A Little Time to Get to You

time slows during our moments in love

Time slows when Ricky and I sing our last musical number together. He's nervous, the way he tentatively meets my gaze as he sings the first notes of Breaking Free.

He's been stable and present throughout the musical, but the vulnerability of the scene in front of the audience has me reaching for his hand, intertwining our fingers together slowly.

The song continues and we spin around in a tight embrace, Ricky's hands grip my hips as mine cup his cheeks, our voices mixing together as we sing at the top of our lungs. Ricky's eyes are gleaming and I feel giddy, the entire moment seeming to end way too early for our liking.

Our pinkies are the last parts of our bodies to separate as we sing the last notes of the song, and Ricky's expression is so gentle, so at peace that it makes my heart soar, the emotions bottling up inside me just waiting to burst.

***

Time slows when I feel Ricky squeeze my hand, twirling me into a tight embrace, swaying our bodies with his chin resting on my shoulder as we grin widely. It was all an act for the audience as the curtain opens for our bow, but it was an intense, genuine feeling for the two of us. The hand that wasn't attached to the arm looped tightly around my stomach held mine in a death grip and I just knew that he was channeling every bit of emotion that he could into his touch.

"I love you" Ricky whispers in my ear as he twirls us again, raising our hands up in the air so that we could bow for the cheering crowd. I can only laugh, there's no time to tell him that I love him too, but he knows, his eyes are sparkling as he disconnects from me, pushing me forward. My heart jumps a little out of nervousness and confusion but his expression is full of encouragement and pride, his hands coming out in front of his body to clap for me, to show me that he pushed me ahead so that I could get recognition for our performance.

I blush before turning to the happy audience, taking another bow for the sake of Ricky, thinking the entire time that I was so incredibly lucky for the boy behind me, cheering me on.

I feel him move up towards me again, his arm slipping around my waist to pull me back into our group of friends to do one final bow.

My cheeks begin to hurt from how hard I'm smiling.

***

Time slows when Ricky pulls me into a tight hug backstage, tears glistening in his eyes as we ride out our highs from finishing the musical. I lose myself in his scent, in the way his arms feel around my frame and I actually feel myself begin to cry.

This was everything I wanted, everything I could've ever dreamed of. Ricky rubs my back before pulling away, his own tears sliding down his cheeks as he smiles.

They weren't sad tears, no. Despite everything that made the musical go slightly awry tonight, it was a perfect evening and I knew with one glance that Ricky's tears were pure happiness.

I reach up, brushing his tears away before leaning up on my tippy toes to kiss the places they had fallen. I revel in the way his fingers press into my hips with a little more pressure, like he was trying to make sure that I wasn't going anywhere.

Ricky pushes me back onto my feet so that he can dip his head down and press his lips to mine. The kiss is sweet and gentle. His breath tickles my lips a little when he pulls back before he surges forward again to press our mouths back together. Exhaustion, love, happiness, and pure joy being conveyed through the kiss, making me never want to pull back.

***

Time slows when Big Red finds us back stage, clapping a hand on Ricky's shoulder and explaining that Miss Jen had brought in ice cream sandwiches for the cast and they were just waiting to be eaten in our rehearsal room. Ricky turns back to me, grinning widely and pulling on my hand, in no way wanting to go alone.

***

Time slows when Miss Jen finds us snacking on our frozen treats, informing me and Ricky that someone wanted to speak to us. Ricky looks happily excited, looping an arm tightly around my shoulders and guiding us to follow Miss Jen down the halls of East High.

If possible, it slows down even more when the USC admissions faculty member shook our hands and expressed her interest in me and Ricky.

"Your applications were quite admirable, but this performance tonight was wonderful. You two are exceptional young talents, and on Monday morning I urge you two to call our office. Your applications should be prioritized."

The woman explains before shaking our hands again and handing us each a card.

I'm frozen, it's impossible to process everything that's happened, but Ricky just shakes his head in disbelief, his smile not leaving his face as his hands cup the sides of my face. He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. "We did it Nins." He murmurs and I'm not entirely sure what he means by it, but I suppose it could fit any scenario.

We got back together. We put our fears and anxieties away to pull off the musical. We're about to get into the same colleges that we've dreamed about since we were ten.

I glance up into Ricky's eyes to see him studying me and I grin, closing my eyes and biting my lip. "Hell yeah we did." I mumble and he laughs, pulling me tightly against him in another tight hug.

We still had to go and find our families, we were basically holding one another in the crowded hallway. But for now, all that mattered were these moments.

And I knew I'd remember them forever.