SUNDAY ROLLED around quickly. Shiloh had expected Ricky to come to her house yesterday, but he instead went to Big Red's. Something was off with Ricky Bowen and Shiloh didn't know if she was the problem or it was something Ricky hadn't told her.

Everyone (excluding Nini, Kourtney, and Big Red) had gathered back into the bomb shelter and were preparing for another day of this "boot camp" Miss. Jenn had set up.

"Five questions to really know someone's character. Today, I want you all to go fully method. Stay in character for this exercise." Miss. Jenn instructed, "I want each of you to come forward, I'll prompt you with a question and you'll answer in character. Gaston, let's start with you."

EJ made his way towards the front.

"Question one." Miss. Jenn started, "If you had to pick one book to live inside, what would it be and why?"

"Ooh. Uh... Like a book of etiquette? You know, 'cause Gaston could really use some manners, always spitting and shooting stuff, like, chill, Gaston." He answered, causing the group to laugh.

"Love that. Okay. What would you ask your future self?"

"Oh, trick question. Gaston's dead." Ricky smiled.

Shiloh gently hit his side as his smile quickly dropped. Though the fact was true, Gaston was dead, what was the reason to point it out.

EJ took in a breath, ignoring Ricky, "I'd ask him if he could learn to love anyone after Belle. I mean, anything's possible, right?"

"Intriguing." Miss. Jenn smiled.

The group applauded him and the next to come up was Ricky. He sat at the front and was prepared to answer whatever Miss. Jenn threw at him.

"If you had to pick one book to live inside, which book would it be and why?"

"Well, as the Beast, it's canon that I can't read. So..."

"Beast, I'd like you to take this seriously. Next question.

"What's up with him?" Evie asked in a whisper.

"I don't know... he hasn't said anything to me." Shiloh answered.

"What would you ask your future self?"

"Uh, I guess... if I ever miss the old days, when I was all alone in the castle."

His answer, to Shiloh anyways, felt like a deeper issue. It wasn't Ricky playing a character. It was Ricky opening up and possibly at the wrong time.

"And why would you miss that?" Miss. Jenn asked.

"Everything was the same every day. Nothing changed. Um, I mean, the forks didn't talk, teapots didn't sing." Ricky joked.

"Okay, let's go deeper with this feeling."

"Think that's all I got."

"But when you say that nothing changed..."

"I'm really trying here. Can you get off my back?"

"Can you watch your tone?"

"Yeah." He chuckled, "Okay, Mom."

"Let's take a ten, everyone. But stay in character, please."

Ricky quickly stood from his spot and left the bomb shelter. Shiloh followed him out and rushed down the halls.

"Ricky!" Shiloh called, "Ricky, talk to me."

"I don't need any Love Club advise right now."

Shiloh furrowed her brows, "I'm not trying to give you Love Club advice. I'm trying to figure out what happened back there."

"Nothing happened. Do you think something happened back there?"

"Ricky, I'm just trying to understand what's going on? You've been on this thing-"

"Thing?" He questioned, "How would you know what thing I've been on if you haven't been around?"

Shiloh was frustrated. She already felt like a lot of what was going on was her fault. She felt that she was around, but just because she was around doesn't always mean she was attentive. Shiloh made sure that Ricky knew or felt like he knew no matter what, he could always come to her. It didn't matter if it was Love Club stuff or anything Shiloh told Ricky that he came before that. He knew that.

"I'm trying, okay? I told you that if you needed me, no matter what it was, you can come to me. I've always told you that."

"How am I supposed to come to you, of all people, when you're always stuck in interviews and social media and-"

"That's not my fault Ricky and you know that!" She huffed, "What do you want me to say? Sorry? I have! Over and over, I've apologized for being busy, but it's not my fault. I'm trying."

Ricky was on some type of high. He was angry, frustrated, and felt alone. He knew he could talk to Shiloh, he knew she was always there, but he was already angry with Miss. Jenn, so he wasn't going to stop now... even if he needed to.

"Want to know what's going on? Here's a summary because you might have to run off to another interview. My parents aren't communicating and they both are in new relationships with people I don't want them to be with." Ricky started, "Then my girlfriend, who's always supposed to be by my side, is so focused on this club that she can't bear two seconds to talk to me."

"That's not true. If you aren't coming to me about something going on that's on you, Ricky. That club has-"

"It's just the Love Club with you isn't it?" He asked.

It's just the Love Club with Shiloh, isn't it? Dylan asked her the same thing. Shiloh had told Ricky that she felt like she was bothering him with everything club related because Dylan and EJ had grown tired of her talking about it what felt like "all the time", but she had every right to be proud of how far the club and herself have come.

"You brought it up! I came out here to see what was wrong with you, but if the problem is me..."

God, if the problem was Shiloh she would be greatly devastated. She didn't want to cry, she really didn't want to, but she was frustrated and angry with Ricky that she couldn't control it. She took in several deep breaths before lowering her head to put her hands over her eyes.

God, if Ricky was the problem Evie was going to go ham. Ricky watched as Shiloh stood still, muttering to herself as she tried to figure out what to say. Ricky hadn't known she was crying, but as soon as she lifted her head, wiped her nose on her sleeve, and glanced up at him... the damage was done.

Shiloh hated crying over guys. Ever since Ricky pointed it out at Ashlyn's she had been able to suppress it until she was alone and it was the worst feeling for her. The whole reason why Shiloh was the person who she is today is because of that club she made freshman year and it seemed that everyone that she had been romantically involved with had something bad to say about it.

Ricky sighed as he shut his eyes, mentally swearing at himself. There had been the rare occasion that Ricky had made Shiloh upset to the point she was crying and that was once. He wasn't there to witness the tears he had caused, but here he was now, watching his girlfriend cry over something that he knew could hurt her feeling because that's what he did when had boiled over. He would get so upset and so angry with someone else that he would take it out on other people and his main target always seemed to be Shiloh, the girl he loved and knew was there for him the most.

"Shiloh-"

"Please don't." She cried, "I'm sorry for not being there, I am and I don't know what I have to do to prove that but I am sorry. But Ricky, when someone is trying to help you, no matter how much you think you don't want it... you may need it, but for I don't want to deal with it or you. I'm done and I'm sorry."

She was apologizing for something she couldn't control. She didn't have to be sorry, but she was.

What did done mean? What did she mean that she was done? This one fight has caused her to be done with him? Done with him now or later? Forever or a week? Now Ricky's mind ran with questions. He messed up and that was for sure, but when Shiloh said something she meant it wholeheartedly.

"Done?" Ricky questioned.

"I'm sorry I just-"

She genuinely was sorry. She was hurt by his words and that was one of the reasons why she was crying, but she was also in this state of realization (whether it was her mind playing tricks or not) that she hadn't really been there for Ricky as much as she thought, but Ricky also wasn't telling Shiloh how he had been feeling. It was a two-way street.

"Shiloh?" Ashley called.

And as quick as they came, they quickly disappeared. Shiloh's hands resting on her hips and she blinked a few times. Shiloh (like mentioned) hates crying over guys. So, when someone called her or needed her, she learned how to suck it up. Like she wasn't even crying at all. She faced Ashley, a false smile spread across her face.

"Ashley."

"Are you okay?" Ashley whispered.

"Mmhmm. I'm fine. Ricky is... Ricky needs his time to cool off, so he's going to sit in the club room, just to cool off."

To make it seem a little more realistic. Shiloh pulled the club room keys out of her cardigan pocket and handed them to Ricky.

Ashley glanced between the two of them. Shiloh's eyes burned red and Ricky, a look of worry.

"Do I need to get Evie?" Ashley asked.

"No!" Shiloh exclaimed, "Um, Ricky just needs alone time. Just like how you and I have alone time, right. Besides we can work on the acting improv thing without him for now."

Shiloh slung her arm around Ashley and the two of them (Shiloh slightly pulling Ashley along) made their way back to the bomb shelter.

"Please don't tell Evie." Shiloh whispered, "I promise I'm okay."

Ashley nodded. She didn't believe Shiloh and she hated to go behind her back and tell Evie something they didn't need to know, but this was Shiloh and if you messed with her, you've already called your own shots. Why do you think Evie hates every single one of their friend's exes?

BUT EVIE knew. It was too late. As soon as Shiloh and Ashley walked back into the bomb shelter something had shifted and Evie was heated.

"Maybe he just-"

"Maybe he just nothing, Jenna." Evie cut off, "This is what? The second time he's made her cry? That's twice too many."

Evie finally found Ricky walking down the halls and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pushed him against the locker.

"What did you say to her, Bowen?"

"You are freakishly strong."

"And I'll only get stronger. What did you say to her?"

Ricky glanced between each of them, his eyes lingering on Ashley's longer.

"Eyes here, buddy. I know Shiloh. She didn't have to tell me. No one did. What did you say? It's the last time I'm asking."

"I said... some things, but I was angry and I just-"

"You just what?" Evie questioned, "You made her cry? Let me guess. You insulted her club ethic again? Let me tell you something Bowen and let it be the last time. This club and everything Shiloh has created came from her heart. She felt alone and I will never let her go through that again. You do this thing where you get so mad and upset at someone that you take it out on someone else. You've done it once and gotten away with it and now Shiloh's not here to stop me from doing whatever I need to do to you to understand that you will not hurt her like Dylan did."

Ricky's eyes danced between the members. He couldn't get out of this even if he tried. He was pinned up against the metal lockers by Evie Fernandez. What could he possibly do?

"Where is she?" Ricky asked.

"I don't know, Ricky. She left school and hasn't answered anyone's messages. She was supposed to be here to do these stupid tasks for Miss. Jenn and now she's MIA. If I find or before you do, you're going to wish you never walked into the club room that day."

Evie let him go and walked away from the others; Ashley and Madison following behind.

Jenna stayed behind, fumbling with the rings on her fingers.

"Is it your turn to pin me against the lockers?"

"I'm not that strong." She chuckled, "I just need you to know that Evie is right."

"I know."

"Not just about the club. That you take your anger out on people who are trying to help." Jenna said, "You build up your emotions until you can't hold them in anymore and take it out on someone. I'm not defending the conversation with Miss. Jenn or whatever happened with Shiloh, but you have to find a better way to let out your anger before you lose the people who care about you most."

Ricky nodded slowly.

"I don't think you get it. Shiloh has this thing where she'll blame herself for everything wrong. I don't know what you two talked about, but she came back into that room with her eyes red. If she was crying, Shiloh shouldn't be the one walking away with tears in her eyes. Unless I'm wrong and Shiloh said or did something to hurt you."

"No, I, uh- I messed up."

Jenna nodded, "Shiloh really does love you. I've never seen her this happy in a relationship ever. Dylan was horrible during and after dating Shiloh and EJ didn't stay long enough to know how great she is, but you Ricky, she will always mention you. She'll find some way to just talk about you. Whether it's in an interview or just a stupid Instagram post. Shiloh has never been this open with us about any guy. I would really hate to see this relationship not go well. Especially when I know you're just as crazy about her. So, all I'm asking is that you try and get in contact with her... especially before Evie and Jonathan find her."

Jenna didn't allow Ricky to add on to the conversation. He watched as Jenna quickly ran around the corner and disappeared.

She wasn't wrong. She wasn't even close to being wrong. Everything Jenna had mentioned had been true and if Ricky Bowen wanted to fix this he had to be fast.

SHILOH ENTERED her household. She was exhausted, but she was soon faced with her brother Weston.

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"Out. Why?"

"You left me at the park and Jonathan had to pick me up."

"Oh, Weston. I'm sorry. It slipped my mind."

Now, Shiloh wasn't too sensitive and she wasn't overly emotional, but today hadn't been the best day for her. So, when Weston saw the tears building up, he began to furrow his brows.

"Uh, Shiloh?"

"I'm really sorry." She cried, "I would've picked you up today, but it's been a rough couple of hours, and Ricky- I just-"

"Shiloh, it's okay? I just like when you pick me up because you always buy me a milkshake."

That only made it worse.

"And I didn't get you a milkshake. I always get you a milkshake."

As Shiloh cried and Weston held his head to the side, questioning if he made his sister this upset, Weston glanced back and saw two of his other sisters and Jonathan standing at the banister.

"I'm truly sorry-"

"Shiloh, I promise it's okay. Next time, right?"

Shiloh nodded and brushed past her family members and quickly locked herself in her room.

"What's wrong with her?" Jonathan asked.

"How am I supposed to know? She's a girl, doesn't she just get emotional?" Weston asked, "She mentioned Ricky, but that was pretty much it."

Mind you, Weston was eleven. He didn't really know about relationships or the emotions of his sister. He did know, he rarely saw Shiloh cry. If she was crying over not picking him up from the park... then he thought it was ridiculous, but she mentioned Ricky, who Weston had met on a handful of occasions, they even skated together.

Weston quickly shut his mouth. If Shiloh was crying because of Ricky... Jonathan would give him a piece of his mind.

They could only hope Ricky wouldn't stop by, at least, not while Jonathan was around.

Though being upset, Shiloh sat with Enya and her other sister Georgia, in a fort-like tent as the youngest two held several Barbies in their hands a couple of hours later. They had sensed (more Georgia, she was twelve and apparently knew everything) something was wrong with her and wanted to try and cheer her up.

"Prince Ricky rides his horse to the castle, getting down on one knee and says, "My dearest, loveliest, beautiful, endearing-"

"Georgia!"

Try was a keyword.

"Let me finish! "My dearest, loveliest, beautiful, endearing, Princess Shiloh Isabella Molina, will you marry me?"" Georgia finished in her manliest voice, "Now, Enya, you have to hold the Shiloh doll right."

Enya couldn't have been less focused on Georgia. Her focus was on the lopsided, plastic tiara and flimsy fairy wings Shiloh and been forced to wear. According to Georgia, "it will make you happy again".

"Enya! Hold the Princess Shiloh doll right!"

A knock on the door drew the three girls away from the doll and onto their brothers Weston and Caleb, "Hey, Shiloh? Jonathan is yelling at Ricky downstairs." Caleb said.

"What?"

"Yeah, he's full-on blasting him right now." Weston added, "Do you think he'll lose skateboarding cred if I record it and show my friends at the park?"

Shiloh crawled out of the horribly shaped fort and made her way downstairs. Indeed, Jonathan stood at the door with Ricky standing on the other side of it.

"And trust me, that EJ kid got lucky. He left before I could get any words to him. Do you know-"

"What are you doing?"

The two of them looked back at Shiloh.

"I was just-"

"You were just going to tell me Ricky was at the door."

"Yes, Ricky's here." Jonathan faced Ricky, "You're lucky."

Jonathan left the door but stayed close to hear any commotion if it got to that point. Shiloh grabbed a random shawl on the floor (no doubt belong to her father) and sat outside with Ricky on the porch swing.

"He's tough." Ricky chuckled.

"He's weirdly protective of us like that. Sorry." Shiloh sighed, "What's up? Why are you here?"

"You left the club room keys with me. I wanted to return them."

Ricky dug through his pockets and pulled the keys out and placed them in Shiloh's hands.

"Is that all you wanted?"

"You know that's not all I wanted."

Shiloh sat back in the swing and waited for Ricky to continue.

"I know I messed up." Ricky started, "I was just... I shouldn't have gone off on you or Miss. Jenn like that. I was frustrated and angry and I never meant to hurt you, Shiloh."

Shiloh pulled her legs close to her body, "Ricky, I've always told you, no matter what, you can come to me. It doesn't matter if I'm in an interview or doing anything Love Club related. You come first. You really hurt my feelings today."

"I know. I promise I know. I never meant to go off like that on you. It was just like I was-"

"You need to talk to me. If not me, then someone who is going to listen. Keeping all of that in isn't going to help anyone, not even yourself. I'm sorry-"

"You don't have to apologize." Ricky said, "I know all of this was sudden for you. I never want you to think I'm not proud of you and what you've done. You worked hard for all of this. Don't be ashamed of that."

Shiloh pulled Ricky into a hug. Resting her head into the crook of his neck and squeezed her eyes shut.

"I don't know how many times I have to say I'm sorry, but I'll do it over and over again."

Ricky rubbed his hand up and down Shiloh's back as she took in several deep breaths. He hated making her feel any less than what she was. He was proud of Shiloh and he needed her to know that.

Shiloh held her head up slightly and saw Jonathan peeking out the window, her fathers also by his side.

She pulled away from the hug and wiped her eyes.

"I know you're sorry, but please know that I'm here for you Ricky. I know things are easy right now, but trust me, I'm here for you, okay?"

Ricky nodded and held his fist out. Shiloh gently bumped her fist against him and a small smile graced her face.

"What's up with the outfit?" He asked.

Shiloh had completely forgotten that she had the bent fairy wings and crown on her head.

"Oh, my sisters. You know? Barbies and things." Ricky smiled, "I'm gonna head inside. It's been a very, very long day." Shiloh said.

"I understand. I'll text you when I'm home."

Shiloh nodded and stood from the swing. She held the doorknob in her hands before calling Ricky's name out. He had made it halfway across her yard before facing her direction.

"I love you."

Ricky smiled, "I love you, very much."

Shiloh nodded and headed inside. They were going to be okay. It was just a fight that had escalated. Couples fight, it was normal, they could only hope another fight they would have (because it was inventible) wouldn't escalate like this one had.

BUT IT wasn't all clear. What now? Jenna had walked past the dressing room with Madison by her side. This was before they found Ricky and Evie pinned him against the locker. This is when they were looking around for Shiloh.

They had looked in the dressing room for her and they heard Ashlyn walk in. Soon, Gina followed in. Madison and Jenna had hidden into a corner.

"I don't think we should-"

Madison quickly placed her hand around Jenna's mouth as Gina told her story to Ashlyn. This was exactly what Gina told the club members, but the fact that Gina had been telling everyone, but Shiloh was the issue.

Gina Porter was digging a deep hole and so was Ricky Bowen. The question was, how would they get out of them? The answer? No idea.

- lucy has something to say !!

i literally love this

this is literally 3700+ words look at me go 🤩

bye :))))