To everyone's surprise, dinner was great. Ricky, Ben, Adrian and Amy had really grown up together over the past couple of years, more than anyone knew. As fun as dinner was, it was also bittersweet because no one wanted Ricky to leave, not even Ben. Everyone wanted to drop Ricky to the airport but he insisted on going alone because he wanted some time to get his thoughts in place. So, he decided to go to the airport from the restaurant itself.
"I really wish you weren't going but have a safe flight. I'm going to miss you." Amy said smiling as she gave Ricky a hug.
"I'm going to miss you too." Ricky said.
"You can still stay if you want." Ben said smiling.
"Haha, no I think I better go." Ricky said smiling.
"I never though I'd say this but I'm going to miss you." Ben said, extending his hand to shake Ricky's.
"I'm going to miss you too." Ricky said shaking Ben's hand, a handshake that turned into a quick hug. Even though they would never admit it, the boys had gone through a lot together and there was a time when they were best friends and they had each other's back. After a very long time, it felt like they could be that close again.
"Goodbye Ricky." Adrian said, with tears in her eyes.
"Goodbye Adrian." Ricky said, giving Adrian a hug. He really didn't want to leave Adrian but he had to, she was better off without him.
Ricky got into a cab to the airport and the three of them went back to their apartments. Adrian was sitting in her bedroom thinking, when Ben knocked on her door.
"Hey." Adrian said looking up at Ben.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" Ben asked, taking a seat next to Adrian on her bed.
"I'm fine." Adrian said.
"That's great." Ben said a little surprised.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Adrian said.
"Because Ricky left?" Ben said.
"So?" Adrian said.
"I just thought that you guys had gotten really close." Ben said.
"I thought we had too , but I guess he didn't feel the same way." Adrian said.
"Okay, I'm not sure I'm suppose to tell you this but I think I have to." Ben said
"What's going on?" Adrian asked.
"Ricky's in love with you too." Ben said,
"If he felt the same way, why would he leave?" Adrian asked.
"Because he thinks you're better off without him." Ben said.
"That's so stupid." Adrian said,
"I know and you can catch him at the airport if you leave now." Ben said, looking at the watch on Adrian's bedside table, that read 8:45.
"Do you think I really could?" Adrian asked.
"You have to at least try. He makes you happy Adrian and you deserve to be happy." Ben said.
"Thanks Ben, you're a great friend." And with that Adrian got up and ran out of the apartment. She'd always thought that one day she'd have a moment of clarity, with which she would know exactly who and what she really wanted. And that moment, was it. She had always and would always want Ricky Underwood. No matter what the cost.