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22. Second Chances

Avni watched with bated breath as EJ spun the table, winking at her from the wings, and Ricky's mask came off and landed safely in Nini's hands.

Thank fucking god.

Avni looked astonished at his transformed figure, and then met him in the middle for a kiss on the seventh count of the music.

♡♡♡♡♡

"Oh my god," Avni said to Ricky, laughing.

He laughed as well, wrapping her in a hug.

"We did it," Avni said to him.

"Yeah." He paused. "Listen-um, I- Thank you," he whispered.

"What for?" she asked, amused.

"For everything. We're never going to get to do this again- and I'm just grateful," he said.

Avni smiled at him. "Me too," she said. "We should probably get changed for the final scene."

♡♡♡♡♡

"Hey! Give it up for our star," Nini called as Avni walked backstage. Everyone cheered at her words.

"Oh, you guys!" she waved them off.

"Hey," EJ said (again).

"Hi," Avni replied. "You coming to Slices, right?"

"Yeah. I was hoping we could maybe have a little talk first?"

"Yeah."

"Avni, it's happening!" Ricky called.

"Oh, I wanna see this, hold on," she said to EJ. She rushed to the door, where Big Red was holding a painted sign with Ashlyn's name written in lights- they were talking.

Avni leant further against Ricky, trying to hear what they were saying, but she only caught bits. Ashlyn was obviously flattered though.

And then they were hugging and kissing. "Aww," she whispered. Ricky grinned at her- she knew they were both feeling really proud of Big Red.

EJ pulled her aside, just as everyone started splitting up to go see their family. "So-" he started.

"Hey I'm going to go see Miss Jenn," Ricky cut him short. "I gotta give her my blessing to date my dad."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah, I think I'm ready. And I saw them talk and there was so much giggling."

"Aww, I'm really proud of you, Rick," Avni said.

He smiled. "Don't leave for Slices without me." He stared from Avni to EJ, and then winked very obviously at Avni before leaving.

Avni followed his retreating form with wide eyes, almost horrified.

"Oh, you told him!" EJ said. "That's why he's been grinning at me all day."

Avni laughed, "Yeah, no. Big Red told him." When EJ looked confused, she said, "He was in the control room when we were on stage." EJ's eyes widened. "He didn't hear what we said, just saw us kiss. It's extremely creepy. He cued fireworks for me though."

EJ grinned at that. "Okay, well I'm going to make this quick since I just keep getting interrupted." Avni grinned at that. She'd just been grinning all day. "Do you wanna be my girlfriend?" He got straight to it.

He looked so nervous.

Avni relaxed her face muscles- it felt good, she'd been smiling for too long.