A light || Ricky and Nini

Chapter 18

Nine POV

I get home and immediately FaceTime Gina. She picks up on the second ring exclaiming "Thank god!" I laugh and tell her to rant. Apparently she and EJ went out "as friends" to get ice cream tonight. They wanted to hang out outside the group because they had similar personalities. I find that part funny, especially because it's so true. From her story, he leaned in, and then pulled back after he realized what he was doing. "Well shit" I tell her. "I wasn't expecting that much!" Gina laughs. "Yeah and now I don't know what to do! I feel like it's going to be so awkward." I think for a moment. "Obviously he likes you though, or else he wouldn't have leaned in. I don't think you have to make it awkward. He just second guessed himself." Gina doesn't look convinced. "Come on though Nini, we're talking about EJ. The senior." I laugh. "Come on you! This dude is crushing hard and it doesn't matter that he's a senior because feelings aren't controlled by that type of stuff. Go get him girlie, and show him what he's missing if he doesn't go after you." Gina's beaming at this point. "Alright I'll talk to him at lunch tomorrow. That way I've got a group to return to if things go badly. Thanks so much Nini." I smile at the camera, telling her to have a good night and I shoot EJ a text. I tell him he's all good, and that he should go for what he wants. For the rest of the night I shower and text Ricky, falling asleep thinking about the boy I love.

The next day at school I am totally anxious, knowing that I just advised two humans into being in a relationship with each other. Ricky can clearly tell, and he's being adorable about it. Holding my hand and shooting me texts throughout the classes we don't see each other in. When lunch comes around I am totally nervous. Ricky puts his arm around my waist as he leads me to our normal table and I notice everyone is there... except EJ and Gina. "They're probably running late from their lockers." Ricky whispers in my ear. "Both of them?" I question. "Yeah it sounded pretty stupid coming out of my mouth but I was hoping it'd chill you out anyway." I laugh and turn to kiss his cheek, but he turns his face and I peck his lips instead. "By the way. You look beautiful today." He tells me with his big smile. I lean onto his shoulder happily until I notice Gina and EJ walking into the cafeteria together. I shoot up instantly and Ricky whispers to me "Look at his hand" and I look up to see his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to our table. "Oh my god!" I squeal. Gina is beaming and EJ looks pretty proud of himself too. I've gotta say, I am pretty relieved that I didn't butcher any friendships. "Hey you two!" I say to them as they reach the table. "Hey buddyyy" Ricky says towards EJ. "Fuck off" EJ says laughing. Ricky pretends to look hurt, but it's hilarious watching the two boys share a similar smile. It's finally widespread happiness. All of the drama has cooled and we're all sorta letting ourselves be happy. Ashlyn and Big Red are together, Carlos and Seb are an item and Kourtney is the strongest woman ever who literally doesn't need a partner to be at her happiest and most powerful. Our group just feels good. I'm reveling in that as I feel Ricky's hand rest on my leg. Instinctively I cover his hand with mine and turn to look at him. "What?" I question. "Just happy." He tells me. I smile and lean back into him. His arm goes around my waist and I observe our table. EJ and Gina are holding hands and talking quietly. They're smiling and look giddy off each other. It makes me push myself further into Ricky for some reason. He just feels like home. I feel Ricky look down at me with a smile, wrapping his arm tighter around me. I turn my head to snuggle into his sweatshirt, getting lost in the scent of his cologne and the beat of his heart. I'm pulled back into reality by his fingers rubbing my shoulders and Kourtney's voice. "Ya'll are being adorable" she starts with, directing her gaze to everyone at the table. "But we've got news! Miss Jen changed the musical." "WHAT" Carlos exclaims. "Yeah it looks like we're putting on Beauty and the Beast. No auditions necessary, the cast list will be out this week and rehearsals start in two weeks."  Everyone is shocked and excited. "Well damn!" Seb adds to the conversation. "Okay this sounds fun." EJ says. "Yo how are we supposed to play objects." Ricky announces to the table. We all laugh but Big Red says "Just ask Nini, she was a fork after all!" My face reddens considerably and Ricky holds me a little tighter. "The most gorgeous fork Salt Lake has ever seen, no doubt." I look at him smiling and the entire table agrees with him which makes me blush, regardless of my already red face. "Alright guys let's run to the drama room before the end of the lunch period to tell Miss Jen how excited we are" Ashlyn says. Everyone agrees and gets up, walking together in their little groups. Then all of a sudden an arm reaches out and pulls me down a completely different hallway. I squeal and run because I know it's Ricky. He pulls me against a tiny corridor and backs me up into the wall. "I've literally gone all morning without kissing you" he tells me. I laugh bumping my nose up against his. "And you couldn't kiss me in front of everyone?" I ask. "Not like this" he tells me, and he pushes further into my body, catching my lips with his. My body lights up under his lips, and his touch and I kiss him back passionately, trying to possibly bring us closer. My hands run through his curls and as our mouths separate he sighs in content. "I love you" he tells me quietly. I look at him with adoration, running my fingertips gently over his cheeks. "I love you too Ricky." I whisper back just as gently. We press our foreheads together and then pull away to walk to class. "Check the group chat" Ricky tells me, laughing. I open my phone to the conversation happening. Big Red texts the group "Yo where are you guys?? Richard... Nina!" Of course Kourtney responded to that message "Probably making out in the bathrooms somewhere." EJ texts the group "or hallway." Ricky and I are cracking up as we walk to class. This couldn't get any better.