"that was exhausting." gina sighed as the group all entered the pizza shop.
"seriously, i don't think you guys get the point of laser tag," carlos told ricky and nini as they took a seat at a booth.
"he's the one who started shooting me whenever he could." nini said, glaring at the boy
ricky shrugged his shoulders, failing to hide his smirk "i'm sorry you suck at laser tag."
nini rolled her eyes "i'm going to go order some food."
"i'll come with you," ashlyn says as she gets up and makes her way towards the counter with nini
"hello girls!" big red's mom beams at them
"hi mrs red," ashlyn smiles
"the usual order for all of you right?" she asks, taking a piece of paper and placing it on the kitchen window
"yes please." nini said
"alright, excuse me," the woman smiled as she walked past them and towards a table to take an order.
"so," ashlyn begins "you okay?"
nini puts on a smile "oh yes, being stuck with ricky in a laser tag game is definitely my idea of an ideal afternoon."
ashlyn chuckles "neens, why do you hate the guy so much?"
nini shrugged her shoulders, not noticing the boy pass them to go to the restroom
"he's just annoying and frustrates me." nini answers "can we talk about something else?"
"fine, we can talk about why you're skeptical about auditioning this year." ashlyn says
nini sighs "do we have to?"
"neens, you're an amazing singer! you'd get sandy with the snap of a finger," ashlyn reassured her
"it's not that." nini muttered, ashlyn raising her eyebrows
"what do you mean?"
nini looked around them and sighed "okay-fine. there's a kiss at the end..."
ashlyn looked at her in confusion for a few seconds before finally realizing what she meant
"you've never kissed anyone!"
"shhh!!"
"sorry!" ashlyn whispers "but-what about those times you went out with a few guys-"
"i never took it further obviously," nini replied before taking a deep breath "look, i don't want anyone to know - especially not him." she said in a low voice "promise you won't tell."
ashlyn nodded "of course i won't."
little did the two know that the curly-haired boy overheard the conversation from the wall behind them.