Chapter XI

                                    

                                          
Nini's POV
I felt Ricky's stare as my fingers fiddled with the necklace. I didn't want him to worry about something that doesn't even matter. The truth is, that song was pretty recent. It was before summer break when everything just kind of went downhill. Ricky was right, I was the popular cheerleader girl everyone wanted to be friends with. But that's all I was. No one saw anything else in me. I realized that all my friends were fake. They had used me to climb the social ladder. I didn't understand. What did I do wrong? Am I just not good enough? Is popularity all that matters? Once summer started, I ditched all of them. I ghosted them and acted as nothing happened. I guess that's why I like Ricky so much. He just sees me as me and not a popular girl at our school. He laughed at my jokes, he liked my singing, and he always treated me like a normal person. I need more Rickys in my life.
"So, my turn?" Ricky asked, eyes scrunched, beginning to tune his guitar.
I nodded, legs crossed. I watched as his hands delicately strummed his guitar, listening to the notes. He silently hummed the tune of his song and nodded his head to the beat. I couldn't help but smile at his concentrated expression. His brown eyes looked into mine. He was ready to showcase his song. 
He started to play those beautiful chords, just like he did moments ago. The peaceful sound wafted through the air, uplifting the mood. I could stay in this position for hours, listening to Ricky Bowen play his music. After another few measures, his voice started singing the lyrics. I didn't know if he was nervous or not, but his gaze was pushed to the ground. Of course, I didn't mind, his song was so captivating. 
As he passionately sang, I thought hard. Who was this song for? Who was Ricky Bowen crushing on? Questions and theories popped into my brain. I forced myself to think that I didn't know him that well and I probably didn't even know the girl he was singing about. It was only this summer that I finally got to meet him. When he strummed the final chord, he turned his head up to meet my gaze. I clapped my hands, giving him the round of applause he deserved.
"That was beautiful, Ricky." 
"Thanks." He smiled sheepishly, cheeks reddening.
"I have a question and it's okay if you don't answer because it's kind of personal and-"
"It's fine, go for it." He cut me off, smiling.
I gulped, "Who was that song for?"
His expression turned blank, his eyes blinking quickly. I immediately regret asking the question. "Listen, Ricky, you don't have to answer-"
"It's for a girl who changed my whole life. Someone who has the whole light shining down on her, and she doesn't even notice how special she is. Someone whose smile is so contagious that I could be in the worst mood ever and somehow still smile when I'm around her. Someone so talented that she should just move to LA and jumpstart her career..." he proudly stated, but the mood shifted. He whispered, "Someone who's five feet away from me right now." 
"I hope you get that girl," I said, staring at him longingly. "You deserve her."
He gave me a small smile, "Thanks. I don't know if it'll happen, though."
"Why not?"
"Because she's just so much cooler than me. I'm a loser compared to her." He sighed, playing with the strings of his guitar.
I scooted closer, "Come on, I doubt that's true," I said to comfort him.
"It is." He tilted his head up to face me.
I could see the sorrow in his eyes. He looked as if he knew that he'd never find love. It's like that was the only girl he could ever give his heart to. The one girl who was worthy of being Ricky Bowen's soulmate.
I placed my small hand on his massive one, "I promise that you'll find someone who will love you as much as you love them. Even if it's not the person you're talking about right now, I know that there's another person out there. Another person that will want a Ricky Bowen." 
I saw the blush rise in his cheeks and his goofy smile forming on his face. My lips seemed to twitch up, mimicking his expression. I didn't even realize that our hands were still touching, so I quickly pulled mine away before further embarrassing myself. An odd feeling came down into my stomach, and I was almost sure of what the cause was. I nervously giggled as I tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear, turning away from him to hide my rosy cheeks. 
"What's so funny?" He asked, lightly chuckling himself. 
"Your smile! It's cute!" I replied, still giggling.
"My smile? Take a look at yours!" He flirted back, deciding to scoot closer.
My smile grew wider. "Stop it!"
"Or else what?" He grinned, his adorable curls flopped over his forehead.
"Or else I'll... tickle you!" I lunged towards him, trying to tickle him in the stomach. I was never good at tickling anyone especially since I'm extremely ticklish myself. Ricky managed to grab my wrists and flip me over, so I was lying on my back. He let go and used his hands to tickle me on the stomach, armpits, feet, and legs. All the spots that I was ticklish, which is not saying much since I'm ticklish everywhere. I could imagine Mama C downstairs with her head cocked to the side, in confusion, hearing our squeals and laughter. I felt my eyes water as my stomach started to hurt from all the giggling.
"R-Ricky... s-stop!" I squeaked out in between breaths. 
"Huh? I can't hear youuu!" He laughed, continuing to tickle me. After a few more seconds, he finally stopped. My chest rose and fell, a few giggles still clogged in my throat. Ricky's tall figure was still leaning over me, his evil smirk plastered on his face.
"Remind me to never get into a tickle fight with you again," I said, with a sigh of relief. 
"Aw, why not? Your laugh is so cute." He stared at me with puppy eyes.
I felt my cheeks heat up for the millionth time today from his compliment. I stared into his dark brown eyes, the fluttering feeling reappearing. My eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second before they went back to their original position. His body started to lean down to mine, his hands clutching onto the bedsheets. Our faces were inches apart until we heard the creaking of the door. We immediately broke apart, acting as if nothing had happened. Mama C appeared at the door, oblivious to what was going on behind it a few seconds ago.
"Hey Richard, it's getting late. You should head home before you have work tomorrow." Mama C advised, giving him a sweet smile.
"Oh yeah, of course." He hopped off the bed, following Mama C out. Before he went through the frame, he turned back towards me, the same goofy grin stuck on his face that I love so much. He gave me a small wave before heading out the door and closing it behind him.
The butterflies in my stomach fluttered. I stared at the door where Ricky was standing moments before. My smile just wouldn't leave my face. I kept replaying the scene of us on the bed together when we almost kissed. A million thoughts raced through my head, all affiliated to Ricky Bowen. But there was only one thought that was glued to my brain: am I the girl Ricky Bowen was singing about?