HAPPY HEARTS DAY ━━ 𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐈

𝐢𝐯. 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍

ooo. ❝  𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿  ❞    ♡༉∘
❪ 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍  ❫ ━ 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲

Nini chose the five other people to be on the dance committee the next day. The team ended up consisting of Natalie (who'd pushed for the creation of the team the past two months); Kourtney and Ashlyn (two of their close friends); and after putting up a sign-up sheet, Carlos (who desperately needed a passion project), and Lily (surprisingly). Since they were all comfortable, she held their first meeting in the theatre, sat around the stage.

"We've got the date sorted out━we're lucky Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday. So, we've got just under a month and we've already got all the interior designs sorted!" Nini beamed in Gina's direction. "And, I've cleared it with Mr. Mazzara, and we should have enough money to get everything we need. So, before we start, I just want to thank you all one more time for agreeing to be a part of the dance committee!" Nini clapped her hands together, smiling. "Any questions?"

Lily put her hand up to ask, "Do we have a snack budget?"

"No, but Ashlyn offered to bring food to each meeting!" Nini pointed to the red-head, holding up a bag. "Yes━Natalie?"

"How often are we going to have these meetings?"

"Since we're all in the show—any days we can squeeze in a meeting for an hour. So, I'm thinking Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtime...if that works for everyone?"

"Can't! I've got Robotics club on Wednesdays," Ashlyn chirped. "I can't do Tuesdays either. I'm in the Baking Club."

"Okay, then. Fridays after rehearsals? And Saturday mornings?" Nini asked, looking around for any objections. After silence followed, it was agreed that Fridays and Saturdays would be the days for dance committee meetings. It was then agreed upon that they would meet in that very room. "Now, we've got Mr. Mazzara's budget. He should be here in a minute...we've seen all Gina's fantastic ideas, but I'd love to have everyone's━"

"Personalised cupcakes━" Carlos shouted out.

"Chocolate fountain!" Lily added.

"Ooh, yes! We have to have a chocolate fountain," Ashlyn agreed, setting off more excitable chatter.

"Strict deadlines for tickets!" Natalie screeched.

"Warm tones only dress code!" Kourtney butted in.

"Woah, woah..." Nini chuckled, she caught Gina's eyes, looking back at her with a humored grin. She turned to Carlos before she got distracted. "One at a time. Carlos━you were talking about cupcakes?"

"Yes!" Carlos answered. "My uncle owns a cake shop. Makes the best cupcakes you'll ever have. We need to have them for the dance. I promise you if you don't have a Valentine, you'll fall in love with Tito Pablo's cupcakes."

･｡ ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶｡ﾟ

     "Okay, listen up, final run-through!" Nini called, bringing everyone into a small circle. "We have Ashlyn finding a DJ, Lily getting a photographer, Kourtney's in charge of decorating the gym, Carlos and Natalie on finding chaperones, and Gina and I will sort out the refreshments. All of us have to take responsibility with decorations, advertising, and ticket sales so it is super important we meet here the second lunch ends so we can all check-in and everyone is kept in the loop." She smiled, looking around at their nervous faces. "But guys, don't worry, we can all have some fun!"

A collective sigh went around, and Nini laughed watching their eyes crawl back into their heads.

"Come on guys, let's think positive. Get all this boring stuff done, and we'll be left with the fun stuff. Organizing first, then decorations later!" Nini smiled. "Whoo! Well done today, guys. Thank you so much."

As the crowd dispersed, Gina hopped onto her feet and approached the girl whose fingers dug into her clipboard━now biting her lip and staring straight into the page.

"Don't worry," Gina whispered, and Nini almost flinched when she crept up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not you. They probably all thought being a part of the committee meant a free ticket to the dance."

"Thanks," Nini scoffed, a little curve tugged at the end of her lips. "You don't think I was too harsh?"

"Nina Salazar-Roberts? No way."

Nini felt her heart skip a beat, and a wider smile returned to her face. "When did Gina Porter go out of her way to be nice to me?"

"Oh, I thought I'd made myself clear...my loyalty comes at a cost. We're gonna talk about that free ticket thing..." Gina teased, and Nini laughed out loud, her giddy cackle making her chuckle more than she would have. "I'm serious..."

Nini continued to laugh, and so did Gina━she shook her head at her, waving her away, "I'll see you soon, G."

･｡ ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶｡ﾟ

Nini showed up at the cake shop early on Sunday the following week, per Carlos's advice, and he hadn't lied about the deep affection people had for Tito Pablo's cakes, she'd been waiting outside for ten minutes already. Unfortunately, he was unavailable to attend. She thrust her hands into her pockets, taking in a deep breath of chilling air.

Gina stood next to her, looking cozy in her leather gloves and a puffy black jacket. Nini could see the collar of a familiar blue sweater she was wearing underneath, too. She turned when she started rubbing her arms, and asked, "You forgot your weird scarf?"

"Hey..." Nini gave her the side-eye. "Mama C made me that scarf."

"Okay, no offense, but your mom may secretly hate you."

"Hey!" Nini whacked her across the shoulder. "Don't talk bad about my favorite scarf." She held a harsh stare, crossing her eyebrows and folding her arms, but Gina could still see her smiling.

"Sorry," she apologized, still chuckling.

When they finally got into the shop, there was a problem.

"Sorry, I have never done batch orders that big."

"Oh, but I was sent by Carlos! He said you'd be happy to help your... favorite nephew." Nini raised her eyebrows, hoping the information would work in her favor━Carlos said they were close.

"Sorry, but..." Pablo tutted, "I've just never done this before..." Suddenly, he turned, shouting to the back of the shop. They didn't understand what was going on until he trailed into English, "No! No es posible! I already told you. I can't do both. I have to take care of the shop! ¿Pero, qué diablo hablas? She's our responsibility! You think every babysitter is suspicious..."

"Did you just say you needed a babysitter?" Gina asked, she could tell Nini caught the implication behind her inquisitive tone as the senior flashed her eyes at her. Nini shook her head furiously, and she probably should've taken that into consideration but she said anyway, with a smile, "We would be happy to babysit your kid...for a price."