Falling Slowly | Ricky Bowen

10- Just be yourself...

We'd been so busy with the musical; Carlos and I had barely seen each other unless it was in rehearsals or passing each other in the hall; we were long overdue a good ole best friend night.

I laid on my bed, on my stomach, scrolling through movies on my laptop, while Carlos sits criss-cross on the floor, typing away on his phone.

"So," Carlos sang, standing up from his spot on the floor, I look up to see him opening my closet, "What are you wearing for homecoming?"

"I'm not going," I remind him, shutting my laptop; I didn't do school dances; Carlos knew this, "So sweats?"

Carlos sighed dramatically, "Eloise," She whined, pouting at me, "you have to come." I quirked an eyebrow at him, and he continued, "all the drama club is, and I want my best friend there." He pointed out, turning back around to go through my wardrobe; he wasn't going to find anything in there.

I sighed, "I'll think about it."

Satisfied with my answer, Carlos nodded, continuing his search through my closet, "Some of this stuff is cute." He finally said, holding up pieces of clothes I'd never worn, "why don't you wear this?"

"Mom bought me those," I shrugged, standing up from my bed; before I started High School, mom took me to the mall and bought me an entirely new wardrobe. I wanted to tell her I didn't need it and that the money should go towards her hospital bills, but she insisted we have a girl's day.

She was so happy that day, so full of energy; it almost felt like she wasn't sick. Keyword, almost; after that day, mom declined rapidly, and she never made it to see me on my first day of high school.

"I'm sorry," Carlos frowned, folding up the denim skirt he was holding, "I shouldn't have -"

"Carlos," I place my hand on his shoulder, "you're fine; I think mom would want you to be pushing me to wear this stuff."

"You're right," Carlos nodded, laughing at the thought, "maybe if you come to homecoming, we can go shopping?" Carlos nudged me; I appreciated his offer, nodding at him.

"Sure, if I-"my phone ringing cut off my response; Carlos peered over my shoulder to see who it was, a number I've never seen before flashed across my screen, "Hello?" I answered, putting the phone on speaker.

"Eloise?" Big Red's voice greeted me; he sounded relieved that I'd picked up.

"Hey," I greeted, both Carlos and I shared a look; why was Big Red calling me? "did you need something?"

"Are you busy?" He asked; before I can reply, he adds, "if not, how fast can you get here?"

"I'm with Carlos right now," I respond, "so, I don't-"

"She's free," Carlos yelled, cutting me off; I furrow my brows at him, shooting him a questioning glance.

"I guess I'm free."

"Cool," Big Red sighs, "Ricky's kind of freaking out; I'll text you my address."

"What was that about? Aren't we having a movie night?" I ask Carlos once I'm off the phone.

He shrugs, grabbing his backpack, "We can have a movie night any night," Carlos reminded me, "and besides, Ricky needs you."

Carlos subtly winks as he walks past me, nudging me teasingly, "What was that?"

Carlos shrugged, slipping his shoes on, "What was what?"

"That look?" I ask, sliding my converse on, "why are you smirking like that?"

"El, seriously?" Carlos asked, shocked I didn't get it, "you like him."

I laugh, shaking my head, "Ricky?" Carlos nodded, "Carlos, I'm helping him win back his ex," I remind him, "and I like EJ."