she's got a bad reputation - rini au

chapter 15: truth or dare

Nini was the first to arrive at Ricky's because she had to make the pizzas for the night. It was awkward, both of them felt that tension in the air since their almost kiss. They made small talk for less than 5 minutes until Nini said she needed to get started with the pizzas, of course, it was an easy and quick thing, but she needed an excuse to end with the weird awkwardness between them. So, she went to the kitchen and began to look for the things she needed, Ricky only telling her where they were. She cooked in silence with Ricky looking at her on the other side of the kitchen, he couldn't take it anymore, so he put on some music. Hey, Soul Sister by Train started to play and they couldn't help but sing along; Ricky pretending to be busy on his phone, and Nini mixing all the ingredients. The air was lighter, but it was still not the same. The only thing going on on their minds was that moment they shared in this same kitchen. Ricky was thinking what would have happened if his friends weren't screaming at Troy's lines, Nini was wondering what the hell Ricky wanted to say to her, he stopped the kiss to tell her something, what was it? Maybe he did not want to kiss her and was about to tell her it was all a mistake. Yeah, maybe it was that. But deep down she wondered if what he wanted to say was something deeper, maybe he liked her. She didn't know if she liked him. Does she feel something inside her every time they are together in the same room, or they talk? A little. Why does everytime he looks at her, she blushes? Does he feel the same way? She knew he was a really shy person. He never mentioned any girl in front of her, not even a rumour. Not that she would believe them, but she knew zero things about his love life. Both of their thoughts were interrupted by their friends arriving. First E.J. and Red, who brought beer and chips. Then Seb and Ash, who were too well dressed to just hang out. Last, but not least, Kourtney arrived, saying that "A queen is never late, everyone else is
simply early". They all sat down around a coffee table and time flew. It was almost 8pm when they started to bake all the pizzas Nini had cooked.

"Okay, if I'm completely honest, I thought this was going to be a mess but it is one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten. And my parents own a pizza place." Red admitted, he was sitting on the couch in between Nini and Seb.

"Yeah, it must be your best one yet. And I've been making you cook for me since middle school" said Kourtney.

After eating 4 pizzas, all the group were on the floor talking about school and life, they moved the table so there was more space for them. Everyone was finishing their second beer, expect Ricky who, of course, was still on the first one.

"Let's play something fun! I want to know all of you better! What about, truth or dare but instead of doing a dare they have to admit something to everyone?" Nini closed her eyes when she heard her friend speak, she knew this was not going to end up well. But everyone agreed, so she had to suck it up, and play.

30 minutes passed by, and E.J. admitted that he was the one who broke Red' skateboard, Ash said that it was true that Gina kissed her drunk one time, but it wasn't a big deal. Kourtney confessed that her school-crush was either Marco, a quiet boy she shared Biology with, or Mia, one of the popular girls. Of course, Red did not say anything too shocking, more than that he threw up on Ricky's bathroom on time. When it was Seb's turn, a really drunk E.J., asked the question.

"Do you know Carlos really likes you? Like he's pretty much in love with you." Everyone looked at their friend, he was reading the beer label, not realizing what just came out of his mouth.

"Um... I do know. One time at a party, he told me he had a crush on me. I thought it was just the alcohol talking but...l started to notice all the little things, you know? Like, everytime I talked with another boy he would get mad at me after. I know you guys don't really like him, and I don't blame you. Mostly you, Nina. I swear he is not like that when we are alone. He is sweet and caring. The problem is Gina. It's like she forced him to enter her world, and everytime we are at school, he transforms himself." Seb was starting to form tears on his eyes, not making eye contact with anyone, playing with his fingers. He was interrupted by Red, making a Red-Comment, like they call it.