A Little Time to Get to You

different type of pain

"So you'll be okay today?" EJ asks me, climbing out of his side of the car to come over and help me out. I give him a pathetic look and nod, pulling my backpack over my shoulder. "I really appreciate you driving me. Miss Jen emailed and said she wanted to see me earlier before rehearsal today so you've kinda already made my day. I can only assume it'll go down from here." I smile and EJ returns it. "Text me if you need anything alright? I'm sure things will go just fine." I nod, leaning in to wrap my arms around him in a friendly hug. "After school we'll get smoothies?" I ask and he laughs, leaning against the passenger car door, crossing his arms. "If you don't already have plans." He wiggles his eyebrows and I squint at him. "It's very, very unlikely that I will." I promise him, making it clear that I didn't plan on reconciling with any former boyfriends today. EJ sighs in defeat and shrugs. "Fine but I'll be checking in daily. I'm rooting for you two Nins." I can't help but laugh and turn to face the school, seeing none other than Ricky who was standing by the entrance, whip his glance away from me and EJ. I let out a sad sigh. "I wish he were too."

***

The end of the day comes too soon and I rush to the room behind the auditorium that Miss Jen asked me to meet her in for my early rehearsal. I could only assume I'd get a lecture before she coached me on my acting, but to be honest, after yesterday's afternoon with EJ I was feeling much more ready to face Ricky. "You're the lead in the show, you have to act like one. Suck it up and pretend that you're Gabriella." EJ had told me. I'm just about positive that'll work, because there's no Ricky in High School Musical. Which means there's no problem in High School Musical either.

I jog the rest of the way into the large theater classroom and I'm greeted by my smiling theater teacher. "Nini hon, I'm so glad you could make it!" Miss Jen looks up from her script and I give her a smile. "Hi Miss Jen! Thanks for setting this up. Look I know that yesterday was unprofessional so-" Miss Jen shakes her head to cut me off and gives me another warm smile. "We all have off days Nini. But I couldn't help but notice a problem between you and our Troy, and that's something we need to nip in the bud." My smile falters at her words and I nod. "Oh Ricky? He uh, we're not, uh..." I fumble for my words but I'm interrupted.

"I'm sorry I'm late! It won't happen again! There was a problem with the computers in the computer lab and-"

I'm standing in complete shock as none other than the boy I was talking about runs into the theater room, already fully rambling to Miss Jen before she cuts him off politely. "Hello there Ricky! No worries honey, it happens." She promises before turning back to me. My jaw is practically on the floor and I feel Ricky's eyes boring into me, obviously trying to figure out what was happening as well.

"Why is he here?" I ask, completely avoiding Ricky's presence. Miss Jen smiles sympathetically. "You could literally just ask me that instead of pretending like I don't exist." Ricky snaps and I turn, glaring at him. "I think that pretending you don't exist is the safest option for the two of us." I fire back and Miss Jen claps her hands together. "Okay! Kids! I'd say there's some pent up something between you two, and I don't know what it is but it's not my business. However, it is my business when it starts to affect my show and-" I cut Miss Jen off. "Just change our roles then." I say and her lips pull into a thin line. "I don't change roles Nina, and it'd be good of you to refrain from questioning a teacher. Now I'm sorry, but you two are just going to have to sort out your baggage here and leave it here while I get rehearsal started with the rest of the group. I don't care if it takes you all afternoon-" I cut her off again. "Miss Jen I have to be somewhere." I say and her eyes turn sad, her hand reaching out for my arm so that she can pull me away from Ricky. My face burns as Ricky tries to strain to hear our conversation.

"Nini, you're better than this. I need you to act like it okay? As hard as it might be, you need to stay here and work things out so that you shine together on stage." She urges me quietly and I nod, unable to get past my own personal disappointment. I find it hard to refrain from staring a hole in the ground.