hello, goodbye, hello.

Chapter 7: Game Night

"Not a fucking red shell again!!" Ricky yelled "C'mon, give a guy a break!"

"Sorry Ricky." Big Red replied "A champ's gotta do what a champs's gotta do."

Big Red proudly held onto the title of Mario Kart Champion in a tournament between him and his best friend. Red had won every single race all night long and he wasn't about the give up now. The two had spent many afternoons in Big Red's basement, Ricky probably spent more time there than he did in his own home. At least, that's how it used to be.

Ever since Big Red and Ashlyn got together and he broke up with Nini, Ricky felt less than close with Red. Don't get him wrong, Ricky was incredibly happy for his best friend and he liked hanging out with Ashlyn, but he knew that being just about the only single person in his friend group meant that he would be spending a lot of time as a third wheel this summer. Ricky was secretly relieved that Ashlyn had some party to be at with her parents so he could have his bestie all to himself tonight.

"Welp, looks like I win, AGAIN." Red announced triumphantly. "Maybe try not being such a LOSER next time!"

Big Red held up an 'L' symbol with his hand to his forehead.

"At least you're humble." Ricky said sarcastically.

"Wanna go for another round?" Big Red asked.

"Naw man, I'm good."

"Little baby Ricky just doesn't wanna get his butt kicked again?? Aww poor Ricky" Red teased.

"No it's not that."

"Are you sure? Cause all I'm hearing is BACAWK BOK BOK BOK" Red said, doing a chicken impression. His jokes were always just above middle school level.

"No! knock it off Red! I just don't wanna play another fucking round, okay!" Ricky yelled and then instantly regretted it seeing the hurt in his friend's face.

"Ooookay. geez" Big Red said quietly, awkwardly shifting in the beanbag chair he was sitting in.

"No. Look. I'm sorry, Red, I-I've just got a lot on my mind right now, I shouldn't have blown up on you." Ricky apologized.

"All good." Big Red responded. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Ricky laid back on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, his friend sitting up straight now. Big Red's basement therapy was officially in session.

"It's just...a few weeks ago, after opening night of the show, Nini and I had written each other cards." Ricky recalled how he spent most of that night at a loss of words for his very-recent-ex girlfriend. "and when we read them, they both said almost the exact same thing."

"Well that makes sense," Red reasoned "You two were together for a super long time."

"Not helping."

"Sorry....sooo what's the problem then?"

"Well, it's like, Nini was the perfect person for me, right? Like everyone thought we were perfect for each other anyway. And when we read our cards, I knew deep down that I still loved her and she probably still loves me....it's just."

"Yeah?"

"I know...with Nini's music and how much we've both changed these past couple years...there's no way we'd ever get back together. And I know thats probably for the best..."

"No one said you have to get over Nini that fast...I think it makes sense that you would still feel-"

"But that's just it, Red, I am over Nini, like we're good friends and I'm good with that..."