Nini comes from a family where love isn't shown very often if at all. After being taken out of that environment and being adopted by a loving family, she tries to move on yet her past continues to haunt her, including the scars that were left all ov...
"Alright now tell me how it went" Gina sat on her bed crisscross apple sauce with a big bowl of popcorn in her hand.
She took a fistful of popcorn and stuffed it in her mouth awaiting her best friends answer.
"Honestly? It was amazing. Ricky's parents are so sweet and welcoming. Ricky always made sure that I was comfortable and there wasn't one moment that they made me feel uncomfortable. I don't think I've ever experienced a family night like that" Nini told her best friend happily.
"You could experience those you know?"
"Huh?" Nini asked with a puzzled expression on her face
"Lisa and Jorge really want a relationship with you Ni. Lisa has reached out to me several times asking for advice on how to get through to you. I know it's hard for you considering the past but maybe it's time to try" Gina said
Nini knew that Lisa and Jorge wanted a relationship with her, but it was just so hard for her after everything with her mother.
"I want to, but it's not exactly that easy Gi. I don't know how" Nini said earning a frown from her best friend
"Well maybe just ask them to have a family dinner sometime soon. Ask if you can invite me,or Ricky to help if there's any awkwardness between the three of you. It may seem small but it's a start" Gina reasoned
"You're right" Nini said. She knew that if she had either her best friend or boyfriend there with her it'd help with comfort.
Lisa and Jorge had already done so much for her and she felt that this was the least she could do.
"You can have that happy ending you've been looking for Nini. But you have to stop letting your past get in the way of that" Gina said and Nini offered her a small smile taking in the words her best friend told her.
She convinced herself a long time ago that her life just wasn't meant to be happy, and that she had to deal with that so when the opportunity presented itself for it to be anything other than miserable she didn't take it.
She didn't take it out of fear. She was scared that it'd be ripped away from her just as fast as it was given.
"Thanks Gi" Nini said and Gina smiled as a way to say 'you're welcome'.
"Now, let's watch some movies" Gina said and Nini sat back on the bed sticking pieces of popcorn into her mouth.
•••
"Umm Lisa, Jorge can we talk?" Nini shyly walked into the kitchen area where Lisa was currently cooking dinner, and Jorge was reading his newspaper.
Lisa and Jorge put no pressure on Nini to call them mom or dad after she was adopted because they were aware of her past, and how sensitive those words were to her.
"Of course, what's wrong honey" Lisa said in a concerned tone. She picked up on Nini's nervousness and that made her nervous, aside from the fact that Nini rarely talked to them.
Jorge sat his newspaper down giving Nini his full attention. Although she hadn't been in their care for long, both Jorge and Lisa cared about Nini dearly and wanted to ensure that everything was okay.
Nini took a deep breath preparing to speak, wishing that she had Ricky there to give her hand a reassuring squeeze that she wasn't alone.
Although she'd been in their care for almost a year, she still couldn't bring herself to talk to them without her nerves building up, and having Ricky there would've made her feel so much better.
"Well um I was wondering if..." Nini started but stopped for a moment taking a breath, trying to get through the sentence.
"It's okay Nini, take your time" Jorge said and gave Nini a reassuring smile
"You guys wanted to have a family dinner tomorrow" she said slowly and steadily. As soon as the sentence came out of her mouth instant smiles came across both Lisa and Jorge's faces.
This was something they wanted so desperately and they had been waiting so long for Nini to come around to it. Even though she was noticeably still nervous around them, it was a step in the right direction.
"Yes we'd love to Nini! What do you want to eat?" Lisa asked excitement clear in her voice
"A-anything is fine" Nini forced a smile "can my um can my boyfriend Ricky come too?" Nini asked nervously. The last time she came in contact with a boy in front of her mother things didn't go well at all.
But she had to remind herself that Lisa was nothing like her mother. She had to let the pain of the past go so that she could live the future she always dreamed of.
"Boyfriend" Lisa said with a smile "is that the same boy who you've been working on the project with?" Lisa asks and Nini smiled shyly with a small smile at the thought of Ricky.
"Yeah it's kinda new but, we're um happy together" Nini told them
"Well I'd love to meet him" Jorge said with a smile
"Yeah, I would too please invite him over too. I really would like to get to know him. He must be really special" Lisa said and Nini smiled before heading off to her room.
She took a big breath of relief knowing that conversation was out of the way. She plopped back on her bed and took her phone out to dial Ricky's number.
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"Hey you" Ricky smiled as his girlfriends face appeared on the screen
Nini laughed as slight blush appeared on her face "hey"
"What's up beautiful?" Ricky said causing Nini to blush even more "you're so cute when you blush" Ricky smiled
"Stopppp" she whined "I called you because I need a favor"
"Yes" the boy quickly replied
"I didn't even ask the question yet" she laughed "what if I was asking you to help me murder someone and hide the body"
"The answer still would've been yes" Ricky laughed knowing she'd never ask him to do that, or at least he hoped
"Anyway the question is, will you come over my house to dinner with Lisa and Jorge. This will be the first one really together and I don't want to be alone"
"I told you yes already, you don't have to convince me Nini" Ricky said earning a smile from Nini.
Over the course of the night the two made meaningless conversation before falling asleep on the phone.
A/N Hehehe the plans I have for this story. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter lol. I love how Ricky is the person she feels most comfortable with. They're the cutest. Anyway tysm for reading!
