Chapter Text
As Ricky walked into the house he was still getting used to, he saw for the first time the bright side of new beginnings. Maybe endings weren't always bad. It still hurt that his parents weren't together anymore and that he wasn't as close to his mom as he used to be.
His mother's words echoed in his head: Not all couples are meant to be together .
Back then, he wished she was wrong about him and Nini. Maybe turning a year older did bring some wisdom to him. He had a completely different perspective on love. Maybe it was his age or the figure of true love embodied in someone else. What was he thinking? He could not let those feelings go deeper. He had to leave those feelings at camp.
But how was he going to deal with them while being around her? He'd been so worried at camp that someone might have noticed. Let's not dive into that . He couldn't let her see it, though. He was going to get rid of them eventually; he just needed time.
He had so much to unpack and think about, but that could wait. That damn trailer . It would come out in a month. He told himself he'd be ready then. For now, he needed to talk to her.
But it was too soon. He had many unread messages from camp when he couldn't use his phone. What?
Lily
36 messages
Okay, that was a lot. He wasn't going to read them all, but he scanned them quickly. It was chaotic. She'd gone from asking politely to talk things out, to getting mad for him not answering, to implying she missed him, then back to angry texts. Finally, she said she didn't know he was starring in the Frozen musical for the Disney documentary and asked him to contact her once he was in Salt Lake. That message had been sent yesterday.
He groaned. He was definitely glad he'd ended things with her. She'd put his life in danger and hadn't even said sorry once.
Ricky flopped onto his bed, feeling overwhelmed. The Lily situation was a mess, and he wished he had someone to talk to about it. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Gina . She was the only person so far who knew the truth behind his 'breakup' with Lily (he made a mental note to tell Big Red about it tomorrow). Plus, talking about Lily would give him an excuse to see Gina without raising any suspicions.
He sat up, reaching for his phone. This is perfect , he thought. I can ask Gina for advice about Lily, and it'll be totally normal for us to hang out . As he opened their chat, he saw that she was online and his heart raced a little as he typed out a message:
Ricky
Hey, Gi!
Just got home and have a bunch of messages from Lily
One minute passed, then five, then fifteen. No answer.
Did he mess things up again? Gina had actually said she didn't have a problem talking about the Lily situation. Had she really meant it, though?
It did not do him any good to overthink it. Things were fine between them. But, just to let his mind rest tonight, he decided to delete the messages and pray that she had actually not seen them.
He was about to call it a night when he remembered he wanted to text his best friend to catch up. Opening their chat, he saw that Big Red had already sent multiple messages. Something about Ashlyn leaving town. A family trip? Tomorrow? Before he could clearly read them and come up with an answer, exhaustion took over. He fell asleep with his cellphone still in hand.
The harsh light of his room and his father's voice calling his name jolted Ricky awake. He squinted at his phone, surprised to see it was almost midday.
Gina , he remembered. He quickly checked for new messages, his heart sinking a little when he saw nothing.
As he dragged himself out of bed, his eyes landed on his luggage. Right, still need to unpack. Normally, he'd put it off, but maybe it was time to change that habit.
Kneeling by his suitcase, Ricky's hands moved almost of their own accord, searching for his favorite hoodie. When it wasn't there, he frowned, checking his backpack with growing confusion. Then it hit him – he'd used it to keep Gina warm when she fell asleep in the car. A small, involuntary smile tugged at his lips at the memory.
The thought of Gina wrapped in his clothes, something about the possibility of her wearing something that belonged to him made his stomach do a little flip. No, Ricky, you can’t be having these thoughts! He shook his head, trying to dislodge the image, but it stubbornly persisted.
Maybe he could ask her if she even had the hoodie. Okay, there was the possibility that he had forgotten it in Big Red’s car, but a part of him wanted to believe Gina had it. And he did not waste time trying to decode the reason why, he already knew.
He had still not received any message from her. He was starting to get worried she had seen his deleted messages and that she was mad at him. Maybe it was the fear of losing her friendship or the insecurity of people not communicating their feelings that left him his past relationship that made him feel so unsettled.
Ricky ran a hand through his messy hair, weighing his options. Using the hoodie as an excuse to see her didn't seem so bad. Plus, if he remembered correctly, Ashlyn was on a family trip, right? They could talk alone.
Decision made, some of the tension left his shoulders. He stood up, stretched, and headed for the shower. As the water ran, Ricky couldn't shake the nervous energy thrumming through him. He was going to see Gina, and for some reason, that made everything feel different.
———
However, things did not end up going as planned. Instead of talking to Gina privately, Ricky found himself at an impromptu farewell party for Ashlyn. When he finally got a moment alone with Gina, thanks to Big Red, E.J. showed up uninvited.
Ricky's shoulders tensed as E.J. joined them. He might not be great at reading the room, but he was pretty sure E.J. had come for Gina. The realization made his stomach churn.
He couldn't help but notice how Gina's eyes darted away when E.J. walked in with Ashlyn. The implications made Ricky's chest tighten uncomfortably.
"Hey, E.J.! The more the merrier, right?"Big Red's overly cheerful voice grated on Ricky's nerves. "We were just about to start another movie. You're just in time." Ricky shot his best friend a betrayed look.
"You know what? Let's shake things up a bit. How about we play a game instead?" Ashlyn suggested.
Everyone turned to look at her, and Ricky felt his palms start to sweat.
"What kind of game?" Gina asked.
"How about... 'Two Truths and a Lie'?" she suggested, her voice a little too enthusiastic. "It's been ages since we've played that, and it'll be fun to see how well we really know each other."
Big Red nodded eagerly. "Yeah, that sounds great! I'm in."
Ricky and Gina exchanged a wary glance, while E.J. looked slightly uncomfortable but nodded his agreement.
"Okay, I'll start," Ashlyn said, sitting down and gesturing for everyone to form a circle. Ashlyn's enthusiasm made Ricky's anxiety spike. "Remember, you have to guess which statement is the lie. And let's make it interesting - whoever guesses right gets to ask the person a follow-up question about one of their truths."
As Ashlyn continued explaining the rules of "Two Truths and a Lie," Ricky felt a knot forming in his stomach. He glanced at Gina, noticing how her eyes kept darting towards E.J. The tension in the room was palpable, and Ricky couldn't shake the feeling that this game was some kind of setup.
When everyone started arranging themselves in a circle, Ricky quickly moved to sit next to Gina. He told himself it was just to offer support, but his racing heart betrayed his true motives. As E.J. settled directly across from Gina, Ricky felt a twinge of jealousy.
"Alright, here we go," Ashlyn began, listing her statements.
Ricky tried to focus on the game, but his mind kept wandering. He watched Gina's reactions, how she laughed at certain statements, the way her brow furrowed in concentration.
As the others debated Ashlyn's statements, Ricky caught E.J. looking at Gina with a mix of longing and uncertainty. The sight made Ricky's heart sink, and part of him feared that this game might rekindle something between them.
"What do you think, Ricky?" Big Red's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Uh, I think... the bee sting is the lie," Ricky said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.
As the game continued, Ricky found himself torn between wanting to participate and wanting to protect his heart. As the game progressed, it was finally E.J.'s turn. Ricky felt his body tense slightly, unsure of what to expect.
E.J. cleared his throat, his eyes briefly scanning the group. "Alright, here goes. One: I once scored the winning goal in a championship water polo match with a dislocated shoulder. Two: I've memorized the entire script of 'High School Musical'. Three: I still have every playbill from every show I've ever been in or seen."
Ricky relaxed a bit, relieved that none of the statements seemed to be directly related to Gina. But then he noticed something. As E.J. mentioned the playbills, his eyes flickered almost imperceptibly towards Gina. It was quick, barely noticeable, but Ricky caught it, his body instantly stiffening again.
His eyes darted to Gina, studying her reaction intently. Her face remained neutral, but there was a slight softening around her eyes that hadn't been there before. Ricky's breath caught in his throat as he saw her lips quirk up in a small, almost nostalgic smile for just a moment before she schooled her features back to neutrality.
"I'm gonna say the 'High School Musical' thing is the lie," Big Red chimed in. "Even E.J.'s not that dedicated to musical theater."
E.J. chuckled. "You got me. That's the lie."
As the others laughed and began discussing E.J.'s apparent playbill collection, Ricky couldn't tear his eyes away from Gina. He noticed her biting her lip, as if holding back a smile. His stomach twisted painfully, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.
This subtle exchange, this shared memory that he wasn't a part of, somehow felt more intimate than any grand declaration could have been. Ricky felt his chest tighten, making it hard to breathe.
As Big Red asked his follow-up question about E.J.'s favorite playbill, Ricky barely heard the words, too focused on Gina's every movement.
"Excuse me," Gina said softly, "I need to use the bathroom." She stood up from the floor.
Ricky's eyes followed her every move, his body instinctively leaning towards her as she stood. As she turned to leave, she caught his gaze. His eyes were filled with a mix of confusion and concern, his brow furrowed deeply. Gina gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile, unaware of the chaos that was in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The moment Gina was out of earshot, he leaned towards Ashlyn, his voice low and urgent.
"Hey, Ash," he whispered, glancing nervously at the hallway. "Is Gina okay? She seemed... I don't know, upset or something."
Ashlyn looked at him, surprise evident in her expression. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her own concern growing. "She did seem a bit off after E.J. showed up."
Ricky ran a hand through his curls "Do you think... I mean, would you mind checking on her? I'd go myself, but..."
He trailed off, leaving the complicated history between them unspoken. Ashlyn nodded, understanding in her eyes.
"Yeah, of course. I'll go see if she's alright."
As Ashlyn left to check on Gina, Ricky slumped back against the couch, his eyes fixed on the hallway, waiting anxiously for their return.
A few minutes after that, the girls walked back towards the living room, and Gina's eyes immediately found Ricky's. His gaze held a question, a concern that mirrored Ashlyn's. Gina gave him a small nod.
After Gina’s arrival, they didn’t continue with the game, Ashlyn came up with the idea of showing them her gem collection. Ricky could tell that was something she had come up with to ease the palpable tension that the game had caused.
Being all of them together in the same room pretending they cared about Ashlyn’s collection was not much better. As they got into the redhead’s bedroom, he could sense Gina debating where to stand as if debating whether to be near E.J. or not.
As Ashlyn's gem showcase continued, the tension in the room grew thicker. Ricky's discomfort was palpable as he watched Gina and E.J. steal glances at each other.
"This one's a rose quartz," Ashlyn explained, holding up a pink stone. "It's supposed to promote love and-"
"Healing," Gina finished softly, her eyes meeting E.J.'s for a brief moment.
Ricky felt his stomach twist. "That's, uh, cool. Right?" he mumbled, more to fill the silence than anything else.
E.J. nodded, his gaze lingering on Gina. "Yeah, it's really something."
Big Red, noticing the growing tension, jumped in. "Hey, what's that blue one? It looks like the ocean!"
Grateful for the distraction, Ashlyn launched into an explanation about lapis lazuli, but Ricky could barely focus on her words.
"Hey, Ash," Gina suddenly interjected, "Didn't you mention you still need to pack for your trip?"
Ashlyn's eyes widened. "Oh shoot, you're right! I've been so caught up with everything else..."
"Why don't we help you?" Gina suggested, shooting a quick glance at E.J. "It'll be fun, like old times."
E.J. smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Remember when we helped her pack for camp?"
Gina laughed softly. "How could I forget? You tried to convince her she needed to bring a formal gown."
"Well, there was going to be a camp prom!" E.J. protested, and Gina's laughter filled the room.
As they reminisced, Ricky felt more out of place than ever. He shifted uncomfortably, searching for an escape.
"That sounds great," Big Red chimed in, oblivious to Ricky's discomfort. "We can make it a team effort, right Ricky?"
Ricky forced a smile. "Actually, I'm feeling pretty thirsty. Mind if I grab something to drink?"
"Of course not," Ashlyn replied. "You know where the kitchen is."
As Ricky stood to leave, he caught Gina's eye. For a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of... something. Concern? Guilt? But before he could decipher it, the moment passed.
"I'll be right back," he mumbled, slipping out of the room.
As he closed the door behind him, he could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation resuming. Leaning against the wall, Ricky took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart and push away the gnawing feeling in his stomach.
After taking a moment to collect himself in the hallway, Ricky found himself wandering into the kitchen, seeking a quieter space. He leaned against the counter, lost in thought when he heard footsteps approaching.
E.J. appeared in the doorway, his casual demeanor not quite hiding his purposeful arrival. "Hey, Ricky," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Thought I'd grab a drink too."
Ricky nodded, sensing there was more to E.J.'s presence. "Sure, help yourself."
E.J. moved to the fridge, but instead of grabbing a drink, he turned to face Ricky. "Listen, I'm glad I caught you alone. There's something I wanted to ask you about."
Ricky raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What's up?"
E.J. took a deep breath. "It's about Gina. Has she... has she mentioned anything to you about us? About… getting back together?"
Ricky felt his heart skip a beat, a wave of nausea washing over him. He gripped the edge of the counter to steady himself, hoping E.J. wouldn't notice. But before he went on, E.J. continued “I know you’ve gotten close again during camp…and maybe you know…”
"No, she hasn't said anything specific," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you ask?"
E.J. ran a hand through his hair, looking conflicted. "I think we kind of had a moment earlier, and I just... I don't wanna lose her when..."
As E.J. spoke, Ricky could see the genuine concern in his eyes. It was a side of E.J. he rarely saw – vulnerable, caring, and deeply invested in Gina's well-being. Each word felt like a dagger twisting in Ricky's chest, making it harder to breathe.
"What do you mean?" Ricky asked, dreading the answer but unable to stop himself.
E.J. leaned against the counter, his eyes distant. "Ricky, I... I love her. I-I did not get the chance to tell her…it felt like it would've been so soon. I did not want to put myself out there again and let the same happen…" E.J. zoned out for less than a second and Ricky could tell he was referring to Nini. Before Ricky could say something, E.J. continued. His gaze met Ricky's, a silent plea in his eyes. "... but I do. It's not just some high school crush or fling. When I'm with her, I feel like I can be the best version of myself. She challenges me, supports me, makes me laugh... I've never really felt this way before."
As E.J. spoke, Ricky felt a strange sense of déjà vu. The words seemed to echo in his mind, stirring something deep within him. It was as if E.J. was giving voice to thoughts Ricky had barely allowed himself to acknowledge.
Ricky felt the ground shift beneath his feet, E.J.'s raw emotion catching him off guard. There was an undeniable sincerity in E.J.'s voice that made Ricky's chest tighten. He found himself grappling with a confusing mix of emotions - empathy, understanding, and a gnawing sense of unease.
A wave of guilt washed over him, its origin unclear but its presence undeniable. Ricky struggled to maintain his composure as E.J. bared his soul, each word seeming to carry more weight than the last. The air felt thick, making it difficult to breathe, as if the weight of unspoken truths was pressing down on him.
At that moment, Ricky realized that his feelings for Gina weren't just a fleeting crush. They were deep, real, and painfully similar to what E.J. was describing. But hearing those emotions voiced by someone else made Ricky feel like an intruder, as if he had stolen something that wasn't his to take.
"I messed up before, not making time for her in camp…I know…but I did it for our future" E.J. continued, oblivious to Ricky's internal struggle. "But I want to make it right. I want to show her that I'm willing to do anything to stay, to be here for her no matter what. To keep being the guy that shows up…I just... I don't know if I've lost my chance."
Ricky swallowed hard, fighting back the lump in his throat. "E.J., I... I had no idea you felt that strongly about her."
E.J. looked at Ricky, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. "Do you think I still have a chance? Be honest with me, Ricky. You're close to her. If you think I should back off, just say the word."
The weight of the moment pressed down on Ricky. He could feel his own dreams and hopes slipping away, but the earnestness in E.J.'s voice made it impossible for him to be selfish.
"I think," Ricky began, each word feeling like sandpaper in his throat, "that you should talk. Gina deserves the best, and... and if anyone can make her happy, it's probably you, E.J."
E.J.'s face lit up with hope, and Ricky felt a piece of his heart break off. "You really think so? Thanks, Ricky. You're a good friend, man"
Those words were the final twist of the knife. Ricky managed a weak smile, feeling like the worst friend in the world. "Yeah, well... Gina's happiness is what matters, right?"
E.J. nodded, and Ricky felt as if he was signing away his own happiness.
As Ricky turned to leave the kitchen, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere, he nearly collided with Gina in the doorway. The sight of her made his chest tighten painfully, knowing what he was about to do.
As Ricky turned to leave the kitchen, he nearly collided with Gina in the doorway.
"Oh, Gina! I was just..." Ricky trailed off, looking back at E.J., then to Gina again. "I was just... uh, I'm actually heading out. But listen, I know it's not my place...but maybe you should talk to E.J. Clear the air, you know?"
Gina looked confused, but Ricky managed a supportive smile. "It'll be fine…Bye, Gi"
As Ricky walked away, his heart felt like it was breaking into a thousand pieces, forcing himself to keep walking, leaving Gina and E.J. to have the conversation they needed to have.
———
E.J.'s hands roamed Gina's back, pulling her closer as if he couldn't bear any distance between them. For a moment, Gina lost herself in the familiarity of his touch, her body responding instinctively.
Wait! Why was she kissing the guy she had broken up with less than a week ago?
The thought jolted through her like an electric shock. Gina's eyes flew open, her body tensing. She placed her hands on E.J.'s chest and gently pushed away, breaking the kiss. Her breath came in short, quick gasps as she tried to process what had just happened.
"E.J., I…" Gina began, her voice shaky. E.J. put a finger to her lips to silence her, but she flinched slightly at the touch, confusion evident in her eyes.
E.J. rested his forehead against hers, seemingly oblivious to her internal struggle. "Gina," he whispered, "I know things have been complicated between us, but I meant every word I said at camp. About us. About our future."
Gina's heart raced, a mix of hope and apprehension swirling in her chest. She took a small step back, needing space to think clearly.
"I'm leaving on this family trip with Ash tomorrow," E.J. continued, his voice low and earnest. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. Gina didn't pull away, but her posture remained tense, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape. "But while I'm gone, I want you to truly think about us. About giving us another chance. Will you do that for me?"
Gina hesitated, biting her lower lip. Her free hand unconsciously moved to her neck, rubbing it "E.J., I..."
"You still don't have to answer now," he said quickly, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just promise me you'll think about it?"
She just nodded and E.J.'s smile was radiant as he pulled her into a tight hug. Gina's body went rigid for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden embrace. Her arms hung limply at her sides for a few seconds before she slowly, almost reluctantly, brought them up to return the hug.
As E.J. held her, Gina's mind raced. What was she doing? Her eyes screwed shut, a furrow appearing between her brows as she battled with her conflicting emotions. She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to center herself.
When E.J. finally pulled back, Gina's face was a mask of neutrality, but her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to hold herself together.
"I should... I should go back," Gina said, her voice slightly hoarse. "Ash will be wondering where we are."
E.J. nodded, still smiling. "Of course. Remember, no pressure. Just think about it, okay?"
Gina managed a small nod, her lips pressed into a thin line. As she turned to leave, her steps were slow and measured, as if she was walking on unsteady ground. At the doorway, she paused, her hand gripping the frame tightly. She glanced back at E.J., opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. With a final, conflicted look, she left the room, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and doubt.
———
"That was quite the night, huh?" Big Red said as he and Ricky buckled up.
"Yeah," Ricky mumbled, covering his face with his palms. His shoulders slumped, the weight of the evening evident in his posture.
"We didn't really have a chance to talk, so let me ask you..." Big Red said as he started the car. "Why did you come?"
Ricky let out a heavy sigh, his hands falling to his lap. He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, avoiding eye contact. "I misunderstood your text... I thought Gina was going to be home alone."
Big Red shot his friend a pointed look, eyebrows raised.
Ricky rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Actually, I wanted to take my hoodie back," he clarified, his voice defensive.
"Why would she..." Big Red trailed off, realization dawning on his face. "So, I assumed right... You took Gina home from camp."
Ricky just nodded, turning to look out the window. His reflection showed a furrowed brow and tight lips.
"Are you okay?" Big Red asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Why are you asking that?" Ricky's voice was sharp, his body tensing.
"C'mon, man, I know you! I can see you trying, but... I saw you hurting while being in the same space as Gina and E.J."
Ricky shook his head, his hand moving to run through his hair. "I don't know when life got so complicated... I kinda wish I could go back to not being aware of how I feel."
"Look, I might not have the full picture of what's going on between Gina and E.J., but maybe you should take some space..."
Ricky's head snapped towards his friend, his eyes wide with alarm. "You mean... like staying away from her?"
Big Red thought about it for a moment. “Feelings are not an easy thing, Ricky. When you are not really sure of what you feel… you end up hurting people you care about…”
"What are you..." Ricky started, his voice rising slightly.
"All I'm saying is you should really take a moment to think about what happened at camp, what happened last semester at school... even the previous one. Get to know what you really feel, you know?"
Ricky sighed deeply, his body seeming to deflate. He leaned his head back against the seat, eyes closed, absorbing his friend's words.
"Here we are," Big Red said as he parked in front of Ricky's place.
"Thanks, man," Ricky said, his voice tired. As he was about to get out, he paused, his hand on the door handle. "By the way, did I by any chance leave my blue hoodie in your car?"
———
It was nearly one am when Gina finally retreated to her room, exhausted from helping Ashlyn pack. Her friend would leave early in the morning, so they didn’t really have so much time to talk since she needed to get some sleep. E.J. himself had left not long after their confusing encounter in the kitchen, claiming he had things to do at home before the trip. Gina knew he probably wanted to give her space, and she was grateful for that.
As she gathered her skincare products for her nightly routine, her eyes landed on something draped over a nearby chair: Ricky's blue hoodie. Baby blue . Her hand instinctively reached out to touch the soft fabric, her fingers tracing the worn edges.
Ricky . He had seemed off today, from his sudden arrival to what he'd said before she went to talk to E.J. Gina's brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of it all. Maybe she was reading too much into it, still getting used to being friends with him again.
She sank onto the edge of her bed, the hoodie now clutched in her lap. He was the only one who knew about the most recent update about her relationship status with E.J.- well, pre-kitchen kiss, at least. The kiss . Gina's fingers unconsciously touched her lips. What did it really mean to her, and more importantly, what did it mean for their relationship? Did it really change anything?
She wished she could talk to Ash about it, but things were already so complicated because she was E.J.'s cousin. Besides, they were traveling tomorrow, and the cousins were close. Ashlyn would eventually know all about it. Gina sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her thoughts.
She didn't notice when it had happened, but she found herself holding onto the hoodie's sleeve, her thumb rubbing small circles on the fabric. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to talk to Ricky. Maybe this time, they could really be friends, and right now, she truly needed one.
Gina stood up, pacing her room, the hoodie still in her hands. She glanced at her phone on the nightstand, debating whether to text him. Her fingers itched to reach for it, but uncertainty held her back. Instead, she hugged the hoodie to her chest, as if it could somehow provide the comfort and clarity she desperately needed.
So, with a deep breath, Gina set the hoodie aside and picked up her phone.
———
Ricky dragged himself through the front door, his shoulders slumping as he took in the empty house. His eyes fell on the note from his dad notifying him that he was staying at Miss Jenn’s home. Gross.
The note also reminded him to call his mom. Right, that I still have to do.
When he walked into his room and saw that his luggage was still lying on the floor, he felt more tired than ever and decided that he could take care of it tomorrow.
After scarfing down some cold pizza, Ricky trudged to his room. He changed mechanically, his movements sluggish. As he crawled into bed, his mind began to race, replaying Big Red's words over and over: Maybe you should take some space...
Could he really, though? They had just started getting along again after a semester of weird hello’s and stolen looks from across the room. Wouldn’t it seem strange to disappear out of a sudden? What excuse would he give her?: Hey, Gina, I want to stay away from you for a minute because I have these feelings …Bullshit.
His phone's sudden beep cut through the silence, making him flinch. Ricky's heart raced, his palms growing clammy at the thought it might be Lily spamming him again. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to ignore it. But when it beeped again, curiosity got the better of him.
Gina
Hey, Ricky
Are you up?
Almost without conscious thought, his fingers moved across the keys, tapping out a reply. The moment he hit send, a mixture of relief and anxiety washed over him.
Barely a minute passed before his phone buzzed again. Ricky's eyes widened as he read Gina's new message:
Gina
Can I call you?
His heart kicked into overdrive, pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. Without a second's hesitation, his fingers flew across the screen, typing out a single word: "Yes." As he waited for her call, Ricky sat up in bed, running a hand through his hair nervously, equal parts terrified and exhilarated by what might come next.
When his phone finally lit up with her name, he fumbled to answer, nearly dropping it in his haste. As he picked up, a fleeting thought crossed his mind: Oh right, I should ask her about my hoodie.
"Hey," Gina's voice came through, soft and familiar.
"Hey, Gi," Ricky replied, his voice a bit hoarse. He cleared his throat, sitting up straighter. The hoodie question lingered in the back of his mind, but he decided to wait for a natural moment to bring it up.
A small giggle from Gina made his stomach flip. "Hey, what's so funny?" he asked, aiming for playful but hearing the nervous edge in his own chuckle.
"I don't know... it's weird... it's been a long time since we've done this," she said, her smile evident in her tone.
The last time they had had a late-night phone call was last semester just when they were starting to drift apart. The reminder of how that phone call had gone hit his heart, but he brushed it off. That was all in the past now.
"So, are you implying that you're nervous?" he teased, surprising himself with his boldness.
"What? No!" Gina's voice went up an octave, making Ricky grin.
"It's okay, Gi, I know I can make people feel a certain way..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ricky winced, mentally facepalming at his own bravado. What am I even saying?
"Ricky Bowen! Humble much?" Gina laughed, easing some of his embarrassment.
“Actually, I called because I kinda need a friend right now..." Her tone shifted, growing more serious.
Ricky felt his heart dropping by the f word, but she was not wrong. That’s what they were, after all.
"I'm here. What's up?" he said, fingers absently fiddling with a loose thread on his blanket.
“So, I followed your advice..” she said and he could notice some nervousness in her voice. He knew what she was referring to, but let her go on. “I talked to E.J.”
Ricky felt his chest constrict. The thought of the hoodie briefly flashed in his mind again, but he pushed it aside, focusing on Gina's words. He took a deep breath, forcing out the question: "Oh yeah? How'd it go?"
“It was weird, you know?”
"Gonna need a bit more than that, Gi," Ricky prompted, his stomach churning.
Gina gave a weak laugh. "We sort of ended up falling into our old dynamic..."
He gripped his phone tighter, trying to keep his voice steady. "So, you mean the spark is still there?"
"Well, we..." Gina trailed off, then laughed softly.
"Wha-what happened?" Ricky asked, aiming for casual but hearing the slight tremor in his voice.
"...we kissed," Gina whispered.
Ricky felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He squeezed his eyes shut, swallowing hard against the wave of nausea that hit him. His free hand clenched into a fist, nails digging into his palm as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "Oh," he managed, the sound barely a breath, a ghost of a word that carried the weight of all he couldn't say.
And he forgot to ask her about his blue hoodie because it was probably all in his head. It didn't seem important anymore.