Chapter4-He’s Coming Clean

February 18th, 2012

 It’s the next day. All of the 7th Anthem members returned to London. By now, everyone in the band was aware of Justin’s current situation and status. After sleeping in, the members called up two guys for a meeting at their condo. The guys were Aaron Carlson and Brandon Hilton.

 As soon as the two guys entered their condo, Brandon asked, “What’s going on? Why are we meeting here?”

 Andrew explained, “Okay, you two may have heard that Justin had a mental breakdown, and now his parents have conservatorship over him. They’ll be returning to Boston in a couple of days.

 “Because of what’s going on with Justin, he might not be returning to the band. But we’ve been given 30 days. If Justin is stable enough, he’ll rejoin. If not, we’ll either continue as a 6th Anthem, or we replace him.”

 Alyson added, “This is where you two come in. Aaron, you’ve been in musical productions were you had to sing, dance, and act at the same time. So we know you have what it takes. Brandon, you were in S Club 8. There’s no need to explain.”

 Aaron and Brandon looked at Andrew and Alyson weirdly. Brandon asked, “So because of my credentials as a former S Club Junior, you want me to replace Justin?”

 Aaron chimed in, “Wait a minute: You want both of us to replace Justin?” Wouldn’t that make you guys an 8-piece?”

 Alyson said, “What? No. Well, that wouldn’t be a bad idea…”

 Brandon glared at Alyson, as did the 7A members. She noticed, so she said, “Just kidding. Look, you’re both great singers and dancers. We couldn’t decide who we want, so we decided to, sort of, have you audition for us.”

 Andrew said, “You do this by performing with us on our upcoming single, Do You Feel Me. You two will take turns performing Justin’s lines. And you must sing live.”

 Brandon and Aaron were apparently uneasy about this. Brandon asked, “What about your fans? How are they gonna react to this?”

 Amanda replied sourly, “They’ll be pissed, but we don’t have much of choice. We’re pretty much forced to promote this song. There’s already an unfinished version of that song all over YouTube.”

 Alyson said, “We’ll let our fans know everything that is going on. We’ll even let them choose the replacement.”

 Both Brandon and Aaron thought for a moment. Then Brandon said hesitantly, “I guess we could do this. I know the routine and the lyrics since I choreographed to this song. Besides, I get to do the band thing again for a whilst.”

 Aaron said, also hesitantly, “Yeah, I’ll do it, too. I was never in a band, so this should be an experience.”

 It’s a couple of days later, and 7A premiered their upcoming new single, Do You Feel Me, on a morning show. It was the first time Brandon performed with 7A, and it was also his singing comeback after nearly ten years of S Club 8’s split.

 As soon as 7A made their deal with Aaron and Brandon, the remaining members announced on Facebook about the Justin situation. Then they explained that Aaron and Brandon were potential replacements, and that they’re letting their fans pick who should join the band if Justin can’t come back.

 The reaction was strongly negative. Justin was a favorite among fans for years. He was considered a very important member since he was a founding member. He was very popular, though he was almost always overshadowed by Andrew. So it made sense that no one wanted Justin replaced.

 At the same time, Brandon quickly became the favorite to replace Justin. This was due to his past as a former S Club 8 member, that he’s 7A’s choreographer, and that he dated both Andrew and Justin. And that was before he got a chance to perform! After he performed with 7A, he became one of the most popular trends on Twitter and Tumblr.

 After the performance, the fans with backstage passes met with the members. Then one of the audience members approached the band. It was Natalie. She walked up to Andrew, and asked in an irritated tone, “Why was Brandon performing with you?”

 Andrew replied by asking, “Didn’t you read our announcement on Facebook? It’s all over the gossip sites.”

 “No. I expected you to tell me everything. Have you forgotten that I’m your girlfriend?”

 Andrew gave a heavy sigh, and grabbed her hand. He took her outside the studio. He told her, “Natalie, you’re not my girlfriend. I’m only ‘dating’ you just so you can keep your mouth shut.

 “As for Brandon, he’s one two potential replacements for Justin. He might not rejoin the band, so we ‘auditioning’ Brandon and another guy to see which one will likely replace Justin. Apparently, Brandon is well-liked, so it’s possible he’ll join if Justin officially leaves the band.”

 Natalie glared at Andrew. Then she demanded, “Don’t you dare add Brandon to 7th Anthem.”

 That angered Andrew. He said, “No! I’m the lead singer of the group, the main dancer, and the leader of 7th Anthem. I, along with Alyson, decide who’ll replace Justin or not. Not you.”

 “Andrew, you dated Brandon. You obviously slept with him. I cannot have my boyfriend’s ex-boyfriend in the same band. What if you go back to him?”

 “Brandon is seeing another guy now. He knows I’ve moved on from him. He knows I don’t have feelings for him anymore. So if I were you, I wouldn’t be bothered by this. Besides, Brandon and I are just friends now. We’re cool with each other now.”

 “No! You do as I say, or…”

 “Or what?” Andrew shot at her. “You’re gonna tell the whole world about my past? First of all, you’re not my girlfriend! Like I said, I’m only with you just so you keep quiet. Second, I don’t like Brandon like that anymore.”

 “Aren’t you bi?”

 “Yes, I am, but it doesn’t mean I still have feelings for Brandon. So don’t go threatening me over something that is purely just business. Like I said, I’m the leader of the band. Only me and Alyson have the final word, not anyone, not even you.”

 With that, Andrew stormed back into the TV studio. Natalie stood there, fuming. She was frustrated with him. He seemed to become more powerful by the minute. He needed to be brought down. So she took out her phone, and made a phone call.

 It’s about an hour later. Natalie was a low-key coffee-shoppe. She was alone, but not for long. She saw Ethan enter the building. Once he saw her, he sat at her table.

 He asked, “I just finished an interview. What could possibly be the problem?”

 Natalie explained, “It’s Andrew.”

 “My favorite subject. What did he do now?”

 “He’s getting stubborn.”

 “Andrew has always been stubborn. What? You didn’t experience that back in Connecticut?”

 “I kind of did, but that’s not the point. He had his ex-boyfriend Brandon with him and his band this morning. Andrew told me that Brandon is a potential replacement for Justin.”

 “Okay, and?”

 “‘And’? Didn’t you hear a word I said?”

 “Andrew’s a slut. Why should that bother you? You’ve seen his very public lust fest over Alyson, Brandon, and Justin.”

 Natalie pouted, “You just don’t get it. Andrew might leave me to go be with Brandon. And that would mean he’ll won’t be my hostage. That would mean I can’t leak out his bullying past.”

 Ethan, apparently annoyed with Natalie, said tiredly, “Just be more controlling towards Andrew. Oh wait, you can’t control Hawthorne. No one can fucking tame him.”

 Natalie groaned in frustration as she got up from her seat. She told him, “You’re no help. I’m starting to think you’re in love with him.”

 Ethan scoffed, “Hey, if I was in love with him, then why would I go through all this trouble just to take him down? Beside, he’s has the ugliest personality I’ve ever encounter. He’s pretty, but he’s awful.”

 Natalie scoffed, and stormed out of the coffee-shoppe.

 It’s the next day. Andrew and Natalie were at a bistro for a “date.” Natalie did all the talking, while Andrew ate slowly and quietly. He saw the paparazzi waiting for him outside the restaurant, and then he turned to face Natalie, who looked very annoyed.

 She asked in a snarky tone, “What? You want to date those photogs? Can’t get enough of guys?”

 Andrew sighed heavily, and said, “I’m bi, not gay. And why would I want to date a paparazzo? That’s just stupid.”

 “I don’t know, cuz maybe you’re a slut?”

 Andrew glared at Natalie. He couldn’t believe he was just called that. Sure, it was true for a time, but he changed, or at least trying to. He told her, “Natalie, I can walk out of here. Then your fucked up plot would be useless on me.”

 Natalie gave a short laugh, and said, “Andy, that’swhere you’re wrong. I own you, remember? If you walk out on me, I’ll tell the world about your past. If you don’t kick Brandon out of 7th Anthem, I’ll tell the world. I cannot have you cheat on me with Brandon.”

 He asked sarcastically, “What about Alyson? I dated her, and I slept with her. You want me to kick her out, too? Or maybe Libby and Amanda? I dated those two girls, also. Maybe I should kick everyone out since I have a raging bisexual libido.”

 Natalie said calmly, “That would be nice…”

 Then he changed his tone to stern, saying, “As sure as hell I’m not kicking anyone out. I’m not even going to ‘kick’ Brandon out. He’s not even an official member…yet. Besides, you can’t hold me hostage anymore.”

 She asked, “What do you mean?”

 “I mean, I’m going to tell the world myself about my past.”

 That shocked Natalie. She said, “No, you’re not. I will.”

 “Oh, I will. If the world is going to hear about my bullying past, it’s going to come from me. Besides, I’m almost 23. I should man-up to what I did back in grade school. I know I’m putting my reputation on the line. It’s already on shaky grounds after what I did last year. But I will not held hostage for the things I did to other students.”

 With that, Natalie became scared. For once, Andrew had the upper hand. She didn’t think he would be willing to risk his questionable reputation just so he can be free from her. Andrew noticed she was scared, so he gave a smug grin.

 She asked him, “How did you do that?”

 He told her smugly, “Maybe you’ve forgotten that my parents are lawyers. I make threats, and I always follow through with them. I filed numerous lawsuits and restraining orders, and they almost always do the job.”

 “Are threatening to sue me?”

 “I might if you ‘leak’ my past before I get the chance to tell the world.”

 With that, Andrew got up from his seat, and walked out of the bistro. Natalie sat there, for once, feeling defeated. Andrew was serious about his plans. Now that he’s going to tell the world about his bullying past, he’s no longer her prisoner. She’s no control over him. Ethan was right; no one can tame Andrew Hawthorne.

 About an hour later, Andrew arrived in the 7A condo. He went into Alyson’s room. He saw her on her iPad. She looked up, and asked, “How was the faux date?”

 Andrew closed the door, and sat next to her on her bed. He explained, “Weird. Natalie called me a slut just because I glanced at the paparazzi outside the restaurant. Next thing I knew, I told her that I’m going to tell the world about my bullying past.”

 That surprised Alyson. She knew Andrew was contemplating on whether or not he wanted to reveal his past. At the same time, she knew he’s an impulsive person. But she didn’t think Andrew would burst out this plan to Natalie.

 She asked him, “Are you sure you want to reveal your past?”

 Andrew thought for a moment. Then he said, “Yeah, I’ll move forward with this. I never cower away from threats. I always make sure I follow them. I just need to find a reliable reporter, and the interview should be in America.”

 Alyson held Andrew’s hand, and said, “I’ll be right here for you, but I’m worried for you.”

 Andrew smiled, and said, “Don’t be worried. I’ll be fine.”

 With that, he and Alyson kissed. Andrew was ready to tell the world about his bullying past. After being bombarded with reports of his bullying during the UTurn years, he’s finally coming clean to the wrong he had done to his classmates. Will this hurt him?