To Live Is To Dream Chapter 16

Richie hadn't noticed her at first, he'd been too busy signing autographs and taking pictures with the handful of fans waiting in the hotel lobby. he'd justhappened to glance her way as he was making small talk with a very attractive young woman dressed in a very enticing way.

He looked at the clock and wondered what she was doing down here at damn near 3 am. It didn't look as if she'd been waiting for him because she hadn't even gotten up or looked his way once.

The last two weeks had been a real akward time for them both. Her Uncle hadn't given him a chance to speak with her alone, not once. They hadn't been able to talk and joke like normal because Ami just wasn't being herself.. well not the Ami Richie knew was there. She was back to the quiet reserved shadow girl again. No more full on smiles, no more shining laughter, haunted eyes....

He quickly but politely excused himself from the young woman and made his way to Ami grabbing a seat next her " hey there.. aren't you out a bit late Ami?"

Ami damn near came up off the couch he'd snuck up on her so quietly "oh!..... Richie.. hey.."

"hey.." he smiled " everything ok?"

"yeah i just um....needed to dissappear for a bit... my uncle... he um.. has company tonight...." she blushed a bit.

"ah... company... i see...." he shook his head a bit thinking that wasn't exactly a good role model there. then again he didnt think Randy knew what being responsible or a role model was. He didn;t think that man knew anything but crudeness. " So what are you gonna do just hang out here all night?"

"yeah" she shrugged " might as well"

He watched he for a minute or two... she hadn't glanced at him once, just kept he nose burried in her magazine, though he doubted she was actually reading it at that point. So he reached over and gently grabbed it fromher lap an tossed it back ont he table.

"Hey!!! what???" she finally looked up at him in suprise

"your not staying here all night" he took her hand "come on"

"what? where? richie I can't go back tomy room I don't wanna" she pulled her hand away

"hey.... your not going back to youroom your coming with me" He grabbed her hand back up again and pushed the button for the elvator "youneed somewhere to stay so just stay with me... it's either that or i'm sitting my ass downin that lobby right beside you all night" he said very firmly

Ami wasn't sure how to act. She hadn't ever heard him use such an authorative tone with her before. It wasn't mean not at all just very firm. she stole a glance up at him and saw a look of determination on his face so she conceded defeat and silently followed him up to his room.