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44. the threat

HEY THERE!!

i truly hope y'all aren't getting bored of this story- ik how long it is- and i feel like sometimes i'm like so detailed in a way so it takes longer for things to move along- ANYWAYS HOPE UR STILL ENJOYING!

ENJOY :)

Nini's pov

"Ricky! You're supposed to put flour on the counter so the dough doesn't stick!", I exclaim, scraping pasta dough off the counter and back into the bowl.

"I'm too busy making the meat sauce!", he chuckles in defense.

I shake my head and roll my eyes playfully. I flour the counter before putting the pasta dough back on the surface. I roll it out thinly before cutting it into strips big enough for lasagna.

"Alright is the water boiling?", I ask.

"Mhm.", Ricky replies, stirring the red sauce with ground beef.

I take handfuls of the pasta dough and place them into the boiling water. Both me and Ricky stand in front of the stove, too occupied on what we're doing.

The room is silent and we eventually both look at each other, chuckling.

"We're—"

"Great cooks?", Ricky finishes.

I open my mouth with an unsure expression, "Wasn't exactly going to say that...but—"

Ricky chuckles before stirring the sauce again. I check on the noodles and then grab a strainer. I take the pot off the stove and drain the water out. I set down paper towels and begin to take the noodle strips out, drying them off and putting the first layer in a glass dish.

"Okay put some meat sauce on it.", I say and Ricky scoops it over the top evenly.

I add another layer and then we add the cheese and so on. We continue until the dish is full and then we bake it in the oven.

We both let out breaths before beginning to clean up the dishes and set the table.

{Monday}

EJ's pov

"Exam week, you ready?", I ask Ricky while we walk through the halls.

"Most definitely.", he sarcastically replies.

We arrive at Gina and Nini's locker location and we see them talking. I walk up and wrap my arm around Gina, bringing her in and kissing her head.

"Hey!", she smiles.

"You're quite chipper considering we have a calculus exam in...", Ricky looks down at his phone screen, "4 minutes."

She shrugs, "Yeah well- it's almost summer."

Gina, Ricky and I laugh before slowing stopping, noticing Nini's silence.

Ricky's pov

I rest my hand on Nini's lower back, looking down at the girl.

"Hey you alright?", I quietly ask.

She shrugs, "Yeah I guess- I just...I don't know. I'm so caught up with my dad and everything but I wanna enjoy summer."