Worth Everything.

Oh Happy Days.

RICKY
Okay so I impulsively decided to show up to this party at Ash's. Seriously, one second I was at home eating dinner with my Dad, and the next second I'm outside her house building up the courage to walk inside.
Maggie's been texting and calling me non-stop, but apart from sending her an apology for freaking out earlier, I've been ignoring her. I know, I'm an asshole, but we both made it clear months ago that we aren't in a relationship, we don't owe each other anything. Besides, I don't need the added stress right now.
I take a deep breathe in, comb my fingers through my hair, open the door and walk inside.
I maneuver around everyone, giving them small hellos and nods as I walk past them making my way into the kitchen. I really need something in my hands right now as a distraction from what's going on in my head.
"Ricky?" I hear a confused Gina say from behind me.
I turn around nervously, cup in my hand, "Hey Gina," I say as casually as I can fake it, acting as if it isn't a big deal me being here.
"Wh- uh, what are you doing here?" She asks, still confused,
"Oh, um Red invited me, I thought I'd come and check it out," I reply back nonchalantly and take a sip of my drink,
"Huh, okay, sure," Gina says to me, was that a hint of a smile?
"It's not because a certain girl is back, right Ricky?" She adds on with a definitive smirk as well as an eyebrow raise. shit.
"Don't know what you're talking about, G. Have you seen Red?" I mumble out.
"Okay dude, sure. Well, I'm gonna go somewhere else now. Last time I saw Red was in the living room." She says as she walks past me, shaking her head and chuckling.
I go to walk off and hear Gina call out to me, and I turn back around to listen,
"Hey Ricky?"
"Yes Gina?"
"Just like, don't fuck it up,"
She holds eye contact with me until I nod, and she walks away.
don't fuck it up. Easier said then done. Besides, I'm here to reconcile my friendship with my old friends. Nothing more..
I take another sip, wishing it wasn't just water I was drinking, and walk towards the living room. Fun fact, it's not very clever mixing booze with anxiety meds. Been there, fucked everything up, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I see Red and Ash from the corner of my eye, and start to beeline towards them. Feeling comforted already to see my best friend.
But then I hear her laugh.
And my heart halts.
And the world stops moving.
And my breathing hitches.
Oh fuck, I'm not ready for this.
I try turning to leave, but it's as if I'm glued to the floor. No no no.
And then I see her, and she's smiling down at her phone, and doesn't see me. Why the fuck can't I move?
And then she walks into me, and my water spills over my shoes, and I do nothing but stand there like an idiot. My whole body feels like it's both burning and icing over at the same time.
"Oh fuck, sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going," she says from the ground as she cleans up my mess. She always cleaned up my mess.
"Don't worry about it," I tell her, barely able to breathe, let alone speak right now.
She stops as soon as she hears my voice, and slowly looks up at me.
Holy fucking shit.
We stare at each other as she makes her way up, and I can see the pain in her eyes so fucking clearly.
"Hi Nini," I choke out and she flinches hearing me say her name,
"Oh. Hi." she whispers back.

— FLASHBACK —
1.5 years ago

NINI
I've been in Denver for about 6 months now, and for the most part, I've settled in quite well.
But I do miss my friends and family everyday, and I'm especially missing Ricky right now.  We haven't been able to see each other since he came up to visit me a month into my move due to just two really busy lives, and I know it's taking a toll on both of us.
Lying on my bed, waiting for Ricky to pick up my call, there's a knock at my door.
"It's open" I yell out to whoever it is and my friend Emma walks in.
"Harry and I are going to Peppers soon, wanna join?" She asks me referring to the on-campus cafe,
"Na, I'm calling Ricky tonight. But thanks for offering," I answer her, and she says goodbye and closes the door.
Turning my attention back to my phone, Ricky still hasn't answered my call. Come to think of it, he hasn't really texted me today either. I end the call, and try calling him again. Nothing.
This has been the fucking cycle for us lately. Getting upset, I toss my phone across the room and I feel myself getting pissed off.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I thought he would at least make the fucking effort to answer a call that he arranged in the first place! I feel tears welling in my eyes, and then all of a sudden I'm sobbing into my pillow like a child.
I miss my friends. I miss my Moms. I miss Ricky.
I hear my door open, and rush to wipe my eyes,
"Not right now, Em," I call out, hiding behind my pillow, embarrassed that she might see me like this.
The door closes, and I feel my bed move down under her weight. Seriously Emma.
"Nins?"
Oh my god.
"Baby?"
I look up from my pillow and there sitting on my bed is Ricky. In shock, I throw my arms around my boyfriend and nuzzle into his neck,
"I'm sorry for not answering your calls, I was signing in at the front office," he says as he kisses my hair,
"Surprise," Ricky chuckles as I move back to look at him,
"Oh shit, are you okay?" He asks noticing my red eyes,
"I just missed you," I say to him, and feel myself relaxing already. The power this guy has over me is unquestionable, I love him so fucking much.
"Not that I mind at all, but why are you here? You've got school and the rehearsal and everything?" I ask him, as I lean into him to kiss him lightly.
"Honestly Nins, I couldn't fathom being away from you one more day, so I pulled a few strings and after a 9 hour drive, here I am." He says smugly, and leans into me to return the kiss. I surprise him by wrapping my arms around his neck and straddling him, deepening the kiss. I feel him smile into my mouth, and as he pulls away I'm left breathless and craving him.
"I'm here for the entire weekend, and I kind of used my Moms details to book a place just down the road. So pack a weekend bag baby, let's get the fuck out of here."