Second Chances (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 5 - i just can't imagine how you could be so okay

[a/n : Thanks for reading the story hope y'all are enjoying it. I promise it wont be too much of a slow burn, rini will meet again soon enough.]

The airport was particularly hectic today. People were running around every which way, trolleys and luggages were scattered about, and there have been numerous announcements in the past 10 minutes. Ricky Bowen, however, was completely oblivious to his surroundings. He was too busy worrying and texting his best friend to notice. A few weeks ago, he'd made the decision to visit his mom in Chicago, and at the time he felt like it was the mature decision and he was proud of himself. But now he was racked with anxiety, and he was beginning to doubt himself. 

Ricky : Red. U still at the parking lot ?  I'm not so sure about this anymore.

Red : I left a while ago and you're going to chicago
Ricky : what if she doesn't want to see me ? 

Red : she's the one who asked you to visit right... 

Ricky : technically it was todd .. and she didn't want to see me all these years.. what changed? 
Red : people change rick... maybe the cancer changed her? or maybe she did want to see you all this time, she was just too nervous (kinda like you rn) cause there's a lot of tension between you guys. 
Red : look. just board the plane and see her. give it a shot ricky, you'll never know unless you go. if things don't work out, i've got your back. 
Ricky : i hate when you're right

Red : I'm proud of you man. I know Nini would be too. 

Red was right, Nini would be proud of him for taking the first step towards reconciliation with his mom. Hopefully they can be civil with each other. He grabbed his belongings and his luggage, and proceeded to get in line to board the plane. 
____ 

Nini, Kourtney and EJ were having lunch together. EJ was desperately trying to get one of them to adopt a puppy at the dog shelter he volunteers at. Apparently one of the rescue labradors just had puppies, and he needed to find owners for them immediately. Kourtney was absolutely against it, while Nini was basically melting into a puddle of goo when EJ showed her the photos. 

"No way.. I am not sharing my apartment with a puppy. I have too many clothes I'm working on, there's a pile of fabric everywhere, and a puppy is just going to scratch and ruin everything." Kourtney said dismissively. 

"But they're so cute.. Right, Neens?" EJ said, "And there are no piles fabric at your apartment..." 

Nini didn't answer, still scrolling through the photos and videos on EJ's phone, mesmerized by the lab puppies. 

Kourtney rolled her eyes. "Earth to Nina!" 

"Sorry!" Nini snapped out of it, "They're just so cute..." 

"Cute enough for you to adopt one?" EJ asked hopefully

"Ugh.. I'll think about it, pal." 

EJ pumped his fist in the air, feeling satisfied with her answer. 

"Anyway, I need you guys to weigh in on something... a project I'm thinking about pitching to Doyle." Nini said. Doyle was her boss, he was kind and always encouraged Nini to come up with new concepts. "He came into my office the other day, and he said he needed ideas.  Apparently the December issue is always different and special, and if I propose a project it would open up a lot of doors for me." 

Nini presented her idea to them. She had found this organization called YAC - Youth Artists Center, they focus on creating art programs to help at-risk youth, and she wanted Figment to collaborate with them. The staff at Figment would mentor some of the youth who wanted to take part in the project. Then, December issue of the magazine would highlight the works of these young artists. And to close the year, they would hold a fundraiser where the art would be showcased. Nini had always been passionate about the importance of art programs for struggling teens, and she really wanted this project to work out.