"Alright, so what movie are you kids going to see?" Lynne asked from the driver's seat of her car.
"The Greatest Showman!" Nini called out from the backseat.
"Yep, whoopee," Ricky added from the shotgun seat.
"Gee, don't sound so excited," Nini said sarcastically back to Ricky.
"I just don't get why you're so excited to see a movie about the first guy to start the circus. And wasn't that guy like racist and an animal abuser or something, and that's why they don't use elephants or anything else in circuses anymore?"
"Gee, when did you learn all this history?" Lynne asked him.
"I didn't want to, just apparently this movie is everywhere. How can I not hear about it?"
"Ok so it probably isn't the most historically accurate movie in the world, but it really is super good, Ricky. It has so many great songs and dancing, and some parts of the story aren't the best, but some of the characters really are great." Nini pointed out.
"OK, I'll trust you."
"Wow Nini, you sound like you've seen it already," Lynne commented.
"Yeah, I watched it last weekend with my moms and Kourtney since you all visited Grandma and Grandpa Bowen. So I'm excited to see it again and to have Ricky see it with me.
"Oh, it must be good then. Maybe I should tag along on your little date," Lynne said teasingly.
"Moooom." Ricky groaned, glad that he had an excuse to not be looking at Nini and hopefully avoid her seeing his blushing face. "It's not a date. It's just me an Nini going to the movies. We've done that forever."
"Oh, I know." Lynne shot him a look that he wasn't quite sure how to read. "Just a thought, so do you want me to watch the movie with you on your not date?"
"Um…well if you want to, if Nini doesn't mind."
"Why would I ever mind that?" Nini added from the backseat, she too was hoping to move on from the potential romantic date vibe tonight was going to be. "You're welcome to join us."
"Well, I'd love to, but I have plans with Mike anyway, so don't worry kiddo, I won't cramp your style."
Nini laughed. "What style? All Ricky ever wears is T-shirts and hoodies."
"And? I never hear you complain when you're cold and need to borrow one." Ricky shot back. "Or should I stay steal? The only times I ever get them back if I take them back myself from your closet."
"I don't…ok yeah that's fair, but your hoodies are always warm and comfy."
"I get it," Ricky shrugged, "I just wanted to let my Mom know why I can never find my hoodies."
"You mean other than the ones thrown in a pile at the bottom of your closet?" Nini asked.
"Hah, you'd only know that if you steal them without my permission."
"Same argument, and I've never heard you complain about it before."
"That's because you always look so adorable. I'm not, again I just want to set the record straight. So Mom, if you ever want me to wear a specific hoodie or something and I can't find it, it's probably at Nini's."
"Alright, you two. I understand perfectly. At least I know with Nini they'll be washed more than once a month. Some of those I swear you wear for a week straight unless you get a food stain on it."
"Yeah right, like I could make it a week without Nini asking for a hoodie." Ricky laughed.
"Well don't worry Lynne, I always return them freshly cleaned."
"Good to know Nini, but it looks like we're here." Lynne chuckled to herself as she finally pulled up to the theater. "Have fun you two."
"Thanks, Mom," Ricky leaned across the console to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. "Nini, how long is the movie?"
"We should be ready to head home by 8:30. Thank you so much, Lynne."
"Of course, you two just have fun together. I'll be right here at 8:30," Lynne promised, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of the two of them walking into the theater together. Ricky even held the door open for Nini. And that wasn't even including the new information about Ricky's hoodies. She couldn't wait to tell Mike and also ask Dana and Carol why they hadn't shared that info sooner.
"The usual deal?" Ricky asked once they walked inside.
"Yep." Nini nodded. "I've got the tickets, you go get us our snacks."
"Of course. Same Order?"
"Definitely." Nini nodded her head and they parted ways for the two separate lines before meeting up a few minutes later, Nini with two tickets in hand, and Ricky with his arms full of snacks.
"Thank you." Nini smiled and took her Coke and the box of Twizzlers while Ricky kept the bag of Popcorn, Sprite, and a box of Peanut M 's.
"Are we all ready to go?" Ricky asked.
"Yep, the movie starts in fifteen minutes." Nini smiled and waved the tickets up proudly.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Ricky smiled back at her and Nini led him to their seats. Both were immensely happy that this theater had really nice reclining seats allowed you put the arm rest up in the middle. This wasn't their first movie they had seen just the two of them without any chaperones, but they quickly grew to love the excuse to cuddle up together for two hours and no interruptions.
"So is this movie really as great as you say it is? You know I like musicals as much as the next guy…"
"Shut up, you love musicals just as much as I do."
"Oh that's not true," Ricky said in between bites of popcorn as he held the bag between them. No one loves musicals as much as you do.
"OK, that's fair." Nini agreed as she took a handful of popcorn too. "But still Ricky, you know whenever you sing in the shower, literally the entire house can hear you."
Ricky nearly choked on his popcorn, "What? No, they don't. How would you even know that?"
"With how much time I spend at your house, you think I haven't gotten there while you're showering? Your parents never wanted to embarrass you and make you stop, plus its usually a sign that you're happy or excited about something. But I have no problem with embarrassing you." Nini playfully poked his cheek with one of her Twizzlers, only for Ricky to bite off the end instead. "Agh! How rude."
"Serves you right." Ricky tried his best to tamper down his blush.
"Come on, you can't be that mad can you? Please don't stop singing in the shower. You really are great at it."
"Ok, I forgive, only if you give me one of your Twizzlers."
"Deal, but I get a handful of M 's," Nini replied.
"Deal." Ricky held his box out to dump some candy in Nini's hand and she passed over another one of her Twizzlers.
"Mmm." Nini smiled. "I don't get why you like to complain so much whenever I pick the movie. I've never complained about all the Marvel movies you drag me to."
"Drag you to?" Ricky raised an eyebrow questioningly at her. "Please, ever since Dad took us both to see Winter Soldier you've been just as much of a Marvel fan as I am."
"Ok, guilty, but…if you are a Marvel fan, I think you'll be happy."
"Really?" Ricky asked. "It's a circus, what is this secretly tied to Dick Grayson's trapeze origin story."
"Who?" Nini asked.
"Dick Grayson, you know, Robin? Nina."
"Ok, Richard." Nini shot back, but then her eyes widened in realization. "Wait a minute, I missed such a golden opportunity way back in kindergarten."
"What are you talking about? We were just talking about superheroes."
"I know, I know. But OMG. Nini couldn't help but laugh out loud. You know all these years I could have called you Dick, and no one would ever have cared."
Ricky could feel his face heat up slightly. "Well thank God you didn't, 'cause there is no way we'd be best friends if you had done that."
"Ok ok," Nini managed to calm herself down by taking a sip of her Coke. "Obviously,I wouldn't want to call you anything other than Ricky, Ricky. How did that even become a nickname for Richard?"
"You could probably ask my Grandpa Dick, but I think it's just something old people decided on." Ricky shrugged his shoulders. "But back on topic, why should I be excited about this movie all of a sudden?"
"Oh, I don't know," Nini said coyly. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Nini," Ricky whined.
"Oh hush, hey, the movie's starting." Nini shushed him.
Ricky just shook his head and extended his arm to pull Nini close to him, and Nini slid closer along her seat until there was no space between them. They still had their popcorn and candy in front of them, while Nini rested her head against Ricky's shoulder and chest. Their mutually favorite position to be in any time they got to be alone together.
It didn't take too much longer for Ricky to figure out who the superhero connection was about though.
"Wolverine? Hugh Jackman is in this thing?" Ricky whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, he is." Nini giggled, "how have you avoided seeing he was in this?"
"I don't know. I didn't even know he could sing, much less dance."
"I'm pretty sure he's a singer and dancer from the start," Nini replied. "you didn't really know that about him?"
"No, he's Wolverine, what else would I need to know about him? Plus I guess I'm not one to usually recognize actors outside of their movies unless its super obvious. Is there anyone else in this I should recognize?"
"I don't know." Nini shrugged her shoulders but grinned to herself. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Alright, don't tell me then." Ricky replied to her not-so-secretive smile and squeezed her tighter against his side.
About twenty minutes later, once another song ended, Ricky couldn't help speaking up. "What did we just watch?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Why did I just watch Wolverine convince Troy Bolton to join the circus with a round of shots? That doesn't sound weird to you?"
"Hey, it's a really good song, you have to admit to that."
"You'd think anything Zac Efron does is a good song. Is he really why you wanted to see this again?"
"No, it's not the only reason." Nini said, "Just keep watching the movie, "and for the record, Zendaya's in it too. Or did you miss her?"
"Oh I didn't, I just haven't commented on her yet, I can wait until her musical number. Then we'll see."
"I think you'll like her song. I honestly think it's already my favorite from the whole movie." Nini revealed. Nini cuddled back into Ricky, but she couldn't help herself from shivering slightly, she always felt like the movie theater was just a little bit colder than necessary. "Ricky, could I-"
"You got it Neens." Ricky smiled. He sat up for a moment to pull his hoodie off over his head and held it out to her. "Be my guest, and I'll steal it back eventually."
"Thank you." Nini was quick to pull the hoodie over her own head. She internally sighed in happiness from the comforting warmth in the fabric. She could swear Ricky was always warmer than she was. But also the just instant feeling of being surrounded by Ricky. She didn't know what it was, she always felt so comforted when she wore one of his T-shirts or hoodies. Well maybe she did know what it was, but she wasn't allowed to think about that. She could just enjoy the moments and not worry about what any of it meant. She cuddled up tight against him once again, she couldn't help but smile in happiness throughout the next half hour or so of the movie.
Ricky was smiling too. He truly wished he could tell Nini just how adorable she always looked wearing his hoodies. But he couldn't, he had long ago decided that fact was way too close to revealing the truth about what he felt about her, and what he wanted them to be. He told himself he was fine, but oh how she tempted him, he just wanted to squeeze her to his chest and never let go, and maybe eventually have a do-over first kiss. But he knew none of that could ever be reality.
Ricky's smile plummeted though when the movie finally reached Rewrite the Stars. He almost wondered if Nini had some secretly twisted sense of humor. How could he watch a song like that, where two people so desperately wanted to be together, but were forced to hold up an invisible wall between themselves? He looked down at Nini, she was so transfixed by the screen, that she wasn't paying him any attention. Not that Ricky was surprised, not only was the song heartwrenching, but the choreography was also amazing. He could sing but he was nowhere near being a dancer or a real performer. If he was ever suspended in the air by a rope, he knew the only way he was coming down was with a broken arm or a leg.
But even more than the phantom pains he felt at even the thought of being in that scene, he couldn't help but empathize with both characters. The emotions they sang, were heartbreakingly familiar. His only question, would Nini ever know? Or did he even know? He was certain she didn't like him that way, and yeah ever since their kiss over a year ago now, he did his best to hide his biggest, and only secret from her. But he didn't know how to escape the hole he had put himself in. His hands were tied. His biggest fear and greatest happiness were tied up in one question. He honestly didn't think he'd ever be confident enough to ask it. It wasn't just the one kiss he would change if he could. Honestly, if he could rewrite the stars, he'd just make it so he was brave enough just to do it. Probably the only thing he ever overthought too much before he did something, as Nini would surely love to point out, and he couldn't do it. He didn't mind the occasional scraped knee or elbow, or even the times he'd almost given himself a concussion. He knew he could walk away from those, but a broken heart, he didn't even know if he could heal from that. And so he would always be silently waiting, for a moment of bravery that may never come. If he could rewrite the stars, he'd absolutely make it so that the world could be theirs, together.
So instead of saying anything, or making any move towards Nini to tell her directly how he felt, all he could do was squeeze her tighter to his side, and that would be enough for him. It always will be.
Nini was equally silent beside him. Last weekend when she was here with her Moms and Kourtney, she could admit only to herself that Rewrite the Stars screamed her and Ricky. Now having him here with her, she wondered just how good of an idea watching this movie with him was. She prayed he wouldn't ask too many pointed questions. She wanted to be more with him, more than anything, but that dream felt equally impossible.
She knew she always got emotional during movies, especially any sort of romantic or worse break-up scenes. Ricky himself loved to tell her about how many times she used to cry during Gotta Go My Own Way. But the mutual pining clear on the actors' faces when they were together was way too much for her. With Ricky beside her, all she could think about was how much she wanted to share so much more with him. How much he was her favorite person, not just in a platonic sense, but truly so much more.
But she didn't know how to face her fear any more than Zendaya and Zac could onscreen. She didn't care about the thoughts of others. She had been out with her Moms together too many times to count when some idiot made a bigoted comment. She didn't care what anyone else would say. There was only person she cared about in making such a choice, and he was sitting right next to her, but oh so far away.
Yes, she has been well aware of what everyone said or assumed about them. She had always told anyone who asked that a guy and a girl could be best friends and nothing more, but honestly, she didn't believe that anymore. Her head might, and they had been, but her heart couldn't lie. Their connection was so much more, but they may never be able to truly see it. Nini was happy like they were, honestly. But then what if and maybe will always be in the back of her head, egging her on. Pushing her to take a leap of faith that Ricky will catch her, and they'll belong together in the way.
She may have even felt her eyes water a little bit, the final line. I'm 'bout to break in my hands, are tied… just felt like a pin stabbing her through the heart. She hurriedly wiped her eyes so Ricky wouldn't notice, and thankfully he seemed to be equally transfixed by the screen when she finally glanced up at him again. He was always so handsome, always, from his adorable clothes and his crooked grin, to his eyes that always lit up whenever they found hers. She wondered just what he was thinking about during that song. Was it possible that he…? No Nini couldn't delude herself, even if she felt him hug her tighter over her shoulders. It was just a reflex, it couldn't possibly mean anything more right? This wasn't a date. It was just two best friends watching a movie together, something they had done a million times before. Nothing different or weird, or especially wonderful about that. It was just the two of them, just like hopefully, they always will be.
The movie continued on, but both teens were equally distracted. They did enjoy the movie, but they couldn't help all their thoughts consistently returning to their favorite person in the world beside them. Thinking about everything they wanted, but were too scared to ever say.
"So, did you like the movie?" Nini asked as they made their way out of the theater, hand in hand like usual. She did her best not to think about how couple-y this probably looked to the people around them.
"Oh yeah totally, all the songs and dancing were really cool, and like I said, probably a lot better than most of the characters' real history. I see Zac Efron still has it, and I truly didn't know Hugh Jackman, the Wolverine could dance like that."
"See, everyone's just full of surprises." Nini giggled against his arm. "But I swear its pretty common knowledge he's in a lot more musicals. I'm pretty sure Wolverine is his only action movie role."
"I guess you're right." Ricky shrugged his shoulders, "so is there anything else Efron's been in recently I should know about?"
"Um, Baywatch I think," Nini answered after a moment of thinking.
"Oh yeah, I did know that I guess." Ricky realized. "Hey maybe for Halloween this year, I could dress up like Zac Efron again, I know how much you love it when I do that."
"Really?" Nini raised an eyebrow at him. "For one, that was literally when we were in Kindergarten, I haven't made you dress up like Troy since the second grade for sure, much less for Halloween. Do I need to remind you of all of the costume ideas you've had? Ash and Pikachu, Spider-Man and Spider-Girl, Captain America and Black Widow…."
"Yeah, so it's my turn to pick our costumes this year. We could both be lifeguards."
"Is that your way of saying you want me to dress up in a swimsuit?" Nini asked playfully.
"No!" Ricky said an octave higher than usual, he honestly hadn't even been thinking about that, but once the thought entered his head, it didn't want to leave. Nini was always beautiful, but the last few years, he always had to tear his eyes away from her whenever they went swimming together. "That wouldn't work, for one we'd both freeze to death if our moms even let us leave the house like that in October. But I could be the Circus Troy and you can be Zendaya."
"Hmm, that's a little bit better. But Circus Troy? You can't even remember his name already?"
"No, I was pretty distracted when he was on screen."
"By what?"
"Huh? I mean…" Ricky paused for a moment, he definitely couldn't tell Nini what really distracted him. "I was just so surprised to see Troy in the movie, I guess I didn't catch his name."
"Its Phillip Carlisle, do you at least know anybody else?"
"Yeah, Wolverine is P.T. Barnum, his wife is Charity, the singing redhead was Jenny, Zendaya was…I don't know she's just Zendaya to me."
"Anne. Ricky, it's Anne."
"Well, I'm sorry, I didn't know there'd be a test over this, Ms. Salazar-Roberts." Ricky said teasingly and bumped her side. "I would have studied harder."
"OK, don't worry about it," Nini laughed, "but what was your favorite part?"
"Probably The Other Side Song, it was just so catchy, I could probably sing it right now if you really wanted me to, even if I still don't really understand why they negotiated like that, you know dancing around a bar and taking shots."
"Yeah probably not the smartest idea, but it's a movie and a musical. Sometimes you just need to suspend your disbelief for a scene."
"Don't worry I know, so what about you?"
"Honestly," Nini thought for a moment, "I do really like Charity and P.T.'s story at the beginning. It's just clear you know how even though they were a million miles apart, they could still make all their dreams come true together."
"Really?"
"Yeah, of course the Rewrite the Stars song, is great, but its also kind of sad, both couples obviously had obstacles in thier path they had to work their way through. But I don't know. Nini thought for a moment, If I ever went to a boarding school or moved far away for college, what would you do?"
"Well A, I would do everything in my power to be there with you. Ricky said without even thinking about it. Do you really think I could possibly survive without you? Or the very least make sure I pass all my classes and remind me not to break a bone on my skateboard once a week."
"Come on, I'm serious what would you do? Thankfully our families love each other so we wouldn't be so separated, but what would you do?"
"Ok, well first of all, I would write you so many letters, you'll need a second mailbox just to hold them all. And I would call you twenty times a day, just to make sure you're ok, and so you can make sure I have my head on straight at school too. And every weekend, either I'd make my mom or dad, or one of your moms drive me to your school so we can always have weekend sleepovers together, or even easier, I could hopefully drive myself there."
"Really? You'd do all of that for me?"
"Yep, and if you ever felt homesick, I would be there the next morning, no matter how far away you were. I know nothing can separate us, not even distance. We're Ricky and Nini, we've always been a pair. I hope we always will be."
"I hope that too." Nini couldn't help but hug him after his declaration, burying her face into his chest for a long, tender moment.
Ricky just smiled down at her. "But just checking, you aren't planning on moving to some boarding school in Colorado or Nevada or something?"
"No way. I'm not going anywhere." Nini promised.
"Hey there kids. How was the movie?" Lynne asked them with a smile as they finally reached her car out in the parking lot.
"It was good. Nini was right. And it's not just the fact that Wolverine, Troy Bolton, and Zendaya were in it."
"Really? You can't call Zendaya, Rocky, or K.C. or something?"
"No." Ricky shook his head, "its the same reason no one knows her last name, she's just Zendaya."
"Ricky." Nini rolled her eyes as she climbed in the backseat, and Ricky took the shotgun seat again. "You know she has a last name, right?"
"Well yeah, but know one knows it. I bet you don't even know it."
"That….is true." Nini admitted, "and I guess I see your point."
"Really, you're saying I was right?"
"We'll call it even then. I knew you would love the movie."
"OK, I did, but you know I loved watching it with you even more."
"I know."
"So other than being a circus, what was the movie about?" Lynne asked with a knowing grin on her face that both teens missed.
"Oh you know, bankruptcy, racism, an affair, a fire, trapeze artists. I think that about somes it up."
"Don't listen to him Lynne." Nini shouted out, "it actually is a really great story about accepting who you are. And don't you dare bring up its not historically accurate Mr. C in history."
"Ugh, why did I agree to sharing each other's report cards? You give me more grief about that than my mom! Um…sorry Mom."
"Don't worry dear. Atleast I know Nini's always pushing you forward. If she's what it takes to get you into a good college, I'll have no complaints whatsoever."
"Hah, even your mom doesn't know what you'd do without me." Nini crowed.
"Alright you two, calm down." Lynne said with a laugh.
"Naw, it's ok, I don't know what I would do without Nini either." Ricky agreed with a smile as they drove home and into the night.