Multi-Fandom One-Shots Part 2

when you say you love me (know i love you more) - Rini (HSMTMTS)

The Beginning

"Kourt! I got the position! I got it!"

"Congrats, Nini!" Her best friend's face appears on screen as the Facetime call connects. "I knew you could do it!"

"Thanks," Nini grins, her face still flushed with excitement. "Prof Mousawi said they rarely take second semester freshmen, but I stood out among the applicants."

"See?" Kourtney gestures through the screen. "They would've been dumb not to take you, especially after you aced the class this semester. You're a computer science genius, Neens."

"Aw, stop. Anyways, I'm headed to TA orientation now," Nini says. "Let's celebrate later?"

"Of course," Kourtney replies. "Have fun with orientation!"

As Nini makes her way to the classroom, she feels unstoppable. Untouchable. She's absolutely going to crush it next semester; she just knows.

Until she walks in the door and comes face to face with none other than Ricky Bowen.

Ricky's smirk is unbearably smug as he takes her in.

"So, Roberts," he says. "Looks like we're coworkers now."

Dear God, why did the universe hate her?

--

3 weeks later

"Excited for your first day, Roberts?" Ricky catches up to Nini as she wrenches open the creaky door of the auditorium.

"Excited to help the students because I want them to succeed, yeah," Nini responds, dropping her bag on stage. "Less excited to work with you."

"Oh, please," Ricky cajoles, readjusting the podium. "I've done this longer than you have."

"Oh, are you a sophomore or something?" Nini mocks. "I totally didn't know that, not after the first ten times you mentioned it."

"Ricky, Nini," Professor Mousawi hurries in, looking haggard and effectively ending their conversation. "Thank goodness you two are here. Is everything set up?"

Ricky mock salutes. "You're good to go, Prof."

Slowly but surely, students start to file in. As the university's intermediary computer science course, CS151 is always incredibly popular, with a range of grade levels and majors.

"Welcome, students!" Professor Mousawi's voice rings through the auditorium. Nini knows from personal experience how commanding that voice is, and as expected, silence immediately falls.

"Whether this is your first time or one hundredth time programming, I hope you all get something out of the course. We'll be doing different types of programming to familiarize you with overarching concepts...."

"How do you like it so far?" Ricky whispers as Professor Mousawi begins to go through the syllabus.

Nini rolls her eyes. "Bowen, it's been, like, five minutes."

"But you're on the other side, now," Ricky points out. "How does that feel?"

"I guess it's pretty cool," Nini admits. "I mean, a lot of these students are probably older than me, but I'm the one helping them."

"...We have a staff of around twenty five teaching assistants, and two of them are here today to help you all feel more welcome." Ricky and Nini snap to attention as Professor Mousawi gestures towards them. "Everyone, say hi to Ricky Bowen and Nini Salazar-Roberts." Sheepishly, Ricky and Nini nod in response to the polite applause from the students.