𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 - ricky bowen

chapter ii

-Jasmine's POV-

As I was eating breakfast, there was a knock at the door. I was the only one home, so I went and opened it.

A smiling Ricky greeted me. "Hey, good morning."

I smiled,"Good morning. How are you?"

"Good, uh, I didn't know if I should message you or just come, so I figured I'd just come,"Ricky chuckled.

I laughed. "It's fine, come in. I was just finishing up breakfast. Are you hungry?"

"Oh, no. I just ate,"he said, following me into the kitchen.

I sat at the table, and he sat across from me. "So what're we doing today?"I asked before putting my last spoonful of cereal in my mouth.

"Up to you. We could go on a walk, or drive to the mall, or get some food, whatever you want,"Ricky grinned.

I suggested,"How about we go on a walk and get to know each other? That way I'll get to see a bit of the city and try to figure out how you're such a nice person."

Ricky's cheeks turned red. "Uh, well, my ex wouldn't say that."

"Oh, come on! Again with the ex. Ricky, I don't know what happened during your break up, but don't beat yourself up over it,"I said, putting my bowl in the sink.

"I was just stupid. She was the best thing that happened to me, and I-"

"Ricky, it's okay! Things happen. Once you two see each other at school, you can try to mend your relationship. But don't worry about it right now. Everything's going to work out,"I assured, patting his hand. "Now, let's go for our walk."

We headed outside, and Ricky immediately started talking about me. "Okay, so I know you're a nice person and that you move a lot. Tell me something interesting."

I laughed. "Oh, wow. Well, I like to play the guitar and sometimes I sing. I don't think I'm very good, but it's something I like to do for fun."

Ricky's eyes lit up. "Really? I would love to hear you play something."

"No, not yet. Maybe if we get to know each other better,"I giggled.

"Okay, so you're shy about your talent. Noted,"he grinned, nudging me with his arm.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jacket. "I just don't have the confidence to even think that's a talent of mine,"I said.

"Wait, I noticed a bunch of trophies in your room. What are those for?"Ricky asked.

"Basketball. Now that is something that I genuinely believe is a talent of mine,"I grinned.

"Oh, nice! Are you going to play for East High?"he questioned excitedly.

"Yeah, hopefully I can."

"Well then, I'll be your biggest cheerleader,"he chuckled, high-fiving me.

"And you? Do you play any sports?"I asked.

He let out an exaggerated laugh. "Me and sports? No way. But I do skateboard."

I gasped as we stopped to cross a road. "No way! I've always wanted to learn how to skateboard, but I've never had someone to teach me."

"Well now you do,"he replied.

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I do. Are you into music?"

"I learned how to play the guitar when I was younger, but I don't really do anything with it except play it when I'm bored."

I gasped. "Okay, now you have to play something for me! I bet you sing, too."

"No, I don't,"he said quickly, shaking his head.

"Oh please! I bet you do. How about I perform for you if you perform for me?"I suggested.

He smiled and nodded,"Okay, deal."

"Great. We'll have to set it up some day."

We walked around the neighbourhood a bit before Ricky got a phone call.

"Hey Big Red, what's up?"

...

"I'm just hang out with a friend." He shot me a smile.

...

"No, you don't know her."

...

"No, it's not like that. Can you shut up?" His face was turning red.

I laughed lightly.

Ricky shook his head at me before saying,"Okay, fine. But later."

...

"Alright, see you." He hung up the call and looked at me. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's all good! Who was it?"I asked, putting some hair behind my ear. It was starting to get quite windy.

Ricky replied,"My best friend, he was asking me if I wanted to hang out."

"Oh, you should go! I don't want you to waste all your time walking around with me,"I said, letting out an awkward laugh at the end. Why am I so weird?

"Wait, what? You're not wasting my time at all!"Ricky exclaimed.

I nodded and stared at my shoes as we continued walking.

"How about you come with me?"Ricky suggested.

I looked up. "Uh, really? I don't know.. He doesn't even know me."

He argued,"No, it'll be fun. He's a cool guy. And then you'll have another friend for when school starts tomorrow."

"Uh, okay sure. If he's okay with it."

"Yeah, he won't mind at all. Let's go. He lives near here,"Ricky said, leading me down the road.

Soon we were in front of a house. "You'll see why everyone calls him Big Red in a second,"Ricky chuckled, knocking on the door.

A few seconds later, a ginger boy opened the door and smiled. "Hey Ricky!" He turned his attention from Ricky to me. "Oh, wow... I mean, hi. You must be Ricky's new friend."

I giggled,"Yeah, nice to meet you. I'm Jasmine."

We followed Red down a flight of stairs to his basement. There was a whole man cave/bedroom down there.

"Nice place,"I complimented, sitting on the couch beside Ricky.

"Oh thanks, my parents let me just do whatever I want with it,"he shrugged, smiling a bit. His smile made me want to smile. It was so contagious.

Ricky said,"Yeah, Red's parents are so cool."

Red smiled and nodded before asking,"Are you going to East High?"

"Yeah, I'm a junior. Ricky was telling me about it, and I'm excited for the first day tomorrow,"I said.

Ricky smiled, his eyes all cute and squinty. "I love how excited you are,"he laughed.

I pouted. "Because High School Musical was filmed there. Don't bully me."

"I'm not!"he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. He smelled so good.

Red said,"So I'm assuming you forgot about Nini..."

I pulled away from Ricky as he said,"No, Jas and I are just friends. I'm not sure what's going to happen with Nini, but I want to talk to her and see if we can figure things out."

We hung out at Red's for a bit, and I understood why Ricky was friends with him. They both have the same energy to them, both super caring and considerate. I really hope I can stay in Utah for at least the year. I already feel like I'm home.