jolivia•rini•hsmtmts

^baby

So let's imagine this is after episode 4. EJ still hasn't come to terms with his and Nini's break up, and EJ's betrayal is still a fresh wound for Nini and of course there's the weird near kiss situation with Ricky and Nini. So it's safe to say... things are pretty awkward. 

Nini rested her cheek on her palm with a sigh, she was sat in Health and Relationships class next to Kourtney. It was a new compulsory subject in their school. Glancing around the classroom she saw: Ashlyn chatting with Natalie Bagdely at the front, Gina sulking by the doorway, Ricky and Big Red were awkwardly looking over at her and Kourtney from the corner and EJ was glaring from across the room. Mr Smith stood up from his desk and hastily pressed the projecter button and coughed to get the attention of the class. Nini looked up slowly through her eyelashes, not bothering to move because as far as she was aware this wasn't graded.

"Hey Guys, I know none of you want to be here and let's be frank, I don't want to be here either but I'm being paid, so... let's start." He mumbled as he passed out sheets to the students. "So to discourage teenage pregnancy we are going to start this new project." He stopped at the front of the class with a sad smirk. He pulled out boxes from underneath his desk and plopped it on top of Ashlyn's desk, shocking them. "Robot Babies" Laughing broke out across the classroom and EJ quickly got up from his desk and rushed towards the door. 

"Mr Caswell, this is not optional."

EJ groaned and slid back into the nearest seat. 

"You will be in partners and take the baby home for the night, it has a tracker inside that will grade your ability to parent the child." Everyone in the class shared darting looks to other people around the room, already choosing their partners. "And yes, I will let you choose your partners." He waved his arm at the class, gesturing for them to go stand with their partner. "Oh and I forgot to mention, it's a competition" He smiled. The class murmured to each other eagerly, excited by the prospect of a prize. Soon they were gathered into pairs, but there were a few stragglers. EJ was joking around with some other jock, Big Red and Ricky were obviously together, as were Nini and Kourtney. Ashlyn and Natalie had decided to be together and Carlos and Seb were subtly flirting with each other but Gina was standing alone standoffishly.

"Umm... ok. Some of these aren't going to work. Ricky, Big Red, EJ. Come here." Big Red and Ricky sighed to each other, knowing they were going to be split up. "Big Red you can be with Ashlyn." Ashlyn blushed the colour of her hair as Natalie got up and vacated her seat. "EJ, how about Gina?" Mr Smith suggested, EJ shrugged in response and went over to stand by Gina at the door. "That leaves you Ricky. Nini please join him." He said, "Kourtney and Natalie" Kourtney nodded and mouthed 'sorry' to Nini as she waved at Natalie. As he was turning to go back to his desk, Nini caught up with him.

"Respectfully, why do I have to be with Ricky?" She said, trying to be quiet but Ricky still heard. He looked away wincing as he stood awkwardly in her peripheral vision. 

"I needed someone to balance out Ricky." Looking around Nini, he made eye contact with the aforementioned, "No offence." Ricky raised an eyebrow with a small frown before walking over to Big Red but then back again when he saw Red was engrossed in conversation with Ashlyn. "I'm sorry, my decision is final. You never know, it might not be that bad." Mr Smith winked knowingly, which Nini waited until she'd walked away to roll her eyes at but it still didn't go unnoticed by both Mr Smith and Ricky who awkwardly waved and shuffled over to her. Nini plunked down into her seat, avoiding any and all eye contact with Ricky as she wrote their names down on the sheet with the date. Mr Smith handed out the babies on the desk with a bag full of supplies. 

"Name?" Nini whispered. 

"Huh?" Ricky said louder. Nini pointed to the empty box where the baby's name was meant to go. "Oh... is it a girl or a boy?" Nini shrugged and looked closer at the robotic doll. "Well why don't we take a peek under the hood?" Ricky suggested with a grin. Nini giggled slightly and looked at him with a smile. Smiling back gratefully, he picked up the doll. He continued to inspect it as Nini simply read the box.