Chapter Text
It’s 3AM after their trip to Denny’s when Ricky finally drops Gina home. They giggle quietly on the front porch together, stealing kiss after kiss not wanting to let the night end.
“I should probably go.” Ricky says quietly when their lips part. He plays with the edge of his jacket that Gina wears over her dress.
“I’m keeping this.” Gina wraps the denim jacket tightly around herself.
“I’ll allow,” Ricky nods, “But I’m going to have to insist you return my hat first.”
Gina reaches into the inner pocket and takes out the knitted hat, placing it on Ricky’s head, pulling it down by the tassels.
“You really did grow into it.” Gina grins, still holding onto the hat.
“I told you I would.” Ricky edges closer and the pair get lost in another kiss.
Gina’s smile returns as they part once more. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep tonight. I’m too happy.”
Ricky laughs quietly, “I know exactly what you mean.”
“Can’t you stay?” Gina asks, “Hang out for a bit?”
Ricky throws his head back finding it hard to protest, “I shouldn’t, your mom might actually kill me if she finds me up there this late.”
“We can be quiet.” Gina tilts her head to the side, “And you can leave before my mom wakes up.”
Ricky still looks hesitant but Gina sticks her bottom lip out into a pout and whispers a soft, “Please.” Unable to resist, Ricky caves.
“I’ll meet you up there.”
Gina nods, putting her index finger to her lips, reminding Ricky to be quiet when he climbs up to her room. He mimics her shushing gesture before disappearing around the corner.
Gina quietly lets herself inside. She’s gently closing the door when she’s spooked by her mother.
“Mommy,” Gina spins around with her hand resting on her chest, her racing heart can be felt underneath her palm, “I didn’t think you’d be awake.”
“It’s well past curfew.” Terri states.
“I know, but I texted you,” Gina explains, “We were at Denny’s, I was with the drama club.”
“And Ricky?” Terri questions.
“He is part of the drama club.” Gina shifts nervously on her feet. “The Troy to my Gabriella.”
“Is he the reason you pulled that stunt at the press conference?” Terri folds her arms.
“It wasn’t a stunt.” Gina frowns.
“What about New Zealand?” Terri questions, “That was an incredible opportunity.”
“I don’t want to be away from home for that long.” Gina says matter of fact.
“You mean you don’t want to be away from Ricky.” Terri rolls her eyes.
“Why is that a bad thing?” Gina questions, “I still get to do the movie and I get to stay here in Salt Lake, be with Ricky and my friends. I found a way to have it all.“
“Ricky seems nice enough but, he’s a distraction.” Terri says simply.
“And Mack isn’t?” Gina scoffs.
“Mack is different,” Terri insists, “You’re both heading in the same direction, it makes more sense.”
“It makes zero sense,” Gina laughs, too frustrated to do anything else, “I don’t love Mack!”
“Gina, baby, I know Ricky feels like your entire world right now but you’re seventeen, you’re too young to understand love properly.”
“That’s crazy because I’ve been old enough to stay home and eat dinner by myself since I was nine, and I was old enough to live with a friend you’ve never even met for half my sophomore year,” Gina’s anger starts bubbling to the surface, “And I’m old enough to film a movie halfway across the world because some other more famous teenage boy will be there to look after me but I’m not old enough to understand love?”
“You don’t even know what you want,” Terri insists, “Homecoming last year, camp. You were this infatuated with EJ all of five minutes ago.”
Gina’s eyes glance at the stairwell for a moment before returning her gaze to her mother. She knows by now Ricky’s in her room and probably in earshot of this conversation if he hasn’t already left.
“Do you know what Homecoming and camp had in common?” Gina asks and answers, “Ricky was the one to drive me home when it all fell apart.”
“Fine, you love him. I can see that.” Terri says but Gina doesn’t believe her, “But don’t you think you deserve more than Ricky’s able to offer you?”
“What does that even mean?” Gina throws her arms out in a huff.
“When you told me about Ricky that night you said you’ve been waiting for him since homecoming.” Teri highlights.
“You clearly weren’t listening,” Gina sighs, “I told you it’s always felt like we could be something more, ever since he brought me home from the dance but our timings been off until this summer.”
“If he wanted to be with you, Gina he could have stepped up on Valentine’s Day instead of embarrassing you.” Terri says with a pointed stare and it feels like her intention is to hurt Gina. “He was the one the dropped the chocolates off that night. You were mortified when I sent you that text.”
Terri has succeeded in hurting her daughter but not in the way she intended.
“I know about the chocolates, mom. Ricky told me about it that night in the rain and do you know what my take away from this “big secret” you’re using to try hurt me is?” Gina wears a sad smile.
“I wasn’t trying to-“
Gina cuts in, “Even though Ricky had his own drama going on, he cared enough to make sure my valentines day didn’t suck completely.” Gina continues, “and it got weird for a second but it doesn’t matter that he didn’t sign the card. The chocolates he bought me were supposed to be from you. He didn’t want me to think you forgot about me, which you did.”
“Gina, I-“
She interrupts again, “Homecoming, Valentines Day, camp… these are just examples of times Ricky has shown up for me when someone else couldn’t.” Gina softens, “Would you have even come tonight, to the musical if the movie wasn’t being announced?”
“Of course I would have.” Terri frowns.
“Honesty, mommy I wish I could say I believe you, but I just don’t think you would have been there.” Gina’s eyes brim with tears. “You keep pushing me towards Mack because you think we’re more evenly matched and if we’re more of a match then I’m less likely to get hurt like you did when dad left.”
“Tread carefully.” Terri says angered.
Still, Gina continues, “Dad left because he couldn’t handle your drive, or independence and success. It’s not like that with Ricky, he supports me and he celebrates those qualities. You’ve encouraged greatness from me my whole life, and I’m tired of feeling like your love is contingent on my success.”
“Baby, I love you no matter what.” Terri says firmly.
“I know that. Deep down.” Gina nods, and a stray tear rolls down her cheek, “And I appreciate that you’ve taught me to be driven, independent and strong like you but there is a beauty in being vulnerable and letting people get close to you.”
“Maybe we should pick this conversation back up in the morning.” Terri clears her throat, clearly trying to stifle any tears threatening to spill.
“Okay.” Gina lets out a deep sigh, unsure if her mother will ever truly understand where she’s coming from.
“And Gina,” Terri says stopping Gina at the stairwell, “If he’s still up there, leave the door open.”
Gina gives her mom a surprised look but then her face falls again. Gina knows her mom would have said this like it was an olive branch, saying Ricky can stay but instead of taking it as a good thing, Gina’s upset that her mom would say all of those hurtful things about Ricky whilst she suspected he was in earshot.
Gina makes her way upstairs and into her room. She finds Ricky hugging a cushion at the end of her bed. He stands immediately once Gina comes into view.
“Did you hear much of that?” Gina is a mixture of worried and embarrassed.
“To think I thought I was starting to grow on her.” Ricky laughs half heartedly.
“I’m so sorry.” Gina apologises.
“Don’t be.” Ricky shakes his head, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop and I wasn’t sure if I should leave. I can go now, I just wanted to make sure you were okay first.”
“No, stay.” Gina insists, “She knows you’re up here, you’ll be safe tonight at least.”
“That’s surprising,” Ricky states.
“She knows she’s really upset me. She’ll be extra nice for a couple days, let me get away with a few things and when she feels like that equals to an apology she’ll stand by her own opinion,” Gina explains, “Then we’ll repeat the cycle.”
“Gi,” Ricky wears a sympathetic look.
“I’m tired now.” Gina brushes it off. “Can you unzip me so I can change?”
Gina points her back to Ricky and he assists with her dress, then he turns to face the opposite direction to can give her privacy, even as she changes behind the screen in her room.
Ricky feels awkward, not just because his girlfriend’s mom thinks he’s not worthy but because Gina’s upset and he doesn’t know how to make her feel better.
“You know,” Ricky pipes up, “If you’re ever looking for company at dinner, you can come over. Dad is a lousy cook but he’ll talk out your ear off.”
He’s met with silence and is worried he’s said something stupid in an attempt to make things lighter until Gina is ready to talk. He’s surprised when her arms wrap around him from behind, her head rests against his back.
“I’m so sorry you had to hear any of that.” Gina holds on tightly.
“Hey it’s okay,” Ricky says softly, and he gently holds onto her linked hands around his chest. “You had my back.”
Gina lets go of Ricky so he turns to face her.
“I love you.” Gina finds his gaze.
Ricky smiles genuinely, “I love you too.”
By now it’s nearly 4AM and Gina and Ricky climb into bed, pulling the covers over themselves. They face each other, neither saying a word. Gina’s eyes are glazing over as she fights off the exhaustion from the emotional roller coaster this never ending day has been, her soft sleepy smile is enough to release some of the hurt feelings Ricky was feeling about Terri’s negativity. He’s reminded there’s only one Porter’s opinion that truly means anything to him.