Stranger Chapter 12: Too Little, Too Late, a secret life of the american teenager fanfic

Disclaimer: The Secret Life of the American Teenager and all its characters are the sole creation of Brenda Hampton…I own NOTHING....

AN: OMG Have yall seen that Secret Life preview were Amy and Ricky kiss or almost kiss…it's probably not gonna happen till the end of the season…but omg…seeing it made me all giddy lol

Thanks to those who read and reviewed: Ghostwriter626, itsme!, br00kl0veswildfire, Maiqu, Damon's Future Wife, :D, HyDrOpYrO777, butterfly01, edward-and-bella-forever, jojobevco, vampire-cookie-01, bxalbagirl, Lnbizier96, Pagan-Angel13

And of course thanks to my awesome friend and beta Jazzy…

This chapter is inspired by the song "Too Little, Too Late" by JoJo.

Chapter 12: Too Little, Too Late

Come with me
Stay the night
You say the words but boy it don't feel right
What do ya expect me to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You take my hand
And you say you've changed
But boy you know your begging don't fool me
Because to you it's just a game (You know it's just too little too late)

"How was school?" Amy asks as she and John walk into the hospital, a couple of days after the accident.

"It was okay," John answers, shrugging his shoulders. Amy laughs, shaking her head as they get on the elevator and head up to the recovery floor. "What?" John stares at his mom curiously. "What's so funny?"

"Just the fact that kids never really change," Amy laughs. "That's how I would answer my mom when she would ask me about school." They both laugh as they step off the elevator and head for Ricky's room.

"Amy," someone calls out as they pass the waiting room. Amy freezes as she recognizes the voice. Shaking her head in annoyance, she continues walking – faster this time. "Amy, can I please talk to you?" the man calls out after her.

"No," she snaps as she practically runs down the hall, leaving John to stare between his quickly disappearing mother and a familiar face.

So let me on down
'Cause time has made me strong
I'm starting to move on
I'm gonna say this now
Your chance has come and gone
And you know…

"Who the hell does he think he is?" Amy growls as she stomps her way into Ricky's room.

Ricky sits up in the bed with wide eyes. "Excuse me?" he asks. "Is everything ok?"

Amy heads over to the chair closest to the bed and falls into it. "I don't know…it's just…ugh…the idiot."

Ricky furrows his eyebrows. "To whom, exactly, are you referring?"

"Ben," Amy sighs. "He's here."

"Here where?"

"Here in the hospital," she answers, exasperated.

"Why?"

"I don't know…he says he wants to "talk"" she replies, using her hands to make air quotes.

"Do you want to talk to him?" Ricky inquires calmly.

"Uh…well…should I talk to him?" Ricky shrugs his shoulders. Amy takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. "I guess I might as well get it over with." Amy stands, waves slightly at Ricky, and walks out of the room. She doesn't notice the angry and most likely jealous look on his face.

It's just too little too late
a little too wrong
And I can't wait
But you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real
It doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

"So…"

"So, how are you doing, John? How's school?"

"Ok, I guess," he answers as he stares warily at Ben.

"That's good. And how's your mom?" Ben asks.

"Why?" Ben stares at him blankly. "Why do you care?" John asks as he crosses his arms.

"Because I care about your mom," Ben insists.

"That's not what I heard," John mumbles.

"What did you say?"

John rolls his eyes. "Nothing."

"You clearly said something. Now, what was it?" Ben asks, annoyed with the teen.

"How's Madison?" John smirks.

"I don't see how that's any of your business," Ben replies, frustrated.

John laughs. "I could say the same to you about my mom."

"John!" The teen looks over his shoulder at his mother. "Why don't you go see your father?" John nods and walks away.

I was young
And in love
I gave you everything
But it wasn't enough
And now you wanna communicate (You know it's just too little too late)
Go find someone else
In letting you go
I'm loving myself
You got a problem
But don't come asking me for help
'Cause you know...

John walks into the room and is startled by the furious glare on his father's face. "Umm…is everything ok, dad?" he asks as he moves to sit in the chair by the bed.

"What does Ben want?" Ricky asks abruptly.

John's eyes widen like a deer caught in the headlights. "Umm…"

"Does he want to get back with your mother?"

John shrugs. "I…uh…I don't know."

Ricky sighs. "John…do you like Ben?"

"Honestly?" Ricky nods. "No."

"Why not?"

John shrugs. "I guess because when I was little he was with mom instead of you."

"But you liked Adrian."

John shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Not really…she was just nicer to me than Ben was."

"I see," Ricky sighs, looking down at his hands.

"Dad?" Ricky looks over at his son. "Are you jealous of Ben?"

Amy walks closer to Ben with her arms crossed. He reaches out for her and leans forward.

"What the hell are you doing?" Amy quietly exclaims as she pushes him away.

"I was…I was trying to kiss you," Ben explains.

Amy scoffs. "Why?"

"Because I love you," he answers as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh dear," Amy shakes her head as she tries to hold back the laughter that wants to bubble forth. "Are you delusional or something?"

"No," Ben says, shaking his head in confusion. Unable to hold it in any longer, Amy begins to laugh. "Look, if this has anything to do with Madison," Amy stops laughing, "well, we're over. I don't love her, I love you."

Amy stares at Ben blankly. At that moment, Ashley walks by, a curious look in her eyes as she waves slightly and continues walking to Ricky's room.

Once Ashley is out of sight, Ben turns to Amy with pleading eyes. "Can we please just sit down and talk?" Amy sighs but nods in agreement. They move to sit in the waiting area.

I can love with all of my heart, baby
I know I have so much to give (I have so much to give)
With a player like you I don't have a prayer
That's no way to live
Ohhhh... mmm nooo
It's just too little too late
Yeaahhhh...

"What the hell is going on out there?" Ashley asks as she walks into the room.

"That's what I'd like to know," Ricky growls.

Ashley laughs. "Are you…" she laughs harder, "are you jealous?"

"No," "Yes," Ricky and John say simultaneously.

"John," Ricky snaps.

"What?" John looks around the room innocently. "You are."

"Are not."

John and Ashley laugh. "Are too," they say together.

"This is ridiculous," Amy exclaims, crossing her arms as she stares at Ben. "We have nothing to discuss."

"Yes, we do," Ben insists. "Let's talk about us."

"There is no us," Amy chuckles humorlessly. "The two of us ended when it became three."

Ben sighs. "How many times do I have to apologize and tell you that the thing between Madison and I is over?"

Amy uses her left hand to rub her temple. "This is going nowhere. And what makes you think I'm even single anymore? For all you know I could be with…"

"What?" Ben interrupts. "With Ricky? I doubt that," he laughs, almost cruelly. "I mean, aren't he and Adrian expecting their own bundle of joy." Amy's face blanches. "That's what I thought."

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Amy states, glaring at him.

Ben stands and moves to kneel in front of Amy. "When are you going to see that you and me are meant to be? The good girl with the good boy – that's how it's suppose to be – just like the bad girl with the bad boy."

Amy's glare softens. "I use to believe that. I use to think you were my hero – my knight and shining armor." Ben smiles brightly. "However, that was before you cheated on me."

Ben's smile falters. "But you forgave me – we got back together."

"A mistake," she claims. Ben returns to his seat, looking defeated.

"You don't mean that," he says softly. "You love me. You said you'd always love me."

Amy looks over at Ben sympathetically. "In a way, I'll always love you…"

"But…"

"But…I'm not in love with you anymore."

"I see," Ben sighs. "You're in love with Ricky?" It was a question, but he already knew the answer.

Amy closes her eyes, thinking about that. "Yeah. I am."

AN: This story will be coming to an end soon. For my next story, I have 3 ideas, but I need yalls help in deciding which one to write. I made a poll, which you can find on my profile, so that you can vote on which one you like best and/or you can also vote by just telling me in a review. The different story ideas are:

*Letters From War – Ricky enlists in the military and has been deployed to Iraq. One day, Amy receives a letter from him. Can their written correspondences lead to something more?

*The Prince and the Pauper – AU Set in early 1900s. Amy is betrothed to the Steel Prince Benjamin. But what happens when she meets street born and raised, Ricky.

*Sweet Revenge – AU Influenced by the novel 'Sweet Revenge' by Nora Roberts. It's been 15 years since Ricky Underwood has escaped his father – he's spent the last 10 years planning his revenge. But what happens when he encounters the beautiful Amy Juergens? Will love or lust for a pretty girl spoil his plans?

Upcoming Chapters:

Ch 13: Let It Go – Ricky has some issues to deal with

Ch 14: Selfish – Ricky makes a decision

Ch 15: This Is Home – Epilogue

-Nichelle