**Time Skip* After their rough night, the next school day goes by. Nini and Ricky are both so not ready for their tutoring session. Nini's still ignoring Gina btw. It's just been a bad past few days.*
Ricky: *after the last bell I immediately head to Mr. Mazzara's class. He's not in there but I sit down and take my stuff out*Nini: *I grab my things from my locker and walk into Mr. Mazzara's room and see Ricky there* *Wow, he got here before me* *I sit in the seat across from Ricky and keep my distance*
Ricky: Hey.
Nini: Hi
Ricky: Before we start, could I talk to you? Just a normal conversation.
Nini: I don't really have anything to say to you
Ricky: I'll do the talking. I just need you to listen.
Nini: Fine
Ricky: I'm a jerk. I treat people rudely for the fun of it. I point out people's insecurities to make me feel better about myself. Truth is, it doesn't make me feel better about myself and all it does is hurt the people around me. Even the people I have no intention to hurt. I never understood people took the things I say to heart until you pointed it out. That's why I can't stand you. You showed me the truth that I didn't want to hear. You'll never understand why I'm like this or how I became this way but let's just say I am who I am because I thought it would be better for me. You and my family have really shown me that I can't act this way to people. It's eating me up inside. I'm so sorry for how I've treated you and if you don't want to tutor me anymore, I completely understand.
Nini: I-I don't know what you expect me to say to that.
Ricky: I don't expect you to say anything. This is the first time I've done something like this in a long time. I can leave if you'd like me too.
Nini: Well, I appreciate the apology but I'm still a little... saddened by yesterday. You don't have to leave, we can still work on your homework.
Ricky: I know. Again I'm so sorry. I don't expect you to take that or forgive me or anything, I just promised someone, more importantly I promised myself, I'd apologize.
Nini: Tell your important person I'm thankful you told them to apologize *smiles*
Ricky: Yes ma'am *smiles* Definitely an important special person alright.
Nini: Is it your girlfriend or something?
Ricky: girlfr- no no no. She's- *"you'll have to talk to her about me"* she's my little sister.
Nini: Oh Mrs. Bowen talks about her all the time, isn't her name Chloe?
Ricky: Chloe yeah. She's... she's the best.
Nini: Yeah. Is she a big reason for you apologizing?
Ricky: I mean my step mom... Mrs. Bowen... pointed out I was really hurting you which I kinda figured out for myself after I took you home that night and... well yesterday. She didn't tell me what you said or anything of course but I- oh god I owe her an apology too. But yes, Chloe is a huge reason. I don't think I could have owned up to it without her. When I saw how hurt she was when I told her I wasn't the person she knows at school, she got really upset with me.
Nini: What do you mean "aren't the same person"?
Ricky: I can't believe I'm telling you this but when I was younger... like 5th to 6th grade I was bullied for being really sm- *no, too far* really nice. *really?* People didn't like the way I was and people made fun of me for my personality. I thought maybe if I acted differently at school people would... I don't know respect me? and like me better. I ended up moving schools because the bullying got really bad and came to the East school divisions. I've created this reputation for myself at school, but it's nothing like how I am at home. I really don't know why I'm telling you all this.
Nini: Oh gosh... I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Bullying sucks, I would know *laughs quietly*
Ricky: *smiles* No don't apologize. You didn't do anything. This is gonna sound really cheesy but granted I'm use to talking to an 8 year old about this stuff, could I make you a promise but also ask for a really big favor?
Nini: And what's your promise?
Ricky: I promise to not be a jerk to you. I'll let you try and help me understand my homework. But I'd also like to ask for a favor. Please don't tell anyone anything I've told you about me. I'm not quite ready to change who I am at school... I don't know if I'll ever be... but I'm done treated you like a piece of shit.
Nini: Your secrets safe with me, Ricky. I won't tell a single soul.
Ricky: Oh my god really? Thank you. I can't stress to you enough how grateful I am. *laughs a little*
Nini: Yeah, as long as I'm not getting yelled at for being me, I'll keep your little secret in the dark.
Ricky: Okay. *exhales out of relief* So physics?
Nini: I don't know, we can do physics tomorrow, I can't teach someone when I don't know anything about them. Now that I've learned that you're not who you say you are, tell me who you really are.
Ricky: Why don't I show you?
Nini: What do you mean?
Ricky: How about we go study at my house. You can totally say no...
Nini: Does this mean I get to meet the famous Chloe Bowen?
Ricky: yeah... she's still pretty pissed at me I think... but... this is gonna sound weird... she really wants to meet you *laughs a little*
Nini: She does? Why? *laughs*
Ricky: She wants to make another friend.
Nini: Why me though? I mean, I wasn't your friend till like 10 minutes ago, I don't even know if I qualify as one yet-
Ricky: could I qualify you as a friend?
Nini: If you really want to
Ricky: I could really use one as you can see *laughs a little*
Nini: So that group of people that follow you around aren't your friends?
Ricky: I mean... I guess after talking to you and having someone like Red, I can tell they are not.
Nini: Red?
Ricky: oh he goes to west high. Pretty much a brother to me. We call him Big Red
Nini: Wow what a name *laughs* So, you ready to head out?
Ricky: yeah. Do you need a ride or-
Nini: Yeah, my brother dropped me off today. We're still heading to study at your house, right?
Ricky: if that's okay with you
Nini: I'm perfectly okay with that
Ricky: one question before we go... why did you forgive me... well I don't know if you forgave me... but like why arn't you... idk-
Nini: I understand what you went through. It really sucks to be told that you're hated by people you barely know and it really takes out a lot on a person. I just want you to feel okay to be yourself. Not that you have to hide who you are to be treated like a human. You just need a friend and I'm happy to provide that role for you.
Ricky: *smiles* thank you
Nini: You're so welcome. Now, come on! I wanna go meet the wonderful Chloe Bowen! *laughs*

YOU ARE READING
Your Secret's Safe With Me
FanfictionAnother role play between @LibbyLou814 and I. (She's Nini and I'm Ricky, and we fill in for the rest). Nini Salazar-Roberts: The definition of a "nerd". Straight A, Yale bound, Honor's and AP student. She does loads of community work, is in as many...