one time thing | ricky bowen ¹

twenty-three

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carlos was now standing up and explaining this certain round of the game to both teams in the front room. it was a speed round that consisted of many questions and anyone was allowed to answer.

leighton couldn't stop laughing at how everyone was trying to figure out the answers. gina's imitation of martha cox was her favorite and ricky was starting to wheeze with her as well. the west high knights team had won the game for that.

leighton watched as carlos pinned a ribbon on gina and the two girls squealed in excitement after he finished. gina was already on the phone with her mom to share her news. ricky and leighton along with everyone in the room watched as she talked on the phone.

"i wish i got excited for things like gina got excited for winning a board game." leighton said to ricky as they both laughed. "it's definitely been the best part of this night, i needed that laugh." ricky said, leighton only agreeing.

"yeah about that, are you okay from all that went down at your house?" the girl asked, completely deciding to go around the contact on his screen that belonged to nini. "i haven't forgotten about it, but it's whatever and is what it is. she's my mom. i can't tell her how to go on about her life." ricky said picking his nails and glancing at the girl.

their conversation was cut short when gina put her mom on speaker phone and told everyone to wish her 'a happy thanksgiving'. leighton had looked away from ricky briefly to say it before grabbing the edge of his shirt jacket. she was always picking at the edges. ricky just looked at the girl fiddle with his clothing.

things felt off and leighton heard gina's mom ask to be taken off speaker phone. the look on gina's face caught leighton's full attention. suddenly gina took off to the side of the room, leighton followed her with her eyes, but turned away for her privacy. the conversations picked up and leighton sat with ricky just in silence.

the friend of ricky and leighton had her voice slightly raised as she said, "they can't do that to us again, we just moved here." leighton turned towards the area and just watched. ricky moved a little closer to the girl to listen as well. both intrigued at her tone.

gina moved away further and the group became silent. "uh, i think i'll go check and see if she's okay." leighton said quickly before standing and going to search for gina. she didn't notice ricky stand up behind her and him going with her.

when leighton found her friend she was already walking towards the kitchen as well. "g, are you okay?" leighton asked and ricky asked the same. "i will be." gina answered back as she packed all her things up. ricky got off the counter he was leaning on, "wanna talk about it, or.." he started.

"not even a little." gina replied back quickly. she started towards the kitchen doorway, leighton spoke up before she completely walked out, "i can take you home gina. it's cold outside—" her words got cut off when gina spoke, "honestly. you guys heard what happened. i don't think you guys need to call me or take me anywhere anymore. especially to my house."

leighton shut her mouth that was slightly open. she didn't want her friend to just leave that way. gina was gone before ricky or leighton could answer again. the two looked at each other, they were about to lose a friend they had grown so close to. leighton's stomach knot was forming again.

"if you don't mind, leigh. i kind of just want to head home now. still feel crappy about earlier. can you take me?" ricky asked. leighton placed her hand on her stomach, trying to get rid of the knot feeling. she only nodded as she went to get all her things and ricky following to do the same.