*****Zacks Underground****
"Raviv, where are we going?" Aly asks as she follows Ricky briskly walking out of the subway station. Aly still wearing the hoodie and Ricky having the baseball hat on his head trying to keep a low profile.
"My buddy Zack, he owns this music shop. Its filled with almost every know, local band around. Even some demo tracks of unknown garageband artist. Its really sick." He says to her as they head a couple of blocks down the street towards Zacks Underground.
On their arrival Ricky opens the door, both walk in and Aly's mouth immediately drops. Her eyes catch old band posters on the walls, including some framed and signed. Racks filled with CD's sorted from every genre out there. This place looked like music heaven.
Aly still amazed with the collection, Zack walks over to greet them. "Hey man." He gives Ricky a friendly hand shake.
"Hey Zack, you remember Aly. Right?" Ricky looks to her and she reaches for a hand shake from Zack. "Hi". Zack grabs her hand "Aly nice to see you again. And may I just say its always a huge honor to have someone with gifted musical talent coming into Zacks Underground."
She smiles at him feeling flattered. "Haha thanks. This place looks really amazing."
"Thanks. It took many years to get to where it is today. And it really wouldnt be what it is if it werent for musicians like yourself. " As Zack tells Aly. Ricky turns to her with an agreeing smirk. "Well..I gotta get back to work. I'll let you two look around and if you guys need me I'm right here."
"Thanks man." Ricky says to him. He walks off.
They spent almost the entire afternoon at Zack's store. Looking up and discovering bands they never heard of. And some they totally forgot about. Practically looking at every CD in the store.
"Aj and the guys would love this place" Aly says while flipping through CD case after CD case.
Ricky standing next to her doing the same. "I knew you would like it. " He takes a quick look over towards her "So you getting anything?" He asks.
"Yeah." She lifts up her hand which were holding a grip load of albums. Showing him what she picked out "Incubus, Strings first record, and Coldplay. Thanks for showing me this place" With a huge smile on her face both of them felt accomplished.
"I was hoping to find the Goo Goo Dolls 2002 album. But didn't see it." Aly looking again at the racks.
"I think they ran out. Old albums go big now a days."
"Its cool. I'm satisfied with what I have." She says to him.
"So what up with Goo Goo Dolls? I mean anything special about their 02 album?" He asks.
"When me and Aj started making our debut album, Goo Goo Dolls was playing in the studio. I dont know why. Our first producer said 'great artists inspire other great artists, who will then inspire others. And that is the generation of music.' I remember specifically it was their 2002 album he was playing. And it..actually did help. Everytime I hear 'Sympathy' it takes me back to that exact moment. And I feel... excited, happy, and at ease all together. Like picking up the guitar for the first time."
Ricky nods now understanding and learning something knew he didn't know about Aly.
"But, its cool. I have the tracks on my itunes. I just thought it would be nice to have actually in hand." She smiles at him and goes back to flipping through CD's.
After spending enough time at Zacks Underground Ricky also takes her to a couple of his favorite book stores in the city before calling it a day.
*******Aly and Aj's Hotel Suite*****
"I really had a great time Rav. Thank you" Aly tells him as he walks her to her hotel room.
"I'm glad. And thanks for...hanging out with me. And giving me a second chance. "
"All is forgiven." They both turn to each other with a smile as they arrive at the door.
"Well...this is me" Aly says standing in front of him. She takes off his hoodie and hands it over. Reaches in her purse for her room card and unlocks the door. Takes another turn to Ricky and gives him a hug.
He lets go of her "You think we can do this again tomorrow?"
She smiles with the offer "Of course. You have my number."
Aly opens the door waves bye to him and goes inside.
Aj sitting on the queen size bed reading a book sees her sister walking in with 3 plastic shopping bags. "Hey you're back. How was your day with Rav?" Aj asks, setting the book to the side. Aly sets her bags down right next to Aj and takes a seat.
"Great. Just like old times." Aly tells her.
"Thats good. So whatchu guys do?" Aj asks very curious.
Aly smiles and reaches for the bags and ready to tell her about her day.
******Rickys loft******
Ricky walks in his loft, tosses this backpack and hoodie on the leather couch. And makes his way to his room. He places his cap on the coat hanger right next to his bedroom door. Walking to his dresser he starts to unhook his watch. Standing in front of the black dresser he takes his watch off and places it on top, and sees a piece of a newspaper article on the side. He slowly grabs the paper. Its the article he ripped out the other day about Aly and Aj's return to music.
Ricky goes to his closet, carrying the newpaper in his hand, and pulls out a scrap book that was on the top shelf above his hanged clothes. Turns to the last page and puts the article inside. Closes it and puts it back.
*******The next day*****
First studio session at "Red Door", 78 Violet ready to work. The girls and everyone else just sitting around waiting for direction. James walks in with a Red Door producer Chris Driver.
"So..I got some bad news.." James tells the group. Aly and Aj stand up ready to listen. "..They want other material then the ones we sent over."
Everyone in the room freezes. "They don't like our songs?" Aj surprised with what shes hearing.
"Its not they don't like it...its just...its not exactly what they want for this album." James trying to ease the news up.
"What the hell does that mean?" Aly asks crossing her arms feeling pretty offended.
Chris jumps in the conversation. "Girls, you both are really talented. All you guys are actually. The songs were good. But the label wants something...better. Strong. Something that...makes us feel what your feeling. Some of those songs...I mean you say the words but we don't feel them. We like the new style. We do. But theres gonna be a lot of rewriting and more new writing."
Aly and Aj both look at each other not knowing what to say.
"I know this hurts. Especially knowing you guys worked so hard. But as you know this isn't personal. Just business...look we're doing this because we want this album to be amazing. The best it could possibly be. And we know you guys have it in you to really make it the best. Just need to dig deep." James tells the girls. "And you guys are lucky enough to have Chris here, he's willing to help you."
Aj takes a big sigh.."So where do we start?"
Hours has gone by, 78 Violet still in the studio. Its about 6 o'clock in the afternoon. They've been rerecording and rewriting all day, trying to get some songs to work. But nothing seemed perfect or even close to right. Changing the words, toning up the sound...all ended up making it much worse.
Chris sees the frustration in the group. "I think we should end today here." He leans back on his chair looking over to the girls.
Aj supporting her head on the table "We got nothing done".
"Some masterpieces take time. And most of the time its built through a good breather and a relaxing break. So I order you girls to go. This is New York, I'm pretty sure something will inspire you guys." Chris tells them.
"Well shit, dont need to tell me twice." David says at the back, getting up and heading toward the door.
"Yeah. I need a drink." Pete says following David.
After Pete the rest of the guys got up, said bye to Chris and left as well.
Aj and her sister finally stand and hug Chris bye. "I guess we'll see you at the next session. Hopefully it'll be successful." Aj tells Chris.
"I'll see you guys in a few days. Give time to, relax. Let it all come to you. And I'm pretty sure it will."
Aly and Aj leave the studio. Even though they were pretty bummed about it all, they were relieved about having a little time off.
*****Stella's cafe****
Coming straight from the studio the band stopped by Stella's Cafe for dinner.
"Well today was fun. Its always nice finding out your songs aren't good enough." Aj sarcastically states while everyone finishes up their meal.
"Hey no work talk for the next 72 hours. This is our break time. Remember what Chris said." Pete says to the girls.
Aj looks over to Aly and notices her texting under the table. "Who you talking to, Raviv?" She curiously asks her.
"Yeah. I was suppose to meet him today, but the studio took longer then expected." Aly tells her, sending another text message to him.
"Are you still gonna see him?"
Aly sets her phone down to the side by her plate. "I dont know. I'm kinda in a crappy mood to be honest."
"I think you should. To get you out of your crappy mood, after today. Besides we're only here for a certain period of time. And I know you really missed him."
Listening to Aj, Aly agrees. "Yeah. I guess I'll invite him to Area with us tonight."
She picks her iphone back up and texts Ricky.
"So...is this Ricky guy your new boyfriend or something? " David randomly asks Aly. All the guys pause to hear the answer, they've been wondering as well.
"What? No." Aly says shocked they asked.
"Are you sure? Cause we hear you talk about him a lot lately. " David still curious, thinking theres something going on.
"No, theres nothing going on between us. We've been friends for awhile. Nothing has happened and is going to happen. We're just friends." Aly clearing the curiosity.
"Oh come on. We've all heard that before. I bet you theres something there between you two. And watch somethings gonna happen while were here. And your gonna look at us, realizing we were right." Brad says joining the conversation.
Stella walks up to the table. "Can I also get in on this bet?" She asks grabbing a couple of empty plates from their table.
Aly turns to her "Stella you also think there's something going on with me and Raviv?"
"Sweetie, I've known Ricky for about 4 years now. And the way he talks about you...its way different then him talking about any other girl he had a fling with. He says you two are 'just friends'...but I feel otherwise. Like theres something there, you two just can't see it."
Aly looks at her sister "Aj, what do you think?"
"I think you guys are just really good friends. I mean I wondered before, but I think if it were to happen. It was suppose to happen already. Remember back when 'Phil of the Future' was going on you thought you might had feelings for him. Then you realized you didnt. Cause things are always better off as friends with him. Nothing more"
Aly nodding agreeing with her sister.
"Well you can believe what you want dear...but I still hold to theres something more." Stella tells Aly before walking off taking their plates to the kitchen.
******Area******
The group all at Area ordering drinks at the bar. Pete and David already finding girls to talk to.
"Hey Joe, who's playing tonight?" Brad asks over the bar counter to Joe, the bar owner.
"Jeff Bernat. Unsigned, really talented kid though" Joe answers him, wiping down glass cups.
Aly standing to the side thinking about the discussion about Ricky earlier.
"You okay?" Aj asks noticing Aly being quiet ever since dinner.
"Yeah. Just you know...long day."Aly tells her. Not wanting to get into the Ricky talk again.
Brad leans to Aly "Aye your boy is here." He says head pointing to Ricky just walking in.
Ricky, across the room walks over to the girls. Greets Aj and Aly with individual hugs.
"Ricky you remember the guys from the show. Pete, David, Steve, and Brad" Aj says while pointing to each boy.
"Sup guys." Ricky greets them with a smile. The boys say hi back and Ricky turns back at Aly.
"Sorry about earlier. About your song rejections...I know that must of sucked for you." He says to her. Aly having her arms crossed not wanting to even look at anything. Ricky then pulls something from his back pocket. "...but hopefully this will help." She takes a look and her eyes are amazed.
"Oh my gosh!" She grabs the album she was looking for yesterday at Zacks store. Goo Goo Dolls 'Gutterflower'. Aly having a huge smile at her face "But how...?"
"Zack's the man. Pulled some strings to locate the album. Picked it up right when you told me what happened. I was hoping this could some how inspire you again, since it did the first time..." He explains to her.
Aly staring at Ricky. Not knowing what to say to him. She leans in for a tight hug. Whispers in his ear "Thank you." He chuckles to himself.
She lets go and everyones looking at them two. All the guys giving each other hand and face signals, referring to what they were just talking about earlier.
Ricky breaks the ice "So...whos playing tonight?"
"Jeff Bernat." Brad tells him.
"Oh cool. Hes really good. Come on lets find a table." He grabs her hand, taking her to an empty table for them to sit at.
They all take their seats. "Hey you guys stay here. I'm gonna get a beer. Want anything?" Ricky asks the group.
The guys show their drinks telling him they're good. "Just get me and Aj whatever...surprise us" Aly tells him. He walks away, Aj turns to her sister seeing Aly still happily looking at the CD.
"Raviv is such a good friend." Aj says to her. She loves seeing Aly happy again.
Aly puts the album away in her purse. "Yeah, he is."
Both sisters turn to see Ricky at the bar talking to Joe. "Just a good friend." Aly says to herself.