Here's chapter 5! I hope you like it! Please R&R! I do not own anything from The Secret Life Of The American Teenager! Thank you! I really appreciate everyone's reviews! :)
Italics=Grace
Bold=Ricky
Plain=Other characters
Grace's face looked calmer as she began to talk to God.
"All right God...What am I doing wrong this time? I'm trying to be a better Christian...However, I don't even really know what that means...Ugh...I'm just so frustrated with everyone talking about me and Ricky...Why do they even care? I knew I shouldn't have kissed Jack! Why did I do that? God please help me! I really need your help...And I'm sorry about what I said to Adrian...but is she right? Am I really in over my head by being with Ricky even though he had John with Amy?! Then again...he did ask me to marry him...Why do I always get myself into these types of situations? I guess it's because I just...fall in love too easily. I thought I really loved Jack, then Ricky, then Jack again, and then Grant, then Daniel and then Jack again...and now Ricky again. I even thought I could end up with Ben...but then Adrian interfered. What is wrong with me? Like I said before...I used to be the cheerleader virgin, good girl next door and then I turned into...the complete opposite. If only I hadn't slept with Jack...I knew I should have listened to You after he cheated on me with Adrian. Deep down in my heart, I heard You tell me to not get back with him but I did. I decided to be selfish and did what I wanted to do. And now our relationship is more complicated because I was engaged to him and he's still not over me...This is all Reverend Stone's fault...He's the only reason Jack went out with me in the first place...So my family and I would be happy at church...Ugh...And now look what happened...My family is completely different now and You took my father away from me! Of course I deserved it after not doing what he told me to do... If only he was here now...It's not like it matters since Ricky proposed to me...I just don't understand who You want me to be with God. Please just give me a sign that I'm making the right decision." Grace said seriously as her eyes got watery.
*Ring ring*
"Hello?" Grace answered her phone sadly.
"Hey Grace. It's me...I'm at work but I just wanted to see how you're doing." Ricky said smiling.
"Oh...I'm all right..." Grace said as she began to cry more.
"Are you...crying? What's the matter?" Ricky asked concerned.
"I'm just...tired of Jack and Grant." Grace rolled her eyes and wiped her face.
"And why is that?" Ricky said confused.
"Grant told me that Jack said it's obvious I'm not going to get back with him because of you. So Jack asked Grant if there's anyone he could fix him up with." Grace answered seriously.
"Hmm...That doesn't surprise me. Those two are sort of like friends right?" Ricky said sincerely.
"Yeah I guess...I thought that last kiss did the trick..." Grace said as more tears ran down her face.
"Don't mentally beat yourself up over this Grace. It's really no big deal. Just ignore Grant and Jack. They don't know anything about us. Besides, I need to help Ethan. He's going to start working here tomorrow so I have to show him what he needs to do." Ricky explained honestly.
"Thanks Ricky...I'll try. Ethan's like your foster brother right?" Grace asked as she slowly smiled.
"Yeah...Sort of...He almost got a job from Joe Hampton selling crack and I got him out of it. I thought he was smarter than that, but I guess he still has a few things to learn. Heh...Anyway, do you want to get dinner or something later?" Ricky said as he slowly smiled.
"That's terrible about Joe Hampton...and Ethan. I'm glad you helped him. And I would like to do something later...I'll come over to your place around eight." Grace answered sadly and then happily.
"That sounds great. I'll see ya then. I love you." Ricky grinned.
"I love you too. Bye." Grace hung up and looked up at the ceiling and thanked God.
"That didn't sound like a business call Ricky." Bunny said from behind Ricky.
"I'm sorry Bunny. I just needed to call Grace really quick. Ethan should be here in about ten minutes anyway." Ricky said sincerely as he turned around.
"While you're waiting, you can fill out some of this paper work for your new pay checks since you're the assistant manager now." Bunny smiled as she handed Ricky a few papers.
"What is all this? Tax forms?" Ricky asked confused.
"The third page should have all of that information. You just need to sign a few things in there saying you accept the job and agree to your new wage. Etcetera, etcetera... It shouldn't take you very long. And I'm excited to meet this Ethan kid. I've heard that he can be a pain in the donkey." Bunny answered seriously.
"All right...Pain in the donkey? Don't you mean pain in the ass?" Ricky asked slightly amused as he began to fill out the first page.
"No I don't mean that because I do not allow any cursing in my butcher's shop. And you better make that clear to Ethan cause I don't want him scaring away the customers with inappropriate words. Leo expects you to do your new job exactly how I tell you to do it. Am I clear?" Bunny asked confidently.
"Crystal clear Bunny. I promise that I will not allow Ethan to cause any problems. You can get back to work now." Ricky said as he signed the bottom of the first page.
"I'm not going back to work. I'm leaving. You're in charge from now until closing kid. That's part of your job as assistant manager. All right? If someone isn't doing their job, you tell Leo right away. I'm going to Palm Springs to visit my mother. I haven't seen her in a few years so...I need to see her." Bunny said as she took her white apron off.
"Oh...All right. I hope you have a safe trip and...what should I do with these papers?" Ricky asked seriously.
"Just put them in Leo's mail box upstairs. I'll see you later. And good luck with Ethan." Bunny answered as she left.
"Bye Bunny!" Ricky said as Bunny went out the door. A few minutes later Ethan walked in.
"Hello Ricky...Margret dropped me off. She was thrilled to hear that you can get me a job here..." Ethan said sadly.
"I'm she is thrilled. So...did you tell her what happened this morning?" Ricky asked seriously.
"No...I don't want to put her in a bad mood after telling her about this. She's really proud of me for asking you for a job." Ethan answered looking at Ricky.
"All right. Well, if you do anything that I don't tell you to do while you work here, I will tell her. Margret wants you to have a job so I'm not gonna let her down by letting you get away with doing something stupid." Ricky said stubbornly as he looked at Ethan in the eyes.
"Uh...I'm sorry. Didn't you tell me that I should tell her but you won't tell her unless I do something else stupid? I will tell her eventually...I just don't know when." Ethan said a little irritated.
"Oh, so you do realize that selling crack is stupid? I'm glad to hear that. You're lucky I haven't told her yet. I was so close to completely losing it at school today after saving your ass this morning. Honestly, I don't care when you tell her as long as you do. So what you're basically going to do when you come in tomorrow is you have to grab one of these white aprons." Ricky said a little angry as he walked over to a hanger with white aprons on it.
"Listen Ricky...I'm really sorry about earlier and thanks for helping me. I will tell Margret tonight. And do I really have to wear one of those aprons?" Ethan asked surprised.
"You're welcome and thank you. You do have to wear an apron. Unless you want to get blood from the meat on your clothes. So then you will find the orders on the wall over there and you will have to make them. I'll help you out with that since it can be kind of confusing at first. All of the meat is in the meat locker and you don't want to get stuck in there because it is about twenty three degrees. Tim usually cooks the meat but on days when he isn't here, you will have to do that." Ricky explained seriously.
"Cook? I don't know how to cook. What are you going to be doing?" Ethan asked confused.
"I'll teach you how to cook the meat. I'm going to be at the register and making business calls as well as making sure that you and the other employees are doing their jobs. And if you scare any customers away, I'll send you to Mr. Boykevich's office. This is his business and I'm not going to let you ruin it. You understand?" Ricky answered concerned.
"I think I got it. What time should I come in tomorrow?" Ethan said smiling.
"At four. And I expect you to be on time." Ricky answered as he crossed his arms.
"Four o clock. I got it. Thanks Ricky. I'll you then." Ethan said as he began to walk out the door.
Meanwhile in New York...
Amy and Ben were in Ben's apartment with John.
"So...Have you been enjoying spending the day with me?" Ben asked happily.
"Of course I have Ben! I love spending time with you...Heh...I never thought I would say that again. It feels like we're in high school again." Amy smiled.
"It sort of does but it feels better...We're in college now living on our own in one of the most amazing cities in the world. You should move into my apartment with John. Since we're back together and everything." Ben said seriously.
"Oh...I don't know Ben. Your dad paid for me to live in the one upstairs. Are you sure he won't mind if I live down here with you?" Amy asked concerned.
"No of course not. He knows we're back together so it's fine. I'll talk to him about it tomorrow. Besides, I want you and John to live with me." Ben said as he held Amy's hand.
"I really appreciate that Ben...Can I ask you something? It's really serious so, I need you to give me an honest answer." Amy said as looked at Ben in the eyes.
"You can ask me anything Amy." Ben said happily.
"All right...If I didn't come to school here, would you still have came to school here?" Amy asked with a worried look on her face.
"Hmm...Honestly, I probably would have done everything I could to convince you to come to school here. Hudson is one of the most amazing schools and I would have hated to see you miss it. How could you say no to such a beautiful campus with amazing programs for all the degrees they offer? And I'm glad you came Amy." Ben said seriously.
"Me too...But, what if you didn't convince me to come to Hudson? Would you still be here if I went to Ricky's school, regardless if I married him or not." Amy said sincerely.
"Probably not...The truth is, I just wanted to go to whatever school you went to. I knew we would get into the same schools because we're both really smart and we got similar SAT scores. I know that sounds crazy but, I'm madly in love with you Amy. I can't see myself with anyone else." Ben answered honestly as he smiled at Amy.
"Wow...Ben...I'm shocked to hear you say that...Even when you were with Adrian, you were still in love with me?" Amy asked concerned.
"Yes I was...I just used her to make you jealous and I said I loved her because of...Mercy. That's the only reason we got married and then divorced. The same thing goes for you and Ricky...You almost married him because of John...not because you loved him and vice versa." Ben answered sincerely.
"That's very true...I'm so sorry about Mercy...I know you would have been a great dad...But I guess you could be like a step dad to John someday." Amy said happily.
"Yeah I could. I try to not think about what could have happened if Mercy lived...Living in the past isn't really healthy or imagining what could have happened. We just have to live in the present and enjoy each day...I almost lost you Amy and I am so grateful that I didn't." Ben said as sadly as he hugged Amy.
"I am lucky to be alive and I really do love you Ben. It just might take me awhile to really fall in love with you like how I did before." Amy smiled as she rubbed Ben's back.
"I understand that Amy...But we'll figure it out...You don't still have an e-diary do you?" Ben asked awkwardly as he let go of Amy.
"No I don't...I don't have time for that anymore. Besides, if I did have one I would write that I am happy with my life right now. I still can't believe you hacked into it. Ha ha...There's never a dull moment with you Mr. Sausage Prince." Amy grinned as she pushed her hair back.
"I'm glad to hear that...There's never a dull moment with you either Miss Love Of My Life." Ben grinned and gave Amy a long kiss.
"Where's Daddy?" John asked as he came into the room.
"He's in California John...You want some mac and cheese?" Amy asked giggling with red cheeks.
"Yes please! I love mac and cheese!" John said as he jumped up and down.
"I'll make him some. Do you want me to order Chinese for us?" Ben asked as he stood up.
"Hmm...Chinese does sound good but do you have any fish? I think John should eat some meat with his mac and cheese. I would like some too." Amy answered.
"Yeah I do. I'll make him some fish in the oven. Actually, I have enough for the three of us. I guess we can get Chinese some other time. Fish does sound delicious. I also got some pop corn shrimp and green beans." Ben said as he looked in his fridge.
"Oooh. That all sounds good! I'm starving! Those wings we had for lunch weren't very filling." Amy said as stood up from the couch.
"Yeah it does. I'll have it all ready in about forty five minutes. You should catch up on your homework." Ben said as he pulled out all the food.
"Yes I do...Thanks for reminding me Ben. Heh...I really appreciate you making dinner." Amy smiled as she gave Ben a short kiss on the cheek.
"No problem. I like to cook. You can cook tomorrow if you want. Ricky told me that you make bad spaghetti but I doubt it." Ben chuckled.
"Ha ha! Very funny...I do make good spaghetti. I'll go work on my homework." Amy said as she went in the other room to find her back pack.
Later that night at Ricky's apartment...
*Knock knock*
Ricky walked from the kitchen and answered the door.
"Hey Grace. Come on in." Ricky smiled.
"Thanks. Something smells good in the oven." Grace grinned.
"Yeah. I'm baking chocolate chip cookies. I figured I owed you some after you made some for me years ago." Ricky said happily.
"Aww Ricky! That's so sweet. I bet they're not as good as mine." Grace blushed.
"Heh...I don't know. I am a pretty good cook. And I remembered how to melt the butter." Ricky laughed and licked his lips.
"Oh...do you? Cause I forgot how." Grace said seductively as she put her arms around Ricky's neck.
"Mmm...You are so bad you know that?" Ricky whispered and then he gave her a long and passionate kiss.
"Aaaah...Am I? I thought I was good." Grace grinned and blushed as she looked into Ricky's eyes.
"You know what I mean...So there's more cookie dough if you want to help me make the second batch." Ricky said as he pulled Grace closer to him while her hands were still on his neck.
"I would love to help you make the second batch Ricky." Grace said happily and then she gave Ricky a slow kiss.
The two of them walked over to the kitchen and started to put cookie dough on the tray with aluminum foil on the top of it.
"So I talked to Jack earlier today..." Ricky said seriously.
"Oh...Really? I thought you told me to forget about him." Grace said as she grabbed some cookie dough.
"Yeah but uh...he said that he was surprised that we haven't slept together yet." Ricky said awkwardly.
"And what did you tell him?" Grace asked surprised.
"I told him that we love each other enough to the point where we don't have to get too physical with each other. We have a real connection...right?" Ricky said sincerely.
"That's defiantly true. And I really appreciate you not trying to pressure me to do anything that I don't want to do. I know...I tempted you a few times before to have sex but that will not be happening for a long...Wait a second...You weren't talking about what I was like in bed with Jack, were you?" Grace asked with a shocked look on her face.
"Hell no! I would never talk to Jack about that. What you two did together, is irrelevant now. And I am willing to wait for as long as you want before we do have sex. I honestly hope Jack does get over you somehow...Maybe he needs to be single for awhile." Ricky said honestly.
"Thanks Ricky...And maybe he does...I think he got so used to being in a relationship for so long and I think he may have forgotten what his life was like before he met me. I was his first serious girlfriend...and fiance even though I didn't want to be." Grace said seriously.
"Yeah I know...And if you didn't want to marry him, why did you accept his proposal?" Ricky asked confused.
"For the same reason Amy accepted yours. I didn't want to break Jack's heart. Before he proposed to me he had been through so much with getting beat up by that pimp and going into a coma and...I just felt like he deserved me which is kind of a weird thing to say but...I did feel bad for him." Grace said sadly.
"It's kind of funny you say that about Amy because she did break my heart. And it hurt me all summer...It sill hurts sometimes but...we didn't love each other. No matter how many times we said it, we never meant it. I'm really sorry about Jack...But do you ever feel guilty about breaking his heart?" Ricky said seriously as he grabbed some more dough.
"During the summer I did...but not anymore. After I first broke up with him I was so happy but then I got lonely and sort of missed him. However, I did realize eventually that Jack was not going to be a good husband for me. We were constantly either together and miserable or just being immature by trying to make each other jealous. It got completely ridiculous. But when I ran into you at the park with John, I knew that was a sign from God that maybe we could make it." Grace answered as she smiled at Ricky.
"That makes a lot of sense. I hope we do make it because I love you so much Grace. I know not everyone may approve of us being together but it doesn't matter. You are the only one for me." Ricky said sincerely as he grabbed Grace's hands and looked into her eyes.
"I love you so much too Ricky...But...Adrian said something to me that got me upset." Grace said as she looked at the floor.
"Let me guess...She thinks you're in over your head." Ricky rolled his eyes.
"Yeah...How did you know?" Grace asked surprised.
"Because that's just how Adrian is. She loves to judge people and tell them if their relationship is going to last or not. I don't blame her for saying that. I can be pretty complicated sometimes." Ricky grinned.
"You're not that complicated...Heh...Adrian doesn't know anything about us anyway." Grace smiled as she looked at Ricky and he laughed. Grace took Ricky's fingers and started to lick them.
"Ha ha...Does this count as oral?" Ricky said through his chuckles.
"Ha...This doesn't count as anything." Grace grinned through his licking of Ricky's fingers.
"Maybe...not to you." Ricky said as his smile got wider and he laughed more.
"Ha ha ha! Are you making fun of me?" Grace asked through her laughter.
"Would I ever make fun of you?" Ricky asked as he let go of Grace's hand as he kept laughing.
"Heh...I don't know, would you?" Grace grinned.
"Probably! Ha ha ha! You're so funny! I can't believe we still remember all that cliched stuff we said to each other in high school." Ricky said after he stopped laughing.
"Ha ha ha! I guess some things are easier to remember than others. I think these cookies are ready to go in." Grace said smiling after she finished laughing.
"That's true! I'll take the other ones out and you put them in." Ricky said happily.
So this was a fun one to write! I hope you enjoyed it! I know it wasn't one of the most exciting chapters but I thought it was necessary! Let me know what you think! Thank you! :)