Second Chances (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 27 - look where we ended up

[a/n : thank you for reading. enjoy!]

Nini had been waiting and preparing for this day for months and it was finally here. The YAC event would start in about 10 minutes. Guests were starting to come and Nini hoped and prayed that people would truly be more aware of the cause. The event would open with an interpretative dance that Gina choreographed, then it would be dinner and mingling time, an auction, and then a little meet and greet with the young artists. The items for auction would be displayed so people can just walk around the exhibition and look at the art. She was nervous to say the least and also a little shaken up from the rough week she's had.

Her boyfriend hadn't talked to her in days and she didn't think she would see him tonight. That really was the worst part, because he was part of her inspiration for this whole thing. She probably needed to get a ticket to Salt Lake to figure out things with him. But tonight she was going to focus on this event and the kids.

"I'm so nervous!!" Gina said walking up to her.

"Don't be. She's going to be great, G." Nini looped her arm around Gina's. "You're like the best mentor."

"I hope so." Gina said as they watched the curtains open.
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Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The opening dance was amazing, and people were coming up to the young artists and mingling. So far, so good.

She got a text from EJ that he needed a refill of the YAC brochures, so she picked them up and
was on her way to him when her heel got caught in a cable and she stumbled slightly, dropping a few brochures.

"I think you dropped these."

Her eyes shot up when she heard his voice. It really was him. Ricky looked handsome as ever wearing a blue suit with his shirt unbuttoned at the top. He showed up after all. Maybe there's still hope.
_______

Nini looked stunning. She was wearing a black turtle neck, with a white suit and pants, and seven inch heels. Her lips were red, her hair was up in a bun and her eye shadow was on point. She was completely disarming, he almost couldn't speak.

"Hi." She said anxiously.

"H-Hey.." Ricky smiled shyly.

"I wasn't sure you'd show up." She said beaming at him. She looked ethereal and he was speechless.

"Well. I.. have the project with Ethan.. so.."

"Right. Of course. For Ethan." Her smile faltered slightly, then she tried her best to fake smile. He didn't mean for it to sound like that. Obviously, he came for her too. This is her night and he wouldn't miss it because of a stupid fight. He missed her. He had definitely overreacted and stayed mad at her for too long. But he was going to make it right, he just always seemed to say the wrong things.

"Nini, I-"

"I have to go get these to EJ." Nini said gesturing to the brochures, and walking past him. He grabbed her arm, noticing how she flinched slightly when he touched her, and she turned to him. She looked like she was in pain.

"Umm. I know you're busy but I feel like we need to talk. Can we talk after this?"

Nini simply nodded.
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Nini dropped the brochures off at EJ's table. She was completely distracted after her little run in with Ricky. He came for Ethan, not for her, and then he'd said he wanted to talk. That's code for a break up isn't it? She was trying her best to keep it together but she's obviously not doing a great job at it because EJ noticed immediately.

"Hey. You ok?" EJ asked. "Are you still thinking about the .. incident?"

"No. Well, yes. It's been on my mind for the past week." Nini sighed. EJ was the only one who knew. "But it's not that. It's Ricky. He's here."