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Following a makeshift trolley system that snapped under his weight, causing him to fall on something, or rather someone, Ricky was on his way to the ER with Big Red, Ashlyn, and Gina. Ricky and Ashlyn were both groaning and holding their wrists in pain at any sudden and extreme movement. It didn't help that he and Ashlyn were crammed together due to the small space that Red's car provided.
"Guys, we're almost there," Red reassured from the driver's seat. Gina was quiet most of the time, except for her occasional "how're you guys doing" or "everything alright back there?". Her leg was shaking and she was constantly fiddling with the necklace around her neck. Ricky noticed and wanted to help out in some way, but he didn't want to put her on the spot, especially in the cramped space they were in.
Three minutes later, Red finally pulled into the ER parking lot and helped Ricky and Ashlyn out of the car. Making their way towards the double doors that granted entrance, Ricky looked back and noticed Gina keeping a considerate distance from the group. He fell back into step next to her and looked over, waiting for them to lock eyes until they eventually did. He could've gotten lost in those eyes if he hadn't figured out what he was going to do in the first place.
"Are you okay, Gi?" He asked, the nickname rolling off of his tongue nicely.
Gina faintly smiled at the use of the nickname. EJ had used it earlier, but it didn't feel right, nor did it make her smile like when Ricky said it. "I should be asking you that," She swiftly deflected.
"You almost got me with the subtle topic change," He said with a small chuckle before getting serious. "Are you scared of hospitals?" He asked. Gina looked down and didn't respond, which was a response in itself.
"You don't have to be ashamed or anything," He continued, attempting to reassure her that everything would be fine. Gina placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him from walking, them both stopping right in front of the large red letters that read 'ER'. Ashlyn and Red were already in, sitting down and waiting until someone came. Ricky was still processing the fact she was touching his shoulder before she started to talk.
"I, uh, don't do hospitals. As you know, I moved around a lot because of my mom and her thing for going after national disasters and places of crisis. Well, as much as I've been on many planes and moved to different houses, I've probably spent more time in hospitals with my mom. Whenever I couldn't find a way home, I'd be at sites where she was or I'd be riding in the back of an ambulance with an injured person. I've seen people not come back from their injuries, Ricky. You think this is something you get used to but it probably gets worse every time."
Ricky looks at her the whole time she's talking, wanting her to know he's got her attention. When she's done, he softly smiles at her.
"It'll be okay, Gina. Hospitals freak me out too if that helps. I can't even tell you the number of times I've been here because of a stupid dare or a skateboard trick. And right now, it's just most likely a sprained wrist, which is nothing I can't come back from.
Gina softly laughs as he shares his experiences with her, "That does kinda help, Ricky."
"Plus," he adds on, "This is an ER. The worst you'll probably see is someone who's had really bad diarrhea." This comment makes Gina burst into laughter at how disgusting but true that could be. He joins her with laughter until he speaks again.
"I'll hold your hand if it makes you feel better," he suggests. Both of them, mostly Ricky, is surprised he even asked. Instead of declining like he thinks she will, Gina smiles and nods, holding out her hand, which Ricky responds to by basically shoving his hand into hers, hurting his wrist more in the process. Gina giggles at the small action and Ricky feels accomplished that he made her laugh again. Like he had always used to do. They both walked into the ER interlocked, giggling and talking as they sit down next to their friends who were still waiting.
Ashlyn texted the small group chat consisted of her, Red, and Carlos.
"It's finally happening!"