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okay the tea is that ricky used the drama club / musical as an escape from his home life and everything that’s falling apart in his personal life.  it was a place he can go to forget about all of his problems and just have fun focusing on something else for a few hours.  ricky seeing both of his parents together smiling, laughing, enjoying the show gave him a sense of hope that maybe things could go back to normal.  when his mom’s new boyfriend showed up to the show ( LATE MIGHT I FUCKIN ADD ) it shattered that hope.  not only that but suddenly his problems invaded his safe space.  it ruined everything and clearly sent ricky into a state of panic.  not to mention, he finds out there’s talent scout for a fine arts conservatory in the audience.  yes, ricky doesn’t want to ruin nini’s chances of getting into the school but i think it’s more than that.  throughout the season ricky’s been getting hurt and kicked while he’s down.  nini breaks it off with him and says she has a new boyfriend, effectively destroying their relationship and friendship.  his mom comes home only to announce she and his dad are getting a divorece.  ricky makes a new friend or flirtation whatever and finally thinks he’s found someone who really gets him ( aside from nini ), except now she’s moving away.  all of these blows finally come crashing down in the middle of a performance and so ricky ends up doing what he does best:  backs out and leaves when things get too difficult.

before anything is finalized in the divorce, ricky makes it very clear that he does not want to leave slc. ricky loves his hometown and everyone in it and refuses to start over in chicago. not to mention he just got back together with nini. not wanting to disrupt his life completely, ricky’s parents agree to let him stay in slc during the school year. only during christmas and spring breaks does he make the trip to chicago. his parents agreed to alternate summers, but considering ricky is graduating in a year it won’t matter as he’ll be away at college (and also 18 and able to do what he wants).