Chapter Text
“How long does it take for straight people to unpack?” Carlos asks as he throws one of Ricky’s shirts from his suitcase at the curly haired boy.
Carlos (against his better judgement) had decided to spend New Year’s Day with a few of his friends. Since January 1st had fallen on a Friday the students of East High had a few more days of freedom before having to return to school for the next semester. As a result the Wildcats had decided to spend the weekend doing various group activities and somehow Carlos was with Ricky, Big Red, and Jet playing video games until he joined the girls tonight for a sleepover. However, because Ricky had been in Chicago for most of Winter Break and his dad had gone on a trip with Miss Jenn, there were no snacks for them to eat. Jet and Big Red had gone to the convenience store for some food and Ricky and Carlos had decided to unpack Ricky’s stuff to kill time.
“Hey, cut me some slack. I’ve been back for maybe 48 hours and I was busy for most of them,” Ricky defended himself.
“Right. Super busy. It’s not like you were spending most of that time watching movies with Gina, before you went to a party,” Carlos sarcastically responded.
Ricky shot a glare at his friend, “I just spent two weeks away from the person I love most in the whole world. As I recall you spent like four days with Seb when we got back from Shallow Lake.”
“There’s a difference in our situations Ricky,” Carlos said as he tossed a pair of folded socks into Ricky’s drawer, “I didn’t have a phone during those two weeks. You and Gina FaceTimed everyday.”
Ricky rolled his eyes as they continued working. Soon the suitcase was empty and Ricky placed it in the back of his closet. As Ricky was doing so Carlos noticed a plastic bag on the side of the bed. “What’s this bag?”
“That’s what I kept everyone’s gifts in while I was traveling,” Ricky replied.
Carlos picked up the bag and felt a little heft in it. “Did you not give everyone there gifts?” Carlos asked.
“Of course I did. Why do you ask?”
“Because there’s something still in the bag,” Carlos answered.
At that Ricky went wide eyed, “Carlos put down the bag!”
“Why? What’s in it?” Carlos asked now intrigued.
“Nothing! At the very least nothing that concerns you. Now put it down,” Ricky commanded as he tried to swipe the bag out of Carlos’s hand.
Carlos looked at his friend and while he could see the desperation in Ricky’s eyes, Carlos’s curiosity and love for drama won out. Carlos reached in the bag and pulled out a small velvet box, “Oooo, did you get Gina another gift even though she told you not to?”
“Carlos, I’m serious, give me the box,” Ricky said forcefully. “I’m going to give you to the count of Five…One.”
“Oh come on.”
“Two.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Three.”
“Are they earrings to go with the ‘R’ necklace you got her?”
“Four.”
Before Ricky could get to five, Carlos opened the box. Seeing what was inside Carlos let out a shriek and quickly shut the box and tossed it on the bed as if it had bitten him. Ricky closed his eyes and hung his head in defeat.
“Ricky…please tell me I need a new glasses prescription and I didn’t see what I think I saw.”
“You must need a prescription for your glasses because you didn’t see what you think you saw,” Ricky says half heartedly.
Carlos looks at his friend, “So if I open that box again I’m not going to see-“
“Carlos-“
“-an engagement ring?”
Ricky slams his door shut, “Can you keep your voice down? What if Jet and Big Red heard?” Ricky asks panicked.
“Please they’ll be arguing over getting Sour Patch Kids or Gummy Worms for at least five more minutes. Spill Richard.”
Ricky looks at Carlos with an awkward half grin, “It’s not what you think?”
Carlos looks at Ricky and accusatorially asks, “So it’s not for Gina?” Ricky avoids eye contact as he rubs the back of his head. “Oh. My. God!”
“Carlos stay calm.”
“‘Stay Calm?’ How? You haven’t even been 18 for six months. Gina just turned 17. You two have only been dating for four months. You two aren’t ready for this. More importantly, I’m not ready for this. Wait,” Carlos stops as he turns to Ricky with a panic stricken face, “Is Gina pregnant?”
“What? No! Of course not!”
Carlos lets out a sigh of relief as he takes a seat on Ricky’s mattress. After taking a minute to compose himself Carlos asks, “Why do you have an engagement ring?”
Ricky takes a moment himself before sitting next to his friend, “Honestly, I don’t know. I know that’s not an answer but really I don’t know. One second I’m getting Gina that ‘R’ necklace the next I’m leaving the Jewelry store with it and an engraved ring.”
“It’s engraved?” Before Carlos can reach for the box to read the inscription Ricky grabs it.
“Whether it’s engraved or not it’s none of your business. So,” Ricky stands and looks at Carlos, “You will tell no one about this. Are we clear?”
“Ricky-“
“No. No one can know about what you’ve seen Carlos. Promise me on the thing most sacred thing you own. Promise me on your HSM poster that’s been autographed by all the original cast,” Ricky says with all seriousness.
Carlos sighs, “I swear on my HSM poster, I won’t tell anyone about the ring. On one condition,” Ricky looks at his friend with curiosity, “That you promise me you aren’t planning on using that ring for a long, LOOOONNNG time. Promise me on your guitar and your skateboard.”
Ricky smiles at his friend, “I promise on my guitar, my skateboard, AND the hat Gina knitted for me.”
“Good,” Carlos says relieved.
“Good. Now come on, I’ll let you pick the first game we play,” Ricky says as he places the box on his shelf in his closet before leaving the room.
Carlos can’t help but think this is going to be a long few day.