common sense • rini/jolivia one shots

midnight kisses

New Year's Eve has always been one of Ricky and Nini's favorite holidays, ever since they began spending it together their freshman year of high school.

~~9th grade~~

the Salazar-Roberts house is filled with people as the small brunette girl mills around. mostly everyone there worked with her moms and there were some neighbors as well. she was in search for one person in particular though.

she spots his curly hair from across the living room, seeing him stuffed into the corner of the couch, looking down at his phone. she makes her way too him, sitting on her knees next to him.

"hey you."

Ricky looks up, smiling at the girl and immediately setting his phone down, "hey Neens, haven't seen much of you tonight. where've you been?"

she groans a little, "my moms were making me socialize with their coworkers. trust me, i would've rather been with you."

she pretends not to notice how his cheeks turn a little pink at her words. he smiles a small grin, "yeah, i would've preferred that too."

Nini mentally curses herself for the heat that she can feel rising up her neck and cheeks at her best friends words.

"everyone! the countdown is about to begin!" Dana yells as she comes into the living room with her wife.

everyone crowds around the tv to watch the ball drop, the two teens staying in their little corner of the couch as everyone begins to countdown.

"i have a resolution this year. i can't tell you what it is yet though. you'll have to wait and see." the boy says quietly to his best friend.

she looks at him with wide eyes, "yeah?" she secretly hopes that resolution has something to do with asking her out.

he nods his head as the adults get down to five. they both turn their heads to the tv as the ball drops, everyone cheering and turning to their significant others.

the two teens sit awkwardly next to each other as everyone around them kisses. suddenly though, Nini feels a little brave.

she turns to her best friend, "happy new year Ricky." she says quietly before reaching up to press a lingering kiss to his cheek, very close to the corner of his mouth.

when she pulls away, they're both bright red and a little flustered. that was the closest they've ever been. Ricky clears his throat a little, "happy new year Nini. it's going to be a good one."

the girl smiles widely as his hand interlaces with hers, their fingers twining together.

~~11th grade~~

it's that time of year again as everyone is milling around Nini's house, waiting for the countdown to begin.

this year, mixed in with her mothers coworkers and her neighbors are her theatre friends, wanting to have more people to talk to at this party than usual. she's a gracious host, walking around to make sure all her friends are having a good time. there's one person she can't seem to find though.

"hey, have any of you seen Ricky?" she asks the small group of friends huddled in her kitchen.

"i think he went upstairs a few minutes ago." Seb says politely from his place under Carlos's arm.

she nods and weaves her way through the crowd to sneak upstairs. she figures he went into her room. she is correct when she makes it to the top of the stairs, seeing the door to her room ajar, pushing it open.

"hey, i've been looking for you." she says as she closes the door behind her to give them some privacy.

he turns to look at her from his place on the edge of her bed, "huh? oh, sorry. i just needed a minute alone."