ALIVE - R. BOWEN

fifteen

Ricky's heart was pounding in his chest the whole ride to Salt Lake Slices, he would casually turn the music up to drown out the sound of his heartbeat, just in case Nini could hear.

She just bopped her head along with the music, Ricky stealing glances at her every so often. If she could hear his heart beating, she showed no signs of it.

They didn't talk much on the ride there, and Ricky let Nini have the aux out of pure curiosity for her music taste, she played a few Harry Styles songs and a few Taylor Swift songs, but none that Ricky could recognize, and he was too afraid to spark a conversation.

He pulled into the parking lot of Salt Lake Slices and Nini practically jumped out the car before he could even unbuckle.

Sure the ride was awkward, but he didn't think it was that awkward.

She led the way, and Ricky stayed a few feet behind her, hands in his pockets. She practically skipped through the slush, and Ricky couldn't help but admire from afar, who wouldn't admire her.

The bell jingled as always, and Big Red was clad in his tie dye shirt, him and Howie chatting at the counter. His head shot around in excitement, and his face lit up with a mix of happiness, and then a slight bit of confusion. He quickly told Howie that he'd be right back, and made his way over to where Ricky and Nini were standing awkwardly, Ricky trying to look anywhere but at Nini.

"Hey guys," Red said upon approaching him, and was met with a half smile from Ricky. "I didn't know you guys were friends."

"Um yeah we..." Ricky stumbled, trying to cover his words, but he didn't need to because Nini jumped right in.

"We got close at the sleepover! Bonded over the movie, and you, of course!" Nini giggled, and Ricky couldn't help but look at her with wide eyes that wondered "how the hell did you pull that off?"

Big Red shrugged, thinking nothing of it. "Oh well it's gonna be a little bit before I can hang, I gotta make a few deliveries. So feel free to take a seat in any of the booths and I'll bring over some drinks and some cheese bread when I have a sec." Big Red said dismissively, his two friends nodding and Ricky taking lead to the corner booth where he normally sat while he waited for Red.

Nini slid into the seat across from Ricky's and the two were silent for a good thirty seconds before Nini said "So, what were you and Big Red gonna do tonight?"

Get high.

Was the truth, but Ricky wasn't sure where Nini stood on that, or if she even knew that getting high was a hobby that he and Big Red both enjoyed. So he shrugged and said "Probably just hit up the skatepark, you know..." he trailed off.

"Sounds... fun." Nini replied, suddenly wising she hadn't asked Ricky to dinner.

Luckily a savior, in the form of Howie, approached their table. "Hey guys, Nini! Long time no see!" Howie smiled warmly, and Nini returned the smile.

"Yeah, I've been so busy, but I've been meaning to stop by. I've missed hanging out at the counter." Nini frowned, before turning to look at Ricky and motioning towards him. "You've met Ricky right?" Nini asked Howie.

Ricky gave a closed mouth, short smile and a small wave. "Good to see you man."

"We've met." Howie assured Nini, "Good to see you too." He responded curtly to Ricky, which for some reason caused him to sit up straighter. "Big Red has stepped out to make a delivery so I can take your order and he'll join you when he gets back."

"What kind of pizza do you like?" Nini looked at Ricky, her eyes wide with anticipation, as if she had just asked Ricky to tell her a secret.

"Um, pineapple is fine I guess." He mumbled