A Little Time to Get to You

the last rehearsal

"I can tell you're starting to freak out Ricky, but I promise you're going to be incredible." I say gently, watching the worried expression only continue to grow on his face as we finished our last full length rehearsal for the musical.

Opening night is tomorrow and while the tension and the nerves were understandably high as everyone packed up their bags and got their stuff together to go home, Ricky was noticeably fidgeting more, barely able to focus on anything but his own thoughts.

I place my hand on his arm and his head whips up from where he was shoving his script into his backpack. "Huh? What?" He asks, and I give him a sympathetic smile. "Are you okay?" I ask and he nods quickly but he couldn't be less convincing if he tried so I reach forward and grab his backpack, swinging it over my shoulder. "Come on." I say, reaching out my hand for him to take. He grabs it immediately even though there's clear confusion in his expression, and I lead him out of the auditorium, through the school, and outside towards the football field.

"Where are we going?" He chuckles and I glance back, giving him a smile. "To sit at the very top of the bleachers and watch the sunset. The football team is still practicing so we can be out there, and I really think you should get your mind off of whatever's bothering you." I say and Ricky smiles, squeezing my hand.

"Nothing's bothering me. I just think when we're all in there mutually freaking out about tomorrow night... it gets to a guy who's never done this before." Ricky jokes, allowing me to lead him up the bleachers before sitting down directly next to me. I smile and Ricky leans down, pulling on my legs to uncross them before spinning me slightly and lifting them so that they can rest on his lap. I blush and scoot all the way forward so that I could rest my head on his shoulder.

"I already know that you're going to be amazing. There's nothing to worry about." I say and Ricky's hand begins to run up and down the length my leg. "Yeah?" He murmurs and I nod, finding fascination with the ties of his sweatshirt. "And when we finish the best performance this school's ever seen with you as our lead, I'll say I told you so." I mumble and Ricky laughs, squeezing my thigh. "Well let's not forget that you're our leading lady. If it goes well it's because you were exceptional and led the way." He says and I blush, snuggling my head further into his shoulder.

"You know we've never really talked about it... but why did you join the musical this year?" I ask quietly instead of reveling in his compliment. (It brought on my own anxiety that I didn't want to face until absolutely necessary.)

Ricky's fingers begin to trace my legs again, his head resting against mine but angled down so that he could talk quietly without having, his lips near my ear.

"When I saw you with EJ on the first day of school... I don't know. I just needed to have you back because the way we ended... it was all such a misunderstanding. And when there was no time to talk because you were about to audition, I don't know. I just sat down on the stage and stuck around. It was stupid, I probably could've caught up to you after auditions or something, but I felt like if I left the room I'd never see you again. Like the real you. My Nini."

Ricky finishes his explanation quietly and I lift my head off of his shoulder, meeting his eyes.

"I love you." I murmur and Ricky's lips turn up, his face nearing mine. "I love you too." He tells me, the secure arm wrapped around my back, tightening just a little. "But next time we can just talk, you don't have to do a three-month long musical and throw basketballs at me and-" Ricky cuts me off and shakes his head. "I'd do it all again." He says and I pull my head back in offense and Ricky's eyes widen. "Not the basketball part, oh my god I thought you were being romantic and cute." He says, lifting the hand that was resting on my legs to wave it in the air.

I giggle and lean into him, one of my arms wrapping around his back. "If you hadn't joined the musical, I'm not sure what would've come of us." I say honestly, recalling the way I ignored him completely until we were forced into a room together. Ricky nods, his nose almost just barely touching mine. "So thank you." I whisper, and he nods again.

"We would've found our way back to each other. I know that for sure. I think it just would've taken a little time and I'm glad we didn't have to waste it." He says and I smile softly. Without answering, I lean forward and press my lips to his. The kiss sends tingles down my body and I lean into him for more which he gladly responds to. His mouth opens and he pushes his tongue past my lips but when I feel his fingers move dangerously higher on my leg, I pull away.

"Don't you even think about it. Not tonight. We need lots of rest." I half scold and half joke. Ricky grins cheekily and leans in to press a slow kiss to my jaw. I close my eyes at the contact and revel in its gentleness. "Not even if I say that it'd be a distraction to keep my mind off of-" I cut him off before he can finish. "NOPE!" I say and he laughs loudly, leaning in to embrace me tightly. "I love you so much Nini." He tells me for the second time tonight.

His words still bring a blush to my cheeks and I wrap my arms tightly around him. "Do you? Hmm I didn't know." I giggle and he grins, letting out a slow breath.

"Guess I'll have to tell you more often then."