Ricky & Nini : After All

Chapter 8 : Late Night

Ricky's POV:

I'm getting ready for my second to last show, which happens to be in Vancouver. I'm super pumped, because it's an almost sold out show. I hope the crowd is super hype. 

Gina and I arrived late last night and immediately crashed. Since early this morning, we've been prepping for the concert. Even though I've been touring for the past three weeks, I can't say I'm not nervous. Every concert and crowd is different. 

One thing that is constant, though, is Gina. She always hypes me up and helps me prepare my voice. I appreciate her so much.

Before I knew it, I was getting ready for the performance. My awesome makeup and hair team got me ready. At 7pm, my amazing opening act when out and killed it. The crowd seemed to really enjoy it. 

Once she finishes, I shout from offstage, "ARE YOU READY, VANCOUVER?" I hear the crowd scream in response. I grin.

And with that, I run onto the stage. I see the faces of thousands of fans. Every concert humbles me. I cannot believe how far I've made it, and I'm so grateful. 

I start off with an upbeat song to get everyone pumped up. The dancers do great.  After a few more upbeat songs, which the crowd seemed to really enjoy, I ran off stage to get my guitar. A stool is put in the center of the stage. As I walk back on, I say, "I was hoping y'all wouldn't mind if I slowed things down, is that cool?" 

The crowd cheers in response. I sit down, take a deep breath, and start strumming the strings.

This song is the oldest song on my album. It's actually one of the first songs I've ever wrote. It's also one of my most popular songs. I can't say I don't love it too, because I do, but I can't sing it without thinking of Nini. I mean, the whole song is about her. Fortunately, the crowd does not know that.

"I-I-I fell in love with the only girl who knows what I'm about." I sing. The crowd is already singing along, which makes me feel an indescribable warmth. 

"After all is said and done, I can't just pretend I'm moving on." I see phone flashlights waving throughout the crowd. I smile. 

Throughout the song, I find myself looking through the audience. So many faces, who all choose to spend their night listening to me sing. Wow, I'm lucky. 

"Maybe" I sing. I'm still scanning the crowd. "Your heart still stops when ---" 

Then, I saw her. Nini. My jaw drops. I can't help it. She's as beautiful as ever. 

As I'm staring into her familiar brown eyes, I'm flooded with thousands of memories of her. God, there's so many. One phrase keeps ringing through my brain. "I love you". The first time I said it in the East High dressing room. The last time I said it before we broke up. The break-up. How crushed I felt, but how I had to fake a smile because I knew she was following her dreams. 

My heart did stop. Did hers?

I can't tell if it's been seconds, minutes or hours when I start singing again. "You see me.." I still don't look away. I recognize the boy she's with from East High. Carson or something like that. Is he...are they...? 

"Maybe it's worth another try...better place...better t-i-ime." 

I realize how long I've been staring. Flustered, I look away and try to play it off. I finish the song without looking back at that row.