Chapter Text
The worst part about kissing Ricky Bowen was that now all Gina could think about was doing it again. When the cast and premiere audience filed back into the auditorium, when they played the trailer and first episode, when they were all rushed to the center of the stage to take a cast photo – all she could think was Ricky’s lips, Ricky’s hands, Ricky’s smile, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky.
She had almost convinced herself that she must be dreaming, because for the second time Gina had poured her heart out to Ricky, and instead of letting her go again, Ricky had stopped her. She could still feel the burning sensation through her sleeve where he had gripped her elbow, could still hear his soft voice telling her to wait buzzing through her ears. And then he kissed her – and oh no, she was thinking about kissing him again.
It was made that much worse when they had to pretend everything was normal while the cast and cameras were around, especially when she could see Ricky shooting her glances from across the stage, and she was sure her cheeks were perpetually red throughout the entire screening.
As they gathered in the middle of the stage and were arranged as a group to account for the heights of some of the cast members and also for – the camera man’s words not Gina’s – maximum drama potential, Gina’s heart thrilled when she was placed beside Ricky.
Ricky didn’t say anything, only shot her a smile that could thaw the iciest of hearts (and Gina’s heart was positively melting), his eyes vibrant and happy. Gina was sure her smile looked just as goofy, and she cleared her throat and glanced back at the camera after the photographer demanded all eyes look to the front.
“Everyone huddle closer,” the photographer called out, gesturing his hands to indicate he wanted the edges to push in.
Ricky, being on the corner, shifted closer, his chest pushing into her right shoulder, and Gina was sure flames were licking up through her throat, igniting her cheeks and ears at the sensation. Then, like Ricky was actively trying to kill her, she felt his hand brush down her spine and press into the small of her back – her two-piece outfit doing nothing to separate the pressure of his hand from her skin – and Gina felt weak at the knees, her mouth running dry, her heart pounding through her ribcage, shivering in the excitement of his touch.
“Cold?” Ricky lowly whispered, a teasing tone in his words as he dragged his fingertips up her spine once more before settling his hand in place again.
“Shut up,” Gina whispered back, with no real heat.
But it truly felt like his hand belonged there, when she looked past the rush of emotions scrambling her thoughts. All she could think to herself was, this, this is how she was supposed to feel. She was excited and elated and buzzing at Ricky’s touch. This was what she was missing all summer – that spark.
After a few photos were taken and Corbin and the photographer were satisfied, they were allowed to go their separate ways – first being reminded about the cast afterparty. Ricky pulled back and Gina immediately missed the warmth of his presence. They all filed out of the auditorium, chatting excitedly amongst each other.
Despite the initial shock of the trailer, they were all excited about the documentary. Gina had already seen her Instagram and Tiktok followers rising over the last couple weeks since the livestream, and she’d had a few people come up to her at the mall and ask if she was from the show.
It was new territory, and Gina wasn’t sure how she felt about it yet, but she did have to give credit where credit was due – the documentary had put her and the rest of the cast members in the spotlight, just like it promised it would.
She was just about to step outside and find the car Disney had sent for her – her own town car! – when she felt someone grip her wrist from behind and gently tug her backwards. Turning around, already half expecting who it would be, Gina saw Ricky and his goofy smile. Butterflies erupted at the sight of him once again – she truly would have to learn how to control that response around him, because being that wired all the time was surely bad for her health.
“Hey, can we talk for a minute?” Ricky asked, nudging his head in the direction of an empty greenroom attached to the backstage area.
Gina let herself be pulled there and waited for the click of the door behind them before she allowed her emotions to take control and charged at Ricky, planting her hands on his shoulders and pushing herself up to smack another kiss onto his lips.
Ricky emitted a muffled sound of surprise, before he leaned further into the kiss, taking her face in his hands, and angling her head for easier access. They stayed caught up in each other for a minute or so, Gina having slid her hands from his shoulders to his chest, and ultimately wrapping her arms around his middle, wanting to be as close as possible, both pressing into each other as tightly as they could, as if being separated would suck the life force from them.
Eventually they had to pull apart, both gasping for air, staring at each other with heated looks and flaming cheeks.
Ricky started laughing breathily, shifting his hand to swipe his thumb under her bottom lip, his touch addicting, as he whispered, “I smudged your lipstick.”
“You could do it again,” Gina responded, her lips tingling with anticipation.
“Don’t tempt me,” Ricky's voice came out strained and throaty, and he shifted his hands to grip her upper arms, swaying toward her like restraining himself was the worst form of torture he could endure, “But we really should talk.”
“Okay,” Gina nodded, arms around him squeezing him once before she pulled away.
“So…”
“So?”
The awkwardness now set in, unsure what to say after practically sucking each other’s faces off for the last few minutes. They both laughed again, and Gina watched with fondness as Ricky wiped his hands on his suit pants, his nervousness apparent.
“What – what do you want to do?”
“What do you mean?”
Ricky took one of Gina’s hands, brushing his thumb over her palm, a gesture soft and sweet that it made Gina’s heart soar, “I mean, I want to be your boyfriend. I have wanted to be your boyfriend for a long time. But I also only want what you want.”
Gina’s heart was not only soaring but doing somersaults through the air at the term ‘boyfriend’, and she tightened her grip on Ricky’s hand, intertwining her fingers, “I want to be your girlfriend too.”
“Oh, thank God,” Ricky rushed out in a breath of relief, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a kid on Christmas day. He brought their hands to his face to press a kiss on Gina’s fingers, and her heart stuttered again, surely about to collapse in her ribcage and cease to beat again.
“But what about…everything else?” Gina asked, suddenly feeling worry seep into her.
“What else?”
“Our friends, the documentary… do we tell them?” Gina asked, unsure herself what she wanted, “I mean, I’m already getting heaps of recognition online and in person – you probably are too. I don’t want this show, or anyone else’s opinions to ruin this for us.”
“I don’t want that either,” Ricky nodded, determination coloring his features, “So, screw them. No one has to know.”
“You want to keep it a secret?”
“I don’t need to tell the whole world I’m in love with you to know that I am,” Ricky’s eyes never left hers as he said it, and for the first time that afternoon, Gina felt calm settle in her bones. Ricky Bowen was in love with her, just like she was in love with him. It was all she needed. She could tell the world when she was ready.
So, Gina stepped forward, a teasing tilt in her smile as she said, “It might be kind of fun anyway, keeping it a secret.”
“Yeah?” Ricky grinned back, an adoring look in his eye, raising his free hand to rest it on the side of her neck, his thumb lightly pressing into her throat.
“No one will know but us – it’s exciting,” Gina responded, brushing their noses together, hovering her lips over his, relishing in the small gasp of anticipation Ricky let out, before ultimately breaking away from him and making her way to the door, “We better get going to the cast party!”
“Tease!” Ricky called after her with a laugh, jogging to catch up with her.
*
If Ricky thought sitting across the stage from Gina was torture at the premiere, then this cast party must be his own form of personal hell. He was happy to keep their relationship secret, at least for a little while, while the cameras were always on them, and the dynamic in their friend group was a little rocky. And Gina was right, it was pretty exciting knowing something the rest of world didn’t and keeping her all to himself.
But it was so hard when Gina looked as good as she did, stunning and happy and glowing, dancing with Kourtney and Ashlyn in that amazing two-piece, and all he could do was sit and watch. He wanted to march up there and spin her around, and have her laugh at his atrocious dance moves, and have his arms around her.
He took a gulp from his cola.
“Hey…” Carlos sidled up beside him, following his line of sight to the woman of Ricky’s dreams, “Still pining over her?”
Ricky almost laughed, because he was, but for entirely different reasons than earlier that summer, “You could say that.”
“It’ll get better,” Carlos awkwardly patted his shoulder, and Ricky could only think to himself that he wasn’t sure how much better it could get than Gina being his girlfriend.
He abruptly turned to Carlos, a grin lighting up his features, “Hey, let’s dance with the girls.”
Hesitating at the unexpected look on Ricky’s face, Carlos drawled, “Are you sure you want to do that to yourself?”
“Come on!”
He dragged Carlos into the middle, and the girls yelled their greetings over the pumping music, Gina immediately catching Ricky’s eye with a sparkle in her own. She looked even more beautiful now than she did at the premiere, the heat and slick of the dancefloor causing her skin to glisten, her curls frizzing slightly in a way that Ricky thought was adorable. He smiled at her over the heads of the girls and Carlos and pulled the most shoddy dance moves he could muster to make her laugh.
And laugh she did, her hand smacking into her mouth, shaking her head at him. She pushed her way over, and over the chatter of the rest of the group shouted, “You have got to let me teach you some better moves.”
“Please, I am a man in dire need,” Ricky replied, grinning at her, finding it impossible to hide the admiration on his features. Hopefully the others wouldn’t notice.
“You can say that again,” Gina shook her head, feigning exasperation.
She grabbed both his hands, and started swaying them back and forth, instructing him on where his feet should go, and scolding him when he looked down at them too much. He realized belatedly that the last few dances he’d been to had been emotionally draining and just plain exhausting, but for the first time in ages Ricky was having fun just dancing and letting loose. It helped that Gina was there, looking at him with an adoration Ricky was pinching himself over, the neon lights of the dance floor painting her skin and adding to the ethereal image Ricky already had of her.
Ricky shifted the hold he had of Gina’s hands just slightly, brushing his thumbs over her wrists and gently pressing them into her pulse points, relishing in the goosebumps he could raise on her skin at a simple touch, at the way her heartrate picked up when he occasionally stroked his thumbs across her veins.
She moved infinitesimally closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear, “Stop that before I kiss you right here.”
“Is that a threat?” Ricky responded, ducking his head to meet her gaze, cheesy grin spreading across his face.
Gina shook her head is amusement, breaking their grip and playfully pushing at his chest, raising her voice for the rest of the group to hear, “Go dance with your bro Carlos. I’m dancing with my girls.”
“I object to being called bro by anyone other than Ricky,” Carlos interjected, an accusing finger pointed at Gina.
Gina only poked her tongue out, and marched over to Ashlyn and Kourtney again, throwing her arms around them and joining them in shout singing the song that was pumping over the speakers.
Carlos grabbed Ricky’s hands in Gina’s stead, and they started swaying around like idiots to the upbeat tune playing. After a moment of laughing together and Carlos roasting Ricky’s dance moves, he lowered his voice and commented, “You two looked cozy.”
“Yeah,” Ricky nodded, neither confirming nor denying anything, “She’s in a good mood today.”
Warmth bubbled in Ricky’s stomach when he reminded himself that he was the reason why.
“Okay,” Carlos accepted the comment, but Ricky could sense the skepticism in his words. He’d have to be careful around Carlos – he was too perceptive for his own good.
But Ricky was a simple man, with simple needs, so he couldn’t help glancing over at Gina again, and his face broke out into a grin when he noticed Gina already looking his way. Everything about him felt light and airy and fresh, and he wanted to freeze the moment in time, to stay this way with Gina and his friends forever.
Carlos burst out, “Oh, I am missing something. You better spill the beans.”
“Nothing happened!” Ricky laughed, but he barely sounded convincing.
Carlos only shook his head, a tut of disbelief escaping his mouth. “I will find out.”
“Good luck with that, bro.”
“Stop saying that in public, or it will start spreading!”
“Too late, bro!” Gina called out from the crowd, and the rest of the group burst into laughter.
Yeah, this was the best day of Ricky’s life.
*
It had been a week since the premiere, and there was another week before the new school year was starting up, and for the first time in Gina’s life, she felt like everything was stable and good. And she was so happy.
That’s how she felt, snuggled up against Ricky on her bed, lying under way too many blankets for the heat of summer, her arm thrown across his stomach and head resting on his shoulder. They were watching High School Musical 2, because Ricky still hadn’t seen it the whole way through, and it seemed like an appropriate summer movie.
And Gina truly felt like she was on cloud nine as Ricky absentmindedly twirled the baby hairs at her neck around his finger, little sparks of electricity shooting through her every time his fingers brushed against her skin. He was so cozy, she felt like she could fall asleep if it weren’t for Ricky’s endless commentary through mouthfuls of popcorn.
“Sharpay is such a menace. Look at her using the Star Dazzle Awards show as a way to get close to Troy. He has a girlfriend!”
“You say that as if that wasn’t literally you last year,” Gina retorted.
“Hey, I’ve grown as a person! I didn’t once mess with your relationship with that man, even though he sucked all summer and I was suffering with what I thought was the most soul destroying one sided crush of my life.”
“I know,” Gina snuggled into him further, warm, and giddy over his admission of liking her so much even though she already knew, “You were the best.”
“Were the best?”
“Are the best,” Gina amended, shifting her head to catch his gaze, and he beamed at her, leaning down to steal a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. Gina hummed in delight when they broke apart and settled her head back onto his chest.
Ricky leaned down and continued to pepper kisses along her hairline and forehead, and Gina giggled at his sappiness, “Ricky, you’re tickling me! And you’re missing the Troyella pool date, only the most romantic date in D-Com history.”
“Please – Troy was hours late and they’ve literally just been interrupted by their boss,” Ricky scoffed, the hand initially playing with her hair now moving down to draw circles between her shoulder blades. Gina shivered at his touch as he kept talking, “I could do better than that.”
“Oh yeah?” Gina responded, disbelief coloring her tone, “I don’t believe you.”
“Hey, you wouldn’t know! We haven’t even been on a date yet.”
“Exactly,” Gina tutted, “I’m starting to think you’re never going to take me on one.”
“It’s only been a week! And I’ll have you know I’ve been trying to plan the most romantic first date I can possibly think of. Red’s been helping. You’ll see.”
The warmth that had been cradled within her heart all week expanded outwards through her body, and she hid her face in his chest, almost squealing in excitement. Eventually, she muttered with no real malice, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Fine!” Ricky laughed, nudging her side, “You and me, Friday night. We’re getting our first date on. I bet I’ll knock the socks off those low expectations.”
Gina beamed up at him, tangling their legs together and relishing in the fact that she could do this now – be close to him, and touch him, and hold him, and tease him, and go on dates with him. She was so excited; she could barely form words.
“Well, I don’t have many first dates to compare it to,” Gina mused, “But if I don’t get the same rush I feel watching the Troyella pool scene, then you’ve failed.”
“I won’t fail,” Ricky scoffed.
“Oh, really?”
“I’ve seen the way you look at me after we kiss. Imagine what a whole date’s worth will do to you,” Ricky teased.
Gina sat up, playfully slapping his chest, “You act like you don’t become the world’s clumsiest man alive when I walk into a room in an outfit you like.”
“Touché,” Ricky laughed, using her sitting position to wrap his arms around her properly, bumping their noses together like the absolute dork he was, “And that’s why I can’t wait to take you out. I’ve got to restore my rep somehow.”
“No, your reputation is forever ruined for me now,” Gina felt her eyes creasing with her growing smile, just feeling so elated and so happy, “I see you for what you are: a romantic.”
“You caught me,” Ricky whispered, leaning up to kiss between Gina brows, on her temple, on her nose, and finally on her lips - her heart thumping with each press of his lips. He kissed her again and again - the first few featherlight, before he deepened it further, shifting forward and slowly pressing her back into the headboard. Gina’s mind was in shambles, her heart pounding in her chest, but one thought reigned above the rest: I could kiss Ricky forever.
“Hey!” Gina heard her mom call out from the foyer, “Keep those kisses PG, thank you!”
They sprang apart, pupils blown wide and ragged breaths mingling with each other’s. After a moment of staring at each other, embarrassed giggles escaped them. Gina liked seeing Ricky stare at her like that – like he didn’t have a single thought in his brain but her.
“Sorry, mom!” Gina called back, returning to her position with her head on Ricky’s chest, and he settled back with her, humming happily under his breath.
Speaking softer, for only Ricky to hear, Gina said, “Well if the date makes me feel anything like that, I think we have a winner.”