stolen

18. nini...

"Bowen! I totally won that.", Nini chuckles.

"Nah I'm pretty sure I did. I was the basketball champion in middle school.", Ricky argues.

Nini rolls her eyes at the boy.

It was late morning and Nini was still admitted to the hospital. The doctors were still tracking and doing tests to make sure she was perfectly okay. And Ricky hadn't left her side. He probably hasn't gotten sleep in at least 48 hours. The two were finishing up their Chick fil a breakfast as they were reminiscing (and arguing) over a basketball game they played back in middle school. Nini couldn't do much, so they had been spending their time talking about old memories of them.

"You remember when Gina-", Nini got cut off.

"When Gina what?", a curly haired girl says, standing in the doorway with her friends.

Nini's eyes light up at the sight of all her best friends.

"Oh my gosh, guys!", she exclaims.

"Nini!!", they all squeal as they rush over to give her hugs.

"We're so glad you're okay!", Kourtney says.

Nini smiles, "Thanks guys! I'm glad to see you all again"

"How are you doing?", EJ asks.

Nini nods, "Pretty good now..."

Everybody smiles and engulfs her in another hug. The amount of joy they got from hugging their best friend again was unbelievable.

"Ricky...are you okay?", Red asks, turning to his best friend.

He yawns, "Yeah, why?"

"When's the last time you slept?", Ashlyn questions.

He shrugs, "At least 48 hours."

They all raise their eyebrows, "What are you doing!"

"What do you mean? I've been here with Nini.", he replies.

"You need to go home and shower and sleep. You know...take care of yourself.", Gina says, raising her eyebrows.

"I'm just waiting until they let Nini go home.", he argues.

"Richard. Go home for a few hours and clean up then you can come back. I'll be fine.", Nini speaks.

"Yeah, we'll all stay with her.", Kourtney reassures the curly haired boy.

He stays silent, hesitating, before eventually giving in, "Fine. But call if you need anything, okay?"

EJ begins pushing him out the door, "Yes, yes. Blah, blah, blah. We got it."

He rolls his eyes as he makes his way out of the door.

Once the door closes, Gina turns around with a mischievous expression.

"I never thought of you guys like this...but now that I think about it, ya'll would make a cute couple.", Gina smirks.

Nini lightly slaps her arm, "Gi! We're best friends...since kindergarten! You know this."

She raises her hands up, surrendering, "I know, I know. But I'm just saying."

Nini rolls her eyes as she stares outside the window.

"You good? It looks like something's on your mind...", Seb says.

She shrugs, "I'm fine I guess..."

"Nini, what's wrong?", Kourtney asks.

"Guess I'm just a little scared to be let out of the hospital. You know...up here I feel safe and protected. But out there...", she replies, keeping her focus on the window.