(All the characters are aged
up in this imagine, enjoy!)

💭

"Why aren't you two dating yet?" Ashlyn inquired as she poured herself another drink. You groaned at the all too familiar question and threw your head back in annoyance. Ashlyn eyed you skeptically and sipped out of her red solo cup as she attempted to read your body language.

She turned her head over to her left, where Big Red and Ricky were having a conversation of their own.

You followed her eyes and smiled at the sight of Ricky enjoying himself. You noticed his foot tapping along to the beat of the music blaring through the speakers.

You and Ricky had been best friends for the longest time. He was your oldest friend, and you were his. You both have gotten mistaken for a couple constantly. Maybe it was because you both seemed perfect for each other—in all fairness, even your parents believed you guys were dating at one point, but still, your friends always wondered why you weren't dating.

Whenever they asked, the answer was always the same: "we're just friends, nothing more."

Ashlyn sat her cup on the countertop and smacked her hand down on the marble. "I call bullshit!" A friendly, all too familiar banter ensued between the two of you as you argued that there was nothing going on between you and your best friend.

Ricky ripped his eyes away from Big Red, who was busy talking about getting rid of his old skateboard and looked your way. Your y/h/c hair shined radiantly as it basked in the warm, orange glow of the setting sun pouring in through the open window in front of you and Ashlyn.

He smiled wholeheartedly and excused himself politely before making his way over to you. "Hey, bubs, you look pretty." Ricky cut in, looking down at you sweetly. He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to your cheek. You mumbled a thank you and grinned softly while running your hand through his brown, tousled hair.

"Just friends my ass." Ashlyn rolled her eyes and made her way to the backyard to mingle with some other friends to leave you and Ricky alone for a while.

Acts of affection like that were a normal thing for you two. The cheek kisses, hugs, nicknames and cuddles were all a major aspect to your friendship. Not all of that was reserved for couples!

"Hey, what's up?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to see what you were up to," he shrugged, "wanna head outside? Carlos got these hammocks the other day, they look pretty comfy." He insinuated, gesturing out the window. You nodded in response and followed him out to the backyard, where the music wasn't as loud and where the vibes were calmer.

There were people wading their feet in the pool as they maintained conversations with others and people lounging in outdoor chairs comfortably as they spoke casually among themselves. On the deck, there was a beer pong table along with coolers filled with different refreshments for those who didn't want to go back indoors.

You finally reached the striped hammocks, and you watched Ricky lay down and steady himself before opening his arms, welcoming you in.

You threw your flip flops towards a shady area of land nearby and hastily climbed into the hammock, making sure you didn't fall off as it rocked back and forth. You both wiggled around until you were both in a comfortable position; laying with Ricky's arms snaked around your torso with your head resting against his chest and one of your arms lazily thrown around him.

"Look what we have here." Carlos piped up as he and Ashlyn approached the hammock, where you and Ricky were so close to falling asleep. Ricky groaned and stuffed his head into the crook of your neck to block out the sunlight.

"Just give it up. We all know you're secretly a couple! It's so obvious!" He commented again. You lifted your hand out of the hammock and waved your middle finger his way.

"We swear we're just friends." Ricky answered for you, his voice was slightly deeper than usual. You nodded in response and placed your arm back around Ricky's body.

"Oh, come on! Just admit it already, I mean—no one believes you guys anymore." EJ muttered from behind Ashlyn. He wasn't as close to you guys, but he was close enough to your friend group to be aware of what was going on between the two of you.

Ricky groaned and accepted the fact that his friends weren't going to be leaving him alone anytime soon, so he slowly removed his arms from around your waist and sat up to face them.

"Okay. I'll admit it..." he began, looking anywhere but their intense stares.

"We're dating." Ricky answered. His friends looked at each other with their eyes wide and their jaws dropped. Ricky let out a loud laugh at their reactions.

"I'm just kidding—you should've seen your faces though." He grinned, laughter bubbling up from his chest as he watched their expressions change from shock to anger.

You sat up and smacked his chest. "Don't get their hopes up like that." You giggled, ignoring their continuous complaints. You rested your head on his shoulder tiredly.

You lifted your head to face him when you felt his broad shoulders stiffen beneath you. Ricky turned to meet your eyes, his demeanor had completely changed. Now, his eyes were serious and he wasn't laughing anymore.

"I know we aren't a couple, but.. what if we were? I mean, we'd make such a cute couple." He admitted. Your eyes widened as you fought the raging blush on your cheeks. Your mouth opened to respond, but the constant fluttering in your stomach didn't allow you to speak.

"I'm just joking with you." Ricky giggled again, making your friends groan and cry out in frustration while Ricky ripped his gaze away from you and watched them innocently. However, you couldn't hear their protests due to the ringing in your ears.

You couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed and embarrassed that you actually thought he was being serious about wanting to be more than friends.

EJ was the first to finish complaining, and changed the subject by challenging Ricky to a game of beer pong. Carlos and Ashlyn's protests seemed to quiet down once they crossed the backyard, but to be honest you weren't paying much attention to anything anymore.

You knew that you both didn't see each other like that, but you couldn't ignore the minuscule ounce of hope that bubbled within you when he brought up the idea of becoming a couple.

And as you watched your best friend flirt with another girl at the beer pong table, you came to the upsetting realization that your realization came a bit too late. Unfortunately for you—and frankly your entire friend group—you and Ricky would always be just friends. Nothing more.

N O T E !
if this imagine and my ricky imagine titled 'spill your guts or fill your guts' (upcoming) get 30 votes i'll finally upload the 4th and final part of the celebrity crush series!!