The Other Bowen || Nini Salazar-Roberts

i've gotta let you go

Nini's pov

I joined the zoom meeting that Miss Jenn set up for us while we were on Spring Break. I was the first one to join followed by everyone else except for Lily and Ricky.

"Okay. Looks like we are only missing the twins. Nini, have you heard from Lily?" Miss Jenn asked me.

I parted my lips to speak but I couldn't think of anything to say. I really didn't want to admit to everyone that we broke up. It still doesn't feel real.

Luckily for me, Ricky joined the meeting a couple seconds after Miss Jenn asked that. I looked at Ricky's screen to see if Lily was there with him but she wasn't.

"Ricky!" Miss Jenn said. "Where's Lily?"

"Oh, she's... She's taking some alone time. Or... mom time. Or both. She's in Chicago. I didn't want to go so I stayed in Salt Lake." Ricky told Miss Jenn.

I reached down to play with the necklace around my neck. Yes, I'm still wearing the necklace that Lily got me on opening night of High School Musical even though we're broken up. Sue me.

"Okay, I'm sure you're wondering why I've gathered you all here. Opening night is only three weeks away, folks. That means we need to stay focused. And I know I can't- won't make you work over break. But I needed to remind you, face to face, stakes are high. Please, for the love of theater, do not take the word 'break' literally." Miss Jenn said. "Okay, well, have fun. Stay in touch. And now you have this link, so hop on anytime. I'm basically the queen of modern technology."

We all said our goodbyes before leaving the meeting.

Lily's pov

I rolled over in my bed at my mom's apartment in Chicago. After my break up with Nini, everywhere I went in Salt Lake reminded me of her in some way so I came to Chicago to get away.

Mom knocked on the door before she walked into my room. "Hi. Wasn't sure if I should let you keep sleeping."

"Just being a burrito here." I told her. "It's cold in Chicago."

"Well, I see you found the new blanket. Is it working?" She asked.

"It's good." I answered.

"So, I was thinking that we could go out today and I could show you the city. We could do it all." Mom suggested. "Deep dish, Millennium Park, The Bean."

"Actually, I'm still feeling a little jet lagged. But thanks." I replied.

"Yeah, okay. You do realize that we're only an hour ahead of Salt Lake here, right?" Mom said and I just stared at her. "Okay, you just rest. just... I don't know. Holler if you need anything." Mom walked back over to the door and I let out a small sigh as I closed my eyes. "I... I know about you and Nini. Dad told me."

I opened my eyes. "Great. So the only time you two talk to each other is to gossip about me. Nice. Parents of the year."

"I'm sorry." She apologized. "To hear that it's over. You've loved her ever since you were little."

"Maybe it isn't over yet. I don't know. I'm working on it." I said.

"You take all the time that you need." Mom told me before closing the door.

I sat on my bed with my back rested against the pillows and a blanket wrapped around me. I shut my phone off because I didn't feel like seeing all the texts of people asking if I'm okay and just read a magazine instead.

I looked up from my magazine and over to the door as Mom walked in with a plate in her hand. I gave her a tight lipped smile as I set down my magazine.

"Hey, I brought you a snack. Plantains and cream cheese." Mom told me.