A Billion Stars

Chapter 61

July slowly slipped into August and I was only days away from finding out if I got into the Los Angeles College of Music. Ricky knew that my stress was at an all time high and he was sensing that my mind was constantly on that topic. "Nini!" He says and I practically jump, his arm coming around me to stop me from falling over the pavement. "Sorry, what'd you say?" I ask and Ricky's mouth conforms into a straight line. "I asked if you wanted to go to dinner tonight?" His voice sounded exhausted, like keeping up with my inability to focus was a burden. "Oh sure." I say blandly and Ricky frowns, pulling me towards a park bench and grasping my hand. "Hey what's going through your head?" He asks and I shrug, meeting his eyes earnestly. "I'm worried that I won't get in." I admit and I almost catch Ricky rolling his eyes which makes my heart pound. Was I annoying him? "That's not really an excuse for you to be emotionally unavailable every single day until you find out." I'm taken aback by his hostility and I inch back in surprise. I was annoying him. "I... I don't think you understand." I admit and Ricky shakes his head. "I did the exact same thing you did, I had the exact same waiting period Nins. I know what this is like." I frown and stand up. "Well then I'd think you'd have a bit more empathy." Ricky sighs heavily and rubs the back of his neck in frustration before pulling on my hand to sit back down. "I'm sorry Nins, I didn't mean to be that aggressive. I just miss us." I frown, understanding where he's coming from, thinking about the loads of stress that was keeping me from cuddling him at night, or taking walks on the beach or even watching a simple movie. "I know. I'm sorry." My voice breaks and Ricky's eyes widen just a little as he takes in my sadness. "Come here?" He asks, as if I'd choose not to and I nod, scooting into his arms on the bench. "I've got you. For the next week or however long it takes for the response from LACM, I'll help you with this stress." He whispers into my hair. 

And it went like this. 

Monday

"Morning Nini! I brought breakfast!" Ricky bursts through my apartment door, early in the morning (apparently accepting the fact that I just don't lock it anymore). "Knock on the damn door next time, please." I bite out from my bedroom and the second it's out of my mouth, I cringe and walk sheepishly out of my room towards him. "Sorry." I say and he frowns, opening his arms so that he could hold me. I accept his hug, sighing the second his arms tightly encircle my body. "Thanks for breakfast." I whisper and his fingers trail my back soothingly as his lips linger on my forehead.

Tuesday

"Do you want to watch a movie?" Ricky asks me as he plays with my hair, my body seated in his lap on his couch. I nod, sighing heavily and resting my lips near his collar bone. "Yeah how bout we watch the one with the girl who doesn't get into her dream school and ends up having to work at McDonald's, proving everyone right and failing at life." I shrug and Ricky stifles a laugh. "Huh, I don't know that one baby." I groan and hide in his neck. "I promise you, you're gonna get in." He mumbles into my neck and I just groan more in annoyance.

Wednesday

"Come on baby, up we go." Ricky whispers, his hands coming to rest on my waist. I whimper and push myself further into his covers, enjoying the warmth of the sheets from both of our bodies, having had shared the bed with him the night before. "5 minutes?" I ask, not wanting to face the world quite yet. Ricky chuckles and I feel him lean into me. "It's noon Nins, this is unhealthy." I roll my eyes, flipping over and resting my hands up on his shoulders. "I have ways to keep you in bed with me." I warn and he bites his lip, lowering himself on top of me just a little. "Tempting." He whispers against my lips seductively but before I can close the distance between our mouths he pulls away, sitting up and leaving the room. "Come find me when you aren't attached to the mattress!" He sings cheerily and I smash a pillow against my face in annoyance.

Thursday

"Junk. Junk. Junk. Do I EVER get important mail?" I announce to my empty apartment, irritation clear in my tone. I hear a light tap on my front door though and it pulls me out of my current frustration. "You, me, we're gonna sing some songs to get your mind out of this shit." Ricky says when I open the door, not even bothering with a greeting. He pushes by me, holding his guitar and sitting down on the couch, patting the space next to him. "Let's go gorgeous, this is gonna work." I blush and sit next to him, relaxing into the cushion and listening to his first few strums. As he begins to sing, I involuntarily place my hand on his thigh and he grins, causing me to feel like I'm melting. "Cause I'm in love with you." He sings gently, his brown eyes warm and inviting as he sings to me. Funny Ricky, because I was just about to say the same thing.

Friday

Friday.