Winter break (Rini)

Hold on to the Memories

"I can't believe you're really leaving Neenster," Kourtney says, setting some glasses up on the kitchen table.

Carol and Dana had agreed to let Nini throw a New Years' Eve/ Going away party with all her friends and so she and Kourtney were setting. They weren't really going all out- all Nini really needs is her Band of Misfit Toys.

"I honestly can't believe it too," she says. "I didn't think I would ever get down to making a decision and now I'm leaving in a couple days."

"Are you all packed?"

"Mostly," she answers, leading Kourtney up to her room. "Ricky helped me with some stuff last night. I'm keeping most of my stuff here. This is still home."

Kourtney looks around the room. Her closet and drawers are barren and the ukulele isn't leaning against the wall like it usually is. Even though some of her decorations are still up and the signature wicker basket chair is hanging in the corner, the room feels empty. Kourtney has not yet come to terms with the fact that her best friend is leaving.

"How's Ricky holding up?"

"He's trying to be supportive but I can tell it hurts him and I hate that I'm the reason for it," she sighs. "And his mom didn't even call for Christmas so he's been a little in his head."

"I'm glad you and Ricky worked things out and I'm happy you're happy but I don't want you deciding to stay just because of him."

"No, I'm still going. It's just difficult Kourt. Ricky isn't some boy I met and started dating in 10th grade. Ricky's known me since I was still Nina. Ricky is the reason why I am Nini. He would pick fights with the kids who would tease me on the playground and he convinced my parents to get me a puppy when we were 10. And I've been helping him deal with his parents for years. It's not my truth to tell but it's been going on a lot longer than everyone is assuming, and I was there through it all. And now, during the worst of it, I'm just leaving. He needs me just as much as I need him Kourt."

"But," the voice comes from the doorway, and the girls turn around to see Ricky leaning against it. "As much as I need you here, I know this is your dream."

Kourtney mumbles something about finishing up downstairs before pushing past Ricky. He watches her leave before venturing further into the room.

"It looks so different in here," he says, looking at the pictures Nini had taken down and left on her bed. "Ooh, I remember this."

He smiles, picking up a picture of 10-year-old Ricky and Nini, a Golden Retriever puppy in Ricky's arms. The one just next to it shows 6th grade Nini on Ricky's skateboard, Ricky and Big Red teaching her how to ride it all those years ago. There's another of them at middle school graduation, and then one from their first Valentine's Day earlier this year. There are so many more memories scattered across Nini's bed, a mess of polaroids, film pictures and love letters.

"I wanna take all these with me," Nini sighs, watching as Ricky pushed all the pictures aside. "Gotta hold into the memories."

"How about you just hold onto me instead."

He pulls her by the wrist onto the bed next to him and holds her against him. She's leaving in two days and while they're trying to be optimistic about it, Ricky genuinely cannot bear the thought of not being with Nini. He's never had to do that before, and he really doesn't want to start now.

"Hate to break up a cute moment but we're all here," Carlos says, watching the couple with a smile on his face. "I'll tell them you'll be down in a minute."

Ricky kisses the top of her head before getting up and dragging her with him.

"I'm going to miss these guys," Nini says, as they enter the living room.