DISCLAIMER: I don't own Amy The Obnoxious, but I own Alrick. And if you don't like Alrick, well then I don't like your face. So there.

Chapter 33

ON THE ROOF

Amy awoke from the dappled sunshine leaking through her window. She climbed out from under her soft duvet and went to get dressed.

As soon as she had eaten, Amy quickly set out to the garden.

When she saw that the shady area under the tree was vacant, Amy's heart fell a little. She was surprised to find how much it disappointed her when Alrick was not there.

But as she walked over to the tree, she noticed a letter addressed to her in Alrick's handwriting. Curious, she opened the letter. It read:

My dear Amy,

I am sorry I could not meet you under the Tree today

but I had business to attend to.

Please meet me tonight at the abandoned warehouse

by my dormitory building at 8 o'clock.

(It's a surprise so don't come asking me what it is)

Your brilliant and ever charming,

Alrick

Amy smiled and tucked the letter into her pocket, wondering what scheme Alrick had cooked up this time.

...

Amy looked up at the warehouse skeptically. It was an old, run-down thing; the windows cracked and broken, the door missing altogether, and she felt sure it was teaming with detestable vermin. Just as she was deciding whether or not it was worth it, Alrick's head popped over the top, smiling in satisfaction.

"Come on up, Amy!" he called down to her.

"But it's...it's...filthy!" said Amy with distaste.

Alrick chuckled at this comment.

"Don't be a ninny. I swear you won't get attacked by anything. But if you feel so disinclined, be my guest to try climbing the latter at the back of the building."

Amy weighed her options and decided it to be more dignified to climb the stairs in the building (disgusting as the place was).

When she got to the door that led out onto the roof, Alrick opened it for her, stepping aside so she could see.

Amy gasped in delight.

A path of flower petals led to a table and chairs in the middle of the roof. On the table (adorned with table cloth) were 2 elegant candles, the light reflecting off of two platters of delicious-smelling food.

"For you, mademoiselle." said Alrick, producing a rose from behind and bowing gracefully. Amy took the rose, looking at Alrick. She knew this must have cost him a fortune, and it touched her that he would go through so much trouble.

"Thank you." she said quietly.

Alrick smiled. "Shall we?" he said, extending his elbow.

Amy took his arm and walked to the table.

The dinner was exquisite - steaming cordon bleu for the entree and chocolate truffle cake for the finish.

When they were done, Alrick got up from the table and walked over to a phonograph where he wound the lever. Music started playing.

"Care to dance, my dear?" said Alrick with partially teasing formality.

"Yes indeed." said Amy the same way, taking his hand.

They began to dance, maneuvering under the moon and candlelight.

"I feel silly." said Amy in a confiding whisper.

"Don't, pet. We all need to do things like this sometimes. To free ourselves from the normalcy of life. You needed to be free, and so here we are."

Amy smiled at Alrick. He was right; she couldn't remember feeling so elated.

As the music wore on, Alrick drew her closer. He looked at her with gentle eyes.

"You are so lovely." he said sincerely.

He came closer. Amy's heart beat faster. She could feel his warmth.

Then Alrick bent down...and kissed her ever so softly on the lips.

Amy's thoughts were completely blown out of her head as she stared at Alrick, mouth agape, heart stuttering.

"Alrick I..." she didn't know what to say. Alrick placed a finger on her lips.

"Amy, I love you. I've been falling in love with you ever since the day we met." he smiled "When you tried to kick me out from under your tree. That fiery determination caught me, and now I can't let go."

Then slowly Alrick bent on one knee, pulling a small box from his waistcoat. He opened the box. Inside lay a small ring.

"Will you marry me?"

Amy looked at him, stunned. This was all happening so fast!

"I...I'm too young." she said.

"I'll wait for you. I'll wait forever if I must. I only know I need you, Amy."

Amy looked into his blue eyes and faltered.

But then she remembered Fred.

Fred could support her so easily. Fred could provide for her, and give her anything she needed. Alrick could never do that.

"I'm sorry, Alrick. I can't." she said.

The look in Alrick's eyes was that of a man who had lost everything. At first Amy could see he thought she didn't love him. Then realization came to him.

"It's because of that prick, Fred isn't it? Because he's rich?" he said angrily.

"No it's not that simple -"

"Yes it is, Amy. You've been poor all your life and now you want out. You want to have things that I can't give you. And that's the bottom line."

"Alrick, please - "

"No!" shouted Alrick. "Amy, you're so blinded by your selfishness, you can't see something good when he's right in front of your eyes. Vanity is such a horrid thing. And you're full of it." then with a icy cold voice he said, "Maybe you should be with Fred." and stormed out.

"Alrick!" cried Amy with tears in her eyes.

But he had already left.