Nini POV
I don't know what I was so nervous for today. My teachers have been incredibly kind and Ashlyn has helped me get around for my first two classes. "How are you doing?" Ashlyn asks me after our third class. We have a free period next, and she and I were heading to the auditorium before lunch. Ricky didn't know she'd be able to help me around all morning and he's texted at least 5 times to make sure I'm okay. I smile and grip onto her shoulder as we walk through the hallway. "Not too bad, it's not as bad as I thought it would be." I say and she shakes her head. "I mean, like, how are you actually doing? Emotionally." I tuck my hair behind my ears and smile. "It's been a really crazy few days." She nods and helps me sit on the piano bench. "Are you and Ricky back to normal?" I nod and play with the hem of my shirt. "Yeah, thank god for that. I don't want to excuse his behavior, but I also know that he and I are basically endgame so what's the point." She nods. "I understand that. That's a ridiculous dilemma too, excusing someone's behavior shouldn't be something you have to do in a relationship." I nod and absentmindedly respond. "I mean that's what I did with EJ. I swear I'd turn around and forgive him only to be faced with another issue to forgive him for- oh sorry Ash." I say cutting myself off. She smiles and shakes her head. "Don't be I'm not excusing any of his behavior from your relationship either. But I do think he's changed." I smile thinking to how happy he and Gina are together. "He really has and it just shows how some people are meant to be together just to get to their real person." Ashlyn blushes and tucks her hair back. "You're thinking about Red aren't you?" I ask laughing and she shakes her head but sighs. "Okay fine yes" she says and we burst into giggles. She and I play around for the next 30 minutes, laughing and talking about our relationships. At the end we sing a duet from our show. "You know, you're lucky that's only a sprain and by showtime in May you'll be able to walk again." She tells me as we begin to pack up for lunch. I nod, wearing a relieved facial expression. "Believe me, I've been grateful all morning. Miss Jen would murder me." Ashlyn looks at me a little skeptical. "Well not since she's started dating her mystery man. Her mood has been uncharacteristically good." I laugh and point at her. "Now that's true."
"I really hate to abandon you Nini, but I have to grab my stuff from my locker before lunch so that I can make it to class on time. Can you get to lunch or do you want me to-" I cut Ashlyn off, shaking my head. "No way. Go get your stuff you've been literally the sweetest all morning." I tell her and she hesitates. "Are you sure? Can I call Ricky to come and help you?" I shake my head frantically. "No no. It's only a short walk. I'll meet you there okay?" She looks concerned but nods, heading in the opposite direction from me. I hop along the lockers, my left leg already getting exhausted from carrying all my weight. It's only a little more of a way to go and I was determined not to ask for help. I didn't want to annoy anyone and I already had Ashlyn glued to my hip all morning which I felt horrible for. I continued to hop through the hallway and when I reach the entrance to the cafeteria I'm relieved. I'm especially excited to see that my friends are already at the table. However, I could've gone without the next few moments.
Ricky turns to see me in the cafeteria entrance and he beams, making eye contact with me from across the room. I smile back, but my one foot loses it's balance or its energy from hopping all this way and I tumble to the ground. There are a few gasps and I see a few people from my morning classes rush out of their seats to help me, knowing I'm already injured. Ricky pushes by all of them though and within seconds my body is in his arms. "Hey, hey. I've got ya. Are you okay baby?" he whispers into my hair and I just tighten my hands on his arm. "Ouch" I say laughing and he shakes his head. "I swear you have to stop injuring yourself." He says with a chuckle, helping me up. He then looks around frantically. "Wait. You walked here by yourself?" I laugh nervously and his expression is stern. "Nini?" he waits for my answer and I nod. "Ashlyn had to go and she had already been so sweet to me all morning." He sighs. "Why didn't you call anyone else?" I look down and he brings his arm around my waist. "I didn't want to bother anyone." I say quietly and he shakes his head. "You are the most selfless person I know baby. But please, I beg you. Bother me. Or EJ or Gina. Anyone here. Please." I nod sheepishly and he asks me to put my weight against him as we head to the table. When we get there, he helps me sit down and the group begins to talk to me. I turn halfway through our conversation to see Ricky staring at me. I smile, and he grabs my wrist. "What?" I ask quietly and he shakes his head. "You're just still beautiful even when you don't try." And he takes my mildly sprained wrist and massages it gently. Somehow, even in the lunchroom he is still trying to take care of me. "Can we get you anything?" Seb asks from the other side of the table. I shake my head and scoot closer to Ricky. His arm comes around me and I bring mine around his waist. "I've got everything I need right here." I say and Ricky smiles down at me. I move my face into his sweatshirt and his hand runs over the back of my head. "I got ya" he says quietly, in a way that I know I'm the only one who has heard. "I have to talk to you about something when we get home Nins." He continues to whisper to me. I look at him, silently trying to ask what it is but he waves it off and pulls me to his body. "It can wait."
YOU ARE READING
A light || Ricky and Nini
RomanceA little love story. Picks up directly after Season 1 of High School Musical: The Musical, The Series.