The Musical | Ricky Bowen × Reader

Maybe

"And suddenly you know: it's time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings."

- Meister Eckhart

...

RICKY'S POV

She's right there. Right in front of me. So close. Do I move, or let this happen? What would this mean for us? Or for Nini and I? All I know is there's something drawing me closer towards y/n; something in me that wants to give in and let this happen.

Luckily, I don't have to decide because, not even a second later, my dad throws open my bedroom door, causing y/n to jolt.

"Ricky, is everything okay? I was unpacking some groceries, and I heard a bang-" he cuts himself off, looking down at y/n and I. I immediately scramble to my feet, pulling her up with me.

"Y-Yeah, everything's fine," I say, chuckling nervously. That did not look good.

"Okay. I'm so sorry for barging in. I didn't know you had company over," he says, glancing over at y/n, who's turning bright red––clearly embarrassed.

"H-Hi, I'm y/n," she stutters, reaching out to shake my dad's hand.

"It's very nice to meet you. I'm Mike. Ricky's dad," he smiles, shaking y/n's hand. She lets out a shaky breath, then gives him a small smile back.

"Anyway, I have to finish unpacking the groceries, and I think I could use some help. Ricky, would you mind giving me a hand?" he asks, but I know I don't have a choice. He wants to talk.

"Sure," I reply, giving y/n an apologetic look, then follow him down the stairs.

-

"So, who's this y/n girl?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

"Dad, we're just friends. Nothing more," I reply, putting some cans in our pantry.

"Really? Because that's not what it looked like," he says, implying something else.

"Really. We're just partners for a callback. I mean, after it's over, we probably won't even acknowledge each other." I'm not sure why, but the thought of that stings.

"Alright. While we're talking about your love life, or lack thereof, how's it going with you and Nini?" he asks, shoving the last of the groceries in the fridge. Lack thereof? Ouch.

"We, um, still aren't talking. She came over earlier, but nothing happened. I think it was because she saw y/n and thought something was going between us. So, she probably thinks I've moved on, but I haven't," I rant, and he gives me a sympathetic look.

"I can understand why she'd think that. You guys were pretty close earlier," he points out, and I sigh.

"Look, even if there was something going on between us––which there isn't––she doesn't have the right to be upset about it. She's with EJ," I huff.

"Ricky, you guys have known each other for practically your whole life. Yeah, she might be with someone else, but that doesn't mean she's completely over you. She's just accepting that it's over between you two. Maybe it's time for you to do that, too," he suggests, rubbing my shoulder.

"You sound just like y/n."

"She sounds like a smart girl," he chuckles.

"Yeah. Very wise, too," I say, and instantly remember why she's here.

"Oh! Dad, can y/n stay here for the night? She got into a bad fight with her parents and I kinda already told her she could," I ask, and my dad shakes his head.

"Ricky-"

"She has nowhere else," I say cutting him off.

"But, Ricky-"

"You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Please?" I plead, and he sighs.

"Alright," he replies, giving in.

"Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it," I say, and he smiles.

"As long as there's nothing going on between you two, it's fine," he says, arching his eyebrow.

"There isn't," I promise, and he mumbles something under his breath. Although I didn't hear him entirely, I swear he said something along the lines of 'not yet.' Normally it would annoy me, but this time, it doesn't––because, maybe this time, he's right.

-

****heyyy my lovelies!! i'm so sorry it took me a lil while to upload, i'm going through a tough time rn, and i'm trying to push through it, but it's still kinda difficult. but i just wanna thank you guys for being so patient and supportive!! 2.5k reads?!!! that's INSANE! i love you all so much!!! see you in the next one :)

- ella <3