Chapter Text
It was a cold night when the Wildcats gathered in Ashlyn’s living room for movies and a sleepover. They had all been so busy lately and had little time to hang out outside of rehearsal so Carlos and Ashlyn had demanded everyone clear their schedules and come over for a night of fun and relaxation.
After devouring almost five pizzas, the group sprawled out. Carlos and Seb were cuddled into a loveseat while Nini and Kourtney took up half of the couch. Ricky, Big Red and Ashlyn were spread out on the floor with various pillows and blankets. EJ had taken a spot next to Kourtney on the end of the couch and Gina sat next to Nini on the other end.
Their first movie, some romcom chosen by Carlos, was spent mostly gossiping and eating and by the end, a few of the Wildcats got up to stretch or use the bathroom.
With Kourtney and Nini now rummaging around in the kitchen, EJ stole a glance at Gina who was listening to whatever Big Red was rambling on about. She smiled at the boy and when she laughed, EJ tore his gaze away from her. Gina was absolutely stunning and EJ had been caught too many times as of late staring at her.
Once Gina’s conversation ended with Big Red, she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her cheek on them as she looked over at EJ.
“Whatcha thinking about, Eej?”
“Oh, uh, you know, very important things… as usual.”
He grinned and Gina laughed.
“Like what?”
“Like what I could steal from Ashlyn’s secret snack cabinet.”
Ashlyn shouted from the kitchen, “Touch it and you die!”
EJ laughed and when he turned his gaze back to Gina, she was smiling fondly at him.
He smiled back and she quickly looked away and cleared her throat, “I’m, uh, going to change into something more comfortable. It’s freezing down here.”
She hopped up and hurried upstairs.
EJ tried not to miss her, wandering into the kitchen to see if his cousin actually needed help with anything.
Eventually, they all began to get settled for the second movie and EJ returned to find Kourtney and Nini had shifted to the end of the couch, leaving the other half wide open. Neither looked at him but he noticed devious smiles on their faces as they very obviously pretended to look at something on Nini’s phone.
He sighed and sat on the other end, assuming Gina would want to be next to the girls.
“Wait, where’s Gina?” Big Red asked from the floor.
“I’m here!”
Gina came rushing in and she plopped down in the empty seat on the couch, bringing the quilt from her bed with her.
No one seemed to pay her much attention but EJ’s heart was pounding in his chest.
She had changed into light grey sweatpants and fuzzy socks, accompanied by his royal blue Duke sweatshirt. Gina adjusted the blanket over her legs and smiled up at him as the second movie started. This time, it was a dramatic thriller and EJ struggled to pay attention.
At first, Gina had angled her body towards Kourtney and Nini but when the two best friends cuddled up together, Gina shifted and turned so her bent knees were facing him. Worried about her having enough room, EJ tossed his arm over the back of the couch and stretched his long legs out to rest on a stack of spare pillows Ashlyn had gathered earlier.
Although he was wearing sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt, EJ felt himself shiver (it was still winter in Salt Lake City, after all) and Gina was quick to gently cover his legs with part of her blanket.
He smiled down at her and whispered, “Thanks.”
By the second half of the movie, EJ had finally gotten into the plot. It wasn’t until it was close to the end that he realized how close Gina was to him. Her still bent knees were brushing against his thigh and her shoulder was resting against his ribcage. His arm was still draped over the back of the couch and although his fingers started to get a little numb, he refused to move.
Being this close felt good, it felt right…
Wait, the movie is over. What happened?
Once again, a few of the Wildcats got up to stretch but Gina didn’t.
In fact, she fully relaxed into the back of the couch, her head landing on EJ’s shoulder. After taking a brief glance around and noticing no one was paying them any mind, EJ held his breath and brought his arm down, curling it around Gina’s neck so he could use both hands to respond to his water polo group chat.
Gina seemed content to lay against him and watch whatever he was doing on his phone and EJ assumed she could feel his heart still pounding in his chest.
The third movie was a classic animated film, intended to be the one everyone falls asleep to and Gina pulled the blanket up to tuck under her chin. EJ sat up slightly to adjust the cushion behind him and when he sat back, Gina came with him, resting even more against his chest.
He kept his arm around her, laying his hand next to her hip and it was her turn to whisper, “Goodnight, Eej.”