Soon the six friends were once again gathered on the school rooftop gardens.

Ash had brought cushions and blankets for everyone, making the whole space much more cosy. Seb was cuddling with Carlos under a shared blanket, while the dark-haired boy was handing out potato chip packets.

Ricky had brought cups and drinks, and Big Red was the one who had a copy of the school keys from when he used to do tech for the school musicals.

Nini looked at all of them gratefully. "Thank you for coming everyone."

The curly haired boy next to her squeezed her hand as he held it. "We're always here for you, Neens."

Their friends all nodded and gave their assent as well, looking at her with some concern, but also looking open and curious to hear what she had to say. They were there to support her, that much was clear.

Her eyes watered at their obvious care for her, and Nini moved closer to them. Taking a deep breath, she began.

"First of all, I'm sorry about pulling away from all of you after Ricky and I broke up last year. With my song blowing up on social media, and just getting back from Denver and the YAC…everything was just really overwhelming."

"I'm sorry that I cut all ties with you guys and isolated myself, and I'm sorry that I still haven't really improved on that front until now." She looked at all of them intently, wanting to make sure they knew she was being sincere. "The truth is, a few days after the break up, my lola died."

Her voice broke a little as she mentioned her late grandmother and Ricky pulled her closer, his own heart breaking for her.

"I wanted to make things better this year, but almost two days after we came back to school…I was diagnosed with tinnitus." Nini swallowed thickly. "It's been pretty severe, it deteriorated my hearing, and my self-esteem. That's why I quit Drama Club. How can I sing or perform when I can't even hear myself?"

"Mama C and D were there for me though. They helped me get check-ups and some hearing coaching lessons." Nini closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. "But it didn't help. My hearing is still terrible, if not non-existent."

"I got sick after the coaching, and I didn't want to talk anymore because I was so tired of mishearing or not hearing people." She looked at all of her friends, especially at Ricky.

"My moms want me to transfer to a deaf school." Nini grimaced. "It's in New York. They want me to learn sign language and accept that from now on, to the rest of my life, I will have a disability."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you all sooner."

As soon as she said her last words, Ricky couldn't hold himself back anymore and he enveloped his girlfriend in a tight hug. She melted into it gratefully and as she looked around she saw the rest of their friends were all crying too. They commiserated with her, and in Ricky's arms Nini understood that he wanted to just hold her close, and reaffirm his protection and love for her.

"We're here for you Neens," Ash was saying gently, and Seb nodded in agreement.

"We only regret not being able to know about all of this before."

"Yeah, but that changes now." Ricky vowed solemnly. "You can count on us Nini, especially me. I'll always be there for you and I'll support you for the rest of my life."

"Thank you," The girl cried, feeling overwhelmed and appreciated on levels she hadn't anticipated. "I'll miss you all so much, New York is so far away."

"It is," her boyfriend agreed tenderly. "But I'd go that far away if it meant that I could be with you."

Nini looked at him in disbelief. "You would come to New York with me?"

"Of course I would." Ricky reiterated, continuing to hold her close. "I would do anything for you, Nini. I love you, no matter what. I'll be here for you in every way possible. No matter where we are, you're my top priority."

"But we're only seventeen." She said sadly, not knowing how it could be possible. She didn't want him to put his life on hold for her.

"Then we'll figure it out," He replied, sounding completely determined. And he wasn't going to let anything come between them.