Ocean State of Mind

Goodbyes?

Ricky Dicky's POV
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A week later

I woke up to the sound of my doorbell ringing over and over. I groaned and rolled out of my bed, looking at the clock as I put on my sweats. It was 6:30 in the morning! Why would someone be at my house at such an ungodly hour? "I'm coming! I'm coming, calm down!" I said, lazily walking to the door.

"Why did you tell Nini she should leave?!" Gina yelled at me before hitting my arm, hard. "Ow!" I exclaimed.

That girl throws a mean punch.

"What's your excuse, Bowen? Huh?!" Gina said, angrily crossing her arms. "I didn't wanna be the one to hold her back from her dreams and she'd be happier there." I sighed, rubbing my arm. Gina rolled her eyes.

"Oh my god. You two need to stop all of this bullshit right now!" She said storming into my house. "Yes, Gina, come on in. I love having guests at 6am. And stop what?" I asked, closing the door behind us. "Stop denying everything! Can't you see it? Nini was going to stay if you told her that you wanted her here. You were the only thing holding her back!" Gina glared at me.

"But that's what I don't want, Gi. I don't want to be the reason she stays. I want her to stay because she wants to stay. This is an amazing opportunity for her. What if she stayed and then ends up regretting her decision and wishes she left? She could have all she's ever wanted, and she deserves that." I said, looking down. Gina sighed. "Ricky, all she wanted was you." She said softly. "You need to tell her how you feel Rick and do it quick, because your mom sent me down here to tell you we're having a surprise going away party for Neens tonight. Her flight is at eleven tonight, and she's going to be leaving for the airport at nine. I don't want to see her leave, and I know that you don't either." Gina told me.

"Of course I don't, Gina! But I still don't think she likes me. She just got out of a six year relationship." I said. "Well let me tell you this, Richard Bowen... you'll never know unless you try. Everyone can see it except for you two bone heads. Please tell her before it's too late." Gina said, ruffling my curls and giving me one more stern look before walking out. I sighed and walked into the kitchen and made a cup of coffee.

There's no sense in going back to sleep now.

I sat at my kitchen counter and just stared at the steaming coffee, heeding Gina's words. I mean, if I told Nini that I lik- no... that I love her, then she could come running into my arms and we would potentially live happily ever after, and I'd be the happiest guy on the planet. On the flip side, she could run away and decline her feelings for me and I would be shattered and broken for the rest of eternity.

Truthfully, I don't even know why I told her to leave. Sure, this is amazing for her and I wouldn't want to be selfish and make her stay just for me, but I don't know what I would do without her. She's suddenly become my life support. It's like she's my oxygen and I'd die without her.

I looked at the clock, it was now 7am. I made myself some scrambled eggs and took a shower.

I threw on a mauve colored t-shirt and some jean shorts. I took a black baseball cap and put it on backwards over my mop of curls. I felt lazy and gloomy. I gave myself a once over in the bathroom mirror and when I decided I looked sufficiently down bad, I headed down to my shop for the first lesson of the day.

I had a group of girls, who looked about my age. "Are you guys ready?" I asked, trying to inch away from them. I was getting annoyed with the fact that they would try to find every little opportunity to touch me.

"Sure thing, handsome." One of the girls flirted. I groaned inwardly and hoped this would all be over soon so I could go see Nini. After I was done with them, I had a sweet little girl named Anna and then a couple. Soon enough it was noon and I was exhausted. I was lying down on the futon when I heard the chime above the door ring.