ChapterTwelve-Exposed Bully  

February 14th, 2005

 It was a few days later, and back at the Beacon Hill High, the remaining performing arts students met together in the music room. One of the students, Ashley, spoke up first: "You all saw the results on Friday that the Alyson and Andrew band wasn't eliminated. They were in the Bottom 6, but that was it."

 Another student, Josh, spoke up, "That f*cking Andrew says he's better than all of us as a singer and dancer. But he screwed up! He and his 'band' needs to go!"

 The performing arts students agreed.

 Ashley said, "We just have to figure out how we can bring him down."

 Just then, Ethan entered the music room with a sly smile.

 Josh asked in an irritated, "What do you want, Ethan?" 

 Ethan replied smugly, "The same thing you all want: Destroying Andrew Hawthorne."

 Ashley asked suspiciously, "And how would you help?"

 "I've seen how Andrew acted on that teen star search show. He acts all nice and stuff. He never admitted that he was, or still is, a bully. He and his group of basketball friends insulted you all. He always acted like he was this talent less jerk. As it turns out, he was really one of you all."

 Josh said impatiently, "Get to the point, bitch."

 Ethan said, "My point is that the public doesn't know that Andrew used to be this school's top bully. If we all 'leak' this to the public, it'll hurt his reputation as this nice guy."

 The performing arts students agreed to Ethan's plan.

 The next day, back at the hotel where the NETS contestants lived, Alyson was on her laptop. She was on the Beacon Hill High gossip blog. She read a posting that had a link to the NETS MySpace page. She clicked on it, and read a comment from Ethan, who had a MySpace. She was somewhat surprised by what she read, but she wasn't happy either. She decided to get Andrew anyway. 

 She found him in another part of UTurn's room. She told him, "Andrew, I have to show you something on my laptop."

 Andrew followed Alyson to her room, and asked, "What is it?"

 Alyson replied, "On the New England's Teen Superstar MySpace page, Ethan posted a comment on the page."

 Alyson showed Andrew the comment. This is what Ethan said: 

 I know Andrew of UTurn. He goes to the same school as I do. He seems nice on TV, right? Well, guess what? HE ISN'T! He's not who he seems. Ever since elementary school, he was always the top bully. He may not be this big, tough, ugly guy. He's actually a small, somewhat skinny, pretty guy. But don't let his 'pretty boy' looks fool you. He would scare everyone and threaten lawsuits. He even insults the performing arts students in the school. And get this: He's actually one of them! So girls, before you vote for UTurn, remember that Andrew is fraud.

 Andrew became upset after he read that. He then said quietly, "We really are going to be eliminated."

 "Andrew..."

 He said louder, "Look, I've should've never been let in the band. My recent past would hold you all back."

 "Andrew, you don't have to admit that you were a bully."

 "But if I deny it, more people will back up Ethan."

 "Then say nothing. Besides, Ethan's comment kinda makes him sound like he's hitting on you."

 Andrew gave a small laugh, then smiled, "Only you can convince me to stay in UTurn."

 Alyson and Andrew then hugged.

 It's now Friday night. The night before UTurn performed No Good Advice by Girls Aloud. This time around Andrew was confident in his performance. He actually sang and danced well. The judges loved their performance. Now it's result night, and four acts were eliminated. UTurn was safe from the Bottom 8.

 It's the next day. Andrew woke up before the other UTurn members woke up. He went on the NETS MySpace page to see any new comments regarding himself. He saw some people not only backing up Ethan, but also posting hate messages toward Andrew.

 Then Andrew heard a girl's voice saying his name, and saw it was Alyson.

 Alyson asked groggily, "Andrew, what are you doing?"

 Andrew said nothing. Alyson went to Andrew's laptop, and saw the hate messages targeting him. Then she closed the laptop.

 Andrew asked quietly, "Why'd you do that?"

 "Forget what those haters say about you."

 "But they're right."

 Alyson said firmly, "Andrew, I love you. I know the real you is there even though you're in different identities. But you're truly a sweet, sensitive guy. When everyone else hates you, I'll always love you."

 Alyson kissed Andrew.

 Andrew said, "I love you too, Alyson. You're the only one who accepts me despite me being an asshole to everyone, including you."

 Then they hugged and kissed.