Ballad of a Broken Boy

Showering you with love

When we eventually managed to stop laughing, I got up and grabbed some clothes.

"Hey, Ricky... would you mind if I took a shower?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"That depends... can I join you?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. "Only if you want me to poke your eyes out." I threatened him, smiling innocently. He frowned.

"Down the hall, second door on the left." He sighed reluctantly. "Towels are in the linen closet." I smiled, leaning forward to whisper in his ear.

"Maybe one day, baby." I said, which was a little out-of-character for me, but it was worth it to see the look on his face.

"Nini..." he groaned. I just chuckled and rolled my eyes, swinging my hips a little exaggeratedly as I walked out of his room and went into the bathroom. I locked the door, but the lock looked a little unsecured, so I moved a laundry basket in front of it. Then I stripped off my clothes and climbed into the shower. The whole bathroom was surprisingly clean, although I was willing to bet that it was Ricky who kept it that way. I turned the heat up until it was practically burning my skin, the way I always have my showers, and used the shampoo that was there. I assumed it was Ricky's moms, and I figured she wouldn't notice me using a little.

When I got out, I dried off with the towel and got dressed, tying my hair back to keep it from making the back of my shirt damp. Then I moved the laundry basket back and walked back into Ricky's room. I froze in the doorway when I saw that he was changing. He was wearing nothing but boxers with smiley faces on them. I felt my face burn bright red but couldn't help laughing at the childish underwear. He smirked when he turned and noticed me looking, and although I had seen it before I couldn't help but feel turned on by his toned abs. He grinned, holding out his arms and doing a little twirl, making me laugh harder.

"Like what you see?" he asked. I grinned, licking my lips.

"Looks delicious." I said seductively, making him groan.

"God, Nini, you used to be so shy! Why do you have to be all sexy and seductive now?"

"Oh, I've always been sexy and seductive... you just never noticed before." I shrugged. He smiled, shaking his head.

"Oh, trust me... I noticed. But now you're doing it on purpose, just to torture me." He said, laughing. I grinned.

"Well, I won't deny that... but I need to ask you a serious question." I said, walking over and sitting on the bed. He sat next to me, and my breathing sped up a little as I noticed that he was still dressed in his underwear. I shook my head to clear my mind and began.

"Well, I haven't really been in school much, but when I start going back properly... will you be ashamed of me? Because when I was there, you mostly seemed to avoid me. While I was going through this whole thing with my dad, I mean. Other than the day I had that fight with Kourt, you never really spoke to me. I guess I'm just wondering if that was just because, or if it's because you didn't want people to know we were friends. Or, as we are now, more than friends..." I rambled, fiddling with my fingers. Ricky smiled, shaking his head.

"No, Nini. I would never or could ever be ashamed of you. Remember what I said about everyone liking you? It's not like people will judge. Well, they will- but hey. Maybe this will help me get rid of my bad boy reputation. You know I haven't smoked once since you stayed here the first time?" I was shocked.

"Really? But you almost did when you picked me up..."

"Yeah, but that was just because I was so stressed out, and it really hurt to see you like that." He shrugged. I smiled, reaching over to hug him. I felt tingles run through me at the warmth from his nearly naked body next to mine and shivered. He hugged me harder and I gasped, pulling my body over to sit on his lap, kissing him. I ran my hands up and down his bare chest, revelling in the solidness and the shape of his defined abs. He groaned, grabbing my hands in his own and holding them still, attacking my lips with a newfound passion that felt new. I gasped when he bit my lip forcefully and suddenly his tongue was in my mouth, and although we had kissed like this before it just felt different... in a really, really good way.