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The day started out pretty great.
For once in his life Ricky wasn’t late for school so he managed to actually eat some breakfast, he had plans to spend the afternoon playing videogames with his best friend, and most important of all, today was his and Gina’s first anniversary.
After finally dealing with the mess of his and Nini’s breakup last year, once and for all, he really believed his and Gina’s relationship was damaged beyond repair. Between his inability to see past the grief of losing his security blanket - in the shape of a destined to fail relationship - and Gina’s emotional distance thanks to a brief thing she had with EJ during the senior’s last moments on East High, Gina and Ricky had never been more far apart. Thankfully, the universe made sure said distance didn’t last, by proving once again Ricky and Gina will always gravitate towards each other.
They quickly became friends and confidants again, and if Ricky really thought his heart was over the one and only Gina Porter, oh boy, he had a new thing coming. He always had a nagging feeling he might’ve never gotten over her the way he should have, but he didn’t understand the extent of said feelings until he got to see her without the attachment to his previous relationship clouding his mind, and wasn’t it a fun surprise to realize how absolutely gone he was.
It became surprisingly easy to notice how smart and absolutely stunning she is at the same time it became extremely difficult to deny the way his heart would soar every time he made her smile, the way there’s nothing he wants more than to be in her arms when he’s feeling sad, the way there’s nothing he loves more than to spend time with her, talking about anything and everything.
Ricky’s in love. Like, crazy, stupid, mad in love with Gina Porter. That being said, no one can blame him for absolutely swooning at the sight of his girlfriend skipping down the hallway straight to his arms.
“Happy anniversary, Gigi!” Ricky said, his voice coming out muffled by how hard he was pressing his face against her neck “I can’t believe it’s been a whole year already.”
“I know, right? It feels like yesterday since you almost fainted trying to ask me out on the bleachers of the drama club.” Gina couldn’t stop smiling while she said it. God, he loved her smile.
“Everything okay for tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m going straight home after dance class, so I can dress up for whatever plans you made and still refuses to tell me about it.”
“Sorry, Gina ballerina, tonight’s on me, all you have to do is continue to be your amazing self.” Ricky teases right before the bell rings, alerting them to go to their respective classes.
“See you tonight, okay? Love you.” Gina said after giving him a brief peck on the lips and taking off to her own class.
“Love you too, Gi!”
-
Ricky couldn’t stop smiling the whole day. Every single one of their friends teased him mercilessly but Ricky absolutely does not care. He know’s it’s coming from a place of love, and honestly even if it wasn’t, he’s just too mindblowingly happy thanks to the best year of his life to actually be upset about it.
Overall it’s been a great day.
Or at least it was, until it all came crashing down in a single phone call during his and Red’s evening.
“Hello Gi, what’s up?”
“Hi Rick, I- I think I might have to cancel tonight’s dinner…” her wobbly voice made it absolutely clear she was crying and hearing his girlfriend so shaken up immediately put Ricky on alert.
“Hey, it’s okay, what happened?”
“Please don’t freak out.”
Gina said next, so obviously that was the moment Ricky started to freak out. “I’m kind of at the hospital right now.”
The following minutes were kind of a blur. Ricky’s mind felt totally blank and his heart felt like it was about to beat itself out of his body. Ricky barely heard where she was before he threw some lame explanation at Big Red and sprinted out the door.
He must’ve made quite the scene entering the hospital room like a mad man, sweaty and completely out of breath - if the looks Ashlyn and Mrs. Caswell were throwing at him meant something.
“Where’s Gina? What happened? Is she alright?”
“Oh, calm down Ricky, take a deep breath okay.” Ashlyn said with a slightly demanding tone, although definitely not an unkind one.
“She was practicing a new choreography and tripped on a headband. Unfortunately, that made her slip right off the stage and hurt her ankle.” Hearing Mrs. Caswell words and knowing for a fact Gina wasn’t severally hurt did help with the burning ache Ricky felt inside his lungs since finding out about what happened to his girlfriend, but only slightly. Ashlyn must have noticed his haunted look, because she made sure to ease his thoughts.
“She’s okay Ricky. She was kind of scared and in a lot of pain for a while there, but right now they know it’s just a twisted ankle and she’s being checked up just to make sure there’s definitely nothing wrong.”
As if on cue, a small looking Gina entered the room carrying herself in with crutches but still looking less frightened than she sounded on the phone. All three people rushed to her side.
“Hey sis, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing good now, Ash. I’m a little sore from the fall but the doctors assured there’s nothing wrong with me besides the twisted ankle.”
“I’m glad to hear that sweetie, I’ll finish signing your release papers then we’ll go home, okay?” Mrs. Caswell said before leaving with Ashlyn so they could go and deal with it
Ricky rightfully gushed over his girlfriend and before he knew it, the girls were back.
“All done honey, let’s go, I’ll take you guys home. Unfortunately I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay and help you, it’s been a very busy day at work and I’m not sure they’ll let me take the whole day off.”
“Don’t worry Mrs. Caswell, I can take them home, seriously. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Yeah mom, we got it covered, it’s really okay, there’s no need for you to miss work.”
Mrs. Caswell ponded her options for a few moments, clearly not feeling comfortable about leaving Gina while she was hurt, but after careful consideration and a little bit of gentle pressure, she finally agreed.
“Alright, I’m gonna head back to work. Gina, sweetie, I’ve been in touch with your mom since we found out about what happened but I told her you’d give her a call, okay?” she left soon after that - but not before saying goodbye and making them promise to keep her updated.
-
So here’s the thing, Ricky has a protective nature. He always had, always will have. He admittedly wasn’t the fiercely protective type, the one who’s always ready to fight someone threatening the people he loves, like Ashlyn or Kourtney. But Ricky’s gentle, and he understood better than most people what it was like to desperately need a security blanket, so he always made sure to be present and to do everything in his power to guarantee that people around him are safe, comfortable and cared for.
That being said, it’s easy to understand why he’s driving his injured girlfriend up the wall.
“Babe, I love you and I appreciate everything you’re doing for me right now, but I told you I’m fine. I swear I’m not hungry, or in pain, or anything, really, you’ve been amazing.” Gina said, looking at Ricky with such fondness he could feel his insides twisting with the strength of the butterflies coming to life on his stomach.
“I know, I just worry about you a lot. I hate the idea you might be feeling uncomfortable in some way and I’m not doing anything to help.” Ricky sighted, thinking about the fear he felt earlier when he thought she was hurt. “The Caswell’s are on a night shift and I’ve convinced Ashlyn not to cancel her plans with Big Red tonight, so you’re my responsibility Gi, they wouldn’t forgive me if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened.”
“I promise you I’m fine. All I want right now is to cuddle my boyfriend on the couch so we can watch a good old Disney marathon.”
“Your wish I my command, lady Gi.”
After a few minutes into a new Pixar movie they chose, Ricky could feel Gina tensing up where she laid on his chest.
“Hey, is everything okay?” Ricky said, gently stroking her back.
Gina took a little while to answer and for a second Ricky thought she might’ve fallen sleep, when he heard a voice so quiet he wouldn’t’ve listened if he weren’t paying attention.
“I’m sorry for ruining our plans today… I know you were excited about tonight and I’m sorry we’re stuck home cause I’m hurt.”
“It’s not you’re fault, Gi. The only thing I’m sad about, is the fact you’re hurt and in pain. I promise you, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here on this couch with you, eating takeout pizza and watching a cartoon marathon. I mean it.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be other than right here in your arms Rick.” Gina said with a brilliant smile.
Yeah, maybe Ricky’s day wasn’t so bad after all.