A light || Ricky and Nini

Chapter 171

Nini POV

We spend the day packing. It's something no ones wants to do, reminding us that we have to return to reality soon, but we do it nonetheless. I could tell Ricky was purposely choosing not to pack though as he laid back on the bed in our room, strumming a couple chords on the small guitar we had brought. "Babe I'll fold up the clean clothes you didn't wear but you can't hold me responsible for the dirty clothes that are thrown all over your bag." I joke and he cracks a small smile, meeting my eyes from across the room. "That's okay, just leave it. I'll deal with it all later." He says and I frown, tossing my own clothes into my bag before walking over to sit by him. "What's going on?" I ask, rubbing his leg as he continues to stare blankly at the ceiling. I watch his fingers play random chords before he sighs heavily and puts the instrument down next to him. "I don't want to go home. Because when we do, Wednesday's gonna come. And then I have to see my mom and pretend like the news she's gonna give me won't change my world." I give him a sympathetic look and continue to rub his leg. "Maybe it won't change your world." I suggest and he rolls his eyes. "When has anything that's ever come out of her mouth not affect me?" I can't help but laugh a little as I agree. "You're right." I say softly and he frowns, nodding. "And she'll be here on my parents wedding anniversary. Like out of all the days of the week." I sigh and fight the urge to get up, call Lynne, and fight her myself. "I know. It's entirely sucky." I say and his hand reaches out for mine desperately. I practically give it to him, and he squeezes it gently before grasping it in both of his hands. "You'll be there right? She texted me and said she'd come over after lunch. So we'll hang out with the group in the morning but you'll be with me when she comes right?" He asks nervously and I scoot closer to him, pushing back his curls, leaning over him and pressing a light kiss to his forehead. "Absolutely, one hundred percent." He sighs gratefully and closes his eyes. "I wish I could sing about this. Music always makes this shit feel better." He says softly and I reach across his body, grabbing the guitar he had put down on the bed. "I know a song."

Ricky pushes himself up next to me, sitting close so that our hips are nearly attached. He leans down a little and presses his nose to my shoulder and he feels like he's relaxed, so I pluck out a few chords before starting to sing quietly. This was just for us.

"Come home early after class

Don't be hanging 'round the back of the schoolyard

I've been called up by a teacher

She says she can't even reach you 'cause you're so far

You've been talking with your fist

We didn't raise you up like this, now did we

There have been changes in this house

Things that you don't know about in this family

It don't make sense, but nevertheless

You gotta believe us, it's all for the best

It don't make sense

The way things go

Son you should know

Sometimes moms and dads fall out of love

Sometimes two homes are better than one

Some things you can't tell your sister 'cause she's still too young

Yeah you'll understand

When you love someone

There ain't no one here to blame

Nothing's going to change with your old friends

Your room will stay the same

'Cause you'll only be away on the weekends

It don't make sense but nevertheless

You gotta believe us, it's all for the best

It don't make sense

It don't add up

We'll always love you no matter what

Sometimes moms and dads fall out of love

Sometimes two homes are better than one

Some things you can't tell your sister 'cause she's still too young

Yeah you'll understand

When you love someone"

I'm worried to look up when I finish singing because I hear Ricky sniffle against my shoulder. I turn to him carefully though and slip one of my hands against his cheek. Two tear slips from the corner of his eyes and I catch them with my thumbs, leaning in to press gentle kisses to his cheek bones. "That helped, even though I'm crying." He breaks the silence with a laugh and I nod, offering a small smile. "You're not alone. I mean, someone wrote this song so that's at least one other person who's feels the same as you." Ricky genuinely laughs again and gives me a confident nod. "Yeah I don't feel so lonely. But I think it's because I'm with you. Like everything's not crashing down on me if that makes sense? But Wednesday... we'll face it when it comes?" I nod and press kisses to his jawline before pulling back to look him in the eyes. They were glassed over and they held hope and emotion. "Always." He smiles and intertwines our fingers. "You know that song is like a complete copy of my life, except for the sister part. Thank god about that because I couldn't be an older sibling." He laughs and I giggle, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Ricky Bowen, that's the one thing the universe has right. You should not have any younger siblings." He laughs loudly and pulls me back onto the bed, peppering my face with kisses. "But the universe did give me a beautiful girlfriend so I'm really hoping that part's right too." I grin and push at his shoulder. "You've got a way with words baby." I mumble, rolling my eyes and earning the brightest smile from him.

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When You Love Someone by James TW just had to be included in this story somehow. :) Enjoy a little filler chapter! ❤️