Never Be Like You | Cricky

Chapter 4

Sitting on Chris' lap was a lot more comfortable than he thought it would be. His eyes focused on the male's phone as he texted his mom about where he was and why he wasn't at school. The worry the woman had over Ricky as if he was her own was more than heartwarming.  

"I miss your mom." That made Chris laugh and Ricky smiled at the sound. "She keeps asking about you, I convinced her not to come up her so she won't make a scene." Ricky nodded, the light draining from his eyes as he thought about what happened, step by step. "You know um.." 

His eyes drifted to his hurt arm and he tried to wiggle his fingers, noting the pain that shot down his wrist. Licking his lips, he looked for anything else to focus on rather than the face of the male next to him. It felt like it was just the two of them in there as Chris reached out to gently brush his fingers over Ricky's. His nose pressed against the smaller's cheek. "Sorry doesn't feel like enough, but I have no fucking clue what else to say. There's nothing I can say...besides sorry." 

"You're going to be okay..you have all of us.." That brought a gentle smile to Ricky's lips as he looked at the window, it was actually still pretty early in the morning so the light was soft. "Yeah.." 

Ricky turned his head to look at Chris, the shadow over his visage lifting as he gazed at something that symbolized hope. "I know.." He smiled closing his eyes as he moved closer to nuzzle at Chris' cheek with a soft laugh, resting his cheek against the taller's. "You smell good.."

He hummed in response his own eyes closing at that comfortable feeling. They were brought out of their moment from Angelo getting up and storming out. Ricky sat up with wide eyes and Chris sighed gently. "Can you let me up..? I should go check on him.." 

Ricky stood up without a word, directing his body back towards the bed. The scene in this room was pretty close to what was happening on the TV. But at this moment Ricky had no room to call someone else dramatic. Watching as Chris hurried after Angelo, he couldn't help his curiosity about what could be happening outside of the room. 

Only a minute passed by but Ricky couldn't help the restless feeling in the pit of his stomach so he stepped out to look for the two. His socked feet kept his steps silent as he turned the corner to see Angelo in Chris' arms, watching as they both leaned in to kiss. Dipping behind the wall, he watched the scene unfold in front of him. His own jealousy giving him indigestion. 

Angelo was the first to notice Ricky standing there and that pulled Chris' attention in his direction. "Ricky.." He shook out his thoughts and smiled some with the shake of his head. "Just getting uh the hottest gossip on the newest couple on campus." Cringing at how horribly he played that off, he took a couple footsteps back. 

Ricky reached up to run his fingers through his hair and laughed lightly. "Ah well this is awkward, I'm going to go and try to get Balz to move over or something." He nodded and moved his way back down the hall to go into his room.

Once he made his way back in, he sighed gently and just nudged Balz over until there was enough room for him to sit up. A gentle sigh left Ricky and he reached up to tap his fingers against his lips, eyes focused on the window until the both of them entered the room.

Trying entirely too hard not to catch Chris' stare he gave his phone every single percentage of his attention. When the device failed to keep him busy, he set it on the table next to him and slid down until he was laying down. As time ticked by his eyes became heavier and heavier and he was on the edge of falling asleep when Vinny and Devin walked back in. "Oh you two..?" 

Vinny's eyebrows raised when he saw Angelo resting his head against Chris' shoulder and Devin's eyes narrowed as he looked at Chris and he walked by ignoring the both of them to shake Ricky and Balz awake. 

The food was passed out amongst everyone and Ricky picked at his food and ate some of his here and there but most of the time he ended up feeding most of it to Balz who was the resident garbage disposal.

"You're not hungry?" Chris voice broke the silence as he looked at Ricky a little worried. The said male shook his head, feeding more of his fries to Balz who ate them without a care even though his cheeks were basically filled. "Nah I got a little stomach ache, probably from all the meds and shit y'know?" 

He heard Chris sigh and go back to eating his own food. Ricky ate a few fries but the uneasy and upset feeling in his stomach made him just give the rest to Balz. Sticking with just sipping on some water. Devin gave Chris another glare and settled next to Vinny who rubbed at his arm to calm him down.

"Uh..." Everyone looked over to Angelo when he spoke and he smiled some. "I kinda confessed to Chris today and now we're together.." Maybe it took it actually being said out loud for it to knock the wind from Ricky's lungs. Staring at nothing in particular it took a snap of a second for him to void those ill feelings.  

"Congrats" Balz was the first to speak up and the rest just nodded along. Devin was watching over Ricky worriedly, a frown etched on his face as he thought of the pain that Ricky might be feeling at the moment. "Yeah/ congrats you two." Speaking up with a smile, Ricky looked at the both of them and nodded. "Happy for ya." 

"Thanks guys." Angelo hugged Chris' arm to his chest and Chris finally spoke up. "Ange...I didn't say we were dating.." Angelo's demeanor darkened as he turned his attention to Chris. "But you said you felt something for me too."

Chris sighed gently and slowly nodded his head. "Yeah..but I like someone more. I feel affection towards you yeah, but it doesn't go past friends." The broken look in Angelo's eyes made Chris feel horrible but he had to tell him instead of pursuing and empty relationship just because he felt bad and didn't want to say no.

"Ricky..it's always Ricky." Angelo's voice was filled with disgust as he stared towards the short male, Ricky stared back and blinked. "You're always the center of fucking attention, you do stupid shit like this just so they revolve around you. I know this stupid stunt with killing yourself was just so Chris would feel bad for you and you could manipulate him into liking you. At least Ryan got away from you."

With that being said Angelo left the room and they were all in a state of shock, Ricky releasing a breath and shaking his head. "Is that really what people think?" If Ricky was being honest with himself, Angelo had a point. People on the outside could definitely see it this way, so he couldn't even be mad at him. 

"Ricky. Can I talk to you?" Chris' voice was quiet and Ricky slowly nodded his head and followed the taller male and soon they were outside the hospital, standing in the cool morning air. Not to mention that Ricky was still in his socks. "Chris..?" 

His voice was quiet as he looked up at the other and Chris was staring towards the main street. "He wasn't wrong.." "Huh?" "Angelo wasn't wrong when he said your name..you're the one I want and need. Always have been, even when you were with Ryan.." 

Ricky bit down on the inside of his cheek as he thought over his feelings. "The timing.." Since the break up he did manage to get closer to Chris but there was too much going on at once. Ryan's return, what happened at the cliff, and now Angelo's outburst. "I need to think...some time." Ricky looked up at the other and nodded once to further affirm his words, and luckily enough he saw nothing but understanding from the other. 

"Of course, take all the time you need. You know...I'm here for you. Always. No matter what you decide Rick."