The Other Bowen || Nini Salazar-Roberts

i always got your back

Lily's pov

"Oh, my God, yall. Lily's transformation." Kourtney ran up to everyone with me behind her after the show.

"Wait. How'd it look?" Nini asked.

"Honestly? Passable!" Kourtney exclaimed causing everyone to cheer and for me to smile widely.

I sat in the makeup room as I wrote Nini's opening night card. It wasn't easy but I finally figured out what I wanted to write. I wrote down 'love, Lily' on the bottom before closing up the card.

"Hey! There you are." I heard Nini's voice.

I looked up, standing up and smiling when I saw Nini. "I was just gonna text you. I gotta catch up with Ricky before we head to Slices."

"Oh, well, I just wanted to give you this. Finally signed my name." Nini walked up to me and handed me her card.

I took it before holding out my card. "Here's mine."

Nini took it. "Should we just read them now?"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Okay." Nini smiled as we both opened the card.

"'Dear Lily.'" I read.

"'Dear Nini.'" Nini read.

"Oh, come on." I said causing Nini to laugh.

"Did we seriously write the same thing?" Nini asked.

I chuckled. "Um, 'I know it's been quite a journey.'"

"You said 'long semester'." Nini said.

I smiled. "'But I'm so glad to be where we are.'"

"'But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Here's to second acts.'" Nini read.

"'And new beginnings. Love, Nini.'" I finished.

Nini looked at the card for a few seconds before closing it and looking at me. "It's pretty crazy."

"I guess we are literally on the same page." I chuckled.

"Just for a moment." Nini said with a hint of sadness.

My smile slowly fell. Nini let out a breath before she started to walk out the room.

"Hey, Nini?" I called out.

Nini turned to me. "Yeah?"

"Thank you." I thanked her. "You really saved me tonight."

Nini smiled. "You know I always got your back, Lils."

Who knew that love could be so bittersweet.

I walked into Miss Jenn's office, hoping that she would still be in there. Lucky for me, she was.

"Oh, good." I said.

"Hm?" Miss Jenn turned to me.

"I wasn't sure if you'd already be at the pizza place." I told her.

"I'm waiting for the Menkies judge." She informed me. "He is going to deliver the verdict and let me know what we got nominated for, or didn't. I'm in a great place mentally."

"I believe you." I smiled.

Miss Jenn looked at me. "I told you to jump off something high, Lily."

"Yeah, I landed on my feet. So..." I joked.

"You always do." She said. "But, uh... I'm not sure that I didn't push you kids too hard this semester. Did you want something?"

"Um... I saw you with my dad before the show. All the giggling." I told her.