Chapter Text
Ricky bowen was currently sitting in the front row of the auditorium with a huge audience surrounding him. Gina had invited him and Nini to watch her performance, but Nini couldn't make it due to a last minute zoom meeting with the principle of Y.A.C. She would be finding out whether she would be accepted or not to the prestigious boarding school, so she politely declined Gina's invite. Ricky dressed nicely in a suit and tie. (He may have been a little overdressed, but what does he know? This is his first time attending a recital.) He also held a bouqet of red, pink, and white roses. He didn't want to show up to his friend's performance without some sort of gift. He saw many people holding flowers and assumed that's the right thing to give to a dancer.
As he sat there, he found it hard to keep still for the anticipation of watching Gina shine on that stage was enormous. His knee bounced up and down as he watched different groups of dancers of all ages dance across the stage. They were all great, but he was waiting for someone in particular.
They finally announced Gina. She elegantly entered the stage as the spotlight glorified her gorgeous red sparkling costume. The beautiful, shimmering dress cascaded down her legs as she began the routine. When Ricky first saw Gina, his eyes widened as he stared at her in awe. He can't believe how beautiful she looks. He always found her pretty, but it was something about the way the light shines on her that makes her seem like a star glimmering in the night sky. Ricky had expected Gina to do some sort of hip hop dance with a group, but he didn't expect her to perform a lyrical dance.
As she gracefully leaped and spun around moving her body in ways most would think is impossible, Ricky was in a trance. He couldn't take his eyes off her. The way she dances is almost hypnotizing and he was definitely amazed. Her facial expressions and the way she gives her all in the choreography expresses so much emotion as if her movements are telling a story. It's like her and the music are one and she simply moves along with it, letting her body collide with the essence of the song and the feelings they convey. She is absolutely stunning. As soon as she finished and bowed, Ricky was the first one to stand up and start clapping. Soon, the whole audience was on their feet giving Gina a standing ovation. Gina made eye contact with Ricky and smiled, not expecting him to show up.
She thought since Nini wasn't coming, he wouldn't come either, but seeing him there made her extremely happy. When she exited the stage they announced that the recital was now over. Ricky stood up from his seat and looked all around for Gina. He found her near the exit talking to Ashlyn and her parents. He raced towards her picking her up by the waist and hoisting her up in the air. Gina screamed not expecting it, then laughed when she noticed it was Ricky. When he placed her back down she faced him.
"Gina...you were incredible." He picked up the flowers he accidentally dropped when picking her up, and handed them to her.
She beamed, recieveing the flowers and thanked him. "Thank you so much Ricky, and thanks for coming!"
Ashlyn's mom tapped Gina's shoulder and asked if she was ready to leave. "Oh um-"
"Is it okay If I drop her off?" Ricky asks them interrupting Gina.
"Oh okay, that's fine."
They waved good-bye and Ashlyn gave Gina a big hug, complimented her once more before leaving with her family.
"I knew you were an amazing dancer, but I didn't know you were THAT good. I've never seen you dance like that before."
"Thanks. I do all types of dance: hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, salsa, ballet, modern, and tango."
"Woah, you can tango too?! Is there anything you can't do?"
"I can't play guitar like you."
"Wanna make a deal?"
"That depends on what it is."
"I'll teach you how to play guitar, if you teach me how to tango."
Gina laughs, "Sure, let's do it."
"Really?!" Ricky replies excitedly, not expecting her to agree.
"Yeah, it'll be fun."
"Yes!" Ricky exclaims a little too loud making people stare at him.
Ricky becomes embarrassed and whispers to Gina, "You ready to go?"
"I just need to grab my bag from the dressing room and change, I'll be right back."
Gina returns in 2 minutes completely dressed in a casual outfit with her bag ready to go.
"Wow, that was fast. How'd you do it?" He asks as they make their way out of the auditorium and to his car.
"In recitals, when I have to perform many dances and one is close to the other, I have to do a quick change, where I change super fast into the next costume."
"Is it hard?" They both hop into his car, and he pulls out of the parking lot, heading to Ashlyn's house where Gina now lives also.
"No, not really. It was at first, but I've had a lot of practice."
"Is it okay if I play a song?"
"Of course, it's your car."
Ricky pulls up the song, beauty and the beast, and Gina shakes her head. "Really, Ricky?"
"What? We have to practice the songs if we're gonna be the leads." He says winking at her.
"Boy please, I know every song by heart."
"Then sing along."
They sung songs from beauty and the beast, laughed and enjoyed each others company all the way to her house.
"Hey, before you go...when is your next recital?"
"Um, next week, why?"
"I'll be there."
"Really? You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"I'd love to be there. You're an amazing dancer Gina, and I love watching you. I'll try to make it to all your recitals and competitions, if you're fine with it."
"I'm totally fine with it." She replies smiling at him.
"Well, you better get going, you don't want them to get worried about you."
"Alright, bye. I'll see you tomorrow, Ricky."
"Bye, Gi...wait- what's happening tomorrow?"
"Your first dance lesson." She says with a smirk as she saunters away and into her house.
"I can't wait." Ricky whispers to himself as he watches her walk away, wishing for just a few more minutes with her. He already misses her presence.