A Christmas Love Story (Ricky Garcia)

Chapter 14 - You want us to be a secret?

Zoe's P.O.V.

It's now a few days after mine and Ricky's date. Ever since that it has felt like we're a couple but we haven't really talked about it and made it official between us that we're boyfriend and girlfriend. I guess you could say we're dating/seeing eachother but without the labels. I woke up and walked down to the kitchen to find a note from uncle Joby on the table.

If you wondering where I am, the boys has an interview at 9 am on Good Morning America so I had to leave early. I'll be back home around 11 am. /Joby

I looked over at the wall, it's 8.50 am. I opened the refrigator and made myself some breakfast which I put on a tray and carried to the livingroom. I sat down in the couch and turned on the TV just in time for the interview. They started to talk about their christmas song Celebrate and about their plans for 2017 including their TV show Forever boys and also Ricky spoke about the possibility of a season 3 of BFW and that if it gets picked up he will still be in it. I was enjoying my breakfast when the host switched topic and asked about their love lifes. Liam said that he was still dating Brooke and Emery said that he was single and ready to mingle. They then turned to Ricky and a picture popped up behind the couch where they sat of me and Ricky when we where out on our date. I almost choked on my cereal and widened my eyes.

"So Ricky, we've seen you've been out with this girl twice. The photos just screams romance so is she your new girlfriend?

My heart started beating fast and I just waited for Ricky to say something.

"Well, we've been out but she's not my girlfriend. We're just friends." He said.

With only a couple of words he broke my heart. I really thought we where something more. Why would he just say we're friends on TV?

"Okay I see. Well thank you guys so much for coming here and good luck with everything this year." The host said.

The boys said thanks and the camera zoomed in on the host.

"And now we're going to listen to a very special performance. As it's almost Christmas, Here's Forever In Your Mind with their new christmas song Celebrate!" The host said.

The camera then changed and filmed the boys who now was up on a mini stage. They started to sing the song but all I could think about was what Ricky had said.

One and an half hour later I heard the door opening. I was still in my pjs on the couch and watching TV. Right now I was watching some old episode of The Big Bang Theory that was on. I heard foot steps and suddenly uncle Joby stood in the livingroom.

"Hi Zoe" He said.

"Hi" I said and smiled.

He smiled back and walked upstairs. I was about to turn back to the TV when I noticed something. There he stood, the boy who I thought loved me, Ricky Garcia. We looked at eachother for a few minutes before Ricky broke the silence.

"So uhm, I was wondering if you wanted to do something?" He said.

"Maybe after you explain what just happened on TV" I said.

"Y-you watched that?" He said nervously and scratched his neck.

"Yeah I did. I just don't get it. We where out on a date, we kissed and I spent the night at yours and now you're saying we're just friends. What do you even want?" I said and glared at him.

"I want to be with you Zoe, more than anything, but I don't want to expose you to all the hate you'd get if the fans knew. We could just keep us a secret and it would be like normal relationship." He said.

"You want us to be a secret? That's not fair to your fans Ricky. They deserve to know even if some of them might send hate. And besides I'm not afraid of the hate, I'll have to live with it and not take it too personal. The true fans will support you no matter what and be happy for you. You can't let the few percent of the fans who send hate ruin your life" I said.

"I know, but I can't tell them right now... The hate will hurt you, I know out of experience. You might say now that you won't take it personal but trust me you will. And when it gets to much you'll leave me because you can't handle being in an public relationship" He said.

"So what if I will? Then we'll get through it together because I'll never leave you for something stupid like hate. Then we just let the haters win without fighting back. I stand with what I said Ricky. It's not fair to the fans and you don't seem to want to show me, it's like you're embarrassed of being with me. Am I not famous enough to be presented as your girlfriend or what?" I said.

"No, no it's not like that Zoe but..." He started.

"No more buts Ricky. If you want to be with me then we're telling your fans and if you still want it to be a secret then I'm sorry but then I can't be with you. It's Christmas in a few days and tomorrow me and uncle Joby is flying to London where we'll spend one night before going to Edinburgh to spend christmas with my aunt, her husband, my cousins and my grandparents. I'll be back here to New Year's so please think about what you actually wants. Whenever you figures out what you want, call me, but until that please leave..." I said.

I watched Ricky getting quiet and turning around. He walked out in the hallway and a few seconds later I heard the front door open and shut. In that moment I couldn't help it, I burst into tears. I know I shouldn't cry because I was the one who was hard on him but I just can't be in a relationship like that. Honesty is one of the most important things to me and if he won't be honest to his fans I can't play along. I had to stand up for what I believe in and that I'm an independant girl who doesn't need to obey a boy. It does hurt that he's embarrassed to tell his fans that we're together but this is the best thing to do. If he really loves me he will come back and tell his fans. And if not then I just have to move over and find someone else, someone who's proud to be with me and wants to show me to the world. I just thought he was different and I love him so much. I don't want to loose him just like I lost my mom.