Your Secret's Safe With Me

Chapter 20: Chloe's Dance Show

**Time Skip* The whole week has gone by. Ricky's getting really bad grades again and has basically shoved himself in his own hole with no way out. He's even ignoring Ej. Nini's has a rough week too. She's staying quiet and has just buried herself in her work. She calls Finnick everyday just to here some random college story or something to get things off her mind. It's Friday now and Nini's walking around the halls after school*
Nini: *I walk over to the music room to deliver something to Mrs. Bowen*
Chloe: Nini?
Nini: Chloe? What are you doing here?
Chloe: we had a half day at school today so Jenn took me here for the rest of the day. She just went to the office I think
Nini: Oh, that's nice.
Chloe: I'm so happy to see you *I run up and hug you*
Nini: *I hug you back* I missed you too Chloe. I missed you a lot
Chloe: Ricky's a jerk! I can't believe what he did!
Nini: No, you don't need to say that about him. I-
Chloe: but he misses you a lot. He just locks himself in his room everyday. He doesn't even come out for dinner. He'll have me or someone bring it to him. He won't even see Red
Nini: Wow, I-I didn't know about that
Chloe: but I don't want to talk about Ricky right now. I'm so mad at him. He promised me he wouldn't hurt you
Nini: I'm sorry this hurt you too
Chloe: your my best friend Nini! *I hug you again*
Nini: *I hug back* You're my best friend too Chloe. I love you and I missed you
Chloe: I love you too. Oh my gosh! I've been meaning ask you something!
Nini: And what's that?
Chloe: So tomorrow at 2 o'clock, at my dance studio, we are showing what we've learned so far for our new dance and a few other dances. It's not like a full recital, but it's a little show for family and friends. Can you come?
Nini: *should I- yes... I love Chloe and want to be there for her* Of course! I'll make sure I'm there.
Chloe: really? Yay! I'm so excited
Nini: I'm so excited too! I've been waiting to see you perform
Chloe: I don't know if Ricky's coming. I haven't talked to him much this week. But seeing how he's been acting this week, he'll probably just stay in his room.
Nini: Oh, it's okay. I'll probably just go by myself
Chloe: okay. I'm just happy your coming. So why did you come in here? Are you looking for my step mom?
Nini: Oh, I'm her student aid. I was coming to deliver some papers for her.
Chloe: oh I can give them to her
Nini: No, it's okay. I got it Chloe.
Chloe: okay. I can't wait for you too see my dance!
Nini: I can't wait! Bye Chloe!
Chloe: bye Nini!
Nini: *I walk to the office and see Jenn walking out* Mrs. Bowen?
Jenn: Oh- hi Nini
Nini: Um here are some papers I picked up for you *I hand over the papers*
Jenn: oh, thank you Nini. Hey, I'm so sorry about everything. Ricky won't talk to me but Chloe told me what happened
Nini: Yeah, it's been really difficult
Jenn: I apologize for his actions if he hasn't already. I can't believe he did that. He really does care for you. I hadn't seen him that comfortable with himself, well, ever
Nini: Yeah, I noticed that. I really do care for him. And you don't need to apologize for his actions. He tried but I- I was tired of being hidden from everyone. I know it's not okay for me to push him but I just couldn't handle it anymore
Jenn: no, I think it's good that you pushed him. He needed it. I just hope he'll realize exactly what hurt you. I think he knows but doesn't want to admit it to himself yet
Nini: I do too, I really do miss him. Well, I'm sorry to bother you,  I just needed to get you those papers
Jenn: thank you. Well, have a good night Nini
Nini: You too. Tell Mike I say hello as well
Jenn: will do, bye
Nini: Bye bye *I walk out*

**Time Skip* It;s the next day, Saturday, the day of Chloe's show. Nini runs to the store to get Chloe some flowers then heads to the dance studio.*
Nini: *I walk into the dance studio* *Where do I go? I don't see Chlo- Oh my god he's here*

Ricky: *Is that- oh my god, what is she doing here? How did she- Chloe. She probably doesn't want to talk to me.*
Jenn: *leaves Mike and Ricky and walks to Nini* Nini! Hi! What are you doing here?

Nini: Oh, hi. Um, Chloe invited me. Yesterday at school I ran into her and she told me to come so I decided to show up. I hope this is okay with you, I don't mean to intrude in anyway in some sort of family thing. She just wanted me to come and I just couldn't say no.
Jenn: no, of course! Chloe always talks about you. I'm glad you came for her
Nini: Yeah of course. I'd do anything for her. And I promised I'd come to one of her shows
Jenn: well, there's a seat by us, but I'd understand if you don't want to sit there.
Nini: No it's fine. I can sit over there
Jenn: okay well let's head over, it's about to start
Nini: Okay *I walk over and sit down next to Mrs. Bowen (Ricky's a few seats down)*
Ricky: *do I say something? I've tried so hard not to get in her way this week*
Nini: *Do I just like, not say anything? Do I say hi to Mike? Do I say hi to him? W-what am I supposed to do?*