Chapter 7

Jason: Rick where the hell have you been? (Jason excited to see his friend.)

Ricky: I..uhh...(beginning to stutter from his nerves)

Aj makes her way to Ricky. He turns and sees her with a greeting smile and open arms.

Aj: Raviv! (Aj giving him a hug.)

Ricky: Hey Amanda.

Jason: Wow bro you know this chick? (pointing at Aj)

Aj: Are you kidding? Hes practically my brother. (talking to Jason)

Jason: Nice. So whats the deal bro? You partying with us tonight or what? Cause you've been MIA waaaaay too long.

As hes talking Aj signals Aly to come over.

Ricky: Yeahh..sorry man. I've been..umm...working a lot lately. (trying to come up with an excuse)

Jason: Like that stopped you before. Well listen hit me up whenever. We all missed you. (looks over to Aj, then back at him) and uhh..next time introduce, us to ALL your friends.

He smiles at Aj and walks away to his group of friends.

Aj: Ew.. (she says with a disgusted look on her face)

Aly comes up next to her, looking at Ricky. And Ricky back to her.

Both awkwardly standing in front of each other. Hesitate to speak.

Aly: Hey Raviv. (putting on a fake smile)

Ricky: (he clears his throat)... Hey Alyson.

Aj feeling very uncomfortable at this point.

Zack: I'm Zack. (He randomly says standing next to Ricky, breaking the ice between them)

Aj: Hey Zack, nice to meet you. (Trying to at least create some bit of conversation in the air)

Aly: Ummm...we should get back to our group. The guys are probably wondering where were at.

Aj looks over to the boys and sees them flirting with a bunch of girls.

Aj: They seems fine to me.

Aly turns to Aj giving her a very aggressive face. Ricky notices Alyson.

Ricky: You know what. You two go ahead. I'll see you guys some other time.

Aly grabs her sisters arm.

Aly: It was nice seeing you Rav. (she walks away dragging her sister with her)

Ricky: Yeah...nice seeing you too. (he slowly says watching her leave)

Zack: So...that was lucky. (trying to brighten up Rickys mood)

Ricky turns to him. Completely not in the mood.

Ricky: I need some air.

Ricky walks out of the bar to get a breather...a big one. Zack stays behind and chats to people around him.

Aly: Hey guys. (greeting the boys with still having a hold of Aj)

Brad: Yo, where have you two been?

Pete: Yeah you two having a good time?

Both have girls around their arm.

Aj: Yeah, tons.

She releases her arm from Aly's hand and turns to her.

Aj: Aly whats up? You completely froze back there. You just stood there like an awkward Popsicle.

Aly: Aj..its Rav.

Aj: Yeah I know. I remember how much of good friends you two use to be.

Aly: Yeah thats the thing..'use to'. (she says making fake quotations with her fingers)

Aj: Aly I know the story. But Ricky is a good friend. One worth giving a second chance too.

Aly continues to stand there listening to her sister with her arms crossed.

Aj: Aly...come one, dont be stubborn.

Aly: I just...I just don't know what to say to him.

Aj: umm...Hi hows it going? Hows life? Hows work?... I dont know, be adults. Its been too long Alyson.

Aly: Yeah I know...its just...-

Aj: I get it. But remember, new beginnings. Thats what we said right? (Aly smiles at her sister for making a point)

Aly: Your right. (nodding, finally agreeing with Aj. )

Aly hands Aj her drink and goes back to the bar, where they were just at. Trying to find Ricky. She spots Zack talking to some people she doesnt know.

Aly: Hey Zack, right? (Aly addressing the boy who was just with Ricky)

Zack: Yeah..?

Aly: Do you know where Raviv went?

Zack: Yeah he went outside.

Aly: Thanks. (she heads towards the exit)

Aly coming out of the doors, glances right...sees no Ricky. Looks left...and there he is one block away all by himself. Leaning against the wall with both hands in his pockets. Aly makes her way to him with her arms crossed, reaction from the cold night. Ricky staring at his shoes, suddenly hears footsteps. He looks over and sees Aly. Immediately getting up wondering what shes doing.

Aly standing in front of him, both staring at each other. No ones saying a word..

Out of nowhere Aly punches his arm.

Ricky: Ow. What the? (placing his hand over his arm, questioning why she just hit him)

Aly: Well you deserved it..(crossing her arms again)

He takes a couple of seconds to speak..

Ricky: I'm sorry... I know I do. (putting his hands back in his pockets, staring down not being able to look at her face)

Aly: ...You left Ricky...without any warning... Its funny cause I thought we were friends.

Ricky: We were.

Aly: ..but what happened.

Ricky: *sigh*(finally looks at her)...I was going through a lot. And I couldnt stand LA...I didn't like my life there. ...Theres more to the story, then what you know.

Aly: So why didn't you tell me?

Ricky: We all have our secrets Alyson. What? Do you really have to know everything? (starts giving her attitude)

Aly: I have a right to know if your planning on moving away. Especially to the other side of the country. (says back to him raising her voice)

Ricky looking away, bites his tongue not responding back to Aly. She ignores her frustration, knowing that fighting will only make the situation worse.

Aly: We all have our problems Rav. And I get it if you don't wanna tell me every single thing.

She slowly starts walking closer to him.

Aly: But when someone cares about you...you gotta give them something. (He stares back at her)

Ricky: Yeah I know...I'm sorry. For...everything.

Aly: I didn't mean to..get all mad at you. I just..-

Ricky: I get it. Its okay. Your right anyway.

Aly: Rav...can we just...start all over? (Ricky a bit surprised she even asked)

Ricky: Really? You really want too?

Aly nods her head with a smile and even a small tear in her eye.

Aly: I'm willing to if you are.

Ricky: Okay. (He leans in and gives her a hug)

They both break apart. Aly wipes off her eyes.

Aly: So...should we get back?

Ricky: Uhhh...yeah. After you. (sticking his hand out signaling her to go ahead)

Both walk back inside.

*****2 hours later*****

Everyone's enjoying themselves. The band are all hanging out, having their own little party. Aj and Zack are getting to know each other talking about music and his shop. And Aly and Ricky both sitting at the bar counter laughing and talking as if everything was back to how it use to be.

Zack: Come by anytime you want.

Aj: Yeah I'll definitely check it out. Sounds awesome. (sees what time it is) Well I better head out, but it was nice meeting you. (Shakes Zacks hand and walks to Aly)

Aly and Ricky continue to giggle as Aj approaches.

Aj: Hey Al, its getting late. We gotta meet James tomorrow. (standing behind and between Aly and Ricky)

Ricky: James? (asking curiously)

Aj: Our manger.

Ricky: Oh.

Aly: Yeah I better get going. (standing up)

Aj: I'll go round up the guys. (she turns to Ricky) It was nice seeing you. (she leans in and hugs him. gives him a small peck on the cheek and walks off)

Aly about to follow her sister.

Ricky: Hey Aly, (she stops and turns to him. He gets up.) You think maybe we can hang out soon? To catch up and stuff.

Aly: Yeah I like that. (smiling at him) Tomorrow?

Ricky: I thought you have to meet with your manager?

Aly: Yeah for like a small meeting in the morning. Afternoon good?

Ricky: Yeah thats perfect.

Aly: Give me your phone.

He reaches in his pocket, gives her his blackberry and she starts dialing her number.

Aly: Here you go. Tomorrow then? (handing the phone back over)

Ricky: Tomorrow. (he smiles at her and she gives one back in return. Then turns around and walks out)

Ricky continues to stand there watching Aly and her band leave the bar.