Not a Love Song | Ricky Bowen [1]

16

"What I don't get is why you got him anything at all?"

"Because Cooper, im a nice person."

"Okay and im Thomas Jefferson."

Sloane rolled her eyes with a smile as she continued packing her bag at the foot of her bed while Cooper was sprawled all over the top.

It was finally opening night. The club had been working so hard for this day and now what it was here Sloane was very excited.

The siblings were going to head to school earlier to get more rehearsal in while Matthew would arrive later to watch.

Sloane stared at the dog tag necklace she had made for Ricky. It took Sloane quite a while to come to terms with what had happened and when it came down to it, she decided it didn't matter.

She decided that if Ricky and Nini wanted to be together so be it, they were done. Sloane had thought about it long and hard, this thing with Ricky was a mess from the start.

Ever since they were kids to now, they had been tiptoeing around each other and there was always something getting in between them. First, it was Nini, then Sloane thinking he talked shit behind her back, and now Nini again.

It wasn't that Sloane didn't still love him because she did. God Sloane still loved Ricky endlessly but she was done, she figured it was better for everyone that they stayed friends.

Every time they tried to be more the universe just kept giving them signs not to, Sloane had enough of it.

Sloane and Cooper rode in Cooper's car to the school and the boy made his way backstage to find Seb and rehearse the "stick to the status quo" dance, while Sloane made her way to the gym.

Somehow Ms jenn had managed to secure the gym as their stage for opening night. It took them a while to shift everything but they eventually got it ready and Sloane had t hand it to the backstage crew, the sets and the stage looked amazing.

Sloane had her headphones on as she pushed open the gym doors and blinked when she saw Ms. Jenn and Ricky inside staring at the stage. They both turned to look at her as Sloane slowly took off her headphones, Ricky couldn't help but stare at her.

Ricky had tried texting her, even calling her, but the girl didn't respond. Ricky had wanted to explain what happened so many times, to talk to her, to see her, but part of him knew she needed the space.

Sloan swallowed as she held Ricky's gaze

Sloane faced the camera and sighs, "yeap, I still love him'

The two teens didn't dare look away at first, but an oblivious Ms. Jenn broke their staring contest.

"Oh, Sloane dear! You're here early." Ms. Jenn smiled knowingly, Sloane finally tore her eyes away from Ricky's to smile tightly at her teacher.

"Yeah, sorry. DIdnt know anybody else would be in here." Sloane shrugged.

"Let me guess, jitters?" Ricky asked lightly, Sloane felt a shiver down her spine just from hearing his voice.

"Something like that, I just wanted to get more dance rehearsal in for all the big numbers." Sloane nodded.

"Aw, tell her the muffin story." Ms. Jenn pointed at Ricky, the boy winced while Sloane frowned in confusion.

'Do I have to?"

"Listen im gonna run, I'll see you in a couple of hours for pre-game. Just take a second, both of you and soak in the stillness." Ms. Jenn smiled before she walked out.

The two teenagers were left in the gym by themselves. Sloane and Ricky met each other's gaze again and both teens couldn't seem to fight the new wave of butterflies they got when they did.