can't blame a girl for trying | a rini au

19. (Revelations)

{author's note: nini's trauma explanation approaching. TRIGGER WARNING FOR ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS. 

nothing is discussed in detail, but there are some very strong implications. it's not written out as a flashback, simply discussed. 

if you feel uncomfortable reading about this subject, i will provide a tldr for the chapter in a comment up here. there will additionally be a line break and a warning before and after it.}

Ricky wasn't exactly anticipating a phone call from Nina Salazar-Roberts after he got home from his little date with Kat. Maybe the reason he picked up was in part because it was so unexpected, so late. Or maybe it was just because he liked talking to her.

But he could tell from the moment he heard her shaky breathing through the phone that she didn't call just to talk. Though perhaps the late hour should have told him as much.

They had talked incredibly late into the night once before, but that had been in person, and they'd started talking long before the clock struck 11. This was different, vastly different.

He does have to wonder why on earth she'd decided to call him in her time of need. She clearly has a lot of friends, some great ones even. People who arguably knew her far better than he did. Though maybe that was why she called him, because he didn't know her that well and wouldn't have such strong perceptions or opinions on her situation.

It's purely concern of course that has him taking his dad's spare keys off the hook and hopping into the truck parked in his driveway, the girl still on the phone. (Sorry Mike, but this is important). He doesn't say he's going since he figures that she'll talk him out of it or try, but he has a feeling physical company would be a lot better than just having the phone on...

"Do you want me to talk or just stay on the phone with you?" He asks, and while he's sure his voice is a bit distant now that it's coming through the car speakers, he has a feeling she's too distressed to even think to ask any sort of questions about it.

"Um... you don't have to ask me any questions or anything it's fine I know it's late, but can you please stay on the phone with me? I just- I'm not- I can't be alone right now... It's so pathetic but-" She's rambling a bit, and her voice breaks with her tears, but he knows what she means nonetheless. He hates hearing her so down on herself.

"It's not pathetic."

That gives her pause, and he wishes he could see her face. He would soon.

"Nini it's not pathetic to need someone. There's nothing wrong with it. We all need people in our lives. I'm glad you called me." He is.

"I'm- I'm glad you answered."

The conversation pauses, and while Ricky can't be sure, he thinks he hears a small smile in her voice.

All he needs right now is to make sure this girl is okay.

As he pulls into her couldesac, he exhales softly, a bit nervous all of a sudden. But he shakes it off, needing to get the next question out. The truck is parked around the corner so her moms couldn't look out the window and catch him in the driveway.

"Nini I'm at your house... Do you want me to come to the door?"

She pauses, thinking, and also a bit shaken by his words. He drove all the way here just because she called and sounded distressed.

"Um... I'm at the back of the house, on the right corner there's a big window and an electrical box under it. If you step on the box you should be able to reach." She explains, trying not to freak out too much over the whole situation. "It's how I usually sneak in." Nini confesses, blushing a bit though he can't see.