euphoria. [ rini au ]

chapter three.

Nini was repulsed by the idea that she was standing in East High five days before school actually started. The bulletin boards that had been stripped bare in June were now decorated with various fall events and activities. There were boards for athletic teams and the drama department as well as the scholastic decathlon and graduation committee, but Nini's eyes were drawn to her new pride and joy, the charity ball event.

This board was left for Nini to do herself and that was the only reason Nini had come to East High early. That and her promise to run freshman orientation with Ricky who had admitted to being bored. Taking a step back, she eyed her hard work. The background was a dark blue and it was accented with gold stars. There was a list of the students who agreed to participate in the auction as well as the rules of the event and how you could get involved. Stapling the last star up at the top, Nini stooped down to grab her supplies and head in the direction of the office.

"Good afternoon, Nini," Miss Jenn greeted her warmly.

"You too. How's your summer been?" The brunette asked kindly.

"Oh, I've been keeping busy trying to make plans for the upcoming fall musical. This year we're doing Hairspray."

"Oh I love that show!"

"You know, you would make a great Tracy. Auditions are starting the third week of September."

"Ah, I don't know. I'll have to see if I can fit it in this year with track and field and basketball and everything else," Nini said with a smile, "Anyways, do you know where the freshman are meeting us for the tours?"

"I believe they are in the gymnasium for introductions and then you will break into groups. Come find me after in the drama room and I'll give you the script for Tracy," Miss Jenn said with a wink, leaving Nini to hurry down the hallway towards the gym.

Pushing the door open, she saw the other senior students and joined them, finding Ricky leaning up against the door to the coach's office. He grinned at her before Brinley began calling names, separating the younger students into groups.

"Nini, Brinley and I are taking the first two groups and we thought you and whoever else got sent here could take the other two groups." Matt asked, handing her two lists. "You can do it separately or as partners."

"That's fine with me. It's Ricky, so we'll just start here and go over everything as we tour the school." Nini said, raising her hand to wave Ricky over.

"You and Ricky? Bowen? Together? No way, I'll switch with Brinley. We only have the students for an hour and that doesn't include the time it would take to declare a ceasefire between you two," Matt said. "Here, Nini, go get your students and I'll deal with Ricky." Matt looked even more anxious when he realized Nini was laughing.

"Did I miss something funny, Neens?" Ricky asked, amused. "Matt, you anticipating an axe murderer or something?"

"Matt fears that we will scar the freshman, maybe with a repeat performance of the cafeteria argument last spring," Nini explained.

"The one where you dumped a chocolate milkshake over my head," Ricky said with a chuckle. "That was definitely not one of our finer moments. I'm pretty sure now the cafeteria ladies have a Code Chocolate alarm."

"You....and.....you," Matt stuttered out, moving his finger back and forth between the two, "you...talking.....laughing....getting along???"

"Yes, we are aware it's a miracle close to the second coming and all of that," Ricky informed him, plucking a list from his hand and handing it to Nini.

"You're actually going to work together?" Matt asked.

"Yes, but you have nothing to worry about. Me and Neens," Ricky assured him, throwing an arm around Nini, "we're buds now. Tight as thieves."