if i can't have you || rini au

30. clear it up

ricky arrived to his locker, opening it up with the same grin on his face that he'd slept with all night and woke up with. he was thankful his parents weren't home to bring his mood down because it was definitely something he wanted to cherish and keep hold of for as long as he could.

"okay, tell us now."

the boy jumped and turned around to see all of his friends looking at him suspiciously with their arms folded or holding their books in them

"huh?" he asked confused, taking a book from his locker as he turned to look at them

"tell us why you've not been answering our repeated texts over what why you posted that on your rant??" carlos elaborated, taking his phone out and showing the boy's post from last night

ricky felt the heat rise to his cheeks as he smiled sheepishly "oh...that..."

"oh my god what happened??" gina asked with a gasp of interest, everyone nodding as they raised their eyebrows

he opened his mouth "well...me and nini kissed..."

"WHAT?!"

the hallway went silent and many students turned their heads to look at the group in confusion and interest as to what's happening

"alright, get back to your own gossip and mind your business too thanks!" ej exclaimed after them, everyone jumping and continuing with what they were doing as soon as he said that before he turned back to the curly-haired boy

"well, that definitely wasn't terrifying??" ricky said as he bit his teeth together and closed his locker

"you? nini? kiss!!" seb squealed excitedly

"finally!" kourtney and ashlyn cried out happily

"how? when? where?" gina questioned with a grin

"not too many details though please-"

"red shut up and let him talk!" carlos scolded

"but i don't-"

"everyone shut up, because she's coming this way!" ricky exclaimed in a hushed whisper as he anxiously fiddled with his fingers

the group all widened their eyes and turned their heads to notice the brunette girl arriving towards them with a small smile on her face

"good morning!" she said shyly, holding her bag over her shoulder tightly

the group all chimed in greetings in unison with small waves and grins on their faces which - she wasn't going to lie - might have terrified nini just a little...

she kept the smile on her face though and just nodded before glancing back at the curly-haired boy who had his eyes already on her and swallowed nervously, a faint, lop-sided grin on his face.

"hi..." she whispered

"h-hey..."

they both just stood there looking back at each other with their heart rates elevated at the sight of one another before the loud sound of ej clearing his throat broke their trance

"okay! well, we've all got to get to class, don't we?" he asked, looking at the rest of the group with wide eyes

"but-"

"yes we do ej!" seb nodded, the two taking ahold of gina and carlos knowingly while ashlyn, kourtney and big red all followed them giving ricky and nini one more smirk before they all made their way down the hall

nini opened her mouth in confusion "are they alright?"

"they never really are..." he joked, making her laugh lightly as he smiled at her before their gazes locked again and nini tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear, making him take a deep breath "how'd you sleep?"

nini smiled and nodded "very well...thank you...and you?"

"really good too..." he said

they stood in silence before nini chuckled "i'm sorry...we're being all...weird."

ricky laughed and nodded "got that too huh?"

"i know it's because of the kiss..." she said, her cheeks going red as ricky glanced down shyly before back up at her "but...i'll just say this, that...i did mean it, ricky. and...i like you."

he parted his mouth and his heart stopped as he swallowed, holding onto his books tightly and nini noticed that she wasn't getting a reply or reaction and that made her heart rate elevate to a very high speed

"oh gosh...i've-i've freaked you out, haven't i?" she asked, frightened "oh no...i'm-i'm sorry...you're my best friend first and i really don't want this to come between that and ruin it...you know what? just-just forget what i said...really...i'm sorry-"

she quickly turned away with her heart at the pit of her chest and tried to walk off before feeling ricky take her by the hand to stop her

"wait, nini," he said, turning her around to face him again

she kept her eyes down of embarrassment before looking up when she felt his fingers reach up to graze her face, brushing a few strands of her hair to the side before he leaned in to bring her lips to his

nini's eyes fluttered closed and she kissed back softly, her heart skipping a beat when feeling his thumb trace circles over her knuckles before he pulled away slowly

she exhaled deeply, swallowing as her eyes searched his face and he smiled, making one of her own form on her face

"that...that seemed to mean..."

"that i like you too..." he whispered, finishing her sentence "and i meant that." he added, talking about the kiss they'd just shared

nini smiled uncontrollably as she giggled nervously, looking down and back up at him "really?"

he chuckled and nodded "yeah, princess, i like you."

she jumped happily, twirling back and forth as she beamed at him "i'm glad...i like you too ratatouille ricky..."

he shook his head with a sigh "you really have to come up with a new nickname."

"i like it!" she exclaimed in defense, opening her locker to prepare her books before closing it back

she jumped again in fright at the bell ringing as the boy chuckled

"i really have to get used to that sound..." she mumbled sheepishly

"i don't think you ever will," he replied, looking down as he felt her take ahold of his hand in hers

she sighed "time for our scheduled funerals."

"it's literally just english princess,"

"but english is so boring!"