R I N I O N E S H O T S

EPISODE 4

Using his left foot to stop the skateboard he was currently balancing on, Ricky sighs as he bends down to pick it up, tucking his most prized possession safely under his arm whilst jogging up his front porch steps. He opens the door, the familiar smell of clean sheets and burning lavender welcoming him like a warm hug. He bops his head along to the music that was currently streaming through his earphones while untying his shoelaces and taking off his favourite denim jacket.

From all the way in the kitchen, Rickys dad calls, "Son? That you?".

Ricky takes off his shoes before making his way into the kitchen, passing the large mirror that hangs on the hallway wall. His nose is tinted red as well as his cheeks, it's getting colder out there.

"Hey dad" the teenage boy greets, his body moving in the direction of the fridge almost like muscle memory, probably because it's one of the first things Ricky does every day upon arriving home after school.

"Hi kiddo. You're gonna have to miss out on going to the skate park today, we're having a family meal" His dad informs him as he stirs whatever stew he's currently cooking up.

Creasing his eyebrows from confusion, Ricky twists his mouth in thought. Family dinner? They haven't had a proper family meal since his mom left for Chicago. The only meals Ricky and his dad have been having for the past few months have been from the pizza parlour a couple blocks away.

The boy barely had any time to question his dad before the front door open door again, a small ruckus followed closely behind.

Ricky glances over at his dad who's eyes are now filled with a nervous glaze. He moves away from the stove, wiping his sweaty hands on his washed out jeans.

"A little help please" an all too familiar voice calls from the hallway. Rickys feet move him faster than he thought was possible towards the door, a surprised smile appearing on his face when he sees his mom, struggling to carry in her suitcases.

"Mom!" He beams, racing towards her. With little to no effort- Ricky grabs the suitcases, shoving them off to the side before pulling her in for a bear hug, the two of them swaying from side to side a little as they both wear large smiles.

"Oh my baby! I missed you" she mumbles, her head resting on Rickys shoulder. "You grew!".

The two laugh at her comment, unwrapping from each other. Ricky stares at her a little longer, can't quite believing that she's finally home.

The tension rises a little when Rickys dad steps into the room, his parents having a stare off, small forced smiles tugging on their lips. Choosing to ignore it, Ricky continues to help his mom into the living room, asking her questions about Chicago as he does.

Ricky washes up for dinner. He changes into grey sweatpants and his red school hoodie with "east" written in white block letters. He grabs his phone off of his bed, replying to Carlos' text about rehearsals tomorrow and then makes his way back downstairs, slowing down on the last few steps when he hears his parents hushed voices talking about something he can't quite make out.

"Ricky! Come and set the table" his mom calls, making her way out into the hallway.

Ricky turns the corner as she's about to, almost causing them to bump into each other.

"Oh my god, you gave me a heart attack!" She yells, swatting him playfully with one hand while her other rests on her chest.

Ricky laughs it off, making his way into the conjoined dining room that he hasn't sat in for months. He used to use the table as a desk to do homework before his dad built him one in his bedroom and they used to eat meals in their all the time but things changed when Rickys mom got promoted at work and had to travel for meetings ect so she was never home to eat with them.