Heather {RICKY BOWEN}

{four}

"the start of something new"

The air was chilly as Mia walks home. She had stayed later than usual after rehearsal, finishing the models of the sets, and had forgotten her jacket. 

She listens to the sounds of the night as she walks, liking the sound of distant honks and traffic. She hears the sound of a skateboard behind her, and she turns to see that it's Ricky. 

She smiles as he steps off, falling in steps beside her. 

"I didn't know you lived in this neighborhood." Ricky glances at her, smiling at the small amount of red coating her cheeks. 

"I live like two streets away from you." Mia giggles, "You skate past my house all the time." 

"Wait, really? Why have I never seen you before?" 

"You never pay attention, I'm surprised you haven't fallen off the board with how much you get distracted while riding." 

Ricky laughs, looking back at Mia as she stops walking. 

"I live this way, so we kind of have to split up now." 

Ricky sighs, not ready to say goodbye quite yet. "I'm not quitting the show, by the way." 

Mia smiles, liking that the boy isn't giving up so fast. 

"I-uh, thank you." His hand rests against the back of his neck. "You kinda were part of the reason."

"Well, then I guess I'll see you at rehearsal tomorrow." She shivers as a breeze pushes through the street, cursing herself for having left her jacket at school. 

"Hey, why dont you take this," He pulls his sweater off, "I only have a few more houses, you have another block or two." 

Mia blushes heavily, taking the striped fabric from his hand. "Thank you." 

It's quiet as she puts the sweater on, Mia relishing in the warmth. The sleeves are too long and the end rests even with her skirt, but she can't help the fact that she loves it. 

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mia." Ricky smiles at the girl who is now drowning in his sweater. 

Mia watches him turn and drop his skateboard on the ground. She waits until he is farther away before turning and walking down the street. 

It's halfway through Mia's third class before she makes it to school. She had been caught up in her school work last night and forgot to set her alarm. She rushes through the doors, almost running straight into a group of freshmen.

She makes it to the library, apologizing to the librarian, and signs her name in the free period attendance book. She spots Carlos sitting at one of the computers and sits next to him, the boy not even glancing away from the dance happening on the screen. 

It's halfway through the period when Mia gets hit with a skittle, the small red candy bounding off of Carlos's chest before hitting her arm. 

She glances up in time to see Ricky throw another one, this time catching the attention of Carlos. 

Mia smiles at him, nudging Carlos out of his seat and towards the boy. Carlos looks at her in surprise, having not noticed when she sat down. 

She hears Carlos give Ricky feedback, and stands to see what is going on, but stops when she sees Nini walk to the end of the row. Mia sighs as she watches Nini smile at Ricky, and looks away. 

The auditorium is empty as Mia enters, the sounds of Ashlyn singing at the piano echoing through the room. 

"What's so important that you had to drag me out of my artistic zone?" Mia laughs as Ashlyn jumps, the sound of her voice scaring the red-head.