CHAPTER FOUR: NOT GIVEN UP

November 30, 2001

    It’s been a few days, and already No Rules are practicing singing to the 30 demos they received. The demos are finalized productions of the songs they’ll be recording for their debut album.

    Ever since Ashley and Sophie joined SC7, they became fast friends. They already had stuff in common, like music and famous guys. As the practiced their songs, they decided to talk about the No Rules boys.

    Ashley asked, “I know we’ve only been in the band for a few days, but which No Rules boys do you fancy?”

    Sophie replied as she blushed, “I know we barely know the guys, but I find myself attracted to Alex.”

    “Well, you’ve always defended him, and I see you trying to be friends with him. But why?”

    Sophie replied nervously, “Erm, it’s complicated.”

    “Why do you say that?”

    Sophie wanted to change the subject, so she commented hastily, “Let’s change guys. Which bloke do you fancy?”

    Ashley was a little taken back by Sophie’s tone, but went along with it; “I like Edward. He’s adorable, sweet, fit, and…I barely know him.”

    “Have you talked to him?”

    “Yeah, but we just met.”

    At the same, Hannah and Mariana were trying to work on the songs. Ever since they roomed together, they butted heads frequently. From clothes to just about anything.

    Hannah commented with a snobby tone, “OMFG, your singing sucks!”

    Mariana responded with irritation, “Not this again. Look, bitch, you’re no Mariah Carey. You’re good, but you’re not great.”

    “Are you, like, jealous?”

    “No! I’m just tired of your snobby attitude, and we’ve only been No Rules for a few days.”

    “I can’t help that I’m better than everyone else.”

    With that, Mariana left in a huff.

    At the same time, the No Rules boys were in Edward and Alex’s room, practicing on the songs. Ale was sitting all by himself in a corner, listening to the songs. Charlie noticed this, so he said, “Look at the f*cking loser. He’s all alone. He’s so stupid. I bet he’s planning goth shit.”

    Edward scolded Charlie “Don’t be stupid, Charlie.”

    Charlie got up from the floor, and approached Alex.

    Edward asked with an irritated voice, “What are you doing now?”

    Charlie ignored Edward as he approached Alex. He taunted, “Oi, freak! I bet you can’t sing!”

    Alex didn’t hear him, so Charlie roughly took off Alex’s hood, and yanked off his headphones. Alex gave a puzzled look at Charlie.

    Charlie taunted again, “Walsh freak! I know you can’t sing. You know why? Cuz you’re nothing but a worthless goth freak!”

     Alex kept his eyes on the floor, and shrank in his corner. Edward saw this, so he angrily walked up to Charlie.

     Edward scolded, “Sod off, Charlie! Either leave Alex alone, or go sing in your own room.”

     “Gladly.”

     Charlie stormed out of the room. Alex grabbed his portable CD player, and went into his closet. Edward couldn’t but feel sorry for him.

    It’s now Monday morning, and No Rules are now at one of their recording studios, Epic Records. PD Entertainment and Sony are their other labels.

    No Rules were in the waiting room waiting to go in the studio. Just then, some people approached the band.

    Hannah asked one of them “Who are you?”

    Person #1: “My name is Sarah, and this is my team of PR people. We’re here to represent No Rules.”

    Sarah glanced at the No Rules members, then glared at Alex, who was sitting behind a chair with the hoodie covering his face. He was writing in his notebook.

    Sarah faced the other members, and asked, “Hmm, where are your producers?”

    Charlie replied, “They should be in the recording studio.”

    So Sarah, with her PR team, entered the studio. Then the PR people started arguing with the producers. The argument was loud enough for No Rules to hear.

    Sarah told one of the producers, “Look, Alex needs to leave the band! The way he dresses and the way he acts is not popstar-material.”

    (That was the argument was about: Alex)

    Charlie and Hannah heard that, so they decided to taunt him. Charlie said to Alex, “Well Alex, I guess you’re not wanted after all.”

    Hannah added to the taunts, “The suitcases have been waiting for you. Call us never.”

    Sophie, Edward, Ashley, and Mariana were completely fed up with the insults towards Alex. Mariana scolded the two taunting members, “Ever heard of ‘shut the f*** up’?”

    Just then, they heard one of their producers, Calvin Louis, defend Alex, “Look, we all wondered if Alex is capable of going along with the demands that come along in a pop band. But we talked with him before we chose him, and he said he’s willing to change his attitude and looks. Besides, give him a chance. He might surprise you one day.”

      With that, Charlie and Hannah were quiet. Sophie approached Alex.

      She encouraged him, “See? You are wanted. The producers gave you a chance. Take it, and show the haters what you can do.”

      Alex looked up from his notebook, and gave a small smile at Sophie. Sophie was surprised to see his smile. She told him, “Just smile, and things will go your way.”

      Just then, Calvin called for Alex to start recording a song. He allowed the other No Rules members in the studio just to hear him sing. But when Alex saw that, he felt uncomfortable.

      He stuttered, “M-Mr. Louis, I-I just w-want Sophie.”

      Calvin was surprised, but he allowed it. Then he told him, “Alex, you have two parts in this song. You sing the chorus and the second part of the third bridge. Okay?”

      Alex nodded his head. He put down the hood, put on the headphones, and started singing. Sophie liked what she heard. She thought, OMG, he sounds so confident yet dreamy.

      After a few corrections, Alex was done with the song. As he got out of the booth, Sophie hugged him. He was taken back by the hug.

      She told him happily, “That was so good! You’re pretty good!”

      Alex smiled.

      The No Rules members saw this. Then Alex stopped smiling once he saw Charlie and Hannah. He put the hood back on, and went back to writing. He was back to being depressed. Sophie couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

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THIS IS SOPHIE MASLOW (April Pearson) SINGING IN THE VIDEO, AND HER IN THE PIC>>>