Chapter 13

For the next couple of days 78 Violet has been in the studio recording their new song 'Hothouse'. Adding their finishing touches, editing the track. Ricky on the other hand tried to contact Aly, but of course she constantly ignored every phone call or text.

Zack's Underground

Ricky just walking in, goes straight to the front counter. Zack sitting in front of the cash register looking over sell records, sees his friend walking towards him. Ricky takes a seat on a stool posted on the other side of Zack. As he sits he lays his head on the counter top.

Ricky softy starts banging his head on the desk. "You okay man?" Zack asks staring at him wondering what is he doing.

Ricky stops, slowly lifts his head. "I can't stop thinking about her."

Zack takes a deep breath feeling sorry for him.

Ricky turns to him. "No its just...it sucks cause she may not feel the same. And I'm here...dreaming in my own mind that I have a shot.''

''Well you don't know for sure.''

''Zack...I called like 15 times. And left messages. Nothing, no response at all.'' Ricky continues to bang his head on the table, feeling more stupid and pathetic now that he actually said it out loud. "I mean did I do something, to scare her off?"

"I don't think so..but come on. Maybe shes been busy."

The two boys pause from talking and out of familiar names come across the radio station.

Smash Music

"Hey everybody if your just checking in we have Aly and Aj here, now known as 78 Violet. With the guys from their band."

Ricky and Zack pay straight attention.

"So you guys just had a show here over at Area. I heard the crowd was delighted with the new stuff."

"Yeah. It was really fun. We all had a good time, and it felt so good to get back out there." Aly speaking into the mic. The rest of the guys nodding agreeing with her response.

"That's awesome. So I heard you're now recording at Red door. Hows that been?"

"Its been great. We were just there yesterday, recording a new song. And we're happy working with such talented producers and songwriters helping us out. Making sure this albums going to be the best yet." Aj answers.

"Cool, cool... Okay, so it wouldn't be my job unless I ask..Aly...you were recently spotted the other day at central park. With..someone.." Tim pauses, and everyone is at the edge of their seat. "Theres paparazzi pictures with you and Ricky Ullman. Who was I believe was a former co star on Disney Channel."

Ricky whos back at Zack's underground listening to the same interview. Thinking "Oh...crap.."

"Are you guys..dating? Whats the status?" Tim continuing the bold question to ask on a live interview.

Aj practically feeling her sisters heartbeat full of panic.

"We're just friends. He actually lives here in New York. And we haven't seen each other in awhile so it was nice catching up with him, seeing how he's doing." Aly remaining her cool.

"Would you guys consider dating, ever?"

Ricky's completely on his toes at this point. Nervous to what she'll say next.

"You know I've been friends for him for years. And thats really all I see him as...but then again you can't really predict the future. But right now he's just a good old friend." Aly lying, but had no choice. Not wanting the world to know her deep true feelings for Ricky.

Right when Ricky heard her answer..the words 'just a good old friend' struck him. Feeling the same heartbreak Aly was feeling the other day when she met Samantha. Zack looked over to him, didn't know what to say. It was clear that his friend was in pain.
Zack slowly opens his mouth with hesitation. "She did say you can't really predict the future. You never know."

"Yeah..but my feelings are pretty pointless at this point." Ricky gets up from the stool and starts walking away. "I'm gonna go for a walk. I'll catch up with you later." He exits the store. Knowing Ricky, Zack lets him go. Understanding that no words can make him feel better, but time to himself.

The interview eventually ends. And the gang heads off back to the studio to met with they're manager.

Red Door Studio

The band all in the studio room waiting for James. All trying to kill time. Aly drawing funny cartoon characters on the side. Aj taking magazine quizzes, Steve and Pete playing cards, Brad fondling with his acoustic guitar, and David on his laptop surfing the web. So far its been a couple of hours and still haven't heard anything.

"Oh. Found it." David says out loud. "Ricky Ullman and Alyson Michalka, who were co stars on Disney Channel's tv hit 'Phil of the Future', were both spotted on a romantic date taking a stroll down central park." David reading off of an online music entertainment news article with pictures of Ricky and Aly together.

Everyone goes over to look at Davids computer screen. All take a second to glance over to Aly who's sitting across the room with both of her arms crossed.

She looks and sees everyone staring at her. "It wasn't a date!" She reassures them.

"Okay guys. That's enough." Aj says reaching in closing David's laptop. Everyone breaks apart and goes back to their original seats.
The door opens and finally James comes in. Aly in relief of changing the subject to work.

"So I just got done talking to the label and they absolutely love 'Hothouse'. They think and I completely agree, it should be the next single." James sharing the news with the group was what Aly needed.

Everyone smiling happy with the results.

"Keep up the great work guys. I'll talk to you guys soon." James leaves the room.

"Alright, this is good." Steve reassuring everyone.

"Yeah. At least now we have a single. Now is just the other songs for the album we need to work on." Aj adding on.

"We can do it." Aly telling her sister.

"Tomorrow's a new day for work. But tonight I say we celebrate." Brad says.

Aly looks at him. "We have to be here tomorrow.''

"Come on, just two drinks. Nothing crazy. Hey the best way to clear your head is to take a break, remember? We deserve this. We've been working crazy these past couple days. And knowing its all slowly settling paying off..sounds like a reason to celebrate, at least just a little." Brad tells the girls.

Aly and Aj both look over at each other. Almost like reading each other's minds they agree.

"Okay..fine. Just a little"

Later on that day…

Area

78 Violet all in the bar toasting to the upcoming record. Joe of the other side smiling at the gang. "I might as well make all you guys regulars. Haha"

Everyone having a good time, laughing, drinking. Good energy in the air. Aly almost forgetting about the whole Ricky deal.

A couple of minutes later Ricky just so happens to walk in with Zack. Looking over at the bar he sees Aly with her band.

"Look there's Aly. What should I do?" Ricky asks Zack.

"What do you mean what should you do, go over there and ask her whats up? Just be flat out why haven't you been returning my calls. Go" Zack pushes Ricky towards the bar in the direction of the crew.

Aj facing Aly looking over behind her she sees Ricky and Zack making there way towards them. "Aly, Rickys coming.."
Aly's eyes wide open. Nervous to whats going to happen next. Not perparing what she would say to him when they eventually run into each other.

Ricky taps Aly's shoulder, she turns around. Everyone else just stares, completely butting in.

"Hey." Ricky greets her.

"Hey" Aly greets back.

"So…I tried hitting you up a few times..but.. I don't know. I haven't gotten anything back." Ricky feeling his butterflies grow even more.

"Sorry. I've just been really busy." Aly answers him.

"You could of said so. I mean send me a text or something, I was getting kinda worried."

"What thought I left without a word?'' Aly acting like a complete sarcastic bitch. She realize what she said.

Ricky continues to just stare wondering where this attitude came from. "Wow...is this why you haven't been talking to me, you're still mad?"

Aly nodding her head. "No.."

"I thought we were good."

"We were..are." Aly correcting herself. "Look Ricky...I just been needing my space. You know for various of reasons. Especially since the pictures of us..."

"People been assuming something every since Phil of the Future. Why should it matter now?" Ricky slowly raising his voice.

"It doesn't...its just...(*sigh*)...I just dont want any distractions..okay? Can you please respect that?..Besides come on. You know as well I'm not suited for your definition of fun."

Not knowing what else to say Ricky stood there completely speechless, not understanding at all why shes suddenly pushing him away. He just knew theres no right words to change her mind.

"You know I think that was the first time you've ever addressed me as 'Ricky'. Theres only a few people who actually call me by my real name by their own choice... and you were one of them. The others are either family or close friends I grew up with."

Aly could suddenly feel his heart break and the pain she caused. Feeling hers beat with so much soreness. But nothing more could be said, as so what she thought.

"I'll...see you around." Ricky walks away with Zack. Not even staying the two leave the bar. Aly watches him leave. Couldn't believe what she said and whats shes done but knew it was the 'right' thing to do. Aj touches Aly's arm getting her attention. She gives her sister a smile. And Aly gives a fake one in return, they all go back to their night.