ChapterEight-Blown Up  

September 21st, 2006

 It's the next day, and the 7 UTurn members arrived at their high school. They all pretty much felt miserable, more so then ever. The only member feeling good is Riley...oh, and possibly Ethan. 

 Ever since the members returned to Beacon Hill High, Amanda has tried to fit in with every clique possible. Her original group rejected her. Libby practically flipped her off. No one else accepted her, that is, except the emos. 

 Amanda walked up to the emos at the lockers, wearing her emo clothes. Her hair still looked like a blonde mess. One of the guys asked, "Hey, any new songs being recorded today?"

 Amanda replied, almost happily, "Yeah, I think we're almost done with our second album. I don't know, I feel like we recorded a million songs when there's really 40."

 Then one of the girls asked, "Why do you sound happy?"

 Amanda was taken back by that question.She aked nervously, "What do you mean?"

 "I mean you shouldn't be happy. You're emo, remember?"

 Amanda scoffed, "Everyone else in UTurn has gone emo."

 Another guy scoffed, "Really? They all sure don't look like it!"

 Amanda said in an irritated tone, "Please. Andrew's feeling miserable, and knowing him, which I do know him very well, he'll blow up any moment. Alyson and her minion Stacie are practically finished with their obsession of becoming popular again. Bailey and Justin seem oblivious to what's going on around them. Ethan? Let's not go there."

 The first guy said sarcastically, "Aw, poor them. I guess being famous popstars is not enough of you guys."

 With that, the emos laughed. Amanda rolled her eyes, and stormed off.

 It's a few hours later, and a class just went out. Alyson and Andrew were in the same class that just finished. Andrew took Alyson aside, and asked, "Remember yesterday you told me you'll get us back on top at this god-awful school?"

 Alyson said, "Yeah."

 "Well, I need you to do this. Today."

 Alyson said nervously, "Um, I don't know anymore."

 Andrew asked, "Why not?"

 "I-I just don't think it's a good idea."

 Andrew grows more irritated as he asked, "What's going on, Alyson? Why are you questioning this?"

 "Andrew, relax."

 Andrew asked angrily, "How can I relax if my ass is getting kick, and getting gay slurs thrown at me?"

 Alyson angrily replied, "Andrew, I'm not gonna lose you over f*cking popularity!"

 "There was a choice?! You had to choose me over being popular?"

 With that, Andrew stormed off. Alyson tried to stop him, but he kept walking. Just then, Andrew was pushed against the lockers by Greg. Andrew had enough of being bullied, so he snapped. He harshly pushed Greg against the lockers.

 Andrew growled, "You don't f*cking mess with me! Have you forgotten I'm Andrew Hawthorne, the son of New England's biggest lawyers?!"

 Greg taunted, "What is it? More empty threats? You're not known as the lawyers' son; you're known as the gay popstar."

 "That's it! I challenge you to fight! After school! In the back!"

 "Sure! Be prepared to be crushed!"

 Andrew pushed Greg to the lockers, then stormed off.

 It's now lunch time. Most of the UTurn members sat together. By now, the whole school has heard about the after school fight between Andrew and Greg. As for the members, they all sat around Andrew, and stared at him. He glared at them as he asked, "What is this? A stare-down?"

 Bailey said sternly, "Andrew, this is serious! You could get seriously hurt!"

 Andrew said smugly, "Oh, and I don't know that? I think everyone's forgotten that I used to be a badass bully, and my parents are the toughest lawyers in all of the New England region. I'll get my way, and my threats are never empty."

 "Andrew, what are you planning?"

 "If I win the fight, I'll be feared once again. If I lose...let's say no one will be safe from me. Not the students, and not the school. Either way, I'll be feared."

 Andrew's face grew an evil grin.

 Justin said, "I thought you were over being a bully."

 Andrew said, "I will bully when necessary. In this case, it's necessary."

 Then Andrew got up from his table.

 Bailey said to Alyson, "Alyson, aren't you gonna stop him?"

 Alyson said, "No! I'm actually supporting him."

 "He's your boyfriend. He could get injured!"

 She said sternly, "I know him. We grew up together, whether or not we liked each other. He may sensitive, but he can get furious in a second. Once he's provoked, he'll lash out like never before. Or have you all forgotten the terrorizing elementary school years?"

 "Ugh, those years were bad. Andrew was horrible then. But that doesn't mean he should go ahead with the fight."

 With that, Alyson storm to find Andrew. She found him out in the courtyard on a picnic table, studying. She sat across from him. He saw her.

 Alyson said, "Andrew, I haven't forgotten your past. I remember how you used to terrorize everyone in elementary school. Especially the fifth-graders."

 Andrew gave a smirk. She continued, "I'm sorry about what I said this morning. It's just that I realized that I'm not gonna give you up just to be queen again. Being popular in school is temporary. You're more important."

 Andrew smiled as he said, "Okay, I'm sorry for how I reacted. You really do have a heart. It's probably bigger than mine. Me? I just wanna instill fear of me in everyone."

 "Which is why I'm supporting your decision to do this fight. There's a part of that has never left you since first grade."

 "And what's that?"

 "Your determination to fight. Seriously, you would scare everyone away, and beat the crap out of almost everyone who was not a girl. You never made empty threats; you'd always follow through with them. No matter how crazy they are."

 Andrew then kissed Alyson's lips passionately. Then they pulled away after a minute or two.

 Andrew said, "You really do know me."

 Alyson said, "Hey, I grew up with you. Of course I know you."

 "I'd kiss you again, but those students here will catch us, and post them all over MySpace."

 "Ugh, I sometimes hate our publicist. We have to keep our relationship a secret."

 Andrew and Alyson then laughed.

 It's now 4pm. The students gathered at the back alley of the school. UTurn was there also. Andrew and Greg were ready to fight each other.

 Greg taunted, "Hey Hawthorne! Why you just standing around?"

 Andrew taunted, "Piss me off first, then I kick your ass."

 Greg then called Andrew a gay slur, and Andrew suddenly punched him in the mouth. The fight was on. Greg gave strong punches, but Andrew was evidently stronger. Soon, Greg was knocked to the ground. 

 Andrew grinned victoriously. Alyson cheered for him, and as so half of the audience. As Andrew was about to kiss Alyson, Greg got up. He called out Andrew's name. Andrew turned, and before he knew it, he was knocked out. Unconsciously.