Chapter 14

A few more days have passed by. And both Ricky and Aly haven't spoken to each other since that night at Area. Ricky still pretty confused and ticked off from Aly.

Stella's Cafe

Ricky walks in ready to get his usual breakfast. Sitting down at his table Stella looks over and makes her way.

"Morning Stella." Ricky says placing his messenger bag on the seat next to him.

"Morning." She starts pouring him a fresh cup of coffee.

"You look very dressed up today." She says noticing his attire.

Ricky was wearing a white dress shirt and black skinny tie. With a brown sweater vest and light brown pants. His hair was combed neatly forward.

He looks at her "I'm meeting with my agent about a new project I have in mind...is it too much?".

"What another one already? I thought I told you to take a break?"

"Yeah..and I did..it was fun. But now it's time to get back to work. Besides this... is kinda different." Ricky explains to her.

"They always are...(sigh) Well, you look handsome." Stella smiles at Ricky. Ricky returns it with a grin. She places her hand on this shoulder then walked away.

Ricky takes a sip of his coffee. He takes out his laptop, places it in front of him, and opens it up. Rereading one of his short stories. Making sure every word was perfect and that there wasn't any mistakes. Completely concentrated at the screen he doesn't notice Samantha walking in the cafe at that moment.

She walks up to Ricky and slides her hand to his shoulders, "Hey cutie." she says moving her hand down his body and kisses his cheek. He freezes and closes the laptop, looking over to see Samantha pulling up a chair.

"Hey...Sam..?" Ricky wondering where'd she came from. "Listen I'm really sorry about the other day. I..I feel terrible." He says.

"Ricky I told you, its fine. Besides you always make it up to me." Sam reaches for his hand.

Ricky doesn't pull back. Instead he looks at her and smirk.

"Look, I'm kinda in the middle of something." He says letting her go and gesturing the computer in front of him.

"Something I can help you with?" She asks.

"No, its kinda like a personal thing."

"Okay. But hey Jason's throwing a huge rager tonight. You should go." She says smiling at him.

"Parties aren't really my thing anymore Sam."

"Nothings your thing anymore...look I..just thought I'd let you know. In case you decide to be fun again." She gets up and storms out.

Stella walks up toward Ricky's table carrying his waffles. "Geez...you sure know how to upset women these days."

"Not funny." Ricky said feeling like a born again idiot.

Stella places hes plate to the side. "Hey..for the record. I think your fun." She smiles at him and he smiles back. "You need anything else?". She asks.

"Yeah, Can I print something out? My printer ran out of ink last night." He tells her.

"Yeah of course. You know where it is, at the back." Stella points to the back of the cafe toward her office.

"Cool, thanks Stel."

"Mhm."

When she walks away Ricky opens back up his laptop returning to what he was doing.

Red Door

The girls are in the studio going over another new song. Everyone behind their instruments and both Aly and Aj behind the mics.

Aj waves her arms cutting the band off from playing. "No, no...it sounds a little too pop like. I'm not feeling the guitar." She looks over at Brad.

"Well what's wrong with it?" He asks.

"Sounds too...(sigh) Ryan Cabrera."

"Excuse me?" Brad in total shock. Of course nothing wrong with Ryan. but in this case...he takes total offense. "Okay first you stopped me because I sounded too punk. Now pop? Why don't you just write the chords you want?"

"We don't know what we want yet. Lets just keep trying and we'll find the right sound." Aly says stepping in.

Brad sighs. "I think I need a break."

"No, no breaks. I swear we're almost there." Aj says.

"I hate to break it to you guys. But your just about out of time for today." The man working the studio currently informs them.

Everyone begins putting away there instruments. Aly walks over toward her sister and taps her arm. "Hey we'll get it."

Aj looks at her and smiles. After she continues to pack up her notebooks and guitar. Aly on the other hand walks over to Brad.

"Hey. You okay?" She asks.

"Your sisters driving me crazy." He says closing his guitar case.

"She has her days, just like how you guys know that I have mine."

He smirks. "Yeah..believe me. We know." They both laugh.

"So I know this great record store not too far from here. I thought we could go and find something to help us out. Something more John Mayer and not too 'On the Way Down' haha." Aly kindly suggests.

"Okay fine. But after we get a bite to eat. Saw a cool looking pizza place 5 buildings down." Brad agrees and they both head out.

Ricky now in the waiting room of his acting agency.

A very tall skinny women walks in the room. "Raviv Ullman?" She asks.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Landford will see you now. Follow me please." She smiles at him. And they start making their way.

She leads him to his office. Mr Jacob Landford, a well liked agent. He has been Ricky's 5th agent in his entire acting career, so far so good.

Ricky walks in the office. "Rick, come on in." Jacob says.

Ricky makes his way toward him, shakes his hand and gives him a hug. "Good to see you." Ricky says.

"Oh its great to see you. Hows the city treating you these days?" Jacob says sitting back down his seat.

Ricky taking the seat across from him. "Same old, same old."

"So why the visit today? Ready to make another move?" Him referring to another acting gig.

"Yes, and no...I've been thinking a lot about my career. And I love acting, you know I do. But I've been considering other options too." Ricky explains to him. He reaches over for his bag and pulls out a stack of paper clipped together. "You see..I've been doing some writing of my own. And...I kinda wanna do a movie. A short..film." He takes a deep breathe and hands over his story. Jacob reaching in and grabs the stack of paper from Ricky. He begins flipping through the pages.

"I have more...others. This one..is just one of my favorites." Ricky feeling nervous watching Jacob look through the pages bit by bit. Feeling as if auditioning for his first play.

"So what do you think?" Ricky asks trying to break his silence.

Jacob sets the papers on his desk in front of him and looks up to Ricky. "Ricky...you know your one of my favorite clients. And I believe you have talent."

"but..?"

"(sigh)...It's a tough thing. Being in this industry you know this. And for an actor to switch roles...its risky. But if you really...really want to do this...then I'll pitch it to producers."

Ricky shock from what he's hearing. "Really? Yeah."

"Now look. You know how these things go, it'll probably take some time. And the fact that people see you as just an actor first hand...a young actor...honestly?...chances are..slim to none. But once I hear word, and get an offer I'll let you know. But I'm really just telling you...don't get your hopes up."

Ricky nodding his head in agreement. Understanding hes just looking out for him, but this is his nice way of saying its not gonna happen.

Ricky gets up from his seat, "Thank you." He gives a firm handshake.

"Of course. So is that it? No roles you want to look into?" Jacob asks.

"No. Ummm..not right now at least."

"Okay. Well let me know."

Ricky leaves the office.

Slowly walking out of the building Ricky reaches to loosen his tie walking toward the subway entrance. Not paying attention, staring at the ground he bumps into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Ricky looks up to see who it was.

The man in a grey suit turns around. He's about 26 years old, black short trimmed hair.

"Don't worry about it. Hey you're that one actor. You were in that one show."

"Good to hear I'm memorable" Ricky says sarcastically.

"Sorry..I'm not really good with titles and names. I'm Frankie. Frankie Smithson." He sticks out his hand for a shake.

Ricky reaches in. "Raviv Ullman, but you can call me Ricky. People usually do."

"Nice to meet you. Were you just in Star House (name of the acting agency)?"

"Yeah, I was just meeting with my agent. Jacob Landford."

"Oh that's cool. Landford, I think I've worked with some of his clients before." Frankie says as they both start walking slowly side by side down.

"Oh you..in the business?"

"I'm a scene director...assistant. But you gotta start at the bottom right?"

"Oh well that's cool too. I mean the way I see it, there's no such thing as a small role in show business. We're all equal, I mean we all need each other to function. You know?"

"Exactly." Frankie stops and turns to Ricky. "Hey what are you doing right now?"

"Umm...nothing much...why?"

They both end up in the back ally. Frankie looks to his right, left, back just to make sure no one was around. He reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out a plastic bag with a joint all ready wrapped up and ready to be smoked.

"Weed? You brought weed...to work."

"Yeah. Believe it or not but this is actually what helps me work. You know helps me come up with interesting props and background. I kinda got it from Mike Crawford and Adam Peterson." Frankie tells Ricky.

"The directors? Really?"

"Oh yeah. Its uh..secret to their projects and huge career. So you want to?" Frankie holds the bag in front of Ricky.

Ricky continues just to stare at it. Debating. Its been years since his last roll. He knows hes not that guy anymore...but the way the last couple of weeks been turning out. With almost a desperate need to make his projects work...

"Oh screw it." He takes the joint and lights it up to take a hit.

After smoking the two stayed in the ally way. Laughing, and talking...and laughing.

"hahaha the dog was red..." Ricky busting out, leaning against the brick wall.

"Oh man...I'm so hungry. You hungry?" Frankie asks.

"I got the munchies." Ricky answers back.

"Know any good places?"

A grin appears on Ricky's face.

-Stella's Cafe-

Both Frankie and Ricky walk in and take their seat on a booth. Stella not in sight. A waitress walks up to them to get their order. They both order a burger and fries with extra pickles on the side.

Eating their food as if they haven't eaten in weeks. Stella walks in, she sees Ricky and a new friend decides to walk over to say hello.

"Hey Ricky. Having lunch I see. Who's your friend?"

Ricky looks up to her "Stel..this is Frankie. Hes...awesome." Ricky begins to chuckle and Frankie joins in.

Stella a bit confused as to whats so funny, she lets it go. "Can I get anything else for you two?"

Ricky looks back at his half eaten food and takes a couples minutes to answer.

"...ummmmm can we get cheesecake?" He asks with eyes so wide.

Frankie with the same facial expression looks at Stella "oh yeah cheesecake. hahahah"

Stella beginning to understand exactly whats going on. "Um okay Ricky can I see you for a sec?"

"You are seeing me." Ricky and Frankie laughing.

"I mean can I talk to you in private."

Ricky gets up and walks with Stella on the side away from Frankie.

"Okay Ricky Ullman you better give me a honest answer. Are you high?" She asks.

"As a kite." Ricky answering her question with a huge smile on his face.

"Oh okay. Thank you for your honesty. Now next question...(she hit his head) what the hell is the matter with you?!"

"Och!"

"Are you crazy? You know what drugs do to people. Ricky I thought you were better then that. Whats this about? Is this about Alyson? Samantha?"

''What?! No."

"Then what?"

"Nothing...I haven't done this in awhile. You said it yourself to chill and have fun." He explains to her with a total made up lie.

"I didn't mean to illegal drugs."

"I'm sorry." He gives her the puppy dog face.

"Okay. This better be a one time thing Ricky Ullman. And you better be careful. I mean it." She tells him.

"Boy scout honor." He salutes her and walks back to his table.

Stella watches him and shakes her head.

After eating pizza Aly and her band mate Brad decide to go to Zacks underground in search for some inspiration to their new song.

They walk in the store. "Hey Zack" Aly says to the blond hair male.

"Oh hey. Whats up?" He greets her back a bit shocked to see her at his store.

"This is Brad he plays guitar in my band."

"Hey man nice to meet you." Zack says

"Nice to meet you." They both shake hands.

"So what brings you in the underground?" Zack asks.

"Just wanna listen to nice tunes hoping to have some music inspiration." Aly tells him.

"Oh well knock yourself. I'm glad you thought of my store to help you guys out." Zack says with a smile.

"Thanks." Aly and Brad begin to wander.

After they boys finish their meal they sit back to relax their satisfied stomachs.

"So where to now?" Frankie asks.

"I don't know...oh hey a friend of mine is throwing a party tonight. You wanna go?" Ricky asks. Usually he doesn't like going to parties but today...hes feeling a bit different.

"Yeah I'm down." Frankie says in agreement.

"Okay cool. Let me just go make a stop."

The two boys head out.

-Zacks Underground-

Aly and Brad still at the stop walking to the front to cash out.

"I think we found some treasures." Brad says.

"I think so too." Aly agrees.

Aly hands over the CDs to Zack on the counter. Zack begins to ring them up.

Suddenly two still stone boys walk into the store.

Aly's heart begins to beat harder as she sees Ricky walking toward their direction.

"Zack!" Ricky says.

Zack looks over at his friend. "Hey dude. Whats up?"

"Get ready we're going to Jasons." Ricky tells him not even addressing the blond girl in front of him.

"Jasons? I thought you don't do parties at Jason's house again."

"Yeah but today just feels like a good day. By the way this is Frankie. Frankie this is my friend Zack."

They both exchange nods.

"So get ready. Come on."

Zack looks at Ricky very confused as if hes looking at a complete different guy. Or the guy he use to be. "Are you sure your okay bro?"

Aly too a bit curious on whats going on with Ricky.

"Yeah of course." Ricky tells him.

Zack takes another good look at him. Of course the eyes says it all. "Are you baked?" He asks.

"Like a cake." Ricky smiles and both him and Frankie share a giggle.

"What why would you do that?!" Aly surprise with the news.

Ricky finally turns to her. "Because its my definition of fun." He says repeating the last thing she said to him at Area.

Aly hurt, but felt that she deserved it.

Theres an awkward tension in the air. Zack decides to break the silence. "So Jasons?"

Ricky turns back at Zack. "Yeah, Jasons at 8."

"I'll meet you guys there. Gotta close at 9."

"Okay. See you." They both walk out.

Zack begins to continue scanning the rest of the CDs. "okay that will be 24.57"

Brad hands Zack two 20s. and Zack start getting him his change.

"Hey Zack..." Aly says.

Zack looks up, hands over the money to Brad. "Yeah?"

"Can you bring us to Jasons?" She asks. Brad turns his head to hear shocked.

Zack feeling the same. "ummm...I dont know...if..-"

Aly cuts him off. "Please. I was horrible to Ricky. And I dont know...I just wanna prove to him he doesnt and isnt that same guy anymore. The one who drinks and smokes with no care about his future. Please?"

Zack feeling trapped. "okay."

Brad tugs on Aly's arm. "Aly are you sure about this? I mean who am I to say no to a party. But are you sure you want to go?"

"Yes. I need to. You don't have to if you don't want to."

"Oh no I want to. Plus...as your band member...I feel like its my duty to look after you. I mean what are we gonna do if something happens to one of our lead singers. haha" Brad jokes around. Aly smiles and nods her head.

"Okay but let me text Aj. I'll just tell her we're gonna watch a movie."