Maybe your heart still stops when you see me

Paris! (Last one I promise. Part 6)

RICKY'S POV

holy smokes. that just happened. that was- i mean- i just- holy smokes

"holy smokes." i mumble, running my hand through my curly hair. 

"dude, that's like that fifth time you've said that since we dropped the girls off." connor joked as i flopped down on the couch. i let out a breath i didn't know i was holding and a large smile came across my face. "okay, now you're just scaring me." connor sits down beside me. "are you going to tell me what happened?"

"it was perfect, man." i sighed. "i gave her the necklace, and told her how i felt whenever i see her, and then we kissed. it was just so flawless. every little detail of tonight. flawless."

"what are you, a romance writer on wattpad?" connor shoved my head playfully, making me laugh. "don't get me wrong," he continued. "wattpad is fire, but like, dude. that was incredibly cheesy." 

"nini does have that effect on me." i rest my head in my hands, thinking of her perfect face, her perfect laugh, her perfect smile, just her. everything that makes her nini is so absolute and unblemished. aw shoot, i do sound cheesy. "what happened with you and maiz tonight?" i asked, getting a blush out of connor. 

"wellllll," he drawled. "we also kissed, but i'm not on as much of a cloud 9 as you are because it's not my first kiss. but we went on literally every ride. maisie is fearless, it's pretty awesome. anyways, we had a great time. i asked her to be a girlfriend and she said yes automatically."  

i felt my heart sink. "she said yes only a couple days after you told her you liked her? i mean she didn't really want to wait and get to know you more first?"

connor shrugged. "i guess we were both ready. what about you and neens? are you two official?" 

i shook my head, making some curls fall forward. "she wanted to wait until we were both ready. the thing is, i've been ready. i want to be able to call her my girl, and not be afraid of rejection and whatever. i'm just waiting for her call." 

"yikes. waiting is the worst." 

"no," i furrowed my eyebrows. "i'd wait forever for her if i'd had to. but what my worry is, is what if the more she learns about me, the less she likes me. i mean, i'm not an impressive guy, i'm not good in school, i'm just a boring skater dude who is moody and has mommy issues."

"hey! don't talk about my friend that way." connor gave me a light shove in the shoulder. "dude, you are more then enough. don't feel insecure. besides, it's both you and nini's first. it's pretty admirable that you guys are making the mature decision to take it slow." 

i chuckle softly. "that was all nini."

"she's a smart one my dude." connor encouraged, "but so are you. and the fact that you will wait as long as it takes for her? high respect man. don't doubt yourself." 

i took in connor's words, pondering them carefully. they made sense, but deep down, i still felt fear. "connor?" i queried. he hummed in response, looking towards me. "thanks for being my relationship counselor."

"well, dang man i never thought i'd be put in this situation. thank you for giving me a chance." he laughed. "i guess it was bound to happen at some point. i have like seven sisters."

"seven?" i sputtered. 

connor's eyebrows drew together. "i think?? hold up." he began counting his fingers, quietly whispering names. 

i laughed and shook my head, watching him fumble over names. slowly, i crept away and made my way to the balcony, connor's words replaying in my head. i tried to convince myself they were true.