If they only knew

X. Beginning, Middle, and End

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined to strengthen each other, to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." – George Eliot

In all fairness, Gina didn't think she'd be back in this small orange car so soon. The rain pelts the glass again and again practically causing a stream to flow down from the roof to the hood. Ricky holds the steering wheel and carefully looks at the road ahead while the radio blares some thing straight out of Carlos' broadway playlist. He's snuck a few glances her way while driving and the air around them isn't uncomfortable or awkward, just there sitting between them.

"So," Ricky clumsily interupts the silence, while tapping his nails awkwardly on the steering wheel. "We kinda killed it tonight."

Gina smiles as she recollects their highlights from tonight, "Yeah we did." The East High theater crew really did put on quite the show, even with the road getting there being a wild ride she wouldn't change it for a second. Ms.Jenn had never looked prouder of them during curtain call.

Ricky looks at her wistfully before training his eyes back on the road. "Its kinda crazy when I think about it."

"What is?" Gina curiously asks, her head inclined toward him. 

"That I actually got to share the stage with you." He says in awe while shaking his head. "I mean I remember when I talked to you during that recital you had when I was like 12," Gina looks at the rain falling on the window instead of his face when she remembers the particular conversation in question. "I thought it was so cool I had soulmate that was that talented." Ricky emphasizes with a small smile.

Gina blinks and turns her head to look at his calm profile after a beat. Their connection had been so fleeting when they were younger, like static of a radio going in and out. It was hard to believe he'd wanted to talk to her just as much as she wanted to talk to him in the beginning, before they stopped believing in the whole thing. "You actually remembered that?"

Ricky swallows before he looks at her again, "I remember everything, Gi." she meets his gaze and holds it for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

He can't do this to her. He can't just go around reminding her that there history expands past this incredibly stupidly amazing couple of months where she pretended to be his girlfriend. Not when just being around her could hurt him in the long run.

Gina shuts her eyes tightly and shakes her head harder, "Stop the car." she says in a low tone, like she can't even trust herself to say the words. The walls around her heart constrict.

"What?" Ricky asks through a disbelieving snort. He trades a look from the road back to her face, studying her sharp profile.

"Just pullover here" Gina insists impatiently. She had to get out of this impossibly small car with this impossible boy that made her feel too many things.

"Did I say something-" His expression shifts, he eyes her figure on the passenger's seat in concern.

"Stop the car!" Gina snaps with wide eyes, her hands fighting with the strap of her bag in front of her.

"Okay!" Ricky pulls over, while cringing into his seat. His eyes widen when he hears the click of her seat belt being undone, he looks over at her silently leave the car and his jaw practically drops. Rain pelts Gina's dark jacket while she works her way through the rough dirt road ahead of her.

She couldn't risk being in that car with him for another second. If he kept pulling at her, she'd just come to him especially now that there was practically nothing standing between them because that they've forgiven each other, now that there was no Nini, or stupid plan and rules. Gina resists the urge to slap herself in the forehead for how monumentally stupid it was of her to get in that car with him so instead she grumbles to herself and shakes her head while charging forward through the rain.