𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 ~ 𝙝𝙨𝙢𝙩𝙢𝙩𝙨 (𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙞)

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖.

notes:

This chapter has some semi-mature material towards the end. It's not sex and it's not graphic, but it's there. If you're not comfortable with the content just skip over it. I haven't increased the age rating on the work cause I didn't really feel that it was needed, but if you think I should feel free to let me know!

The next day Nini had rehearsals from noon to four, Ricky brought homework and snuck into the back of the auditorium, but his presence had not gone unnoticed by her castmates. While getting water between runs of the hand jive number, Nini overheard a couple of the other girls chattering amongst themselves.

She only could discern bits and pieces, but it was enough to get the gist.
"Did you see him?" "In the back?" "Yes!" "Do you-" "Know who he is? No!" "So cute!" "Dare you to go say hi"

Under other circumstances, Nini probably would have felt protective or jealous, but today she just smiled to herself. That adorable boy drove almost ten hours just for her. None of these girls had a chance. She contemplated for a moment whether or not she should let it slip to the other girls that the cute guy they were gossiping about was, in fact, her boyfriend, but ultimately Gwen made that decision for her.

Coming up behind Nini, Gwen paused for a moment, tuning into their gossip as well, she scoffed and loudly said to Nini, "So, Nina, that boy of yours is spending his whole day sitting in the back of a dark and lonely auditorium just for you?"

Nini suppressed a laugh and choked out, "yep."

Apparently, Gwen wasn't done just yet, wrapping her arm around Nini's shoulder she nearly shouted "Wow! He must be a total goner for you!" Nini couldn't keep a straight face anymore, she buried her face in her hands and nodded her head. She could feel most of her castmates watching this unfold and her face was burning. Thankfully their director called all of them out to run hand jive again at that moment.

Nini gave Gwen a devilish look before they both made their way back onstage. Once there, Nini headed over to her dance partner, Trevor. Nini was glad to have him as a partner, he was a really good dancer which helped to hide the fact that she was just a really okay dancer. He was also pretty patient with her, rarely stepped on her feet, and kept his hands appropriately placed, which unfortunately was more than what could be said for plenty of the other boys at the school.

"So," he said while they waited for the music to queue up. "That was quite a production back there."

Nini grinned, "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she said.

"Right." Trevor winked, "You know, you've been good for Gwen and Faith, they've needed someone to give them a reason to get some space from Layla." Nini was surprised to hear that, but she was realizing more and more that she was grateful for them too. She was about to tell him so, but the music began and the opportunity was gone.

---

After their last run, Nini was finally released and ran back to the dressing room to change and collect all of her bags. Leaving the backstage area she was surprised to find Layla and Ricky in the hall. When the door shut with a loud clatter, both of them looked over at her. "Oh," Layla said sweetly. "Nina, I was just collecting your stray for you." As Nini approached she watched the other girl rest her hand on Ricky's chest, "See you around, Rick." Layla winked at him and smirked at Nini on her way to the door.

Before Layla had even made it to the door, Nini was taken by surprise when Ricky was suddenly kissing her passionately. She felt pride and joy bubbling up in her chest. When the door to the backstage finally clanged shut Ricky pulled away, and Nini burst out laughing. Ricky looked pretty smug too. Without any prelude or further discussion, Ricky kissed her cheek and whispered against Nini's ear, "Only in her dreams." Making Nini laugh even harder, she linked her pinky around his and pulled him along so that they could go get lunch.