Ricky & Nini : After All

Chapter 2 : tour. dates.

Nini's POV:

I knew the longer I stood there, the more awkward it would be when I finally walked up, so I just decided to bite the bullet. EJ spoke first. "Nini! Oh my god! How have you been?" He asked, accompanied by a friendly hug. "Hey, EJ! I've been good. I can't believe we're working together." "Yeah, me either. This'll be fun." He says. I nod in somewhat agreement. It'll definitely be interesting.

The first few scenes go off without a hitch, and then it is time for our lunch break. "So... how's the past few years been? I deleted social medias a few years back because we all know how that went for me in high school." EJ said. I had to laugh. "It's been alright. I mean, it was a struggle at first to get jobs but now it's going good." 

EJ's POV:

"Also, I'm glad to see you finally learned that social media isn't all that." Nini said with a smile. I laughed. "Truth. It only took me five years." I replied. "This is actually my first movie. I've been touring around the US doing musicals." "Wow, that's amazing!" Nini responded with a genuine smile. I missed that smile. 

We continued to catch up for the rest of our lunch break. The producers nod for us to finish up and get touch-ups for the rest of our scenes. After filming only two more scenes, we both wrapped for the day. A producer pulled us aside and said, "Make sure you guys look over Scenes 8A and 8B for tomorrow." 

Does Nini know that those are kissing scenes? In the back of my mind, I was excited. I meet her gaze, and I can tell that she knows. She's definitely the kind of person to read over the whole script before filming. 

Nini's POV:

EJ walked me out to my car. To be honest, I don't know how I feel about the whole kissing thing. But I'm a professional, right? It'll be fine. 

"So.... we need to get the original gang back together." EJ said. I pause. He didn't just say what I think he did, did he?

"Hmm?" I ask. "Ya know....Kourtney, Ricky, Gina, Carlos...." He replies. "Oh. Well, I really only talk to Kourtney now." I say as casually as I can. "Oh, never mind then. I didn't really stay in touch either. I guess I thought that you and..." He can't finish. I know why.

"No. We broke up when I moved to Denver. I guess he didn't tell you." I say quietly. I haven't had to tell anyone this in so long. 

"No, he didn't. I'm sorry for bringing it up." EJ says. We finally got to my car. "No, don't worry about it." I say with a fake smile. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I'm sure he could hear the strain in my voice, but he fortunately didn't probe any further. He smiled back and after saying "See ya" was on his way to his car. I drove to my temporary apartment home in Vancouver. 

Only minutes after I get home, I quickly change into comfy clothes. I sit on the couch and scroll through Netflix to no avail. I end up on Instagram. The first post to pop up is from @rickybowen. 

It was of tour dates. Tour. Dates. 

Without thinking, my eyes immediately scroll down the list of cities and dates. To my disbelief, there was one in Vancouver, BC scheduled for just a month away. I'll be filming for at least that long here. My heart flutters a bit at the fact that we will be so close after so long. But then I come back to reality. Gina will probably come with him. There's no us anymore, even if I miss it. 

Nini, snap out of it. You're over this. I tell myself.

I immediately call the only person who can truly get me out of this headspace. Kourtney.

She immediately picks up the phone. We haven't seen each other in a while because she's working as fashion designer and hairstylist in New York, but we talk on the phone about every other day or so.

"Hey, girlie! What's up?" Kourtney says. 

"Let's just say, today has been a day." I say. I'm sure she can tell I'm rolling my eyes.

"Work?" She asks. 

"Yeah. You won't be able to guess who I'm working with for this movie." 

"Yeah, you're probably right. So, tell me." Kourtney says. 

"EJ. Caswell." I say dramatically.

"You're kidding! EJ! I miss that dude." Kourtney says. 

"Yeah...well tomorrow we're filming some kissing scenes. I'm ready for that, right?" I ask, trying to hide the fear in my voice. 

I've worked so hard to get to this place the past few years. Nothing from my past is going to hold me back. 

"Nini. You are so talented. EJ is not going to hold you back from being great." Kourtney says soothingly. "You've been preparing for this moment for the past five years. You're ready. I promise. Just focus on your role." 

"Thank you, Kourt. I knew you'd know just what to say. How's it going in New York?"  

"Pretty well. Kinda stressful. I have a lot of deadlines and things coming up."

"Well, you got this. You're the most talented designer I know." I reply. I could tell Kourtney was smiling even though I couldn't see her face. 

"Let me know about any upcoming red carpet events that I need to get you dolled up for." Kourtney says. 

"Oh, of course. I wouldn't want to be done up by anyone else, bestie!" I replied.

"Nini, I gotta go. I love you, call me soon." She says. 

"Of course. Love you." I reply. She ends the call. After talking to her, I feel much better about tomorrow. I didn't tell her about following Ricky, because honestly I didn't know what to say. Besides, it's just an Instagram follow. No big deal.