Falling Slowly | Ricky Bowen

20- The Thanksgiving Party

Ricky and I walked up to Ashlyn's door; the entire walk over here, as we talked, our hands brushed one another, an action that was so small but somehow made my heart flutter with anticipation.

As we walked into Ashlyn's, I could hear the sound of drama students deeper in the house, all except for Nini, who sat on the steps nearby, "Hey Eloise," She greeted me, standing up, "and Ricky..." She sang, her eyes glancing between the two of us in a questioning manner, "Happy Thanksgiving!" She finally said, replacing her confused expression with a smile.

"Hey," I nodded at her, "you too, so have we missed-"before I could finish my question, EJ rushed over frantically.

"Eloise, hey," He greeted me, sighing in relief as if he'd been waiting for me to show up, "can we talk?"

The two of us have barely spoken since the night of the dance, "sure," I finally say, following him deeper into the house; once we're in the kitchen and alone, EJ continues.

"I am turning over a new leaf," He explains; I furrowed my brows together, nodding for him to continue, "So, I just wanted to apologize for that night at the dance and explain myself."

What was there to explain? He asked me out not because he liked me, but because he wanted to make someone jealous, and it's taken this long for him to apologize; I nod anyway, "After Nini broke up with me, Gina told me she had a way for the both of us to get what we want. She said if I brought you to the dance, it would make Nini jealous and maybe put a wedge between you and Ricky, causing him to quit the show."

A wedge between me and Ricky? I had known about the whole Nini thing, but did he really think me going out with him would make Ricky quit? "And you're telling me this because..." I ask, quirking my head to the side; so far, he hadn't actually apologized.

"I'm telling you this because I was a jerk and oblivious to how what I was doing might've hurt you." He responds, I scan his face for any indication that he's lying, but his expression remains serious and genuine, "Eloise, I'm really, really sorry."

"I forgive you," I say, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly; I'd gotten over the whole dance drama weeks ago, of course, it still stung that no one had thought to apologize, but I no longer thought about it.

EJ let out a breath, "so we're good?" He asks hopefully, "friends?"

Friends, something I'd never thought the two of us would be; something I used to hope would lead to more, but now, I was happy with that, "Friends."

"Apparently Carlos brought some board game, wanna go join everyone else," EJ asked; Carlos and a board game, I've known him long enough to realize he detests most boardgames, all except one.

I followed behind EJ into the living room, laughing once I saw the game placed on the table, "Oh my gosh," I moved closer to the board, "I haven't seen this in ages."

I had helped Carlos put the board together; we had never actually played it, though; Carlos had designed the game for more than two players, and neither of us had had any other friends at the time.

"You remember the rules?" Carlos asked, smiling up at me excitedly; I nod, "You're with me then; we know all the answers," I giggled, sliding down beside Carlos.

Carlos gave everyone a rundown on the game, and then we began; Ricky's team, the West High Knights, went first, singing a butchered version of What I've Been Looking For to the tune of Getcha Head in the Game. Each team took turns facing off in various challenges (including Ricky and EJ competing against one another doing Sharpay's warm-up; both seemed tense and awkward at first, but towards the end, everyone, including them, were in fits of giggles)