Chapter 8

The next morning...

Ricky going into Stella's Cafe, like the start of any normal morning. Walking toward his table he greets Stella. "Hey Stella". Stella sees Ricky, "Morning Rav". She grabs the coffee pot and an empty mug, goes to his table and pours him some coffee.

"So, had fun last night?" Stella asks placing his cup on the table in front of him."Yeah. The band was really good" Ricky responding casually.

"Mhmm" She says with a smile, remembering him acting so nervous around the blond headed girl in the band.

"Stop. Its not like that" knowing exactly what shes thinking.

"Oh sure."

"No. I'm serious. Me and Aly have actually been friends for awhile. Last night was..a nice...unexpected reunion. Thats all." Ricky trying to explain to her that theres nothing going on between them two, nor does he even see her in that way. "We were actually costars at a tv show".

Stella sits down next to him. "Another costar?! Geez Rav-"

"No. No. No. " Immediately cutting her off, so she doesnt get the wrong idea again. "Trust me its not like that with her. We're strictly JUST friends. In fact I've never done anything with her...at all"

"You sure about that?" Still not believing what hes saying. Considering his history, dating or hooking up with his costars in the past. Plus that stare he was giving her last night, wasn't a 'friend' stare.

"Yes. I'm sure. I mean...we had one kiss, but it was written in the show. But that was it. We did the scene, kissed, then ate lunch. Strictly friends."

Stella looking right at Ricky, still debating if hes telling the truth. She has only known him for 3 1/2 years, and knows he does have LA friends from his past.

"So youre telling me...nothing. Not even small feelings?"

He takes a couple of seconds to think about it. "Well...I mean yeah. I've had small questionable feelings before. But...I don't know, isn't that normal when having a girl as a friend?...And besides its...different with her. I...respected her too much, to even...try...I guess.."

Listening to what hes saying and seeing how he is just talking about her, she knew he was telling the truth. About him not wanting to try because he has respect for her. Thats how you know he really does genuinely care about Aly. But Stella still having that slight of bit feeling in her gut that he may like her in a more than just a friend way...but she figures thats for him to figure out on his own. And not for her to push it with questions.

"Okay...I'll go grab you your waffles"

Stella gets up and takes a quick glance over to the clear window toward the entrance.

"So what about Sam? Talked to her lately?" she asks, randomly changing the subject.

"Not since a couple of days ago, I think...why?"

"Cause here she comes" Stella walks away and the front door opens. Ricky turns around and sees Samantha walking up to him, smiling as she makes her way to Ricky.

"Hey cutie". She kisses him on the cheek and takes a seat on the chair Stella was just sitting at. "So...Jason had a party last night. He said he saw you at Area."

"Yeah, I saw him too" Confirming to her, not denying anything.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going out? I would of went. Granted I wouldn't wanna watch some Barbie Band." Referring to 78 Violet also previously known as Aly and Aj. "But...I mean if your there..." she reaches in and grabs his hand under the table.

"Sorry it was...last minute" Ricky explaining as he feels his hand interlocking with hers.

Suddenly Stella walks up right in between them. Samantha lets go of his hand.

"Here you go Raviv." Stella places his favorite waffles down directly in front of him, right next to his coffee.

"Anything else?" looking at him not even acknowledging Samantha.

"No, this is fine. Thank you"

Stella walks off back to the counter. Samantha watching Stella as she leaves, then goes back to Ricky. "So...since I missed you last night. Whatcha doing today? Wanna hang out?"

"I'm actually hanging out with a friend". He admits, while grabbing his fork.

"Anyone I know?"

"No...shes uh...an old friend from LA. You don't know her"

"An ex girlfriend?" She says curious and surprised hes hanging out with another girl.

"What? No. Just an old friend? Aly? I did a tv show with her?"

Samantha raising one eyebrow "The 78 Violet chick?...Oh...huh. Interesting"

"Why is everyone giving me that face? Shes an old friend whos in town. Thats it." At this point hes feeling a slight bit annoyed by these assumptions. Even though hes had them before.

"Hm..okay. But since your busy and I probably won't get to see you in a few days. Promise me you'll make time with me?"

"What do you have going on?"

"I'm gonna be swamped with photo shoots. I'm taking a small break off acting and gonna be doing some modeling."

"Oh. Cool." He says nodding his head.

"So...?" Samantha waiting for a response to her previous question.

"Okay fine...I promise"

"Yay! Its a date." She kisses him on the cheek, gets up and leaves feeling satisfied of her visit.
While she walks out Ricky continues to sit there with a smirk on his face, nodding his head side to side.

*****Meanwhile*****

78 Violet all at 'Red Door' studio. A famous music studio with some of the top producers. 78 Violet currently with their manager James talking about their schedule while being in New York.

James pulled some strings into getting them the opportunity to work with known music producers to help them with their upcoming record. With a busy schedule of song writing and recording, they really came to New York to work. Besides having fun, and enjoying their little time away. But yet still having a job to do.

After a long meeting with the band and studio producers, they finally break up for a quick 10 min break.

Aly and Aj sitting on a couch in the common room. Both girls drinking hot tea to help recover their voice from last night. A little bit raspy but nothing serious.

"So last night was fun" Aj mentions to Aly after drinking some of her tea.

"It was very interesting, but eventful" Aly responding back to her sister. Little did Aj know she wasnt referring to the performance but the fact of seeing and talking to Ricky again.

"You and Ricky hanging out today?" Aj asking her sister still sounding a bit sleepy.

"Yeah after this."

"Thats good. I'm glad you two made up"

"Yeah, me too. I miss Rav. It'll be nice to catch up today". Aly telling Aj as she nodds agreeing with her.
James walks up to the girls interrupting their talk. "Hey, big news! The whole 78 Violet buzz is HUGE! People are saying good things about last nights performance. Radio stations all over are talking about it, including back in LA. E news also mentioned it."

Aly and Aj couldn't believe what their hearing. They are both so incredibly happy that everyones loving the new transformation.

"E news?! ..Wait so everyone knows were here..You know what that means. Paparazzi's are gonna try to track us down" Aj pointed out.

"True, so I need you guys to be careful. Lay low. But hey, think positive. Everyone loved last nights show." James reassuring the girls that even though things are about to get crazy for them, its all because of good results. And they should be happy. Which they are, very. Both girls smile at each other bringing that good excited energy in the air.
James takes a look at them. "I have a good feeling about this record girls"

Aly turns to him. "Me too."

******later that afternoon****

Ricky is at the hotel picking up Aly at her and Aj's hotel suite.

*knocks on the door*

Aj opens up and sees Ricky with a friendly smile. Wearing black converse shoes, dark blue jeans, a plain maroon color shirt and a backpack behind him.

"Hey Ricky" Aj smiles as she greets him on the doorway.

"Hey" He smiles back at her and gives her a hug. "So..Aly ready?" He says as they part away.

"Yeah she'll be right out. She's just grabbing her purse. " Aj looks over at Ricky's backpack. "You look like your going to school, whats in the bag?"

Ricky glaring at Aj "Whats in the purse?" saying very mysteriously.

She looks at him very confused. "What purse?" Aj questions him.

"Exactly". Joking around with Amanda, she just laughs and nods her head on the dorky Ricky Ullman she always knew.

A couple of seconds later, Aly comes up behind her.

"Hey" Aly addressing Ricky.

He looks over and smiles. "Hey, ready to go?"

"Yeah, lets go. See you Aj." She hugs her sister and they both walk off.

"Later" Ricky says to Aj as him and Aly leave.

"Alright be careful you too! Ricky have her back by 9." Yelling down the hall, Aj smiles as she tease them while they head to the elevator. Both just rolled their eyes knowing shes just messing around.

"So where we going?" Aly asking Ricky very curious.

"I thought we would hang out at Central Park. Grab something to eat, and go from there."

"Oh Cool." Both step inside the elevator, Ricky presses the button to take them down to the lobby. Aly glances over to Ricky and notices him wearing a backpack.

"Whats in the bag?" She asks pointing to the mysterious black and brown jansport backpack.

He slowly turns to her. "Whats in the purse?" He asks, making the same teaser comment he just did to Aj.

Aly knowing where this was going, didn't say anything else. Just stood there nodding her head laughing to herself as the doors close.

*****Central Park******

They both arrive in Central Park. Just got out of the taxi and now walking side to side on the pathway.

"I cant believe you've been living here for almost 4 years now and you haven't bought a car yet." Aly says to Ricky while looking around at the beautiful park.

The park is HUGE. Filled with trees, grass, families, couples, kids, dogs, etc.

"Hahahaha, well..one its New York. Practically no point into getting a car. Theres traffic jams almost in every corner. And two..its New York. Everythings already fast. I believe in slowing things down. Taking a breather. Enjoying..I don't know, the simple small things. Like this park. Bet you didn't know I was gonna take you here." He smirks at Aly who agrees with what he said.

"Actually no. I'm kinda surprised. But I like it. So how do you get around? You normally just take the taxi?" She asks him.

"Well sometimes. Other times I walk, or take the subway. That and I have a bike. So I use that too." Both still walking right next to each other down the pathway.

"So you come here a lot?" Aly asking Ricky referring to the park.

"Yeah most of the time on my days off from work. Or you know..when I just want a breather."

Aly taking another look around "Well its really pretty. You know I don't think I've ever been here. Not once."

"Really?" Ricky finding it shocked to hear.

"Yeah. I've been at Washington Square Park though. But not here." As they make their way down the trail Aly and Ricky both looking at the tall trees around the park noticing the pretty change in color to the leafs. "I mean I've passed by this place. But thats it. I'm mostly here for work anyways." Aly continues to tell him.

Ricky taps her arm. "Come on, I'll show you the best part about this place"

She follows as he leads her a little more further down the trail. He takes her to a hot dog stand posted at the park.

"Hot dogs?" Aly saying a bit confused.

"Not just any hot dogs. These are the best greasy hot dogs in all of New York." Ricky says to Aly. She just looks at him with a smile as they both stand in line.

"Hey Mike" Ricky addressing the hot dog stand owner.

"Oh hey whats up Ricky." Mike saying back at Ricky.

"Oh nothing much. Just hanging out. Umm..one with everything?" He turns to look over at Aly.

"Oh make that two please." She says to him.

Aly reaches in her purse for her wallet. Ricky sees, then placing his hand on her arm he stops her. "Oh no. My treat."

"No its okay. I got it." Aly telling Ricky.

"No, really. Its cool. You're the out of town visitor. Take it as a New York custom." Smiling at her he reaches in his pocket and grabs a 10 dollar bill. He hands it over to Mike, trading in for their food.

"Thanks man, keep the change." Ricky says as he pays.

"Alright. See ya Ricky" They both walk away, Alyson takes her first bite. Her eyes get wide with the result of a delicious taste.

"Omg, this is really good" She covers her mouth with one hand as she chews her food.

"Ha, see told you you'll like it" Ricky pointing to Aly.

The two find an empty park bench to sit at. Finishing their lunch Ricky takes off his backpack and pulls out two caprisuns. Hands one to Aly and both relax to enjoy their hotdogs.

While eating, both decided to mess around a little. Started making faces at each other. Opening their mouth, in mid chew.

Aly nearly choking from laughing at Ricky while having her mouth full.

One thing that people fail to realize about a friendship like theirs is that they don't need to do much to impress each other. Or even try. They can just be themselves, Ricky can act dorky and silly and Aly gets silly with him.

They both finish eating. Throw away their trash and Ricky tells Aly to follow him.

He takes her to a lake. A few people around having picnics, flying kites. And ducks swimming in the lake. Aly and Ricky standing in the middle a bridge watching the ducks. Ricky pulls a bag of bread from his bag and hands some over to Aly. She smiles taking a piece of bread, breaking it to a smaller size, and throws them at the lake. Ricky does the same. And both watch as the ducks eat the bread.

After feeding the ducks, they walk over to the other side of the bridge finding a nice spot, they sit on the grass. Facing the lake looking at the beautiful scenery in front of them.

Ricky looks at Aly. "You really played amazing last night."

"Thanks. What do you think about the new material?" Aly asks.

"Its different. But I like it. A little edger." He tells her.

"So how about you? Any specific plays you focus on?" She begins to turn the question table.

"No...its more like...whatever I get my hands on, I'll be able to do it. Or least try."

"Do you normally go to Area?" Aly asking him another question.

"I use to a lot. Then more clubbing and parties. But I...kinda distance myself from it. Now I'm more focused on myself and my work."

"Oh well thats good."

"Yeah only reason I was at Area last night was cause the manager, Joe, and his wife Stella said I should go. They say I work too much. Which..I dont know...I guess their right. They said I needed a break." Aly listens to him totally understanding what hes talking about.

"Yeah Aj thought this whole New York thing would be good. Get to focus on work and get aways from LA for a bit." Ricky smiling at Aly once again, He never thought this would happen. That she'd ever forgive him. That shes even right there with him right now, talking to him.

They both start catching up, talking about work. Aly tells him about the shows shes done and Ricky does the same. Ricky also talking about his friends in New York. Mainly about Joe, Stella, and Zack. How every morning he goes to Stellas cafe for breakfast. And they also talk about 'Area' and what bands played there.

After an hour of staying at the same spot, just talking and catching up Ricky glances across the lake and sees what he recognizes is a photographer hiding taking pictures of them.

"Damnit, I knew this would happen." Ricky saying to Aly trying to not show he sees the guy taking pictures.

"What, whats going on?"

"Paparazzi's across the lake. Dont look. " Both Ricky and Aly look down to hid their face. "Alright, I think its time to go. Just act casual" He says to her as they begin to walk away.

The paparazzi sees them and starts to follow.

While they both walk off trying to leave the park, Ricky reaches in his bag and takes out a hoodie and a baseball cap. He hands Aly the hoodie and tells her to put it on, while he puts the cap on his head facing forward. Ricky getting Aly out of the park smoothly losing the paparazzi, they both go to the subway and he takes her to their next location.