Ricky & Nini : After All

Chapter 19 : Change

Nini's POV:

After spending a day at the beach with Ricky, I felt a lot more refreshed and ready for the rest of the week. EJ and I had lots of interviews and promos to do for Distant Memories, but they were all a blast.

Before I knew it, I was packing up my suitcase to head back to my little apartment in Vancouver, and I have to decide where I'm going from there. I love living in Vancouver, but I don't think I'm going to be staying much longer. I'm just not very quick at making decisions, and I'm not for sure where I want to move at the moment. 

The day my flight home was scheduled for, I had nothing planned. I got breakfast with EJ, but his flight was earlier than mine so he had to head to the airport. 

I decided to text Ricky. I don't know why I did it, I guess because we're friends now. He invited me over to check out his new apartment, which he had finally gotten set up with all of his furniture. I agree, because I have a few hours to kill and nothing better to do.

I get an uber to his apartment complex and head up to the right floor. I check his text a few times to make sure I'm at the right door before knocking. He opens it and welcomes me inside. 

"It's a little cozy, but I like it." He says, looking around the space. "I love it!" I reply. He smiles. "So, you're leaving tonight?" He asks. "Yeah...back to Vancouver. I don't really know what's next for me, probably some more auditions." I say. 

He nods. "Well, I'll be here writing some songs, per usual. It's crazy how I got so used to my routine the past few months living with Gina. Everything's so different now." He sits down on the couch. I sit down too. "Different isn't always bad. Change is good, Ricky. You're going to do great things here." I say, my eyes not leaving his. I truly believe what I'm saying.

His eyes don't leave mine either. "Thank you." He says with a small smile. I don't know where it comes from, but I start to feel something in the pit of my stomach. I push it away. No, Nini. It's not right. I think.

Ricky's POV:

Why do I feel like this?  I think. We're just starting to become friends again. That's all. I look away from her eyes and out the huge window. 

"Are you hungry? Do you want me to make you anything?" I ask, filling in the slightly awkward silence. "Oh, no, I'm good! I had a late breakfast with EJ before his flight." Nini replies. "Thank you, though."

"Of course, just thought I'd offer. How are you and EJ doing these days?" I ask. I don't know why I want to know the answer. I haven't talked to EJ in years. I saw him at the premiere, but we didn't really talk. 

"We're becoming good friends again, I'd say. He's changed a lot since high school." Nini says. "For the better." She adds.

"That's great. I should talk to him again someday." I say. Nini nods. 

We keep talking, and eventually decide to turn on a movie. We just sit there, talk, and laugh as if we're still best friends. I can't believe I let myself lose her five years ago. Even though we didn't work out as a couple, I should've tried harder to remain friends. I guess I was just so hurt I didn't really think it over.

After the movie finishes, Nini checks her phone and raises her eyebrows. "Oh, I better head to the airport. I'm going to get an uber." She says.

"No, I can drive you." I say without even thinking about it. I have no plans.

"Are you sure?" Nini asks. "Yeah, of course. Let's go." I reply, getting up and grabbing my keys.

Nini's POV: