad."

ricky got taken aback, "wait what?"

the girl sighed and leaned her head in the chair as she spoke, "that's why i came to chicago. i wanted to find him."

"... but why now??"

the girl shrugged her shoulders, "i don't know... to live with him?? get away from my moms. maybe ... i don't know.... and meet him?"

".... wait, you haven't met your dad yet...?"

the girl shook her head and started to play with her fingertips, "no, he left when i was just a baby. but i don't know... maybe he's changed or wants me now.. right?"