Chapter 12

Stella's Cafe

Ricky walks in to meet up with Zack, who's on his lunch break. Walking toward his booth, Ricky sees his blond friend staring at his sandwich picking the pickles off. Ricky takes the empty seat across from him. "Hey man." Ricky greeting Zack.

"Oh hey. Whats up?" Zack continuing to pick off the pickles and moving them to the side of his plate.

"So..I think I'm gonna go for it. Gonna tell Aly how I feel. I figured why not take the chance? I haven't felt this way in awhile."

"Wow. Man that's awesome. "

Stella walks up to their table. "What's awesome?" She asks interrupting their conversation.

"How...you and Joe are renewing your vows." Ricky playing off the Aly talk. Zack looks at him confused to why he changed the topic.

"Thank you. And Joe told me about how he made you his best man. Couldn't agree with him more. You're the one most fit for it." Stella smiling at Ricky.

"Well I'm honored." He says returning the smile. Stella leans in for a hug.

"So, you want anything for lunch?" She asks letting go of him.

"Ummm...I'll just get a regular cheese burger with fries. And a diet coke."

"Okay, coming right up." Stella begins to walk away.

Zack looks over at Ricky. "..why didn't you tell Stella your planning on telling Aly how you feel?"

"I don't know..I don't really want to make it into a big thing. I rather keep it downlow til I know Aly's feelings.''

"Gotcha." Zack takes a bite of his sandwich.

20 minutes later Aly and Aj are making their way toward Stella's to grab lunch for them and the rest of the band members.

"I'm telling you Aj, I think we have a hit." Aly says to her sister while they both walk side by side.

"Let's not get too cocky now. We just have to hope the label likes it. By the way you did tell the guys to meet us at the studio right?" Aj asks Aly.

"Yup. Pete just texted me 5 mins ago, he says they're already there. Just make sure we don't forget to bring them food." Aj nods her head and the two arrive at the cafe.

Zack spots the blond girls and alerts Ricky. "Hey, your girls here." While in mid chew Ricky turns his head towards the entrance and sees Aly and Aj both walking in and admittedly going straight to the counter to Stella.

Stella sees them both. "Hey girls." She greets with a smile.

"Hey Stella. Can we get four cheese burgers with curly fries, and two turkey subs, all to go please?" As Aj orders Ricky wipes his mouth with a napkin, then slowly gets up to walk on over to Aly.

"You got it." Stella goes over to the back.

Aly looks and sees Ricky walking toward her. Freaking out she quickly thinks of a way to avoid him. "Hey I'm gonna go use the restroom real quick." Aly speeds walks away and Ricky stops standing beside Aj looking confused of why she just left in a hurry. But nodding off the question he address Aj.

"Hey Aj." He says to her with a smile.

''Oh Hey Ricky. Having lunch?" Aj now understanding why her sister took off in such a hurry and trying to make conversation with Ricky without being too awkward.

"Yeah. Me and Zack. So what are you and Aly up too?" He asks.

"Ummm we're just on our way to the studio."

"Oh, so you girls are back on your feet? Thats great!" Ricky very happy for them. Knowing exactly how it feels to have that blockage keeping you away from doing your absolute best.'

"Yup."

Aly peeks her head out side the door and notices Aj having her 'awkward, save me stance'. She takes a deep breath, releases it and walks over to Ricky and her sister.

Ricky sees Aly. "Hey." He says with a smile, happy to see her.

"Hey." Aly returns the smile..but with a fake one.

"So...umm...Aj was just telling me you guys are going to the studio. That's good, that means you two our inspired. Right?"

"Yeah..I guess sometimes it comes from places you never really imagined." Aly says in a semi snobby way.

Ricky confused by her attitude but again rubs it off. "So after the studio, umm..you wanna hang out? I know a place we're they have great-"

Aly cuts him off. "I don't think so Rav..I have plans. With the band."

"Oh..what about tomorrow?"

"Busy again. My schedules pretty much filled." Aly lying. But had no choice. She needed space from Ricky. Just didn't quit know how to tell him.

"Oh..okay..Well I guess I'll just see you around.." Ricky sounding very disappointed. "Later Aj." He slowly walks away, back to his table.

Stella returns to the front carrying two white large paper bags. "Okay, two turkey subs and four cheese burgers with curly fries. I even added two slices of apple pies for you girls. On the house."

"Thanks Stel." Aj says with a big smile.

"That will be 25 even"

Aj reaches in her purse and hands Stella the money. As Stella reaches in and grabs the cash from Aj, Aly notices an interesting diamond ring on her finger. "Hey, new ring?"

Stella smiles and surprise with the eagle eye. "Yes. Joe gave it to me last night on our 25th anniversary. He proposed and we're renewing our vows." She tells them excited and happy as ever.

Both girls gasp with the news. "Omg congratulations!"

Now as the three ladies having a few minutes of girl time to chat about the details. Ricky glances over at Aly. Thinking if she was trying to avoid him for some reason. If it was all on purpose. Trying to forget about these thoughts because assuming and knowing are completely different.

"So have you thought about a date yet?" Aj asks.

"No. We'll probably have it soon though. Something small too."

"Well were happy for both of you." Aly tells her.

"Yeah. Anyways we should be going. But if you need any help, me and Aly are your girls." Aj and Aly both reach in for a hug from Stella. Then grab there bags to head out.

Ricky watching Aly leave the cafe. And her not even addressing him. "So, I take it things didn't go so good?" Zack asks. Ricky looks back over to him and without answering back the two continue to eat their lunch.

******Red Door Studio*******

The girls arrive with the food and every one digs in. After having their lunch they begin to work. Discussing the new song and learning the sound. Each member messing around with their instrument to catch the vibe on.

"Whats a hothouse flower?" Steve asking out of the blue staring at the lyrics.

Everyone looks over to him. "Steve my good friend. Well since Aly is crushing on you know who. Only one name comes to mind." Brad answers with a smirk.
Aly giving Brad the death stare and Aj rolling her eyes.

"It doesn't matter. Look its a good song. We can all agree to that, right?" Aj says. Everyone nods to their head, then continuing practicing individually. Aly walks out the door, making her way down the hall. Aj sees and follows.

"Hey Aly, we're you going?" Aj stopping her sister.

"I just can't get this stupid feeling out. Why do I keep doing this to myself?"

"So, I assume it was about Ricky?" Aj asks.

"Yes, and I don't know. About Matt too I guess. I just hate how I put myself in these positions." Aly crosses her arms, feeling very frustrated with herself.

"Hey. You're not alone. I made stupid boy mistakes too. We all do it. But its those mistakes that we learn from. Come on Aly. You gotta admit you wrote a pretty kick ass song last night. Just think its not just a song but something people can relate by.''

''Don't forget with you help too.'' She smiles and gives a hug too her sister for always being the understanding and reasonable one. Again Aj saves the day.

The two both walk back to their studio room.