Your Secret's Safe With Me

Chapter 7: You Hurt Her

Jenn: Nini?
Nini: *shoot* *I wipe my face* Y-yes?
Jenn: 1st if all, I did not know you could sing and that was incredible. 2nd, I'm sorry I listened... I didn't mean to, I just came in to get my-
Nini: No, you're okay. But thank you, I appreciate it
Jenn: I know I'm your teacher or whatever... but you can talk to me. What's bothering you?
Nini: Oh it's um- it's nothing really
Jenn: It's not nothing. And I understand if you don't feel comfortable talking with me but I think you should talk to someone. Someone who would understand what you're going through.
Nini: It's not that I'm uncomfortable talking to you, I just feel like the topic may be umm difficult for you to discuss with me
Jenn: why's that?
Nini: Because it has to do with um- your step son...
Jenn: Ricky? Is he why your upset? Did he say something to you ? Did he hurt you?
Nini: Y-yeah *Starts to tear up again* Gosh I'm so sorry about this
Jenn: don't be sorry. Rickys at fault here. I know your a nice girl who works really hard and always wants the best for people. Ricky just- he's not himself now
Nini: Did something happen to him?
Jenn: no um. His mom just moved away and I'm newer to the family I guess. Just give him a chance to apologize or be better I don't know. Do you want me to talk to him?
Nini: Oh he's gonna be so mad at me for intruding in his family life! Another thing for him to be mad with me about *cries*
Jenn: no no no your not intruding in his family life *hugs Nini* why were you with him anyway?
Nini: Mr. Mazzara assigned me to be his tutor since he's failing all his classes and I tried so hard to help him and remain calm but I just- he just had to bring up my smarts. My nerd persona. ALL the people that make fun of me. Why nobody likes me. And I just lost it. I just cried
Jenn: I'm sorry... did you say he's failing all his classes? I knew he wasn't doing good but like failing?
Nini: Yeah, Mazzara said he's failing almost every single class and if he doesn't work harder, he could have to repeat a grade
Jenn: Well this is news to me but that's beside the point. People don't hate you for who you are Nini. I personally love the kind of girl you are. Your smart, kind, and deal with everyone who says otherwise. You don't let anyone around you change who you really are and I think that's so big of you. Don't you ever tell yourself you're not enough because you are. You are more than enough and if people like Ricky don't see it, that's on them.
Nini: Thanks Mrs. Bowen. It's nice to have someone other than my family not make fun of me for once.
Jenn: I'll always be here for you and don't ever feel like just because I'm-
Ricky: *walks in* Hey Jenn could you give me a ride ho- *sees Nini and just stops in his tracks*
Nini: *Oh gosh* D-do you want me to leave?
Jenn: have a good night Nini. Just remember.. You are enough and I'm here for you
Nini: Thank you so much. I'll see you tomorrow Mrs. Bowen *I storm past Ricky and leave the room*
Ricky: *I watch Nini walk out* are you kidding me?! She came crying to you!?
Jenn: You wanna tell me why you felt the need to hurt her today?
Ricky: I didn't "feel the need to hurt her" okay? I was trying to figure out why she hates me so much and she wouldn't tell me so I suggested a reason. I said that she doesn't in fact hate me and she actually likes me and she took that in a really weird way I guess. Everyone likes this face I put on at school and Nini doesn't. I don't understand why... I just wanted to know.
Jenn: Maybe because Nini is a decent human that doesn't care about you're stupid show you put on Ricky! Look, I love you and you and Chole mean the world to me, but I can't handle this anymore. That girl was in my room crying because you belittled her and made her feel like nothing! You brought up such horrible things and make her feel so terrible about herself! I get you wanted to change who you were to make more people like you, but this is absolutely unacceptable Ricky. I'm incredibly disappointed in you.
Ricky: I'm... wait, why did she come to you?
Jenn: She was at the piano singing about how she cries and how people think it's stupid of her to cry for just being teased. Does that make you feel good? That your act is so good you pushed her to not just cry about her feelings, but write a damn song about them?
Ricky: she can sing and play piano too?! Literally why does she have to be so fu*king perfect at- *takes a deep breath* you know, your starting to sound like her.... asking if I'm proud of how she's feeling now. Of course I'm not proud! I act the way I do at school because I don't want to be teased or made fun of. Nini's the only person who takes everything I say to heart and I hate that she does that. Being a smart ass works for me. Why can't it work for her? I hate that I'm making her feel terrible on the inside, but I'm not gonna change who I am here for this one girl who can't take a joke.
Jenn: Telling her that everyone hates her isn't a joke Ricky. Pointing out her insecurities isn't a joke. Making fun of something she works so hard for isn't a joke. Get. That. Through. Your. Head.
Ricky: and I'm sure she told you why I was with her in the 1st place. Why can't you be mad at my failing grades. I don't want to talk about Nini right now
Jenn: Grades aren't as important to me as you hurting someone Ricky. How do you think your father would feel if he knew you acted like this and made insensitive jokes about people? What about Chole? This isn't just something I'm going to drop Ricky. You have made someone cry because of the words you said. I don't know how to get it through to you that this is serious.
Ricky: well you know what?! You're not my mom! You can't tell me what to do just because you married my dad. My mom is in Chicago right now with some idiot boyfriend of her's probably screwing with someone else's family. If my words make someone cry, then thats not your problem to deal with. That responsibility belongs to my mom, who is not here because she cheated on my dad. You are not my moms replacement. Your just my drama teacher who fell in love with my dad.
Jenn: *I stare at you shocked* I-I know I could never replace your mother, and I never intend to. But yelling at me is crossing the line, Ricky. I don't even want to be in the same room as you right now. You seriously need to think about what you're doing to others and to yourself right now. You can get yourself your own ride now. I'll see you at home. *I walk out*
Ricky: *I walk up to the piano and put my hand on it to stabilize me. I feel like I'm about to pass out as I start to breakdown over what just happened. Jennifer is a blessing to our family and has done so much for us... I don't know where any of that came from*