Ricky Bowen Sickfics

10

this is gonna be prompt number 14 from my prompt list 

so i think it's gonna take place during when EJ and Nini are broken up but Ricky and Nini still aren't on the best terms

Nini's POV

During rehearsals it was obvious that there was some tension between certain people. There was tension between me and EJ, me and Ricky, Ricky and EJ, EJ and Ashlyn, and Ricky and Gina.  Things were awkward and I could tell that this rehearsal wasn't going to be the most smooth rehearsal we'd had. 

We were in the middle of rehearsing the scene where Troy and Chad were on the roof with the boys and they were apologizing to Troy about not supporting him. 

"Hey, um...we just had another team meeting," EJ started off. 

"Oh...wonderful."

"We had a team meeting about how we haven't been acting like a team. I mean us, not you. Look, about the singing thing..."

"Look, dude, I really don't want to talk about it."

EJ turned and looked at Miss Jenn. "Isn't the line, 'look, dude, I don't even wanna talk about it'?" 

Miss Jenn sighed. "Yes, EJ technically it is but it's fine, keep reading."

"Look, dude, I don't even wanna talk about it," Ricky said sharply. 

"We just want you to know that we're gonna be there. OK, cheering for you."

"Huh?"

The kid playing Zeke said, "Yeah, if singing is something you wanna do, we should be boosting you up, not tearing you down."

"Yeah," EJ took a step towards Ricky. "Win or lose, we're teammates. That's what we're about. Even though you're the worst singer in the world." EJ laughed. "Sorry, even if you turn out to be the worst singer in the world. I guess everyone's fucking up lines today."

Ricky looked angry. "What did you just say to me?"

"Oh no," Miss Jenn muttered under her breath.

"I think you heard the line," EJ said. 

Ricky asked, "Sorry, but, who's playing the lead, Chad?"

"At least I'm doing it because I love theater and not because I'm trying to impress a girl!" EJ was starting to get in Ricky's face. 

Ricky looked incredibly heated. "Are you implying that I don't actually want to be here?"

"Oh, I'm not implying it. I'm saying it straight to your face," EJ spat. 

"You're such a fucking dick, EJ. Don't act like you're some saint who did things better than I did. You stole Nini's phone! You're a fucking asshole all the time even when people are just trying to live their fucking lives!" Ricky returned. 

He threw his script down and stormed out of the room. 

Almost automatically, I ran out of the room after him to see if he was okay. I caught up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. I could immediately feel the body heat radiating off of him. 

"Ricky, are you okay? Look at me," I said. 

Ricky turned around and once I saw him close up I realized that things were not going to go well. His face was red and he just looked like he was in an angry haze. His eyes were welled with tears and his skin was damp. 

"Are you feeling okay?" I asked. 

Ricky slumped to the ground and I sat down next to him. "I don't feel well, Nini." His voice cracked in the middle of the sentence. 

"Come here." I put my hand on Ricky's forehead and was shocked at how warm he was. "Ricky, you're burning up. No wonder you got so worked up."

"I got worked up because EJ is a fucking d-"

I ran my fingers through his hair. "Hey, shh, it's okay. I know. You don't need to get worked up again. It's okay. I promise you I know."

"I just feel miserable and I just can't stand EJ always picking at me and saying shit to get in my head." Tears started to run down his cheeks. "I'm sorry this is happening it's just the fever I was trying to keep my cool."

I rubbed Ricky's back. "It's okay, Ricky. You're not the worst singer in the world. I think you're on of the best I've ever heard. And who cares if you deviate a few words from the script? I promise you, it's only things EJ cares about."

Ricky nodded. 

"Why didn't you tell anyone you weren't feeling well?" I asked. 

Ricky replied, "I thought I'd be okay, I just felt a little hazy and I'm not too congested or anything so I thought it would be fine, but rehearsing and the lights and the standing and the reading and everything just kinda...made it worse." He chuckled a bit at the end. 

He ran his fingers through his hair and sniffled. 

"You want to go back in to rehearsals or do you want me to walk you to the nurse?" I asked. 

Ricky said, "We can go back in. I'll just ask Miss Jenn if she has any Tylenol or something. That's a fever reducer, right?"

"Okay, but the second you don't feel well enough just tell me and I'll take you to get an ice pack or to lie down," I said. 

Ricky nodded. I stood up first and offered my hand. Ricky took it and stood up. He was about to start walking back to the theater but I held my arms open. Ricky smiled and pulled me into a hug. 

"You're really warm," I said, while still hugging him. 

"It's okay. I feel cold," Ricky said in return.

Ricky and I headed back to where everyone was and everyone looked surprised. 

"Miss Jenn, can I talk to you?" I asked. She walked over to the two of us. "Ricky has a fever, do you have any Tylenol or any fever reducers?"

"I'll have Carlos check in my office. Are you okay to continue the scene?" 

Ricky nodded. "Only if EJ is."

Miss Jenn said, "Oh, he is. We had a little chat while you two were in the hallway."

"Okay, let's get going then."

Twenty minutes later, I had to walk Ricky to the nurse.