common sense • rini/jolivia one shots

so not dating

alternate title: 5 times rini claimed they weren't dating and 1 time they actually were.

Nini stood at her locker, removing books from her backpack and switching out for the ones she needed for the day when she feels a pair of arms snake around her waist. she turns and sees her best friend Ricky.

"Ricky!" she says, kissing his cheek quickly.

Ricky closes the door to Nini's locker and grabs her hand as he walks her to her next class. they get looks in the hall all the time because people think they're dating but they're not. they're just best friends. or so they thought.

one

Nini knocked on Ricky's window, it was late, he was already in bed. that didn't stop him from getting up and letting her in though. she only showed up in the middle of the night when something was wrong.

she was in leggings, one of Ricky's sweatshirts, and she had mascara running down her cheeks.

"oh Nini." he pulled the girl into him as she let out a quiet sob. he pulled away and wiped his thumbs against her cheeks, getting rid of the black smudges.

"he left me. he dumped me for another girl." she cried out.

Ricky was silent as he led her to the bed. he sat her down on the edge of it, kneeling down to slip her white vans off and then standing up to pull the hoodie over her head, revealing one of Ricky's missing tee shirts underneath. he chuckled as he stood her up and pulled the covers back, himself getting in the bed before moving over for her to join him. she pushed some hair behind her ears as she crawled in next to her best friend. she curled up in a ball as his arms folded around her waist in a protective stance. he nuzzled his nose into her hair, whispering to her and he ran his hand through her long locks.

"it's going to be okay."

"he didn't deserve you."

"i still love you."

"you're perfect."

"you're beautiful Nina."

she fell asleep to the sound of his sweet voice and the smell of him in her nose.

two

Nini knew when Ricky was having a panic attack. she watched as his parents argued over the dinner table, Ricky becoming very quiet. she glanced over to see his eyes filled to the brim with tears, his hands at his side, shaking.

he abruptly stood up and ran up the stairs to his bedroom, the door slamming behind him. Nini got up almost as soon as he did, following behind. when she reached his door, she could hear him sobbing in his room. she slowly opened the door to see him sitting on the floor, curled in a ball and rocking back and forth as sobs wracked his body.

she closed the door behind her and approached him slowly, speaking quietly so she didn't startle him.

"Ricky, i'm here. i'm here." she knelt down next to him, he leaned into her. she sat crossed legged on the floor as Ricky put his head in her lap. she ran her fingers through his curls as she quietly sang to him. her voice always calmed him down.

"and they say it gets better, but damn it's taking forever i know, these days should be treasured but i don't wanna remember at all. i feel like i've done my time. still don't see the end in sight. but they say it gets better."

Ricky smiles to himself, he loves hearing Nini sing to him. he wishes she could take care of him forever. perhaps, she's the only person who will truly ever love him.

three

Ricky had dinner with the Salazar-Roberts family once a week. at first, it was just because his parents had started working late so Nini insisted he stay for dinner after one of their play dates. now 6 years later, it's still going strong.