Nini and Ricky were seated next to each other at their desks like usual, but today was a very special day. Nini, Ricky, and the rest of the class's eyes were all focused on the clock hanging on the wall across the room as the second ticked around and around. Even their teacher Mrs. Haaland was watching the clock in anticipation of what was about to come.
Nini and Ricky glanced over at each other and shared a nod, they both knew exactly what was about to happen.
"Summer," Nini whispered.
"Summer," Ricky whispered back.
"Summer,"
"Summer,"
"Summer,"
"Summer," They kept whispering back and forth to each other, quiet enough that only their best friend could hear them. They had tried to organize a larger group, but no one was quite as HSM-crazy in their class as Nini was. Ricky mostly liked the movies because Nini liked them and always made her happy, but they had long since agreed it was fine if they each had their own list of favorite movies.
The second hand finally hit sixty, and the minute hand shifted into place directly over the six.
"Summer!" Nini and Ricky shouted as the final dismissal bell of the school year rang loudly. Most of their classmates began cheering or talking excitedly as they all jumped up from their desks, but only Nini and Ricky started dancing together, or at least as much as they had been able to remember of the dance moves from the opening scene of HSM 2.
"What time is it?" Nini asks happily.
"Summertime!" Ricky answers.
"It's our vacation."
"What time is it?"
"Party time!"
"Schools out, scream and shout!" They sang the first few lines together and then burst into giggles. "Come on Ricky, I know Mama C has the CD in the car so we can sing the song on our way home today."
"I'm right behind you Nini! Goodbye Mrs. Haaland!"
"Yeah, goodbye Mrs. Haaland, you were the greatest teacher ever!" Nini exclaimed.
"Yeah, you're my favorite teacher I've ever had," Ricky added.
"Thank you for that, you two." Mrs. Haaland smiled down at them. "I'm going to miss all your adorable antics, and hearing all your jokes and songs, but I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun in first grade next year."
"Thanks, have a fun summer."
"I'm sure I will, you two enjoy your summers too."
Ricky and Nini gave their teacher one last wave goodbye and then walked out of their classroom together. "Wow, I can't believe we're done with kindergarten already." Nini sighed happily.
"I know, are you ready to be first graders next year?"
"Sure I am. I heard that one of the first things first graders get to do is have pet caterpillars and watch them grow into butterflies!"
"Really? Who told you that?"
"I can't remember their name, but I remember that one day last fall when all the kids were standing around the tree on the edge of the playground because that's where they released all their butterflies, and a whole bunch were still sitting there."
"Oh yeah, I remember that. Kourtney didn't care that they were butterflies because she thought they were still scary bugs and didn't want to get any in her hair." Ricky said.
"Well, hopefully, all four of us will be in the same class next year, so we can keep Kourtney safe and calm when we're working with butterflies," Nini suggested.
"That sounds like a great plan Nini."
"Oh no, I didn't even think about that. What if we're not in the same class next year? Mrs. Haaland said we'd be shuffled up with all the other kindergarten classes and get new teachers." Nini asked, all her excitement immediately replaced with worry.
"Oh, I don't know." Ricky didn't like that idea very much either, he felt slightly sick to his stomach at even the thought of not having Nini in class with him every day. "Do you think maybe Mrs. Haaland will tell our new teacher to keep us together?"
"I hope so, 'cause she's read all our journal entries and I almost always wrote about fun things I did with you at recess, or my house, or every other time we spend together."
"I know me too," Ricky said.
"You know what? We shouldn't be worried about first grade right now. Today's the first day of our summer vacation and we need to celebrate it right. And how are we going to do that?"
"Let me guess, High School Musical 2 sleepover like we planned?"
"That's right Ricky. Let's go!"
Nini and Ricky quickly found Carol in the same spot she always was outside the school waiting for them like normal.
"There's my two kindergarten graduates. Happy last day of school! Did you enjoy it?"
"Yeah!" Both Ricky and Nini cheered. "We had so much fun, we got to play a ton of games all day, and had prizes, and a party."
"And we even did the final countdown to summer just like in HSM!"
"Of course you two did." Carol shook her head at them. "Why do I have a feeling that I'm going to have that movie memorized as much as Nini does by the end of the summer?
"Because it's awesome!" Nini supplied.
"Sure thing dear, how about we get home so you can kick off your summer together?"
"You bet, just how we planned it." And as Carol got on the road, she did indeed start playing What Time Is It? For Ricky and Nini to sing along at the top of their lungs all the way to the Salazar-Roberts home. As they prepared to share one of their now nearly weekly sleepovers that they fully planned to continue into the summer months.
A few weeks later, another special day was soon arriving. Nini's 6th birthday, and of course both friends were excited about it for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, they were lucky with their summer schedule, since all their parents had to work during the day, Nini and Kourtney's parents managed to get them all in the same daycare with the boys so the four friends could spend all day together, and even better, it became part of the routine for Ricky and Nini to both go home with either Carol or Lynne when they were picked up nearly every day, so they got a few hours almost every day to spend as just the two of them together as well.
As for Nini's birthday, she was expecting something big, considering the number of times she or Ricky would walk into the kitchen or living room and her parents would abruptly pause their conversation without any explanation. She and Ricky of course came up with a few possible ideas, from her birthday gift being a new puppy like the show Mark and Spark that she liked to watch sometimes, although Ricky never seemed that interested, unlike most of the shows they tried to watch together. Ricky thought maybe the party would be at an amusement park or something since, to them at least, being 6 years old was a huge deal that deserved such a grand party.
Nini's anticipation was raised even further when she found out that she was going to be staying at her Grandma's house a few days before her party. Both she and Ricky were convinced that it wasn't just a coincidence that Nini was going to be gone for three days prior, again their guesses ranged wildly, from a new puppy to a super humongous party that was going to take three days to set up, they had no real idea what was in store.
The one thing they did know was that unfortunately, this was going to mean three days without seeing their best friend. After spending the first weeks of summer around each other all day, every day, it was a rough cut-off for them. Not that Ricky would ever begrudge spending his time at daycare with only Red and Kourtney, nor Nini ever complain about visiting her Grandma, it was pretty obvious to the people around them that they were missing their usual partner in crime.
"Ricky. Ricky. Hey Ricky! Earth to Ricky!"
Ricky glanced down, he was currently swinging back and forth on the swing set at daycare, Kourtney and Red were both trying to call for his attention. His head had honestly been in the clouds. He and Nini loved going to the park near their houses and well, doing anything honestly, but one of Ricky's favorite things was just swinging on the swing set and talking to each other about anything and everything, or even daydreaming together. They often tried to match themselves up so they were moving back and forth perfectly in sync with each other. That's how Ricky almost always felt with Nini, perfectly in sync.
"What is it?"
"Want to play a game with us?" Red suggested.
"Yeah, and we'll even let you choose the game we play first," Kourtney promised.
"Whatever you want," Red added.
"Thanks, guys, but why do I get to choose?" Ricky let his shoes skid through the gravel to bring himself to a stop.
"Because it's obvious," Kourtney said in a deadpan voice.
"What's obvious?" Ricky asked.
"That even though Nini's been at her Grandma's for two days and is coming home the morning of her birthday, you miss her," Kourtney said like it was a fact of nature.
"Well yeah, of course I miss Nini. She's one of my best friends."
"Yeah, but have you ever daydreamed about me when I can't come to the skatepark for two days in a row?" Red asked.
"Well no, and how do you, I mean what makes you think I'm daydreaming about Nini…maybe I was telling a story in my head, about Pokemon, yeah." Ricky insisted unconvincingly since that was exactly what he had been doing.
Kourtney laughed, "I know I don't watch Pokemon, and I know you've somehow gotten Nini hooked on that show too, but we've seen you imagine Pokemon battles together too, and that's all Pikachu use Thunderbolt! CHUU!" Kourtney said.
"That's because we always watch the new episode on Saturday mornings after our sleepovers. So she's seen how awesome Ash and Pikachu are." Ricky defended his favorite show. "Red, don't you agree?"
"Of course I do. I hope Ash will finally win the Sinnoh League! I heard he's even bringing back a bunch of his old Pokemon for it."
"Ok, ok. I get it. All three of you like Pokemon, personally, I don't see why, but you do you. Ricky, what game do you want to play right now…and please don't say Pokemon."
"Don't worry. How about we find a kickball and play Kick Back and Forth?" Ricky suggested, "But we won't have teams like we usually play."
"Sounds good to me. Let's go!" Red cheered excitedly and all three turned to run to the storage shed.
Ricky paused for one more moment and glanced back, by now his swing had stopped moving and was hanging serenely next to the other one, he couldn't help his mind from thinking about who was missing from this picture, but he forced himself to put a smile on his face. It was only 3 days, and her parents had already told him he would be welcome to spend the entire day with Nini and the rest of their friends and family on her birthday. All he could do now was count down the minutes until he'd see her again.
Meanwhile, Nini was having all sorts of fun staying at her Grandma's house, they too were playing lots of games, most of these were card games, and Nini really liked UNO and Spoons with her grandma, and it was because she was so good at these games, definitely not because her grandma would ever just let her win the games for no reason.
Nini was happy to take the opportunity to do all her favorite things with her grandma, visiting the local park and pool, and going out to eat at a drive-in. Nini especially loved that because it was so different staying in the car the whole time instead of eating at a normal restaurant, plus she got to bring all her toys to play with in the backseat while they waited for their food. Staying up late watching movies together, even if her Grandma's collection of Disney movies is all older VHS's Nini wouldn't dare complain about her not having High School Musical. Nini loved it, but she couldn't even count the number of times where she would turn her head and expect to see Ricky smiling beside her, or waiting for him to make a joke about something she or her Grandma said.
She wasn't one hundred percent certain, but she was pretty sure her grandma could guess what was going on, based on the amused, half smiles she always had when she needed to wait for Nini to zone back into whatever conversation they were having.
"Nini, mahal." Her Grandma called out.
"What?" Nini snapped back into focus when she heard her grandma's voice.
"What are you thinking about?" Grandma smiled at her, "Or should I be asking who again?"
"OK so I was thinking about Ricky...and Kourtney and Red." Nini insisted. "I just know we would all be having so much fun coming to this park. Ricky and Red would try to bury and dig each other up in the sand using those excavators." Nini laughed, "Kourtney and I would probably cheer them on, or Kourtney would be worried about getting sand on her clothes or in her hair and we'd probably camp out on the monkey bars or the jungle gym until the boys could declare a winner. And of course, the splash pad over there looks like it would be a ton of fun, and the perfect place to cool off in the summer. There we'd probably race each other through all the fountains, or take turns dousing each other underneath all the buckets and things. The park by my house doesn't have either of those things."
"Well, maybe someday you'll be able to visit with some of your friends," Grandma suggested.
"Really? Does that mean Ricky and I could both sleep over at your house?"
"Maybe, if both your parents agree. You know I can't wait to meet Ricky tomorrow at your birthday party. From everything you and your mothers have told me, it sounds like you two have been practically inseparable since you met last August."
"Yeah, because he's my best friend," Nini said, and for her at least it was all the explanation she needed to describe why Ricky was so important to her. How he could always make her laugh and smile, how they were always willing to try new things as long as they were together, how many times already it seemed like they were always on the same wavelength about things, not everything, but most things nonetheless.
"Grandma, did you have a best friend growing up?"
Grandma smiled after a few moments. "Oh yes, of course I did, and I still do today. I met Linda in my first-grade class on the first day of school. While I had plenty of friends I made before and after, no friendship was ever as close, or as strong as we shared. You know I was the baby of my family with 5 older brothers, she was truly my sister in everything but blood. We were both maid of honor for each other at our weddings, and that's not even mentioning being college roommates for four years, and all the years before or since."
"Are you still best friends? Even now?" Nini asked.
"Of course we are. We always kept in contact throughout the years. You know I love your Grandpa, bless his soul, but BLANK has always been the one who can make me smile and laugh in a way that no one else can. Now that we're both living the retired life, we usually chat over the phone at least once a week."
"Do you ever miss how close you used to be?"
"Well, sometimes I suppose, but we both have our own lives that we couldn't have been happier about. I know I raised a wonderful family, including having the best granddaughter I could ever ask for."
"You mean me right? Not Sydney?"
"I don't know, I have plenty of amazing grandchildren, it's hard to pick just one," Grandma said with a smile on her face.
"It's ok Grandma, I know it's me right? Right?" Nini asked again.
"I'll never say. So back on topic, why do you have so many questions about my best friend?"
"Because, I do miss Ricky, even though I know I'll get to spend all day at my party with him and everybody else that's going to be there tomorrow. We always have so much fun together, not seeing him for three whole days is just as weird as if I couldn't see my moms for three days. I mean I love being here with you Grandma, but I'm used to Ricky always being around."
"That's fine dear, I know how he gave you the nickname Nini right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Because he couldn't say his A's very good, and then I gave him his name Ricky too."
"Yes, so you've told me, but Nina." Grandma paused on her name for a moment to make sure Nini was paying attention. "You don't always have to be Ricky and Nini. You can be Nina, or Nini on your own too. You've already serenaded me with your wonderful ukulele and piano music you've been learning right?"
"Yeah, I really enjoy any kind of music. And I love my ukulele. It's still the best Christmas gift ever."
"Yes, so you've told me, but just like with me and Linda, cherish the moments you'll share with Ricky, but don't be afraid to live your own life too. I can still remember a few things from when I was your age, and let me tell you, the days can be long, but the years will go by fast."
"OK Grandma, I will. Nini promised. But I can still look forward to seeing Ricky at my party tomorrow morning, right?"
"Of course, you can mahal." Grandma reached out to hug Nini tight. "I hope you two stay best friends for a long time and make so many memories together. There's no telling what the future will hold, just focus on living in the present."
"I will," Nini promised again. "So did you and BLANK have any super fun or funny stories of things you did together?"
"Oh trust me I have plenty of those kinds of stories." Grandma chuckled, "How about we head back home, and I can tell you as many stories as you want while we make cookies?"
"Chocolate chip?"
"Of course, I know those are your favorite cookies."
"Yeah! And I have so many stories I can tell you too. Like did I tell you about the time Ricky and I went sledding last winter and on the last, super giant hill we went down, we nearly flew through the air?" Nini asked and as they went back home to start baking the promised batch of cookies, both Nini and her grandma shared stories about their best friends.
But finally, the big day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. Nini and her grandma pulled into Nini's driveway just before noon on her birthday, after already sharing a delicious breakfast of waffles with sprinkles in them with Grandma, Nini was only thinking about two things. One was still trying to guess whatever big surprise was happening, because she knew there must be a reason for her spending the last few days with Grandma right before her birthday, and of course, the one person who was never far from her thoughts, Ricky. She absolutely couldn't wait to see him and share everything they had both done while they were apart the last three days.
Nini jumped out of the car, not even worried for a moment about her suitcase full of everything she had brought to Grandma's house as she ran to the front door, but even though she was expecting something to happen she still jumped when she opened the door, and Ricky, Red, and Kourtney all shouted "SURPRISE!" and threw a burst of confetti in her face.
"You guys, what's all this?" Nini shook her head to shake off some of the confetti that was sticking in her hair.
"It's your birthday party Nini!" Kourtney declared proudly.
"Yeah, and since you've been gone the last three days, we wanted to get the party started the second you got home, so surprise, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Ricky added, blowing his noisemaker again.
"You guys are literally the best!"
"Here Nini, since it's your big day, you need to be in style." Kourtney reached behind her back and held up a golden tiara that said Birthday Girl in bright pink letters made of dozens of tiny rhinestones.
"OMG Kourtney, did you make this?" Nini took the tiara and studied it closely.
"You bet I did, I bedazzled it myself. Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it. Looks like I get to join the party now!" Nini kneeled so Kourtney could place the tiara on her head, and only then did Nini and her Grandma begin making their way inside to join the party.
The first thing Nini did was run to her moms to give them each a hug and receive a special birthday hug and kiss on her forehead in return, as well as greeting Mike and Lynne with just about equal enthusiasm since she saw at least one of Ricky's parents almost every day either when he was picked up from her house or when she visited his house. She was also happy to greet her grandparents from Mama C's side of the family. Today her house was truly filled with all her favorite people in the world.
But to begin the party in earnest, the first thing everyone did was eat lunch. And to make it simple, and make sure it was Nini approved, her moms had made a walking taco bar, which they knew was one of Nini's favorite school lunches that with their culinary skills they could make even better, and require limited clean up.
But everyone made sure to save room for dessert, all the kids got even more excited when Carol pulled out a beautiful chocolate cake decorated with all sorts of gorgeous and delicious looking flowers made out of frosting and labeled, HAPPY 6th Birthday Nini!
Everyone sang Nini happy birthday and she was able to blow out all six of her candles in one big breath. The cake was then served up along with vanilla ice cream and everyone at the party was quick to dig in, catching their second wind after a brief breather from the walking tacos.
Once everyone had finished their cake and ice cream, Ricky, Red, and Kourtney all ran out of the room, and then returned a few moments later, each with a gift wrapped in their hands and they placed them in front of Nini excitedly.
"Nini, you should open mine first."
"No way, I already know she'll like mine the best."
"Nope, she'll really want to open mine first. I know her best, and I got her an awesome gift."
"Hey!" Nini shouted to interrupt her arguing friends, "I'm sure whatever you got me I'll love all three of your gifts and all the others I've received," Nini added as her grandparents also passed envelopes up to her as well.
"So which are you going to open first?"
"OK, to make it fair, I'll choose randomly." Nini covered her eyes with one hand, and then pointed at one of the gifts with the other. "Eenie, meanie, miney, mo, touch a tiger by the toe, if he hollers let him go. Eenie, meanie, miney, mo." After she finished, she uncovered her eyes to reveal that she had chosen Kourtney's gift first so she began tearing through all her gifts with her friends acting just as excited for her to open them as she was.
After Nini finished opening up all the gifts in front of her, her moms both walked up to stand on either side of her.
"Nini, sweetheart, we hope you've had a wonderful birthday so far."
"You bet, this has been the best birthday party ever." Nini smiled enthusiastically, showing all her teeth with her wide grin.
"We're so happy, but we still have our present to give to you."
"OK, where is it?" Nini asked, glancing around the kitchen where everyone was still seated, but she couldn't find any other signs of any more presents anywhere.
"It's not in the house, your birthday gift from us is outside," Dana revealed. "Do you want to go see it?"
"Sure." Nini nodded and stood up from her seat, taking each of her Mom's hands as they left the kitchen to go outside to her backyard.
"OK, Nini, close your eyes tight without peeking, we'll tell you when you can look again."
"OK." Nini squeezed her eyes shut tightly, trusting her moms to lead her to the right place.
"OK, we're here. You can open your eyes, sweetheart." Carol said.
Nini opened her eyes and was confused for a moment. They were standing in her backyard, underneath the largest tree in the yard. "You got me a ladder?" Nini asked, but her gaze steadily rose higher and higher.
"Well yes, but look up," Dana suggested.
When she finally saw her gift, she couldn't stop herself from letting out a gasp of surprise and excitement. "A treehouse?"
"Yep, Mama C and I were pretty busy the last three days. Thanks, Mom for keeping her occupied!" Dana called out.
"We know how much you thought a treehouse would be a cool place to play and have friends over. So we figured why not build you one?" Carol explained.
"You two built this yourselves?"
"Yep, all for you sweetheart. Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it. Thank you Moms!" Nini raised her arms to pull both her moms down to her level for a hug filled with love.
"Happy Birthday Nini. We just wanted to make today as special for you as possible."
"You've accomplished your mission then. Seriously, for like a hundred reasons today has been great, and this is icing on the cake."
"Do you want to go see what it looks like up there?"
"I can? Right now?"
"Of course you can. You can even invite your friends up with you."
Nini turned her head to see all her friends and most of the adults had followed them outside behind her. "OK, hey guys, want to explore my treehouse with me?"
"Yes! Let's go!" Ricky cheered, but Kourtney and Red both looked a little hesitant.
"I'd like to, achoo! Achoo!" Red sneezed again and again. "Augh, I think your tree has a lot of pollen, I'm allergic. Achoo!"
"Oh dear, how about you go back inside Red?" Carol said, "I think I have something to unstuff your nose if you need it."
"Thanks Mrs. Salazar-Roberts." Red smiled, "Maybe another day when the pollen isn't so high?"
"Sure thing. Kourtney?" Nini asked.
Kourtney flinched and took a step back, as she looked up at the treehouse, and then back down to the ground below, seeming to be trying to measure the distance between the treehouse and the ground. "You know what? I think I'm just going to stay on the ground for now…I'll even go inside to hang with Red." Kourtney insisted. "You two have fun though."
"Alright." Nini shrugged, she could tell something was wrong with Kourtney, but she was shooting Nini a look to just get on with it and take the attention off herself. "Ricky, do you still want to join me?"
"The answer to that question will never be no. The last one up is a rotten egg!" Ricky ran to the ladder as fast as he could move.
"Hey, it's my birthday, and my treehouse, I get to be first!" Nini demanded as she chased after him.
"Oh, sure thing. I'm sorry Nini, of course you can go first."
"Thank you Ricky." Nini climbed up the ladder and made it to the outside balcony, then entered the door, Ricky was following only two steps behind her and they examined the interior slowly for a few moments, trying to take everything in.
The wooden interior was barren of any decorations or furniture, just brown wooden walls everywhere the eye could see, even just glancing around the space, which was about eight by eight feet square, Nini had a feeling in her chest already that she'd be making so many great memories up here.
"This is so cool. This makes it official, you have the best house." Ricky declared.
"Come on, your house is really cool too, I love visiting whenever I can."
"Yeah, but my house doesn't have a treehouse in the backyard for us to hide or play or hang out in."
"OK, I guess you're right. My house is forever the best." Nini said proudly.
"No arguments here." Ricky laughed.
"I wish Red and Kourtney could come up here."
"Too bad for Red's allergies, I already know this isn't the first time they've gotten in the way of something we wanted to do. But why didn't Kourtney want to join us?"
Nini paused for a moment. "I think I know why, and I understand. It's no big deal, she can stay on the ground all she wants."
"Ok, are you going to tell me why?"
"Sorry, I can't. It's not my secret to share. You can ask Kourtney sometime if you want, but I'm not telling you anything, Ricky."
"But we're best friends, we shouldn't keep secrets from each other."
"But Kourtney is my best friend too, so I'm keeping the secret. Or I could tell Kourtney and Red how much you love rocking out to Hannah Montana." Nini giggled.
"That was one time, and the theme song is pretty catchy. But OK, I won't bother you about Kourtney." Ricky was quick to change the subject, "So is it just going to be us who goes up here?"
"Looks like it for now. It can be just like you said, this can be our not-so-secret hiding place." Nini giggled, "Oh wait a minute, I just got the best idea ever."
"What?"
"I think to make sure my treehouse stays awesome and our secret place it should be no boys allowed?"
"What? Why? What about me?" Ricky asked, sounding crestfallen as he missed her teasing grin.
"Fine," Nini said teasingly, "there can be no boys allowed except for Ricky Bowen."
"Really? You really mean that?"
"Of course, we already spend as much time together as possible. I want this to be our space. It's not just my treehouse, it's ours."
"I think that sounds like a great idea Nini." Ricky stepped closer to wrap her up tightly in a hug once again. "I like the sound of our treehouse too."
"I'm glad you agree Ricky, I know my moms said we'd go shopping next week to find chairs and other things we can bring up here, but I want to make this officially our treehouse right now. Wait here, I'll be right back." Nini stepped back through the doorway, climbed down the ladder and quickly ran inside her house and came back a few minutes later.
"What did you get?" Ricky asked.
"Paint. We can put our names on the wall to make it our place." Nini declared she had grabbed a bottle of white finger paint from her art supplies and Ricky and Nini both used paintbrushes to delicately write their names on the wall right next to the door.
"There we go. Only people who write their names on the wall are allowed. If Kourtney or Red ever do want to come up, they can write their names too."
"Sure thing, but until then, it's just you and me?" Ricky asked in confirmation.
"Absolutely Ricky. I can already tell we're going to make so many wonderful memories up here Ricky, we should start things off tonight. For our sleepover, let's sleep up here tonight."
"Can we? We don't have any beds or anything up here." Ricky pointed out.
"We can borrow my moms' sleeping bags. They used to go camping a lot, so they should have everything we need, and then tomorrow we can think about what things we want to bring up here to make this a super cool place to hang together. So, are you in?"
"Spending all night up here, sleeping in a treehouse? That sounds like so much fun. I'm definitely in." Ricky nodded in enthusiastic agreement. "Think your moms will let us have a campfire and smores?"
"Well, it is my birthday…" Nini grinned cheekily.
They spent a few more minutes planning out their big night, and honestly, just basking in the happiness they shared just being together with their best friend by their side again, even if they were sitting on the hard wooden floorboards of the empty treehouse. Eventually, Dana called them both back down and they were equally happy to rejoin the party, while also looking forward to tonight.
And while it did take some convincing once most of the guests had left the party, Nini and Ricky's puppy dog faces plus Nini's birthday girl trump card did grant them permission to camp out in the treehouse, and have a campfire that night.
Ricky and Nini both ate way too many smores that were made with assistance from her moms and eventually retired to the treehouse for the night, although they didn't plan on going to bed anytime soon.
"OK you two, remember, the back door will be unlocked, and the porch light is also staying on all night. So you can come in and wake us up if you need absolutely anything, got it?" Carol told them once again.
"We got it Mama C, but I know we'll be fine. We both have everything we need." Nini glanced around the space, she and Ricky had indeed borrowed most of her moms' old camping equipment, they each had a sleeping bag and a pillow, the space was lit up by several battery powered lanterns, and they even had bottles of water for them, along with plenty of Nini's toys that were also going to be joining them for the night.
"I know, just stick together, and keep each other safe, and again, come inside if you need absolutely anything and let us know, no matter what time it is. Got it?"
"We got it Mama C. Goodnight, and tell Mama D. goodnight too."
"I will sweetheart. Happy Birthday Nini, and sweet dreams to both of you.
"Thanks, you have good dreams too Mama C," Ricky replied.
Carol smiled one last time and then shut the door behind her, they could hear her climbing down the ladder back to the ground below, and about a minute later, they heard the backdoor close as she and Dana turned in for the night.
"So what are we doing first?" Ricky turned to Nini expectantly.
"What are you looking at me for?"
"Because it's still your birthday, so you're still in charge."
"Really? Is that how it works?" Nini asked in a humor-filled voice.
"Yes, because in two weeks, I get to be in charge on my birthday." Ricky declared.
"Alright, that seems fair I guess." Nini shrugged. "So you didn't do anything else you haven't told me about yet while I was gone?"
"No." Ricky shook his head. "While it felt like literally forever, it was only 3 days. I just went to daycare like normal and played with Red and Kourtney, the only difference was that you weren't there. Everyone said it was pretty obvious that I was missing you like crazy, which is true. I'm so glad you're back home again." Ricky couldn't help himself from walking across the floor to surround Nini in another hug, about the dozenth they had already shared today alone.
"Well trust me, I was the same way. Grandma had to ask me if I was thinking about you like twenty times. I had so much fun with her, and I wouldn't give the past three days up for anything, but I missed you too Ricky."
They finally separated and decided that since they were by themselves in the treehouse, it was the perfect opportunity to try to stay up as late as possible. Nini wished she could have brought her CD player up so they could have spent the whole night singing and dancing together to stay awake, but her Moms had already vetoed that idea so they wouldn't keep the whole neighborhood awake all night.
"We could play that new board game Red got for me." Nini had brought that up with them earlier. "Sorry!"
Ricky smirked, "ok, but even though it's your birthday, I won't be sorry when I crush you at this. Again."
"Just because you and Red always seem to beat me and Kourtney doesn't mean your luck is going to keep going forever. Besides, I'm the birthday girl, so maybe I'll win tonight."
"Maybe if you used your birthday wish for it." Ricky laughed.
"I'm still not telling you my wish," Nini said once more.
"Ah, come on, seriously?"
"No, because if I tell anyone, then it won't come true." Nini reminded him.
"So you're not going to tell me? How about this, if I win, then you tell me your birthday wish."
"Hmm, I'm listening, what do I get if I win though?"
"Then I'll tell you my birthday wish in two weeks," Ricky promised. "Do we have a deal?"
"Alright deal, because I know through the power of birthdays, I'm finally going to win this time." Nini reached her hand out to Ricky and they shook to seal the deal.
"So, what color do you want?"
"The color I always am, yellow." Nini reminded him, that whenever their four friends played at daycare, they always had the same colors, Red for Red and Green for Kourtney since they had obvious claims to the colors, so Ricky was always blue, and Nini was always yellow.
But once they got set up, the game was on, and like usual, the game was very contentious, neither was showing their opponent any mercy when the opportunity to knock each other back to start presented itself, considering they both did so at least 3 times each.
But in the end, it came down to the final dice rolls, Ricky had his last piece two spaces away from Home, and Nini had hers only one space away. She rolled the die, and they had agreed that to get in home, your number had to be perfect otherwise you can't move.
Nini shook up the die in her hands, she breathed out a puff of air to give herself some extra luck. Give me a one, give me a one. She whispered. She threw the die across the board and both she and Ricky watched every roll as it tumbled across the game board before coming to a stop.
"No!" Ricky shouted.
"Yes! Haha! Sorry!" Nini crowed at the same time and moved her final piece into home. "I win!"
"Congratulations." Ricky smiled at her. "So, you really aren't going to tell me your birthday wish?"
"Nope, and now you have to after you blow out your candles."
"Oh, why can't I tell you now?"
"Because, if you told me now, you could say anything and then wish for something else on your birthday, but if I wait until after, then you have to tell me what you wished for."
"Ok, guess that makes sense. As they settled down and packed the game back into its box, both couldn't help rubbing their eyes and releasing a few tired yawns."
"So what should we do now to keep us awake?" Ricky asked.
"I don't know." Nini shrugged her shoulders and had to blink her eyes a few times to make sure she stayed awake.
"We could…we could…" Ricky was shaking his head to keep himself awake too. "You know we can stay up…maybe we could stay up by telling each other a story?"
"Like a bedtime story?" Nini asked.
"Sure," Ricky nodded, "does that sound good?"
"Alright, who's telling the first story?"
"Can you do it? You always tell the best stories and come up with ideas when we play pretend games."
"OK." Nini thought for a few moments. "I've got one, but even though we're still going to stay up the whole night, how about we get into our sleeping bags so we can be comfy?"
"Sure, sounds like a plan to me." So that's what they did. They snuggled into their sleeping bags and laid back, both staring up at the ceiling, ready to watch the story play out in front of them just like when they played pretend at recess or daycare or their houses.
And began, "Once upon a time, there lived a family of three bears, a big, strong Papa Bear, a sweet loving Mama Bear, and a cute little Baby Bear…"
"Goldilocks?"
"Hey no spoilers, and you're the one that wanted a story, so sush." Nini reprimanded him playfully and he quieted down. "One day the Bear family left their house to go shopping.
"Shopping?"
"Yeah, where else are they going to get their porridge and chairs and everything else in their house?" Nini asked him.
"I don't know, I figured they made everything themselves, you know if they live in the woods, they'd have plenty of trees to make their chairs and beds, and they could probably make porridge… what even is porridge?"
"My moms said it's kind of like heated-up cereal and milk, plus other stuff.
"Hot cereal?"
"Well not actually like Fruit Loops or Cheerios," Nini replied, I don't know what it is cause I've never had it either, but anyway, The bear family left their house for the day to go shopping, and a girl with golden hair found the house, and because she was so curious she decided to look inside.
Nini kept going with the story, but by the time she reached the part where Goldilocks was trying out the bears' beds, she glanced over to see Ricky with his eyes closed and silent.
"Ricky? Are you still awake?" Nini asked softly, but she didn't get any response.
She smiled. "Goodnight Ricky," to be honest, her own eyelids felt weighed down and she was ready to go to sleep too. "Thank you for making this the best birthday yet. I hope every birthday makes me feel just as happy as this."
She smiled and slowly let herself drift off to join her best friend in dreamland as well.