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"Oh god, I forgot about E.J.'s crush on Layla, remember when you asked her out and her answer was literally her throwing up." Everyone laughed at the memory, it was Ricky's first party in Salt Lake and they invited him so he could relax and have fun. E.J. made some comment about how he is the "handsome one" and could get any girl. Maybe it was the four shots he did before but he tried to flirt with more than 7 girls and got rejected every time.
"In my defence, she was really drunk and I found out later that she liked girls," The laughing lasted a couple of minutes and then they fell into a comfortable silence. Until Red asked what all the boys were thinking.
"Ash, why didn't you hang out with Gina? We haven't seen you with her alone in months." The red hair girl stayed in silence for a couple of seconds, her expression changing completely.
"Because, she's not Gina anymore. That princess that cares more about high school gossip than anything is not my friend. The last time we hung out was after we met Nina and Kourt. She talked about Nino for ot least 20 minutes, I just wanted to scream at her because that's not who Nina is. I get so frustrated and angry when I talk with her. It's different when we are all together because I rely on you guys. But her popularity got in her head. I'm just- I'm done." Everyone stayed silent, because everyone was thinking the same thing for a long time. When they became friends Gina was nice, she was caring and thoughtful. It was like she was struck by lightning, but instead of giving her super speed, it gave her a big ego and an addiction to popularity. Carlos was just her lost puppy, he didn't hove a good experience in middle school. Being the only gay by on the school was hard. He didn't care but when he saw the opportunity he took it. They were a powerful duo. But not in a good way. And all of their real friends were, just, tired.
"She told me to get a haircut and to change my style and clothes. A. then one of her stupid friends asked her why she was still friends with me. You know what she answered? Iclon't know, he's just a loser" Everyone looked at Red. He was about to cry. He was a really sensitive person, he got used to hiding behind sarcasm. Ricky always told him he was like Stiles Stilinski. That he had nothing to be ashamed about.
"Well at least she didn't say that you were going to die alone. Or laughed with your popular friends when they said I was a /ost cause. I'm 18 yeors old, how the fuck am I a lost cause?" E.J. wasn't the kind of person who talks about his life. He is known at school, he is a very funny and likeable guy. But he doesn't care. He just cares about Red, Seb, Ricky and Ash. No one else. They are the only people who know how insecure he is about his life. His heart was still recovering over the heartbreak that caused seeing the person he liked for years, turn into this cold ass person.
"When I came out, she laughed in my face, said everyone knows, tell me something that shocks me. It wasn't a damn gossip, it was my life. And she laughed. She apologized but pretty sure Carlos forceci her to. If someone tells me she had killed someone, I would believe them." Everyone laughed at Seb's comment. He was the most generous person and such a great friend. They never heard him talk shit about someone, or even complain. Because that's who Sebastian is. He only focuses on good things, on putting positivity into the world.
"This week I told her that I was alone in my house. Without even looking at me, she smiled and said let me guess, daddy abandoned you again. But then, she asks me out. I don't get her. I don't know if she likes making people miserable, or she likes me or she just prete.s to for some reason." Ricky was interrupted by Red. And this time, it wasn't a sarcastic joke.
"Wait. She started to make moves on you after the whole Nina thing. What if she just wants miserable, or she likes me or she just pretends to for some reason." Ricky was interrupted by Red. And this time, it wasn't a sarcastic joke.
"Wait. She started to make moves on you after the whole Nina thing. What if she just wants you so she can show you off in front of her? You know, l-have-him-you-don't type of game. She hates her for some reason and let's be honest, Nina looks at you all the time. And you look at her..." Ricky stayed silent while his friends were making this theory more deep. He was right. The first time at the party when he was looking for Nini. Yesterday, in front of Nini, she insinuated that they were hanging out after school. What if she knows about him and Nini? Well, there was nothing there. At least, not yet.
It was 3AM and everyone was already sleeping in Red's basement, everyone except Ricky. He couldn't sleep so he got up and went to the empty kitchen and started to eat chips while looking at his phone, wondering if it was a good idea to ask Nini out. He was so focused on his feelings, he didn't think about hers. He was her first friend after Kourtney, what if he makes everything weird and awkward and he loses her? What if she feels he's been using her to only date her? If she feels betrayed? He couldn't make her suffer, he only wanted her to be happy, and if only being friends was the answer, he was doing a. He was so focused thinking that he didn't realize that Ash woke up and sat next to him.
"What are you thinking, lover boy?"
"All the reasons why I shouldn't do this."
"Do what?" Right. Ash wasn't on his rant and only the boys knew, well, he only confirmed to the boys. It was pretty obvious by the way he looked at her.
"Ask Nini out, Ash choked with water. She smiled and started to jump. She hugged him while saying / knew it, I knew it.
"I knew it! I mean, it's kinds obvious, I was scared that you were going to propose to her any day now but I didn't think you had come to your senses and accep- Wait, what do you mean with shouldn't do it?" She stopped hugging him and sat again next to him.
"We are friends. She is used to boys tricking her and using her. I don't want her to think that I became friends with her because I liked her. She was just my fdead at first and by the passing of days and us hanging out all the hate, I just started to fal-' He stopped before saying the world and turned to see Ash, thinking she would be freaking out over him admitting he was in love with her, but she was quiet, as if it was old news. Then it hit him, it was old news. They've been hanging out for almost six months now, he started to fall for her on that random bench on the street. And all of his friends were witnesses of him slowly but surely falling.
"It's the first time you admit you are falling for her, huh?"
"Yep. Don't tell the boys." Ash grabbed his hand and shook her head.
"You are out of your mind if you think Nina is going to think that way about you. You should ask her out, Rick. Don't tell anyone but... I'm on her rant and the only thing I'm gonna tell you about it, is that you make her feel safe and loved. Even if you don't want to fully admit it. Don't hold back, and let yourself fall for her. Maybe, and only maybe, she might be in the same position that you. Not wanting to make the next step because she's scared. She's been really hurt, and you saw how people make her feel. You make her feel strong and safe. So, do it. What do we know? Maybe she'll end up being your Summer Roberts. I know how much you love the S.C. I'm going to sleep, but stop overthinking Ricky. Act." She kissed him on the cheek and went downstairs, leaving Ricky again with his thoughts, but this time? They were the opposite of negative.
