𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 [a rini au]

SEVENTY-TWO

          The prom after party was one of the most anticipated parties of the year. Considering the elite threw an iconic banger following junior prom the year prior, they were all determined to make the senior year after party one for the books. It would be held in a few rooms in Kingston Hall as parties often were, but it was weird to think that the master bedroom once belonging to Charlie Kingston was vacant. Every since his paralysis following the January accident, he had been back home in New York, attempting to recover and gain some feeling back in his lower half. The elite hadn't heard from him over the course of these past few months, and frankly, they had no idea if he'd be returning to Highland for graduation in three weeks. So, when everyone passed the master on the way to the denoted party rooms, the teens couldn't help but feel remnants of sorrow.

          Ricky had only been to one Academy party, it being the boys soccer opening night one that led him to a distraught Nini on the Kingston roof. He didn't drink or smoke, so he really didn't know how the prom after party would go over for him. He just hoped that he wouldn't lose Nini during the night. He would later learn that his fears were completely irrational.

          At the beginning of the party, Nini led Ricky straight to the drink selection. "Okay!" she clapped her hands, eyes trailing over what to conquer first. She grabbed two Truly lemonades and glanced up at Ricky. "I want you to try one of these."

          Ricky's heart fell to the pit of his stomach as the girl pushed the can to his chest. It's not that he was judgements of teenaged drinkers – he learned to grow out of that state overtime. But, he feared the consequences that could surface from getting too drunk. After all, Nini had shared her horror stories with him. Hell, she was just in an accident due to intoxicated choices. The last thing he wanted to do was drink too much, make a stupid decision, and potentially mess up the trajectory of his life. Maybe he was paranoid; he didn't know.

          "I–I don't know," the boy stammered, feeling embarrassed. "I've never...."

          Nini smiled innocently. "You're so cute," she gushed, tapping the can against his chest once more. "I promise you're not gonna jump off the roof from one sip."

          Ricky gulped, the pressure getting to him. At the same time, though, he knew Nini's accident helped her to learn some valuable lessons about drinking. She wouldn't put him in harms way after that night. One sip couldn't hurt. One drink couldn't hurt.

          He snagged the can from Nini, flipping open the cap and putting the drink to his lips. As the carbonation coursed down his throat, Ricky felt relieved, glad that he got his first sip out of the way. While Nini cheered him on, he couldn't help but feel excited. For that reason, he took another big sip, sighing pleasantly afterwards. "Party time!" Nini shrieked, throwing her hands in the air before pulling Ricky towards the center of the room.

It was bound to be an interesting night.

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