𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 𝙀𝙅 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡

↳ 12

Nini frowned at the image displayed on her computer screen. She was sitting in bed, legs crossed above the soft mattress as she slightly bent over to check her Instagram through her computer since her phone had mysteriously disappeared a few hours prior.

However, she was not expecting to see a message from Kourtney, telling her to check EJ's newest post. Nini never wanted to be the kind of girlfriend who was constantly checking her boyfriend's Instagram page, but Kourtney's text made her very intrigued, to say the least.

So now she was staring at the picture of Autumn and EJ on the park, each holding a cone of ice cream – Autumn's was a mix of chocolate and vanilla, while EJ preferred a simple strawberry-flavored ice cream –, while they made a silly, goofy expression to the camera.

Nini couldn't help but wonder when the two of them got so close. For her, it seemed like only yesterday EJ was all grumpy because Autumn had retorted his little arrogant comment. Now,  they were both hanging out after school and had cute nicknames for each other.

Nini sighed, closing her laptop rather harshly in hopes of avoiding such confused, jealous thoughts. However, as she tossed and turned in bed that night – the recurrent insomnias were killing her –, she couldn't stop thinking about the glint in both Autumn's and EJ's eyes on the picture they took together.

Mostly, she couldn't stop thinking about how she and Ricky used to have that same glint, too.

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Autumn grinned proudly as she watched Gina and the rest of the dancers rehearse 'Stick to the Status Quo' choreography. If she had to pick a word to describe how Gina's performance was, Autumn would say that her best friend was glowing.

That would be an understatement because, in fact, Gina was a really talented dancer, and she was completely killing it with her complicated maneuvers. Of course, they were very complex, but Gina made it all seem so easy that Autumn couldn't help but be in awe.

"Everybody hold!" Miss Jenn exclaims when Gina finishes her routine. Only then does Autumn notice Nini standing in the doorway. The teacher approached Nini in a moment, a preoccupied expression on her face. "Nini, where were you? We've been here for an hour."

"I'm so sorry. I lost my phone and basically spent last night living as a hunter-gatherer, which, by the way, did you know that there are things that are only on TV at a certain time?" Nini apologized.

Autumn's eyes widened slightly at the girl's explanation, and her gaze fell on EJ, eyebrows raising as if to remind him he had to tell Nini what happened. EJ nodded, nervously chewing on the inside of his cheek as he watched Nini continue to ramble.

"Okay, anyway, I finally picked it up at the Lost and Found, and-" Nini stopped mid-sentence when she finally processed Miss Jenn's words. "Wait, did you say an hour?"

"Gina sent the whole group a text asking if we could come in early so she could talk through a new idea. You didn't get it?" Miss Jenn asked, looking at the girl in confusion.

"No, because my phone was missing." The brunette clumsily replied, ashamed that she didn't check her messages right when she found her phone.

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Asʜʟʏɴ Cᴀsᴡᴇʟʟ, Sᴏᴘʜᴏᴍᴏʀᴇ

Yep, I saw it too. EJ was supposed to return that phone. Suddenly feeling #cumplicit.

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ᴀᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ ᴄᴀᴍᴘʙᴇʟʟ, ᴊᴜɴɪᴏʀ

Ej was pretty shaken up yesterday by the idea of losing Nini. He didn't give her phone back in person because he's trying to delay that talk as much as possible, but it's pretty inevitable. I mean, at some point they're going to have to talk about it, right? I wish I could help more.

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ᴇᴊ ᴄᴀsᴡᴇʟʟ, sᴇɴɪᴏʀ

I know I should've told Nini the whole truth already. The truth is, I'm afraid of what her reaction might be. I know I screwed up big time – even Ashlyn thinks so. The worst part is that I feel like my attitudes disappointed my favorite people... Ash and Autumn, that is. I don't want to disappoint Nini too.

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As soon as Nini's conversation with Miss Jenn was over, the girl dropped her backpack in one of the cupboards on the bomb shelter. Autumn watched attentively as Ricky raised from his seat beside her and marched, determined, towards his ex-girlfriend. Uh oh.

"Hey, Nini, how was your night?" As soon as Ricky shot his first question at Nini, Autumn realized what this was about. EJ had told her about the voicemail Ricky left for Nini the previous day and how he shamefully deleted it in a surge of jealousy.

EJ was glaring at Ricky at this point, which also didn't go unnoticed by the Campbell. She stood up and moved across the room, to sit beside EJ.

"You should tell her. I know Ricky, and sooner or later he'll mention the voicemail and, believe me, you don't want Nini finding out that way." Autumn stated in a low voice, so only the senior could hear her.

"I know," EJ whispered defeatedly. That sad, broken look she had seen on his face only the day before had returned, and Autumn sighed, grabbing his hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"Everything's going to be alright, J. I know you're really scared, but I trust you'll do the right thing." Autumn said, giving his large hand a last quick squeeze before the rehearsal got back on track.

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"This is not good." Ricky declared as he balanced right and left on his skateboard, which was piled on a ball.

"We know." Big Red mumbled lazily from his spot next to Autumn. Both were lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling while they tossed a ball back and forth between them.

"No, I mean, this is really not good." The skater said once more, trying to get his friends' attention and focus on the matter at hand.

"Yeah, but it's not news either. You broke her heart, you crashed her play, you bugged her for a little bit, and then you left her an extra sad voicemail." Autumn summarized, trying to be as gentle as she could be.

Ricky hummed, getting off the skateboard and sitting on a chair that faced Red's bed. "You think maybe it's time to move on?" He asked.

"I wouldn't. But you have that other thing." Red stated, and Autumn turned her head to the side to look at him, confusion glazing over her brown eyes. "Pride."

"Tell me what to do." Ricky required. Autumn sighed, adjusting her position on the bed so she was now sitting criss-cross and facing Ricky.

"Just be yourself, Rick." She affirmed, smiling warmly at him. "Be the bigger man. You are such an amazing guy, it's time to act like it. Around her."

Ricky swallowed, thinking carefully about his friend's opinions. He was starting to realize he was so lucky to have someone to rely on, someone that didn't give up on him even after all his stupid mistakes. And he was happy that someone was Autumn and Big Red. "You're right."