Ricky & Nini : After All

Chapter 1 : Five Years Later

* Flashback *

Nini's POV:

It's been a week since the last show of the musical. I know I have to tell Ricky about getting into Denver Youth Actors Conservatory. To be honest, I haven't decided for sure if I'm going or not. I'm leaning towards going because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know that if I tell Ricky he'll agree.

He wouldn't let me pass up on this amazing opportunity for any reason, especially if that reason was to stay close to him. He doesn't want him to be holding me back. 

I put on a corduroy skirt and a comfy sweater. I could barely tie my shoes because of my trembling fingers. I've never been so nervous to tell Ricky anything. I know he'll be supportive, and that's part of the reason why I'm nervous.

Inhale. Exhale. I knock on the front door of Ricky's house. His dad answers. "Hey, Nini! Ricky is upstairs." I nod, hoping that he doesn't notice that I'm shaking. 

I walk up the stairs and try to focus on my breathing. I can already feel tears pooling in my eyes. Because I know what's about to happen. Nini, keep it together. I tell myself. His door is already ajar, so I just push it open. His eyes dart up to meet mine and his mouth breaks into a warm smile. "Hey, babe! I didn't know you were coming over tonight." 

"Hi. Sorry I didn't text you." I reply. "It's okay!" He says, and pats on his bed to motion me to join him. I do. It takes all of the self control in me to not lay my head on his shoulder and pretend like nothing's changing. But I can't.

"Nini, what's wrong? You're never this quiet." Ricky says, scouring my eyes as if the answer lies there. I can't bear it. I look away.

"Ricky..." I whisper. "You can tell me." He says, turning my head to face him with my chin. "I..I got in. To the conservatory." 

Ricky swallows me up in a huge hug. "That's incredible! I'm so proud of you!" "Thanks." I say, sniffling. Tears are coming, I know it. "I still haven't accepted the offer." "Why wouldn't you?" Ricky asks, even though I'm sure he already knew the answer.

"You." I said.  "And my family. And everyone at school. How can I leave all this?" 

"How could you not? It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, babe." He replies. There it is. I knew he would say that. 

"Ricky, I can't bear being away from you for that long." I whisper. "We have FaceTime. I'll come visit. It'll be okay." He says, rubbing my back. Tears are rolling down my face at this point. 

"But you'll be busy here and I'll be busy too, but 519 miles away." I choke out. "If I go, I don't want to put either of us through that." Ricky realizes where this is heading. "Nini, I'm not going to let me hold you back from what I know you can accomplish." "I know you wouldn't. That's why I have to do this. I'm sorry. I love you with my whole heart, and you deserve everything. But we can't stay together." 

Ricky takes a deep breath. "When do you have to leave?" "Next week." I say. "Oh, okay. Wow. I don't know what to say. But I love you, and I know this is what's best for you." He hugs me again. I know him well enough to know that in this moment he was holding back tears. For me. 

FIVE YEARS LATER ====================================

Nini's POV:

Sometimes, I still regret leaving him. Other times, I realize that without the conservatory, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm currently pursuing a career as an actress. I've always wondered what became of the boy who 16 year old me loved so much. Once I left, we tried to somewhat stay in contact, but it was too hard for the both of us.  But even after all these years, I still do care about him deeply.

But then one day, as I was driving to set in Vancouver, British Columbia, I heard a familiar voice coming out of the radio. My eyes confirm what my ears were hearing. The screen said, "Do It All Again" by Ricky Bowen. It was an amazing song. My mind can barely comprehend all of the thoughts I'm having. I'm just glad he's successful. 

I park my car and walk into set. As I sat down for hair and makeup, I realized that I had never followed Ricky on my new Instagram account. After some careful deliberation, I decide it was just better to follow him than outright stalking him. After following, I notice right away that about half of photos he posted were with Gina Porter. I didn't want to admit it, but in that moment my heart dropped the slightest bit.

One of the captions was, "Happy three year anniversary babe. I'm so grateful for all of the memories I have with you. I love you. ❤️" The picture was of them kissing.

I knew in the back of my mind when I broke things off that something like this was bound to happen. But even after five years, I wasn't ready for it to become a reality. As my face was getting plastered in makeup, I debated on whether it would be petty to like it. I decided against it. By the time my makeup and hair was finished, a notification on my phone told me that Ricky had followed me back. I smile. 

Today, I was finally meeting my male co-star and love interest in the film I'm shooting. It's about a high school relationship, but isn't every movie?  

"Okay, he's already in the classroom set. They're ready when you are." My hairstylist said. "Thanks, girl!" I said. I leave my bag in the dressing room, but bring my binder and phone. My costume is pretty casual, and honestly something that I would wear anyway. However, my character is practically the opposite of me. 

I'm playing a 16 year old girl named Kaley Adams. She's confident. Need I say more? My confidence now compared to high school has skyrocketed, but it's no where near to the point where I would actually say that I'm confident. 

I walk into the room where we are shooting the majority of the scenes today. And there, across the room, even though his back was turned, stood the person I never thought I would see again. At least, not like this. EJ Caswell. My junior summer fling, you could say. And man, he has not changed. If anything, he's just gotten hotter.